HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-04-17 Council Minutes - Budget Work SessionIry CITY COUNCIL
BUDGET WORK SESSION
APRIL 17,1997
COUNCIL CHAMBERS at 7:00 p.m.
COUNCIL PRESENT: Williams, Smalley, Measles, Bookey, Moore, Bannock (arrived at
7:20 p.m.)
ABSENT: Swarner (on vacation)
OTHERS PRESENT: Ross, Graves, Ernst, Kornelis, Paulsen, Frates, Rick Baldwin, Kam
Booth, Frank Fiala, Paul Gray, Bill Popp, Ginger Steffy, Sue Olsen and Joanne Hagen, and
others.
Mayor Williams began the meeting by stating that in this work session Council would like to
hear from the general public, look at budget items, and determine where to go with the budget.
I. PRESENTATIONS BY PUBLIC
a) lee Rik Facility: Rick Baldwin stated the time has come for the City to have an ice
rink. He said the ski trails the City has developed are great, and now the City needs a
"cold weather" ice rink. He said he would like to see an over-40 broomball league and
other activities so everyone can enjoy the rink. The rink could be a simple, low -
maintenance design, he said. He told Council that the best thing they could do for Kenai
is to "light it up and make it fun in the winter time." He asked Council to make the rink a
priority.
City Manager Ross asked Baldwin if he would be willing to be on a committee for site
selection and approaching BOR regarding releasing the lots on Lawton. Baldwin said he
would be willing, but he also stated he is skeptical about BOR. He said he believes the
City should be pursuing other avenues as well.
Mayor Williams stated the Borough should be approached regarding release or purchase
of the mental health land adjacent to the high school. He stressed that the City cannot
spend the money on the rink right now due to other priorities.
b) Visitors and Cuftural Center: Kim Booth spoke. She introduced people present who
represented businesses in Kenai which support the Center's funding request from the
City: Sandra Vozar of Old Town Village and Beluga Lookout RV Park; Diane Lofstedt
of Harborside Cottages; Ron Malston of Malston's; Will Jahrig who owns a lodge and
guide service; Stephanie Gorder(?) with the Tourism and Marketing Council. She also
introduced Frank Fiala with Lake Clark National Park.
BUDGET WORK SESSION MINUTES
APRIL 1791997
Booth gave an overview of the history and purpose of the Visitor Center. She said in
1992 they entered into an agreement with the City of Kenai to run the Center for the City
for $50,000 per year. She detailed the services offered to the public by the Center and
asked Council to continue funding.
c) Kenai River ,TV sh Paul Gray stated the show will run for 20 weeks on Saturdays at
3:00 p.m. on Channel 13. Endorsed by Kenai Chamber of Commerce. He said it would
be great advertising for the Peninsula. The City would receive three 30-second
commercials in each program. No questions or comments from Council.
d) Beautitlesf n Committee: Bob Frates of the Rec Center requested $3,750 for 30 more
banners (@ $125 each) to add to the 30 already being used.
e) EGod Bak: Linda Parker of the Food Bank did not show up.
haltgnger Learning Center: Ginger Steffy asked Council for $25,000 for the
Challenger Program. No questions from Council.
g) Parents'—ftpoGroup: Nurses Joanne Hagen and Sue Olsen talked about the
program and requested $10,000 and a resolution of support from Council. They proposed
a $10,000 grant: $7,000 to be used for training and travel costs for their stab, and $3,000
for materials for parenting and health education classes, and toys for the toy -lending
library.
BREAK at 8:15 p.m.
RECONVENE at 8.32 p.m.
AIRPORT FUND
General: Council accepted the recommendation.
Airport Administration: Council accepted as recommended.
Airport Lands: Council accepted as recommended.
WATER/SEWER FUNDS
Mayor Williams urged Council to consider granting money to Habitat for Humanity for
water and sewer for the new homes. Council concurred and directed Administration to
work out the details of when, how much, etc.
Sewer budget: Council accepted as recommended.
Waste water treatment plant: Council accepted as recommended.
BOAT FUND
Councilman Bookey MOVED to remove the $9,600 budgeted for a building at the dock because
it is too much to pay for such a small building. Councilman Bannock SECONDED the motion.
BUDGET WORK SESSION MINUTES
APRIL 17, 1997
VOTE:
Bookey:
Yes
Bannock:
Yes
Moore:
No
Smalley:
No
Measles:
No
Williams:
No
MOTION FAILED. Council accepted budget as recommended.
V. GENERAL FUND
a) j gisla : Councilman Moore MOVED to remove the tourism promotion video
($15,000). Councilman Bookey SECONDED the motion.
Moore stated two reasons for his motion. First, he said he doesn't believe the people who
will watch the video are the ones who will be here using the river. "The people we are
trying to educate will be here using the river," he said. Second, he stated he can't support
encouraging the increased use of the Kenai River at this point without the infrastructure
in place to handle them.
VOTE:
Bookey:
Yes
Bannock:
No
Moore:
Yes
Smalley:
Yes
Measles:
Yes
Williams:
Yes
MOTION PASSED.
b) Councilman Bannock MOVED to remove the $5,000 for Youth Court from the budget.
Councilman Bookey SECONDED the motion. - -
VOTE:
Bookey:
No
Bannock:
Yes
Moore:
No
Smalley:
No
Measles:
No
Williams:
No
MOTION FAILED.
c) Lobbyls : Mayor Williams suggested moving $25,000 to Miscellaneous to use as a
donation to the Challenger and leaving $10,000 for limited lobbying. Accepted.
d) City Brochures: Wait for Clerk to return and talk to her.
e) Visitors Center: Councilman Smalley MOVED to change the allocation from $10,000
to $25,000 for the Visitors Center. Councilman Moore .SECONDED the motion.
BUDGET WORK SESSION MINUTES
"RIL 1791997
VOTE:
Bookey:
No
Bannock:
No
Moore:
Yes
Smalley:
Yes
Measles:
No
Williams:
Yes
MOTION FAILED.
Councilman Measles commented, "... votes don't count for anything tonight anyway."
Mayor Williams stated that at next Thursday's meeting the General Fund Legislative will be the
first order of business and recommended general fund cuts will be second.
Adjourned at 10:36 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sheryl aulsen
Acting ' y Clerk