HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2019-19the city of_
KENAI, ALASKA
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Sponsored by: Mayor Gabriel and City Council Members
Suggested by: Vice Mayor Navarre
CITY OF KENAI
RESOLUTION NO. 2019 -19
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI , SUPPORTING THE KENAI
PENINSULA COLLEGE.
WHEREAS, The Kenai Peninsula Borough has supported the Kenai Peninsula College since
1964 when the college was founded and the borough was formed; and,
WHEREAS, on July 24, 1971, the City of Soldotna signed a quit claim deed transferring property
for $1 to the State of Alaska for 171 acres to be used for the purpose of higher education; and,
WHEREAS, this land is the site of the Kenai Peninsula College's Kenai River Campus; and,
WHEREAS, the Kenai Peninsula College is responsible for all University of Alaska postsecondary
education within the Kenai Peninsula Borough's boundaries; and,
WHEREAS, the Kenai Peninsula College is centrally located between Kenai and Soldotna and
offers a variety of programs, including Adult Basic Education, and ongoing educational programs
to prepare Alaskans for employment in the oil and gas industries; and ,
WHEREAS, the citizens of Kenai have access to college courses at Kenai Peninsula College ;
and ,
WHEREAS, the Kenai Peninsula College enrolls on average 5,700+ students annually; and,
WHEREAS, the Kenai Peninsula College is the largest University of Alaska community campus
and larger than the Juneau Campus in enrollment and student credit hours; and,
WHEREAS, last year the Kenai Peninsula Borough provided $817, 755 to the Kenai Peninsula
College to support postsecondary education to borough residents; and,
WHEREAS , the Kenai Peninsula Borough and the City of Valdez are the only municipalities to
provide monetary funding to colleges in their respective areas.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA:
Section 1.
Section 2.
The Council of the City of Kena i supports the Kenai Peninsula College.
The City of Kenai respectfully requests that the State of Alaska continue to fund
the Kenai Peninsula College at the current funding level as a strong and healthy
local college option is a priority .
Resolution No. 2019-19
Page 2 of 2
Section 3. That a copy of this resolution will be provided to Governor Dunleavy, the Alaska
State Legislature , and the University of Alaska Board of Regents .
Section 4. That this resolution takes effect immediately upon adoption.
ADOPTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, this 3rd day of April, 2019 .
TIM NAVARRE , VICE MAYOR
ATTEST :
'Vtf I'~ 1U/ti a Paift, Ot'tf 1U1'th a f"u. t«l"e 11
210 Fidalgo Ave, Kena i, A laska 99611 -7794
Telephone : (907) 283-7535 I Fax: (907) 283-3014
www.kenai.city
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Kenai City Council
Vice Mayor Tim Navarre
March 27, 2019
Resolution No. 2019-19 A Resolution Supporting the Kenai Peninsula
College
As part of his proposed budget, Governor Michael Dunleavy proposed reduced funding for the
University of Alaska , which could result in several campus closures, including a potential closure
of the Kenai Peninsula College Kenai River Campus.
The Kenai Peninsula College is responsible for all postsecondary education within the Kenai
Peninsula Borough with an average of 5, 700 students enrolled annually. It is the largest University
of Alaska community campus , offering two-year Associates of Arts and Associates of Applied
Science degrees, as well as Adult Basic Education , courses leading to vocational certificates, and
ongoing educational programs to prepare Alaskans for employment in the oil and gas industries.
Other four-year degree programs are available at KPC via distance delivery through other
University of Alaska campuses.
Over the past three years, the Kenai Peninsula College has continued to work more efficiently
with reductions in staff and increasing revenue by adding additional non-credit workforce
development classes for professionals and educational summer camps for middle and high school
students . The impact of a potential closure of the Kenai River Campus goes beyond displacing
students, faculty and staff. The economic impacts are difficult to measure, but the community
would lose the availability of quality educational opportunities.
Your consideration is appreciated.