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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-08-16 Council MinutesAGENDA KENAI CITY COUNCIL - REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 16, 2000 7:00 P.M. KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS http: / Z www.ci.kenai.ak.us COUNCIL'S STAFF MEETING -- 6:00 P.M. 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. Michael R. Slezak, Rick Segura/Kenai Natives Association, Inc. -- Wildwood Prison Development ITEM C: PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Ordinance No. 1871-2000 -- Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations by $9,467 in the Senior Employment Special Revenue Fund. 2. Ordinance No. 1872-2000 -- Replacing the Tables Referred to in the Personnel Regulations (Title 23) to Establish a New Pay Rate for the Senior Employment Program. 3. Ordinance No. 1873-2000 -- Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations by $206,271 in the '99 Street Improvement Capital Project Fund. 4. Ordinance No. 1875-2000 -- Enacting KMC 7.15.045 Providing for a Local Preference in Competitive Bidding Purchases for the City of Kenai. 5. Ordinance No. 1876-2000 -- Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations by $3,315.95 in the Police Department to Purchase a Projector. 6. Resolution No. 2000-48 -- Approving the Sale of Lot 1, Block 4, Inlet Woods Subdivision, Part One, to Harold Dusenbery (With a Ten Percent (10%) Discount for Cash) for $11,700. 7. *Transfer of Liquor License -- From Aurora Lodging Management, Inc. to Mr. D's / King Inn Property Management, LLC -- Beverage Dispensary Tourism License. 8. *Restaurant Designation Application -- Mr. D's/Restaurant Eating Place License. ITEM D: COMMISSION/ OMMITTEE REPORTS 1. Council on Aging 2. Airport Commission 3. Harbor Commission 4. Library Commission 5. Parks 8. Recreation Commission 6. Planning 8v Zoning Commission 7. Kenai Historic Commission 8. Miscellaneous Commissions and Committees a. Beautification Committee b. Kenai Visitors 8. Convention Bureau Board C. Alaska Municipal League Report 1. *Regular Meeting of August 2, 2000. ITEM F: CORRESPONDENCE ITEM G: OLD BUSINESS ITEM H: NEW BUSINESS 1. Bills to be Paid, Bills to be Ratified 2. Purchase Orders Exceeding $2,500 3. Approval -- Halliburton Release from Leases/Lots 5 & 6, Block 4, Cook Inlet Industrial Air Park. 4. Discussion-- Hydrant Installation Responsibility 5. Discussion -- Extension of Sidewalks at Leif Hansen Memorial Park ITEM I: 1. 2. ADMINISTRATION REPORTS Mayor City Manager 3. Attorney 4. City Clerk 5. Finance Director 6. Public Works Managers 7. Airport Manager ITEM J: DISCUSSION 1. Citizens (five minutes) 2. Council EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled ITEM K: ADJOURNMENT KENAI CITY COUNCIL - REGULAR MEETING AUGUST 16, 2000 7:00 P.M. KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS http: / Z www. ci. kenai. ak. u s COUNCIL'S STAFF MEETING -- 6:00 P.M. ITEM A: CALL TO ORDER Mayor Williams called the meeting to order at approximately 7:01 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: Frazer, Williams, Swarner, Moore, Porter and Bannock. Absent was: Bookey A-3, AGENDA APPROVAL Mayor Williams requested the following changes to the agenda: ADD TO: C-4, 8/3/2000 Kenai Chamber of Commerce letter supporting Ordinance No. 1875-2000. REMOVE FROM: H-2, Purchase Orders Exceeding $2,500 -- Remove Purchase Order to J&D Painting & Drywall in the amount of $7,400. ADD TO: H-4, Discussion Item regarding Fire Hydrant Responsibility ... 8/ 11/2000 letter from James V. and Diana L. Zirul. Williams also requested H-4 be moved and heard after B-1. MOTION: Councilwoman Swarner MOVED for approval of the agenda as amended and Councilman Moore SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. A-4. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2000 PAGE 2 Williams noted he had no changes to the consent agenda. MOTION: Councilwoman Swarner MOVED for approval of the consent agenda as presented and Councilwoman Porter SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED, ITEM B: SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS B-1. Michael R. Slezak, Rick Segura/Kenai Natives Association, Inc. -- Wildwood Prison Development Blaine Gilman -- 150 North Willow Street, Kenai. Gilman explained he is an attorney in Kenai and indicated the Kenai Natives Association, Inc. (KNA) is investigating the potential of situating a private prison at Wildwood. He added, the proposal would be for a low to minimum security, 1,000-bed facility. It was estimated the prison would generate 300 jobs in the Kenai area and would be a privately -financed $60 million capital project. Gilman noted, KNA wanted to keep the city updated in regard to the project and invited the city to be represented on a committee established to follow through the process. Mike Slezak -- Operations Director/ Kenai Natives Association, Inc. Slezak reported the State had a critical need for prison beds and presently had approximately 1,500 prisoners housed out of state at a cost of $18 million to the State. He noted, KNA wanted to bring that revenue back to Alaska through housing a large amount of the prisoners in a private prison facility at Wildwood. Slezak added, the proposed prison would supplement the current State facilities and take approximately 18 months to build. During that time, local residents could receive training to become a corrections officer through a class to be offered by KNA and in Anchorage in order to meet the State standards. Slezak noted the facility would create jobs as well as offer the opportunity for entrepreneurial businesses to provide services. He added, treatment services would also be available in the facility. Slezak also explained that whether a prison will be developed at Greeley or not, the State recognized additional prison beds would still be required. Slezak again noted they would like two representatives from the City to be involved on their prison committee, first discussing the concept, its viability, and then to moving on to the public process. Moore asked if there was a site location yet determined. Slezak stated no, but it was their intent to go north and east of the present facility. The facility would not be in the city limits and the present facility would continue to operate. Swarner asked how the KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2000 PAGE 3 new facility would affect the city's water supply. Ross answered, assuming the new facility would be on a treated water and sewer system, they would probably be discussing the present and future capacities with city officials. Williams noted utilities would be a major concern to the city and urged the committee to discuss the matter in the very early stages of the planning. He also suggested discussions should include infrastructure development and tax base produced to augment the cost of schools and education. Williams requested broad public hearings be held in the community and all sectors of the community be informed of the proposed development. Williams added, he wanted to discuss appointments to the committee with the City Manager and Police Chief. Rick Van Hatten -- Reported he is a correctional officer at Wildwood and President of the State Association of Correction Officers and offered to speak to council when the matter comes up for public hearing in regard to the ramifications of a privately -run prison over publicly -run facilities. He noted, there are many problems in regard to private facilities including escape rates and these problems should be investigated by the committee as the plan progresses. Williams reported he had received a number of telephone calls in regard to the matter and was asked if the city could finance such a project and he told them yes, through revenue bonds based on the capability of the state to repay the debt. The citizens would not be asked to bear the burden. Bannock referred to past discussions of council regarding halfway houses and Wildwood as a suggested site for those establishments. He noted, one of the underlying discussions in regard to halfway houses was the overcrowding issue. He asked Van Hatten, in his professional capacity, if there was anything he could foresee the State was doing to correct the problem. Van Hatten answered, at this time, the State had agreed to house prisoners in Arizona at a privately -run facility which is more expensive for the State than it would be to house them in -state. Bannock asked if there were any plans to expand on the need. Van Hatten answered he was not aware of any. Williams noted there would be a lot of discussion in the future in regard to the prison issue and requested Ross to keep in touch with KNA until city participants to the committee are assigned. H-4. Discussion -- Hydrant Installation Responsibility Jim Zirul -- 145 Fidalgo, Suite 104, Kenai. Zirul referred to his letter (added to the agenda) which explained he had been informed by the Kenai Fire Department that an additional fire hydrant would be required to be installed for the construction of his 4,000 square foot building being constructed on property he recently purchased from the city. He noted in his letter that historically the City required developers to provide KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2000 PAGE e4 sufficient fire hydrants in developing their property and since the property had initially been developed by the city, he felt the city should bear the cost to place the additional hydrant. Williams referred to Ross' memorandum included in the packet which discussed the matter and noted the issue before council was not whether a hydrant should be installed, but who should pay for it. Porter stated she contacted Soldotna as to their policy for hydrants and who was responsible for the cost because she was concerned by statements in Zirul's letter that the city was not encouraging economic development by requiring developers to pay for hydrants. She found out other cities throughout the Borough place the responsibility on the developer. Porter added, because the road was changed to accommodate the senior housing, it was not developed specifically for sale and that was why no hydrant was placed there. She added, she felt it was the responsibility of the developer (Zirul) to place the hydrant. Bannock expressed his excitement that the city placing the hydrant would be a way in which the city could help the economy through developing its infrastructure. He believed the city was, in essence, the developer of the Zirul's property and the FAA property in that it was the goal to have something built on the properties some time in the future. He added, providing hydrants, water/ sewer, road access, etc. was what the city should be doing. He suggested the hydrant be placed at the corner of Senior Court and Frontage Road to offer better coverage to the FAA property. Frazer agreed with Bannock's comments. He asked if the plans had been approved when the hydrant question came up. Zirul answered yes and they were about ten days out from breaking ground. He added, if the hydrant would be placed only to serve his building and the back part of the Senior Center, it would be placed at the back of the clinic property. Frazer stated he saw this as an opportunity for the city to provide infrastructure for development if placing a hydrant at the corner of Senior Court and Frontage Road would facilitate water supply to the FAA property and the city should bear some or all of the responsibility for placing that hydrant. Ross explained the Fire Department received the plans on July 18 and on July 21 they sent a letter stating a hydrant was needed, however there could have been a lack of communication between the recipient of the letter and the property owners. Moore asked how much property would be benefited by placing a hydrant at the corner of Senior Court and Frontage Road. Ross answered, that would be determined by the Fire Department through their investigation of where the roads enter, buildings placed, etc. Williams noted the issue was being discussed from several perspectives, i.e. is the city the developer and is it selling the land for immediate development; is the city selling land to a developer who planned to redevelop the land and profit from that KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2000 PAGE 5 redevelopment; is a private individual developing land for profit using city utilities. He added, the city had dealt with all those perspectives through the Kmart/ Carrs, Inlet Woods and Challenger projects. Williams stated he believed it was the city's responsibility to install the hydrant because it chose to sell the property, it was already on the water main, and because the city had already installed hydrants all along the main almost to the well. It was noted it would cost approximately $4,500 to install a hydrant by the building and approximately $16,400 to install one at the corner. Council discussed where other hydrants were positioned in that area and Bannock stated he believed installing the hydrant at the corner of Frontage Road would be the most advantageous to the city and properties in the area. MOTION: Councilwoman Swarner MOVED the council put a fire hydrant on the corner of Frontage Road and Senior Court and Councilman Bannock SECONDED the motion. Swarner requested UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Zirul was asked if he had considered having a sprinkler system installed in the building. Zirul stated the building would have to be reengineered and it was too late in the project to do that. Diana Zirul -- Zirul reported that during the design process of the building, they investigated several options and decided on a fire alarm system tied into a security system who would notify the Fire Department if a fire occurred. The building will also have a knock box installed for access to the building. She also noted that the issue of who would pay for the installation of a hydrant came to them only several days prior to breaking ground and at that point it was too late to reengineer the building. She added, they felt that had adequate coverage for the building if a problem occurred. Fire Chief Elson explained placing a hydrant at the corner of Frontage Road would not supply sufficient coverage when the FAA property is developed. He also noted, the city's ISO rating is based on how the city meets the needs of the community and currently is rated as a Class I water system. If the city departs from that, there would be a risk of losing points and the Class I rating. Placing the hydrant at the corner would help in maintaining the Class I rating. VOTE: There were no objections to the request for unanimous consent. SO ORDERED. BREAK TAKEN: 7:5 3 P.M. BACK TO ORDER: 8:10 P.M. KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2000 PAGE 6 ITEM C: PUBLIC HEARINGS C-1. Ordinance No. 1871-2000 -- Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations by $9,467 in the Senior Employment Special Revenue Fund. MOTION: Councilwoman Porter MOVED for adoption of Ordinance No. 1871-2000 and Councilman Frazer SECONDED the motion. There were no public or council comments. VOTE: Frazer: Yes Williams: Yes Booke Absent Swarner: Yes Moore: Yes Porter: Yes Bannock: Yes MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. C-2. Ordinance No. 1872-2000 -- Replacing the Tables Referred to in the Personnel Regulations (Title 23) to Establish a New Pay Rate for the Senior Employment Program. MOTION: Councilwoman Porter MOVED to adopt Ordinance No. 1872-2000 and Councilman Moore SECONDED the motion. There were no public comments. It was noted, those hired in the Senior Employment Program must be 55 or older and in a low-income bracket. It was also noted the program is a j ob-training program. VOTE: Frazer: Yes Williams: Yes Booke Absent Swarner: Yes Moore: Yes Porter: Yes Bannock: Yes MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2000 PAGE 7 C-3, Ordinance No. 1873-2000 -- Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations by $206,271 in the '99 Street Improvement Capital Project Fund. MOTION: Councilwoman Swarner MOVED for adoption of Ordinance No. 1873-2000 and Councilman Bannock SECONDED the motion. There were no public or council comments. VOTE: Frazer: Yes Williams: Yes Booke Absent Swarner: Yes Moore: Yes Porter: Yes Bannock: I Yes MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. C-4, Ordinance No. 1875-2000 -- Enacting KMC 7.15.045 Providing for a Local Preference in Competitive Bidding Purchases for the City of Kenai. MOTION: Councilman Bannock MOVED for adoption of Ordinance No. 1875-2000 and Councilman Frazer SECONDED the motion. There were no public comments. Williams noted the letter of support for the ordinance from the Kenai Chamber of Commerce which was added to the record at the beginning of the meeting. Bannock explained he requested the ordinance come forward as he believed it would be good for the community. He also explained, the definition of "local" included the Kenai Peninsula Borough and the definition of "preference" was five percent (5%). He added, he believed it was good business sense for the city whenever possible and whenever probable, it was good business for the city to do business as close to home as possible and would eliminate boundary concerns. Discussion followed and it was noted the ordinance covered competitive bid purchases ($10,000 or more) and would not cover non-competitive purchases. It was also noted, it was a policy of the city to buy locally when practical and in the City of Kenai when possible and can be monitored by council when reviewing the purchase orders over $2,500. The "local preference" information will be included in bid documents. Swarner stated her desire for the city to buy locally, no matter what the cost. KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2000 PAGE 8 Frazer stated he would support the ordinance and felt it would be a benefit to the city and saw it as a statement that the city intends to support local businesses. Discussion followed and it was explained the preference would never exceed $25,000 (the amount of money the local person could overbid) and was designed to provide protection in large construction projects where large sums of money are involved. It was also noted a bid challenge would not be covered by the city's insurance. VOTE: Frazer: Yes Williams: Yes Booke Absent Swarner: Yes Moore: Yes Porter: Yes Bannock: Yes MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. C-5, Ordinance No. 1876-2000 -- Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations by $3,315.95 in the Police Department to Purchase a Projector. MOTION: Councilwoman Swarner MOVED for adoption of Ordinance No. 1876-2000 and Councilman Frazer SECONDED the motion. There were no public comments. It was noted the projector would accommodate Powerpoint presentations and would be a high -resolution projector. VOTE: Frazer: Yes Williams: Yes Booke Absent Swarner: Yes Moore: Yes Porter: Yes Bannock: Yes MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. C-6, Resolution No. 2000-48 -- Approving the Sale of Lot 1, Block 4, Inlet Woods Subdivision, Part One, to Harold Dusenbery (With a Ten Percent (10%) Discount for Cash) for $11,700. MOTION: Councilman Frazer MOVED for adoption of Resolution No. 2000-48 and Councilwoman Swarner SECONDED the motion. KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2000 PAGE 9 There were no public comments. Councilman Moore spoke against the resolution, stating that passing the resolution and offering the ten percent discount would further decrease the value of the homes and properties in the Inlet Woods Subdivision and would set a market for all the rest of the lots in the subdivision. He added, he would not support the resolution. Bannock stated he would support the resolution, stating something had to be done and fair notice had been given. Ross noted, there had been several inquiries in regard to the sale of the properties, but this was the only person who made an offer. Williams stated he agreed wholeheartedly with Moore that the value of the other lots would drop if the resolution was to pass. He added, he believed more would be lost than gained through property taxes, etc. after the property is developed. Williams also stated he understood there was a lull in the current market, but believed there would be more development within the next few years. He noted, he would not support the resolution. VOTE: Frazer: Yes Williams: No Booke Absent Swarner: No Moore: No Porter: No Bannock: Yes MOTION FAILED. C-7. Transfer of Liquor License -- From Aurora Lodging Management, Inc. to Mr. D's / King Inn Property Management, LLC -- Beverage Dispensary Tourism License. Approved by consent agenda. C-8. Restaurant Designation Application -- Mr. D's/Restaurant Eating Place License. Approved by consent agenda. ITEM D: COMMISSION/ COMMITTEE REPORTS D-1. Council on Aging -- No report. D-2. Airport Commission -- Swarner reported the Commission discussed their goals and objectives which would be brought forward to council in their next packet. She also noted there was an opening on the Commission and another member was absent again at the last meeting. KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2000 PAGE 10 Upon review of the applications included in the packet, Carrie Kleidon was appointed to the Airport Commission, replacing Bob Favretto. D-3. Harbor Commission -- Public Works Manager Kornelis noted the minutes of the August 7 meeting were included in the packet. He added, the next meeting was scheduled for September 11. It was noted Commission McCune had missed the last seven meetings and was replaced by Sean O'Reilly. Williams noted, O'Reilly would like to be considered for the next opening on the Airport Commission. D-4. Library Commission -- Moore noted the next meeting was scheduled for September 5. It was also noted there was a vacancy on the Commission and two applications were included in the packet for consideration. Katherine Amen, a student at Kenai Central High School, was appointed to replace Melinda Haring. D-5. Parks & Recreation Commission -- Frazer reported the minutes of the last meeting were included in the packet. He added, Jim Spracher and Pat Porter made a presentation during the meeting to place a monument at the Leif Hansen Memorial Park in honor of homesteaders. It was noted, the monument would be a large rock with a plaque. The item was approved by the Commission and the matter would be brought to council in the near future. Frazer also noted the Kenai Elks Club donated $1,500 to the Recreation Center to support youth programs and that Matt Peters resigned from the Commission due to his leaving for college. It was reported there were no applications on file and that the Commission members were hoping a high school student would apply as well as any other interested resident. Williams requested thank -you letters be sent to Peters and the Elks Club. Parks & Recreation Director Frates was asked to contact the high school to encourage students to apply. Frazer requested a proclamation be prepared to thank the volunteers from Phillips Oil for their work in upgrading the East End Trail. D-6. Planning & Zoning Commission -- Frazer reported he attended the meeting for Bannock and the minutes were included in the packet. D-7. Kenai Historic Commission -- Moore reported the next meeting would be held on August 21 at 7:00 p.m. D-8. Miscellaneous Commissions and Committees D-8a. Beautification Committee -- Swarner reported the Committee would like to change their meeting time from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Council had no objections. KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2000 PAGE 11 Williams suggested replacing the wooden box planters at Leif Hansen Memorial Park with concrete ring planters. It was noted the State would be placing some ring planters near Dan's TV during their Spur Highway road project. D-8b. Kenai Visitors & Convention Bureau Board -- No report. D-8c. Alaska Municipal League Report -- No report. ITEM E: MINUTES E-1, Regular Meeting of August 2, 2000. Approved by consent agenda. ITEM F: CORRESPONDENCE -- None. ITEM G: OLD BUSINESS -- None. ITEM H: NEW BUSINESS H-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 obj ections. SO ORDERED. H-2. Purchase Orders Exceeding $2,500 MOTION: Councilman Bannock MOVED to approve the Purchase Orders Exceeding $2,500 as amended by deleting J&D Painting. Councilman Frazer SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. H-3. Approval -- Halliburton Release from Leases/Lots 5 &s 6, Block 4, Cook Inlet Industrial Air Park. Attorney Graves referred to his memorandum included in the packet which explained Halliburton requested the release because they no longer use the property and the FCC directed them to dispose of any of their unused- properties for regulatory purposes. Halliburton will still be responsible for environmental remediation and cleaning up the property sufficient to receive a letter from DEC requiring no further action. Before DEC issues the letter the City will be contacted (the owner of the property) to be sure the property is cleaned to its satisfaction. He added, while this KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2000 PAGE 12 action would release Halliburton from the lease, it would not release them from their legal obligation to clean up the properties, which was a condition of the City. Graves added, the lease was to run to 2020 and the $60,000 represented about five years of the lease payments. Ross noted tests well were on the site and were continually checked. Halliburton had already removed a lot of soils from the property. The City had been involved in the negotiations and received remediation information prior to negotiations (which were reviewed by a consultant) . Administration was asked if they were satisfied that anything remaining on the property wouldn't hinder the value of the property. Ross answered, their may be restrictions placed on the deed in regard to the water table depth and how deep one could dig into _the ground which would be part of the "no further action" request. He added, administration felt the city is protected. MOTION: Councilwoman Swarner MOVED to release Halliburton from the leases on Lots 5 & 6, Block 4, Cook Inlet Industrial Air Park and Councilman Frazer SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. H-4. Discussion-- Hydrant Installation Responsibility -- Discussed after B-1. H-5. Discussion -- Extension of Sidewalks at Leif Hansen Memorial Park Williams explained he requested the matter be placed on the agenda since there were no more spaces available on the current sidewalks for purchase. Swarner suggested information in regard to the original design be provided prior to council discussing the matter in depth. Ross reported he met with Parks 8v Recreation Director Frates after council's last discussion on the matter. Frates will include the matter for the Parks & Recreation Commission to discuss and those comments would then be brought forward to council with a suggested design. He added, administration was planning to fund and develop additional sidewalks in the Spring prior to the next budget discussions. Councilman Frazer noted his concern there were sidewalks throughout the town needing repair and it was explained those repairs would be done in the near future. Williams suggested the development of a memory wall with a sunken one-half circle where bricks or tiles could be purchased and inscribed. Swarner noted she had received comments from constituents who would have liked to purchase a sidewalk space but found that to be too expensive. The wall would be an alternative and would be an asset to the Park. Williams suggested a walkway extend from around the. anchor and lead to a wall and then back to connect with a flowerbed and then to the other walkway. KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2000 PAGE 13 Frates asked if the wall would include a place available for cremains to be placed. Williams explained he wanted to stay away from that and preferred plaques showing the existence of a person be used. ITEM I: ADMINISTRATION REPORTS I-1. Mayor -- Williams reported the following: • Received a letter from Senator Murkowski regarding congressional support for opening an area of the Arctic coastal plain to energy exploration. Murkowski explained his concern that the future of Alaska was being molded by outside interests and included a list of environmental groups and suggested contacts me made to explain that economic development and environmental protection can go hand in hand. Williams also reported he met with a representative of Congressman Young's office and they noted that the National Park Service was taking more and more responsibility to lock up Alaska lands through regulations. • He received a request from the Alaska Travel Industry for an annual membership fee of $1,000. Discussion followed and council chose not to join. • Presented a public service award to City Clerk Freas from the U.S. Census Bureau for her help with Census 2000. Williams also noted a like award would be forwarded on to Sheryl Padilla. I-2. City Manager -- City Manager Ross reported the following: • He and Public Works Manager met with a representative of Congressman Young's office and discussed the coastal trail project. Young's office will be looking into funding sources for the City. • Appraisals for Birch Island and property above Cunningham Park were in progress and it would be two to three months before a proposal will be returned to council in regard to releasing BOR restrictions on the properties and possibly six months until all parties agree on a proposal to finalize the matter. • Reported council may receive phone calls in regard to tree removal in Municipal Park. He noted, approximately 50 trees were marked by the Borough's Spruce Bark Beetle expert as either dead or dying and would be removed by a Firefighter Hot Shot team who would be staying at the park. The work will be done by chainsaw and hand removal. He noted, this would be a city project, under city supervision, and the labor would be donated. Williams reported he requested Fire Chief Elson to assist in preparing AML award documents in regard to the Fire Wise project. Bannock noted the current Fire Wise work area looked better every day. He asked if roads were being developed through the project. Elson explained, the contractor was using platted roads in the property. I-3. Attorney -- Reported he would be out of the office during the week of August 21-25, but would be available for any emergencies. KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2000 PAGE 14 I-4. City Clerk -- Clerk Freas reported the following: • There are three candidates for the two seats up for election on October 3 and the names would appear on the ballot as John "Ozzie" Osborn, Pat Porter and Bill Frazer. • Absentee balloting for Districts 7, 8 and 9 for the State Primary would be ongoing at City Hall through August 22. • The date for the second meeting in October would fall on October 18, Alaska Day, which is a city holiday. She asked council to give some thought to whether they wanted to reschedule the meeting and on what date. Williams requested Freas review the minutes of past years to see if any precedent had been set for rescheduling and bring it back for discussion at the next council meeting. I-5. Finance Director -- Acting Finance Director Feltman reported Kathy Lawyer (an employee of the Finance Department) would be retiring and her last day of work would be Thursday, August 17. I-6. Public Works Managers -- Kornelis: Reported drilling of the test well had begun and information as to the quality and quantity of the well should be available at the next council meeting. • A check was received from FEMA to offset some of the costs involved with the heavy snowfall during a storm last winter. La Shot: No report. I-7. Airport Manager -- No report. ITEM J: DISCUSSION J-1. Citizens -- Jay Barrett -- P.O. Box 51, Kenai. As secretary of the Board for Pickle Hill Radio Station, he introduced Jodie Seikes as the new reporter for KDLL. J-2. Council -- Swarner -- Thanked city employees involved with preparations for the Run for Women. She also asked if the city had forwarded funds to the Boys & Girls Club this summer for the ALPAR program and requested the matter be investigated. Moore -- Requested an update for the Redoubt Avenue project. Kornelis reported they were installing storm drains and ran into some unexpected problems. Porter -- Stated she liked the raised flower beds planted by the Airport Restaurant. Bannock -- No report. Frazer -- Reminded council and the audience of the Kenai ProAm Golf Tournament to be held during the weekend. He requested an All -America City street banner be used at the banquet. Council had no obj ections. KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 16, 2000 PAGE 15 Williams -- Requested Frates to investigate whether there were any City of Kenai flags in reserve. He also reminded council and audience of the Industry Picnic to be held on August 26. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled ITEM K: ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:34 p.m. Minutes transcribed and prepared by: Carol L. Freas, City Clerk