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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2006.10.18 PRAC MinutesPARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES October 18th, 2006 — Parks and Recreation Department — 6:00 PM Agenda Call To Order and roll call Staff Report Public Comment Adjournment CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Committee Chairman Kevin Briem called the hearing to order at 6:10pm Committee members Bridgid Wiking, Cynthia Feeley, Shorty Clark, and Kevin Briem answered roll call. Jenny Reummele and Ron Ruth were not present. Mr. Briem gave a brief overview of the agenda and how things would run for the evening, stating that Brock Heasley would give a brief history of the legacy beach issue. He stated that they do not make public policy, they only advise City Council, and to please keep that in mind. Mr. Heasley introduced himself and proceeded to give a brief history of water craft rentals at Legacy Beach. After the staff report was given, Mr. Briem then asked if there were any questions relating to the presentation. Audience member asked what the total amount received was from the three rental agencies, and Mr. Heasley stated that it was just about $4,000.00 Audience member asked if Boating Ambassador would be continued next summer, to which it was answered by Mr. Heasley that it would be and that it was budgeted for next year in the department budget. Audience member asked what areas the boating ambassador controlled. Shorty Clark answered that the B.A. was a great asset to the city. Audience member asked if proposals could be turned in for any business, or just for businesses running motorized water craft. Mr. Heasley stated it was for any business, motorized or not. Shorty Clark stated that the current 150 feet of shoreline in question is the maximum amount of shoreline that they are considering for concessionaire use, be it 12 concessionaires, 2 concessionaires, or 1 concessionaire, however City Council could overrule that at any time. Audience member asked how big the motorized area of Legacy Beach is, versus the total amount of beach. Kevin Briem showed on Map what area was for PWC's, and what was just for swimming. Shorty Clark stated that according to city ordinance, no motorized craft are allowed within 150 feet of any swimming area. Audience member asked about concessionaires using beach having to yield any space to public. Mr. Heasley stated that it meant that if anyone wanted to use that section of beach to lounge, picnic, etc., that the PWC companies would have to work around them. Audience member asked how non -motorized watercraft would be able to use this section of beach with the motorized craft. Staff indicated that there should be no restriction on any non -motorized watercraft. Audience member stated that kayakers and canoe users would be intimidated by the motorized craft. Audience questions for staff period ended. Mr. Briem then asked for a short summary of business dealings from Chuck Whitescarver, and Darrell Cobb, owners of Cheap Thrills rentals and McCall Power Sports. Mr. Whitescarver and Mr. Cobb both gave short summary of their businesses. Both expressed great satisfaction with the previous summer, and with the city for continuing to allow them to use Legacy Beach. Mr. Briem then commenced the public comment portion of the meeting, while asking the audience to maintain all courtesy for anyone giving a comment. He also asked that anyone having any ideas please state them. Cutler Umbach stated he was not in favor of the renewal of the concessions. He cited the bond issue that was passed, not having any mention of concession use at the beach. Joy Hamilton stated that she was not in favor of the renewal of the concession agreement. She too cited the bond issue as well as the overall noise pollution to the beach area and the people who use it. Rick Fereday stated he was not in favor of the renewal of the concessions, and stated that the Parks and Recreation department should not think about next summer or the summer after that, but the next 10-20 years. Willie Harton stated he was in favor of the renewal as things such as this promote tourism which brings money into our community. Ray Dupree addressed the subject of why there are not more concessionaires at that section of beach, and said that a big part of it is the million dollar insurance policy required by the city. He also mentioned that McCall is a large tourism industry that requires businesses like Cheap Thrills and McCall Power Sports, and stated that he is in support of the concession renewal. Betty Cabner agreed with previous two speakers. Mary Butler stated that as a tourist, she is in great favor of the concession agreements. Ronald Butler agreed with the previous four speakers. Dan Gao stated that the concessionaires use of Legacy is not a new venture, but something that has been going on for years. He also stated that if the concession agreements are not renewed, the city would be shooting themselves in the foot, and therefore he is in favor of the renewal. Liz Warner asked that the city consider not having jet ski rentals at Legacy Beach, as there is not enough room at the present location. She also stated that there has to be another location for them. Kurt Mack stated that there are already very few public access areas to the lake, and that the city should be looking for more public access areas to the lake, and that commercial businesses should not be able to use public access areas of the lake. Mary Allen stated that she is very concerned with the usage of the lake. She agreed with Kurt Mack on the lack of public access issue. She feels that the city is putting a huge burden on the beach to make it meet everyone's needs. She also asked that the city look at other public access areas on the lake, such as Rotary Park. Jean Odmark talked about voting in the bond three years ago and not envisioning commercial use of the beach, and that the concessionaires should feel lucky that they have been able to use it for the past twelve years. She also stated that she feels that no motorized watercraft should be able to use that section of beach. Jim Hinson stated that he is in favor of the concessionaires using the beach. Lori Thomas stated that she is in favor of the renewal. Shorty Clark then made a point that the city has no ability to deny anyone access to the launch ramps. Dan Englebride stated that the city should not deny anything until a better option is found, and that he is all for concessions on the beach. Darrell Cobb stated that this should not be a battle of motorized and non -motorized watercraft. He also stated that the location in question is in the general vicinity of a marina, and if there can not be motorized watercraft there, then they would have to eliminate all marinas. Chuck Whitescarver stated that there seemed to be a question about how much each business pays to use the land, and that they did not own the land or lease the land, they simply had a permit to use the land. He also stated that everything they do is for the benefit of the general public, not for their own private use. Don Barker stated that there was a huge difference between someone owning land and paying to use it. He said that if you move the concessionaires, you will have more individuals using the area of beach that do not know what they are doing. He feels that the concessionaires regulate what may become a chaotic environment at Legacy Beach. He was therefore in favor of giving the businesses a permit. Zane Mangum stated that since the lake is for everyone and that includes motorized watercraft users. He then proposed that if the rental companies are removed, then the Marina should be removed as well, which would create more beach area. Bob Jones made a point that the concessionaires serve the public very well. And he supports them being at Legacy Beach. Shorty Clark asked Mr. Whitescarver and Mr. Cobb if there were governors on the watercraft that kept them at a maximum speed, to which they replied that there were not, but they topped out between 45 and 55 mph. Ed Elliot stated that he agreed with the people who felt that Legacy Park was never intended for commercial use, and that it is not an appropriate place for commercial use. Steph Woods, owner of backwoods adventures, stated that the use of kayaks and canoes are on the rise, and that non -motorized craft is a great way to enjoy the water. She also stated that she has talked to many people who feel intimidated by motorized craft at the marina and would never use a non -motorized craft in that area. She feels there has to be some limitations on where jet skis can and can not go. John Humphries agreed with those that made a point of the bond issue, and said that it is a disservice to the community to allow commercial use at the park. Nicki Humphries stated that she felt that the jet skis were not the issue, commercial use at the beach was. She stated that opening up the beach to commercial use was dangerous as it could lead to numerous problems with other businesses. Marilyn Olson agreed with the last four speakers. Mr. Briem stated that anyone is invited to the Parks and Rec advisory meetings. Bruce Drake stated he is full support of Cheap Thrills and other companies using the beach. He brought with him a letter signed by seventeen other people that could not attend the meeting, all of which were in support as well. Tuck Miller stated that the swimming areas have been limited due to the amount of motorized traffic on the lake. He also stated that companies such as Cheap Thrills have damaged his fishing guide business, due to the fact that very few people want to use the Lake for this purpose due to the "bombardment" from all the jet skis. Overall, he wanted it noted that he feels that commercialized use of the beach should not be warranted. Nick Moynahan stated that the fumes from Jet Skis have made him not want to swim in the lake at all. He feels that Jet Skis at the beach should not be allowed due to the fumes coming from the motorized water craft. Eddie Gray stated that he supports Cheap Thrills Rentals,. and he feels that jet skis do not have the serious negative impact that many seem to think they do. Sherri Nix stated that she feels there is an obvious need for services that companies like Cheap Thrills provide. She feels that there needs to be a higher level of tolerance for everyone in McCall. Issac Babcock stated that while he is not opposed to companies like cheap thrills, he feels that Legacy Beach is not the proper spot for them. Tracy Peterson stated that she has hated to see what has happened to McCall due to tourism, but because she is the service manager at Hinson Power Sports, she needs people like the Whitescarvers, due to the fact that they spend so much money at her business, it keeps her in business. Overall she is in favor of the permit renewal. Diana Evans Mack stated that she wanted to clarify that the main issue at hand was not how well the rental companies conducted business, but whether or not we allow a business like that to conduct business in a public beach. Mr. Briem closed the public comment at 8:15 pm. Mr Heasley stated that all public comments would be taken via mail or email until October 24th. He also stated that there may or may not be a final decision made on that day. Adjournment: 8:28 p.m. Sincerely, Brock Heasley Parks and Recreation Director City of McCall 634-3006