HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-12-18 Council MinutesAGENDA
KENAI CITY COUNCIL -- REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 18, 2002
7:00 P.M.
KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
htt : Z Z www.ci.kenai.ak.us
ITEM A: CALL TO ORDER
1. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Roll Call
3. Agenda Approval
4. Consent Agenda
*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.
ITEM B: SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS (10 minutes)
1. Tim Wisniewski, Dick Hultberg, Jack Castimore, Dale Sandahl --
Proposed Playing Field Complex/ Section 36
ITEM C: REPORTS OF KPB ASSEMBLY, LEGISLATORS AND COUNCILS
ITEM D:
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Ordinance No. 1979-2002 -- Increasing Estimated Revenues and
Appropriations by $195,153 in the General Fund for Transfer to the Debt
Service Fund.
2. Ordinance No. 1980-2002 -- Replacing the Tables Referred to in the
Personnel Regulations at KMC 23.55 to Establish a New Salary Structure
to Comply with Minimum Wage Requirements.
3. Ordinance No. 1981-2002 -- Increasing Estimated Revenues and
Appropriations by $12,223 in the Council on Aging Fund for Purchase of
a Vehicle.
4. Ordinance No. 1982-2002 -- Amending KMC 23.30.050(d) to Allow
Management Greater Workforce Scheduling Flexibility by Changing the
Normal Work Period to Forty Hours a Week Rather Than "Forty Hours
Per Week/ Eight Hours Per Day" and Allowing Management More
Discretion in Adjusting Operating Hours.
-1-
5. Resolution No. 2002-79 -- Formally Accepting an Increase to ADEC
Grant No. 47547 from the State of Alaska, Department of Environmental
Conservation in the Amount of $950,000 for Well House No. 4 and Water
Mains.
6. *Liquor License Renewal -- Peninsula Oilers/Recreational Site --
Seasonal.
ITEM E:
COMMISSION / COMMITTEE REPORTS
1.
Council on Aging
2.
Airport Commission
3.
Harbor Commission
4.
Library Commission
5.
Parks & Recreation Commission
6.
Planning & Zoning Commission
7.
Miscellaneous Commissions and Committees
a. Beautification Committee
b. Kenai Convention & Visitors Bureau Board
C. Alaska Municipal League Report
d. Kenai Chamber of Commerce
1. *Regular Meeting of December 4, 2002.
2. *Council Work Session Notes of November 18, 2002.
ITEM G:
ITEM H:
ITEM I:
1.
CORRESPONDENCE
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
Bills to be Paid, Bills to be Ratified
2. Purchase Orders Exceeding $2,500
3. *Ordinance No. 2002-1983 -- Adding KMC 7.15.035 to Allow for the
Solicitation and Award of Construction Contracts by Competitive Sealed
Proposal.
4. *Ordinance No. 2002-1984-- Amending KMC 14.20.280(c) to Remove
the Requirement that Notification of Public Hearings Be Sent Via
Certified Mail
5. Discussion-- Report to Council/McCollum-Aliak Drive Proposed LID
6. Discussion -- Rental Car Fees and Taxes
-2-
ITEM J: REPORT OF THE MAYOR
ITEM K: ADMINISTR.ATION REPORTS
1. City Manager
2. Attorney
3. City Clerk
ITEM L: DISCUSSION
1. Citizens (five minutes)
2. Council
EXECUTIVE SESSION -- None Scheduled
ITEM M: ADJOURNMENT
-3-
KENAI CITY COUNCIL -- REGULAR MEETING
DECEMBER 18 2002
7:00 P.M.
KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
htt www.ci.kenai.ak.us
MAYOR JOHN J. WILLIAMS, PRESIDING
MINUTES
ITEM A: CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Williams called the meeting to order at approximately 7:04 p.m. in the Council
Chambers in the Kenai City Hall Building.
A-1, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Williams led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
A-2. ROLL CALL
Roll was taken by the City Clerk. Present were: Williams, Swarner, Moore, Porter,
and Bannock.
Absent was: Bookey and Jackman
A-3. AGENDA APPROVAL
Mayor Williams requested the following changes to the agenda:
ADD AS: B-3, Persons Scheduled to be Heard -- T.J. Cox and August Lindal
regarding Close -Up Program at KCHS.
MOTION:
Councilwoman Swarner MOVED for approval of the amended agenda and requested
UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Councilman Bannock SECONDED the motion. There were
no objections. SO ORDERED.
A-4, CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION:
Councilwoman Swarner MOVED for approval of the consent as presented and
Councilman Bannock SECONDED the motion and requested UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
There were no objections. SO ORDERED.
ITEM B: SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS (10 minutes)
KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 18 2002
PAGE 2
B-1, Tim Wisniewski, Dick Hultberg, Jack Castimore, Dale Sandahl --
Proposed Playing Field Complex/ Section 36
Jack Castimore, Vice -Chair, Parks & Recreation Commission -- Castimore noted
the Commission developed the proposed development plan for a future playing field
complex due to concerns of future soccer, softball, and baseball field needs as well as
Commission and community interest in developing dirt bike trails for recreational
purposes. The Commission's efforts in developing the plan was to address the future.
Dale Sandahl, Parks & Recreation Commission Member, 3560 Kenaitze Court,
Kenai -- Sandahl referred to council comments made at a recent council work session
to rethink the use of Section 36 property for the proposed complex due to possible
contamination problems. He added, the Commission was confused by comments the
land could not be disturbed and used for what the Commission had invested time and
effort in developing. He asked if the property had been tested.
Attorney Graves reported he and Public Works Director La Shot have discussed the
issue and noted, if excavation is done and bad substances are found, the find must be
reported to DEC and DEC would direct the city to clean up the site at the city's
expense. He added, Administration would prefer adding material on top of the current
site as drilling test holes could have unintentional consequences. He added, the
property would need to be developed carefully. Graves noted he would be attending a
seminar on the Brown Fields Redevelopment Act and will be contacting DEC about
what can and cannot be developed on the site.
Mayor Williams explained the dump was used for 30 years and much of that time,
there were no rules of what could be placed there. He added, the city could not afford
to find there are contaminated soils and be responsible for cleaning the site.
Sandahl stated, it was then his understanding the Commission's direction would not
be to look for another site until getting a definitive answer from Administration.
Williams added, the project would also have to be funded and that would be in the
future. However, at this time it would be safe to allow Graves time to investigate the
issue first.
Richard Hultberg, Parks & Recreation Commission, 1618 Fathom Drive, Kenai --
Noted there is a large interest to develop a BMX Bike Trail for recreational use as well
as for holding competitions. He explained there had been a volunteer effort to develop
the trails, but that effort had dwindled. Hultberg noted, he felt there was a lot of
opportunity for Kenai to be a tournament destination for a variety of sporting events,
i.e. biking, soccer, etc. in addition to softball and Little League Baseball.
Whether a design cost estimate had been prepared was asked and Parks & Recreation
Director Frates noted, the first step would be to determine whether the property could
KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 18, 2002
PAGE 3
be used. Williams noted, funding was short and there were other projects already a
concern, i.e. library expansion, maintenance shop expansion, etc. and he added, the
city voters were not willing to vote in favor of bonds.
Sandahl stated they understood funding was a concern and suggested the project
could be done in stages, well in the future, and possibly with volunteer assistance.
B-2. T.J. Cox and August Lindal -- Close -Up Program at KCHS.
Cox reported the Close -Up Program at KCHS had been active since 1971 with groups
of students traveling to Washington, DC each year to visit the Capital, monuments,
etc. Cox explained the costs involved to participate in the trip and requested a
donation from council to aid the program.
Council discussed the prospects of donating toward the program and it was noted
there were funds available in their travel budget which were not used for attending the
NLC Conference, etc.
MOTION:
Councilwoman Porter MOVED to contribute $500 toward the Close -Up Program at
KCHS and Councilman Bannock SECONDED the motion.
Discussion followed. Swarner noted she supported the efforts of the Close -Up
Program, but objected to making a donation for something not included in the budget.
Councilman Moore agreed and noted council had removed smaller amount donations
from their budget and couldn't support the expenditure.
Bannock stated he supported the donation as he felt it, like the Youth Court donation,
was good for the community and urged council to support the donation. Porter also
supported the donation, noting it is a great program for young adults. Moore noted,
council had received a number of requests for donations by letter, for which funds had
not been included in the budget, and the issue was not debated and donations were
not given. He added, it was difficult to support this request when the others were not
funded. Moore noted, he was aware of other groups that may want to request funds
as well.
VOTE:
Williams
Yes
Bookey
Absent
Swarner
No
Moore
No
Porter
Yes
Bannock
Yes
Jackman
Absent
MOTION FAILED.
KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 18, 2002
PAGE 4
Moore noted the council would begin budget work sessions in April and invited Cox
and Lindal to make a request at that time for consideration.
ITEM C: REPORTS OF KPB ASSEMBLY, LEGISLATORS AND COUNCILS
Assembly Vice President Betty Glick reported on actions taken by the Assembly at
their December 10 meeting. Among other items, she noted:
• The Assembly reviewed the capital request Borough priority list for
presentation to the Legislature. A resolution supporting the list will be before the
Assembly for consideration at their next meeting. The Assembly will be modifying the
format next year to make it less cumbersome.
• The amendment to the borough's sales tax ordinance received its last
public hearing and was passed with several amendments, including one referring to
sales tax for recreational uses.
• A resolution of support for a dental clinic for the under- and uninsured
was withdrawn due to notice received from the Department of Health 8z; Social Services
indicating another funding source. It was also noted, if the borough does participate
for this clinic it would do so through the Hospital Service Area.
BREAK TAKEN: 8:07 P.M.
BACK TO ORDER: 8:24 P.M.
ITEM D.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
D-1. Ordinance No. 1979-2002 -- Increasing Estimated Revenues and
Appropriations by $195,153 in the General Fund for Transfer to the Debt
Service Fund.
MOTION:
Councilwoman Swarner MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 1979-2002 and Councilman
Bannock SECONDED the motion.
There were no public or council comments. Finance Director Semmens explained, the
transfer would cover a deficit occurring from past non-payment of assessments.
VOTE:
Williams
Yes
Bookey
Absent
Swarner
Yes
Moore
Yes
Porter
Yes
Bannock
Yes
Jackman
Absent
KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 18, 2002
PAGE 5
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
D-2. Ordinance No. 1980-2002 -- Replacing the Tables Referred to in the
Personnel Regulations at KMC 23.55 to Establish a New Salary Structure
to Comply with Minimum Wage Requirements.
MOTION:
Councilwoman Swarner MOVED for adoption of Ordinance No. 1980-2002 and
Councilwoman Porter SECONDED the motion.
There were no public or council comments.
VOTE:
Williams
Yes
Bookey
Absent
Swarner
Yes
Moore
Yes
Porter
Yes
Bannock
Yes
Jackman
Absent
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
D-3. Ordinance No. 1981-2002 -- Increasing Estimated Revenues and
Appropriations by $12,223 in the Council on Aging Fund for Purchase of
a Vehicle.
MOTION:
Councilwoman Swarner MOVED for adoption of Ordinance No. 1981-2002 and
Councilman Moore SECONDED the motion.
There were no public or council comments.
VOTE:
Williams
Yes
Bookey
Absent
Swarner
Yes
Moore
Yes
Porter
Yes
Bannock
Yes
Jackman
Absent
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
D-4. Ordinance No. 1982-2002 -- Amending KMC 23.30.050(d) to Allow
Management Greater Workforce Scheduling Flexibility by Changing the
Normal Work Period to Fort Hours a Week Rather Than "For Hours
y "Forty u
KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 18, 2002
PAGE 6
Per Week/ Eight Hours Per Day" and Allowing Management More
Discretion in Adjusting Operating Hours.
MOTION:
Councilwoman Porter MOVED for approval of Ordinance No. 1982-2002 and
Councilman Bannock SECONDED the motion.
There were no public comments. Williams explained, if passed the ordinance would
allow the city manager flexibility to schedule work hours. City Manager Snow was
asked if there would be potential cost savings and she noted, without some trial
scheduling in some of the departments, she was not able to state there would be.
VOTE:
Williams
Yes
Bookey
Absent
Swarner
Yes
Moore
Yes
Porter
Yes
Bannock
Yes
Jackman
Absent
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
D-5, Resolution No. 2002-79 -- Formally Accepting an Increase to ADEC
Grant No. 47547 from the State of Alaska, Department of Environmental
Conservation in the Amount of $950,000 for Well House No. 4 and Water
Mains.
MOTION:
Councilwoman Swarner MOVED for approval of Resolution No. 2002-79 and requested
UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Councilman Bannock SECONDED the motion.
There were no public comments. Public Works Manager Kornelis explained, two
grants were received from DEC which will be combined to increase an existing grant.
Snow noted, this is a 50% matching grant and the city would have to provide
$950,000 which would drain the water fund.
It was noted the water/sewer rates had not increased since 1993. Williams requested
administration compare the water/sewer rates with other cities on the Peninsula as
well as other areas of the state.
VOTE:
There were no objections. SO ORDERED.
� J
KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 18, 2002
PAGE 7
D-6, Liquor License Renewal -- Peninsula Oilers/Recreational Site --
Seasonal.
Approved by consent agenda.
ITEM E: COMMISSION / COMMITTEE REPORTS
E-1. Council on Aging -- Councilwoman Swarner reported the following
items:
• The unapproved minutes were included in the packet.
• A correction was needed to the minutes to the date of the New Year's
party, i.e. December 31 instead of January 1.
• The Senior Connection continues their work on the assisted living facility
grant situation.
• Betty Nelson resigned from the Council on Aging. City Clerk Freas was
requested to send a thank -you letter to Nelson for her dedication to the Council on
Aging.
Williams noted there would be a meeting regarding assisted living potentials for
partnering, etc. on Friday at 9:00 a.m. in the Clerk's Conference Room.
E-2. Airport Commission -- No report. Williams requested Airport Manager
Cronkhite be informed the new State of Alaska Director of Airport Security would like
to meet with Cronkhite and the Airport Commission (and maybe council) in the near
future.
E-3. Harbor Commission -- Public Works Manager Kornelis reported the
Commission met on December 9 and discussed the coastal trail and information
garnered from a meeting with the Corps of Engineers. The Commission's next meeting
is scheduled for January 6. Kornelis added, administration plans to keep in contact
with the Corps and not let the project lose momentum.
City Manager Snow noted the Corps wants to move forward with the project, however
the other agencies could object to it if they don't have the information they feel they
need. She requested comments from council:
• Williams stated, after 20 years in regard to this project, he didn't feel the
agencies would allow the project to go forward no matter how much information they
have.
• Swarner stated she noticed there were different representatives for the
different agencies at the recent meeting. She added, every time a new person is
involved, they want additional information. Swarner continued, one of the agencies
wants information for below the bridge and all the studies have been about the river
above the bridge. She suggested the agencies could get copies of studies done by the
KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 18, 2002
PAGE 8
Watershed Forum. Kornelis noted, those studies would be available, however they are
mostly about hydrocarbon, chloroforms, etc.; quality instead of biology. Swarner
asked if a letter could be requested stating exactly what information they want.
Kornelis explained, he has a list of every study, etc. that has been done. Peratrovich,
Nottingham & Drage had done a strategy of how to answer questions that could be
asked. Now the agencies have more questions. He added, the Corps is looking at
biology, hydrocarbons and sedimentation. The Corps will be signing the permit. He
also noted, the EPA has concerns.
• Councilman Bannock suggested a list of all the reports done in the last
20 years be submitted and indicate all the studies had been paid for by the city and
now it's their turn to find the answer. He added, he believed the city should go on the
offense.
E-4. Library Commission -- Councilman Moore reported the minutes of the
December meeting were included in the packet. The next Commission meeting will be
held on January 7. He noted, the annual open house was a great success and
commended the efforts of the Friends of the Library, Commission and staff in making
it such a success.
E-5. Parks & Recreation Commission -- Councilwoman Porter reported the
following:
• Minutes of the December meeting were included in the packet.
• The main topic was the proposed sports complex using Section 36
property (discussed at the beginning of this meeting) .
• Effort is being made to acquire additional skateboard equipment and to
move the park closer to the softball fields, which will require a conditional use permit.
Parks & Recreation Director noted the warm-up shacks at the hockey rink should be
completed by the weekend. Swarner asked if there would be outside lights directed at
the parking lot at the facility and it was explained lights are on the building, but due
to some electrical problems they had not been lit. However, those problems had been
corrected and the lights were now working. Frates reported he would probably have a
use report on the facility in the next packet.
Williams reported a luncheon would be held at the Challenger Center for the advance
party of the Arctic Winter Games on January 17. A decision of whether the Games
would be held on the Peninsula could be made within a week after that visit or as late
as March.
E-6. Planning & Zoning Commission -- Councilman Bannock reported the
following items:
KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 18 2002
PAGE 9
• A resolution recommending amendment of the Kenai Municipal Code to
delete the requirement of certified mailings for public hearings. This item will before
council as a public hearing at the January 2 meeting.
• A variance for off-street parking was approved with a caveat that if a
problem arises, the matter will be readdressed.
0 Buildings were found to be misaddressed along Frontage Road (initial
addressing was made 30 years prior using Spur Highway addresses) and will be
changed.
E-7. Miscellaneous Commissions and Committees
E-7a. Beautification Committee -- No meeting, no report.
E-7b. Kenai Convention & Visitors Bureau Board -- It was noted minutes of
past meetings and a report were included in the packet.
E-7c. Alaska Municipal League Report -- No report.
E-7d. Kenai Chamber of Commerce -- No report.
ITEM F! MTNTTTPq
F-1. Regular Meeting of December 4, 2002 -- Approved by consent agenda.
F-2. Council Work Session Notes of November 18, 2002 -- Approved by
consent agenda.
ITEM G: CORRESPONDENCE -- None.
ITEM H: OLD BUSINESS -- None.
ITEM I: NEW BUSINESS
I-1. Bills to be Paid, Bills to be Ratified
MOTION:
Councilwoman Swarner MOVED to pay the bills and Councilman Moore SECONDED
the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED,
I-2., Purchase Orders Exceeding $2,500
MOTION:
KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 18, 2002
PAGE 10
Councilwoman Swarner MOVED to approve the increase to the existing purchase
order and Councilman Moore SECONDED the motion.
It was noted the purchase order was increased because the anticipated cost came in
higher when construction started due to the volunteers recommending expansion of
the shacks. The funds were for materials only and would come from the project fund.
VOTE:
There were no objections. SO ORDERED,
I-3, Ordinance No. 2002-1983 -- Adding KMC 7.15.035 to Allow for the
Solicitation and Award of Construction Contracts by Competitive Sealed
Proposal.
Introduced by consent agenda.
Ordinance No. 2002-1984-- Amending KMC 14.20.280(c) to Remove the
Requirement that Notification of Public Hearings Be Sent Via Certified
Mail.
Introduced by consent agenda.
I-5. Discussion-- Report to Council/McCollum-Aliak Drive Proposed LID
City Manager Snow reported a new L.I.D. request had been received with 25 properties
identified and 13 of the property owners signed the petition. Administration
recommended the city provide 70%, the owners 25%, and the General Fund five
percent of the construction costs. She noted, the revised summary of street
improvements for FY2004 indicates the completion of this project would be contingent
upon the receipt of state matching grant money.
Snow also reported, due to the roads in this proposed L.I.D. being irregularly shaped,
council may want to base the preliminary assessment roll costs on another formula,
i.e. linear foot instead of square foot. Public Works Manager Kornelis explained, the
amount of state funding to be received by the city will depend on whether the
Legislature uses the same formula as in the past. He added, the amount of state
funding would be known in July, 2003.
Discussion followed in which hesitancy was expressed to bring the project forward
without knowing the amount of funding to be received from the Legislature. Snow
suggested the resolution to proceed could be written to state the project would
continue contingent on funding being received.
KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 18 2002
PAGE 11
Swarner stated she felt this should be the next street to be paved but she didn't want
to get residents' hopes up if funding is not available. Williams stated he wanted all of
the resolutions to include the same wording, i.e. that the final project is contingent
upon receiving state funding. Williams also noted he would insist all right-of-ways be
finalized and all owners of properties with right-of-way issues be informed that parts
of their properties will be replatted, etc. Kornelis noted, he had included additional
funding in his budget for right-of-way dedication, etc. Council also indicated their
preference the resolution for the public hearing be held as long as allowable to be
closer to the date when it will be known the amount of funding to be received from the
Legislature.
MOTION:
Councilman Bannock MOVED to direct administration to continue as outlined in the
memorandum (included in the packet) and Councilwoman Porter SECONDED the
motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED,
I-6, Discussion -- Rental Car Fees and Taxes
Councilman Bannock requested to step down from the dais to speak to the issue and
permission was granted.
Duane Bannock, Kenai Chrysler Center -- Bannock referred to the City Attorney
memorandum included in the packet, along with two proposed ordinances; one for an
off -airport rental car fee and one for a citywide rental car tax.
Bannock noted his comments were in regard to an off -airport rental car tax. He
stated, it was his opinion this issue came to the council at this time due to non -truth.
Bannock explained, the "Great Alaska Car Company," is an off -airport car rental
company and is a division of the Kenai Chrysler Center and does lots of business in
Kenai Peninsula, Anchorage, Homer, Seward and Juneau. Information brought to the
Commission indicated the on -airport vendors pay tax on rentals and the off -airport
companies do not. He added, the on -airport companies have a lease agreement with
the city which stipulates their rent is based on $1.65/sq. ft. for booth space and ten
percent of the gross revenues in rentals. He added, he believed there was a dramatic
difference between rent and fee.
Bannock continued by noting the Airport Commission has been led to believe this is
an unfair fee that is charged to the concessionaires (on -site car rental companies) and
he believed it is not a fee, but a rent and it is paid from the profits. He added, the
Airport Manager has suggested new sources of revenue source need to be found and
they were identified as a parking lot fee (the Manager's recommendation was to not do
anything with the parking fees because enplanements are down due to ERA Aviation's
rates and that travelers may decide not to use the airlines and drive if additional costs
KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 18, 2002
PAGE 12
are required) and off -airport car rental fees because they use the parking lot for
storing cars, using the facility for free and taking revenue from the people paying rent.
Bannock distributed a rental receipt from Hertz and noted, they were not paying rent,
but charging their rent to the client. He suggested other businesses, i.e. hotels,
taxicabs, etc. might want to charge a similar fee to recoup their costs.
Williams stated, in the traditional sense of the word, rent is something you pay for the
use of a space, i.e. office, storefront, etc. The city rents a square foot area to a car
rental company. He added, he differed with Bannock's comment the airport
concession fee is rent because rent, in a traditional sense, drawn from the gross
revenues, is not rent for a traditional space, i.e. square foot, storefront, etc., it is a fee
being charged against the gross revenue of the car rental. Williams continued, he also
believed administration understands what the airport concession fee is as being stated
as the ten percent of gross rent.
Attorney Graves explained, the terminology in the lease agreement is used
interchangeably at various points. However, one section refers to it as rent. He
referred to the concession agreement and noted paragraph 2 talks about the ten
percent fee; paragraph 1 speaks of the $1.65/sq. ft. ; and paragraph 3 states, "...in
addition to the rent specified above, lessee agrees to pay `x'." He added, though the
terminology is lose, he and the Finance Director historically consider it to be a rental
package. Finance Director Semmens agreed and added, he believed the ten percent
clearly, under the lease, is part of the rent. He noted, it is another method of paying
rent.
Bannock stated the suggestion that it is unfair to the on -site concessionaires to pay
the fee is wrong. Porter stated she felt it was a fee the council is charging a person
who is renting a car and the money would come back to the city.
Swarner asked how and what facilities the Great Alaska Car Company uses at the
airport. Bannock answered, the parking lot (leaving a car in the no -fee parking lot for
a renter) and the renter dropping the car off in the parking lot when leaving on a flight
from the city. He added, there are times the cars are not picked up and are left in the
parking lot and should be towed. Porter asked if the- cars are ever towed and Bannock
answered, not since 1997. Porter noted, if the city can't enforce the towing of vehicles,
how could the off -airport car rental businesses be tracked. Williams noted, the
memorandum indicated the fee would be collected by the city because the borough
would not collect it.
Bannock stated, his company was taking advantage of the free public parking lot. He
added, forget about free and suggested the city initiate a pay parking lot so if he wants
to leave a car there he pays. Williams noted, the parking lot clearing was begun in
order to plow the parking lot in the winter.
KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 18, 2002
PAGE 13
Councilman Moore asked how his customers get the keys to the vehicle that is left in
the parking lot, i.e. is he using the airport to transfer keys to the vehicle. Bannock
answered, on occasion they use the employees at ERA for key exchange. He added,
the airport is not giving anything up for him to be able to do what he does.
Moore asked where the rental paperwork is signed, etc. and Bannock noted, they use
credit cards and e-commerce. Williams noted, it is a policy call for the council
whether to implement a fee. Porter stated she didn't think she could support the
ordinance because of the enforcement of it. She added, she didn't think the airport is
big enough to deal with it.
Bannock noted in the last Airport Commission meeting, the Commission understood
the issue would now go to the council. Acting Airport Manager Bondurant noted, the
Commission would be discussing the ordinance at their next meeting. Bannock
added, the Commission thinks they are recommending Option I.
Swarner asked how many other rental car companies is he aware of that operate on
the Peninsula and Bannock answered, he was not sure. Williams suggested finding
out if there are other off -airport car rental companies using the airport and how
difficult it would be to enforce the ordinance. He added, he believed the Commission
should discuss it further as well as they had not seen the ordinance draft.
Porter stated she was bothered by the airport concession fee on the Hertz receipt. She
noted, it was the presentation of the wording. Williams noted it is not the city's
responsibility to dictate how the individual companies identify charges in their billings.
He added, it is a method Hertz Rent -a -Car uses to track the costs on behalf of the
customer. Bannock questioned what the gross amount is on the billing and what
amount was due to the city.
Williams directed the issue return back to the Airport Commission for further
discussion and the City Attorney examine the contracts to see if wording changes are
needed and allow administration to discuss the interpretation and decide whether they
are agreeable to the funding as it applies. Swarner noted the receipt does not refer to
an ACF (airport concession fee) . Bannock noted, that is the Commission's concern:
the on -airport concessionaires pay it and his company does not. Bannock suggested
the wording be revenue enhancement. He added, there are no costs going up
associated with off -airport rental car parking and it is free money.
Porter asked if there are other companies billing for an airport concession fee and
Williams stated he believed the concessionaires should have broad discretion of what
they want to call it as one company may be called something else by another
company. He noted, this company is using that wording to define that charge and it
could be defined differently by another company.
KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 18, 2002
PAGE 14
Graves added, he and Snow discussed including language of how fees can be
represented on billings and how they are charged, and will be discussing it further
when the lease agreements come up for renewal. Porter asked if an addendum can be
added to the lease if it is an issue and Graves answered, an addendum is a
modification to their contract and requires their consent. He added, there is an issue
of whether they have been paying the proper gross and Semmens is investigating it.
Moore stated he would concede the ten percent is part of the rent. Williams noted, it
is a payment in lieu of rent based on the special area in which the service is being
rendered, i.e, the airport. Bannock noted, his company is not afforded parking spaces.
He added, the advantage of conducting business from the airport are physical
presence, space, parking space by the back door and parking lot spaces. Williams
suggested, they could rent parking spaces at the rental car parking lot. Bannock
noted, discussion at the Commission meeting indicated they could rent a long-term
parking permit, however the Airport Manager didn't feel they would ask for that.
Williams asked if there is area in the rental parking lot to rent spaces and Bondurant
answered yes. Williams asked Bannock why they haven't asked to rent spaces in the
rental car parking lot and Bannock answered he didn't think it was consistent with
the Airport Master Plan. Williams noted, the Master Plan could be amended.
Bannock stated he would love to parking lot spaces at the airport. Williams asked if
Bannock has approached the Airport Manager to this regard and Bannock stated it
had not been a necessity. Bondurant noted, the concessionaires are given 15 spaces
with their agreement and can make arrangements to rent additional spaces. Williams
stated the city would rent Bannock spaces for ten percent of their gross and Bannock
stated it wasn't necessary as he could park for free at this time.
Williams noted the council could direct that no rental car company park in the free
parking lot and only in the rental car parking lot and be charged ten percent of their
gross. Bannock stated he is willing to do that. Porter noted, the city is not dealing
with only the Great Alaska Car Company and should make the decision on the
problem on what's good for the airport and the easiest to enforce without adding
personnel.
Williams noted the issue would be returned to administration and the Commission.
ITEM J: REPORT OF THE MAYOR -- Mayor Williams reported the
following:
• Councilwoman Jackman was attending the dental clinic meeting at the
Borough building and was not in attendance at the council meeting.
• Will meet with Senator Stevens on December 28.
• Sent a letter to Governor Murkowski requesting him to strongly consider
the appointment of Mead Treadwell as his replacement to the U.S. Senate.
KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 18, 2002
PAGE 15
• A meeting with the area legislators has been set for January 7 at 2:00
p.m. in the council chambers.
ITEM K:
ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
K-1. City Manager -- City Manager Snow reported the following:
• Reports of the Department Heads were included in the packet.
• A copy of the approved Airport Capital Improvement Project List was
included in the packet.
• The new grader was received.
• The shop area was expanded by moving the building maintenance area
into the warm storage building at a very small cost to the city.
• Pictures of the upgraded emergency communications/dispatch center at
the Kenai Police Department were provided to council for review.
K-2. Attorney -- Attorney Graves reported he investigated council's question
of what authority the DOT has to place rock in washed away roads, etc. in regard to
the continued studies required for the city to move forward on the bluff erosion
project. He noted, Nationwide Permit No. 3 allows them to repair existing roadways
and structures and an exemption under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act allows
repairs after a storm or discrete event without going through the permit process.
He again noted he would be attending a seminar on the Brown Fields Redevelopment
Act in the near future.
K-3. City Clerk -- Clerk Freas reported she had forwarded the council's three
preferred dates for a joint work session with the Soldotna City Council to the Soldotna
City Clerk. She requested the Soldotna Council indicate which date they would prefer.
As soon as this information is received, she will contact the council.
ITEM L:
DISCUSSION
L-1. Citizens -- None.
L-29 Council --
Bookey -- Absent
Swarner -- Noted the following:
• Thanked the Library for their successful open house.
• Thanked administration for supplying her with information for her
presentation at the recent Economic Development Forum.
• Asked if council wanted to participate in the "Caring for the Kenai"
program and if they did, whether they wanted to offer an award and what the
KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING
DECEMBER 18, 2002
PAGE 16
parameters should be. Council had no objections to the city participating; parameters
to be as it was last year (Kenai River within the Kenai City Limits) ; offering a $50
certificate to the Teen Center; and Swarner will be the contact.
• Requested an ordinance be prepared to change the assessment rate for
property owners from 25% to 50%. There were no council objections.
• Wished everyone a Merry Christmas.
Moore -- Noted the following:
• He attended the Economic Development Forum and complimented
Swarner on her presentation.
• Asked if the city needed dirt to be collected for spreading out over the
Section 36 property. Kornelis noted, the city would have no problem in getting dirt.
Williams noted, if developers or contractors hauled dirt in, the city would have to
inspect the loads to be sure stumps and debris were not included in the dirt.
Porter -- Requested council to donate a gift for a door prize at the employee
appreciation dinner.
Bannock -- No comments.
Jackman -- Absent.
Williams -- Noted the following:
• The Airport Enplanement Report indicated the enplanements were lower
than they had ever been in 20 years.
EXECUTIVE SESSION -- None Scheduled
ITEM M: ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at approximately 10:31 p.m.
Minutes transcribed and prepared by:
Carol L. Freas, City Clerk
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