HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-04 Council MinutesKENAI CITY COUNCIL — REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 4, 2023 — 6:00 P.M.
KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
210 FIDALGO AVE., KENAI, AK 99611
VICE MAYOR JAMES BAISDEN, PRESIDING
MINUTES
A. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Kenai City Council was held on October 4, 2023, in City Hall Council Chambers,
Kenai, AK. Vice Mayor Baisden called the meeting to order at approximately 6:00 p.m.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
Vice Mayor Baisden led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Roll Call
There were present:
James Baisden, Vice Mayor
Teea Winger
Alex Douthit
A quorum was present.
Absent:
Brian Gabriel, Mayor
Also in attendance were:
Henry Knackstedt
Deborah Sounart
Victoria Askin
**Xinlan Tanner, Student Representative
Dave Ross, Acting City Manager
Scott Bloom, City Attorney
Tony Prior, Fire Chief
Scott Curtin, Public Works Director
Shellie Saner, City Clerk
3. Agenda Approval
Vice Mayor Baisden noted the following additions to the Packet:
Add item K.3. City Clerk's Report
• Unofficial Election Results
MOTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to approve the agenda and consent agenda with the requested
revisions. Council Member Winger SECONDED the motion.
The items on the Consent Agenda were read into the record.
Vice Mayor Baisden 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: Motion APPROVED; without objection.
*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
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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.
Vice Mayor Baisden presented representatives from the LeeShore Center with a proclamation declaring
October 2023 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
B. SCHEDULED ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS - None.
C. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
D. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS
Bob Molloy stated his appreciation for the opportunity to work as an Absentee Voting Official and noted it
was great to see how state and local laws were implement; accountability reporting procedures; Americans
with Disabilities Act compliance procedures; and voting methods for people who cannot come to the polls.
Samantha Springer, Executive Director of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center provided
an update regarding the Haunted Chamber and reported that there were five seats up for the Chamber
Board of Directors.
Paul Shadura addressed the Council regarding previous requests by the City Council to the Board of
Fisheries to move the Upper Cook Inlet Regulatory meetings from Anchorage to the Kenai/Soldotna area;
he thanked staff and Council Members for helping provide previous legislations and correspondence to
assist with his request this year.
E. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Ordinance No. 3371-2023 - Accepting and Appropriating Funds from the Institute of
Museum and Library Services, Passed through the State of Alaska, Department of
Education and Early Development, Division of Library, Archives & Museums, for Library
Employee Training. (Administration)
MOTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3371-2023. Council Member Askin
SECONDED the motion.
Vice Mayor Baisden opened the floor for public comment. There being no one wishing to be heard, the
public comment period was closed.
VOTE:
YEA: Askin, Winger, Sounart, Knackstedt, Douthit, Baisden
NAY: None
ABSENT: Gabriel
"Student Representative Tanner: Yea
MOTION PASSED.
2. Ordinance No. 3372-2023 - Accepting and Appropriating a Grant from the State of Alaska
for the Purchase of Library Materials. (Administration)
MOTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3372-2023. Council Member Askin
SECONDED the motion.
Vice Mayor Baisden opened the floor for public comment. There being no one wishing to be heard, the
public comment period was closed.
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Gratitude was expressed to the Library Director for applying and receiving grant funds.
VOTE:
YEA: Winger, Sounart, Knackstedt, Douthit, Baisden, Askin
NAY: None
ABSENT: Gabriel
"Student Representative Tanner: Yea
MOTION PASSED.
3. Ordinance No. 3373-2023 - Amending Kenai Municipal Code 14.20.330 - Standard for
Commercial Marijuana Establishments to Prohibit Licensed Retail Marijuana
Establishments from Serving Customers through a Walk -Up or Drive -Through Window.
(Baisden, Winger, Douthit)
MOTION:
Council Member Askin MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3373-2023. Council Member Sounart
SECONDED the motion.
Vice Mayor Baisden opened the floor for public comment. There being no one wishing to be heard, the
public comment period was closed.
There was discussion regarding support of the Ordinance; concerns with the state changing laws that
created more enforcement issues within the local municipalities; and concerns with possible consumption
in public.
VOTE:
YEA: Sounart, Knackstedt, Douthit, Baisden, Askin, Winger
NAY: None
ABSENT: Gabriel
*"Student Representative Tanner: Yea
MOTION PASSED.
4. Resolution No. 2023-60 - Authorizing the Use of Equipment Replacement Fund to
Purchase a Second Replacement Ambulance for the Fire Department Fleet Under the
Existing Contract with Braun Northwest, and Authorizing a Change Order to the Contract.
(Administration)
MOTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2023-60. Council Member Winger
SECONDED the motion.
Vice Mayor Baisden opened the floor for public comment. There being no one wishing to be heard, the
public comment period was closed.
There was discussion regarding the anticipated delivery date of March 2024; the shortened equipment
replacement schedule being due to higher call volumes; and the increased call volumes were due to the
increased assisted living facilities.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested.
VOTE: Motion APPROVED; without objection.
5. Resolution No. 2023-61 - Authorizing the Use of the Equipment Replacement Fund for
the Purchase of Snow Removal Equipment for the City Streets Department Utilizing a
State of Alaska Procurement Contract. (Administration)
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MOTION:
Council Member Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2023-61. Council Member Askin
SECONDED the motion.
Vice Mayor Baisden opened the floor for public comment. There being no one wishing to be heard, the
public comment period was closed.
There was discussion regarding the availability of the equipment; the City currently does not have this
equipment; and it will assist with widening the roads after the initial snow removal, could potentially clear
bike paths, and expedite the clearing of cul-de-sacs.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested.
VOTE: Motion APPROVED; without objection.
F. MINUTES
1. *Regular Meeting of September 20, 2023. (City Clerk)
G. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None.
H. NEW BUSINESS
1. *Action/Approval - Bills to be Ratified. (Administration)
Approved by the consent agenda.
2. *Ordinance No. 3374-2023 - Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations in the Airport
Fund for the Purchase of Aviation Fuel Due to Fuel Sales at the Kenai Municipal Airport Float
Plane Basin Being in Excess of Budgeted Amounts. (Administration)
Introduced by the consent agenda and Public Hearing set for October 19, 2023.
3. Discussion/Action - Cancelling the December 6, 2023 City Council Meeting to Allow for Council
Member Travel to the Alaska Municipal League Conference. (Administration)
There was discussion in support of cancelling the December 6, 2023 meeting so that Council Members
may attend the Alaska Municipal League (AML) Conference and staff could attend the affiliate meetings
that would also be taking place.
MOTION:
Council Member Askin MOVED to cancel the December 6, 2023 City Council Meeting. Council Member
Sounart SECONDED the motion.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested on the motion.
VOTE: Motion APPROVED; without objection.
I. COMMISSION 1 COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Council on Aging
No report, next meeting October 12, 2023.
2. Airport Commission
No report, next meeting October 12, 203
3. Harbor Commission
Council Member Douthit reported on the September 11, 2023 work session.
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4. Parks and Recreation Commission
No report, next meeting October 5, 2023 - Joint Work Session with the Beautification Committee.
5. Planning and Zoning Commission
Vice Mayor Baisden reported on the September 27, 2023 meeting and reported that the meeting of
October 11, 2023 was cancelled.
6. Beautification Committee
No report, next meeting October 5, 2023 - Joint Work Session with the Parks and Recreation
Commission.
J. REPORT OF THE MAYOR
Vice Mayor Baisden thanked all of the candidates who ran for City Council.
K. ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
City Manager - Acting City Manager Ross reported on the following:
• Conditional offer was made to Mr. Derek Ables for the Airport Manager position.
• Paving is complete on the Miscellaneous Street Repair Project, the 1st Avenue Project; and
the North Willow Street Project was about 95% complete.
• Design work has begun on the Cemetery Creek culvert replacement project.
• Salamatof Native Association has contacted the City regarding working on other culvert
replacement projects within the City.
2. City Attorney - No report.
3. City Clerk - City Clerk Saner reported on the following:
• Reminded everyone that Wednesday October 18, 2023 is a recognized holiday of the City
"Alaska Day" and the next City Coucnil meeting would by on Thursday October 19, 2023.
• Provided an update on the number of absentee, personal representative and questioned
ballots to be canvassed.
L. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
1. Citizen Comments (Public comments limited to (5) minutes per speaker)
2. Council Comments
Council Member Douthit reported his attendance at the New Hope Counseling Center Harvest of Hopes
fundraiser and the Kenai Fine Art Center Harvest Auction fundraiser.
Student Representative Tanner reported on Connection Home School activities: cards for athletes
participating in athletic events at other schools; National Honors Society ceremony induction of four new
members; second annual forest gathering focused on wildland fire prevention and an upcoming Fuel
Your Future meeting. Kenai Central Highschool: Volleyball schedule; Football schedule; Swim Meet
schedule and Wrestling schedule. Kenai Alternative School: Planning Thanksgiving and Christmas
Events.
Council Member Sounart reported attending the Bluff Stabilization signing event; working as an Election
Precinct Co -Chair and recommended everyone work at least one election; she thanked all of the
candidates for running.
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Council Member Askin reported attending the Kenai Fine Art Center Harvest Auction; the Honored
American Veterans Afield (HAVA) event; the Bluff Stabilization signing event; she thanked all the election
workers for their work.
Council Member Winger welcomed Student Representative Tanner and thanked her for her detailed
report; reported attending the Bluff Stabilization signing; thanked the election workers and candidates
who ran for office; reminded everyone about the Kenai Peninsula Borough meeting regarding salt brine
on the roads; reminded everyone the Kenai Slash site would be closing soon and to fire wise their
property; and reported working the Kenai River Marathon.
Council Member Knackstedt reported attending the Bluff Stabilization signing, the Kenai Fine Art Center
Harvest Auction; and noted his appreciation for election workers.
M. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None.
N. PENDING ITEMS - None.
O. ADJOURNMENT
P. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
CIRCAC Director's Report
There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:04 p.m.
I certify the above represents accurate minutes of the Kenai City Council meeting of October 4, 2023.
Mic ell MM
City Clerk . San
** 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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