Session 05-10, a Regular Meeting of the Homer Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission was called to order on October 20, 2005 at 6:37 p.m. by Vice Chair Poore at the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS GANN, HAMIK, POORE, STEWART

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE: BAECHLER

ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS DAUGHARTY, MCCALLUM, TOLVA (excused)

STAFF: PLANNING TECHNICIAN ENGEBRETSEN

DEPUTY CITY CLERK JOHNSON

AGENDA APPROVAL

The agenda was approved by consensus of the Commission.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

A. Unapproved Minutes of September 15, 2005

The Regular Meeting Minutes of September 15, 2005 were approved by consensus of the Commission.

PUBLIC COMMENTS UPON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA

STAFF REPORT

A. Memorandum from Planning Technician Engebretsen

Planning Technician Engebretsen said the City Council will be taking comments pertaining to Ordinance 05-55, tax foreclosed parcels Oscar Munson Lot 79 and Island View Subdivision, Bayview Park. The Oscar Munson lot will be retained as green space and the Bayview Park lot will remain as a park. Following the death of Sheri Hagen, her husband has been circulating a petition to name a ball field in Homer after her.

The City Council has appropriated funds for the repaving of six streets that will include 7’ wide pedestrian walkways with decreased travel lane widths for vehicles. Commissioner Stewart asked about the possibility of separated walkways on Main, Ben Walters, Kachemak Way, Rochelle, Bayview and Heath Streets. Planning Technician Engebretsen said curb and gutter sidewalks and separated walkways are a whole different level of expense than the planned pedestrian walkways. Currently there are no code requirements to build sidewalks. On a couple of the proposed streets the pedestrian walkways would be a way for the public to see if it is a feasible option.

Commissioner Stewart said the Planning Commission is addressing large subdivisions and the latest subdivision was approved without consideration to pedestrian safety, as there is no physical separation between vehicles. Commissioner Gann commented that in the Foothills subdivision the traffic lanes are to be narrowed as a traffic measure. He has serious concerns for the safety of children on their way to school whom will walk in the road bed. In the winter they will encounter slush along with the spray from cars passing by.

The Commission concurred that “Sidewalks” should be a November agenda item. Planning Technician Engebretsen is to talk to Parks Maintenance Coordinator Hagerty for her recommendation on a location for the pooper scooper.

VISITORS

A. Rich Kleinleder – Jack Gist Park

Rich Kleinleder told the Commission he is not sure the Jack Gist Park was ever officially accepted by its name. He explained Jack Gist owned a 40-acre parcel and when he died left the property to Chris and Bobby Moss. Mr. Gist had talked about giving part of the land to the city to build ball fields. A ten-acre chunk was donated to the city, the part that was the old city landfill that closed in 1980 or 1981. The City Council accepted the parcel in 1996 and traded additional land with the Mosses, so there was enough room to make three ball fields. When the city got the land a group of softball players told the city they needed the fields and land. The group was not organized to obtain funds and the road would be an expensive project. To raise money to develop the land into fields the city paid Johnny Whitmore for advice on how to proceed. It was decided a multi-purpose park was needed to accommodate all users.

The group worked with the City to apply for a land and water conservation fund grant. The City owns 13 acres, which is Phase One, the space for softball fields. The larger Jack Gist Park as a multi-purpose facility would require additional land from the Mosses. Phase One is tied to the East End Road rebuild. The grant was obtained in 1998 allowing for the rough work and hydro seeding to be completed on the three ball fields. There is a lot of work needed to make a parking lot. The fields need to built with fencing and bleachers to make them playable fields. The grant would pay for materials, while the Jack Gist Recreational Park Association and the Softball Association would provide labor to get the work done. The Softball Association is in the process of organizing into construction mode. Next summer they will be building the fencing on fields.

Public Works Director Meyer has been working closely on the project. The ground is rough and the field will not be readied to play on until 2007. Operational budget costs have not been explored. It is the intent that the user groups will support the costs. Mr. Kleinleder said Public Works Director Meyer indicated the City will probably cut the grass and take the trash away, although there is no written agreement with the City. The facility will require consistent and longer term work than just playing softball for a couple of months. They have talked about increasing teen fees, holding tournaments, and operating concession stands with the proceeds going to the maintenance fund. The user groups could work out the sustainable funds.

Mr. Kleinleder said the Jack Gist Recreational Park Association is a 501C3 group, which allows them to hire employees if needed. They are still working on getting additional land for more facilities.

The fields are built to the specs of adult fields. They would work well for girls fast pitch softball. One field is set up for Little League dimensions. Mr. Kleinleder said there is no water or sewer into the middle of the lot, although sewer access is in the bottom of the tract and water is adjacent to Early Spring Street. Restrooms are not part of the grant money. Port-a-potties can be used. The concession stand could have hauled water and a generator.

Mr. Kleinleder said he would like to approach the Rasmuson Foundation for a larger chunk of money. He talked to a boardmember of the Foundation who was very positive. A larger grant requires a showing of history in taking care of money, group meetings regularly and community support. A larger grant may help pay for parking and a concession stand structure.

Brochures of the Jack Gist Park were provided to Commissioners. Mr. Kleinleder said the group is working with the equestrian people on safety issues and soccer groups are still interested.

Commissioner Hamik commended the group on the work they have completed thus far. She suggested the Parks and Recreation Commission write a letter of support. Planning Technician Engebretsen said there is money in Parks and Recreation reserves and some could be allocated for the parking lot of the Jack Gist Park. Commissioner Stewart commented he would like to increase the Commission’s budget to include improvements for the park. He said the Commission needs to attend the City Council public hearings and voice their support.

Mr. Kleinleder said a crosswalk on East End Road, parking and restrooms were all high priorities. Although some people have an idea the park could support campgrounds there is no capacity for that, as the parking lot area has room for only 100 cars. He said City contributions could help the grant possibilities. Planning Technician Engebretsen said it takes lots of money to make things happen. The Commission can provide recommendations to the City Council about the park and improvements. The City Council will decide if it is affordable. She suggested a memorandum from the Commission or a committee report to the City Council for their November 14, 2005 meeting. Rich Kleinleder thanked the Commission for their support and said he would try to get support to attend the November 14, 2005 Council meeting.

The Commission unanimously agreed to hear Tree Steward Committee report at this time due to Mr. Klausner’s need to depart from the meeting early.

Hans Klausner said the tree stewards group was created some time ago and coordinated efforts with the Commission on Community Park Day. He thanked the Commission for their letter of appreciation. There was a full board seated on the Tree Stewards Committee and they were ready to go. They approached the City regarding fulfilling the resolution passed in 1998. The mayor was very supportive. Now the Committee is minus two members, leaving only three members. Those members organized a tree steward’s class through Community Schools with an attendance of 24 individuals in one class. It is a master gardener’s course for trees and a professional arborist from the Division of Forestry held a five day class outlining tree biology, maintenance, care of soils and pests. All the attendees signed up as volunteers for tree stewards. To date, no one from the class has approached as to serving on the Tree Steward Committee. Individuals on the list will be contacted individually to try to obtain two more boardmembers for the Committee. They will fulfill what has been set out to do for the City. There is a question where the tree stewards fit in with the City as some see them as an advisory group to Parks and Recreation Commission or the Planning Commission. Mr. Klausner said they are applicable to both commissions, but they would rather have a five member board seated to make decisions. He questioned where the Parks and Recreation Commission would see the most effectiveness of the group with their training and expertise in arbors and landscape backgrounds. The tree steward’s group is to promote healthy trees and forests in the community of Homer.

Commissioner Stewart said the Parks and Recreation Commission has expanded their realm to the beaches and he would like to see the tree stewards stay under the Commission’s umbrella. Their input and assistance with Community Park Day and Karen Hornaday Park would fit with the Parks and Recreation Commission. The Planning Commission has a big and full agenda and with the tree steward’s member (Valerie Connor) serving on the Planning Commission they will stay informed. Mr. Klausner said the Tree Steward Committee can provide input to both commissions. He appreciates the Parks and Recreation Commission and their direct communication with Public Works.

Mr. Klausner said the tree stewards have done a landscape plan and some field work at the Kenai Peninsula College. They intend to do more work in the spring. Patricia Joiner, Division of Forestry, will do more outdoor work with volunteers in planting and trimming techniques. Mr. Klausner said it would be beneficial to have Tammy Hagerty, City Parks Maintenance Coordinator, and her crew attend the training classes as it would be a free and easy way to train personnel. A professional could assist and take the load off of Ms. Hagerty. Patricia Joiner will write a letter or make a personal visit to the City and Public Works describing what the tree stewards course has accomplished, what the training consisted of and future training options. The college had a landscape plan but nobody to maintain it. He said it was important to budget maintenance of grounds as it heightens awareness of the visual investment if it is professionally cared for.

Mr. Klausner said Dave Brann has some ideas for tree tours around Arbor Day as he is familiar with unique tree species.

Vice-Chair Poore called for a recess at 8:00 p.m. and resumed the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Student Representative Baechler was excused from the meeting.

PENDING BUSINESS

A. Budget

Vice Chair Poore asked how much direction the Commission gives to the budget. Planning Technician Engebretsen answered although Commissions are not part of the budget process it would be appropriate for them to submit a memorandum with their priorities. She said a recommendation for the amount of money to be expended on projects could be made, but dollar figures are less important than naming their priorities.

Commissioner Stewart said making a recommendation that Jack Gist Park needs $25,000 for their parking area in 2006 would leave $8,000 in the Reserve Fund. There is still $7,000 unspent that was allocated in 2002, with three years to use it. It was directed to be spent for picnic tables and signs. If unspent it will go into the reserve account and bolster the fund to $40,000. Planning Technician Engebretsen said the Commission should ask “big” and make the recommendations for city projects they support. Commissioner Stewart said the $25,000 figure for Jack Gist Park along with a matched grant would provide funds for the parking area. Mrs. Engebretsen said it is helpful to organizations obtaining a grant if they can show community support.

Commissioner Stewart said there is a great demand for use of the ball fields now and the need to expand is important. It is difficult for little leaguers to get time on the field. Commissioner Gann said the Commission could encourage the Jack Gist Park parking lot development and leave the dollar amount up to the budget people. Commissioner Hamik commented she doesn’t see anything wrong with putting an amount of Parks and Recreation Reserve Fund to prevent the funds from going to something that may not be a priority of the Commission.

The Commission discussed a memorandum to City Council requesting expenditures for projects. Deputy City Clerk Johnson is to prepare the memorandum.

B. Work List

Commissioners visited various parks viewing signage and reported there are no signs at Triangle Park, Skateboard Park, Baycrest Park; Bayview Park, Woodside Park and Jeffrey Park. WKFL has a plaque that identifies it as WKFL, but no park sign. Karen Hornaday Park does have a sign. The Commission determined Parks and Trail Signage is to be added to the Work List as page 2.

C. Trails Committee Report

Commissioner Hamik reported the Trails Committee will be planting wildflower seeds along the East End Road pathway before the end of October. The seeds were donated and the best time to plant them is in the fall.

COMMISSION BUSINESS

A. Tree Steward Committee

This was heard under VISITORS.

B. Emerald Park

A letter from John Velsko, Daniel Birkhimer and Ginger VanWagoner requesting that the Emerald Park matter be postponed to December was read. Planning Technician Engebretsen provided two maps indicating the area and the property owners that would be affected. Planning Technician Engebretsen suggested a neighborhood meeting in January. The item is to be continued under COMMISSION BUSINESS for the November meeting and set for a public hearing in January 2006.

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

A. City Council Meeting Minutes – Special and Regular Minutes of

September 26, 2005 (approved) & Special and Regular Minutes of

October 10, 2005 (unapproved)

B. City Council Meetings – Commissioner Attendance Schedule

C. Poopdeck Signs, Email update from David S. Anderson

D. Soldotna Closes Skate Park, Article from Peninsula Clarion

E. Thank You to Homer Animal Friends, Memorandum from Parks and Recreation Commission F. Thank You to Businesses and Citizens for Contributions in Homer’s Community Park Day, Ad from Homer News G. Mayor’s Recognition of Park Day Contributors

COMMENTS OF AUDIENCE

COMMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS

Commissioner Stewart commented it was a constructive meeting tonight.

Commissioner Hamik said it was a great meeting and she appreciates Deputy City Clerk Johnson and Planning Technician Engebretsen’s work.

Vice Chair Poore said the work, information and history Planning Technician Engebretsen provides makes the Commission’s work more complete. She said the Commission spent a great deal of time on Jack Gist Park and it warrants attention. The visitors were very informed. It feels like the Parks and Recreation Commission is rolling and people in the community are excited to be working with the Commission as well.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for November 17, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

_________________________________

JO JOHNSON, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

Approved: ________________________