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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-01-13 Council Minutes - Work SessionKENAI CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION JANUARY 1391997 KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M. COUNCIL PRESENT: Williams, Moore, Bookey, Bannock Swarner and Smalley. STAFF PRESENT: Graves, Ross, Semmens, Paulsen Others present: Tim Navarre, Steve Kadel (Clarion) The work session began at approximately 7:12 p.m. City Manager Rick Ross presented Council with a draft evaluation form for scoring resumes and a list of general themes to look for in evaluating the essay questions. Ross developed these items to help Council screen applicants for the City Manager position. After discussion about themes, it was decided to add "Relationship to Community" to the heading Mole of Manager. No other changes were made to the list of themes. Council reviewed the evaluation form item by item and discussed scoring. In the end, no changes were made to the basic form. It was suggested that room be allowed on the tally sheet for comments by the reviewer. It was decided to meet again on Monday, January 27, 1997 for another work session on: 1. Finalization of background investigation- process and questions for interviews; 2. Set dates for February work sessions; and 3. Presentation by Finance Director of FY98 projections, use of fund balance.� discussion of future implications. Discussion with Council on parameters which the FY98 budget should be prepared. ,fin Q RNME __ The work session ended at approximately 8:50 p.m. • • E AGENDA KENAI CITY COUNCIL - REGULAR MEETING JANUARY 15, 1997 7l00 P.M. KENAI CITY COUNCIL CRMWERB https//www.Kenai.net/city 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. B. 0C88DULED PUBLIC COHN (10 Minutes) 1. Ginger Steffy, Chairman of Board of Direatora, Challenger Learning Center. - -7-137Le- ordinance No. 1731-97 - Amending Kenai Municipal Code 3.05.030 and 3.25.080(c)(2) to Reflect the Change in Administration of the Animal Control Department from Public Works to the Police Department. 2. ordinance No. 1732-97 - Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations by $28,000 in the General Fund for Contracted Services of the Interim City Manager. 3. Resolution No. 97-1 - Awarding a Lease for the Kenai Municipal Airport Terminal Restaurant to Don A. Middleton under the Terms Stated in the Hid Proposal Submitted January 9, 1997. 4. Resolution No. 97-2 - Transferring $1,200 in the General Fund for the Purchase of a Computer in the Finance Department. 5. 1997/98 Liquor License Renewal - Oaken Keg #58 - Package Store. Page 1 of 3 • • �J • YI Y • . Y i A • .L .. 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. Challenger Steering Committee d. Kenai Visitors & Convention Bureau Board e. Alaska Municipal League Report E. MINDTES 1. *Regular Meeting of January 8, 1997. E. CORRESPONDENCE _"L-i = 1 = , �1 1. Bills to be Paid, Bills to be Ratified 2. Purchase Orders Exceeding $2,50O 3. Discussion - Change of fine structure for Library. 4. *OrdiaaaoeNo. 1733-97 - Appropriating $15,000 of Grants Received for Development of the Alaska Challenger Learning Center and Authorizing the Transmittal of this Grant Money to the Alaska Challenger Center for Space, Science and Technology, a Not -for -profit Corporation. I. ADMINISTRATION RFPO„RT8 1. Mayor 2. City Manager 3. Attorney 4. City Clerk 5. Finance Director 6. Public Works Director 7. Airport Manager Page 2 of 3 J. g=scoss=opt 1. Citizens (five minutes) 2. Council C:\WP60\DOCS\MINUTES\AGENDA\011597.AGN 0 Page 3of3 • 0 KENAI CITY COUNCIL MEETING M[INMS JAN(JARY 159 1997 7:00 P.M. KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MAYOR JOHN J. WILLIAMS, PRESIDING ITEM A: CALL TO ORDER Mayor Williams called the meeting to order at approximately 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers in Kenai City Hall. A-1, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Williams led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance. A-2. ROLL CALL Roll was taken by the Acting City Clerk. Present were: Swarner, Moore, Measles, Bannock, Smalley, Williams, and Bookey. A-3. AGENDA APPROVAL Mayor Williams requested the following changes to the agenda: REMOVE FROM CONSENT AGENDA ITEM E-1: Minutes of Regular Meeting of January 8, 1997. Error noted under Item C-1. Item should have included the vote on Ordinance No. 1729-96 as follows: VOTE: Bookey: Yes Measles: Yes Smalley: Yes Swarner: Yes Bannock: Yes Williams: Yes Moore: Yes MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. MOTION: Councilman Smalley MOVED for approval of the amended agenda and requested UNANIMOUS CONSENT. Linda Swarner SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. Kenai City Council Meeting Minutes January 15,1997 Page 2 of 12 A-4. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION: Councilman Smalley MOVED for approval of the amended consent agenda and requested UNANIMOUS CONSENT. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM B: SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENT B-1. Ginger Steffy, Chairman of Board of Directors, Challenger Learning Center. Steffy said she would provide an update on the Challenger project. She stated that they are now incorporated as a non-profit corporation and are in the process of applying for a 501-C3. The by-laws have been voted on and accepted, the Board of Directors have been seated, the officers have been elected, and the standing committee is established. She said that she is now the President of the Board of Directors. • Steffy stated that one committee is the most important --the Board of Governors —because if it doesn't do its job, the other committees cannot do their jobs. She said the Board of Governors will be responsible for helping to raise the capital funds for this project. John Williams, Pat Ladner, Kathy Scott and Steffy have been working on a list of possible members, and some invitations have been extended and received, she said. Don Gilman, Ann Campbell and Andy Billick have accepted positions on the Board of Governors. A luncheon will be held in Anchorage on February 11, 1997 for others on the list of possible members, Steffy reported. She said she hopes they will want to become involved. Steffy stated they are looking for members who know where the money is and are in a position to influence support for the project —whether from individuals, organizations or government agencies. She said the intent is to have the Board assigned, organized and fully operational by the end of February. Steffy reported that they made a presentation just before Christmas to Senator Stevens, asking for his help in obtaining funds for the project. They told him they need $2.5 million to use as leverage to obtain matching funds for $1.5 million from the state and $1 million from private and corporate funding —for a total of $5 million for the project. Steffy said Stevens was very interested in the project. She said he told them he could not get a direct appropriation for the Challenger; it will have be to appropriated through NASA. Steffy stated that the Board is currently working with Senator Stevens' staff to accomplish this. Steffy stated that the $5 million is higher than the $3.5 million stated in the feasibility study. During the National Conference on Science and Technology Centers which several Board members attended • in October, they learned about some things that they hadn't considered in the planning and in Kenai City Council Meeting Minutes • January 15,1997 Page 3 of 12 • 0 completing the feasibility study. Steffy showed photos of the Challenger Learning Center at the Wheeling Jesuit College. She said that the Kenai Board's ideas about an electronic classroom are on target based on what they saw there. Steffy also stated that the Board members gained a better understanding of the cost of the Learning Center and the technology that will be involved. Therefore, a reassessment was required of the costs of combining the Challenger Learning Center, an electronic classroom and an exploratorium to the best advantage, she said. Steffy reported that the activity associated with the Center continues to grow. A $7500 grant was received from the Enhanced State -based Teacher Outreach Program, she said. This grant will allow 3 people to attend the Colorado Space Education Conference later this month, and a group of selected teachers will be hosted to a 2-day familiarization trip on March 15 to Seattle to attend an on -site orientation and experience the Challenger Program. The participants of these trips will form the basis of a group, Steffy said, that will plan and conduct a symposium in Anchorage in the fall of 1997. The Board has applied for a second $7500 grant to pay for that, she said. Governor Knowles and Senator Stevens have been invited to the March 15 event in Seattle, Steffy reported; and she extended an invitation to any or all of the City Council to attend as well. "... I am confident that you would find it well worth the time and expense," Steffy stated. The City of Kenai has been identified as the final owner of the Challenger facility, Steffy said. It would be administered by the Alaska Challenger Board of Directors, and it will be self-supporting by the third year of its operation, according to Steffy. The Board of Governors, Steffy hopes, will continue to function to establish an endowment for operating monies and future expansion. The Alaska Aerospace Corporation has agreed to help the Challenger gain legislative support, Steffy stated. She said they have provided one of the $5000 grants to the Challenger Center. The Kenai Peninsula School District will work to help develop a curriculum. ITEM C: PUBLIC HEARINGS C-1. Ordinance No,1731-97 - Amending Kenai Municipal Code 3.05.030 and • 3.25.080(c)(2) to Reflect the Change in Administration of the Animal Control Department From Public Works to the Police Department. MOTION: Councilman Smalley MOVED to approve Ordinance No. 1731-97. Councilwoman Swarner SECONDED the motion. There were no public or Council comments. Kenai City Council Meeting Minutes January 15,1997 Page 4 of 12 VOTE: Swarner: Yes Bannock: Yes Williams: Yes Moore: Yes Smalley: Yes Bookey: Yes Measles: Yes MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. C-2. Ordinance No.1732-97 - Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations by $28,000 in the General Fund for Contracted Services of the Interim City Manager. MOTION: Councilman Bookey MOVED to approve Ordinance 1732-97. Councilwoman Swarner SECONDED the motion. There were no public or Council comments. VOTE: Bookey: Yes Measles: Yes Smalley. Yes Swarner: Yes Bannock: Yes Williams: Yes Moore: Yes MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. C-3. Resolution No. 97-1- Awarding a Lease for the Kenai Municipal Airport Terminal Restaurant to Don A. Middleton Under the Terms Stated in the Bid Proposal Submitted January 9, 1997. MOTION: Councilman Measles MOVED to approve Resolution 97-1. Councilwoman Swamer SECONDED the motion. Don Middleton spoke. He said he will name the restaurant Quimby I's after the first woman aviator in the USA, and they will use that as a theme for decorating. He plans to provide espresso and home- made soup and sandwiches. He said they want to operate 7 days per week and stay open longer hours. He said they will open as soon after March 1, 1997 as they can. • No objection to UNANIMOUS CONSENT. SO ORDERED. .0 Kenai City Council Meeting Minutes • January 1591997 Page 5 of 12 C-4. MOTION: Resolution No. 97-2 - Transferring $1,200 in the General Fund for the Purchase of a Computer in the Finance Department. Councilman Smalley MOVED to approve Resolution 95-67. Councilman Bookey SECONDED the motion. Councilman Moore stated that he believes the entire City needs to look at networking their computer systems. He also said he remembers buying the former Finance Director a computer, and he asked what happened to that one. Finance Director Larry Semmens answered that that computer is currently on his desk; he said the new computer will be used by the Accountant who currently has no computer. Mayor Williams asked about the current large computer in the Finance Department and whether or not the PC's being purchased can be connected to it. Semmens answered that they will all work together with the new network. No objection to UNANIMOUS CONSENT. SO ORDERED. C-5. 1997/98 Liquor License Renewal - Oaken Keg #58 - Package Store. Councilman Smalley stated that in the past the Council has not protested unless the establishment owed money to the City. Councilwoman Swarner stated that the form notes that the problem is with the Seldovia Oaken Keg --not the one in Kenai. Council advised Clerk that City of Kenai will not protest this license renewal. ITEM D: COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REPORTS D-1. Council on Aging Councilwoman Swarner reported that there are two vacancies. She suggested Peggy Arness and Arlene Enfield to fill them. She stated that members do not have to be residents of the City. Council appointed Amess and Enfield to the Council on Aging. Swarner also reminded Council of the town meeting on Saturday at the Senior Center from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. D-2. Airport Commission Councilman Measles reported the Commission met last Thursday. The minutes are in the packet. . Kenai City Council Meeting Minutes January 15,1997 -Page 6 of 12 D-3. Harbor Commission Councilman Bookey reported there was a work session Monday night which he was not able to attend. The next meeting is February 10. D4. Library Commission Councilman Moore reported the next meeting is February 4 with the City Council at 7:30 p.m. Councilman Smalley stated he will have to miss that meeting. D-5. Parks & Recreation Commission Councilman Bannock reported they met on January 9. He pointed out the memo from Bob Frates in the packet regarding the need for a cemetery committee. The Commission feels there is a need for this committee which would be responsible for planning any expansions of the cemetery, enforcement of rules, mapping, and other things that are not being done right now. The decision would have to be made whether the new committee would report to the Parks & Rec Commission or directly to the • Council. Councilman Bannock stated that the "Cunningham Park movement" was also discussed at the meeting. Overall the project idea "was not warmly received." However, the Commission did discuss an idea to put the Cunningham house on the golf course for use during the wintertime by the cross- country ski program. Replacement of pool tables at the Rec Center was discussed. More information will be available -on that project in the next Council packet. The Commission went over the new budget items and talked about the large amount of money that they will be asking Council for to replace some old equipment. Councilman Smalley commented that in the State of Minnesota if anyone wants to ski anywhere in the state they must purchase a license. Councilman Bannock stated the next meeting will be on February 6 and he will be out of town; so he has asked Councilman Smalley to attend for him. Mayor Williams commented that he doesn't care where the Cunningham house is put, but he feels it is important to save it because of its age and historical value. Councilman Bookey said he isn't sure this building is worth saving. He stated the City has old buildings set aside that they have yet to do anything with. Williams reminded Council that the owners will be constructing a new building on the • Kenai City Council Meeting Minutes January is, im Page 7 of 12 site in the spring. He asked Council's permission to have Administration look into the possibility of moving the cabin. Council agreed but does not want any money spent on the project yet. D4. Planning & Zoning Commission Councilman Smalley reported the Commission minutes are in the packet and Councilman Bannock will be attending the next meeting for him. D-7. Miscellaneous Commissions and Committees a. Beautification Committee - Councilwoman Swarner reported that one of the possible themes for the coming year is "Beautifying Highways and Byways" to tie in with the banner project. The Committee requested that Council change their meeting time to 5:00 p.m. until June because it works better for their members. Council had no objection to that change. Swarner stated that because of the way the snow has been removed, particularly at Leif Hansen Park, some bushes will probably need to be replaced this year. b. Townsite Historic Board - Councilman Moore reported the next meeting is January 20. Mayor Williams asked Moore to bring up the issue of the Cunningham cabin to the Board. C. ChMenger Steering Committee - No report. Councilman Bannock said the name should be changed to Challenger Board. d. Kenai Visitors and Convention Bureau Board - Councilman Bookey reported that the meeting of January 13 was canceled, and the next meeting is scheduled for January 20. e. Alaska Municipal League - Councilwoman Swarner reported that the Economic Development and Land Use subcommittee met and talked about bills that pertain to them. One in particular involves repealing the coastal management program and bears watching. She told Council if any of them have bills'that are relevant to land use and economic development they should let her know. Mayor Williams said there are some meetings related to lease sale 45 that will take place February 5, 6 and 7. Also the Challenger Board members have been invited to participate in a local talk show on Friday morning at 9:00 a.m., he said. ITEM E: MINUTES E-1. Regular Meeting of January 9,19970 • Kenai City Council Meeting Minutes January is$1997 • Page 8 of 12 MOTIONt Councilman Smalley MOVED to correct the minutes as noted. Councilwoman Swarner SECONDED the motion. No discussion. No objection to UNANIMOUS CONSENT. SO ORDERED. ITEM Ft None. ITEM G: None. ITEM Ht H-1. MOTION: CORRESPONDENCE OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS Bills to be Paid, Bills to be Ratified Councilman Smalley MOVED to pay the bills and Councilman Bookey SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. H-Z. Purchase Orders Exceeding $29500 MOTION: Councilman Smalley MOVED to approve the purchase orders over $2,500 and Councilman Measles SECONDED the motion. No objections. SO ORDERED. H-3. Discussion - Change of fine structure for Library. MOTION: Councilman Smalley MOVED for approval of the new fine structure. Councilwoman Swarner SECONDED the motion and asked for UNANIMOUS CONSENT. No objections. SO 1 0 0 Kenai City Council Meeting Minutes January 159 M Page of 12 H-4. *Ordinance No,1733-97 - Appropriating $15,000 of Grants Received for Development of the Alaska Challenger Learning Center and Authorizing the Transmittal of this Grant Money to the Alaska Challenger Center for Space, Science and Technology, a Not -for -profit Corporation. Approved by consent agenda. ITEM I: ADNM41STRATION REPORTS i I-1. Mayor - Going to Anchorage on Friday to meet with people from BP and attend reception for outgoing and incoming presidents of BP. Councilman Smalley said that he heard that BP is donating 200 Macintosh computers to the schools across the state, and ARCO may be doing the same thing. Smalley wondered if Parks & Rec may be interested in getting some. I-2, City Manager - Rick Ross stated he received a call from the Corps of Engineers who may be putting a regulatory office in the Kenai area. Ross asked Council to comment to him over the coming week so he can pass the word back to the Corps. Ross also told Council he would get a copy • of Title 7 to them. I-3. Attorney - No report. I-4. City Clerk - No report. I-S. Finance Director - No report. I-6. Public Works Director Kornelis reported that there would be a meeting on January 16 at 7:00 regarding STIP. He also said that DOT is not in favor of street light on Mission Street. Kornelis said he was told that Federal Highways would only pay for the underground conduit, junction boxes, and maybe the pole bases. They will not pay for the poles or the fixtures. Kornelis said he talked to Ross about it, and they suggest continuing with the street light design and bid whatever Federal Highways will not fund. Kornelis said he has had some inquires about cutting trees on city property for firewood. He said he continues to tell people they can cut trees that are down and dead only. Kornelis reported that well house y3 is up and naming. He said people should be able to see the water clearing up very shortly. The items still on the punch list are being addressed. Kenai city Council Meedug Minutes January 15,1997 Pageloorn I-7. Airport Manager Acting Airport Manager Keith Holland reported that 19959s enplanements were 130,355; and 1994's were 117.689. Also, he said that on March 13 the Airport Commission will have a public comment session regarding the master plan project. Mayor Williams commented that he noticed in the Airport Commission minutes that the Commis- sioners were not interested in seeing the Kenai Airport add service to Seattle. He said he was surprised at this because of the amount of traffic going to Seattle through Anchorage and the price of tickets to Anchorage. He said he knows they are concerned about the cost of modification to the airport, but he said he feels it's an idea worth pursuing. Williams stated that many jets now have the whisper jet engines that are much quieter than the old ones. �J: J-1. . J-2. DISCUSSION Citizens Council Bookey - He said the Coast Guard out of Kodiak is considering a move to Anchorage. He suggested that Kenai look into getting them here. Swamer - She pointed out that we just received $2,863.48 in fisheries business tax. She also said that one of the bills that the legislature is looking at is a bill that would decrease that even more and give it to the State. Swarner also asked for a report at budget time regarding the holiday party over the past two years. She asked for a break -down of the number of people attending, and the costs involved. She also would like information about how the parties are organized: who decides on the caterer, is there a committee, etc. Moore - Nothing. Measles - Nothing. Bannock - He will not be able to attend the February 1 Council meeting as he will be out of town. (Verbatim): • As all of you know, rumors and allegations of my financial conflict of interest in the rental car policy at the Kenai Airport have been flying since our last meeting. Let me set the record straight. I Kenai City Council Meeting Minutes January 15,1"7 Page 11 of 12 did not declare a conflict last week as, by our own definition, KMC 1.85.060(d) reads: No Council person may vote on any question in which he has a direct or indirect pecuniary interest. Direct or indirect pecuniary interests shall be disclosed to the presiding officer prior to a vote on the question and the presiding officer shall determine whether the financial interest exists and whether the prohibition from voting is applicable. A decision by the presiding officer may be overridden by a unanimous vote of the members present, exclusive of the member presenting the possible conflict. Now there are those who seem to know the internal management structure of my employer. I would, however, challenge them to refer to my conflict of interest statement which will be completed soon. It will outline my equity and ownership stake with my employer. Or I can save you the time. There is none. Not even an employer contribution to my 401K plan. My pay is based solely on auto sales. Nothing more, nothing less. Or they say I should have declared, as Mr. Moore did last week, that one of the involved parties in the debate is a client of mine. Again, I must point out, that taking a position on a policy, particularly in a discussion stage, in no way, shape or form would positively affect my financial relationship with that client. Is it still a conflict? Let's keep in mind exactly what the issue is. It's not Councilman Bannock versus Salesman Bannock; it's not my employer; it's not even the three current leaseholders. At issue is a debate over marketing theories, contractual fairness and policies that limit rather than encourage economic growth. Anyone who knows me, knows that I support the most free and open market conditions we can find. For me to support a policy of limitation should throw up the flags of "what's wrong?" or "What's up with Duane?" This is simply not the case nor will it be. In hindsight would I have done it differently? Perhaps I would have stated that my employer has been contacted by a national car rental franchise wanting to keep its presence in Kenai and looking for a good operator —not to ask for your permission to continue in the debate, but rather to save myself, my family and employer from the events of this last week's Airport meeting and from other members of this Council who choose to label my views as only those of personal financial gain. For you to criticize my political and/or economic views and positions is a part of this job I wholeheartedly accept. For you to call me a liar and a cheat is something that I cannot and will not accept. Smalley • He will be out of town next week so Councilman Bannock will be attending the P&Z meeting for him. • 0 Kenai City CouncU Meeting Minutes January 1591997 Page 12 of 12 'Williams ., He stated that most of take newspaper articles "with a grain of salt" because often the information is not completely accurate. He said recently there was an article regarding h built Council being in a collusive effort with State people over an office building being proposed in Kenai. Williams said, "I want to say here and now on behalf of this City Council, the Mayorf the and this Administration that there never has been nor is there now a collusive effort on the p the City of of Kenai and any state officials regarding any state office building proposed to be Kenai t would be Kenai." He said if he were in a collusive effort to get that building In the � at least five telling everyone. He said he chose not to try to get it for the City because private individuals who are trying to get it. ITEM K; ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:35 p.m. Minutes transcribed . /U . . .t) /,.) Shen and submitted by: