Session 05-09, a Regular Meeting of the Homer Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission was called to order on September 15, 2005 at 6:30 pm by Chair Daugharty at the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

PRESENT:       COMMISSIONERS TOLVA, POORE, DAUGHARTY, GANN, HAMIK, STEWART, MCCALLUM

 

ABSENT:        STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE BAECHLER (Excused)

 

STAFF:            PLANNING TECHNICIAN ENGEBRETSEN

                        DEPUTY CITY CLERK JACOBSEN

 

AGENDA APPROVAL

 

Commissioner Hamik requested that Pooper Scoopers be added to the agenda as item E. under pending business.

 

The amended agenda was approved by consensus of the Commission.

 

 PUBLIC COMMENTS UPON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA

 

There were no public comments.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

A.                 Unapproved minutes of August 18, 2005

 

Commissioner Poore corrected typographical errors in the minutes.

 

STEWART/TOLVA MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS AMENDED.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE:  YES:  MCCALLUM, GANN, DAUGHARTY, POORE, TOLVA, HAMIK, STEWART

 

Motion carried.

                                                                       

STAFF REPORT

A.                 Memorandum from Planning Technician Engebretsen

 

Planning Technician Engebretsen clarified for the Commission that Emerald Park is located off Highland Drive, which is up West Hill.  It is a property that the City currently owns and the Girl Scouts had planned to do something with, but never did. 

 

TOLVA/STEWART MOVED TO HAVE EMERALD PARK ON THE OCTOBER AGENDA.

 

VOTE:  YES:  UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

Commissioner Poore asked for clarification on the budget information Planning Technician Engebretsen provided.  Mrs. Engebretsen explained that the money listed for parks covers day to day expenses of personnel, equipment and so on.  It makes up 4.33% of the General Fund.  She continued that there is a project fund for special projects and the reserve budget if there is a large project they are saving for.  She continued that the parks and recreation reserve account has approximately $30,000. She explained that once a project is approved, new park swings for example, the staff has three years to expend the funds for the or the money goes back into the reserve fund and has to be allocated again.  Mrs. Engebretsen further explained that this is the time to lobby for more funding to the reserve account so when an opportunity comes up for a project there will be more money to spend.  Unfortunately, the City has not added funding to the reserve accounts for a while.  An example Mrs. Engebretsen used was Jack Gist Park as there are things that need to be completed.  It is on the CIP list so the City can say that there is, for example, $20,000 in the reserve fund to help fund the project and there are other entities that offer matching grants to help with funding. 

 

The Commission agreed to add the budget to the next agenda for further discussion.

 

Commissioner Poore reminded the Commission that she can take their ideas to the City Council when she give the Commission Report at the meeting on September 26th. 

 

Commissioner Hamik asked what is happening with the sidewalk projects for Kachemak Way, Svedlund, and Main Street.  Planning Technician Engebretsen said that the money has been allocated for the project but the Public Works workload isn’t allowing for it.  Commissioner Stewart agreed that it is an important project, it is a life-safety issue because of the amount of traffic on these roads.  Commissioner Hamik added that the foot traffic is increasing on these roads as well. 

 

The Commission discussed whether this is something they wanted to bring up to the City Council.  Chair Daugharty suggested that it should not be brought up because they don’t want to become a “bur in the side”.  He explained that we trust the money is there and the work is going to be done.  The Commission agreed that they would like to hear from Public Works Director Meyer regarding what the plan is, why it wasn’t done this summer and if it would help facilitate the process for the Commission to remind the Council that they think this is very important.  Chair Daugharty added his reasoning that the City has done the grading at Jack Gist, they are working on putting the ditch in at Hornaday Park and the striping and paving is just one more thing.  Mr. Daugharty pointed out that he has noticed on several days, Public Works Director Meyer, on his days off, on top the pole barn screwing down the tin.  Planning Technician Engebretsen said she would contact the Public Works Director for an update.

 

VISITORS

 

PENDING BUSINESS

 

A.                 Homer Beaches - Walk-Through results

 

Commissioner Tolva thanked everyone who attended for the report.  Ms. Tolva asked if any of the items mentioned in the walk-through report need to be address in the budget.  Planning Technician Engebretsen said that she had talked with Parks Maintenance Coordinator Hagerty regarding Mariner Park.  Ms. Hagerty said there is a Mariner Park Master Plan that talks about a new kiosk being constructed closer to the middle of the park and there would be more information available.  Mrs. Engebretsen stated that the “Where Can I Ride” beach use maps are available at the campground information office on the spit.  She said she would have a discussion with Public Works Inspector Gardner about the Crittenden right-of-way, but probably not for another month or so.  She will ask Ms. Hagerty about the rebar that is sticking up out of the logs and who would maintain that.  Commissioner Stewart suggested asking Ms. Hagerty which items on the walk-through list Parks and Rec can address through the normal channels and the others they can pursue funding for.

 

Commissioner Hamik questioned the log sign at Bishop’s Beach and whether it had been painted.  In previous discussions of the Commission she recalled comments that it needed to be repainted.  Commissioner Poore commented that she noticed that the grass needed to be cut in front of the sign, but was unsure if had been painted.  Commissioner Stewart commented that it does need to be painted.  Planning Technician Engebretsen stated that Parks Maintenance Coordinator Hagerty had painted the lettering black and it has not been maintained at all.  The Commission agreed that it should be painted a contrasting color and it should be determined who should do it.

 

Chair Daugharty questioned what the property owner’s intentions were with the Crittenden right-of-way.  Planning Technician Engebretsen replied that previously they were hoping to vacate the right-of-way, then would address the drainage issue.  Now she is not sure what is happening but thinks the motel is considering doing some work on their bluff. 

 

B.                 Thank You Letter for Park Day Contributors

 

Commissioner Tolva commented that the Mayor’s Certificate of Recognition is a good way to recognize the donors.  Commissioner Hamik thought that there should be a thank you in the paper as well, the Commission agreed.  The Commissioners brainstormed and came up with the list of donors for Park Day, Deputy City Clerk Jacobsen will finalize the certificates, and get them mailed out.

 

C.                 Trails Committee Report

 

Commissioner Tolva commented that they have not met, but will be working on recommendations for the Non-Motorized Transportation and Trails Plan.

 

Commissioner Hamik will be out of town next month, so the Trails Committee will not meet in October.

 

D.                 Worklist 

 

Chair Daugharty asked what items the Commission would like to request from the Council for added funds from the budget. 

·        Money to be added to the reserve fund.

·        Playground equipment for the new parks.

·        Funding for restrooms and parking at Jack Gist Park.

 

The Commission briefly discussed the size of Emerald Park.  They also discussed the needs for Jack Gist Park.  Parks Maintenance Coordinator Hagerty advised planning Technician Engebretsen that the area had been hydro seeded and there are backstops for it but there are no restroom facilities and no parking.  Comment was made that porta-potties for use in the interim would likely come out of the Parks budget, along with mowing contracts and other maintenance items.  The Commission agreed that they need to see a plan so they can see what the City needs to do.  Commissioner Stewart agreed to contact Rich Kleinleder and invite him to their October meeting to speak about the plan for Jack Gist Park.  Chair Daugharty suggested Mr. Kleinleder bring funding requests to the meeting.  Commissioner Hamik questioned how they can get funding for a crosswalk at Jack Gist Park.   Planning Technician Engebretsen agreed to contact DOT and report back as an agenda item in November.  

 

The Commission discussed the status of the Poopdeck Trail signs.  Commissioner Hamik stated she thought that Parks Maintenance Coordinator Hagerty had agreed to step in if needed, but no one is sure what the designer of the signs would like to have happen.  Planning Technician Engebretsen said she would speak to Dave Anderson about it. 

 

Commissioner Stewart suggested they prioritize the things they want to do regarding parks and try to include them in some sort of budget plan.  Commissioner McCallum commented she would like to hear from Parks Maintenance Coordinator Hagerty to see what she has planned and is already working on so that they are not spending time on items that are already in the works.

Mr. Stewart asked if they could brainstorm on their top three to five priorities for future parks to target for expenses on the work list.  The Commission came up with the following:

·        Jack Gist Park

·        Hornaday Park and its ongoing issues

·        Emerald Park

 

Commissioner Poore asked the Commission for input regarding her comments for the City Council meeting on the 26th.  The Commission agreed that they want Council to know these are parks the Commission is looking at and going to be asking for budget funds to support and the Commission is currently identifying what the specific needs for those parks are. 

 

The Commissioners decided to go out and specifically look at park signs.  They divided the task up as follows:

·        Commissioner Hamik - Jeffrey Park, Bayview Park and Hornaday Park

·        Commissioner Tolva - End of the Road Park, Coal Point Park, Mariner Park, Louis Lagoon and the fishing lagoon.

·        Commissioner McCallum - Ben Walters Park, The RV Dump Park and Bishops Beach.

·        Commissioner Stewart - Baycrest Park, WKFL and Woodside Park

·        Commissioner Gann - Triangle Park and the Skate Park

 

Commissioner McCallum informed the Commission about an art grant from Council on the Arts that was used to create the sign that is a fish, which is on Save-U-More.  She recommended contacting Council on the Arts about the program because it would be a good project for the Skate Park because the kids could create the sign for their own park. 

 

E.                  Pooper Scoopers

 

Commissioner Hamik brought in the “Doggie Pot” that the Homer Animal Friends donated to the City. 

 

MCCALLUM/STEWART MOVED FOR STAFF TO WRITE A LETTER OF THANKS AND CC IT TO THE PAPER TO HOMER ANIMAL FRIENDS FOR THEIR VALUABLE AND INSIGHTFUL DONATION OF THE DOGGIE POT, A STAND WHICH DISPENSES COMPLEMENTARY DOG CLEAN UP BAGS.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE:  YES:  UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

COMMISSION BUSINESS

 

 INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

 

            A.        City Council Minutes Special and Regular Meeting August 8 & 22, 2005          

            B.         Email from Planning Technician Engebretsen Re: Tree Stewards            

            C.        Memorandum from Parks & Recreation Commission to Special Projects Coordinator Holen Re: CIP Recommendations                                           

D.        Memorandum from Park & Recreation Commission to Parks Maintenance Coordinator Hagerty Re: Jeffrey Park Fill                                                       

E.         Memorandum from Parks & Recreation Commission to Parks Maintenance Coordinator Hagerty Re: Bike Racks                                   

F.         Resolution 05-01 from Parks and Recreation Commission Re: Fireworks

G.        Letter from Virginia F. Tornes to Public Works Inspector Dan Gardner Re: Her fences and trees in the right-of-way.

H.        Council Meeting Attendance List

 

 

COMMENTS OF AUDIENCE

 

There were no audience comments.

 

COMMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS

 

Commissioner Poore thanked everyone for a short meeting.

 

Commissioner Hamik thanked everyone and mentioned seeing Chair Daugharty’s picture in the paper.  She wished him happy birthday and thanked the Commission for the meeting.

 

Commissioner Tolva thanked Planning Technician Engebretsen and Deputy City Clerk Jacobsen for their work.  She thanked the park walkers for noticing the nice log signs.  They are really nice and feels they should pursue them.

 

Commissioner Daugharty thanks Mrs. Engebretsen and Ms. Jacobsen for the support here from City Hall; it is has been a long time coming and is really appreciated.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m.  The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for October 20, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska

 

 

                                                                                   

Melissa Jacobsen, Deputy City Clerk

 

                                                                                   

Approved