Session 04-10, a Regular Meeting of the Homer Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission was called to order on November 18, 2004 at 7:35 p.m. by Vice-Chair Poore at the Homer City Hall Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS: TOLVA, POORE, GANN, HAMIK, WEAVER

ABSENT: DAUGHARTY (unexcused) MCCALLUM (excused)

STUDENT

REPRESENTATIVE: BAECHLER

STAFF: DEPUTY CITY CLERK JOHNSON

PLANNING TECHNICIAN ENGEBRETSEN

AGENDA APPROVAL

The agenda was amended to add PENDING BUSINESS Item J – Work List and Item K – Crosswalks. STAFF REPORT Item B - Michael Illg – Community Schools was added. The amended agenda was approved by consensus of the Commission.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

A. Unapproved minutes of October 21, 2004

The Regular Meeting Minutes of October 21, 2004 were approved by consensus of the Commission.

PUBLIC COMMENTS UPON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA

Commissioner Hamik introduced Ian Laing, telling the Commission he was present to speak on trails. Ian Laing said he lives 15 ½ miles out East End Road and has resources at his disposal. He explained he has been helping out with a new organization through the Rotary called Rotaract. The group is comprised of young community oriented people who have been doing little projects. They are now looking for a larger project. Ian said he has a personal interest in helping create a better network of trails and to publicize them. He has not had the time to do the research, but said he spoke with Commissioner Hamik. He asked the Commission if volunteer help could be used as he is trying to help the kids with a project to facilitate a trail network. He would like to see a system for biking and walking.

Commissioner Tolva said Ian’s introduction of Rotaract was at an opportune time, as the Trails Committee is beginning again with meetings to be held the third Tuesday of each month. She invited the Rotaract to the Trails Committee meeting that is scheduled for December 14, 2004 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room.

Commissioner Hamik thanked Ian for coming and said it was a great idea to help the Commission with public participation in developing and maintaining trails. She stated the volunteer maintenance work would be very helpful. Mrs. Hamik said Ian was born and raised in Homer and is a great guy.

STAFF REPORT

A. November Staff Comments, From Julie Engebretsen, Planning Technician

A written report was provided by Planning Technician Engebretsen. Included in the report was an update on roundabouts. Vice-Chair Poore said she has additional information on roundabouts and could provide that to any of the commissioners upon request. Ms. Poore requested Roundabouts be added to the December agenda under PENDING BUSINESS.

B. Michael Illg – Community Schools

Michael Illg, said he was in his second year at Homer Community Schools and has found his time spent there as a whirlwind of activity. He said he would be speaking at the upcoming City Council meeting and to the Commission tonight to share information, statistics and the overwhelming community support for the Homer Community Schools program. Mr. Illg explained that Community Schools historically was funded by the State, the Borough and the City. When money was abundant there were three or four coordinators. He said he took Daryl Farren’s place following his 28-year tenure and at that time the State removed funding for Community Schools. He explained that City funding is the last leg Community Schools is standing on. The City is looking to balance their budget and Community Schools is considered a non-profit entity. Mr. Illg said Community Schools is the recreation of Homer. It is unfortunate they have to go through the process of proving their worth every year as they have the numbers, the participation and the support. Mr. Illg said he is asking the City Council to consider making Community Schools a solid recreation entity of Homer and being fully funded by the City. Mr. Illg said the City of Homer contributes $26,000 to $27,000 per year to the program and is not responsible for any building overhead or maintenance. The program has great support from the school district and Borough. If the City of Homer removes their funding, Community Schools will close. They will have to find more fundraisers or raise their fees. Mr. Illg said fundraising would take away from the director’s time.

Mr. Illg explained that a solid foundation was needed for teens. During the long winter months just about all the indoor recreation is happening at Community Schools for both kids and adults. He said Community Schools is at a crossroad, and it has been hectic for him making sure the doors do not close. He suggested the Parks and Recreation Commission may consider recommending Community Schools. He said the other half of income is derived from user fees and fundraising.

Commissioner Tolva asked why the State pulled funding for Community Schools and Mr. Illg said the Murkowski administration decided the purpose of their funding was to get the programs going so they could self-sustain. He said they can self-sustain half-way, but without City funding they are in trouble. Anchorage was fully funded by the school district, whereas Homer is not. Homer only uses the school’s facility. Anchorage has more participants to generate more income. Mr. Illg said the user fees in Homer have been maxed out as the fees were raised last year to make up the loss from State funding. The Legislature is looking for ways to cut the State budget. Commissioner Tolva questioned if there is an avenue to explore that would reinstate State funding and Mr. Illg answered that the House Bill was removed.

Mr. Illg said the biggest expense of Community Schools is the coordinator with salary and benefits totaling $43,000. There is no money to pay for that other than what the program raises and what the City contributes. The cost is money well spent for the activities, programs, and participants. Mr. Illg said his response from people is that they are thankful the program exists.

Commissioner Tolva said Community Schools is an asset to Homer not just for the activities, but for the education. Mr. Illg said there are cultural and arts and crafts activities. One of the great things people enjoy is the Triad Mountain Film Festival which Community School sponsors. It is a good fundraiser. Commissioner Tolva said she doesn’t want Community Schools to scramble every year and risk going under without funds appropriated. She believes the Commission should do whatever can be done to keep the program going, as the uncertainty every year is counterproductive. Mr. Illg said he still confers with Daryl Farrens who told him you have to get used to the lack of funding. Mr. Illg said he didn’t know if he could settle for that as it didn’t make sense to sound the alarm bells every year and then cry wolf. He questioned what would happen if funding did not occur. Part of his job is advocating for the program. He said he was looking at funding for Community Schools for the 2004-2005 year and then looking at the fiscal possibilities of automatically putting Community Schools in the City’s budget. Those means would be either in a City position or a fully funded grant to Community Schools. He said it was their last leg and the pressure and monetary expenses could not be put on the participants.

Commissioner Hamik supports the City reinstating the Community Schools budget every year. She said without the programs the City would spend money on kids that were in trouble. She herself participates in Community Schools activities and her own kids grew up using it a lot.

Michael Illg said Community Schools needs to be identified as something different than a non-profit. The school district does not fund the program and only handles the accounting. He said schools are the hub of the community and it makes sense to keep the program going.

Commissioner Weaver asked Mr. Illg if he saw himself as a City employee. Mr. Illg said if it was a possibility for Community Schools, although he has plans to further his own education in Special Education. He doesn’t want himself or anyone else that becomes the Community Schools coordinator to go through the funding shortage each year or have the program close.

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Mr. Illg said he had a conversation with Assemblyman Chris Moss and asked him what the Borough could do. He learned if the Borough contributed money they would have to give every community the same amount. When Mr. Illg asked about a recreational service area he was told the City would have to give up their recreational authority to the Borough. If authority was given to the Borough the Parks and Recreation Commission would go away. Mr. Illg believes the City could break even and perhaps earn some money from the program. If half of the salary and benefits were paid by the City the other half could be generated by the programs.

Commissioner Gann said the Commission should let the City Council know they fully support Community Schools and would like to see funding for this year and continue each year.

WEAVER/HAMIK MOVED THAT THE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMEND TO THE CITY COUNCIL THAT THE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS PROGRAM BE PERMANENTLY FUNDED EVERY YEAR AND BE CONSIDERED AS A CITY PROGRAM AND NOT AS AN OUTSIDE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION.

Commissioner Weaver said when he was in Bethel the city shared the funding of the library with the community college. They had a Memorandum of Understanding with the university system. He said perhaps the same thing may be done with the City of Homer and the school district to fund the Community School coordinator position. Mr. Illg said there have been talks about what KPC (Kenai Peninsula College) can do to be involved. He said the present cooperation KPC has with Homer High School (HHS) is that KPC has free use of HHS and high school students can take free classes at KPC.

Commissioner Gann said it may be better for the Commission to give more support and leave the question of changing status to the City. He is not comfortable in recommending the change in status, but is fully supportive of whatever is necessary to fund the Community Schools. Commissioner Weaver stated he was perfectly comfortable in the recommendation. Commissioner Tolva said it was not the Commission’s place to decide which designation is best and may be better to leave it up to those that work on it and give it100% support.

VOTE: NO: GANN

YES: POORE, TOLVA, HAMIK, WEAVER

Motion carried.

Michael Illg thanked the Commission for their time and support. He said he will be speaking at the Monday night City Council meeting and understands there is much support for Community Schools. He said the only way Community Schools exists is through participation.

VISITORS

A. Kate Mitchell, Coast Guard “Sedge Class” Buoy Tender Memorial

(Continued to December Agenda)

PENDING BUSINESS

A. Poopdeck Trail Sign

Commissioner Hamik reported she had talked with Tammy Hagerty, Parks Maintenance Coordinator and had left a message with Dave Anderson thanking him for his efforts. She told him the City will be willing to work with him in the spring.

B. Tree City USA (Sample City Tree Ordinance Provided by Commissioner Weaver)

Commissioner Weaver referred to the staff report and the funding issues. He agreed that Homer would not qualify for the $2 per capita. He explained it was late in the budget year for it to happen and that we won’t be able to qualify for Tree City USA by May 2005. Although Mr. Weaver introduced the prospect of Tree City USA he does not believe we are ready for it in Homer.

Commissioner Tolva said although we will not get the allocation in the budget for a while we can take the good ideas and implement them without being a member of Tree City USA. She said the results of the trees planted in Homer are seen and she encouraged the City to budget for tree planting and maintenance. Commissioner Gann added that the general idea is good as the community supports beautification through the planting of trees. He said tying it into the Arbor Day/Park Day may allow the soliciting of funds through the Highway Department Beautification Project. Ideas from Tree City USA could be put into the Park Day idea list.

Vice-Chair Poore was contacted by Hans at the Homer Water and Soil Conservation District about urban forestry. She asked the Commissioners if they would like Hans to speak at their meeting, and the Commission responded affirmatively.

Urban Forestry is to be added under VISITORS for the December meeting.

Commissioner Tolva said special attention should be given to the Application/Renewal for Beautification Encroachment Permit through the State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities as provided in the packet

Commissioner Hamik said Cindy Argus and Sally Dodbutters, tree sewards in Homer would volunteer to plant trees and shrubs in town. It would save the City money without having to buy the trees or plant them.

B. Adopt-a-Park

Commissioner Weaver said he knew two or three cities in the Lower 48 that have Adopt-a-Park programs. If an entity like Rotary or Lions would like to take a park and adopt it for volunteer maintenance the City still has the role with doing the proper site plan with the park.

Vice-Chair Poore said each Commissioner could talk within their own circle of friends and let the issue simmer. Commissioner Gann said Tammy Hagerty brought up concerns about the program that the Commission should consider. Generally the programs start off hot and then trickle off with the burden being placed on Tammy and her small department. The Adopt-a-Park idea would need to be revisited each winter to select an organization that would take on a park. There would need to be a system in place so each spring letters could be written to remind the organizations. In the winter the Commission could address the program to see if people are following through. Mr. Gann said it is not a one time program and it would take work on the part of the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Commissioner Weaver pointed out it could be construed that you would have to go through the particular organization that adopted the park to use it. He said some adopt-a-roadway pickup programs work while others do not. He said they need to be monitored and an agreement or Memorandum of Understanding may be required.

The Commission deemed no further information on the Adopt-a-Park program was needed from Mrs. Engebretsen.

Adopt-a-Park is to be continued to the January 2005 agenda.

C. Local Park Day

Commissioner Gann said June 4 is National Parks Day and on that day groups get together to complete trail maintenance both in town and across the bay. Shorebird Festival is the first weekend in May with the cleanup day the weekend before.

The Commission decided the event will be called Community Park Day and will be scheduled for May 14, 2005. Commissioner Gann said one event could be a trash can painting party to get kids involved. It may be possible for Tammy to prepare the cans early and the kids could paint them where they could see and appreciate them in the parks.

Community Park Day is to be added to the December agenda. The January agenda will finalize Community Park Day.

Julie Engebretsen, Planning Technician joined the meeting.

D. Park Survey

Lou Stewart said he and Commissioner McCallum have not yet met to work on the survey.

Park Survey was continued to the December agenda.

E. Winter Carnival

Commissioner Tolva said she had no new information on the carnival as she has not yet heard back from Derotha. John Faulkner is not interested in getting the fireworks program together this year so it will most likely be New Years 2005-2006. Commissioner Gann said the event would be a great way to bring the community together in the winter and the Commission should plan to make it happen next year. Commissioner Tolva is to talk with Derotha again.

F. Land Reserve Bank Fund

Commissioner Gann said the subject was addressed by City Council in 2001, with a proposal to amend the City Code to create a land bank fund to receive proceeds from the sale of Homer land bank properties and requiring funds are to be used for the acquisition, improvement and enhancement of real city property. The City was looking at forming this and Parks and Recreation interest is trying to establish funds for the purchase of parks or recreational land. Commissioner Gann said at this time the City is looking at selling land to put it back on the tax rolls.

Planning Technician Engebretsen said the Commission’s Work List could include an annual discussion about fundraising ideas for Parks and Recreation. The City of Homer has not received many lands for tax foreclosures through the Borough and those few received have been expensive for the City with a negative gain. She said it is not likely people let their properties go into tax foreclosures with the increasing property values being incentive to pay the taxes.

G. Trash Can Project

There was no new information reported.

H. Roundabout

Commissioner Poore said she has a friend that recently visited Switzerland and collected a variety of photos from roundabouts there as well as elsewhere. Ms. Poore has a CD with information that she would be happy to share with the Commissioners who have an interest. Commissioner Hamik said she talked with Carey Meyer about putting cones at the Sterling Highway/Lake Street intersection. Mr. Meyer said Kachemak Way would be a great street for a roundabout. In the next few weeks Sterling Highway and Lake Street will be measured for trucks. Larger populations in the Lower 48 realize how great they are. USKH is completing a traffic study survey within the next month and Mr. Meyer will talk to them about the roundabouts. They have been shown to reduce accidents, keep traffic moving and are less costly to maintain. They can also be landscaped.

Vice-Chair Poore called for a recess at 9:06 p.m. and resumed the meeting at 9:12 p.m.

HAMIK/TOLVA - MOVEDTHAT THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION EXPRESS THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT IN UTILIZING ROUNDABOUTS IN THE MOTORIZED AND NON-MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION PLAN.

VOTE: YES. POORE, WEAVER, GANN, HAMIK, TOLVA

Motion carried.

J. Work List

The Commission requested that the Work List be published in the packet each month with the calendar for attendance at City Council meetings. The following Work List was devised:

1. Hornaday Park T-Ball Field Development, Drainage and Parking Lot Repair

2. Parks and Trails Map

3. Playground Equipment

4. Parks and Trails Signage

5. Bike Racks in Town

6. Local Park Day (Tree Board?)

7. Poopdeck Trail Sign

8. Fireworks

Planning Technician Engebretsen said there are several parks in Homer with individual plans and an overall park plan would be great. Commissioner Weaver said with an overall park plan a sight plan could be developed.

K. Crosswalks

Commissioner Tolva said the idea of flags being placed in holders at the crosswalk intersections (as outlined in the City Council Meeting Minutes of October 11, 2004 page 3) and used while crossing the street seemed like a good, economical idea.

Flags at Crosswalks is to be carried over to the February 2005 meeting.

COMMISSION BUSINESS

A. Karen Hornaday Park Master Plan

Commissioner Poore stated she was reluctant to discuss this subject in the absence of Chair Daugharty as he was very knowledgeable about the park. This item was continued to the December agenda.

B. Capital Improvement Money, Re: Memorandum from Planning Technician Engebretsen

Mrs. Engebretsen explained the Commission was asked to decide how the capital improvement funds were to be spent. The Commission agreed Karen Hornaday Park has specific areas, those being drainage and parking concerns that need to be addressed.

WEAVER/GANN - MOVED TO RECOMMEND $15,000 BE ALLOCATED TO FINISH THE DITCHING PROJECT AT KAREN HORNADAY PARK.

The Commission discussed the idea of using a portion of the funds to develop the trails map. Fundraising was suggested for the map. Commissioner Hamik explained that the money for the park and trails map was routed to develop the Non-Motorized Transportation and Trails Plan (NMTTP).

VOTE: NO. HAMIK, GANN, POORE, TOLVA

YES. WEAVER

Motion failed.

GANN/TOLVA – MOVED TO ALLOCATE $14,000 TO KAREN HORNADAY PARK AND $1,000 TOWARDS THE PARKS AND TRAILS MAP.

VOTE: YES. GANN, POORE, HAMIK, TOLVA, WEAVER

Motion carried.

C. 2005 Meeting Schedule, Re: Memorandum from City Clerk Calhoun

GANN/HAMIK – MOVED TO ACCEPT THE 2005 MEETING SCHEDULE AS WRITTEN BY THE CITY CLERK.

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

D. Election of New Officers

TOLVA/GANN – MOVED TO DELAY THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS TO THE DECEMBER 2004 AGENDA.

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

E. Trails Committee

Commissioner Hamik said the Trails Committee has been resurrected and she would feel comfortable leaving it as a sub-committee. Commissioner Tolva added that without the Trails Committee meeting regularly nothing was happening. She said things can be accomplished if they act as a citizen’s committee drawing active people in and work under the Commission. The Trail Committee will meet monthly the Tuesday before the Parks and Recreation Commission meetings. There will be an agenda and notice of the meetings will be posted.

Commissioner Gann believes it is a great idea now that the City Council has embraced the NMTTP. It is critical to keep the momentum going. Mr. Gann said it was a great opportunity to bring in someone from the Planning Commission and Road Standards Committee as groups often work on the same things independently.

Lou Stewart said he would like to see a budget given to the Trails Committee. He asked what would be done once the trails are identified. He expressed the importance of moving forward with the NMTTP, which may include a mandate from the City Council to bring the Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Commission, and the transportation people together to institutionalize the trail systems within the City. The three areas of need as outlined in the NMTTP are: sidewalks, crosswalks and the senior citizen’s trail between their housing and Pioneer Avenue. The Trails Committee could open communication with the Borough and private property owners to identify easements. Mr. Stewart thinks it would be good to get different commission people involved in the process.

Commissioner Poore said when the City adopted the NMTTP it was suggested that a staff member was needed to head it up. The idea was that the staff member would be responsible for finding their own salary through a grant. When the Trails Committee dovetails with other committees Ms. Poore would like to see communication with people that are doing trails outside of the City of Homer. They may offer experience and know of funding resources. It was suggested contacting Dave Brant would be a good place to start.

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

A. City Council Meeting Minutes of October 11 and 18, 2004 (approved)

and October 25, 2004 (unapproved)

B. Commissioners Schedule for City Council Meeting Representation

C. Beautification of the Highway Right of Way, State of Alaska Department

of Transportation

COMMENTS OF AUDIENCE

Lou Stewart offered his assistance on taking on a project like the trails.

COMMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS

Student Representative Baechler said there is great stuff going on and she is still absorbing information. She will start understanding it soon and begin participating with her input.

Vice-Chair Poore said she appreciates Nyssa as part of the Commission.

Commissioner Hamik thanked the City support staff, Julie, Jo and Tammy. She appreciates the Commission and added that Vice-Chair Poore did a fine job running the meeting.

Commissioner Tolva thanked everyone stating Vice-Chair Poore did a good job and it was a great agenda. She requested that the End of the Road Park be placed on next month’s agenda.

Commissioner Gann said Nyssa’s viewpoint was crucial to the Commission, stating it was great to have her here and encouraged her to speak up.

Vice-Chair Poore read a thank you letter from the Homer Community Garden.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Commission the meeting was adjourned at 10:06 p.m. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for December 16, 2004 at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

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JO JOHNSON, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

Approved: _________________________