HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-12-01 Council Minutes - Joint Work SessionKENAI CITY COUNCIL JOINT WORK SESSION
2016 DIP NET REPORT
DECEMBER 1, 2016— 6:00 P.M.
KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MAYOR GABRIEL, PRESIDING
NOTES
Council present: R. Molloy, M. Boyle, B. Gabriel, H. Knackstedt, T. Navarre, G. Pettey, J.
Glendening,
Others present: City Manager R. Koch, City Clerk S. Modigh, Commissioner B. Peters, T.
Wisniewski, Commissioner G. Greenberg.
Mayor Gabriel began the work session at approximately 6:00 p.m.
City Manager Koch provided an overview of the 2016 Dip Net Report noting that once again the
season presented operations and management challenges for the City of Kenai and its citizens.
Koch advised that the 2016 Personal Use Fishery Sockeye run was similar to the last year in
that it didn't have a pronounced peak although at times there were significant numbers of
salmon available during the fishery.
Koch provided a recap on the following:
• the no wake zone along approximately 6,000 lineal feet of the Kenai River continued to
work extremely well, there were requests from commercial drift fishermen that the no
wake zone be extended down river to encompass the area in which a large number of
commercial vessels are moored.
• The entrance to the south shore via Old Cannery Road was again closed through a
temporary section -line access closure permit issued to the City by the Alaska
Department of Natural Resources. It was noted that it was the intent to continue to
i eliminate all access at Old Cannery Road and Dunes Road in the future as a result of
the construction of the new Royal Street access.
• Two fee shacks were relocated from Dunes Road to the new Royal Street access to
provide access to the south beach and access along the south beach was prohibited by
jersey barriers placed across the tidelands.
Koch advised that the City and Legislature has appropriated funds to construct a new access
road to the beach south of the mouth of the river. The City purchased property and constructed
phase I of the new Royal Street access road to minimize environmental impacts and to that the
roadway was operational for the 2016 fishery. Phase 11 will be completed in 2017.
It was noted that Council adopted a budget for the Fishery with revenues in the amount of
$582,886 and expenditures of $580,209. Projected revenues were $574,768 and projected
expenses were $589,261 resulting in revenues over expenditures in the amount of - $9,493. The
P.U. Fishery Fund began FY17 with a fund balance of $139,963 and is projected to end the
fiscal year at approximately $130,443.
Koch advised that Administration does not recommend any changes to the fee structure for the
2017 Personal Use Fishery. FY17 Capital requests were the following:
• Parks & Rec 4X4 Tractor $49,000.00
KENAI CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
DECMEBER 1, 2016
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• Parks & Rec 12' Hydraulic Rake $9,000.00
Koch noted that there are items that need to be addressed at the nest Board of Fish meeting
most importantly a proposal to extend up river the P.U. Fishery and recommended Council take
action in opposition via resolution. Additionally, the proposal to eliminate dip net fishing in areas
other than the mouth of the river would be prohibited.
Glenn Arendall, resident of Kenai, expressed his concern with the safety of the individuals
participating in the fishery primarily due to the type of boats that are permitted during the Fishery
and recommended that there only be 50horsepower boat limitation.
It was noted that there was room on the south beach to lease lots for vendors however, the
north beach would be taking away from other participating in the fishery.
Council thanked Administration for their continued efforts in creating a better Fishery.
The work session adjourned at 7:16 p.m.