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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-11-19 Economic Development Commission SummaryNovember 19, 1987 Meeting with Economic Development Officials City Hall Conference Room Mayor John J. Williams Presiding Present: John J. Williams, Mayor, City of Kenai Jim Carter, Managerial Assistant, Kenai Peninsula Borough StanSteadman, Associate Planner, Kenai Peninsula Borough Bernhard E. Richert, Jr., Economic Development Representative in Alaska (U.S. Dept. of Commerce) James E. Wiedeman, Development Specialist, Division of Business Development Charles Brown, Finance Director, City of Kenai Mayor Williams introduced the first subject for discussion; the Kenai Bicentennial. The .Council approved resolution which creates the Kenai Bicentennial Commission November 18, 1987. Mayor Williams set a time from of 90 to 120 days to create a list of goals and objectives. Mr. Wiedeman asked for a time line for the project, Mayor Williams answered; by 1991, all projects should be on line by the summer to accept tourists. "We are inviting virtually all commissions and committees around the state to hold their meetings here, including the Alaska Municipal League. This year the~approximate attendance reached approximately 600 persons attending. At the current time, the only facility that will house that many persons would be the sports center in Soldotna. Mr. Steadman suggested the Commission draft a list of people who may be interested, a speakers panel. Mr. Richert discussed funding from his standpoint. The funds are extremely limited at this time. Your ideas are good and appear to fall in line with the funding criteria. Mr. Richert gave some examples of projects funded in the past; renovation of a church into a meeting hall/museum, Tradition House, etc. The basic criteria is that it will not only create construction type jobs but jobs that will be of a more year round or consistent nature. It is desirable to make grants in the neighborhood of $400,000 and the most desirable are those that can be matched. Mayor Williams introduced the second project for discussion, and stated that he would be discussing this at the upcoming Community & Regional Affairs teleconference set for Friday, 11/20/87. During that teleconference Mayor Williams will be discussing two additional projects the City is undertaking, that of an RV park and a softball complex. Both of these projects are regional in nature as the softball complex attracts from 150 to 250 people to the area for tournament play as Kenai has the best softball fields in the state at the current time. This summer there were 2 to 3 caravans of RV's numbering approximately 50 to 60 RV's passing through Kenai. What these caravans desire is a place near to shopping areas and utilities. What the Council would like to do is move the softball complex and create the RV park in it's present location. The RV park would now be within .7 miles from the largest shopping center in Kenai and all utilities (water, sewer, electricity) are available at the site. There are plans for the new softball complex further down the Spur Highway and this projec~ will also need funding. Mr. Richert stated that the Community Development Block Grant can be of some help, however, avoids any projects which are residential or recreational in nature. If you can show some commercial or industrial value then this type of funding could be available to you. Mayor Williams introduced the third topic for discussion; the new boating facility. The new boating facility was not on line the entire fishing season and grossed approximately $40,000. During that time, approximately 40 loads of ice were brought from Homer by truck. The third item suggested for funding would an ice facility. Mr. Richert requested details concerning the Kenai fisheries. Mayor Williams explained that there are approximately 600~permits issued for the immediate area, not including the shore fisheries permits. There are 5 processors within the Kenai city limits with approximately 5 additional processors outside the city limits, but still within a close proximity. Kenai is considered to be the central distribution point for these processors. Mr. Wiedeman suggested that the state may be able to help out in this area. "The key is to come up with a plan of what you want to do and perhaps apply for a matching capital grant. You need to show that your project is job producing. The state can match directly to the city. You need to show that you can come up with half of the money and be able to show the economic development effects on the community. With one year lead time we can get one through the legislature. Mayor Williams explained that the official start up date will be December 18th and should be completed by March 18th in order to meet all funding deadlines. Mr. Wiedeman stated that to get into the 1990-91 budget you will need to have your paperwork together by the summer of 1989 as the money will be available in October 1990. You may want to ensure that your commission is a non profit base in order to apply for ADA funds. Mr. Stan Steadman summed up the projects by stating that while these are local projects, they can easily be seen to be very regional in nature. Mayor Williams pointed out that there are people who have chosen Kenai for the site of a lodge for just these reasons. Kenai has a golf course, a boating facility for launching guide boats or fishing charters, a float plane basin going in, and all utilities including many paved roads. Mayor Williams and the gentlemen present requested notes of the meeting be sent on the the Council.