HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-02-25 Council Minutes - Work Session with Kenai Chamber of CommerceKENAI CITY COUNCIL
KENAI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
WORK SESSION
FEBRUARY 25, 2003
8:00 A.M.
CHARLOTTE'S RESTAURANT, KENAI
Council Present: Porter, Williams, Bookey, Swarner and Jackman
City Staff: City Clerk Freas, City Attorney Graves and City Manager Snow
Chamber Board: Brewer, Carroll, Navarre, Dawkins , Wells, Swarner, Cunningham,
Strief.
Chamber Staff: Bannock
Mayor Williams noted the council and Chamber Board were meeting to discuss
matters of interest to both the city and the Chamber. He added, due to loss of revenue
and economic changes, the city is in a transition phase and the city will need to take
on a new appearance, which may include less services and an increase in taxes.
Individually, the group gave comments as to their biggest concerns, suggestions, etc.
they envisioned for the city in the coming years. They included:
• The City and Chamber need to work together in bringing commerce to
the city, in issues that affect the city, i.e. the emergency management building
proposed to be built in Soldotna when an emergency manage facility is already
available and ready to be used in Kenai.
• Kenai is a wonderful place to live and will be in the future; with the
issues at hand, the leaders in the community need to work to emphasize the positives.
• Consider hiring a marketer for the city.
• Regionalize, pooling resources (Kenai, Soldotna, and Borough) .
• Cooperate between entities; work to resolve the present economic
situation as it is temporary.
• Kenai will continue to grow; the current economic problems of Kenai are
not necessarily the City's problems.
• The Chamber will be looking for an Executive Director; maybe between
the city and the Chamber, the right person can be found to market the city.
• Move forward and work together, knowing the City and Chamber don't
always have to agree with each other.
• Perhaps the City of Kenai, Kenai Chamber and the Soldotna Chamber
should meet together.
• Create an atmosphere for people from Nikiski to stop in Kenai.
• Look for new sources of revenue may take some time, but working
together will allow a better chance to find those sources.
• Use the Kenai Airport to its full potential in attracting businesses to
Kenai.
• Accept change and keep moving forward utilizing what is now available
while creating new opportunities.
• Because what profits one city, benefits others on the Peninsula, the
Peninsula needs to work together.
• Kenai survived without Kmart and will again.
COUNCIL/CHAMBER JOINT WORK SESSION
FEBRUARY 25, 2003
PAGE 2
• Changes equal a cleansing process and paring down will effect a more
efficient machine and will make Kenai stronger.
City Manager Snow noted, the city had submitted an application to acquire a VISTA
volunteer to aid the city in its economic issues. City staff was already involved in
preparation of the new fiscal year's budget and that this budget would be very difficult.
However, they were staying positive, knowing the paring down will highlight what are
considered essentials. The City has an excellent staff. If the VISTA application is
granted, the city would look forward to discussing issues with the Chamber.
Williams added, he believed the VISTA volunteer would be helpful in interfacing and
inventorying the resources of the city and aid the city in working toward an economic
development end. He added, the problem with the other economic development
organizations in the area is that they cannot work specifically for one city on the
Peninsula. The VISTA person will be able to be specific it the effort.
Other concerns were noted as:
• The non -profits are having problems due to the downturn in sources of
revenue from industry and individuals; they need to consider sharing their efforts.
• Business and government have the same problems: low revenues, high
interest rates and unfounded mandates.
Discussion followed regarding the emergency management facility availability and the
Borough's efforts to build a similar type facility in Soldotna. Snow noted, efforts were
being made to stay on top of the situation, informing the Assembly members of the
city's concerns. She noted, it was important to work directly with the Assembly and it
was also important to be sure the earnest money agreement would not go through
prior to discussing the matter with the Assembly as a whole. The following was
concluded:
• Contact Assembly members individually and note concerns.
• City invite Assembly members, as well as members of their Land
Committee, to tour the PRISM facility.
• Attend the Land Committee meeting on March 11, prior to the Borough's
public hearing on their ordinance to approve the purchase of property.
• Request two public hearings be held on the ordinance.
• Chamber Board pass a resolution supporting the use of the City's facility
instead of the Borough building a new one.
The work session ended at approximately 9:10 a.m.
Not s prepared by:
Carol L. Frea ,City Clerk
APPROVED By COUNCIL
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