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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-10-27 Council Minutes - Special MeetingAGENDA KENAI CITY COUNCIL - SPECIAL MEET11 OCTOBER 27, 1987 - 7:00 PM A. ROLL CALL B. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Capital Improvement Priority List - 2. Resolution 87-64 - Accepting 1988-89 Improvement Priority List C. ADJOURNMENT r KENAI CITY COUNCIL - SPECIAL MEETING - MINUTES OCTOBER 27, 1987 - 7:00 PM KENAI CITY HALL MAYOR JOHN J. WILLIAMS PRESIDING PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE A. ROLL CALL Present: Tom Ackerly, Monfor, Marj Williams Absent: None B. PUBLIC HEARINGS Art McComsey, Ray Measles, Chris O'Reilly, Linda Swarner, John B-1 Capital Improvement Priority List - Public Comment Mayor Williams explained they are trying a different way this year, they are putting the first 6 items on the Governor's budget and the remainder on the Legislative budget. If this does not work, it will all be on the Legislative budget. We have a good Legislative delegation and have a lobbyist for the first time. PUBLIC COMMENT: a. b. c. d. Marie English, VIP S/D, Kenai. She noted VIP S/D is #1. She would like to see this done. The residents passed out a petition (for this) 3 years ago. Kathlyne McLeod, Property Owner, VIP S/D, Kenai. She supports strip paving of VIP S/D. Birlene Driskill, VIP S/D, Kenai. She supports strip paving of VIP S/D. Economic Development Commission Chairman O'Reilly. He asked that a data bank for the Commission be added to the Capital Improvement Priority List. It was the first Goal & Objective listed at the last meeting. The Economic Development Committee had pointed out the 2 major weaknesses in the City in the last 2 years: 1) Retail sales - 1/3 of City revenue is sales tax. 2) Severe weakness in residential values. The Commission has not discussed this, but he has talked to most Commission members. They are in agreement with the need. 1) It would have a tendency to stabilize retail sales. 2) It would eliminate the "black hole" real estate prices have gone to. 3) It would give a comprehensive view of the City and the City economy. 4) It would be a professional, sophisticated approach when we talk to the State. There is sufficient computer capability in the City now. He spoke to the U of A to see if they had computer capability. They want to hear further from us. We are examining that possibility and also using in-house staff. The amount requested is $37,500. That would include: supplies, program, material collection, 8 hours per week at $50 per week (this may be high), print outs, brochures, administration. He asked that it be considered as a separate item to be submitted to the Legislature. Councilwoman Swarner noted Fairbanks had a $400,000 grant from the State for this type of project, was it City or Borough? Mayor Williams replied he will find out. Chairman O'Reilly explained, they received a $300,000 to i _ -. i _ -. . KWAT CITY COUNCIL, SPECIAL MEETING OCTOBER 27, 1987 PAGE 2 $400,000 grant to assist in development of a data base. Councilman McComsey asked if there is a program written for this. Chairman O'Reilly replied he has been informed programs for other cities have been written. We would have to buy that. The cost is approximately $2,500 to $3,000. We may need one or several. He added $1,000 for search and selection to find the right one. Councilwoman O'Reilly asked if there would be a monthly up -date on this? Chairman O'Reilly replied, the information comes down slowly to us. The Borough tends to "sit" on data from all cities before it is distributed. The Commission plan would be to work with all cities to have current information. Part of the process would be to have contracts to get information as soon as possible. Councilman Ackerly expressed skepticism from the businessmen's viewpoint. There are many who would not want their information known. He added, NLC and AML ought to have access to where these programs are. Chairman O'Reilly explained, they cannot guarantee this. But there were many merchants last Fall who were so concerned they did not get much inventory for the holidays. Property sales are operating in a "Black Monday" type of environment. 25% of the houses for sale, N. Kenai to Ninilchik is a big figure. Mayor Williams suggested it be placed under the General Projects section. He suggested the General Projects section be re -arranged in order of priority. Councilwoman Monfor asked if we had any Federal Revenue Sharing funds available. City Manager Brighton replied, approximately $100,000 between now and Sept. 1988. Councilwoman Monfor suggested this is a one-time purchase and could be placed on the Federal Revenue Sharing list. The Commission could plan on having this next year one way or the other. Councilwoman Swarner asked about the street lights. She suggested adding 50 street lights and not be specific. Councilwoman Monfor asked if there would be a narrative with the General Projects list. Answer - yes. Councilwoman Monfor noted the cultural and heritage museum on the Bicentennial project. She suggested we ask that the museum include meeting rooms in a community center. We have no place to hold anything for over 200 people. A grant from the State for this would not cost the tax payers anything. There are foundations and National grants we could ask for. Mayor Williams explained he had suggested making this over a basement, and making it large enough for tourists, movies, displays. He is not sure how this would be received. Councilwoman O'Reilly said we need a break down of the $1 Million figure before we make a judgement. Mayor Williams said it would be available at the Nov. 4 meeting. He is going to ask the Commission to have their Goals & Objectives within 90 days. Feb. or March is too late for the Legislature to review. we could do it in phases and go back to the Legislature each year. The drawback is it may look as a grand scheme such as Anchorage has. 4,000 sq. ft. over the basement for $400,000 was discussed. We also have to be concerned with the location. City Manager Brighton added, we need to look reasonable to the people who represent us. This is a $9.9 Million list. We have $4 Million proposed for congregate housing. Kenai is asking for $15 Million and the whole State had $20 Million last year. The City has received less than $1/2 Million on 2 occasions. A $15 Million figure may jeopardize all projects. I KENAI CITY COUNCIL, SPECIAL MEETING OCTOBER 27, 1987 14, PAGE 3 ee Sally Bailie, Toyon Way, Kenai. There are a number of things that are in our favor. 1) We have a good lobbyist. 2) We remember what Homer received: they started with $53 Million, ended up at $23 Million. We should start high and come down. We have always had data regarding our projects, we contributed land we are the only 4 ones in the state that do. Regarding a convention center/museum. For a long time we could not bring 01 this up after the last vote. She thought the reason was we were asking for bonding. We had just bonded for schools and were taken to the cleaners. She has talked to people that felt it was okay if we got a grant but they would not pay taxes for it. 1991 is the Bicentennial year. in the bicentennial year in Sitka they got a grant for a building. It would help the economy year round. There is weakness in retail sales. After the sorority convention here, she chocked with business men to see if there was a sales boost. It was good. We seem to push for tourism 3 months per year. one camper group had a reward for the person who spent the least amount of money. Convention people spend money. Hotels and restaurants have a tough time in winter. We don't need a big one, but one for more than 250 people. She asked Council to consider a convention center. Maximum $3-1/2 Million to $4 Million, completely -k furnished; $2 Million to $2-1/2 Million unfurnished. Don't just build for now. Regarding the road program. She supported paving VIP S/D. She asked that the City not abandon the assessment program. It allows a chunk of money to be spread over a larger area. We have one assessment district in effect. Mayor Williams noted this district is for 25% (Eagle Rock). J assessment f. Diana Wyatt, VIP S/D, Kenai (7) They have been asking for a paved road. City Manager Brighton asked, what are her feelings of assessing property owners 25%? Ms. Wyatt replied, she would have to consider that. Councilwoman Monfor noted an assessment is over a 10 year period at low interest. Mayor Williams said the primary concern is obtaining funds. We will have public hearings next Spring regarding assessment districts. We have to get the Governor's portion off in the next 48 hours. Councilman Measles said he would not want the people to think they were going to get money and find out they will have to pay assessments. Mayor Williams noted we will have sufficient public hearings before we make a decision. Councilwoman O'Reilly asked, when did the Eagle Rock assessment take place? City Manager Brighton replied, summer 1986. We have done no paving since then. Council set aside $500,000 and advertised that this money was available for paving, if people were willing to create assessment districts they could have it done. This is the only one. Engineer LaShot added, most of those were assessments between $1,000 and $3,000 per lot, were for paving only. Mayor Williams said we need to explore the paving of one place vs another, the size of the lots, the amount of vacant property in an area it is not a cut -and -dry issue. 9. Lady from audience: What is strip paving? "V Engineer LaShot replied, paving without curb and gutter. Lady: Are we voting to see if we can do TIN KENAI CITY COUNCIL, SPECIAL MEETING OCTOBER 27, 1987 PAGE 4 h. i. j- NOTION: r- this without assessments? Mayor Williams explained, we are trying to see if we can get funds. Lady: The road tin VIP) is deplorable. She would be happy to pay for an up -grade of the road. She did not think the public is aware of assessments. Council is trying to push this on them, she did not think the public should pay for this. Gravel is not the answer. Carol Tumsuden, Old Town, Kenai M She has lived in Old Town since 1970. She is happy she is on the list. Lady from audience: How are the boundaries determined is an assessment is approved? Legal Asst. Sutcliffe replied, there are many ways. One way is front foot method, thoso facing the improvements. Another is the evaluating method, how much can each benefit. Mayor Williams added, it must be 50% of the owners approving. City Manager Brighton explained, the total cost of the project is determined, a percentage is set, the amount is distributed among the property owners. The City has only assessed those directly benefitted. Councilwoman Monfor noted if we get the money from Juneau, it will be the end of the Session. We cannot start till the following Spring. Mr. Brighton added, the payments would start about a year after completion of the project. Clarence Ladd, Kenai. The public is being mis-led regarding Cook Ave. He has lived there 25 years. Council is considering black top. Part of Cook Ave. has water & sewer. Mayor Williams explained the CIP list says including some water & sewer. Councilman McComsey moved, seconded by Councilman Measles, to add a data bank to the list at $50,000. Motion passed by unanimous consent. Councilwoman Swarner asked about the street lights. Councilman Measles suggested they be put in health and safety as $1. DOT will handle stop lights. Mayor Williams noted the on -going cost of street lights is $800 per light per year. This is an additional $80,000 cost to the City. Engineer LaShot explained, Homer Electric has discussed a flat rate for all street lights, but we have not heard anything. Councilman Ackerly noted this is 1/2 mill. Councilwoman O'Reilly said 50 lights would be $40,000. Health & Safety is a factor in some areas. Engineer LaShot said the estimate for 7 lights, 3 with poles, is $20,000. Mayor Williams explained, this was to be discussed after Administration studied this. Are we paying $66 per month to light every light in Inlet Woods? Engineer LaShot replied that is pretty close. $114,000 is this year's budget for 350 lights. City Manager Brighton explained the City did not pay to install the lights in Inlet Woods. Councilman Measles asked, what is the status of the lights budget from last year. Councilman Ackerly replied if it is revenue sharing it is still there. MOTION: Councilwoman Swarner moved, seconded by Councilwoman Monfor, to include $100,000 for street lights as $1 priority in CIP under Health & Safety, City projects. T KENAI CITY COUNCIL, SPECIAL MEETING g: OCTOBER 27, 1987 PAGE 5 V; .. ri- =: VOTE ( Passed) : her Yes: Measles, Monfor, O'Reilly, Swarner i' No: Ackerly, McComsey; Williams MOTION: Councilman Measles moved, seconded by Councilwoman Monfor, that Revenue Sharing ear-mrrked for street ?_ lights be put on hold till the and of the Legislative session. Motion passed by unanimous consent. MOTION: Councilwoman O'Reilly moved, seconded by Councilwoman Monfor, to change General Projects, Bicentennial Project, from $l Million to $4 Million for a community center. Mayor Williams noted the original community center was $ -1/2 Million. Councilwoman O'Reilly explained, the strip -downed version was $2-1/2 Million. $4 Million would include all Bicentennial projects. We are not talking about a bond issue for residents. Councilwoman Monfor said we have a unique situation of being 200 years old. One of the historic towns in Alaska, one of the most historic towns in the U.S. We are doing something different in asking roads be put in -4, the Governor's budget. This is in the other budget. Councilwoman Swarner noted she was in Fairbanks when the City turned their facility over to the Borough because they could not afford it. We should consider ;.: what it will take to maintain. Councilwoman Monfor said if it includes a cultural museum that will raise revenue with Foundation grants and sales of misc. -" items. We can make this pay for itself many times over. Councilman McComsey asked, what was the ::. maintenance cost in the original center? Sally Bailie. It would be very similar to the Rec Center. 2-1/2 full time employees. It would be a maintenance -free .r building, like KEA. The Daubenspek property will be -: receiving royalties soon. It has to be used for recreation. This could be put under recreation. A bed ,.r tax was suggested. Mayor Williams said he has been cfv;,;;, t viewing the Bicentennial in Old Town, now it is being discussed for the community. Where does this place the :r Bicentennial? Councilwoman O'Reilly asked, what does the $1 Million for the Bicentennial include? Mayor Williams replied he was going to put that in the narrative. He viewed the project as encompassing a facility with a visitors' center and enlargement of the :- present museum. An area of about 100 people for gathering of movies, etc. Satellite buildings for artifacts, such as a machine shop, cannery items, Native culture items, all funded by grants from groups ' associated with these things. Also development of the Old Town viewing area. We should grow into the concept of a community center, we should have it by 1991. Councilwoman O'Reilly said the focus of the project is °r= still for tourists, but we need to spend time on the ;,,•' "`'' residents to use all year. Mayor Williams asked if she was considering 2 independent facilities -one in Old Town, and one for a community center. Councilwoman O'Reilly replied, that could be. Councilwoman Monfor -r. said she envisioned one building. If it is on the Daubenspek land, that site is significant in Native history. . KENAI CITY COUNCIL, SPECIAL MEETING OCTOBER 27, 1987 PAGE 6 `i VOTE (Passed): Yes: Measles, Monfor, O'Reilly, Swarner, Williams �.t No: Ackerly, XcComsey, Mayor Williams noted an Eagle River group is encouraging legalized gambling in Alaska. It would be about $3 Million in additional revenue. There may be an initiative regarding this. Tourism will triple and quadruple. :.. Mayor Williams said, regarding the fire station in " Beaver Loop. It has been on the list for some time. F Council thought if they could get a truck, they could ��,i,;:; get the station later. Chief Ivanoff thought by taking it off, we were de-emphasizing it. t Councilwoman Monfor asked if we were going to have a Y' b7q��t'•, brochure. Mayor Williams replied he had thought 8-1/2 X 11 sheets with a narrative. Councilwoman Monfor said ar w>w, a dollar amount on Health & Safety items is not necessary, they all are needed. Councilman Ackerly asked if the brochure could be sent to the public. �� Council agreed to put in the costs: $250, 000 - each stop light ,< $240,000 - fire truck $850, 000 - Wildwood paving & waterline This is 4 mills. Mayor Williams asked, how does the y $19 Million figure with other years? Councilman Yiw,f4:. Ackerly stated it is a record. Councilwoman Monfor said this year we are asking for $3-1/2 Million from the Governor, it will be $12 Million without that. =; i°°°;.. -:•- City Manager Brighton noted you are not kidding these people. Councilwoman Monfor said she did not think $15 Million was anything compared to other Peninsula communities. Council agreed to submit the list to the Governor and Legislators before the Nov. 2 meeting with the lobbyist. Councilwoman Measles asked if the fire station was going to be added. Mayor Williams noted Chief Ivanoff thought he could work out a way to do =`7 without additional maintenance costs. City Manager r<: Brighton noted it costs 4 men to cover a one-man job. Council agreed to leave off the fire station. MOTION: Councilwoman O-Reilly moved, seconded by Councilwoman Monfor, to accept the list as indicated this evening. MOTION, Amendment: Councilwoman Monfor moved, seconded by Councilwoman Swarner, to list item 3, General Projects, Recreation Facilities: Little League $175,000 R/V Park 200,000 Softball Fields (Parking, etc. 125,000 VOTE, Amendment: .. Motion passed by unanimous consent. VOTE, Main Motion as Amended: Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. B-2 Res. 87-64 - Accepting 1988-89 Capital Improvement _ = Priority List r;t MOTION: a. err," t �tli KENAI CITY COUNCIL, SPECIAL MEETING OCTOBER 27, 1987 PAGE 7 Councilwoman Monfor moved, seconded by Councilman -- McComsey, to adopt the resolution. MOTION, Amendment: ..#- Councilman Measles moved, seconded by Councilwoman �g Monfor, to amend the resolution by adding after the first WHEREAS, "WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Council that paving projects in residential areas will r; be partially funded by forming assessment districts in order to make any available State funding go further _. toward completion of the priority list, and" Mayor Williams asked Council not to include this and wait till we have public hearings. Councilman Measles noted there is no formula in this amendment. The percentage can be set at formal meetings. He would like to see this in the resolution so that at some point it comes back to discussion before engineering. Mayor Williams suggested it be further amended to include assurance of public hearings without request for paving assessments. Councilman Measles replied public hearings are required before paving. He added, paving is a luxury, not a necessity. It should be paid for by the residents. Legal Asst. Sutcliffe noted putting it in the resolution does not make it binding. Councilman Measles explained, it puts it in the resolution so it cannot be said there is nothing in writing (regarding assessment policy). Legal Asst. Sutcliffe asked that it be added to the NOW THEREFORE section also. VOTE, Amendment: Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote. VOTE, Main Motion as Amended: ' s Motion passed by unanimous consent. B-3 Res. 87-65 - Requesting the Governor put $3 Million of r.-.:-L: Road Improvements in His Budget for the City of Kenai. MOTION: I Councilman Measles moved, seconded by Councilwoman ilO'Reilly, to adopt the resolution. MOTION, Amendment: Councilman Measles moved, seconded by Councilman -Y-`- McComsey, to amend the amount to $3.335 Million in both the heading and NOW THEREFORE section. VOTE, Amendment: Motion passed by unanimous consent. MOTION Amendment: f.- Councilman Measles moved, seconded by Councilman j�,; McComsey, to amend the resolution to add the WHEREAS ___. clause and the NOW THEREFORE section as amended on Res. 87-64. ' VOTE, Amendment: Motion passed by unanimous consent. e 3�_ f,i 17 KENAI CITY COUNCIL, SPECIAL MEETING OCTOBER 27, 1987 PAGE 8 VOTE, Main Motion as Amended: Motion passed by unanimous consent. ADDED ITEMS: a. b. C. Council agreed to have the tour of facilities on Nov. 7 at 8:30 AN. Mayor Williams said he and Councilman McComsey visited the cemetery this date. It is in pretty good shape. Do the stakes indicate locations available? Clerk Whelan replied yes. Engineer LaShot added, there are 3 new areas added. Mayor Williams asked if sufficient plots are available and can the locations be found without difficulty. Engineer LaShot replied yes. Mayor Williams said in most instances the equipment is owned by the funeral homes rather than the cities. Councilman Measles said, prior to last night he had heard comments that it looked good. He asked if that was the general consensus of the Committee. Clerk Whelan replied, there were other concerns of the Committee, this was the greatest concern. Mayor Williams asked that copies of the minutes of the last Cemetery Committee meeting be in the Nov. 4 packet. Councilwoman Swarner asked if all the PH members were contacted regarding the CIP work session. Clerk Whelan replied, all but one. ADJOURNMENT: x - ` Meeting adjourned at 9: 50 PM. Janet Whelan 2 City Clerk D.» �a"ry C=( G-'�r.ri.K:4:w:: y