HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-12-02 Council MinutesKENAI CITY COUNCIL — REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 2, 2020 — 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 December 2, 2020, 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
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
Teea Winger
Glenese Pettey
Mayor Gabriel noted the following revisions to the agenda and packet:
Add to item H.11 Discussion — Response to COVID-19
Add to item J.1 City Manager's Report
• Third Quarter 2020 Sales Tax Information
MOTION:
Vice Mayor Molloy MOVED to approve the agenda with the requested additions and requested
UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Council Member Knackstedt SECONDED the motion.
VOTE: There being no objections, SO ORDERED.
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December 2, 2020
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 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
Borough Assembly President Brent Hibbert reported on the recent Borough Assembly meeting.
He provided an update on the North Road Extension project and status of CARES Act money for
Borough residents.
A letter from Bob Peters was read, expressing support for Tim Navarre to be appointed to fill the
vacant Council seat.
D. COUNCIL APPOINTMENT
1. Selection of Appointee with the Continuation of Interviews if Needed.
[Clerk's Note: Council May Convene into Executive Session to Discuss this Agenda
Item which May be a Subject that Tends to Prejudice the Reputation and Character
of the Candidates for the Vacant City Council Seat (AS 44.62.310(C)(2))j
Mayor Gabriel thanked the candidates for participating in the interviews held in the prior work
session, and their interest in serving the City of Kenai. The voting process was explained, in which
Council Members would be voting by secret ballot. In the first round, Council Members vote for
two candidates, and the six candidates that receive the most votes proceed to the next round of
voting. In the second round, Council Members again vote for two candidates, and the top four
candidates proceed to the next round of voting. This process repeats until two candidates remain,
at which time Council Members vote for one candidate, and the candidate that receives four or
more votes during this round would be appointed. At any time during the voting process there is
a tie or are unable to break the tie after two or more votes, the tie would be broken by lot. If there
is more than a two-way tie, straws would be drawn to eliminate one; in a two-way tie a coin would
be flipped. Votes would be tabulated by the City Clerk.
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MOTION:
Vice Mayor Molloy MOVED to begin voting on the selection of an appointee by secret ballot.
Council Member Pettey SECONDED the motion and requested UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
VOTE: There being no objections, SO ORDERED.
FIRST VOTE:
Navarre
M. Brown I Boyle
I Askin
I Oden
Kisena
B. Brown
Douthit
2
1 1 1
14
10
1
1
2
SECOND VOTE:
Navarre
M. Brown
Boyle
Askin
Kisena
B. Brown
Douthit
2
1
1
5
1
1
1
Boyle voluntarily withdrew from the race at this time. Straws were drawn between M. Brown,
Kisena, B. Brown and Douthit. M. Brown and Kisena were able to proceed to the next round of
voting along with Navarre and Askin.
THIRD VOTE:
Navarre
M. Brown
Askin
Kisena
2
2
6
12
Straws were drawn between Navarre, M. Brown, and Kisena. M. Brown was able to proceed to
the next round of voting.
FOURTH VOTE:
M. Brown
I Askin
2
14
MOTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to appoint Victoria Askin to Council and requested
UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Vice Mayor Molloy SECONDED the motion.
VOTE: There being no objections, SO ORDERED.
The candidates were thanked for their interest, and were reminded that there were still vacant
seats on various commissions and committees for which they are encouraged to apply.
2. Appointee Oath of Office
Mayor Gabriel administered the oath of office to Victoria Askin, and Council Member Askin took
her seat on the dais.
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E. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Ordinance No. 3166-2020 - Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations in
the Airport Special Revenue and Airport Improvements Capital Project Funds and
Authorizing a Professional Services Agreement to Develop Condition Assessments
for the Airfield Drainage Safety Area and Asphalt Runway Areas of the Kenai
Municipal Airport.
MOTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3166-2020 and Vice Mayor 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.
It was clarified that the asphalt replacement is for the entire runway. This project has been on the
airport's improvement plan for a number of years as the pavement degradation is advancing much
quicker than expected. This will be a project of significant size as the asphalt is about 8 inches
thick; preliminary estimates put the total cost of the project at about $18 million. This project
assessment would be the first step in getting the design done for that project and could happen as
early as 2023. The project would primarily be relying on discretionary funding from FAA; clarified
that runway improvement project is separate from the drainage project.
VOTE:
YEA: Gabriel, Knackstedt, Molloy, Winger, Glendening, Pettey, Askin
NAY:
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Resolution No. 2020-90 -Approving the Use of the Fleet Replacement Fund for the
Purchase of Three Police Department Trucks Utilizing the State of Alaska Equipment
Fleet Contract.
MOTION:
Vice Mayor Molloy MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2020-90 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.
Police Chief Ross explained that a fleet replacement plan was adopted last year and part of it
involved transitioning from the use of smaller cars to four-wheel drive pickup trucks. This
Resolution authorizes the purchase of three pickup trucks this year. He explained that one benefit
of the switch will be that, after the vehicle is retired from the Emergency Services fleet, it will be
more usable to other departments such as Parks and Recreation or Public Works than smaller
vehicles would. Clarified that the equipment put in the new vehicles will be a combination of new
and used equipment. It was noted that larger four-wheel drive vehicles would be better suited to
responding to certain calls, such as a moose hit on the road.
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UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested.
VOTE: There being no objections, SO ORDERED.
3. Resolution No. 2020-91 - Authorizing a Budget Transfer in the COVID-19 CARES
Act Recovery Fund to Increase Funding for Housing Assistance, Food Assistance,
and First Responder Payroll.
MOTION:
Vice Mayor Molloy MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2020-91 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.
City Manager Ostrander explained that prior to the December 31, 2020 deadline, when all the
CARES Act funds need to be expended, Administration aims to reallocate some funds to other
areas in order for them to be more efficiently used; clarified that this Resolution would remove left
over funds from nonprofit and business grants, commercial fishermen's grants, and small business
marketing grants and noted it would increase expenditures for first responder and incident
management team payroll, food assistance services, and rental and mortgage relief.
It was noted that other cities on the Kenai Peninsula may not use all of their CARES Act funds and
the City of Kenai likely will, so there is a possibility that if we have unmet needs we may get some
funds from other cities in Kenai Peninsula Borough. It was clarified that the deadline for individuals
to apply for housing grants was on November 30, 2020.
It was suggested that some of the funds from the business grants could be used to implement a
voucher shopping program like the City of Soldotna has done. The City Manager explained that
while Administration is considering doing a program like this, they are proposing using general
fund money in early 2021 instead of using CARES Act funds. It was clarified that because first
responder and incident management team payroll is already covered by the general fund, if we
used CARES Act funds to cover it instead, that frees up that money in the general fund to use for
other programs like the voucher program.
Clarification was provided that the budget spreadsheet provided shows two grants (to Alaska
Municipal League and Challenger Learning Center) which haven't been processed yet. It was also
noted the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation is committed to funding applications beyond what
City is provided, because they had money around.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested.
VOTE: There being no objections, SO ORDERED
4. Resolution No. 2020-92 - Adopting an Alternative Allocation Method for the FY21
Shared Fisheries Business Tax Program and Certifying that this Allocation Method
Fairly Represents the Distribution of Significant Effects of Fisheries Business Activity
in FMA 14: Cook Inlet.
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MOTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2020-92 and Council Member Pettey
SECONDED the motion.
Mayor Gabriel opened for public hearing; there being no one wishing to be heard, the public
hearing was closed.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested.
Finance Director Eubank clarified that, as opposed to the alternative allocation method this
Resolution would adopt, the other method would cost more and would require every community to
file an impact statement to justify their share of the funds; noted that since the inception of this
program, every one of these members has passed a similar resolution because the other route is
more laborious and not worth the effort to split hairs.
VOTE: There being no objections, SO ORDERED.
F. MINUTES
1. *Regular Meeting of November 4, 2020. (City Clerk)
Approved by the consent agenda.
G. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
H. NEW BUSINESS
1. *Action/Approval - Bills to be Ratified.
Approved by the consent agenda.
2. *Ordinance No. 3167-2020 - Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations in
the Cares Act Recovery Special Revenue Fund.
Introduced by the consent agenda and Public Hearing set for December 16, 2020.
3. *Ordinance No. 3168-2020 - Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations in
the Airport Operations Facility, Airport Snow Removal Equipment, Terminal
Improvement, Airport Improvements, Personal Use Fishery, Animal Control
Improvements, Public Safety Improvements, City Shop Improvements, Municipal
Roadway Improvements, Water and Sewer Improvements, and Wastewater
Treatment Facility Improvements Capital Project Funds to Transfer Residual
Balances from Completed or Canceled Projects Back to their Original Funding
Sources.
Introduced by the consent agenda and Public Hearing set for December 16, 2020.
3. *Ordinance No. 3169-2020 - Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations in
the General Fund, Finance Department for the Payment of Fees in Connection with
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December 2, 2020
the Collection of Remote Seller Sales Tax by the Alaska Remote Seller Sales Tax
Commission on Behalf of the City of Kenai.
Introduced by the consent agenda and Public Hearing set for December 16, 2020.
4. *Ordinance No. 3170-2020 - Accepting and Appropriating a Grant from the State of
Alaska for the Purchase of Library Books.
Introduced by the consent agenda and Public Hearing set for December 16, 2020.
5. *Ordinance No. 3171-2020 - Accepting and Appropriating a State of Alaska Grant
Passed through the Southern Region EMS Council, Inc. for Two Automatic External
Defibrillator (AED) Trainers and One Advanced Life Support (ALS) Skills Training
Mannequin.
Introduced by the consent agenda and Public Hearing set for December 16, 2020.
6. *Ordinance No. 3172-2020 - Waiving the $5,000 Limitation in KMC 7.25.020 (A) for
Allocating CARES Act Funds to Allow the City Manager to Allocate the Funds to the
Proper Account as Needs Arise and Time to Utilize the Funds Expires, and Declaring
an Emergency.
Introduced by the consent agenda and Public Hearing set for December 16, 2020.
7. Action/Approval - Amendment to a Special Use Permit to RAVN for Additional
Space of Warm Storage.
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to amend the Special Use Permit for RAVN and requested
UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Vice Mayor Molloy SECONDED the motion.
It clarified that this would double their square footage, from 600 to 1200 square feet.
VOTE: There being no objections, SO ORDERED.
9. Action/Approval - Council Confirmation of Mayoral Nominations to the City's
Commissions and Committee.
Vice Mayor Molloy MOVED to confirm Commission appointments. Council Member Glendening
SECONDED the motion.
Appreciation for committee reappointments was expressed. Noted that a lot of these are
reappointments, and Council is glad to see people continuing their service.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested.
VOTE: There being no objections, SO ORDERED.
10. Discussion - Future Council and Commission Meeting Format.
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Clarification was provided that this was a response to Dunleavey's request to try to mitigate spread
by meeting remotely as much as possible. It was announced that on Wednesday, December 9t',
there would be a work session with Dr. Anne Zink in which she would present a Zoom webinar on
COVID-19.
Council discussed their views on how Council Meetings should proceed in light of Governor
Dunleavy's request. There was general agreement that Council Members feel comfortable with
the current social distancing precautions taken during hybrid in-person/Zoom meetings. It was
reiterated, especially for new Council Members, that all meeting attendees who don't feel
comfortable meeting in person should feel welcome to participate by Zoom, and doing so will not
count against your attendance record. Some council members voiced strong preference for in-
person attendance, especially for some department heads, but acknowledged that may not be
necessary for everyone. It was reminded that if any attendees are feeling at all unwell, they are
highly encouraged to participate via Zoon.
11. Discussion —Response to COVID-19
Despite the fifth City of Kenai employee testing positively, business operations have not been
significantly affected.
New CDC regulations were released, shortening close -contact quarantine time from 14 days to 10
days, or 7 with testing.
City Hall closure has been extended to the end of the year, with exception for City Council and
Commission meetings taking place in Council Chambers. Library closure allowing for curbside
pickup has been extended to the end of the year.
The number of cases, case rate and hospitalizations were provided
Update on coming COVID-19 vaccines, estimating that the Pfizer MRNA vaccine will likely become
available in about two weeks. Described the proposed stages in which the vaccine will be
released, noting which groups of people will be offered the vaccine before it is available to the
general public. It was noted that some people might have apprehension about taking the vaccine,
and because it is an Emergency Order vaccine, it cannot be mandated or required.
Emergency Declaration expires at the end of the year, and a resolution will be proposed at the
next City Council meeting to extend it.
COMMISSION / COMMITTEE REPORTS
6. Beautification Committee — No report; next meeting January 12, 2021.
MOTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to appoint Council Member Askin to the Beautification
Committee as Council Liaison, and requested UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Vice Mayor Molloy
SECONDED the motion.
VOTE: There being no objections, SO ORDERED.
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Council on Aging — Council Member Pettey reported the next meeting will provide an
update on the Senior Center, grants they have in place, new Senior Center
employees, and planning for March for Meals Madness. Next meeting December 10,
2020.
2. Airport Commission — No report; next meeting December 10, 2020
3. Harbor Commission — No report; next meeting February 8, 2021.
4. Parks and Recreation Commission —Council Member Winger gave an update on the
proposed improvements to Leif Hansen Memorial Park, including brickwork and a
possible winter fountain display. Update on ice at Daubenspeck Park. Next meeting
December 3, 2020.
5. Planning and Zoning Commission — No report; next meeting December 9, 2020
7. Mini -Grant Steering Committee — No report.
J. REPORT OF THE MAYOR
Mayor Gabriel reported on the following:
• Thanked Vice Mayor Molloy for filling in for him at the Christmas Comes to Kenai
parade and fireworks. He saw a video of some of the events, and was glad to
see so many people coming out to enjoy them;
• Recognized that the traditional Thanksgiving event did not take place at the
Senior Center as usual;
• Attended Council of Mayors with Alaska Municipal League via Zoom, but
experienced some difficulty due to a poor internet connection;
• Welcomed Council Member Askin to the Council.
K. ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
City Manager - City Manager P. Ostrander reported on the following:
• 31 Quarter Sales Tax Reports: There was a significant increase in sales tax
income from Q3 2020 as compared to Q3 2019, as well as from 2018. No other
jurisdictions in the Borough experienced a third quarter increase, possibly
because our residents are shopping more locally. These do not include the
numbers from online sales tax;
• Work has commenced on the FY 21 Budget;
• Marketing firm Divining Point was going to come up to present their Kenai
Peninsula Economic Development District deal in-person, but cancelled trip due
to quarantine restrictions. They might be presenting via Zoom during the
January Council Meeting, and plan to reschedule their trip for March;
• Ravn Airlines has started flying Kenai to Anchorage, 6 flights per day, 7 days a
week. This is great news for the airport, as this is a requirement for maintaining
Part -139 certification;
• Bluff Project RFP Package for the project design is currently being assembled.
Next week there will be a meeting with the Army Corps to go over it. Will be
looking to hire a design firm afterwards;
City of Kenai Council Meeting
December 2, 2020
Continuing to look at land sale. Recently received the 5th draft of that land
management plan, which needs to be reviewed. Progress is being made and
will be brought to Council when it is ready, but is currently needs more
refinement;
Ryan Foster's first day as Planning Director will be December 21st.
2. City Attorney reported that he will be working with the Finance Director to acquire
online sales tax report for next Council meeting.
3. City Clerk — City Clerk J. Heinz reported on the following:
• A document shred was conducted on November 12, 2020;
• Commission/committee applications are held year round, and can be applied for
throughout the year. When seats are being appointed, the Clerk's office will
touch base with the applicant to confirm they are still interested in the
appointment;
• City Council appointment processes, from the past and from other cities, were
researched in order to plan for the voting at tonight's meeting. Suggested
creating a policy for this process to use for future Council appointments.
L. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT
Citizens Comments (Public comment limited to five (5) minutes per speaker) - None.
2. Council Comments
Council Member Knackstedt welcomed Council Member Askin and noticed she will be missed on
the Planning & Zoning Commission. Noted the improvements to the road conditions on Beaver
Loop, and thanked the City Manager and the maintenance staff.
Vice Mayor Molloy reported that he has heard from many members of the public and business
owners about their opinions on implementing a mask mandate in the City of Kenai, with many
people being in support and many people being against it. Is looking forward to the work session
next week with Dr. Zink. Wants to encourage people tovoluntarily wear a mask, and respect
businesses' mask policies without berating or harassing the employees.
Council Member Winger reported that she took a training for newly elected officials through the
Alaska Municipal League, and attended their conference. She also attended the Christmas Comes
to Kenai event, and noted that she was told by many people it was a welcome break from
quarantine. Discussed the serious mental health effects of lockdown in our community. Mentioned
upcoming community events such as the Kenai Chamber of Commerce Christmas Raffle and the
annual Boys & Girls Club Gala. Expressed her hope that no more community events will be
cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns. Explained that she has gotten a number of calls from people
in the community expressing their opinions on a possible mask mandate, including calls from
people who have recovered from COVID-19.
Council Member Pettey reported that she also attended the Christmas comes to Kenai parade and
bonfire and enjoyed herself. Welcomed Council Member Askin to the Council. Related that she
had also heard from members of the community regarding masks, and expressed that she strongly
believes in protecting each individual's responsibility. Encouraged people to voice their opinions
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December 2, 2020
at the next City Council meeting. Thanked the City Clerk for orchestrating the work session and
voting process today.
Council Member Glendening welcomed Council Member Askin to the Council. Said he has also
received a large volume of calls from community members voicing their concerns over masking,
to whom he explained the alternative plans of service that have been implemented by City Hall,
the library, and the Chamber of Commerce. Expressed his belief that the spirit of Christmas in
Kenai is challenged this year, but alive and well. Stated that he is looking forward to the meeting
next week with Dr. Zink, and expressed optimism that life will return to normalcy in the new year.
Council Member Askin stated that she looks forward to working with the Council this next year.
Noted that, like other Council Members who have voiced their opinions on masking, she believes
it is a matter of mutual respect.
M. EXECUTIVE SESSION — None.
N. PENDING ITEMS — None.
O. ADJOURNMENT
P. INFORMATION ITEMS
1. Purchase Orders Between $2,500 and $15,000.
There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:34 p.m.
I certify the above represents accurate minutes of the Kenai City Council meeting of December 2,
2020.
F KEJV"
S
e Heinz, CMC
Clerk
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