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Home My WebLink About1988-01-06 Council Minutes- KENAI CITY COUNCIL " January 6, 1988 KENAI CITY HALL MAYOR JOHN J. WILLIAMS, PRESIDING ..- PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - ►.� A. ROW# CALL 1. Agenda Approval 2. Consent Agenda *All items listed with an asterisk t *) are - --=-=_ - considered to be routine and noncontroversial by the -=• -: -, Council and will be approved There will be - no separatediscussion of these items 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. PERSONS PRESENT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD (10 Min.) C. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Resolution 88-1: Expressing Sympathy to those involved in Plane Crash and Authorizing Plaque and Planting of Tree in Memorial Park ., ". u 2. Resolution 88-2: Transfer of Funds - Contingency, City Clerk - $847 T - ' 3. Resolution 87-71: Requesting COE Conduct Studies :. to Determine Development of Small Navigation Improvement 1 D. COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REPORTS 1. Planning & Zoning 2. Harbor Commission 3. Recreation Commission 4. Library Commission _ Council on Aging 6. Airport Commission 7. Economic Development Commission 8. Misc. Comm/Comm " E. MINUTES *Regular -Meeting, -Dec. 16, - -1987 CORRESPONDENCE *1. Senator Paul Fischer - Tourism for Kenai Peninsula *2. Lt. Gov* Stephen McAlpine Minutes from Conference of Mayors G. OLD BUSINESS 1. Discussion Dept of Health & Social Services Request for Additional Space H. NEW BUSINESS 1. Bills to be Paid* Bills to be.Ratified 2. Requisitions Exceeding $1,000 3. Discussion - REDI Grant Program 4. Discussion - Letter of Request for Dredging of the Kenai River Harbor *5. Games of Chance & Skill Hodse District 5 Democrats ADMINISTRATION REPORTS TT,1. City Manager 2. Attorney 3. Mayor City clerk S. Finance Director 6. Public works Director _ ( 7. Airport Manager J. PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD (5 min.) • ADJOURNMENT L- .r r7' ,.. t'3 KENAI CITY COUNCIL - Regular Meeting + January 6, 1988 - 7:00 P.M. KENAI CITY HALL r MAYOR JOHN J. WILLIAMS, PRESIDING 'r rt MAYOR WILLIAMS CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER r• ' Mayor Williams recognised the students from KCHB present in the ' audience and asked Councilman Ackerly to introduce them. - --- - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE -_ . - - - - -- --- ---- A. ROLL CALL Present: Ackerly, McComsey, Measles, Monfor, O'Reilly, Swarner, Williams Absent: None - - i. Agenda Approval Mr. Ron Dolchok had requentsd to be placed on the agenda for Item J-1. Because Mr. Dolchok was not present, the agenda will not be changed at this time. MOTION: Councilman McComsey moved to approve the agenda, seconded by (inaudible) VOTE: Motion passed by Unanimous Consent 2. Consent Agenda MOTION: Councilwoman O'Reilly moved approval of the Consent Agenda, __- seconded by Councilman Measles. Councilwoman Swarner asked for correction to minutes on page 7, - - j item D-4, change the date for the open house from December lSth to - - - -A 17th. * : VOTE: Motion passed by Unanimous Consent PERSONS PRESENT.SCHEDULED-TO BE-HEARD(10 Min.) r None ;.. 3 ... KENAI CITY COUNCIL January 6, 1988 Page 2 C. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Resolution 8B-1: Expressing Sympathy to Those Involved in Plane Crash and Authorising Plaque and Planting of Tree in Memorial Park There was no public comment. Mayor Williams expressed the feelings of the City and read the resolution to those assembled. MOTION: Councilman Ackerly moved for adoption of 88-1, seconded by Councilman Measles. VOTE: Motion passed by Unanimous Consent Councilwoman Monfor stated that this is a good time for us to remember how this park became a park, we would be neglecting our duty, and that when the time comes for the dedication that: we make sure we have some sort of a similar resolution for Dr. Hansen's family and a tree for Leif. Mayor Williams asked that this be taken care of by the -Clerk. C-2. Resolution 88-2: Transfer of Funds - Contingency, City Clerk - $847 There was no public comment. This provides for fire proof file cabinet. MOTION: Councilman Ackerly moved adoption of 88-2, seconded by Councilwoman Monfor. VOTE: Motion passed by Unanimous Consent - C-3. Resolution 87-71: Requesting CDR Conduct studies to Determine Development of small Navigation improvement There was no public comment. MOTION: _... _ Councilman--Ackerly- moved for- adoption of 87-71, seconded -by -Councilwoman Monfor ' - - - - VOTE: Motion passed unanimously X D. COMMISSION/COMMITTEE REPORTS D-1. Planning i Zoning No representative present. Mayor Williams introduced a letter of resignation from the Chairman of that Commission, Lee Lewis. Mr. Osborne is also resigning thereby creating two vacancies to ha filled at the next meeting. ' D-2. Harbor Commission `i g Councilman Ackerly reported that there was no meeting. D-3. Recreation Commission ` Councilman McComsey had no report D-4. Library Coomnission _.; Councilwoman Monfor reported that the Commission held their first 4 meeting of the year and elected Kathy Hues as the Chairwoman and Doug Emery as Vice Chair. Carol Brenckle and Doug Emery have elected to continue their terms. Mayor Williams asked if Council had any objections to those two persons continuing, there were none. Emily DeForest, Librarian, reported that the Kenai Peninsula --.- -.- Division of Alaska Library Association io having a censorship c workshop on Saturday the 30th beginning at 10:00 AN. Everyone is ., welcome to attend. Councilwoman Monfor reported that February 12th and 13th, Friends of the Library, Library Commission, and the Hoard are going to be holding a book sale in the mall. This will be a fund raiser and to get information out on the library. �� Councilwoman Swarner stated that one-third of the library cards issued were to residents outside the City of Kenai. D-3. Council an Aging Councilwoman.Swarner reported that there will be a meeting next Monday Itx`' D-6. Airport Commission There was no meeting.. .--'�° ° ---- -- - -- --- ----D-Z.-Bconamic- Development Commission -- -- --- -----r: 'xa ----- —-------------------- - -- --- Minutes available in the packet. No discussion. KENAI CITY COUNCIL - - - -- --- -- ---'- - January 6, 1988 Page 4 _ =' D-B. Nice. cOw/Cam . ,r• None i E. MINUTE3 1. *Regular Hoisting, Dec. 16, 1987 Minutes were corrected under item A-2 F. CORRESPONDENCE *1. Senator Paul.Fiecher - Tourism for Kenai Peninsula *2. Lt. Gov. Stephen McAlpine -Minutes from Conference of Mayors Approved by Consent Agenda �• G. OLD BUSINESS - - 1. Discussion - Dept of Health & Social Services -Request for Additional Space Councilman Ackerly stated that at the last meeting there was some ' discussion regarding the City's need for apace. City Manager ,. ,.'..: Brighton stated that there is some justification for the City C needing the space or a part or it. This was vaccination day for the youngsters at the Health Center and I had come down a couple times to talk to someone and they were too busy because they were - -- - inundated with youngsters. After your last meeting at which you postponed action, I spoke with the Public Works Directorho indicated perhaps he could put a separator in there and still use a portion of it for storage and the remainder could go to the Center. I have not had an opportunity to speak with the people at ,,_.. the Health Center to see if this would be an adequate solution to .I their situation. "My only fear is that if the Council will remember, when they closed the DMV, the Council was extremely upset that office was closed and the one employee moved to - jk�)' 'r Soldotna." - ,''I The Health Center has been offered space at $.38/foot on Kalifonsky Beach Road. We are charging $.67/foot and I am told this is a competitive price. For me to give an additional recommendation t need to speak with the Health Center to find out how serious they are with their need for additional space. If .,, they are talking about hiring two or three more employees, we are that the space they have now would not be adequate. If all aware we refuse to give them the space, then their choice is to move and we do not have -any -control over what that move wit} mean or where •.. they will go. Perhaps we could cooperate with them end find them space in the-community-,laay €rem -this building -that-would-be- - ----- --- - -°" adequate and satisfactory, but until a conversation with them - takes place I cannot say. Y.' V!' ._ - -- - - . j r KENAI CITY COUNCIL January 6, 1988 Page 5 ��. .. ' "I spent a little time in all of the nooks and crannies in this ff - building today, from a storage standpoint and we do have lots of records." Councilwoman Monfor stated that it was her understanding that everything was going to be microfilmed and once {� microfilmed it was going to be shredded and destroyed. Why do we have this. City Manager Brighton answered that the answer comes - from the departments. The Clerk has microfilmed all of her records but that is all I know about. If you could see and understand the magnitude of the records, its going to be a two or - three year job just to microfilm what we have. Mayor Williams stated that what we need to do is indicate a willingness to continue a relationship with the Health Center as - - --- -- — --- - long as space is not absolutely necessary at this time and if we are not in a big bind I would hate to see them leave. City Manager Brighton stated that he would like an opportunity to work ' n with them and try to keep them here. That may not be possible but we don't know that yet. _ H. NEW BUSINESS -- _,.::_.........t.r_.:_: q-1. Bills to be Paid, Bills to be Ratified MOTION: �u�•.:;'. Councilman Ackerly moved approval, seconded by Councilman McComsey -. ;•5 VOTE: Motion passed by Unanimous Consent - -- G•, ... B-2. Requisitions Exceeding $1,000 '.: o.. MOTION: Councilman Ackerly moved approval, seconded by Councilman McComsey „ ' Councilman Ackerly requested an update on D&L Construction. This .. is the firm contracted to do the snowplowing. Councilman Ackerly - - stated that the plowing is unsatisfactory on the cul-de-sac in his- `".�i area. I will not vote against paying this because we do owe him77, r - - the money, however, the plowing leaves the cul-de-sac with about 25' before the owners can get to their driveway. Mayor Williams -__ asked if this was the same contractor who was responsible for the Beaver Loop area, answer yes. There have been two or three complaints from that area also. City Manager Brighton stated that Administration will work with the Public Works Department to see if we can remedy the complaint „ situation for this service. ,:...: :.. '..... _ ... ,. , VOTE: _ - _ _- Motion_ passed -by -Unanimous Consent h i' KENAI CITY COUNCIL January 6, 1988 Page 6 H-3. Discussion - REDI Grant Program The Administrative Assistint will be working on this program as we progress. These are monies that are available through Community & Regional Affairs. We have attended a teleconference and a document is pending for beginning the application. These are full grants and do not require matching dollars from the City. Councilwoman Swarner voiced concern that the City is applying for the grant for the softball field improvements and there is no mention of the Little League fields. Mayor Williams answered that at this point.in timethereis no intention of changing the Little League softball fields from their present location. Councilwoman Swarner asked why Little League can't be included. Mayor Williams &nswered that the entire $100,000 requested will be used in the new complex. City Manager Brighton stated that he had a memo prepared in relation to this, however, it is upstairs. It details some complexities in filling out this application and will require time and finesse.- The grants are based on being directed at low income areas, the median income for which they would apply is 30,000, the median for the City of Kenai is 31,500 and und4r the terms of the grant application we do not qualify. However, there is a catch-all clause that says they are willing to work with cities to help you acquire these grants. The other complexity is these grants are designed to be used in areas that will add full time employment. I have great difficulty in deciphering how we are going to add full time employment for baseball fields. Mr. Brighton left the meeting to obtain the memo. Councilwoman Swarner asked if the City is going to help with this grant, are they going to help the Little League by writing a grant too. Mayor Williams stated that there are several other things that we are looking at as time goes on dependant upon money. We still don't know what the City's position is going to be regarding the jobs bill, the $200 per capita proposal, and the Governor's CIP bill. Again, if it comes to pass that we can come up with $1,300,000 unappropriated money, then the Council can look into several small projects including Little -League. Councilwoman Swarner stated that she would like to see the City help all these leagues to write grants, not just to a few. Mayor Williams "don't be misled, we are not helping the group write the grant, we are writing the grant on behalf of the City." City Manager Brighton returned with the memo. Councilwoman Monfor questioned the median income, asking where the --- -- figures were -obtained: -City -Manager Brighton -answered,- from -the ------- - - - -- ��-- - Dept. of Labor. Councilwoman Monfor asked how old are the r� figures? Answer from City Manager Brighton the last ones KENAI CITY COUNCIL January 6, 1988 Page 7 available are 1985. Councilwoman Monfor stated that considering the state of the economy in Alaska we may be able to bring .�7 ourselves down into the lower figures due to our unemployment. City Manager Brighton agreed, stating that by the time we got our own survey, pay the cost of it and the time involved, we can got the grant but have $15 left over. Councilwoman Swarner suggested one possible way to add to the grant is the number of free lunches at the school district. City Manager Brighton answered that that method would give Borough figures as opposed to city. Councilwoman Swarner answered that the schools do break it down and we could got the figures for only the Kenai schools. City Manager Brighton answered that it was a good suggestion, however, the handbook does state that they are willing to work with us on income and the justification of the figures of 1985 and the downturn in the economy, they may be willing to accept our application without having to verify what the median or maximum is. Mayor Williams pointed out that we are within 2.5%. the difference being only $729 between our level and their level. I feel that it is mandatory that we proceed. There has been a tremendous amount of input in our area to delve into the public hearing process with Community & Regional Affairs. With Council permission we will proceed with the process. City Manager Brighton stated that it is the intent of Administration to proceed unless the Council directs us not to. But we do want you to understand that it is not as easy as a snap of the finger to procure the grant. H -4. Discussion - Letter of Request for Dredging of the Kenai River :;arbor Councilman Ackerly introduced the letter stating that the idea came out of the publication, 4Harbor Howls'. Twice a year, approximately, every other place in Alaska, except Kenai, gets money to improve their harbor. Therefore, feeling that we should write some kind of letter, I drafted this letter and gave it to Keith for typing. This letter is letting them know that we would like to get on their list. I feel that we should keep "pounding away at them" to let them know we are here and we do have a harbor and there is a large amount of money flowing through there. The only problem I can see are the numbers on the front page. Councilman Ackerly asked for clarification on the amounts. After discussion, the Council agreed to direct Public Works Director Kornelis pursue the correct figures and send the letter. H-5. Games of Chance & Skill - House District 5 Democrats Approved by consent Agenda - -- ------- I. ADMINISTRATION REPORTS A_ I-1. City Manager j City Manager Brighton reported receiving a phone call from { Attorney Rick Baldwin who indicated to me that the Council had promised him a work session on the golf course situation. I i agreed to bring this to the Cougcil's attention. From the National League of Cities, their main thrust for the coming year is housing and community redevelopment -reauthorization bills. Anchorage, thus far has taken 95% of all the money that has come through that -program. New comprehensive housing _ legislation designated and directed to the low income, elderly, i- - and handicapped, reauthorization of the Clean Air Act, etc. "I am ++ reading these to you so that you realize that a -lot -of these have no bearing on the smaller communities such as Kenai. The National '= League was successful in getting put down the proposal to force local government to pay taxes on all of the fuel they buy and excise taxes on all of their vehicles. It is not a dead issue, it is only a delayed issue. I think the tax on the gas is federal $.08 per gallon. This means the local tax payers would have to pick up that additional tax. There is a big push to put a sales tax on mail order catalogue sales. Today the proposal only applies to states that have sales tax, there is a possibility that the bi21 can not amended to apply to municipalities in states with no sales tax- This probably is going to be passed this year. The other bill is welfare reform. As you know the only federal program we benefit from is the FAA. We no longer obtain Federal Revenue Sharing. Anchorage shares in all programs including mass transit and receive millions for this. There are going to be cuts in every one of those programs. I think the National League of Cities has done the small city a real favor in at least getting stalled, the federal tax on fuel because we burn thousands of gallons of fuel per year and a use tax on all the fuel would be costly. I-2. Attorney None I-3. Mayor . Mayor Williams reported that he represented the State of Alaska at the small Cities Conference in Las Vegas. The two main subjects which were discussed were the gasoline and diesel fuel tax. The diesel is $.15 per gallon and the other subject is insurance. All across the country -small cities_are _havk g a.tremendous-- problem with their insurance. They are all talking about pooling, is, —setting up state, -city,-_ county -pools -- - - - - - KENAI CITY COUNCIL - -- January 6, 1988 Page 9 In general it was one of the most organized conferences I have been to in many years. I believe one of the reasons was that the majority of the delegates were housed in one hotel. Under your door every morning at 6:00 AM was an issues letters for that day. Also lists of senators and congressmen that were working on thono II ---- - issues For that day and their contact numbers. A conservative estimate of telegrams sent to representatives in Washington DC is 9 to 10,000. I have asked for a meeting on January 12th and would ask the Council to change it from a work session to a special meeting. The reason is, for one thing the swearing in of the Kenai Bicentennial Commission, and in addition, the -issue of _working with the EDD in the development of this small industrial park in the harbor area is the thrust of the main topic and is going to require some resolutions be prepared and I would like to get an official feeling from the Council regarding this. There will be representatives from EDD here who will also have representatives of private industry who are wishing to join with the City in this venture and I've also asked the members of both the Economic - -` - Development and Harbor Commission to attend as well. I will be in Cordova on January 20th and will not be in attendance. Councilwoman Swarner mentioned the school district and asked if this was going to be a topic at the meeting or wait until another time. Mayor Williams stated that this could be added if so „ desired. "Membership on the School Board by District rather than at large'. " MOTION: Councilman Ackerly moved to change the 1/12/88 meeting from Work , Session to Special Meeting, seconded by Councilwoman O'Reilly VOTE: Notion passed by Unanimous Consent Mayor Williams presented a list of proposed members for the Bicentennial Commission. The list contains seven main names with five alternates plus several who indicated a desire to serve on u subcommittees. Mayor Williams stated that he has spoken with all members listed individually and all indicated a desire to serve. Councilwoman Swarner stated that she did not recall two written applications in the packet. Mayor Williams stated that there are three out of town members; Braun, Carter, and Swan. MOTION: Councilman Ackerly moved to approve the Commission member list as ( submitted, seconded by Councilwoman O'Reilly. Councilwoman swarner stated that in the future she would like to see written applications for all commissions prior to appointment. N Lin L J • KENAI CITY COUNCIL January 6, 1988 Page 10 VOTE: Motion passed by Unanimous Consent At the meeting of,,January 12th, I've asked the Council to be prepared to offer the Commission insight as to the direction they shou�d take. I have been establishing a partial list of tasks and objt Aives and,I will be asking to hold public hearings to establish their objectives such as physical facilities, preparations of the bicentennial, and establishment of the subcommittees and anything else the Council feels they should be involved in. Today, during the Chamber of Commerce meeting, it was my pleasure to announce the awards by the State Fire Marshall's office to several people in the community in areas of fire education, heroism, etc. Kenai Fire Department was awarded the "Outstanding Community Award - Most Active Fire Prevention Program". Mayor Williams read the awards and names of those receiving the awards to the Council. Councilman McComsey asked if the Mayor desired to recommend a resolution be prepared for Kodiak. (Item I-3, Resolution 87-73 for Kodiak Island Borough) MOTION: Councilwoman Monfor moved for resolution be prepared in wipport of their resolution, seconded by Councilman McComsey VOTE: Motion passed by Unanimous Consent I-4. City Clerk None I-5. Finance Director None I-6. Public Works Director None I-7. Airport Manager None Councilman Ackerly spoke. Yesterday I got the bulletin from the -- - - Soldotna-Community- schools -and I take note on the statement -on -the second page stating the reason we don't have a community schools -- -- - - - -. - -- -program __In -the -City--of -Kenai- .is_ -because _we-didn_-t-put-up .the money-- for it. Are we going to get into a continuing problem with them? L r- KENAI CITY COUNCIL January 6, 1988 Page 11 Apparently we are, but that is garbage. I suggest we send them a letter. If they are going to put statements like that in a bulletin that goes Borough -wide, I think we should respond. Our own recreation budget is $180,000. Councilwoman Monfor spoke. I wish all of our Russian Orthodox people a Merry Christmas. The Council joined in the wishes. Councilwoman Swarner spoke. I have been asked by a resident of the City who is out and about in the middle of the night, it is this persons job. This is pertaining to the schedule of how roads are cleared within the City. This person seems to be observing that the Mayor's road is cleared first and I would like to know if there is any truth in that. Several comments were made. Councilwoman Swarner, from what I've been told they are supposed to rotate. Public Works Director Kornelis agreed. Councilwoman Swarner asked what part of town they start at, answer is airport and then rotate. Sometimes its the center of town working out, sometimes outside working in. They try to get the business district working at night when there are not as many cars. Councilwoman Swarner asked if Public Works Director Kornelis knew what part of town was started first during the last snow fall. Public Works Director Kornelis answered that he would have to check the record. City Manager Brighton asked if Councilwoman Swarner would like to alter the way it has been done, answer, if the Mayor's street is getting done first, yes. Public Works Director Kornelis stated that the crews show no preference. Councilwoman Swarner stated that she had requested from Public Works Director Kornelis, a few months ago, "how much it would cost for a pole downtown, directly across from an existing pole to hang a banner, did you find out?" Public Works Director Kornelis answered that Mr. Kepler has left DOT and he is making new contacts. Councilwoman Swarner stated that she wanted to get the new pole up before the softball tournament starts so a banner can be put up welcoming them to Kenai. Public Works Director Kornelie stated that we could not do that since it is in state right-of- -way. Mayor Williams stated that the new grants request is available should anyone wish to see them. Council should have a packet of them with you. You should be advised that I have also sent a special letter through to our legislative delegation indicating our desire to have them work very diligently on this list. J. PERSONS PRESENT NOT SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD (5 min.) ADJOURNMENT: - Meeting Adjourned at 8:31 P.-N. -- - - --- ---- ----- - Janet A. Loper Deputy City Clerk \. r :,