HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-06-30 Economic Development Commission Summary KENAt ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
June 30, 1988 7 pm
Homer Electric Building,Kenai,Alaska
Special Meeting· Cold Storage Facility
1. ROLL CALL
Attending
chairman vince o' Reilly
Jim Carter
Darren Bond
Barry Thomson
Penny Dyer
Jim Elson
Bob Scott
GENERAL PUBLIC ATTENDING
Marge OReilly
Roland Lynn
CA Short
Wellet Bushnell
Ray Landry
Leon G. Quesnel
Doug Coughenower
RC Scott
Linda Swarner
Stan Steadman
Patrick O" Connell
Timothy Rogers
Clyde Sterling
Gary Superman
Clinton W. Binde
Alan Bentz
Sally Bailie
Art McComsey
Mayor John J. Williams
Jack Brown
Raymond Measles
Gary Ervin
There were a number of 'people attending who did not sign the
sign in sheet.
2 . APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Agenda was approved as presented bY Chairman Vince O'Reilly.
3. BRIEF REVIEW OF THE PROPOSAL
Chairman O'Reill.y read out loud the proposal that was
presented to the Mayor and the Kenai City Council~from the
~i~'~EDC Commission. He also gave a brie~f overview of the work
done by the EDC Commission and gave some history as to why
the Economic Development Commission was asked to do this.
In late 1987 the Cold Storage matter waS presented to the
Kenai Economic Development commission. Numerous meetings .
were held and the intent was to cover the pros .and cons of
having such a facility in Kenai and to look at all aspects of
such a facility.
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Special Meeti.ng of Kenai Economic Development Commission
June 30, 19 88
This special meeting was being .held a% this point in time because
the Kenai City Council wanted to have the EDC Commission review
their past proposal on a cold storage facility.
Chairman Vince O'Reilly asked for any comments· from the Commissioners.
Commissioner Darren Bond 'reinterated the point that Seafoods
of Alaska would be a user ~of· the facility and would be one of many
renting space within the ~structure.
Commissioner. Bob Scott reminded the commission that to his
knowledge Seafoods of Alaska was the One that proposed the cold
storage facility and no other processor-had showed ~an interest
in such a facility.at ~this time.
Commissioner Jim Carter felt all points had been covered, as
did 'Commissioner Penny Dyer.
Bill Brighton reminded the commission and~ those present that by
just submitting as app!ica~tion to the EDA for s~uCh a facility., did
not guarantee .the awarding of the grant. Mr Brighton also said
that if the Kenai City Council accepted the project the final
application could be in the mail the next day, following the council
meeting.
Mayor John Williams gave some comments .on the cold storage facility
and also said that it .may be necessary for the City of Kenai to
operate the facility ..and provide the administration and other
necessary items involved. It was becoming apparent that i.f the
facility is in operation the City of Kenai would have to hire more
additional people for the administration of such a building.
Stan Steadman reminded the commission that in order to have a
bonded cold storage facility it must have continued use year around.
At this point Chairman O'Reilly asked for comments from the general
public attending.
Doug CoughenoWer , who is doing a st~udy for the Harbor Commission
had no comments on such a facility other than making mention of
the current work that is in process, for the Harbor Commission on
the fishing industry in the Kenai area.
Gary Ervin,from Seafoods of Alaska said he is looking for
available storage .space for 1 1/2 re 2 million pounds of fish
this year and would use such a facility.
Mr. Bushnell asked who would be handling the security of a cold
storage facility at which point Kenai City Atto'rney Tim Rogers
stated that he was not able to answer questions concerning liability
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Special Meeting of Kenai Economic Development Commission
June 30, 1988
on a bonded facility. Liability would be handled by the lessee
and any additional insurance cost would be take. n by the lessee.
Comments came from the public that the Fish Processors banks would
not allow a product to go into a non-bonded facility and that the
Economic DeVelopment Commission shoUld know and realize this. At
this time comments were- asked as to why the City of Kenai wanted to
compete with private industry?
Of the .six packers on the Kenai River their total storage capability
at this time would exceed four million pounds.
Other questions and comments that were pre.sented at this time were.
1. What is the economic health of other cold storage facilities
in the state? It was suggested that the City of Kenai Council
members and /or members-of the Economic Development Commission
check this out or visit such a facility within the state of
Alaska and- also outside the state.
A SHORT BREAK WAS TAKEN AT 9:15 pm.
Chairman Vince O'Reilly called the meeting back to order at which
time Mayor John Williams explained to the public that the Kenai City
Council had desired a total review ,of the original proposal on a
cold storage facility. After comments again from the public and
repeating questions that were asked earlier, Commissioner Jim Carter
asked as to "Just what was expected of the EDC at this time, since
a proposal had already been worked on and made to the Kenai City
Council?"
Chairman O'Reilly. asked that a motion be made to go into. a committee
as a whole, for the purpose of Voting.
Commissioner Penny Dyer made the motion that this be done with
Commissioner Darren Bond seconded.
Roll call vote was taken.
Darren Bond
Jim Carter
Bob' Scott
Jim Elson
Barry Thomson
Vince O'Reilly
Penny Dyer
Yes
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
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Special Meeting of Kenai Economic Development Commi.ssion
June 30, 1988
Commissioner Bob Scott said he felt a decision could not be made
at this time and suggested a motion be made to defer a decision.
This was put in the form· of a motion.
Commissioner Jim Elson made a motion to PostPose any action to the
council until more information could be obtained on such a cold
storage facility.
This was seconded by Commissioner Penny Dyer.
Vote was taken.
Darren Bond Yes
Barry Thomson Yes
Jim ~'Carter No
Bob Scott Yes
Vince O'Reilly Yes
Jim Elson Yes
Penny Dyer Yes
Motion Was carried.
Chairman Vince O'Reilly asked the secretary to notify the City Clerk
as to the Kenai Economic Developments Commissions vote, and have the
results sent to the Kenai City Council befor their next meeting.
4. Mayor John Williams asked if another matter. could be brought befor
the Economic Development commission concerning the proposed.
"Detac.hment by Nikiski." The Kenai Economic DevelOpment Commission
was charged to look at the pros and cons of this and do a in debth
study on how the City of Kenai would be ~ affected.- Chairman O'Reilly
will notify the EDC members' on the next meeting and when the work is
to be started.
Meeting Adjourned at 9:55 p.m.
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