HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-10-29 Council Minutes - Work SessionKENAI CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
OCTOBER 29, 2003
7:00 P.M.
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MAYOR JOHN J. WILLIAMS, PRESIDING
Council Present: Porter, Ross, Bookey, Moore, Gilman, Williams and Swarner
Staff Present: Freas, Snow, Graves, Semmens, Frates, Reynolds, Kornelis,
Walden, Kopp, and McNair
Others Present: C. Canady (Chamber), B. Eldridge, N. Du Perron (Rep. Wolf Aide),
J. Butler, R. Wells
Economic Development Report:
Mayor Williams opened the work session at approximately 6:55 p.m. at which time he
and Council Member Gilman gave an overview of an economic development proposing
to place a facility in Kenai. Property the group is interested in purchasing is airport
lands; the group is planning to compete for Denali Commission funding for design and
construction, which would cut those costs by 50%; and whether revenue bonds could
be used is being investigated.
It was also explained Gilman was involved in this project in his role as private attorney
and he, Williams, City Manager Snow and City Attorney Graves are aware of the major
conflict of interest their working with the city on this project will bring. Williams
added, they will rely heavily on Graves' advice relating to conflicts or potential
conflicts.
Economic Development Group Activity:
Casey Reynolds gave an overview of information distributed at the beginning of the
work session to be used to define the city's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and
threats, as well as to define the council's role in the community's economic
development efforts.
Council and others attending offered the following:
Strengths•
Green space
Public safety
Airport
Senior citizen program
Stable population
Excellent library
Land values/availability
Good schools
Great recreational facilities
Decent transportation
Nice subdivisions/homes
Adequate water/sewer facilities/infrastructure/utilities
Responsive Planning 8s Zoning
1 Permitting availability
� Moderate/stable Nation
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OCTOBER 29, 2003
PAGE 2
Ancillary institutions (banking, judicial, public health, prison, auditorium,
juvenile detention facility, etc.)
No artificial barriers to local businesses
Name recognition (Peninsula, River, etc.)
River (dip net fishery, sport fishing, commercial fishing, recreation, dock, etc.)
Vistas
Chamber, KCVB
Close proximity to industry (people travel through Kenai from north to east and
visa versa)
Legislative Information Office/ Legislators' offices
Alaska Job Center
Weaknesses:
Bluff erosion
Cannery Row deterrent because of existing buildings, etc.
Unmet retail needs (unbalanced retail)
Old buildings
Location (off main loop)
Environmental problems
Disconnect with local businesses
Lack of quality hotels, apartments
1% AHFC loan differential for housing loans
Neighborhood blight (lack of code enforcement)
Water supply
Gas supplies
Neighborhood roads
Commercial mode of transportation/limitations
Relationship/communication with Borough and City of Soldotna
Lack of tourist destination
Lack of single-family homes
Auditorium rental costs
Loss of youth
Lack of convention center
Opportunities:
Arts &cultural events
Senior citizen population expansion
Medical facilities
Seafood industry
Airport -related activity expansion
Tourism
Light manufacturing
Maintenance service supply area
Educational/vocational training
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
OCTOBER 29, 2003
PAGE 3
Youth treatment facilities
Coastal Trail
Kulis Air Guard Base relocation
Drift -only Kenai River
Dip Net Fishery festival
Aerospace industry
Computer servers (cheap/steady electricity)
Retain youth with cohesion of development
Expansion of Challenger Center
Convention center
Threats
State of Alaska fiscal problems
Reduction of oil and gas
Higher taxes
Internet sales and unequal tax treatment
Industrial gas supply
Loss of retail
} Decline in fishing industry
� Retail allocation
State regulations/Board of Fisheries
Unfunded mandates
Terrorism
High airfares/better road system
School system quality
Loss of Senator Stevens
Fish farming
Environmental programs
Competition from regional competitors
Lack of optimism
Role Definition:
1. What is the economic development environment in Kenai?
Answers offered: Waxed; in transition (cyclical and resource -based); council
pro -development; maintaining status quo (meeting needs that have not been
met) .
2. What tasks need to be performed on a regular basis for business to grow and
thrive in Kenai?
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
OCTOBER 29, 2003
PAGE 4
Answers offered: Don't know if there are tangible assets or not; not
quantifiable; don't market city enough; work closer with City of
Soldotna/ Borough on mutual enhancement projects; inventory/ commercial real
estate (responsibility of realtors); city get financial concerns in order and have a
stable tax structure to offer.
Williams requested council to forward emails to Reynolds relating to the remaining
questions and any items they may want to add to the lists.
The work session ended at 9:31 p.m.
Notes prepared and submitted by:
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Carol L. Freas, City Clerk
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