MEMORANDUM

To: Timothy Navarre, Assembly President

Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Members

Thru: Dale Bagley, Borough Mayor

From: Max Best, Planning Director

Bonnie Golden, Grants Manager

Date: September 5, 2002

Subject: Resolution 2002-113, supporting a TRAAK grant application for funding improvements to Jacobs Ladder

Jacobs Ladder Drive is a platted borough right-of-way that is 1,800 feet long and located in the northern region of the Peninsula, lying approximately 4.5 miles from Captain Cook State Park. It provides access to about 363 borough parcels in Moose Point and Gray Cliff Subdivisions, plus an additional 8,000 acres of borough land in the Point Possession area. There are 588 parcels in private ownership; 183 are developed primarily with recreational cabins. The area is used by a number of different users, including residents hauling materials, surveyors, hunters, fishermen, and other recreational users.

The initial trail construction eroded. In 1997, the road service area provided upgrades by clearing and improving the right-of-way, but that has also deteriorated. Currently the access is unusable, leaving no public access from the beach to the North Road Extension, pipeline corridor, utility corridor, or subdivisions in the area. It can be easily upgraded using Typar® and gravel to provide safe access for residents and recreational users alike.

The planning department is submitting a grant application for funding under the Trails and Recreational Access for Alaska ("TRAAK") program. The grant requires a minimum of a 20 percent match. The application will request $30,000 in grant funds for the project; the road service area and land management division will each provide matching funds in the amount of $10,000 for a total match of $20,000.

A resolution in support of the project would enhance the planning department's chances of being awarded a grant. Passage of the attached resolution by the assembly would provide that support.

Attachments (Resolution)