HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-07-03 Council MinutesKENAI CITY COUNCIL — REGULAR MEETING
JULY 3, 2019 — 6:00 P.M.
KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
210 FIDALGO AVE., KENAI, AK 99611
MAYOR BRIAN GABRIEL, PRESIDING
MINUTES
A. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Kenai City Council was held on July 3, 2019, in City Hall Council
Chambers, Kenai, AK. Mayor Gabriel called the meeting to order at approximately 6:00 p.m.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Gabriel led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Roll Call
There were present:
Brian Gabriel, Mayor
Henry Knackstedt
Jim Glendening
Glenese Pettey
A quorum was present.
Also in attendance were:
Paul Ostrander, City Manager
Scott Bloom, City Attorney
Jamie Heinz, City Clerk
3. Agenda Approval
Robert Molloy
Tim Navarre (telephonic)
Robert Peterkin
Mayor Gabriel noted the following revisions to the packet:
Add to item D.1. Resolution No. 2019-45
• Amendment Memo
• Amended Facility Agreement
Remove Item G.2. Purchase Orders over $15,000
Add to item G.3. Special Use Permit for Use of City Dock
• Amended Special Use Permit
MOTION:
Council Member Molloy MOVED to approve the agenda with the requested revisions to the
agenda and packet and requested UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Council Member Knackstedt
SECONDED the motion.
VOTE: There being no objections, SO ORDERED.
4. Consent Agenda
MOTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to approve the consent agenda and requested
UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Council Member Molloy SECONDED the motion.
Mayor Gabriel opened the floor for public comment; there being no one wishing to be heard, the
public comment period was closed.
VOTE: There being no objections, SO ORDERED.
*All items listed with an asterisk (') are considered to be routine and non -controversial
by the council and will be approved by one motion. There will be no separate
discussion of these items unless a council member so requests, in which case the item
will be removed from the consent agenda and considered in its normal sequence on
the agenda as part of the General Orders.
B. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS — None
C. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS
Elizabeth Odom spoke in favor of allowing for residential water meters noting she, as a single
person, did not use $100 worth of water each month. She also noted green spaces around the
City appeared to be dry and suggested more watering.
Sheryl Main expressed concern for crime in the City suggesting more needed to be done.
D. PUBLIC HEARINGS
Resolution No. 2019-45 — Authorizing a Facility Management Agreement with the
Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, Inc., for the Operation and
Management of the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center. (Administration) (Clerk's Note:
Council May Convene in Executive Session to Discuss this Agenda Item, a Matter of
which the Immediate Knowledge may have an Adverse Effect Upon the Finances of
the City (AS44.62.310(c)(1))]
MOTION:
Council Member Molloy MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2019-45 and Council Member
Knackstedt SECONDED the motion.
Mayor Gabriel opened for public hearing; there being no one wishing to be heard, the public
hearing was closed.
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MOTION TO AMEND:
Council Member Molloy MOVED to amend Section 2 to read, "that the compensation for the
Facility Management Services shall not exceed $95,000," and amend the second whereas clause
to read "whereas, the award of the agreement is in the amount of $95,000 beginning July 4, 2019
or as soon as possible thereafter and ending June 30, 2020." Council Member Knackstedt
SECONDED the motion and requested UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT: There being no objections, SO ORDERED.
VOTE ON THE MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED:
YEA: Knackstedt, Glendening, Pettey, Navarre, Peterkin, Gabriel, Molloy
NAY:
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Resolution No. 2019-46 — Selecting Divining Point, LLC, for City of Kenai Tourism
and Marketing Services. (Administration)
MOTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2019-46 and Council Member
Glendening SECONDED the motion. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested.
Mayor Gabriel opened for public hearing; there being no one wishing to be heard, the public
hearing was closed.
An description of the firm was provided.
VOTE: There being no objections, SO ORDERED.
Resolution No. 2019-47 — Providing For The Submission To The Qualified Voters Of
The City Of Kenai, At The Regular Election Of October 1, 2019, The Question Of
Amending Article 10, Elections, Of The Charter Of The City Of Kenai To Provide
Designated Seats For Each Council Position And Allow Qualified Voters To Vote In
An Election For A Candidate For Each Seat. (Council Member Knackstedt and Vice
Mayor Navarre)
MOTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2019-47 and Council Member
Peterkin SECONDED the motion.
Mayor Gabriel opened for public hearing.
Linda Swarner spoke against the resolution suggesting that the Charter, as written, has worked
well over the years. She suggested that with designated seats, there was potential that the best
candidates were not elected; however, when the seats went to the top two vote getters the cream
of the crop were elected.
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Bob Peters spoke against the resolution noting citizens wanted the best people qualified and
pointed out situations where someone receiving less votes could be elected when designated
seats.
There being no one else wishing to be heard, the public hearing was closed.
A person not running for a City Council seat to prevent unseating a preferred Council Member
running for reelection, the City of Soldotna's use of identified seats, and people only voting for
one candidate as a strategy or confusion were discussed.
Having designated seats making running for a City Council seat more issue related for the
candidates, targeting, and discourse were also discussed
VOTE:
YEA: Knackstedt, Glendening, Navarre
NAY: Pettey, Peterkin, Gabriel, Molloy
MOTION FAILED.
4. Resolution No. 2019-48 — Providing For The Submission To The Qualified Voters Of
The City Of Kenai, At The Regular Election Of October 1, 2019, The Question Of
Amending Section 10-3 Filing, To Remove The Requirement That Candidates For
Mayor And Council Provide A Petition Signed By Twenty Or More Registered
Voters. (Council Member Knackstedt and Vice Mayor Navarre)
MOTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2019-48 and Council Member
Glendening SECONDED the motion.
Mayor Gabriel opened for public hearing.
Linda Swarner spoke against the resolution noting it was not too much to ask a candidate to get
twenty signatures as it showed the candidate was dedicated to running for the seat.
There being no one else wishing to be heard, the public hearing was closed.
The ease of obtaining twenty signatures, the need for the requirement, the opportunity to obtain
additional signatures if needed, timing, last minute filing, the signatures validating the commitment
of the person running, the importance of getting out and communicating opinions, and the
requirement for filing a financial disclosure statements preventing last minute decisions for
running were topics discussed.
VOTE:
YEA: Knackstedt, Glendening, Navarre, Gabriel
NAY: Peterkin, Pettey, Molloy
MOTION PASSED.
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5. Resolution No. 2019-49 — Providing For The Submission To The Qualified Voters Of
The City Of Kenai, At The Regular Election Of October 1, 2019, The Question Of
Amending Section 10-2 Three -Year Terms — Election At Large — Nonpartisan
Elections, To Provide That The Terms Of Office Of The Mayor And Other
Councilmembers Shall Begin The Monday Following Certification Of The
Election. (Vice Mayor Navarre)
MOTION:
Vice Mayor Navarre MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2019-49 and Council Member Knackstedt
SECONDED the motion.
Mayor Gabriel opened for public hearing; there being no one wishing to be heard, the public
hearing was closed.
The sometimes awkward situations at the second meeting in October, those leaving office or not
reelected not attending the second meeting in October, and the proposed alternative were topics
discussed.
Clarification was provided that the City Council was required to certify the election
The current method not being a big issue and providing a buffer for someone who was
uncomfortable after losing an election were additional topics discussed.
Additional clarification was provided that the Charter didn't prescribe anything related to the Oath
of Office, only that the Oath of Office be administered; a possible alternative process for
administering oaths was also provided.
VOTE:
YEA: Knackstedt, Glendening, Pettey, Navarre, Peterkin, Gabriel, Molloy
NAY:
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. Resolution No. 2019-50 — Awarding an Agreement for the Purchase of Security
Cameras and Software for the Public Safety Building Security Camera Project.
(Administration)
MOTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2019-50 and requested
UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Council Member Molloy SECONDED the motion.
Mayor Gabriel opened for public hearing; there being no one wishing to be heard, the public
hearing was closed.
VOTE: There being no objections, SO ORDERED.
Resolution No. 2019-51 — Awarding an Agreement to Furnish and Deliver Chemicals
for the Wastewater Treatment Plant and Water Treatment Facility. (Administration)
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MOTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2019-51 and requested
UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Council Member Glendening SECONDED the motion.
Mayor Gabriel opened for public hearing; there being no one wishing to be heard, the public
hearing was closed.
VOTE: There being no objections, SO ORDERED.
8. Resolution No. 2019-52 —Amending its Comprehensive Schedule of Rates, Charges,
and Fees, to Eliminate the Ambulance Fee for Patient Treatment without Transport.
(Administration)
MOTION:
Council Member Molloy MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2019-52 and Council Member
Knackstedt SECONDED the motion. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested.
Mayor Gabriel opened for public hearing; there being no one wishing to be heard, the public
hearing was closed.
Clarification was provided that if a patient was transported to the hospital and the hospital deemed
the patient qualified for charity care, the ambulance would follow suit; however, given the amount
of money received and the process involved to determine charity care qualification it was not
warranted in the cases of patient treatment without transport.
Administration was thanked for bringing this forth.
VOTE: There being no objections, SO ORDERED.
9. Resolution No. 2019-53 — Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a One -Year
Agreement with the City of Soldotna to Provide Animal Shelter Services for the City of
Soldotna at the Kenai Animal Shelter. (Administration)
MOTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2019-53 and Council Member
Glendening SECONDED the motion. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested.
Mayor Gabriel opened for public hearing; there being no one wishing to be heard, the public
hearing was closed.
Clarification was provided that Soldotna had experienced a significant decrease in the number of
animals they housed and it was felt there could be a collaboration between the cities. The fee
structure, based on the number of animals, was reviewed. It was noted this was a pilot project
and, assuming it worked well, would continue. It was added that there was not an expectation that
the agreement would require increasing staff.
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Further clarification was provided that the Soldotna animals would be brought over by Soldotna
Animal Control or the Soldotna Police Officers.
VOTE: There being no objections, SO ORDERED.
E. MINUTES
1. *Work Session of June 11, 2019, 2019
Approved by the consent agenda.
2. *Regular Meeting of June 19, 2019
Approved by the consent agenda.
F. UNFINISHED BUSINESS — None.
G. NEW BUSINESS
1. *Action/Approval — Bills to be Ratified. (Administration)
Approved by the consent agenda.
2. *Action/Approval — Purchase Orders Over $15,000. (Administration)
[Cleric's Note: This item was removed from the agenda during approval of the agenda]
3. Action/Approval —Approving a Special Use Permit of the Use of the City Dock Crane.
(Administration)
11 10111 Is]k,
Council Member Molloy MOVED to approve the Special Use Permit provided in the laydown for
the Use of the City Dock Crane and Council Member Peterkin SECONDED the motion.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested.
There was no objection to opening for public comment.
Mayor Gabriel opened for public comment.
David Chessick noted the City's dock was his connection to the world from Kalagin Island; pointed
out an effort was made to contract for facility management but not successful. He noted the City
Manager and City Attorney developed a process so the dock could be utilized by individuals;
hopes to see fuel provided again soon as well as a fish market and water taxi in the future.
There being no one else wishing to be heard, the public hearing was closed.
Clarification was provided that the City Manager was allowed to issue as many Special Use
Permits as he wanted and the difference between the permit provided in the packet and the permit
provided in the laydown related to the addition of a training.
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VOTE: There being no objections, SO ORDERED.
4. Action/Approval — Delineate Management Authority for Two Properties in the Baron
Park Subdivision. (Administration)
MOTION:
Council Member Molloy MOVED to approve delineation of management authority for two
properties in the Baron Park Subdivision and Council Member Peterkin SECONDED the motion.
Clarification was provided that the issue had been long standing with a lot of complexity and a lot
of confusion related to management authority; noted that from an administrative standpoint there
was a need to establish management authority going forward. A brief history was provided and
clarification on which funds benefited from certain transactions. It was pointed out the FAA deed
restrictions had been satisfied and there was no requirement that the Red Cross be charged fair
market value. It was also noted that General Fund management authority would be retained for
the shop building so that the City didn't have to pay lease payments to the airport.
It was suggested a resolution be brought for adoption to provide a better paper trail.
Additional clarification was provided that fire training facility had never been profitable; however,
renovations which were currently being designed could make it a revenue generator and revenue
generated would be available for airport operations.
The motion was withdrawn
MOTION:
Council Member Molloy MOVED to direct the City Manager to bring back a resolution or
resolutions at the August 7 meeting and Council Member Glendening SECONDED the motion.
VOTE:
YEA: Knackstedt, Glendening, Pettey, Navarre, Peterkin, Gabriel, Molloy
NAY:
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Action/Approval — Confirmation of Mayoral Nomination to the Parks and Recreation
Commission. (Mayor Gabriel)
MOTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to confirm the Mayor's nomination of Teea Winger to the
Parks and Recreation Commission and Council Member Glendening SECONDED the motion.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested.
VOTE: There being no objections, SO ORDERED.
6. Discussion —City Parks Hours of Operations for the Protection of City Property, City
Resources, and Residential Neighborhoods. (Administration)
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City Manager P. Ostrander noted staff was finding an increased amount of needles and drug
paraphernalia in City parks, many other cities close parks to provide a tool for law enforcement,
the matter was discussed in 2013, and Administration wanted to ensure Council was supportive
of the move to close parks. He added the Parks & Recreation Commission held a work session
to discuss the matter and was in full support. Timeframes and "non -park" parks were discussed.
A damage report, letting homeless families use parks and not pushing them into the business
sector, unintended consequences, special provisions for certain parks for fishing, responsible
management of parks, protecting the community and neighborhoods, the police department's
compassionate treatment of those experiencing homelessness, and giving the police department
a tool for asking park users what was going on during certain times of the day were topics
discussed.
Clarification was provided administration would still be able to permit the use of parks after hours
and the Multi -Purpose Facility and golf course would not be affected.
MOTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to concur with the manager's memo regarding closing parks
with special provisions for Cunningham Park and Council Member Pettey SECONDED the
motion.
MOTION TO AMEND:
Vice Mayor Navarre MOVED to amend to allow those experiencing homelessness to use the
parks after hours.
The motion died for lack of a second.
VOTE ON THE MAIN MOTION:
YEA: Knackstedt, Glendening, Pettey, Peterkin, Gabriel, Molloy
NAY: Navarre
MOTION PASSED.
H. COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Council on Aging — It was reported the July 11 meeting was cancelled.
2. Airport Commission — No report; next meeting July 11.
3. Harbor Commission — No report; next meeting August 12.
4. Parks and Recreation Commission — No report; next meeting August 1.
5. Planning and Zoning Commission — It was reported that at their June 26 meeting the
Commission approved an amendment to a Conditional Use Permit related to hours of
operation for a Marijuana Retail Store and some discussion of uniform hours of
operation, also approved a Home Occupation Permit for a daycare which changed
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location; provided an update on upcoming work sessions and meetings; next meeting
July 24.
6. Beautification Committee— No report; next meeting September 10.
7. Mini -Grant Steering Committee — No report.
I. REPORT OF THE MAYOR
Mayor Gabriel reported on the following:
• Attended Bill Osborn's memorial service;
• Provided a reminder of upcoming Fourth of July events.
J. ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
1. City Manager— P. Ostrander reported on the following:
• Working with the marketing firm who had exciting ideas for the Silver Salmon
Derby;
• Met with State Parks regarding parking issues on Kenai Spur Highway near the
Eagle Rock boat launch;
• Dipnet operations were ramping up — hoping for a good year, fences had been
repaired where destroyed by storms, and "minimize your wake" signs were in
place;
• Continuing to work with the Corps of Engineers - Alaska District to push the Bluff
Erosion Project forward.
2. City Attorney — No Report.
3. City Clerk — No Report.
K. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Citizens Comments (Public comment limited to five (5) minutes per speaker)
Bob Peters suggested additional public testimony be taken on matters after Council discussion,
noted the City was looking good this summer, and added he was looking forward to entertaining
dipnetters.
2. Council Comments
All wished the everyone a Happy Fourth of July.
Council Member Pettey also thanked the Parks and Recreation Department for the American
flags on the Kenai Spur Highway.
Council Member Molloy also thanked those that came to testify and speak to the Council.
L. EXECUTIVE SESSION — None.
M. PENDING ITEMS — None.
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N. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:12 p.m.
I certify the above represents accurate minutes of the Kenai City Council meeting of July 3, 2019.
inz, CMC
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