HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-04-19 Council Minutes.---
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KENAI CITY COUNCIL -REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 19, 2023-6:00 P.M.
KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
210 FIDALGO AVE., KENAI, AK 99611
MAYOR BRIAN GABRIEL, PRESIDING
MINUTES
A. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Kenai City Council was held on April 19, 2023, in City Hall Council Chambers,
Kenai, AK. Mayor Gabriel called the meeting to order at approximately 6:00 p.m.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Gabriel led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Roll Call
There were present:
Brian Gabriel, Mayor
Teea Winger
James Baisden, Vice Mayor
Deborah Sounart
Alex Douthit Victoria Askin
Henry Knackstedt
A quorum was present.
Also in attendance were:
**Silas Thibodeau, Student Representative
Terry Eubank, City Manager
Scott Bloom, City Attorney
Larry Semmens, Acting Finance Director
Lana Metcalf, Controller
Kathy Romain, Senior Center Director
Linda Mitchell, Planning Director
Eland Conway, Airport Manager
Tony Prior, Fire Chief
Dave Ross, Police Chief
Shellie Saner, City Clerk
3. Agenda and Consent Agenda Approval
Mayor Gabriel noted the following additions to the Packet:
Add item H.5.
Add item H.6.
Add item P.1.
MOTION:
Introduction of Ordinance No. 3347-2023
• Storefront and Streetscape Improvement Program Guide
Discussion Action -Scheduling a Work Session on Employee Recruitment and
Retention Challenges and Recommendations
• Memo
Informational Item
• Letter of Support for the Kenai Art Center Rasmuson Grant Application
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to approve the agenda and consent with the requested revisions.
Vice Mayor Baisden SECONDED the motion.
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April 19,2023
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The items on the Consent Agenda were read into the record.
Mayor Gabriel opened the floor for public comment on consent agenda items; there being no one wishing
to be heard, the public comment period was closed.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested.
VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED.
*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 .
[Clerk's Note: Mayor Gabriel presented the Kardinal Cheer Squad with a Proclamation of congratulations.]
B. SCHEDULED ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
1. Fiscal Year 2022 Audit Report, Joy Merriner, BDO USA, LLP
Joy Merriner, Assurance Office Managing Partner of BDO USA, LLP reported on the FY22 Audit Wrap-
up Document, noting the audit on the CARES Act, ARPA Act and Airport Improvement Program came
through with flying colors; the clean opinion on the report; there were no audit adjustments; new GASB
87 standards required lease reporting; and summarized the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
document.
2. Spruce Bark Beetle Mitigation Update, City of Kenai Fire Chief Tony Prior.
Tony Prior, City of Kenai Fire Chief provided an update on the City's Spruce Bark Beetle Mitigation
Program; provided imagery of the areas where trees had been cut; and reported on the progress so far
and the plans for the next phase.
C. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS -None.
D. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS -None.
E. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Ordinance No. 3342-2023 -Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations in the
Congregate Housing Fund for Costs in Excess of Budgeted Amounts. (Administration)
MOTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3342-2023. Council Member Askin
SECONDED the motion.
Mayor Gabriel opened the floor for public comment. There being no one wishing to be heard, the public
comment period was closed.
VOTE:
YEA: Askin, Douthit, Knackstedt, Sounart, Winger, Gabriel, Baisden
NAY: None
**Student Representative Thibodeau: Yea
MOTION PASSED.
2. Ordinance No. 3343-2023 -Accepting and Appropriating a Volunteer Fire Assistance
Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Passed through
the State of Alaska Division of Forestry for the Purchase of Forestry Firefighting
Equipment. (Administration)
MOTION:
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Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3343-2023. Council Member Sounart
SECONDED the motion.
Mayor Gabriel opened the floor for public comment. There being no one wishing to be heard, the public
comment period was closed.
VOTE:
YEA: Douthit, Knackstedt, Sounart, Winger, Gabriel, Baisden, Askin
NAY: None
**Student Representative Thibodeau: Yea
MOTION PASSED.
3. Ordinance No. 3344-2023 -Amending Kenai Municipal Code Chapter 8.20 -Fireworks
Control, by Removing References to City Permits -which are Redundant to the States
Firework Display Permit. (Administration)
MOTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3344-2023. Council Member Sounart
SECONDED the motion.
Mayor Gabriel opened the floor for public comment. There being no one wishing to be heard, the public
comment period was closed.
It was reported that this would eliminate redundancy; the State requires a letter of non-objection from the
City prior to issuing the State permit.
VOTE:
YEA: Knackstedt, Sounart, Winger, Gabriel, Baisden, Askin, Douthit
NAY: None
**Student Representative Thibodeau: Yea
MOTION PASSED.
4. Resolution No. 2023-26 -Amending the City Council's Procedures for Commissions,
Committees and Council on Aging Policy No. 2016-01 and Renumbering to Policy No.
20.020. (Gabriel, Baisden)
MOTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2023-26. Vice Mayor Baisden SECONDED
the motion.
Mayor Gabriel opened the floor for public comment. There being no one wishing to be heard, the public
comment period was closed.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested.
VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED.
5. Resolution No. 2023-27 -Repealing the City Council's Unnumbered Student
Representative Policy, Repealing the Parks and Recreation Commission Student
Representative Policy No. 2018-01, and Enacting City of Kenai Student Representative
Policy No. 20.100. (Gabriel, Baisden)
MOTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2023-27. Council Member Askin
SECONDED the motion.
Mayor Gabriel opened the floor for public comment. There being no one wishing to be heard, the public
comment period was closed.
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UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested.
VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED.
6. Resolution No. 2023-28 -Approving a Twelve-Month Extension of Time for Good Cause
for the Completion of Permanent Improvements for a Lease Between the City of Kenai
and Schillings Rentals, LLC for Airport Reserve Lands Described as Lot 5A, Block 1, FBO
Subdivision 2018 Replat. (Administration)
MOTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2023-28. Council Member Winger
SECONDED the motion.
Mayor Gabriel opened the floor for public comment.
Duane Bannock representing Schilling Rentals LLC addressed the Council regarding the reasons for the
requested the extension referencing the letter which was provided within the packet.
There was discussion with Mr. Bannock regarding the original request being for a twenty-four-month
extension; Kenai Municipal Code only allowed for one, twelve-month extension and that a twenty-four-
month extension would require a non-code ordinance; and the delay related to the required improvements
was related to the increased costs for construction.
There being no one else wishing to be heard, the public comment period was closed.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested.
VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED.
F. MINUTES
1. *Regular Meeting of April 5, 2023. (City Clerk)
G. UNFINISHED BUSINESS -None.
H. NEW BUSINESS
1. *Action/Approval -Bills to be Ratified. (Administration)
Approved by the consent agenda.
2. *Action/Approval -Non-Objection to the Renewal of a Liquor License for AK Inc., DBA:
Speedway Express #60206 -License No. 4544. (City Clerk)
Approved by the consent agenda.
3. *Ordinance No. 3345-2023 -Accepting and Appropriating Donations for Construction of the
Kenai Community Dog Park. (Administration)
Introduced by the consent agenda and Public Hearing set for May 3, 2023.
4. *Ordinance No. 3346-2023 -Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations in the General
Fund, Fire Department for the Purchase of an Inflatable Rescue Boat. (Administration)
Introduced by the consent agenda and Public Hearing set for May 3, 2023.
5. *Ordinance No. 3347-2023 -Establishing the Storefront and Streetscape Improvement Program
and Appropriating $50,000 from the General Fund. (Askin, Sounart)
Introduced by the consent agenda and Public Hearing set for May 3, 2023.
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6. Discussion/Action -Scheduling a Council Work Session on Employee Recruitment and
Retention Difficulties and Recommendations for May 3, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. (Administration)
An Employee Recruitment and Retention Difficulties and Recommendations work session was scheduled
for Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.
COMMISSION / COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Council on Aging
Council Member Knackstedt reported on the April 13, 2023 meeting, next meeting May 11, 2023.
2. Airport Commission
Council Member Askin reported on the April 13, 2023 work session, next meeting May 11, 2023.
3. Harbor Commission
Council Member Douthit reported no quorum was present at the April 10, 2023 meeting, next meeting
May 8, 2023.
4. Parks and Recreation Commission
No report, next meeting May 4, 2023.
5. Planning and Zoning Commission
No report, next meeting April 26, 2023.
6. Beautification Committee
Council Member Winger reported on the April 11, 2023 meeting, next meeting May 9, 2023.
J. REPORT OF THE MAYOR
Mayor Gabriel reported on the following:
• Attending the virtual Alaska Conference of Mayors meeting on May 19, 2023 where an update
was provided on the status of Bills currently with the State Legislature.
K. ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
1. City Manager -City Manager Eubank reported on the following:
• The City would be receiving roughly $43,000 from round two of the Healthy and Equitable
Communities Program; the Kenai Peninsula Borough had been contacted to see if they would
be allocation their share to the City like they did in the first round.
• With the City now being a member of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), new maps were generated by FEMA, who would
like to present the maps at one meeting.
There was general agreement that the presentation could be made to the Planning and Zoning
Commission and interested Council Members could watch the presentation remotely.
• Streets were now being swept which was a good indication that spring was here.
• Second interviews were being conducted for the Finance Director position.
• Interviews were being conducted for the Parks and Recreation Director.
2. City Attorney -No report.
3. City Clerk -City Clerk Saner reported on the following:
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• With the approval of the last two policy amendment the final document containing all Council
adopted policies would soon be available.
L. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
1. Citizen Comments (Public comments limited to (5) minutes per speaker)
Marion Nelson, Kenai Art Center Board President informed Council about an upcoming Alaska
Humanities Forum; the Potters Guild would be having their Annual Mother's Day Pottery sale; stated her
appreciation for the City taking care of the snow levels; and provided an update on the upcoming Nathan
Perry show.
2. Council Comments
Council -Member Douthit reported that the Kenai Chamber of Commerce would host a Mother's Day
Bizarre on May 29 & 30, 2023 and the June Fish Frenzy would be on June 24, 2023; and that the
Chamber was fully staffed.
Student Representative Thibodeau provided an update on High School Sports and Prom.
Council Member Sounart thanked Fire Chief Prior for the presentation and wished everyone a happy
spring.
Council Member Askin reminded everyone about the upcoming The Godfather Dinner Theater and
Auction hosted by Triumvirate Theater on April 21 & 22, 2023 and the Annual Hospice Fundraiser on
April 22, 2023; and whished everyone a happy spring.
Council Member Winger congratulated the Kenai Kardinal Cheer Squad; and thanked Fire Chief Prior for
the Spruce Bark Beetle Mitigation update.
Council Member Knackstedt thanked the Kenai Chamber of Commerce noting that he was impressed
with their current activities; and that he would be attending the Annual Hospice Fundraiser.
M. EXECUTIVE SESSION -None.
N. PENDING ITEMS -None.
0. ADJOURNMENT
P. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS-None.
There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
resents accurate minutes of the Kenai City Council meeting of April 19, 2023.
** The student representative may cast advisory votes on all matters except those subject to executive
session discussion. Advisory votes shall be cast in the rotation of the official council vote and shall not
affect the outcome of the official council vote. Advisory votes shall be recorded in the minutes. A student
representative may not move or second items during a council meeting.
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