PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 4, 2003 MINUTES ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS 6PM

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1 PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 4, 2003 MINUTES ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS 6PM I. ROLL CALL Meeting was called to order at 6:03PM. Members Present: Joan Herbage O Keefe, Kathleen Adam, Tom Rutecki, Dixie Hood, Jim King, Jeff Wilson, Alex Lukshin Members Absent: Ken Dean, Lynn Bartlett Staff Present: Kimberly Kiefer, Diane Mastin Assembly Liaison Present: Merrill Sanford Ex-Officio s Present: None II. III. IV. PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS - None APPROVAL OF AGENDA Requested Tonsgard property be added to the Action Items and walkway to the rock dump be included under Information Items. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. February 4, 2003 After noted correction O'Keefe motioned for approval. B. February 26, 2003 After noted corrections Rutecki motioned for approval. V. ACTION ITEMS: Underwater Dive Park Kiefer mentioned that she had received a call from Professor Nurco in California yesterday and a letter, that she forwarded to the board today, requesting that Sunshine Cove not be used for an underwater dive park because of a highly unusual sea slug. He claims (with local associate Annette Smith) that this species is unlike any others known in the world. Kiefer requested that all public comment be heard with discussion following comments. John Lechelt, 8511 Rainbow Row, Lechelt said he endorses the park and believes this will enhance the habitat. Alaska is the only coastal state to not have an underwater park. He disagrees with the doctor and Ms. Smith and has seen many of these creatures at various spots throughout the Juneau area. Lechelt is a master instructor and is very concerned with the environment and instructs students about protecting the environment. The diving community needs a place to recreate. Wilson asked where the boat would be sunk. Lechelt responded that it would be south of the orange sea pens and reef, between the two. Lechelt mentioned that he would prefer an underwater guideline. Kiefer mentioned that there is a port-a-potty out there and that $25,000 is being made available to improve the trail at Sunshine Cove. Lechelt mentioned that UAS has expressed interest in this venture and wants to monitor how creatures grow and at what rate in Juneau. O'Keefe is concerned about the comment from the doctor saying that the creatures are 2-3 times larger here than other parts of the world. Lechelt says he has seen the same critter by color, structure and size in other places in Juneau. Wilson asked about the possibility of getting a permit from DNR. Kiefer said it shouldn't be a problem.

2 PRAC Minutes Page 2 March 4, 2003 Lukshin asked about the frequency of people going out there to use the area for diving. Lechelt uses the area 3-4 times a year and doesn't know how often others might use it. Lechelt said people are trained to be buoyant and the area has been used for diving for the last 15 years and he hasn't seen any damage. King said he doesn't have a clear vision of what will be out there. He is concerned about the guideline, crab pot lines and fishing lines. Lechelt said they have minimized the risk to divers by opening up the vessel to avoid traffic hazards. The boat would be off the beach far enough that it shouldn't affect fisherman on the beach. The guidelines have concrete blocks with lines tied to cable which lay on the bottom. Hood asked about the length of cable. Lechelt estimated around 150' and is used as a visual reference only. Annette Smith, th St Douglas Smith is an avid diver in Juneau and supporter of artificial reefs. She wants the Riki Tiki sunk in Juneau but not at Sunshine Cove. She has been observing the extremely rare sea slug since 1999 and has not seen this particular slug in any of her other 700 dives in the area. She has been photographing this slug for Dr Nurco. She has personally seen other divers grabbing sea pens which are the sole food for the slugs in this area. She has seen no food for them at the sunk ships of Princess Sophia or Kathleen. Hood mentioned that she would like to see Lechelt and Smith dive together and take photographs. Rutecki is concerned about the completely different reports from individuals with no one providing any proof. He is positive there are other areas that these creatures are found and will provide some notes from colleagues. Kiefer is concerned about the risk of potential damaging of this unique spot until more information is obtained. Wilson asked what happened with Auke Rec. City doesn't own the upper tideland at Auke Rec so wasn't interested in the project. Trucano wants the boat moved out of his dock area so something will be done. Larry Musara brought this project forward first and his initial preference was Auke Rec. Kiefer will consult with him. Possibly the Forest Service would reevaluate the proposal at Auke Rec. Wilson motioned to table the discussion at Sunshine Cove and to bring back at the next regularly scheduled meeting an update and to look at the other option of Auke Rec. Kiefer said she might not have all the information by the April meeting. King would like a lot more information about this project and would like to hear from Fish and Game. Also what the Coast Guard might think about cables in the water. He would like to hear more professional testimony before he decides. O'Keefe seconded the motion. Kiefer will instigate a letter to the Fish and Game Department and requested all information be passed through her. The motion was unanimous. C. Fish Creek Master Plan Kiefer requested that the board members after hearing public comment last week recommend to her the ideas or vision of what the park should look like in ten years. After gathering these ideas she will talk to Fish and Game and the Mendenhall Refuge Board to see if they agree with these ideas. Everyone needs to agree before proceeding.

3 PRAC Minutes Page 3 March 4, 2003 There was no more public comment. Wilson heard that the trails needed to be hardened, parking needed to be changed and minimal changes made. He likes the idea of a fish platform, footbridge and habitat restoration. Adam agrees with Wilson. The public wants a hands off approach. She likes the idea of a footbridge and thinks the upland Fish Creek Trail is important. Kiefer said that currently $180,000 was available so would like ideas of what should be done now or viewed as most important and fit within this budget. King mentioned that the bank on the west pond gets a lot of fishing traffic and he recommends that a beach be made for pulling in salmon. It would be nice to retain current uses of the area because various users seem to be getting along, including the horse owners. He would like to see parking on west side of bridge and have a long slender parking lot which would be highly exposed. A footbridge across the creek where the old bridge was would be nice and possibly DOT might do this. Old parking lot could be leveled and left as it is. There is space under the bridge which would make a good connection with the Fish Creek Trail. This would keep people from dashing across the road. He recommends talking to Fish and Game regarding ponds. Rutecki suggested putting in a culvert. If ponds are taken out you wouldn't be able to stock salmon. O'Keefe said having the parking closer to the road would be desirable. Would like to see an accessible fishing platform too. Does not recommend the area for commercial use. Also nice to be able to connect to the Fish Creek Trail. Adam mentioned that safety and trash is an issue. Kiefer mentioned that Fish and Game provides receptacles and that there is a seasonal toilet. Wilson suggested possibly having something similar to the parking lot at the Rainforest Trail. There is currently a lot of fill in the area and this might be used for parking. Kiefer doesn't recommend a gate and would like the current parking area blocked. O'Keefe would like to see vandal proof bathrooms, which are made of cement. Rutecki recommends no camping or motorized vehicles. Other options are to provide logs to keep bank from eroding. Accessible fishing platform is a good idea. Keep signage to a minimum. Hood would like to see benches at viewpoints for people to rest. She would like to see restoration. Wilson suggested maybe a study could be done or possible a high school project. Hood would like to have an accessible trail to point as one of the first developments. Wilson motioned to adopt the priority points outlined and give Kiefer direction to proceed. Unanimously approved. C. Tonsgard Property Hood would like a motion from the Board to be forwarded to the Assembly for the City to fund the balance required to purchase the Tonsgard property. Kiefer recommends a letter from the PRAC be sent to support this idea. An Ordinance was introduced last night. Kiefer is writing a letter to the Lands Committee and Assembly. She will be suggesting an endowment program be started for individuals who might want to donate to the city in their will. The vote was unanimous. King and Hood will write a letter.

4 PRAC Minutes Page 4 March 4, 2003 VI. INFORMATION ITEMS: Rock Dump/Sea Walk - Kiefer talked to Mark Jaqua, the CBJ Engineering liaison for Parks and Recreation, to find out the status. It is her understanding it couldn't happen because of the gas tanks on the corner and that there is a sidewalk along the road already. If she gets more information she will send electronically. Sanford mentioned that it was his understanding that they didn't want the public going through the storage tank area. VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Wilson has not attended a Harbor Board meeting recently but said the first phase of the Steamship Wharf was proceeding and the bus parking area should be completed by June 30 th and be open to the public by the middle of July. Kiefer mentioned that management of the area still hadn't been determined. The restroom, next to the library, is scheduled to be complete this summer. Kiefer mentioned that the Phase II plans for Steamship Wharf might be able to coordinate ideas with the master plans for the harbor. Lukshin mentioned that in April the Youth Activity Board will be reviewing all the youth grant applications and will submit their recommendations. VIII. VIII. CHAIR REPORT Lukshin said the PRAC annual report was submitted to the Human Resource Committee and that the goals would be submitted after the PRAC retreat. DEPARTMENT REPORT A. Treadwell Arena staffing, season, safety Kiefer updated the Board on the present status. Summer status will start after April 27 th. The AEL&P demand charges are very expensive and until we know there is sufficient money to keep the facility open in the summer there won't be any ice. Plans for uses in the summer are: Basketball, tennis, inline skating, parties. The charge will be $50 per hour. Kiefer has talked to Eaglecrest about the possibility of instead of Eaglecrest refunding customers in bad snow years that possibly give the option to use the Treadwell instead. The arena is also looking at the idea of adding on an additional shower and storage area. Also, the parking situation has not been resolved. Rutecki commended the department for the great job done on the project. He inquired about the rates for nonprofit and individual rentals. Kiefer mentioned that different options were being looked at - punch tickets, cash register vs software for speed of handling. Rink costs might be increased in Kiefer will be requesting increment funding in the budget because they have found they need more people to run Treadwell than originally planned. B. Board Retreat Kiefer asked all board members to Mastin with regard to which week nights in April won't work for them. D. Follow-up Discussions from PRAC Meeting Kiefer explained to Board how items get placed on the Agenda. Items need to get to Alex at least 3 weeks ahead so that they can be advertised so public comment can be taken. Egan Trail - DOT looking into the issue, some difficulty in how to make it all work. If information is obtained they will be forwarded. Brochure for challenged tourists - Kiefer called the Fiona Stewart-Campbell, told her that the department didn't have brochures for any of its parks, there was no money for this in the budget and she would bring this idea to the Juneau Visitors Bureau.

5 PRAC Minutes Page 5 March 4, 2003 In follow-up to Lukshins' comments about drug use at the Skatepark - no one is aware of any problem. Kiefer requested a contact number. With regards to food during the meeting. Anchorage is no longer offering food at its board meetings. If members would like water they are welcome to use the cooler in the Parks and Recreation Department. IX. Ex-Officio Reports: None X. CORRESPONDENCE: Board Comments Adam won t be at April meeting. O'Keefe said kudos for the Treadwell and she was very impressed at the ceremony. She mentioned that it was nice to have a Forest Service representative and asked what had happened to ours. She also encourages board members to attend the joint committee with State Parks Board. They have many in attendance and only one or two from our Board. Hood said she would attend. Hood also mentioned she enjoyed watching the skating exhibitions at the opening ceremony. Kiefer mentioned that the 4 th of July Committee was responsible for all the coordination of the different groups. Lukshin asked if the P&R Department was responsible for the community garden, on the uphill side out the road, and if it would be available this summer. Kiefer said currently there wasn't water at that location. XII. ADJOURNMENT King moved to adjourn 8:45pm.