HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2022-43KENAI
CITY OF KENAI
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-43
Sponsored by: Administration
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A MEMORANDUM
OF AGREEMENT WITH THE STATE OF ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES,
DIVISION OF FORESTRY TO SUPPORT SPRUCE BEETLE MITIGATION AND HAZARD FUEL
REDUCTION.
WHEREAS, the city has received a State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of
Forestry (AKDNR) grant in the amount of $50,0000 per year for three years for the establishment
of a slash disposal site that will support the City's goals included in the Community Wildfire
Protection Plan; and,
WHEREAS, a tract of City owned land adjacent to the soccer fields has been identified as a safe
location for the slash disposal site; and,
WHEREAS, the City and AKDNR have worked collaboratively to establish a plan for the slash
r disposal site for City residents as well as other bordering communities that will provide a means
of disposal of woody biomass for Kenai area residents in a safe and effective manner; and,
WHEREAS, Ordinance 3294-2022, scheduled for introduction today with a public hearing on June
15, 2022 will appropriate funds from the AKDNR to support spruce beetle mitigation and hazard
fuel reduction; and,
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the agreement that the potential for escaped debris burns will be
reduced and the spread of the spruce beetle through hazard fuel reduction will be mitigated; and,
WHEREAS, the Memorandum of Agreement with AK DNR allows the reimbursement of any
expenses incurred after June 1, including the period between June 2 and June 15, 2022 before
money is appropriated by Ordinance 3294-2022; and,
WHEREAS, there are sufficient funds in the Parks and Recreation budget to cover the costs of
operating the slash disposal site before money is appropriated for the project.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA,
as follows:
Section 1. That the City Manager is authorized to execute the attached Memorandum of
Agreement with the Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry for the establishment
of slash disposal site that will support the City's goals included in the Community Wildfire
Protection Plan.
Section 2. That this Resolution takes effect immediately upon passage.
LJ
Resolution No. 2022-43
Page 2 of 2
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, THIS Vt DAY OF JUNE, 2022.
Brian Gabriel Sr., Mayor
ATTEST-
Miche I n , MMC, City Clerk
Approved by Finance:Z'/'
New Text Undedined; [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
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City of Kenai 210 Fidalgo Ave, Kenai, AK 99611-7794 1 907.283.7535 1 www.kenai.city
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Brian Gabriel and Kenai City Council
FROM: Paul Ostrander, City Manager
DATE: June 1, 2022
SUBJECT: Resolution No. 2022-43 Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a
Memorandum of Agreement with the State of Alaska Department of
Natural Resources, Division of Forestry to Support Spruce Beetle
Mitigation and Hazard Fuel Reduction
Resolution 2022-34 adopted the Borough wide Community Wildfire Protection Plan which
included the establishment of a slash disposal site. A slash disposal site will provide City and
neighboring residents a safe location to bring the hazardous fuels, woody biomass and beetle kill
trees. The City is planning to open the slash disposal site on Thursday, June 2, with a weekly
operating schedule of Thursday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. We hope to operate the facility
through the month of September. The City will continuously consolidate the slash throughout the
year but due to the uncertainty surrounding the difficulty, cost, and time it will take to burn the
slash pile at the end of the year, if the slash pile reaches 1.5 acres prior to the end of September,
we will close the facility for the year. The facility will be open to all residents of the Borough but
will not be made available for commercial operators.
The City of Kenai was successful in receiving a grant from the State of Alaska Department of
Natural Resources, Division of Forestry (AKDNR) for the establishment of the slash disposal site.
The grant allocates the amount of $50,000 per year for three years, totaling $150,000.
At tonight's meeting, Ordinance 3294-2022 appropriating the $150,000 will be introduced and
scheduled for public hearing on June 15, 2022. Although grant proceeds will not be appropriated
until the June 15, 2022 meeting, Resolution 2022-43 will authorize the City Manager to sign the
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City and AKDNR now, and any expenses
incurred after June 1, 2022 including the period between June 2 and June 15, 2022 will be eligible
for reimbursement once the appropriation is approved. There are sufficient funds in the Parks
and Recreation Department to cover expenses until June 15, 2022.
Your consideration is appreciated