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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-12-18 Council MinutesKENAI CITY COUNCIL -REGULAR MEETING DECEMBER 18, 2019-6:00 P.M. A. CALL TO ORDER KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 210 FIDALGO AVE., KENAI, AK 99611 MAYOR BRIAN GABRIEL, PRESIDING MINUTES A Regular Meeting of the Kenai City Council was held on December 18, 2019, in C ity 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 Robert Peterkin Mayor Gabriel noted the following revisions to the packet: Add item 0.2. Information Items • Public Comment MOTION: Vice Mayor Molloy MOVED to approve the agenda with the requested revisions to the 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. Vice Mayor Molloy SECONDED the motion. The items on the Consent Agenda were read into the record . 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 councilmember 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 1. Maggie Winston, Project Homeless Connect -Update on Homelessness in Kenai and an Invitation to the Project Homeless Connect Event. Jodi Stuart, on behalf of Maggie Winston, noted the partnership between the City of Kenai and Project Homeless Con nect, encouraged the consideration of homeless when considering ordinances, provided an overview of the Project Homeless Connect event, provided historical data of the event, and invited Council to attend the upcoming Project Homeless Connect Event. C. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS None. D. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Ordinance No . 3098-2019 -Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations in the General Fund , Pol ice Department and Amending Kenai Municipal Code Sections 23.25.040 -Appointee Compensation , 23.25 .065 -Shift Differential Pay , 23 .50.010 - Employee Classification, and 23 .55.030 -Qualification Pay to Improve Recruitment and Retention for Pol ice Officers and Other Eligible Employees Receiving Shift Differential Pay. (Administration) MOTION: Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3098-2019 and V ice Mayor Molloy SECONDED the motion. Mayor Gabrie l opened for public hearing ; there be ing no one wishing to be heard , the public hearing was closed . An overview of the research conducted and meetings with police department staff was provided noting the ordinance authorized signing bonuses in certain situations, resulted in cost savings City of Ke nai Council Meeting December 18, 2019 Page 2of10 associated with academy training, amended shift differential pay to maintain standards with departments across the state, provided incentive pay as a tool for retention, provided an increase to officers conducting field training, and a pay increase for investigators who lose the opportunity for shift differential pay. It was noted that no additional appropriation would be needed for the current fiscal year and the plan was sustainable for future years. MOTION TO AMEND: Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to amend Section 6 of the ordinance 23.55.030 (b)(1)(ii), after "as follows:" to read, "Advance one (1) pay grade from 16E to 17E," and Vice Mayor Molloy SECONDED the motion . UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested. VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT: There being no objections; SO ORDERED. Staff was thanked for the work put into the ordinance. Clarification was provided the City would be more competitive with state troopers, depending on experience , than currently. Appreciation was expressed that the changes were sustainable for the budget. Gratitude was expressed to the officers for the work they did for the City . VOTE ON THE MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED: YEA: Knackstedt, Glendening, Pettey, Molloy, Navarre, Gabriel, Peterkin NAY: MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 2 . Ordinance No. 3099-2019 -Amending Kenai Municipal Code Section 23.50 .010 - Employee Classification to Amend Class Titles in the Public Works Water and Sewer and Wastewater Classes. (Administration) MOTION: Council Member Navarre MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3099-2019 and 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. Clarification was provided that the ordinance created two levels of Operator positions on the water side and on the wastewater side which allowed the City to hire someone not as highly qualified and provide on the job training to get certifications and then move into the higher level position. It was felt this would make recruitment more successful. Clarification was also provided that certifications came after nearly 2,000 hours of coursework and testing in person as well as on the job. It was noted that staff were now cross training . MOTION: City of Kenai Council Meeting December 18, 2019 Page 3of10 Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to amend by removing the duplicate 414 Class Code and Vice Mayor Molloy SECONDED the motion. VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT : There being no objections ; SO ORDERED. VOTE ON THE MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED: YEA: Knackstedt, Glendening, Pettey, Molloy, Navarre, Gabriel, Peterkin NAY: MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 3. Ordinance No. 3100-2019 -Increasing Estimated Revenues a nd Appropriations by $4 , 786.53 in the General Fund -Police Department for Drug Investigation Overtime Expenditures. (Administration) MOTION: Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3100-2019 and Council Member Glendening SECONDED the motion . Mayor Gabriel opened for public hearing; there being no one wishing to be heard , the publ ic hearing was closed. VOTE: YEA: Knackstedt, Glendening, Pettey, Molloy, Navarre, Gabriel , Peterkin NAY: MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 4 . Resolution No. 2019-79 -Adopting an Alternative Allocation Method for the FY20 Shared Fisherie s Business Ta x Program and Certifying that this Allocation Method fairly Represents the Distribution of Significant Effects of Fisheries Bus iness Activity in FMA 14: Cook Inlet. (Administration) MOTION: Vice Mayor Molloy MOVED to adopt Resolution No . 2019-79 and requested UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Council Member Kna ckstedt SECONDED the motion . Mayor Gabriel opened for public hearing; there being no one wishing to be heard , th e public hearing wa s closed . Clarification was provided that the funds went into the general fund and were utilized as deemed appropriate for the City by City Council. VOTE: There being no objections ; SO ORDERED City of Ken ai Council Meeting Page 4 of 10 Decem be r 18, 201 9 5. Resolution No. 2019-80 -Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Vending Machine Concession Agreement for the Kenai Municipal Airport . (Administration) MOTION: Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 20 19-80 and requested UNANIMOUS CONSENT . Vice Mayor Molloy SECONDED the motion . Mayor Gabriel opened for public hearing ; there be ing no one wishing to be heard , the public hearing was closed. VOTE: There being no objections; SO ORDERED 6 . Resolution No. 2019-81 -Supporting the Alaska Municipal League's Resolu ti on No. 22-2020 Requesting the Alaska State Legislature Approve a Coastal Infrastructure General Obligation Bond for the 2020 Election . (Council Member Jim Glendening) MOTION: Council Member Glendening MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2019-81 and Vice Mayor Molloy SECONDED the motion . Mayor Gabriel opened for public hearing; there being no one wishing to be heard, the public hearing was closed . Clarification was provided that the intent was that the legislature would authorize general obligation bonding for Capital Improvement Projects related to coastal infrastructure . It was noted that there were over seventy Port and Harbor faci lities in the state and a report card from the Society of Civil Engineers graded Alaska a D in 2017 which indicated the need for improvements . VOTE: YEA: Knackstedt, Glendening, Pettey, Molloy, Navarre , Gabriel, Peterkin NAY: MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 7. Resolution No. 20 19-82 -Adopting the City of Kenai's Cap ita l Improvement Plan Priority List for State Funding Requests for the Fiscal Year 202 1. (Administration) MOTION: Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2019-82 and Council Member Pettey SECONDED the motion . Mayor Gabriel opened for public hearing ; there being no one wishing to be hea rd , the public hearing was closed . City of Kena i Coun cil Meeting Decembe r 18, 201 9 Pa ge 5of10 Clarification was provided that the li st was compiled using information from multiple departments in the City and indicated the City's top priority project is along with additional projects, prioritized high to low, in the event the legislature found funds for capital improvements. Clarification was also provided that the funding request for Wildwood Drive improvements were improvements to the existing road and could be accomplished without clarifying ownership; the improvements weren 't a reconstruction of the road . It was noted the City continues to get complaints on the road and it was felt it was worth it to attempt to get funding for improvements . VOTE: There being no objections; SO ORDERED. 8. Resolution No. 2019-83-Requesting the Kenai Peninsula Borough Select Through its Municipal Entitlement, Land Described as T.6N., R.11W. Sec. 31, Lots 40, 41, and 42 Containing 3. 75 Acres, from the State of Alaska for the City of Kenai to Enable the Continued Maintenance and Operation of the 4th Avenue Municipal Park. (Legal) MOTION: Vice Mayor Molloy MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2019-83 and Council Member Peterk in 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 the request was likely to happen and that this was the first step in a process . VOTE: There being no objections; SO ORDERED. 9 . Resolution No. 2019-84 -Requesting the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Keep the Silvertip Maintenance Station Open . (Council Members Pettey and Knackstedt) MOTION: Council Member Pettey MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2019-84 and Council Member Knackstedt SECONDED the motion . Mayor Gabriel opened for public hearing; there being no one w ishing to be heard , the public hearing was closed. Mayor Gabriel declared a conflict noting he was a Foreman for the Department of Transportation. Vice Mayor Molloy ruled Mayor Gabriel had a conflict and excused him from deliberation and voting . There was discussion about impacts to other communities from various state budget related cuts and whether or not all impacts should be included . It was noted the motor fuel ta x was intended to provide funding to maintain the road system . City of Kenai Council Meeting December 18, 2019 Page 6 of 10 The suggestion was made that a road closure would block off the whole peninsula for several hours, maintenance should be provided when conditions warrant, and that the resolution showed the legislature that transportation was important to the Kenai Peninsula. VOTE: YEA: Knackstedt, Glendening, Pettey, Molloy, Navarre, Peterkin NAY: EXCUSED : Gabriel MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. E. MINUTES -None. 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) Approved by the consent agenda. 3. *Action/Approval -Non-Objection to New Liquor License for Los Compadres Mexican Restaurant, LLC. (City Clerk) Approved by the consent agenda. 4 . *Action/Approval -Special Use Permit to Schilling Alaska, Inc. d/b/a The Uptown Motel for Snow Storage. (Administration) Approved by the consent agenda. 5. Action/Approval -Amending an Employment Agreement between the City of Kenai and City Manager, Paul Ostrander to Extend the Agreement. (Mayor Gabriel) MOTION: Vice Mayor Molloy MOVED to approve an amended Employment Agreement between the City of Kenai and City Manager, Paul Ostrander, and Council Member Knackstedt SECONDED the motion . UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested. Clarification was provided the contract was extended for three years. VOTE: There being no objections; SO ORDERED. City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 7 of 1 O December 18, 2019 6. Action/Approval -Mayo ral Nom inations for Appointment to the Planning and Zoning Commission. (City Clerk) MOTION: Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to confirm the reappointment of Diane Fikes and Robert Springer to the Planning and Zoning Commission and requested UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Council Member Navarre SECONDED the motion . The applicants were thanked for their w illingness to serve another term . VOTE: There being no objections; SO ORDERED. 7. Action/Approval -Mayoral Nominations for Appointment to Committees and Commissions. (City Clerk) MOTION: Vice Mayor Mo ll oy MOVED to confirm the appointments and reappointments to Commissions as presented. Council Member Navarre SECONDED the motion and requested UNANIMOUS CONSENT. VOTE: There being no objections; SO ORDERED . H . COMMISSION/COMMITIEE REPORTS 1. Counci l on Aging -No report; next meeting January 9. 2 . Airport Commission -It was reported the Commission recommended approval of the Vending Machine Concession addressed at this meeting ; ne xt meeting January 9. 3. Harbor Commission -It was reported the Coast Guard was looking into attending a future meeting to report on their dipnet fishery observations; ne xt meeting is a Special Meeting on January 6. 4 . Parks and Recreation Commission -It was reported the Commission heard a dipnet report at their De cember meeting ; next meeting January 2 . 5 . Planning and Zoning Commission -No report; next meeting January 8. 6 . Beautification Committee -No report ; next meeting January 14 . 7 . Mini-Grant Steering Committee -No report . I. REPORT OF THE MAYOR Mayor Gabriel reported on the following : • Jo ined in the Laying of the Wreaths Ceremony on December 19 ; • Judged the Kenai Middle Schoo l Door Deco rat ing Contest ; • Noted the upcoming Kena i Central High an d Soldotna High A lumni hockey game; • Wished everyone a Me rry Chri stmas. City of Kenai Council Meetin g December 18, 201 9 Page 8 of 10 J. ADMINISTRATION REPORTS 1. City Manager -City Manager P. Ostrander reported on the following: • Ongoing work on a fleet replacement plan; • Ongoing work on a true five-year Capital Improvement Plan; • A grant secured by the City Planner for security at historical cabins; • Grants applied for, for the City Dock and removal of hazard trees; • Kenai Police Department participating in Shop with a Cop; • Status update on the Bluff Erosion Project noting the Corps of Engineers had signed off on the request to design the project and the last step was for the Office of Management and Budget to sign off. 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) None. 2. Council Comments All wished everyone a Merry Christmas. Council Member Knackstedt noted appreciation for the interest the police officers expressed in the ordinance regarding their compensation packages. Council Member Glendening expressed gratitude that the City was working on grants, noted he attended a recent dog park meeting, and noted he planned to attend the alumni hockey game . Council Member Peterkin thanked the Police Department for their service to the City; also thanked the Finance Director, Public Works Director, and the Water and Wastewater crew. Congratulated the City Manager on the extended contract. Council Member Navarre noted he attended recent school concerts. Vice Mayor Molloy expressed gratitude for the opportunity to attend AML; had an opportunity to meet with Leslie Cruzen . Suggested a kickoff event for the design phase of the Bluff Erosion Project. Noted the City and Council did good work over 2019; expressed appreciation for the work from the City Manager, City Clerk, and City Attorney. Also expressed appreciation that the Police Department was participating in Shop with a Cop. L. EXECUTIVE SESSION -None. M. PENDING ITEMS -None. N. ADJOURNMENT City of Kenai Council Meeting December 18, 2019 Page 9 of 10 There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:19 p.m. I certify the above represents accurate minutes of the Kenai City Council meeting of December 18, 2019. City of Kenai Council Meeting December 18, 2019 Page 10of10