HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-17 Council Minutes - Work Session - KEDSCOUNCIL WORK SESSION
WITH
KENAI ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (KEDS'
ACTION TEAM
APRIL 17, 2006
KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
7:00 P.M.
1. KEDS Action Tem Goals
a. Yearly Joint Work Session/Review City's role in Economic Development
and Set Annual Priorities.
b. Annual City -Wide Economic Forum
2. KEDS Recommendations
a. Millennium Square Development Plans
b. Section 36/Re-Platting the Area Lying Southwest of the Kenai Spur
Highway.
3. Branding Discussion
COUNCIL WORK SESSION
WITH
KENAI ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (KEDS)
ACTION TEAM
APRIL 17, 2006
KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
7:00 P.M.
MAYOR PAT PORTER, PRESIDING
NOTES
Council present: J. Moore, P. Porter, B. Molloy, R. Ross, C. Massie, L. Swarner
(arrived at 7:55 p.m.)
Staff present: C. Freas, J. La Shot, R. Koch, C. Graves, R. Craig (arrived at 7:55
P.M.)
KEDS members: J. Carroll, S. Mattero, G. Feeken, B. Eldridge, M. Renken, P.
Hansen, R. Baldwin
Mayor Porter opened the work session at approximately 7:00 p.m. Mr. Baldwin gave
an overview of KEDS Action Team involvement and, referring to the letters included in
the packet, he noted they were requesting feedback from council and wanted them to
know they were interested in assisting the city as a resource.
ITEM 1: KEDS Action Tem Goals
1-a. Yearly Joint Work Session/Review City's role in Economic
Development and Set Annual Priorities -- No comments.
1-b. Annual City -Wide Economic Forum -- Baldwin stated, the Team
decided not to pursue an annual forum this year. Council was asked what it
envisioned the forum to include. Comments included:
• Schedule for May 1, 2008.
• What to do as a city to have business want to come to Kenai.
• Plenary sessions
• Full day event and with formal recommendations made after it is held.
• Conduct brainstorming but center on what is doable.
ITEM 2: KEDS RECOMMENDATIONS
2-a. Millennium Square Development Plans -- The Team suggested the city
develop a request for proposals to see if there is interest for development of Millennium
Square. Discussion followed and comments included:
Before a request for proposal is prepared, the city should invite
interested groups, i.e. West Tours, Princess Tours, etc., to discuss what they believe
would make an investment into the property development, etc. attractive.
• The Team would be interested in assisting in reviewing development
proposals.
KENAI CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APRIL 17, 2006
PAGE 2
• It was suggested the city move ahead with the development of the
property and not wait for the bluff stabilization project to be completed.
• An environmental report is expect in mid -June related to the Millennium
Square property.
It was suggested the rezoning of the property should move forward.
Finding: Administration is to contact entities that may be interested in
development of the property, but wait for the June environmental report.
2-b. Section 36/Re-Platting the Area Lying Southwest of the Kenai Spur
Highway
Baldwin explained the Team believed the Section 36 subdivision should be replatted in
order for it to be more attractive for development. Discussion followed and comments
included:
• Because there is a small number of property owners (other than the city),
the property owners could be contacted to suggest the lots be replatted, placing them
perpendicular to the bluff, which the Team believed would make the lots more
attractive.
• Suggested the subdivision would be more desirable if water/sewer was
extended to it.
• Placing the lots perpendicular to the bluff would compensate for the
eroded portions.
Finding: Administration was requested to contact the property owners and ask if
the would be interested in replatting the subdivision. Administration is
to report back to council whether a replat would be feasible.
Other recommendations of KEDS Team:
• Incorporate a walking corridor from the Senior Citizens Center to Old
Town with the bluff erosion project.
• Lighting sidewalks.
• Expand water/sewer along Beaver Loop.
• Extend Swires Road to Lawton Drive with water/sewer.
• Future commercial zoning change -- more into reality, but may not be in
concert with the Comprehensive Plan.
Porter noted the following:
• City is working with Frontier Community Services (FCS) and the Senior
Connection in their combined projects to build FCS administration building and an
assisted living facility. She noted, the two entities will be partnering and FCS will
manage the assisted living facility. The project will use 25-30 acres of currently city-
KENAI CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
APRIL 17, 2006
PAGE 3
owned property along Redoubt Avenue. The issue is to be discussed during the May 3
council meeting.
• Central Peninsula Counseling Services will be moving offices from their
Lake Street building to the Cottonwood Facility in Soldotna.
• An effort to encourage more activities in the city is being made, i.e. snow
machine races, Red Hat Society parade; and the city's first marathon race, scheduled
for October 1.
Additional discussion:
Placing signs about Kenai in kiosks at locations where visitors could
acquire information about Kenai and want to travel to Kenai.
• Create a business inquiry/point person to answer business inquiries and
contact new businesses in the city.
• Post most asked questions about Kenai on the city website.
• Hold a work session with the Council, Chamber Board, KVCB Board, and
KEDS representatives.
• City meet with new VISTA representative and Chamber.
• Long-term goal -- add the Kenai area to the fast ferry schedule.
• Include park benches along Frontage Road, etc. to allow rest areas for
walkers, bikers, etc.
ITEM 3: BRANDING DISCUSSION
Porter reported, funds included in the draft Legislative budget were removed during its
initial review by administration. She suggested those interested in the funds being
replaced for a branding purpose, attend the budget work session and speak to the
issue.
The work session adjourned at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Notes prepared by:
Carol L. Freas, City Clerk
DATE CLERK