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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2016-31Sponsored by: Council Member Knackstedt CITY OF KENAI RESOLUTION NO. 2016 -31 A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, OPPOSING KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH ORDINANCE 2016 -25 AS INTRODUCED, WHICH PROPOSES TO REDUCE BOROUGH PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP AND ELIMINATE THE DESIGNATED SEAT FOR THE CITY OF KENAI. WHEREAS, the City of Kenai has the largest population of any city in the Borough, exceeding 12.5% of the total Borough population according to estimated 2015 census data; and, WHEREAS, the Cities of Kenai has traditionally held a seat on the Borough's Planning Commission allowing the City to provide input and weigh in on important development and economic activities, inside and outside its boundaries, that affect the City; and, WHEREAS, City representatives on the Borough Planning Commission can provide knowledge on local practices, comprehensive plans, capital plans and laws; and, WHEREAS, Borough Ordinance 2016 -25, as introduced, proposes to not only reduce the number of Planning Commission Members from 13 to 9, but also to disproportionately reduce the representation of the Cities of Kenai, Soldotna, Homer and Seldovia, in what appears to be an arbitrary fashion; and, WHEREAS, the Ordinance proposes to provide the City of Seward a designated seat representing over 10% of the Planning Commission composition, while Seward's population is less than 5% of the Borough's population and requires Soldotna and Kenai to share a seat even though Kenai's population exceeds 12.5% of the Borough's and the two municipalities have a combined population in excess of 20% of the Borough population; and, WHEREAS, the Ordinance does not provide any process for cities to share seats, which could lead to a representative from one city holding the seat for numerous or indefinite terms preventing the other city sharing the seat from ever having representation; and, WHEREAS, the School Board and Assembly having nine members does not provide support to the Ordinance's proposed allocation of seats; and, WHEREAS, while Planning Commissioners review land use regulations throughout the Borough, specific representation on the Planning Commission for municipalities and population centers is important as evidenced by the Alaska Statute 29.40.020 which sets out a specific apportionment based on population inside and outside cities within the Borough. New Text. Underlined; [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] Resolution No. 2016 -31 Page 2 of 2 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA: Section 1. That the City Council of Kenai opposes Kenai Peninsula Borough Ordinance 2016 -25 as introduced and recommends the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly make no changes to KPB 2.40.0 10 at this time, or in the alternative, adopt an apportionment method for Planning Commission membership that fairly represents the interest of Kenai and other municipalities and population centers in the Borough. Section 2. That a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly and Mayor Navarre. Section 3. That this Resolution takes effect immediately upon passage. PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, this 6th day of July, 2016. .Z� '4'a S � PAT PORTER, MAYOR New Text Underlined; [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] "Villaye with a Past, C# with a Future" 210 Fidalgo Avenue, Kenai, Alaska 99611 -7794 Telephone: 907 - 283 -75351 FAX: 907 - 283 -3014 www.kenai.city MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Porter and Council Members FROM: Henry Knackstedt, Council Member DATE: June 29, 2016 SUBJECT: Resolution No. 2016 -31 Assembly Member Brent Johnson introduced an Ordinance before the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly that proposes to amend the Borough's code by reducing the number of Borough Planning Commission Members from thirteen to nine. The Ordinance proposes to do this by requiring Kenai and Soldotna to share a seat, as well as requiring Homer and Seldovia to share a seat, while granting Seward its own spot. The Ordinance provides that the Borough Mayor would select a candidate from either Kenai or Soldotna and Homer or Seldovia. Kenai has traditionally held a seat on the Borough's Planning and Zoning Commission and I believe that having representation of the City on the Commission is very important to the City. I believe Mr. Johnson's proposed Ordinance arbitrarily designates seats on the Commission given that Kenai compromises over 12.5% of the Borough's population, while Seward is the fourth largest City in Borough population wise, with less than 5% of the Borough population but gets a designated seat representing over 10% of the Commission. Your consideration is appreciated.