By Nikki Lewis
Turnagain Times Correspondent
Ken Smith/Turnagain Times
Abandoned vehicles in the Park-N-Ride lot in downtown Girdwood cannot be legally towed until the Girdwood Board of Supervisors get approval from the Municipality legal office.
At its Feb. 15 meeting, the Girdwood Board of Supervisors revisited the problem of abandoned vehicles and a possible solution, and addressed the need for expanding parking at Moose Meadows for cross-country skiers.
The public attendance was a bit sparse, perhaps due to the incessant rain causing bad driving conditions around town.
The current budget was discussed first, which GBOS Chairman Jake Thompson ensured “is looking very nice.” He added that the emergency funds balance currently accrues to a hefty $400,000.
However, Thompson said that since it is the beginning of the new year, the board hasn't had much time to delve into the budget.
The roads budget, which Thompson supervises, usually takes a big hit in March, he added.
“If this rain keeps up, we will see more money spent fixing the roads,” Thompson said. He reiterated, though, that the community should be assured that the budget is looking good entering 2010.
Next on the agenda, Girdwood Nordic Ski Club representative Brian Burnett, presented a proposal for an improvement to the current Moose Meadows parking lot along Arlberg Road.
“We would like to see improvements made that could accommodate up to 35 vehicles,” he said. “This is a facility used year-round. For instance this past weekend there was full capacity at Alyeska, not a parking space anywhere around for anyone who wanted to use Nordic trails. In summertime this facility is also used as parking for the soccer fields, where we see vehicles parked up and down aspen due to lack of parking space available.”
Burnett presented preliminary drawings for the improvement and expansion of the Moose Meadows parking lot. He said that the proposal is all very new and still in the works.
Burnett presented his proposal to the GBOS for feedback, and he also plans on presenting the plans to local property owners who may be affected by the construction.
“We have estimated the cost to get it installed and graveled around $80,000 to $85,000,” he said.
Next on the agenda was Girdwood's abandoned vehicle problem, specifically in the downtown Park and Ride lot.
“It costs Girdwood taxpayers $250 dollars to remove abandoned cars,” Thompson explained. “I believe there can be up to 20 cars abandoned in Girdwood over the year. Obviously the favorite place is the Park and Ride. Three current cars are impeding snow removal right now. The city needs us to put in a line item because car removal is not part of our budget for roads. A line item is required to get rid of these cars. Twenty cars per year to be removed, and I think that's a safe number, so $5,000 for the budget line item.”
GBOS member John Gallup commented that at the previous GBOS meeting everyone had appeared to be in agreement that something needed to be done.
A motion was called to create the line item for the removal of abandoned cars and all board members voted in favor of it.
The public on-hand gave positive feedback, all agreeing that the abandoned cars are dangerous and a nuisance to the community.
One citizen even suggested that a list be printed and published in the Turnagain Times of all the names of persons whose cars are currently sitting idle.
Gallup next brought up the issue of Parks and Recreation fees and permits for this year's Forest Fair.
“The situation with Forest Fair is unique,” he said. “What I would like to do with the boards approval is to continue Forest Fair on a fee waiver into the indefinite future, so we can put the rest of the fees in place and move forward. No other group that's not covered by cooperative agreement has put so much effort into the parks. They have built structures, repaired paths, the campground was all done with forest fair labor, refurbishing for glacier city hall was done with funds from forest fair.”
The board asked for input from Tommy O'Malley, a Forest Fair committee member, since he has been the spokesman in the past for Forest Fair.
“Forest Fair committee for the last while has been paying $5,000 to $6,000 for three-day park use,” O'Malley said, “but we also have had increases in our security costs. So I am glad this is still in discussion. This is good local value that you guys are still giving that option to do fee waivers instead of anchorage coming and taking control. You guys realize more what Forest Fair means to the community and what we've done down here.”
O'Malley added that Forest Fair does not make any money because they are not a club. Any profits made do not benefit Forest Fair and thus are given back to the community of Girdwood.
“Any money left over is donated back to community,” he said. “Unique for 30 years, it's kind of grown over the years and should be treated as unique.” O'Malley said. “With last year, we were able to give away $20,000 to people right here in the community. We would really like to continue that. The community can decide how they would like the money given back to the community.”
The board agreed to further look into the Parks and Recreation fee structures and re-address it at a future meeting.
