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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-08-20 Council Minutes - Work Session on Strategic PlanningKENAI CITY COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLANNING WORK SESSION AUGUST 20, 2005 9:00 A. M. KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MAYOR PAT PORTER, PRESIDING NOTES Council Present: L. Swarner, P. Porter, C. Massie, R. Ross, B. Gilman, J. Moore, J. Butler Staff Present:: C. Graves, C. Kopp, J. La Shot, K. Kornelis, B. Frates, E. Jankowska, L. Semmens, M. Kebschull, R. Craig, R. Cronkhite, A. Varner, M. Tilley Others Present: S. Walden, E. DeForest, M. Boyle, B. Molloy, O. Osborne, P. Hansen, J. Mellish, M. Renken, R. Hohnbaum, K. Mohn, others unidentified Mayor Porter opened the work session at approximately 9 :00 A.M. and called attention to the list of topics listed for discussion. Council Member Ross stated he was uncomfortable discussing budget items and looked at strategic planning taking the long view. He recommended prioritizing the list. The council was polled concerning their priorities. The topics discussed were as follows: Legislative Influence: Discussion followed on the effectiveness of a lobbyist or individual council members interacting with the state legislative delegation, individual state legislative chairs and the federal delegation. Comments included: • It is believed the coming state budget will include community funding. • In the past, Kenai has not received its share. • Individual points made: be specific about what the lobbyist is to do; target specific projects; track legislation on a daily basis; consider smaller federal projects; and, meet with state legislators before they go to Juneau. Recommendation: After the municipal elections, meet with the local legislative delegation. In October, administration will draft a long-range plan for projects proposed for state or federal dollars. Empty Buildings. City Attorney Graves outlined options, including updating the property maintenance ordinance (other communities have ordinances requiring building facades to be maintained) and to offer a tax incentive, however taxes must be equitable. COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLANNING WORK SESSION AUGUST 20, 2005 PAGE 2 Recommendation: Graves will contact communities to find out how a building maintenance ordinance has worked out and come back with a recommendation. Bluff Erosion: Public Works Manager Kornelis reviewed the results of the latest study which recommended further study and noted, he has been told $500,000 is coming to fund it. The federal government has said it is not a Corps project. Recommendation: Draft a response to the latest study. Street Improvement Fund: Discussion included developing a street improvement fund and how to fund it. Suggestions included a bond issue and dedicating part of the sales tax or General Fund --along-term look should made of both); a bond could be paid back via the General Find or an increase in the mill rate. Recommendation: Administration should outline projects, a maintenance schedule and funding options. Wellhouse, Remediate Shop, Library Expansion: Wellhouse: Discussion included, the cost is paid by all or only those on the water system and it could have users only if lender says okay. Shop Remediation: Graves stated remediation is not a capital project and the Charter does not allow borrowing for remediation. Gilman suggested a Charter change. Library Expansion: Look at state or federal funds. Recommendation: Administration should present the impact of wellhouse improvement on rates. In October, administration is to present a capital improvement plan with proposed funding sources. Increase Limit of bid awards requiring council approval: Recommendation: Administration is to draft an ordinance to increase the amount to $25,000. Increase the limit of purchase orders requiring council approval: Recommendation: Administration is to draft an ordinance to increase the amount to $15,000. Lawton Acres: COUNCIL STRATEGIC PLANNING WORK SESSION AUGUST 20, 2005 PAGE 3 Bringing the rezoning of Lawton Acres before council for consideration was discussed. Recommendation: Leave it alone. Landscape Ordinance: Recommendation: Have the P&Z Commission draft a landscape ordinance focused by zone. Grant Writer: Recommendation: Administration is to report at budget time, addressing the need for a grant writer either as a city employee or contract work Commission I Committee Meetings: Recommendation: Ask the commissions how often they want to meet and when. Administration Transfers Within the Budget: Recommendation: Administration is to draft an ordinance to increase the amount to $5,000. Tourists to Kenai: Discussion included purchasing or leasing property outside the city where a sign could be placed and address accurate mileage to Kenai on highway signs. Recommendation: Administration is to look into the matter. Marketing Kenai to Businesses: Consider marketing web sites and advertising. Recommendation: Nothing specific Foreclosure Auctions: Recommendation: Administration is to draft a code amendment to allow for an outcry auction. The work session ended at approximately 11:43 A.M. Notes prepared by: Kari Mohn, Contractor D BY COUNC;L f' k.r y i's,'•et,�' 1'?' 111 C& CLERK STRATEGIC PLANNING TOPICS 1. How much legislative influence? 2. Review of Parks 8s Recreation Department employee needs. 3. Dip net fishery revenues/expenditures. 4. Old Town building leases. 5. Shore fishery permits. 6. 9-1-1 issues. 7. Empty buildings. 8. Bluff erosion project. 9. Street improvement fund. 10. Bed tom. 11. Frequency of commission/committee meetings. 12. Highway signage (to attract tourists to Kenai). 13. Marketing Kenai to business. 14. Road, wellhouse improvements, and/or library expansion bond issues for ballot. 15. Add employee position: Grant writer (to be supervised by City Manager). 16. Municipal Park improvements/completion. 17. Annexation 18. Reinstitution of the landscape ordinance. 19. Lawton Acres rezone discussion. 20. Increasing limit of purchase orders requiring council approval. 21. Increasing limit of bid awards requiring council approval.