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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-16 Council MinutesKENAI CITY COUNCIL — REGULAR MEETING MARCH 16, 2022 — 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 March 16, 2022, 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 Teea Winger Glenese Pettey Henry Knackstedt A quorum was present. Also in attendance were: James Baisden Deborah Sounart Jim Glendening "Silas Thibodeau, Student Representative (video conference) Paul Ostrander, City Manager Scott Bloom, City Attorney Terry Eubank, Finance Director Scott Curtin, Public Works Director Dave Ross, Police Chief Christine Cunningham, Human Resources Director Brad Walker, Parks and Recreation Director Shellie Saner, City Clerk 3. Agenda Approval MOTION: Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to approve the agenda as presented and requested UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Council Member Pettey SECONDED the motion. VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED. 4. Consent Agenda City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 1 of 9 March 16, 2022 MOTION: Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to approve the consent agenda and requested UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Council Member Pettey 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 1. Katie Cowgill - Kenai Peninsula Re -Entry Coalition and Alaska Department of Corrections Re -Entry Simulation. Ms. Cowgill provided an overview of the Re -Entry Coalition, the goals and the services provided to the Community; she reviewed statistical information on released inmates and the barriers they encounter when re-entering the community; and explained the Re -Entry Simulation event and encouraged Council members and the public attend to learn more about the experience. There was discussion related to the coalitions focus toward continued education, a previous work release programs and additional programs to related to housing and employer incentives for released inmates. C. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS Lyman Winger provided an update on a fundraiser to reduce fees for students to attend sixth grade camp and noted that he was selling Krispy Cream Donuts for the fundraiser. David Haeg requested that Council introduce and pass a resolution supporting the constitutional rights for Alaskan Grand Juries to investigate and make recommendations on public welfare and safety concerns. He provided information related to the important role of the grand jury; the Alaska Grand Jury Handbook; and noted concerns related to public welfare and safety. David Carey provided a summary of his background working with inmates; working with the Alpha Prison re-entry program; noted the number people from our community who are working with inmates; and reminded everyone that the inmates are our brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, and members of our community. Marion Nelson invited everyone to the Kenai Art Center, Annual Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Student show opening on Thursday, April 7, 2022. City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 2 of 9 March 16, 2022 D. PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolution No. 2022-14—Amending the Employee Classification Plan by Adjusting the Ranges of Temporary Parks and Recreation and Personal Use Fishery Positions. (Administration) MOTION: Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2022-14. Council Member Winger 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. City Manager Ostrander clarified positions previously managed by multiple departments would now be managed by the Parks and Recreation Department; this change would not reduce the number of employees; and noted the increase to the wages would allow the City to be competitive in the job market. MOTION TO AMEND: Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to amend the ninth whereas clause by changing FY2023 to FY2022; and changing FY2024 to FY2023. Council Member Pettey SECONDED the motion. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested on the amendment. VOTE ON AMENDMENT: There being no objection; SO ORDERED. There was discussion on how the increased hourly wages would provide a better opportunity of filling all summer positions. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested on the main motion as amended. VOTE ON MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED: There being no objection; SO ORDERED. 2. Resolution No. 2022-15 —Temporarily Waiving the Gym Rental Fee at the Kenai Recreation Center for the Twin City Athletic Association. (Administration) MOTION: Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2022-15. Council Member Pettey 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. City Manager Ostrander clarified that the organization was formed late last year and their budget did not cover the full costs; he stated that the organization had very good participation, they are reorganizing and planning their budget accordingly. MOTION TO AMEND: Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to amend Section 1 to include 2022 after March/April. Council Member Pettey SECONDED the motion. City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 3 of 9 March 16, 2022 UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested on the amendment. VOTE ON AMENDMENT: There being no objection; SO ORDERED. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested on the main motion as amended. VOTE ON MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED: There being no objection; SO ORDERED. 3. Resolution No. 2022-16 — Supporting the Efforts of Kenai Central High School to Secure Grant Funding for the Construction of Permanent Restroom Facilities at Ed Hollier Field. (Mayor Gabriel) MOTION: Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2022-16. Council Member Pettey 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. There was discussion on the need for field bathrooms; the resolution showed Council support for the project; the possibility of a smaller aspect of the project being eligible for Mini -Grant Steering Committee funding; the City's previous in-kind service of project management on the sod to turf conversion at the field; encouraging the School District to classify this project as a priority and include it in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School bond package. Additional discussing regarding that if the Council determined it was appropriate to utilize City funds for a Borough facility they could do so through budgetary legislation; the Daubenspeck Fund and if the intent of the fund aligned with funding a Borough facility; and if the current partnership with the School and the City owned Multipurpose facility. MOTION TO AMEND: Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to add to the end of the paragraph in section 1, after "Ed Holier Field": the following: "and include the project in any current or future school district bond proposition.'; and Insert a new Section 2 to read: "That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent and School Board, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor and Assembly Members, the Kenai Central High School Principal, and the City's legislative delegation."; and Renumber remaining Sections accordingly. Council Member Winger SECONDED the motion to amend. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested on the amendment. VOTE ON AMENDMENT: There being no objection; SO ORDERED. VOTE ON MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED: YEA: Baisden, Sounart, Pettey, Winger, Knackstedt, Mayor Gabriel, Vice Mayor Glendening NAY: None. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 4 of 9 March 16, 2022 r-1 4. Resolution No. 2022-17 — Requesting and Supporting the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Provision of Continuous Lighting Along the Kenai Spur Highway within the City of Kenai and the Sterling Highway Safety Corridor. (Administration) MOTION: Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2022-17. Council Member Winger SECONDED the motion. Mayor Gabriel opened the floor for public comment. Marion Nelson spoke in support of the Resolution and requested Council take steps to ensure the curve near Candlelight Drive is included. There being no one else wishing to be heard, the public comment period was closed. There was discussion regarding the dangers on the Kenai Spur Highway during the dark winter months; the risk for moose accidents; and requesting that the type of lights used will reduce light pollution. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested. VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED. 5. Resolution No. 2022-18 —Adopting the City's Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Years 2023-2027. (Administration) MOTION: Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2022-18. Council Member Baisden 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. City Manager Ostrander reported on the Bluff Stabilization Project identifying the Federal, State and City portions of funding for each year identified in the Capital Improvement Plan "CIP"; he noted that if the project comes in less than expected the City portion would be lower; and outlined the obligation of the City to fulfill the required match portion of the project cost. There was discussion regarding needed repairs to the fountain at the Leif Hansen Memorial Park; the requirement for the City establish a need for dredging beyond the City Dock which would include showing a benefit to the City of Kenai as well as the benefit to other organizations; the number of Police and Fire radios that have been replaced so far and continued grant funding opportunities to complete the project. Concerns were noted about the Kenai Nordic Trail Lighting being in the FY2023 projects and committing to the Outdoor Event Park Design and Feasibility project at this time by moving forward with the design. MOTION TO AMEND: Council Member Winger MOVED to amend the Plan by moving the Kenai Nordic Trail Lighting Project from FY2023 to FY2024 and to move the Outdoor Event Park Design and Feasibility Project from FY2023 to FY2026. Vice Mayor Glendening SECONDED the motion to amend. Mayor Gabriel requested to divide the question, voting first on moving the Kenai Nordic Trail Lighting Project from FY2023 to FY2024, and voting second on moving the Outdoor Event Park Design and Feasibility Project from FY2023 to FY2026. City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 5 of 9 March 16, 2022 VOTE ON MOTION TO AMEND BY MOVING THE KENAI NORDIC TRAIL LIGHTING PROJECT FROM FY2023 TO FY2024: YEA: Winger, Baisden, Vice Mayor Glendening NAY: Sounart, Pettey, Knackstedt, Mayor Gabriel MOTION TO AMEND FAILED TO PASS: 3 Yea, 4 Nay SECONDARY MOTION TO AMEND: Council Member Winger MOVED to amend the primary amendment to move the Outdoor Park Design and Feasibility Project from FY2023 to FY2026 by changing FY2026 to FY2024. Vice Mayor Glendening SECONDED the secondary amendment. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested on the secondary amendment. VOTE ON SECONDARY AMENDMENT: There being no objection; SO ORDERED. VOTE ON MOTION TO AMEND, AS AMENDED BY MOVING THE OUTDOOR EVENT PARK DESIGN AND FEASIBILITY PROJECT FROM FY2023 TO FY2024: YEA: Pettey, Winger, Knackstedt, Mayor Gabriel, Baisden, Vice Mayor Glendening, Sounart NAY: None. MOTION TO AMEND, AS AMENDED PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. VOTE ON MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED: YEA: Winger, Knackstedt, Mayor Gabriel, Baisden, Vice Mayor Glendening, Sounart, Pettey NAY: None. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. 6. Resolution No. 2022-19 — Approving the Vacation of 20' Public Street Easements Adjoining the South Boundary and Northwest Boundary of Lot 1, Toyon Subdivision as Granted by Plat K-1592, and is Located within the SE1/4 of Section 6, Township 5 North, Range 11 West, Seward Meridian, Alaska, and Determining the Easement is Not Needed for a Public Purpose. (Administration) MOTION: Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2022-19. Council Member Pettey 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. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested. VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED. E. MINUTES "Regular Meeting of March 2, 2022. (City Clerk) Approved by the consent agenda. City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 6 of 9 March 16, 2022 2. *Work Session of March 7, 2022. (City Clerk) Approved by the consent agenda. F. UNFINISHED BUSINESS — None. G. NEW BUSINESS *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. 3274-2022 —Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations in the General Fund Parks, Recreation and Beautification Department, and Authorizing an Increase to the Multi -Purpose Facility Management Services Purchase Order to Red Line Sports for Additional Ice Maintenance Services. (Administration) Introduced by the consent agenda and Public Hearing set for April 6, 2022. 4. *Ordinance No. 3275-2022 — Amending Kenai Municipal Code, Chapter 23.05 — General Provisions, to Add a New Category of Temporary Employee Titled "Program or Project Employee" and Chapter 23.40 — Benefits, to Establish Benefits for this Category and Make Housekeeping Changes. (Administration) Introduced by the consent agenda and Public Hearing set for April 6, 2022. 5. Action/Approval - Issuing a Letter of Support for Senate Bill No. 166 — General Obligation Bonds (City Manager) MOTION: Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to approve issuing a letter of support for Senate Bill No. 166 and House Bill No. 285 — General Obligation Bonds. Council Member Pettey SECONDED the motion. There was discussion regarding the importance of showing City support for the GO Bond and the benefit of the current low interest rates. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested. VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED. H. COMMISSION / COMMITTEE REPORTS Council on Aging — No Report. Next meeting April 14, 2022. City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 7 of 9 March 16, 2022 2. Airport Commission — No Report. Next meeting April 14, 2022. 3. Harbor Commission — No Report. Next meeting April 11, 2022. 4. Parks and Recreation Commission — No Report. Next meeting April 7, 2022. 5. Planning and Zoning Commission — No Report. Next meeting March 23, 2022. Beautification Committee — No Report. Next meeting May 10, 2022. Mini -Grant Steering Committee — No Report. REPORT OF THE MAYOR Mayor Gabriel reported on the following: • The March 9, 2022 Bycatch Review Task Force Meeting. • The March 10, 2022 Alaska Municipal League Electric Vehicle Discussion. • Reminded everyone about March 25, 2022 March for Meals Pie Auction. • Will be in Juneau with City Manager Ostrander on March 22-23, 2022. • Summarized the role of Council Members when acting as a Liaison to Boards and Commissions of the City. J. ADMINISTRATION REPORTS City Manager — City Manager Ostrander reported on the following: • Dog Park Memo and Visitor Center Annual Report as provided in the packet. • Meeting with the Kenai Watershed Forum to improvements to the riverbank with funds raised from the Kenai Silver Salmon Derby. • Ongoing discussions for the Bluff Erosion Project and timeline of the project. 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) David Haeg continued his comments regarding the importance of the Alaska Grand Jury. 2. Council Comments Council Member Pettey thanked the administration and staff for the 5 -Year Capital Improvement Plan. Council Member Sounart wished everyone a happy spring and noted she was looking forward to the March for Meals Pie Auction. Vice Mayor Glendening thanked City Manager Ostrander for the clarification on the Dog Park and noted that he was looking forward to the March for Meals Pie Auction. Council Member Winger wished everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day; noted she was looking forward to the March for Meals Pie Auction and that there was still time to donate auction item. Council Member Baisden noted that there were great happenings at Kenai Central High School and reported on the how well the Cross -Country teams and the Basket Ball teams are doing this year. City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 8 of 9 March 16, 2022 L. EXECUTIVE SESSION — None. M. PENDING ITEMS — None. N. ADJOURNMENT O. INFORMATION ITEMS 1. Purchase Orders Between $2,500 and $15,000 2. Kenai Dog Park Brochure — Summer 2022 There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:58 p.m. I certify the above represents accurate minutes of the Kenai City Council meeting of March 16, 2022. Miche r, MMC 4 City Clerk `*The student representative may cast advisory votes on all matters except those subject to executive session discussion. Advisory votes shall be cast in the rotation of the official council vote and shall not affect the outcome of the official council vote. Advisory votes shall be recorded in the minutes. A student representative may not move or second items during a council meeting. City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 9 of 9 March 16, 2022