FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR BOROUGH/CITY OF FAIRBANKS CHENA RIVERFRONT COMMISSION MEETING ESTER CONFERENCE ROOM 907 TERMINAL STREET, FAIRBANKS, ALASKA February 13, 2019 12:00 p.m. A. ROLL CALL B. COMMUNICATIONS TO THE COMMISSION 1. Chair s Comments 2. Communications to the Chena Riverfront Commission 3. Citizen s Comments (each person s comments are limited to three (3) minutes) C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the August 8, 2019, November 14, 2018 and December 13, 2018 meeting minutes. E. NEW BUSINESS 1. Downtown Plan Melissa Kellner 2. University Avenue Bridge railings Lauren Little (DOT) F. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Update on current DOT&PF projects Joe Kemp, DOT 2. Chena Riverwalk Project Letter of Support 3. Salcha-Badger Plan Kellen Spillman 4. Review of CRFC Project List 5. Commission vacancies G. EXCUSE FUTURE ABSENCES H. COMMISSIONER S COMMENTS/COMMUNICATIONS I. ADJOURNMENT Any questions, please contact the Clerk of the Chena Riverfront Commission at 907-459-1260 or via email at: platting@fnsb.us
Fairbanks North Star Borough / City of Fairbanks CHENA RIVERFRONT COMMISSION MINUTES AUGUST 8, 2018 A regular meeting of the Fairbanks North Star Borough/City of Fairbanks Chena Riverfront Commission was held in the Ester Conference Room, Juanita Helms Administration Center, 907 Terminal Street, Fairbanks, Alaska. The meeting was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by Ian Olson, Chairperson. 1. ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent: Others Present: Kelley Hegarty-Lammers, Bob Henszey, Carrie McEnteer. Anna Plager, Susan Rainey, Lee Wood, Buki Wright and Ian Olson. Ben Jaffa (excused), Julie Jones (excused) and Gordy Schlosser (excused). Laura Minski, TVWA; Brittany Smart, FNSB Mayors Office; Joe Kemp, DOT; Andrew Ackerman, City of Fairbanks; Carl Heim, DOT; Jeff Jacobson, City of Fairbanks; Jeff Whipple, City of Fairbanks; Julie Scott, member of the public; Eric Grant, member of the public; Nancy Durham, FNSB Floodplain Manager and Laura McLean, FNSB Recording Clerk. 2. MESSAGES Citizens Comments limited to three (3) minutes Julia Scott addressed the Commission and expressed her objections regarding the Conditional Use Permit application which this Commission will be discussing today. Disclosure and Statement of Conflict None Commissioner Comments Olson announced that he has accepted a job offer in Florida. He is resigning from the commission and this will be the last meeting that he will be attending. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A motion was made by Hegarty-Lammers, seconded by Henszey to re-order the agenda to move New Business Item #2 to the end of the list. There were no objections. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the minutes of the May 9, 2018 CRFC meeting. A motion was made by Henszey, seconded by Hegarty-Lammers, to approve the minutes for May 9, 2018. There were no objections. Plager commented regarding the brevity of the minutes. Hegarty-Lammers echoed this concern.
Chena Riverfront Commission Minutes -2- August 8, 2018 Olson commented that he directed that the minutes be brief. 5. NEW BUSINESS 1. Mirror on bike path under the Peger Road bridge Durham announced that DOT has procured funds to replace the mirror. Kemp commented that he has contacted the appropriate department at DOT and they are sending a crew out to address the brushing and clearing concerns at this site. 2. Anadromous Fish Thermal Plum Monitoring Project for Aurora Energy, LLC. Wright addressed the Commission and gave a brief update with regard to this topic. He stated that Aurora Energy did received their water discharge permit in January 2018. Wright explained the entire process that Aurora Energy went through to complete their testing for the permit application. Wright commented that he will make available to the Commission the report that is provided to DEC with regard to this project. 3. 300 Ketchikan Avenue bank restoration Durham addressed the Commission regarding this project. She stated that this application has been deemed incomplete at this time. Plager suggested getting confirmation from Mitch Osborne that the project meets his standards. Olson suggested that if further information is received by Durham the Commission could hold a special meeting in September if necessary or address this item prior to the field trip. 4. CU2018-004 FNSB (Hamilton Acres) Manish Singh, Planner II, addressed the Commission and gave a comprehensive review of this request. The Commission asked several questions regarding the snow dump with relation to the Community Garden. Jeff Jacobson, City of Fairbanks Public Works, addressed the Commission and presented to them the plan and purpose of the proposed snow dump. He made himself available for questions. The Commission expressed concern with the vegetative buffers in this area with regard to run-off of melting snow.
Chena Riverfront Commission Minutes -3- August 8, 2018 Jeff Whipple, City of Fairbanks Engineer, addressed some of the questions that the Commission had with regard to the run-off of melting snow. Wright queried if this Commission is being tasked with expressing its view on the snow dump or if this Commission is being asked to express its view on the proposed expansion of the snow dump. Singh clarified that the existing snow dump already has a Conditional Use Permit. The City of Fairbanks is requesting a Conditional Use Permit for the expansion of the snow dump. Hegarty-Lammers proposed making a recommendation that the snow dump expansion move forward with all of the considerations that have been expressed today. A motion was made by Hegarty-Lammers, seconded by Plager, make a recommendation that the snow dump expansion move forward with all of the considerations that have been expressed today. There were no objections. Rainey commented that Wright hit the nail on the head as this request for a Conditional Use Permit is for the expansion of the existing snow dump. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Review of CRFC Project List (Discuss if there are new updates) Durham did not provide the Commission with any updates. Plager noted that the list has not been updated per recommendations at the May meeting. Plager volunteered to assist staff with updates. 2. Update on current DOT&PF projects (J. Kemp) Carl Heim, DOT, addressed the Commission and stated that he is prepared to present a slideshow today regarding the Airport Way roundabout project if the Commission so desires to see it. Hegarty-Lammers proposed not viewing the presentation from DOT unless action is required prior to the next meeting of this Commission. A motion was made by Wood, seconded by Plager, to extend the meeting for 15 minutes. There were no objections. Following further discussion, Heim made a brief presentation to the Commission regarding the new plan for the project at Airport Way West. A question and answer period followed. Hegarty-Lammers spoke to the Commission regarding funding for DOT projects. A motion was made by Hegarty-Lammers, seconded by Wright, to extend the meeting for an additional 10 minutes. There were no objections.
Chena Riverfront Commission Minutes -4- August 8, 2018 3. Ruth Burnett Fish Hatchery water quality discharge and interpretive display This item was not discussed at this meeting. 4. September fieldtrip The Commission discussed the proposed fieldtrip. It was determined that the fieldtrip will take place on September 12, 2018. The Commission will meet in the parking lot of the Carlson Center at noon. 7. STAFF AND LIASION COMMENTS None 8. AGENDA SETTING FOR September 12, 2018 COMMISSION MEETING Wright commented that he will not be able to attend the October 2018 meeting. McEnteer volunteered to Chair the meeting. 9. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS Olson read into record a resolution that Hegarty-Lammers drafted to honor Commissioner Plagers contribution to this Commission during the last nine years. The Commissions expressed their thanks to Plager for her hard work. A motion was made by Hegarty-Lammers, seconded by Wright, to approve the resolution for Plager. There were no objections. 10. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Henszey, seconded by Wood, to adjourn. There were no objections.
Fairbanks North Star Borough / City of Fairbanks CHENA RIVERFRONT COMMISSION MINUTES November 14, 2018 A regular meeting of the Fairbanks North Star Star Brough / City of Fairbanks Chena Riverfront Commission was held in the Ester Conference Room, Juanita Helms Administration Center, 907 Terminal Street, Fairbanks, Alaska. The meeting was called to order at 12:03 p.m. by Vice-Chair Buki Wright. DISCLOSURE: THE AUDIO FILE FOR THIS MEETING SPORADICALLY FAILED. PORTIONS OF THE AUDIO FILE ARE NOT AUDIBLE. WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE. 1. ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent: Others Present: Kelley-Hegarty Lammers, Bob Henszey, Julie Jones, Susan Rainey, Lee Wood and Buki Wright. Gordy Schlosser (excused). Andrew Ackerman, City of Fairbanks; Bill Rogers, City of Fairbanks; Bob Pristash, City of Fairbanks; Jackson Fox, FMATS; Cynthia Nelson, TVWA; Brian Charlton, FNSB Parks & Recreation; Joe Kemp, DOT; Barbie Tanner, member of the public; Kellen Spillman, FNSB Deputy Director and Laura McLean, FNSB Recording Clerk. 2. MESSAGES Citizens Comments limited to three (3) minutes None. Disclosure and Statement of Conflict None. Commissioner Comments None. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A motion was made by Rainey, seconded by Jones, to approve the agenda as presented. There were no objections. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the minutes of June 13, 2018 and July 11, 2018 A motion was made by Henszey, seconded by Wood, to approve the minutes of June 13, 2018 as presented. There were no objections. A motion was made by Henszey, seconded by Wood, to approve the minutes of July 11, 2018 as presented. There were no objections.
Chena Riverfront Commission Minutes -2- November 14, 2018 5. NEW BUSINESS 1. Commission Vacancies The Commission discussed the multiple vacancies available on this Commission. Suggestions were made of possible individuals who may be interested in serving on the Commission. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Chena Riverwalk project (Ivet Hall, DOT Engineering Manager) Bob Pristash, Ivet Hall and Andrew Ackerman spoke to this topic. The audio for this item failed but it was determined that Durham will work with Ackerman to draft a letter of support for this project. 2. Discussion on 300 Ketchikan Avenue bank restoration Durham commented that the project is complete and that she did not have anything new to report. 3. Review of CRFC Project List (Discuss if there are new updates) The Commission reviewed the CRFC Project List and made suggestions for changes to the document. Durham will make the changes and report back at the next meeting. 4. Update on current DOT&PF projects (J. Kemp) Kemp addressed the Commission and gave a brief update regarding DOT projects. 5. Discussion update on Ruth Burnett Fish Hatchery water quality discharge and interpretive display The Commission deferred this item to a later date. 7. STAFF AND LIASION COMMENTS Staff and Liasion Comments were not audible. 8. AGENDA SETTING FOR December 12, 2018 COMMISSION MEETING 9. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS Commissioner Comments were not audible. 10. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Henszey, seconded by Jones, to adjourn. There were no objections.
Chena Riverfront Commission Minutes -3- November 14, 2018
Fairbanks North Star Borough / City of Fairbanks CHENA RIVERFRONT COMMISSION MINUTES December 12, 2018 The Fairbanks North Star Borough/City of Fairbanks Chena Riverfront Commission (CRFC) was held in the Ester Conference Room, Juanita Helms Administration Center, 907 Terminal Street, Fairbanks,, Alaska. The meeting was called to order at 12:02 p.m. by Buki Wright, Vice-Chair. 1. ROLL CALL Members Present: Members Absent: Others Present: Kelley Hegarty-Lammers, Bob Henszey, Julie Jones, Gordy Schlosser, Lee Wood and Buki Wright Susan Rainey Andrew Ackerman, City of Fairbanks; Joe Kemp, DOT; Laura Minski, FNSB Parks & Recreation; Cynthia Nelson, TVWA; Shelly Wade, Agnew-Beck; Chris Beck, Agnew-Beck; Melissa Kellner, FNSB Long Range Planner; Kellen Spillman, FNSB Deputy Director; Nancy Durham, FNSB Floodplain Manager and Michelle Guiterrez, FNSB Recording Clerk 2. MESSAGES Citizens Comments limited to three (3) minutes None. Communications to the Commission Spillman commented that he recommends that a meeting be held in January due to the fact that there is a grant opportunity available through the State of Alaska called the Alaska Transportation Alternative Program. This grant would assist with the Chena Riverwalk making it ADA compliant. Further discussion ensued as to whether or not hold a January 2019 meeting. It was decided that this topic will be tabled and discussed during Agenda Setting. Spillman apprised the Commission of the status of the current vacancies on this commission. Commissioner Comments Wright suggested that the Commission skip the January 2019 meeting as has been the practice in the past. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA A motion was made by Hegarty-Lammers, seconded by Henszey to approve the agenda as presented. There were no objections.
Chena Riverfront Commission Minutes -2- December 12, 2018 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES None. 5. NEW BUSINESS 1. Election of Chair and Vice-Chair A motion was made by Hegarty-Lammers, seconded by Henszey to nominate and elect Wright for the position of Chairperson. There were no objections. A motion was made by Henszey, seconded by Wood, to nominate and elect Hegarty-Lammers for the position of Vice-Chairperson. There were no objections. 2. Salcha-Badger Plan Kellen Spillman Spillman addressed the Commission and gave a brief statement as to the purpose of this proposed Plan. Shelly Wade, Agnew-Beck, addressed the Commission and gave a comprehensive overview of the Plan. Chris Beck, Agnew-Beck, addressed the Commission and clarified certain aspects of the proposed Plan. Discussion ensued regarding the various trails within the area. The Commission asked several questions regarding various areas within the proposed Plan. Wright queried what the timeline for this project is. Spillman commented that they would like to have a final plan ready for the approval process by mid to late March. Wade suggested that the Commission provide any questions or comments to them as soon as possible so that they can be considered. 6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 1. Chena Riverwalk project Possible letter of support Andrew Ackerman, City of Fairbanks, addressed the Commission regarding this topic. He queried if the CRFC would like to revisit the letter that has been drafted as there have been several changes. A motion was made by Hegarty-Lammers, seconded by Schlosser, to revise the existing letter to support the new design of the Chena Riverwalk as presented by the City of Fairbanks. There were no objections.
Chena Riverfront Commission Minutes -3- December 12, 2018 2. Review of CRFC Project list Wood suggested adding the Salcha-Badger Plan to the Project List. The Commission decided that the Plan should be added to the Project List. Spillman suggested adding the Downtown Plan to the Project List as well. The Commission agreed that the Downtown Plan will be added to the Project List. 3. Update on current DOT&PF projects J. Kemp Kemp addressed the Commission and updated them with the status of current DOT projects. 4. Commission vacancies Hegarty-Lammers commented that Diana Campbell would be a great representative of the Native community and that Ms. Campbell is willing to serve. Spillman clarified the number of seats still vacant for both the City of Fairbanks and the Borough. Further discussion ensued regarding the current vacancies and how to fill them. 7. STAFF AND LIASION COMMENTS None. 8. AGENDA SETTING FOR February 13, 2019 COMMISSION MEETING 9. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS Jones commented that she would be available if the Commission decided to hold a January meeting. She will not be available after the 17 th of January, however. Schlosser stated that he will not be available until after January 14, 2019. Henszey commented that he is available until the 15 th of January. Wright announced that he will not be at the February or March meetings in 2019 but may be available by phone. Schlosser will not be in attendance at the February meeting. 10. ADJOURNMENT