MEMO

TO: Ron Long, Assembly President

THRU: Dale Bagley, Borough Mayor

FROM: Gary Davis, Roads Director

DATE: November 3, 2005

SUBJECT: Resolution 2005-097, supporting a TRAAK grant application for funding improvements to Jacobs Ladder Drive

Location and current condition: Jacobs Ladder Drive is a platted borough right-of-way within the Gray Cliff Subdivision that is 1,800 feet long and located approximately 4.5 miles north of Captain Cook State Recreation Area. It provides direct access from the beach to the unconstructed North Kenai Road Extension right-of-way (Exhibit A, Arc View map of Gray Cliff/Moose Point vicinity.) Jacobs Ladder Drive is the first platted public access north of Captain Cook State Recreation Area. (Exhibit B, Jacobs Ladder plat map.) The original trail construction within the right-of-way eroded.

In 1997, the Kenai Peninsula Borough provided upgrades by clearing and improving the right-of-way, but that has also deteriorated. Except for Jacobs Ladder Drive, there is no pubic access from the beach to the North Road Extension right-of-way, which is not usable at this time, the pipeline corridor, borough utility corridor, and the subdivisions in this area. Traditional use has been with all-terrain vehicles.

Access: It has been reported that the four and one-half miles of the unconstructed North Kenai Road Extension between Captain Cook Park and Jacobs Ladder Drive are the boggiest portions of the access corridor to traverse. (Exhibit C, Jacobs Ladder Trail Assessment) This causes not only difficulty for transportation and emergency vehicle access, but also possible negative impacts to the wetlands. This area is accessed primarily on all-terrain vehicles and snow machines by a number of different users including residents hauling materials, surveyors, hunters, fishermen, other recreational users, and the government. The beach provides a suitable alternate access.

Jacobs Ladder Drive would provide access to about 363 borough parcels in Moose Point and Gray Cliff Subdivision, and an additional 8,000 acres of borough land in the Point Possession Conceptual Plan area. According to the Land Management Division, there are 588 parcels in private property ownership in Moose Point and Gray Cliff Subdivisions, and 183 are developed primarily with recreational cabins. In addition to the subdivision lots currently available for sale from the borough in these subdivisions, there is also borough land set aside for solid waste, school, and emergency purposes.

Funding sources: The possibility of funding through the TRAAK program is being explored with a grant application for up to $30,000. Jacobs Ladder Drive would provide access to the North Kenai Road Extension, which is currently included in plans for construction through the federal TEA-21 program. Max Best, Planning Director, has indicated that $6,000 of land trust funds may be used as a match for the project in an effort to open access to borough lands and assist in the resolution of right-of-way and trespass issues. At its meeting of November 8, 2005, the RSA Board will consider the TRAAK grant application and make a recommendation to the assembly.

Construction standard and maintenance: The construction standard is to build approximately 1200 feet of the trail in the right-of-way to 10-foot wide improvement with typar and gravel. The borough would provide periodic maintenance of the trail to keep it from further deterioration.

Additional Support: The Planning Department has received several letters of support for the Jacobs Ladder improvement project and TRAAK grant application. Supporters include the Kenai Peninsula Borough Road Service Area Board, North Peninsula Community Council, Inc., and the Nikiski Fire Department.

A resolution in support of the project would enhance the road service area's chances of being awarded a grant. Your consideration of the attached resolution would be appreciated.