PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION UNAPPROVED
REGULAR MEETING
MAY 21, 2009
Session 09-01 a Regular Meeting of the Parks
and Recreation Advisory Commission was called to order at 6:33 p.m. on May 21,
2009 by Chair Bumppo Bremicker at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located
at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.
PRESENT: COMMISSIONER BREMICKER, GARAY,
DICKERSON, GUNTHER
ABSENT: COMMISSIONER
STEWART (EXCUSED)
COMMISSIONER TOLVA
STAFF: PLANNING TECHNICIAN
ENGEBRETSEN
DEPUTY CITY CLERK
KRAUSE
AGENDA
APPROVAL
DICKERSON/GARAY – MOVED TO APPROVE THE
AGENDA.
There was no discussion.
VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
MINUTES
APPROVAL
A. Meeting Minutes for October 16, 2008.
The minutes were approved by consensus of
the Commission.
PUBLIC
COMMENT ON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA
Beth Cumming, City Resident and member of
Friends of Woodard Creek spoke on the Draft Karen Hornaday Master Plan. She recommended
the Park Host or Caretaker position should be a permanent resident to prevent
vandalism; there should be written agreements between the Little League and the
City. She informed the Commissioners that the combination of funds earned at a
recent fundraiser and a private donation they have $15,000.00.
Kurt Marquardt, City Resident, member of
Friends of Karen Hornaday Park and Woodard Creek commented that the initial
summary of the Master Plan summed it up for him. He has recently spent a good
amount of time with little league and school events at the park, and has heard
numerous positive comments regarding the proposed plan. He had a conversation
with Mr. Kenton Bloom, a local surveyor, regarding the required engineering work
completed for much less than expected since a lot of the initial work is finished.
Roberta Highland, City Resident, and
President of the Kachemak Bay Conversation Society (KCS) inquired on the
process for donating the funds raised and responded that these funds were
specifically for Karen Hornaday Park and Woodard Creek to show City Council
there was local support and get the Master Plan approved so KCS can then start
applying for grants. The grant applications cannot be started without the Master
Plan.
The $8,000.00 is specifically for the
Woodard Creek Trail.
VISITORS
None.
STAFF
REPORT/COMMITTEE REPORT
A. Staff
Report for May 2009
Planning Technician Engebretsen reported
that:
Chair Bremicker inquired about the status of
the short trail between senior citizens and the church.
There was no further discussion.
PUBLIC
HEARING
There were no public hearings.
PENDING
BUSINESS
A. Karen
Hornaday Park Master Plan – Final Draft
a. Review
Final Draft - make further recommendations or changes as needed.
Chair Bremicker requested
a motion to discuss.
GARAY/GUNTHER –
MOVED TO RECOMMEND CITY COUNCIL ADOPT THE KAREN HORNADAY MASTER PLAN.
Chair Bremicker
stated there was a lot of work done on this. Planning Technician Engebretsen
stated there was a public meeting. There were revisions done on first draft. There
are different drawings reflecting Concept A – current layout, Concept B and B2.
These are options to consider after the engineering work has been completed.
She answered
questions from the Commissioners regarding the location of the road, vandalism
and location of the proposed park host. She recommended that a professional
park planner could answer those questions in more detail.
Chair Bremicker
requested confirmation on the proposed location of the road in comparison to
existing location. In B2, it is moved closer to the creek. He asked if there
would be any complications to the trail moving the road closer to the creek. Ms.
Cumming responded that the plan was to remove or relocate the fill from the
creek so it would actually work better with the concepts she has proposed on
the creek trail. Concept B2 was favored since it out the road outside of the
parking area, it allowed for more parking.
Commissioner
Dickerson requested clarification from Ms. Cumming on additional public input
needed. Commissioner Dickerson explained that it could be approved as is and
amendments done later. Ms. Cumming expressed her concerns regarding the Park Caretaker
compared to a year round resident.
DICKERSON/GARAY -
MOVED TO CHANGE THE FIRST BULLET UNDER CAMPGROUND ON PAGE 10 OF THE MASTER PLAN
TO READ, “EXPLORE ESTABLISHING A PARK CARETAKER, OR A YEAR ROUND RESIDENT OR
THE RECRUITMENT OF PARK HOST VOLUNTEERS.”
There was a brief discussion on the wording.
VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
Chair Bremicker asked for further changes or concerns and stated the
Commission can recommend further public meetings but strongly encouraged
approving the current draft plan and submitting to council. Additional changes
could be done later. He did not want to hold it up any longer and the committee
members are not all available.
Ms. Cumming expressed concerns regarding agreements between the city and
Little League should be established.
Planning Technician Engebretsen clarified the process for an agreement, which
would be brought before City Council by the City Manager. It would not be a
formal Public hearing but would allow the public the ability to comment on it
all the same. She further clarified for the Commission the number of groups
currently using the fields. She further noted that the Concept B2 takes away a
ballfield and gives us the sledding hill/BMX Course. It does not allow for a fourth
field.
Commissioner Dickerson noted there were two other places, pages 32 and
33, where a camp host is referenced and stated it should reflect the changes
made on page 10.
It was noted that the recommended change would be carried throughout the
plan.
Chair Bremicker requested some clarification on a campground host since
that would mean a permanent structure. In the lower 48, this is a temporary
thing and hosts have a motor home. Roberta Highland commented that the
requirement should be kept broad, no one has the funds to build a permanent
structure; looking for a hearty sort who could move a 5th, wheeler
up there and live year round.
Planning Technician Engebretsen stated the current city code does not
allow a fifth wheeler. Year round is another whole ball of wax than seasonal.
There are water and sewer issues.
Ms. Cumming noted a family who had lived in the adjacent area above the
proposed location for a park host and that it was possible.
Commissioner Gunther felt that it would be discussed when the time comes
and now is not an appropriate time. City Council will deal with this. He felt
the master plan as revised looked good.
There was further discussion regarding the revised plan being thorough
and addressing previously expressed concerns. The Commissioners requested
clarification from staff regarding the process if City Council throws out this
master plan.
Deputy City Clerk suggested making a motion to include the recommended
changes by the Commissioners.
GARAY/GUNTHER – MOVED TO RECOMMEND SUBMITTING THE REVISED KAREN HORNADAY
HILLSIDE PARK MASTER PLAN WITH RECOMMENDED CHANGES TO CITY COUNCIL FOR
ADOPTION.
There was no further discussion.
VOTE. YES. DICKERSON, BREMICKER, GARAY, GUNTHER
Motion carried.
Commissioner
Dickerson would like to send a letter of appreciation from the Commission and
she volunteered to construct the letter.
Chair
Bremicker inquired when this would be before the City Council. Deputy City
Clerk was not quite sure if it would make the agenda for the meeting on June 8th.
Chair bremicker asked if there was any way that the protocol can be changed to
accommodate reports by the Commissions. The Mayor breezes by the opportunity
way too fast.
A. Bylaws
a. Amending
Bylaws
1. Meeting Frequency
Planning Technician
Engebretsen stated that the requested change to meet quarterly if there are no
pending items on the agenda.
Chair Bremicker
felt that addressing items by committee has worked very well in the past. He
added that it might be a more effective approach to getting things done. A
committee can be appointed at a regular meeting to address projects in depth and
then report to the full commission at the next regular meeting. A committee can
set meeting dates as needed since the membership is smaller it would be easier
to accommodate personal schedules.
Chair Bremicker asked
if the Commissioners mind suspending the rules to allow comment from the audience
at this time. There were no objections.
Roberta Highland
commented on considering alternates for members to help make a quorum.
Deputy City Clerk
Krause explained that the membership makeup would have to be changed by
Ordinance, which would entail being on the agenda next month and submitting
recommendation to City Council, which would then have 1-2 public hearings
before being changed and only if adopted.
Commissioner
Gunther noted that they have been seeking a member for a long time and cannot
find a volunteer.
Discussion
encompassed limitation of quarterly meetings, and scheduling a special meeting
when needed. Also discussed was the status of Commissioner Tolva and Stewart’s
membership. Ms. Tolva stated to Deputy City Clerk Krause that she would be
resigning but her resignation has not been received in writing. Commissioner
Stewart has employment on the Slope and goes back the week of the meeting so
she is not aware of what he will be doing in the future. His schedule may
change. Technically this is the first meeting he has missed since his
reappointment.
Commissioner
Dickerson expressed concerns if there was no quorum for a quarterly meeting
then they would not meet for another three months and she did not feel it was
appropriate to go 6 months not meeting.
It was explained
that a special meeting could be scheduled and that the Clerk stays on top of
attendance so it could be reschedule very quickly.
GUNTHER/DICKERSON –
MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF CHANGES TO THE PARKS & RECREATION BYLAWS.
There was no discussion.
VOTE. YES.
NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
The Commission
will meet as scheduled in June.
B. Diamond Creek Trail Proposal
Chair Bremicker requested information from
Planning Technician Engebretsen.
Planning Technician Engebretsen gave a
summary on this property. Mr. Dave Brann would like to build a trail on city
owned property. Currently there is a deed restriction on the property that
requires the land to be used for recreation and forestry. There is a
conservation easement in the process and it may need a management plan. There
are many options to develop these documents. City Council may require these
documents before any development. The trail development requires state and
federal approval due to the deed restriction. Having a management plan and
easement can eliminate that step in the future.
The City Manager requested a formal
recommendation from the Commission on this trail proposal.
DICKERSON/GARAY – MOVED TO RECOMMEND THE
DIAMOND CREEK TRAIL PROPOSAL SUBMITTED BY DAVE BRANN BE SUBMITTED TO CITY
COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL AND ADOPTION.
There was no further discussion.
VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
INFORMATIONAL
MATERIALS
A.
Council
Meeting Schedule
There was a brief discussion on the meeting
scheduled.
B.
Memorandum
from Dru Corbin dated February 5, 2009 Re: Poopdeck Trailhead Marker Refurbish
request for Proposal.
a.
On
April 3, 2009, no proposals were received. The Public Arts Committee will need
to make further recommendations to City Council.
There was a brief
status update on the Poopdeck Trail signage and remaining budget.
C.
2009
Annual Conference Flyer for Parks and Recreation Association
COMMENTS
OF THE AUDIENCE
Ms. Cumming commented that she would like to
see the Commission meet monthly. She feels each person brings something special
to the Commission. She is sorry to see Commissioner Tolva leave but she is
probably burnt out. She is working on someone and hopes he submits an application
soon. She is wondering how the quarterly meetings will affect the bylaws that
address attendance issues. She wanted to thank Julie for all her hard work. She
additionally added that if a commissioner was going to resign before their term
end they should find their replacement.
COMMENTS
OF THE STAFF
Planning Technician Engebretsen had no
comments.
COMMENTS
OF THE COMMISSION
Commissioner Gunther glad to have a quorum
to meet today. Wanted to have Park Day on the agenda for next month. He wanted
to talk about Jack Gist Park and the status on the softball. He also hopes
Council approves the master plan. It was a good meeting. He recommended keeping
contact via email if new ideas.
Commissioner Dickerson commented that it was
disappointing to take so long having a meeting. She requested Jack Wiles
contact information so she could send the thank you letter. She felt that a
date should be decided at the next meeting.
Commissioner Garay is happy that the work has
been completed on the master plan.
COMMENTS
OF THE CHAIR
Chair Bremicker encouraged Ms. Cumming to
attend a Council Meeting and voice her concerns. He is confident that there will
be more meetings when projects are assigned to committees. He commented that
items on his list to focus on were Park Day, new commissioners and Jack Gist
Park. He felt that maybe they should focus on that next.
There was a brief discussion on the
condition of Jack Gist fields by the commissioners. It was agreed that a worksession
be conducted Tuesday, May 26, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. at Jack Gist Park to do a park
walk through inspection. Some suggested having Park Day at Jack Gist Park.
There was a brief discussion on advertising
requirements for the worksession.
There was a brief discussion on the status
of the Disc Golf agreement. Commissioner Gunther stated he would check with Mr.
Badajos.
ADJOURN
There being no further business to come
before the Commission the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m. The next regular
meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on June 18, 2009 at the City Hall Cowles
Council Chambers, Homer, Alaska.
Renee Krause, Deputy City Clerk I
Approved: