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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-03-17 Council MinutesITEM A: AGENDA KENAI CITY COUNCIL -REGULAR MEETING MARCH 17, 1999 7:00 P.M. KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS http://www.ci.kenai.ak.us 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) ITEM C: PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Ordinance No. 1813-99 -- Amending Title 4 of the Kenai Municipal Code, Entitled "Uniform Building Codes," to Adopt and Incorporate by Reference Therein the 1997 Editions of the Uniform Building Code, the Uniform Building Security Code, the Uniform Code for Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, the Uniform Sign Code, the Uniform Mechanical Code, the Uniform Plumbing Code, and the 1999 National Electrical Code. a. Remove from table. b. Consideration of ordinance. 2. Ordinance No. 1814-99 -- Appropriating $4,000 for Improvements at Cunningham Park. a. Motion for Introduction b. Motion for Second Reading (Requires a Unanimous Vote) C. Motion for Adoption 3. Resolution No. 99-12 -- Transferring $1,750 in the Airport Land Special Revenue Fund for Increased Communication Costs. -1- 4. Resolution No. 99-13 -- Approving a Contract to Peninsula Construction, Inc. for the Project Entitled Cunningham Park Habitat Restoration & Site Improvements for the Total Amount of $103,947.50 Which Includes Only the Basic Bid. 5. Resolution No. 99-14 -- Supporting S. 25, The Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999. ITEM D: 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. Historic District Board C. Kenai Visitors & Convention Bureau Board d. Alaska Municipal League Report 1. *Special Meeting of January 26, 1999. 2. *Special Meeting of January 28, 1999. 3. *Regular Meeting of March 3, 1999. ITEM F: CORRESPONDENCE ITEM G: OLD BUSINESS ITEM H: 1. NEW BUSINESS Bills to be Paid, Bills to be Ratified 2. Purchase Orders Exceeding $2,500 3. Approval -- Memorandum of Agreement Between the City of Kenai and the Alaska Challenger Center for Space Science Technology, Inc. 4. Approval -- Assignment of Lease/Kenai Municipal Airport Restaurant from Don A. Middleton to Susan and Gary Schnelting. -2- 5. Discussion -- Kenai Coastal Trail Reconnaissance Study (Kenai Bluff Erosion Study) -- Nottingham, Peratrovich & Drage, Inc. ITEM, I: ADMINISTRATION REPORTS 1. Mayor 2. City Manager 3. Attorney 4. City Clerk 5. Finance Director 6. Public Works 7. Airport Manager ITEM J: DISCUSSION 1. Citizens (five minutes) 2. Council EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled ITEM K: ADJOURNMENT -3- KENAI CITY COUNCIL -REGULAR MEETING MARCH 17, 1999 7:00 P.M. KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS http://www.ci.kenai.ak.us ITEM A: CALL TO ORDER Mayor Williams called the meeting to order at approximately 7:00 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, Bookey, Swarner, Moore, Measles and Bannock. A-3, AGENDA APPROVAL Mayor Williams requested the following changes to the agenda: SUBSTITUTE: C-2, Ordinance No. 1814-99 -- Appropriating $41,000 for Improvements at Cunningham Park. SUBSTITUTE: C-4, Resolution No. 99-13 -- Approving a Contract to Peninsula Construction, Inc. for the Project Entitled Cunningham Park Habitat Restoration and Site Improvements for the Total Amount of $140,617.50 Which Includes the Basic Bid Plus Additive Alternates No. 3 and No. 4. ADD TO: I-2, City Manager's Report -- Public Opinion Survey ADD TO: I-4, Clerk Report -- Memorandum regarding scheduling of Volunteer Appreciation Reception. Williams also noted a replacement C-1 was on the counter for council. It was explained there was a copying error and the first page of the attachment had not been included with the copy included in the packets. MOTION: Councilwoman Swarner MOVED for approval of the agenda as amended and Councilman Moore SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 17, 1999 PAGE 2 A-4. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Williams reported he had no changes to the consent agenda. MOTION: Councilman Bookey MOVED for approval of the consent agenda as presented. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM B: SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS -- None. ITEM C. PUBLIC HEARINGS C-1. Ordinance No. 1813-99 -- Amending Title 4 of the Kenai Municipal Code, Entitled "Uniform Building Codes," to Adopt and Incorporate by Reference Therein the 1997 Editions of the Uniform Building Code, the Uniform Building Security Code, the Uniform Code for Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, the Uniform Sign Code, the Uniform Mechanical Code, the Uniform Plumbing Code, and the 1999 National Electrical Code. C- la. Remove from table. MOTION: Councilman Measles MOVED to remove Ordinance No. 1813-99 from the table. Councilman Bookey SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. C- lb. Consideration of ordinance. MOTION: Councilman Measles MOVED for adoption of Ordinance No. 1813-99 and Councilman Moore SECONDED the motion. There were no public comments. Bookey asked Building Official Springer what the difference was in KMC 4.05.031, Plan Review Fees (text stated "...plan review fees shall be 65% of the building permit fee...") from the existing code. Springer explained the existing code is 65% of the permit fee. He added, this addition changes the residential plan review fee to 20%. Bookey asked if the fee is being set by the city or is it included in the actual building code. Springer answered, the 65% was in the actual building code, the 20% was not. KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 17, 1999 PAGE 3 Bookey noted, the city would be reducing the permit cost from 65% to 20% and giving the general public a 40% decrease in the building permit fee. Springer concurred. Swarner asked what the percentage of the building fee is in Soldotna. Springer answered, Soldotna did not have a plan review fee, however their permit fee is much higher than Kenai's. Swarner asked what the reason was for reducing the plan review fee. Springer answered, Kenai's plan review is a cursory review and the public is not getting a great deal of service for the previous fee. Swarner asked if there is a fee for the building official to visit a house being built, making sure the house is being built on the proper site. Springer answered, there is no fee for that service. Moore asked if there is no fee for that service, does the building official rely on the plot plan/ surveyors' information or does he make the measurements. Springer answered, during his initial inspection, he takes appropriate measurements to insure the building is not encroaching. He added, there is no city fee for the plot plan review. Springer noted, fees for a $100,000-valued house (approximately 1200 sq. ft.) in Kenai for a plan review and permit fee is approximately $360 and in Soldotna, the permit fee is $1,018. He added, Soldotna does not charge a plan review fee. In Palmer (who does charge a plan review fee), the fees for the same valued house would cost $L639. Springer continued, if the city reduces the plan review fee, the permit would drop approximately $100 to $262. Swarner asked if the services would decrease with the decrease in the fee. Springer answered, no. Swarner asked if the city's costs would remain the same, but would charge less. Springer answered yes. Swarner stated she was concerned with portions of the ordinance because of the history of encroachments and setbacks in the last recession time when houses were found to be situated improperly on lots. She added, she wanted to make sure the house is really situated properly on the as -built. She asked if the ordinance would do that. Springer answered, yes, he believed so. He added, during the initial footing inspection he measures for the required setbacks to be sure they are maintained. Springer added, he believed the ordinance would allow for better code enforcement by the city for setbacks and encroachments. Swarner asked if anything could be done to make a tighter ordinance or an additional ordinance requiring stake -to -stake building corners required and done by the surveyor. Springer answered, doing that would place an additional burden and cost on the builder or homeowner. Swarner noted, the permit costs to the builder/ owner would be less, however. Springer stated if Swarner was asking to make the ordinance more restrictive, having the surveyor stake the corners would do that. Moore stated, from personal experience, he thought the ordinance would reduce the cost to the taxpayers and shift it to the private sector because of the requirements in the code for plot plans, inspections and as-builts after construction is completed. He KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 17, 1999 PAGE 4 added, if mechanisms were in place in the code to insure what is required and what the city won't have to do, the city would rely more on third -party surveyors to do the work. Springer noted, at this time the original intent of the ordinance was to require the land surveyor to provide a plot plan to the builder/owner and then they would submit it to the city for review. With the change, the work wouldn't have to be done by a land surveyor. Springer explained, now the builder/ owner draws a plot plan of where he wants to place the house and gives that to the land surveyor who enters the information into his computer. The surveyor then prints it, stamps it, and gives it to the builder who submits it to the city and gets a building permit. He added, the land surveyor does not leave his office to locate the house on the property. A plot plan is being required that doesn't do anything because when the as -built survey comes back, the house is never located where it was shown on the plot plan. Springer added, the builder /owner would still be required to submit a plot plan, but it could be drawn by the builder/ owner. When Springer does the initial inspection and cannot determine they are within the setback requirement, the builder would then be required to have a surveyor locate the house on the property. Frazer asked if Springer knows how many violations he's finding with encroachments, etc. when he does the initial inspections. Springer answered, he reviewed encroachment permits for the past five years and he noted there were five new buildings constructed that had encroachments. Frazer asked if they were owner/builder problems or building contractor problems. Springer answered, he thought it was some of each. Williams explained the city had been struggling with these problems for a long time and it was brought to attention in the late 80's/early 90's when there was a rush on foreclosures and it was found there were many encroachment problems being found. Williams added, the ordinance would act as a safeguard so that at the initial inspection, if the site plan is not accurate, etc., administrative authority would require the permit holder to provide a site plan stamped by a registered land surveyor. He added, the responsibility is placed on the building inspector. Williams added, he liked the changes being made with this ordinance. Williams referred to changes being made to KMC 4.25.040, plumbing material standards and noted in paragraph (c), PVC piping would not be allowed to be used for outside water service lines. Springer stated it was being added to the list of materials not to be used outside because if it freezes, it cannot be thawed. C-2. Ordinance No. 1814-99 -- Appropriating $4,000 for Improvements at Cunningham Park. C-2a. Motion for Introduction MOTION: KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 17, 1999 PAGE 5 Councilman Bannock MOVED for introduction of Substitute Ordinance No. 1814-99 and Councilman Moore SECONDED the motion. Councilman Measles requested UNANIMOUS CONSENT. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. C-2b. Motion for Second Reading (Requires a Unanimous Vote) MOTION: Councilwoman Swarner MOVED for the second reading of Ordinance No. 1814-99 and Councilman Bookey SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. C-2c. Motion for Adoption MOTION. Councilwoman Swarner MOVED for adoption of Ordinance No. 1814-99 and Councilman Bookey SECONDED the motion. Bill Nelson -- Wm. J. Nelson 8. Associates. Nelson reported the plan was redesigned after receiving comments from council and permitting agencies. He noted, the last time council and he discussed the project, they discussed different options for bidding the project. It was decided to break the project into segments and see how the bids would break the costs out. Nelson noted, the low bid came within four to five percent of his engineer's estimate. Williams noted the Kenai River Sportfishing organization increased their donation by $41,000 (a copy of their letter was attached to the substitute ordinance, distributed at the beginning of the meeting). MOTION: Councilman Measles MOVED to amend Ordinance No. 1814-99 to read, "increasing revenues and appropriations by..." in the ordinance heading. Councilman Bannock SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. VOTE ON MAIN AMENDED MOTION: Frazer: Yes Williams: Yes Bookey: Yes Swarner: Yes Moore: Yes Measles: Yes Bannock: Yes MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 17, 1999. PAGE 6 C-3. Resolution No. 99-12 -- Transferring $1,750 in the Airport Land Special Revenue Fund for Increased Communication Costs. MOTION: Councilman Measles MOVED for adoption of Resolution No. 99-12 and requested UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Councilwoman Swarner SECONDED the motion. There were no public or council comments. VOTE: There were no objections. SO ORDERED. C-4. Resolution No. 99-13 -- Approving a Contract to Peninsula Construction, Inc. for the Project Entitled Cunningham Park Habitat Restoration 8s Site Improvements for the Total Amount of $103,947.50 Which Includes Only the Basic Bid. MOTION: Councilman Moore MOVED for approval of the Substitute Resolution No. 99-13 and Councilman Bookey SECONDED the motion. Bill Nelson -- Wm. J. Nelson 8. Associates. Nelson explained, the basic bid for the main part of the project included re-establishment of vegetation along the river bank, construction of a handicap -accessible trail from the river bank to the parking area, trail, landscaping, grading, seeding and building a portion of elevated walkway to the river front. He continued, Additive Alternate No. 1 included improvements to the parking area (expanding, grading, and landscaping) . Additive Alternate No. 2 included additional bank improvements downstream. Additive Alternate No. 3 provided for additional walkway at the top of the bank and a second stairs to the walkway. Additive Alternate No. 4 would make the grating on the walkways meet ADA requirements (spacing of bars on the grating) . Additive Alternate No. 5 would provide for an interpretative sign, crediting the city and the Kenai River Sportfishing organization. Nelson noted, the low bid for the sign was $2,500 and the organization didn't want to spend that much on the sign. Nelson reported, Kenai River Sportfishing chose to fund the basic bid and Additive Alternates 3 and 4. Nelson noted there were only two bids received, although approximately ten bidders attended the pre -bid conference and took out bid packages. He noted, the lack of bids may have been due to the fact habitat restoration is somewhat specialized. Nelson noted there was a significant difference between the two bids. He added, he KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 17, 1999 PAGE 7 worked with Peninsula Construction on a Soldotna project similar to this project and was confident Peninsula Construction could do the job for what they bid and didn't think they omitted anything in the bid. Moore stated he had a relative involved with Peninsula Construction, however, Moore was not financially involved with Peninsula Construction. Moore asked if the city's administrative costs would increase due to the increase in the project budget. Public Works Director Kornelis answered, he did not anticipate more cost for administration of the project. Nelson noted, he had not included the work he had done on the improvements to the parking area in his work proposal costs. Kornelis noted, Nelson did do the design work and used all the funding in the budget for that work. He added, one more inspection was needed, however Nelson wrote a letter stating he would do the inspection without charge. Williams thanked Nelson for his kindness. Williams asked council if they were interested in spending additional funds for the park sign as Martha Cunningham had wanted. Bookey suggested if council wanted to consider funding for the sign, he would like the discussion to take place during their review of the Parks & Recreation Department budget. VOTE: There were no objections. SO ORDERED. C-6. Resolution No. 99-14 -- Supporting S. 25, The Conservation and Reinvestment Act of 1999. MOTION: Councilman Bookey MOVED for approval of Resolution No. 99-14 and Councilman Moore SECONDED the motion. There were no public comments. Williams explained, the bill delineated the monies that would be split between the federal government, state governments and local governments for a variety of projects that may be associated with impacts of coastal communities. He added, he had discussed the matter with both Congressman Young and Senator Murkowski's office staff who were extremely interested in having the reinvestment act passed. Williams noted there is approximately $4.6 billion involved, of which 50 % would be put into conservation programs and $131 million would come to the State of Alaska. Of that, 60% of those funds would go directly to communities based on the programs and projects those communities envisioned. Williams noted, the city would be deeply interested in obtaining some of the money for the bluff erosion control project. KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 17, 1999 PAGE 8 Williams reported, the Alaska delegation in Washington co-authored the bill and was supporting it. Bookey asked if the major reason the council was offering the resolution in support of the bill was because the delegation was supporting the it. Williams answered yes. VOTE: There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM D: COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REPORTS D-1. Council on Aging -- Councilwoman Swarner reminded council of the breakfast scheduled for March 23 at the Senior Center. D-2., Airport Commission -- Councilman Measles reported a meeting was held on March 11. The minutes were not included in the packet. He noted, the meeting was short as there was not much on the agenda. The Commission discussed general airport matters. D-3. Harbor Commission -- Councilman Bookey reported a meeting was held on March 8 and the main discussion was about a request by Paul Dale of Snug Harbor Seafoods to use the existing city crane at the dock on a wharfage basis instead of a full rate and have use of the fueling system. Discussion centered around the liability to the city if non -employees would be using the fueling system. Dale is to be submit a written request to the Harbor Commission further defining his request. Bookey added, the Commission also reviewed the report on the bluff erosion study done by Nottingham, Petratrovich and Drage (to be discussed further at H-5). The study received favorable comments from the Commission. D-4, Library Commission -- Councilman Moore reported the minutes of the Commission's March 2 meeting were included in the packet. He noted, the Library's 50thAnniversary party was a great success. D-5. Parks & Recreation Commission -- Councilman Frazer reported the minutes of the Commission's March 4 meeting were included in the packet. He noted, the major portion of the meeting involved a discussion regarding the multi -use facility. The Commission heard a report of the design process from Nate Kiel (member of user group) . Frazer also reported the specifications for the excavation portion of the work would be available on March 15 and the bid opening was scheduled for April 14. Parks & Recreation Director Frates noted the Commission was also requesting council to change their regular meeting date for April as a number of their members KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 17, 1999 PAGE 9 would be out-of-town and a quorum would not be available. Frates requested the April meeting be moved to April 15. Council had no obj ections for the meeting change. Frates also noted a request had been made by the KCHS After -Prom Committee to use the Recreation Center for after -prom activities free of charge. Council voiced no objections to making the facility available at no charge. D-6. Planning & Zoning Commission -- Councilman Bannock reported the minutes of the April 10 meeting were not available. He noted, the meeting was brief. The Commission postponed action on the request for a conditional use permit for a storage yard along Beaver Loop Road until their second meeting in April. Bannock also noted, the Commission was one member short. Mayor Williams noted the memo included in the packet which listed those persons with applications on file. Also attached was a memorandum from Bernie Brown who had interviewed for the council seat. Brown indicated in his memo he was also interested in an appointment to the Commission. Clerk Freas reported she had not had notification from any of the other persons who interviewed for the council seat stating they were interested in the Commission appointment. However, she did add a note to Schrag's letter stating she would assume he was still interested in the Commission seat (since he had interviewed for it and had an application on file) unless he notified her differently. Freas stated Schrag had not called to say he was no longer interested in the Commission appointment. Council made no appointments, deciding to discuss the matter at a future meeting. D-7. Miscellaneous Commissions and Committees D-7a. Beautification Committee -- Swarner reported the minutes of the Committee's March 9 meeting were included in the packet. She noted, Kathy Tarr of the Visitors Center attended the meeting and reported on upcoming summer activities planned for the Center. Swarner also reported Boy Scout Chris Walker also attended the meeting to discuss his participation in planting and maintenance of the Erik Hansen Scout Park. Also, Swarner noted plants were sprouting at the City's greenhouse. D-7b. Historic District Board -- Councilman Moore reported the Board would meet next on April 19. D-7c. Kenai Visitors & Convention Bureau Board -- Councilman Bookey reported the Board would meet next on April 12. Kathy Tarr -- Executive Director/ Kenai Visitors & Cultural Center. Tarr apologized for not forwarding the Board's minutes for council's packet. She noted, she had been short-staffed and was behind in the preparation of the minutes. KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 17, 1999 PAGE 10 Tarr reported a "Get to Know Kenai" reception was scheduled for April 29 at 9:00 a.m. at the Visitors Center. She explained, they were inviting business people in the community and their employees who work directly with the public and visitors. They want to educate those attending of activities taking place in the community during the summer, what's available to do in Kenai, etc. so they can pass the information on to visitors as well as residents. Tarr added, Councilman Bookey and Parks & Recreation Director Frates were also involved in the planning and presentations to be made. Tarr also reported she was involved in a statewide teleconference regarding visitor bureaus in the state. She explained, discussion involved the restructuring and privatizing of the tourism marketing industry and what the impact will be on visitors' centers throughout the state. Tarr added, it would mean more money would have to be raised from the industry and not requested from the government. Tarr also reported the Gold Rush sign will be placed in late summer on the right side yard of the Visitors Center. She added, the State will be doing the site work and place the sign with landscaping and a bench included. D-7d. Alaska Municipal League Report -- No report. BREAK TAKEN. 8:05 P.M. BACK TO ORDER: 8:11 P.M. TTRM E! MTNTTTES E-14, Special Meeting of January 26, 1999 -- Approved by consent agenda. E-2. Special Meeting of January 28, 1999 -- Approved by consent agenda. E-3. Regular Meeting of March 3, 1999 -- 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 Measles SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 17, 1999 PAGE 11 H-2. Purchase Orders Exceeding $2,500 MOTION: Councilman Bookey MOVED to approve the purchase orders exceeding $2,500 and Councilwoman Swarner SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. H-3. Approval -- Memorandum of Agreement Between the City of Kenai and the Alaska Challenger Center for Space Science Technology, Inc. Bill Popp -- Project Coordinator/Alaska Challenger Center. Popp explained the Agreement basically recapped discussions council and the Challenger Board had over the year and defined roles and obligations of the parties regarding the construction of the Center and the Multipurpose Recreational Facility. Attorney Graves reported the Agreement was written by Popp and submitted to himself, Ross and La Shot for review and who made suggestions for changes. The changes were made. Administration had no objections to the Agreement. Moore referred to Paragraph 3 and questioned the city's providing inspections and permits for no charge. He asked if this was a normal procedure. La Shot answered, in the past, the city had waived permit fees for the schools. Waivers were considered on a case -by -case basis. MOTION: Councilman Bannock MOVED for approval of the Memorandum of Agreement Between the City of Kenai and the Alaska Challenger Center for Space Science Technology, Inc. Councilman Measles SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. H-4. Approval -- Assignment of Lease/Kenai Municipal Airport Restaurant from Don A. Middleton to Susan and Gary Schnelting. Airport Manager Atha reported Middleton had paid the lease rate through March. The Schnelting's executed the lease assignment and submitted the property insurance documents. Gary and Susan Schnelting -- Mr. Schnelting explained they intended to provide a full line of food service and maintain business hours to coordinate with the amount of traffic at the airport. He added, their food service would be family -oriented. Schnelting noted, they planned to be open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. during the summer and 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. during the winter. He added, they hoped to be open for business the second week of April. KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 17, 1999 PAGE 12 MOTION: Councilman Measles MOVED for approval of the Assignment of Lease at the Kenai Municipal Airport Restaurant from Don A. Middleton to Susan and Gary Schnelting. Councilwoman Swarner SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. H-5. Discussion -- Kenai Coastal Trail Reconnaissance Study (Kenai Bluff Erosion Study) -- Nottingham, Peratrovich & Drage, Inc. Williams referred to a memorandum included in the packet from City Manager Ross, as well as information received from Nottingham, Peratrovich 8v Drage (NPD). Will Jahrig -- Jahrig (Harbor Commission Chair) explained, the project would be exciting for the Harbor Commission as well as the City of Kenai. He noted, a lot of the history of the city was being lost due to the bluff erosion. He added, the project would include property from the old Daubenspeck property with rock riprap or sheet piling along the water and would proceed along the toe of the bluff to the beach. He noted, there would be 200' pedestrian drawbridge to go across the creek in order to access the beach frontage in front of the Old Town area. The project would continue to the Sewer Treatment Plant. Jahrig noted, there was growing interest for recreational uses of the area, i.e. walking, cross-country skiing, jogging, bike paths, etc. Improvements to the bluff could make the area more user and tourist -friendly. Jahrig added, NPD was very experienced with projects such as this and had suggestions from where to acquire funding for the project. Jahrig noted, NPD suggested the project could be done for approximately $ 5 million. He noted, he believed this amount would only cover one-half to one-third of the actual costs of the project. He added, doing the project would improve habitat for fish rearing in the river, increase recreational use of the area, as well as save the historical area of the city. Jahrig added, the Kenai Visitors Center was also enthused about the project. He encouraged council to consider going forward with the project. A general discussion followed regarding the affects of the dipnet fishery and the bluff. Williams noted the study referred to a lesser grade on the slope of the bluff, which could entice people to walk up and down the bluff to access the beach. Jahrig noted, barricading would be needed to keep pedestrians off the face of the bluff. He added, the Commission suggested three different access areas to the bluff and wanted to make sure enough break water at the gabion area would be available to protect the existing grassland area. Discussion followed regarding possible funding sources. Williams suggested the possibility of funding from the highway transportation bill. Jahrig stated he believed KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 17, 1999 PAGE 13 there would be multiple areas from where funding might be acquired. Kornelis noted engineering for this project could be $1 million. Moore asked what the projected costs were to acquire the rights -of -way. Jahrig answered, that information was not included in the study. He added, a large percentage of the properties had no buildings on them. Williams asked if council had directives for administration. Bookey referred to the memorandum included in the packet from City Manager Ross wherein it stated Kornelis would be meeting with representatives from NPD. Bookey suggested no action be taken until Kornelis attends the meeting and could report back to council. ITEM I: I-1. Mayor ADMINISTRATION REPORTS a. AML Conference -- Williams referred to information included in the packet regarding the responsibilities of cities hosting the AML Conference. Williams indicated he requested funds be included in the Legislative budget to host a reception for AML Conference attendees at the ARFF. b. Washington, DC Trip Report -- Williams reported while in Washington to attend the Congress of Cities Conference, he had positive meetings with Senator Murkowski's staff, Senator Stevens, and Congressman Young and his staff. He noted, they discussed the Outer Continental Shelf legislation which Murkowski had introduced. Williams also briefly reported on seminars he attended regarding internet and catalog sales and how they affect sales tax revenue for municipalities. He noted, the Congress recognized they would have to discuss taxing electronic commerce sales because they encompass a very high volume of sales which represented billions in lost sales tax revenue. I-2, City Manager -- Acting City Manager Semmens reported the Public Opinion Survey was distributed to council for their review. I-3. Attorney -- No report. I-4, City Clerk -- Clerk Freas referred to a memorandum distributed at the beginning of the meeting in which she asked if council wanted to hold a reception for city volunteers during National Volunteer Week in April. If so, where did they want to hold the reception and if an advertisement should be published listing the city's volunteers. Council set the reception for April 20, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the Kenai Visitors Center. KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 17, 1999 PAGE 14 Williams noted an AML Legislative Committee meeting had been scheduled for April 29-30 in Juneau. Freas noted a Peninsula Coalition meeting had been tentatively scheduled for April 19. She added, Assemblyman Navarre was to call and verify the date, time and place. I-5. Finance Director -- Semmens reported the department heads had been meeting with he and City Manager Ross to review budgets. He added, council would be asked to set budget work sessions at their next council meeting. I-6, Public Works -- Public Works Director Kornelis reported he was working with DOT to finalize the Mission Street project. He noted, the city's portion of the costs had not yet been received and he was negotiating some change orders. The change orders would be before council for consideration in the near future. I-7, Airport Manager -- No report. ITEM J: DISCUSSION J-1. Citizens a. Will Jahrig -- Reported the Kenai Visitors Center had a new website and he invited everyone to visit it and make comments. He noted the website address was www.visitkenai.com. Jahrig also reported the KVCC would be offering a trip to the west side of Cook Inlet from Nikiski around the first of May and invited those interested to contact the Visitors Center. J-2. Council Bookey -- No report. Swarner -- Stated she was excited the restaurant had been leased and would be open for business. Swarner also reported she attended the Watershed Forum reception and was impressed with their display. Moore -- Questioned Kornelis in regard to the Redoubt Avenue project. Kornelis reported he was last told the state had hoped to have the committed funds by the end of August. He added, he didn't believe construction would begin until the spring of 2000. Bookey asked if the storm water runoff was being redesigned. Kornelis answered yes, the state was trying to find a way to meet the DEC requirements. He added, he KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 17, 1999 PAGE 15 had requested the state to hold another public hearing on the project at city hall. A list of the property owners affected is being compiled to contact about the public hearing. Measles -- No report. Bannock -- No report. Frazer -- Stated he attended the Economic Forum held at the Senior Center on Saturday. He added, he thought it interesting none of the work groups had mentioned a state income tax. Frazer continued, he thought it a positive meeting and enjoyed attending it. Williams stated he thought it interesting the way the groups presented themselves. He added, the attendees even capitulated there would be a cap placed on the Permanent Fund Dividend and a shift in finances of the Permanent Fund. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None Scheduled ITEM K: ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at approximately 9:06 p.m. Minutes transcribed and prepared by: /114 Carol L. Freas, 6ity Clerk 142, 1U 'XIM r ieX