HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-05-06 Council MinutesKENAI CITY COUNCIL -REGULAR MEETING
MAY 6, 2020-6:00 P.M .
KENAI CITY HALL
2 10 FIDALGO AVE., KENAI , AK 99611
MAYOR BRIAN GABRIEL, PRESIDING
MINUTES
A. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Kenai City Counc il was held virtually on May 6, 2020, in City Hall , 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 agen d a and packet:
Add to item D .6. Resolution 2020-21
• Supplemental Information Memo
MOTION:
Vice Mayor Molloy MOVED to approve the agenda with the requested add itions to the agenda
and packet and requested UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Council Member Kna c kstedt SECONDED
th e motion .
VOTE : There being no objections , SO ORDERED.
4. Consent Agenda
MOTION:
Counci l Member Knackstedt MOVED to approve the consent agenda and requested
UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Council Member Navarre 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 -None.
C. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS -None.
D. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Ordinance No. 3117-2020 -Appropriating Funds in the Airport Fund, Accepting a
Grant From the Federal Aviation Administration and Appropriating Funds in the
Airport Equipment Capital Project Fund for the Purchase of Snow Removal
Equipment (SRE) -Loader With Attachments. (Administration)
MOTION TO ENACT:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to enact Ordinance No . 3117-2020 and Vice Mayor Malloy
SECONDED the motion .
Mayor Gabriel opened for public hearing; there being no one wishing to be heard , the public
hearing was closed.
MOTION TO POSTPONE:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to postpone Ordinance No . 3117-2020 to the May 20, 2020
Council meeting and requested UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Vi ce Mayor Molloy SECONDED the
motion.
VOTE: There being no objections, SO ORDERED.
2. Ordinance No. 31 18-2020 -Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriat ions by
$1 ,287.44 in the General Fund-Police Department for State Traffic Grant Overtime
Expenditures . (Administration)
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MOTION:
Council Member Navarre MOVED to enact Ordinance No . 3118-2020 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.
VOTE:
YEA: Gabriel, Knackstedt, Pettey, Molloy, Peterkin , Navarre, Glendening
NAY:
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Ordinance No. 3119-2020 -Increasing General Fund Estimated Revenues and
Appropriations by $26,542 in the General Fund Parks, Recreation and Beautification
Department for an Increase of a Grant from the United States Environmental
Protection Agency Passed Through the State of Alaska Department of
Environmental Conservation for Bacteria Level Monitoring on the City's Beaches
from March 1, 2020 Through June 30 , 2020 . (Administration)
MOTION:
Vice Mayor Molloy MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3119-2020 and Council Member Glendening
SECONDED the motion .
Mayor Gabriel opened for public hearing .
Kenai Watershed Forum , Maggie Harings noted there was another opportunity and sufficient
funding from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) to do sampling
through FY20; adding that the relat ionship with the City of Kenai was valuable and they hoped to
continue sampling in Kenai.
Concern was expressed with the high number of gulls in the local rookery that adds bacteria to
the City beaches . Ms . Harings clarified the information collected was to supply ADEC with
important data related to fluctuations in bacteria levels throughout the summer.
There being no one else wishing to be heard, the public hearing was closed.
Council members thanked the Kenai Watershed Forum for mitigating communication , the positive
direction the monitoring was going and the informative website reiterating ADEC 's key message
about keeping the beaches clean and proper disposal of fish carcass.
VOTE:
YEA: Knackstedt, Pettey, Molloy , Peterkin , Navarre, Glendening , Gabriel
NAY :
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
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4. Ordinance No. 3123-2020 -Accepting and Appropriating Funds in the Airport Fund ,
and Accepting a Grant From the Federal Aviation Administration for a CARES Act
Grant. (Administration)
1. Motion for Introduction
2 . Motion for Second Reading (Requires a Unanimous Vote)
3. Motion for Adoption (Requires Five Affirmative Votes)
MOTION FOR INTRODUCTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to introduce Ordinance No. 3123-2020 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.
VOTE ON INTRODUCTION:
YEA: Pettey, Molloy, Peterkin , Navarre, Glendening, Gabriel, Knackstedt
NAY:
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOTION FOR SECOND READING:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to hold the second reading on Ordinance No. 3123-2020
and Vice Mayor Molloy SECONDED the motion. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested.
It was clarified this was being introduced and for public hearing due to the emergency nature .
VOTE ON SECOND READING: There being no objections, SO ORDERED.
MOTION FOR ENACTMENT:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3123-2020 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 funds were for expenses at the Kenai Municipal Airport and
would be used for operational costs.
VOTE ON MOTION TO ENACT:
YEA: Molloy , Peterkin, Navarre, Glendening, Gabriel, Knackstedt, Pettey
NAY:
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
5. Ordinance No. 3126-2020 -Accepting and Appropriating Federal CARES Act
Funding Passed Through the State of Alaska for Expenditures in Response to the
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COVID-19 Pandemic, Waiving the $5 ,000 Limitation in KMC 7.25.020 (A) on These
Funds to Allow the City Manager to Allocate the Funds to the Proper Account as
Needs Arise and Declaring an Emergency. (Administration)
1. Motion for Introduction
2. Motion for Second Reading (Requires a Unanimous Vote)
3. Motion for Adoption (Requires Five Affirmative Votes)
MOTION FOR INTRODUCTION:
Vice Mayor Molloy MOVED to introduce Ordinance No . 3126-2020 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.
VOTE ON INTRODUCTION:
YEA : Peterkin, Navarre, Glendening, Gabriel, Knackstedt, Pettey, Molloy
NAY:
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOTION FOR SECOND READING:
Vice Mayor Molloy MOVED to hold the second reading on Ordinance No . 3126-2020 and Counc il
Member Knackstedt SECONDED the motion and requested UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
VOTE ON SECOND READING: There being no objections, SO ORDERED.
MOTION FOR ENACTMENT:
Vice Mayor Molloy MOVED to enact Ordinance No . 3126-2020 and Council Member Knackstedt
SECONDED the motion.
Mayor Gabriel opened for public he aring; there being no one wishing to be heard, the public
hearing was closed.
Clarification was provided the funding had stipulations and this was a portion of the larger grant
amount for immediate response to the unexpected expenses by Administration due to COVID-19
that were not in the budget. It was added that these funds would also help to make the needed
purc hases for the workplace in response to COVID-19. Further clarification was provided that this
funding would also be used towards public safety employees ' payroll , and other specific
employees , noting the payroll costs specifically related to COVID-19 would be covered by this
grant.
VOTE ON MOTION TO ENACT:
YEA: Navarre, Glendening, Gabriel, Knackstedt, Pettey, Molloy, Peterkin
NAY:
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
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6. Resolution No. 2020-21 -Authorizing a Budget Transfer in the General Fund City
Clerk Department for a Software Add-On. (City Clerk)
MOTI O N:
Council Member Navarre MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2020-21 and requested UNANIMOUS
CONSENT; Council Member Knackstedt SECONDED the motion .
Mayor Gabriel opened for public hearing; there being no one wishing to be heard, t he public
hearing was closed.
VOTE: There being no objections, SO ORDERED.
7. Resolution No . 2020-22 -Authorizing the City of Kenai to Issue General Obligation
Refunding Bonds in the Principal Amount of Not to Exceed the Sum of $1,250,000
to Refund Certain Outstanding General Obligation Bonds of the City, Fixing Certain
Details of Such Bonds and Authorizing Their Sale. (Administration)
MOTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No . 2020-22 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.
A brief overview and history of the bonds was provided .
VOTE:
YEA: Glendening, Gabriel, Knackstedt, Pettey, Molloy, Peterkin , Navarre
NAY:
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
8. Resolution No. 2020-23 -Approving an Exception to the Collections Policy for
Delinquent Ambulance Bills to Eliminate Out of Pocket Collection for COVID-19
Treatment/Transport to Comply with Federal Funding Requirements. (Legal)
MOTION:
Vice Mayor Molloy MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2020-23 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 publ ic
hearing was closed.
Clarification was provided that although there have been no COVID-19 patients transported at
this time, this was a proactive effort to put this in place .
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VOTE: There being no objections, SO ORDERED .
9. Resolution No. 2020-24 -Selecting the Successful Firm for the Professional
Environmental I Civil Engineering & Construction Administration Services for Kenai
Municipal Water, Sewer and Wastewater Capital Improvement Projects Request for
Proposals . (Administration)
MOTION: '
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2020-24 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.
It was c larified this contract was identical to the Kenai Municipal Airport contract recently
approved; this contract would be for any project at the Waste Water Treatment Plant that needed
engineering services, it could be negotiated with the selected engineering firm or released for bid .
Adding that the selected firm was not guaranteed for contract but it allowed negotiations with this
contractor before going out for bid .
VOTE: There being no objections, SO ORDERED .
E. M INUTES
1. *Regular Meeting of April 15, 2020. (City Clerk)
Approved by the consent agenda.
2. *Special Meeting of April 16, 2020. (City Clerk)
Approved by the consent agenda.
3 . *Work Session Summary of April 25, 2020 . (City Clerk)
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)
Approved by the consent agenda.
3. *Ordinance No. 3120-2020 -Accepting $26,545.90 in Asset Forfeiture Sharing Funds
and Appropriating those Funds into the Police Machinery & Equipment and Small
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Tools Accounts for the Purpose of Purchasing Law Enforcement
Equipment. (Administration)
Introduced by the consent agenda and public hearing set for May 20, 2020.
4. *Ordinance No. 3121-2020 -Adopting the Annual Budget for the Fiscal Year
Commencing July 1, 2020 and Ending June 30, 2021, Amending the Salary Schedule
in Kenai Municipal Code Chapter 23 .55-Pay Plan and Amending Employee
Classifications in Kenai Municipal Code Chapter 23.50. (Administration)
Introduced by the consent agenda and public hearing set for May 20, 2020 .
5. *Ordinance No . 3122-2020 -Accepting and Appropriating a Volunteer Fire Assistance
(VFA) Grant From the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Passed
Through the State of Alaska Division of Forestry for the Purchase of Forestry
Firefighting Equipment. (Administration)
Introduced by the consent agenda and public hearing set for May 20, 2020.
6 . *Ordinance No. 3124-2020 -Accepting and Appropriating a Meals on Wheels
COVID-19 Response Fund Grant From Meals on Wheels America for Kenai Senior
Center Expenditures in Support of COVID-19 Pandemic Response. (Administration)
Introduced by the consent agenda and public hearing set for May 20, 2020.\
7. *Ordinance No. 3125-2020 -Accepting and Appropriating Additional Nutrition,
Transportation and Support Services Grant Funds From the United States Department
of Health and Human Services Passed Through the State of Alaska Department of
Health and Social Services for Kenai Senior Center Expenditures in Support of
COVID-19 Pandemic Response . (Administration)
Introduced by the consent agenda and public hearing set for May 20, 2020 .
8 . Discussion -Election Method . (Mayor Gabriel)
The Mayor c larified that the Kenai Peninsula Borough was considering a vote by mail and
determined it was an appropriate discussion item for the City of Kenai. The City Clerk provided
an overview of how it would affect the City of Kenai and reviewed a Feasibility Study that was
presented to the Borough, specifically noting it was feasible for the City of Kenai to move to vote
by mail for the 2020 election. She added she was drafting an ordinance that would be introduced
at the May 20 Council meeting with the need for a work session and then a public hearing in June.
Vote by Mail was initially recommended by the Election Stakeholder Group last year. Concerns
around fraud and voting by mail were addressed, noting that all vote centers were air gapped and
voter registration was run by the State of Alaska.
9. Discussion -City Response to COVID-19. (Administration)
The City Manager reported that all employees were back to the City except two that were
teleworking and the 14-hour employees that were on furlough . He noted that the Personal Use
Fishery was planning to continue as scheduled but Administration was looking at safety measures
to put in place regarding personal protective equipment (PPE) or modifications to the bathroom
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facilities. Opening City Hall in the near future was being discussed and trying to determine when
to open the Visitors Center and Recreation Center. He further noted funding possibilities with the
CARES Act.
H. COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Council on Aging -No report; next meeting May 14.
2 . Airport Commission -No report; next meeting May 14.
3. Harbor Commission -No report; next meeting May 11.
4 . Parks and Recreation Commission -No report; next meeting May 7.
5. Planning and Zoning Commission -No report ; next meeting May 13.
6 . Beautification Committee -No report; next meeting May 12 .
7. Mini-Grant Steering Committee -No report.
I. REPORT OF THE MAYOR
Mayor Gabriel requested that Administration look into the annual Memorial Day/American Legion
Celebration to determine the plans for this year. He expressed appreciation for the Kenai
community 's efforts during this time and the importance of diligence and spreading the word about
it as mandates are lifted.
J. ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
1. City Manager -City Manager P. Ostrander reported on the following :
• He noted the various groups he proactively and regular participates in meetings
with in response to COVID-19;
• He testified to the House Finance Committee about the necessity of the CARES
Act funding and what it was needed for;
• An update on Bridge Access Road bike path was provided ; and
• An update on Bluff Erosion project-pursuing two items : In-kind work that the City
would be doing and the Pre-Construction, Engineering & Design (PED)
agreement to move forward; hoping for approval in late June .
2. City Attorney -City Attorney S. Bloom reported that he was in contact weekly with
RA VN Airlines bankruptcy attorneys, noting they hoped to re-emerge in one way or
another. Sent them operating agreement that would extend it to July 1. He also
reported staff has been reaching out to other carriers in the meantime .
3. City Clerk -City Clerk J. Heinz reported th at all Commission and Committee members
have been prepped for the upcoming virtual meetings and instructions in how to
participate , with the Clerk's Office offering technical support during those meetings .
She also reported that the KPB, Soldotna , and Kenai are all putting forth o rdinances
to move to voting by mail, and potentially Homer and Seward, while vote centers would
still be available . She noted that the PowerPoint presentation provided to the Borough
and the Feasibility Study would be distributed to Council Members.
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K. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT
1. Citizens Comments (Public comment limited to five (5) minutes per speaker) -None.
2. Council Comments
Council members expressed interest in meeting in-person and continue having the COVID-19
discussion continually item on the agenda .
Council Member Glendening thanked the City Manager for his efforts and continual information.
Vice Mayor Molloy noted support with voting by mail and interest in how CARES Act funding could
support substantially impacted local businesses during this time .
Council Member Navarre thanked for the smooth meeting and interest in looking into pandemic
funds to help with a voting machine for vote by mail.
Council Member Pettey expressed appreciation for the updated on COVID and the City Clerk's
insight and information for voting options.
Council Member Peterkin noted concerns with businesses still impacted by the pandemic and the
continued 14-day required quarantine with traveling , noting the devastation to many businesses
with summer beginning.
Mayor Gabriel noted that City Manager Ostrander was chair of the Elections Stakeholders Group
and he thanked those that aided with the letter to all Commissions and Comm ittees .
Council Member Knackstedt noted discontent if voting went fully by mail. He commented about
everyone doing their part throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, encouraging support of local
businesses, and thanked Mayor Gabriel for his leadership and the letter he sent to all the
Committees and Commissions supporting them moving forward .
L. EXECUTIVE SESSION
M. PENDING ITEMS -None .
N. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8 :23 p.m.
I certify the above represents accurate minutes of the Kenai City Council meeting of May 6 , 2020 .
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May6, 2020
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