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:

  1. Park Maintenance Coordinator Hagerty will be retiring at the end of May. She had a card for the Commissioners to sign.
  2. The Spit Trail parking area will be expanded along Kachemak Drive. The original answer was no, but minds were changed. It is in the permitting process.
  3. City Council approved the Trail Design Standards in February.
  4. Planning Commission finished reviewing the Comp Plan and will be sent to City Council in August.
  5. Ben Walter dock was completed.
  6. The construction of Reber Trail was advertised and bids are due first part of June.
  7. Work is ongoing on an easement for a trail between the West Homer Elementary and Forest Glen. It is a lengthy process so she is not sure if dirt will move this summer.

 

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.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

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: