HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-15 Council MinutesKENAI CITY COUNCIL — REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 15, 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 November 15, 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
Phil Daniel
Alex Douthit
James Baisden
A quorum was present.
Also in attendance were:
Henry Knackstedt, Vice Mayor
Deborah Sounart (electronic participation)
Victoria Askin
**Xinlan Tanner, Student Representative (electronic participation)
Christine Cunningham, Assistant to City Manager
Scott Bloom, City Attorney
David Swarner, Finance Director
Kathy Romain, Senior Center Director
Tyler Best, Parks & Recreation Director
Derek Ables, Airport Manager
Meghan Thibodeau, Acting City Clerk
3. Agenda Approval
Mayor Gabriel noted the following additions to the Packet:
Add item H.3. *ActionlApproval - Non -Objection to the Issuance of a New Beverage
Dispensary Tourism Liquor License to Salamatof Cannery Lodge LLC
• Non -Objection Memo
Add item H.4. *ActionlApproval - Special Use Permit to American Red Cross of Alaska
• Airport Commission Recommendation Memo
Add item H.9. Discussion - Scheduling a Joint Work Session with Kenaitze Indian Tribe.
• Memo
MOTION:
Vice Mayor Knackstedt MOVED to approve the agenda and consent agenda with the requested revisions.
Council Member Askin SECONDED the motion.
The items on the Consent Agenda were read into the record.
City of Kenai Council Meeting
November 15, 2023
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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.
*Ali 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.
B.
C.
Q
E.
SCHEDULED ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS - None.
SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS
Samantha Springer, Executive Director of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center
provided the Chamber's 2024 schedule and discussed upcoming events including a First Friday Art
Series, Community Business Lecture Series, family movie nights, gingerbread house competition,
and Christmas Comes to Kenai.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Ordinance No. 3377-2023 - Accepting and Appropriating an Increase in the Title III Grant from
the State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services for Nutrition, Transportation and
Support Services and an American Rescue Plan Act Grant Passed through the State of Alaska
Department of Health and Social Services for Kenai Senior Center Expenditures in Support of
its Response to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. (Administration)
MOTION:
Vice Mayor Knackstedt MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3377-2023. 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.
Senior Center Director Kathy Romain was thanked for obtaining this grant.
VOTE:
YEA: Askin, Baisden, Douthit, Knackstedt, Sounart, Daniel, Gabriel
NAY: None
**Student Representative Tanner: None
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
[Clerk's Note: technical issues prevented the Student Representative from casting this vote.]
2. Ordinance No. 3378-2023 - Accepting and Appropriating a Donation from Hilcorp Energy
Company to Assist with the Annual Area -Wide Senior Thanksgiving Dinner. (Administration)
MOTION:
Council Member Askin MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3378-2023. Council Member Douthit
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.
Hilcorp was thanked for their generous donation. It was noted that this donation is a tradition that goes
back decades; this will be a large event and will take place on Friday, November 17, 2023.
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November 15, 2023
VOTE:
YEA: Daniel, Knackstedt, Baisden, Askin, Douthit, Sounart, Gabriel
NAY: None
**Student Representative Tanner: Yea
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
3. Ordinance No. 3379-2023 - Accepting and Appropriating a Grant from the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security Passed through the State of Alaska Department of Military and Veterans'
Affairs for the Purchase of Trauma Care Supplies. (Administration)
MOTION:
Vice Mayor Knackstedt MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3379-2023. Council Member 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.
VOTE:
YEA: Gabriel, Sounart, Knackstedt, Baisden, Daniel, Askin, Douthit
NAY: None
**Student Representative Tanner: Yea
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
4. Ordinance No. 3380-2023 - Amending Kenai Municipal Code 22.05.095 - Methods of Sale or
Disposal, to Provide a Veterans Land Purchase Price Discount for Certain Residential Land
Purchases. (Baisden)
MOTION:
Council Member Baisden MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3380-2023. 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.
There was discussion of how this was timed to coincide with Veterans' Day; the State has a discount for
veterans who bid on State property; the City offers veteran discounts at the cemetery and Rec Center;
the Kenai Peninsula Borough does not currently offer a veteran discount; and that there is a high number
of veterans on the Kenai Peninsula and in the state of Alaska. Council Member Baisden disclosed that
he is a veteran but does not intend to take advantage of the discount. Support was expressed for the
ordinance and for providing benefits to veterans.
VOTE:
YEA: Douthit, Baisden, Daniel, Gabriel, Sounart, Knackstedt, Askin
NAY: None
**Student Representative Tanner: Yea
MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
F. MINUTES
1. *Regular Meeting of November 1, 2023. (City Clerk)
Approved by the consent agenda.
G. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None.
H. NEW BUSINESS
1. *Action/Approval - Bills to be Ratified. (Administration)
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November 15, 2023
Approved by the consent agenda.
2. *Action/Approval - Non -Objection to the Renewal of a Standard Marijuana Cultivation Facility
License for Shackleford Investments, LLC, DBA Shackleford Investments, LLC — License No.
31826. (City Clerk)
Approved by the consent agenda.
3. *Action/Approval - Non -Objection to the Issuance of a New Beverage Dispensary Tourism
Liquor License to Salamatof Cannery Lodge LLC, DBA Salamatof Cannery Lodge LLC — License
No. 6111. (Administration)
Approved by the consent agenda.
4. *Action/Approval - Special Use Permit to American Red Cross of Alaska for General Office
Space at the Alaska Regional Fire Training Center. (Administration)
Approved by the consent agenda.
5. *Ordinance No. 3381-2023 - Repealing Kenai Municipal Code Appendices - Public Record
Inspection Regulations, Repealing Kenai Municipal Code Chapter 10.40 - Release of Public
Records and Re -Enacting Kenai Municipal Code 10.40 - Access to Public Records. (Baisden)
Approved by the consent agenda.
6. *Ordinance No. 3382-2023 - Amending Kenai Municipal Code Chapter 7.05 Taxation of Real
and Personal Property to Provide an Exemption on the First $100,000 of Assessed Valuation
Other Than Motor Vehicles and Watercraft Owned by Each Taxpayer and Making Housekeeping
Changes. (Gabriel, Knackstedt, Baisden, Daniel, Askin, Sounart, Douthit)
Approved by the consent agenda.
7. Action/Approval - Council Confirmation of Mayoral Nominations to the City's Commissions and
Committee. (Mayor Gabriel)
MOTION:
Vice Mayor Knackstedt MOVED to confirm the following Mayoral Nominations to the City's Commissions
and Committee for three-year terms beginning January 1, 2024 and ending on December 31, 2026:
• Airport Commission: Jacob Caldwell, Glenda Feeken, and Paul Minelga
• Beautification Committee: Terri Wilson and Sonja Barbaza
• Council on Aging: Rachael Craig, Frances Kilfoyle, Roy Williams, and Jim Glendening
• Harbor Commission: Bob Peters, Jeanne Reveal, and Dave Peck
• Parks & Recreation Commission: Michael Bernard, T. Grant Wisniewski, and Nigel LaRiccia
Council Member Baisden SECONDED the motion.
It was noted that vacancies still existed on the Beautification Committee and Council on Aging, and that
nearly all commissioners with terms ending had reapplied for another term.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested on the motion.
VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED.
8. Action/Approval - Council Confirmation of Mayoral Nominations to the Planning & Zoning
Commission. (Mayor Gabriel)
MOTION:
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Vice Mayor Knackstedt MOVED to confirm the Mayoral Nominations of Joe Halstead, Glenese Pettey
and Sonja Barbaza to the Planning & Zoning Commission for three-year terms beginning January 1, 2024
and ending on December 31, 2026. Council Member Baisden SECONDED the motion.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested on the motion.
VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED.
9. Discussion -Scheduling a Joint Work Session with Kenaitze Indian Tribe. (Administration)
MOTION:
Vice Mayor Knackstedt MOVED to postpone the discussion to schedule a joint work session with
Kenaitze Indian Tribe to the December 20, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting. Council Member Baisden
SECONDED the motion.
Council Member Douthit requested that the work session start at 5:00 p.m. or later.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested on the motion.
VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED.
I. COMMISSION / COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Council on Aging
Council Member Baisden noted that the November 9, 2023 work session and regular meeting had been
rescheduled to November 16, 2023.
2. Airport Commission
Vice Mayor Knackstedt reported on the November 9, 2023 Airport Commission meeting.
3. Harbor Commission
Council Member Askin reported on the November 6, 2023 Harbor Commission work session and regular
meeting.
4. Parks and Recreation Commission
Council Member Sounart reported on the November 2, 2023 Parks & Recreation Commission work
session and regular meeting.
5. Planning and Zoning Commission
Council Member Douthit reported on the November 8, 2023 Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting,
and noted that the next regular meeting had been rescheduled from November 22 to November 29, 2023.
6. Beautification Committee
Council Member Daniel reported on the November 14, 2023 Beautification Committee work session and
special meeting.
J. REPORT OF THE MAYOR
Mayor Gabriel reported on the following:
• Auditors were performing their annual review of City finances last week; will provide report to
Council around February of next year.
• Attended the Lion's Club District 49A Conference; provided welcoming comments.
• Attended and spoke at Veterans Day celebration on Saturday.
• Attended Mural Art Show at the Kenai Art Center.
• Thanked the Parks & Recreation Department to for dipnet report; noted that it would be made
available to the public on the City's website.
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K.
L.
ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
1. City Manager— Assistant to City Manager Cunningham reported on the following:
• Parks & Recreation Director Best received the 2022 New Professional Award from the Alaska
Recreation and Parks Association.
• Introduced new Airport Manager Derek Ables.
• Administration met with Beacon representatives to discuss Special Use Permit at the Fire
Training Facility; looking at long-term lease, may bring a month -to -month extension to Council
beforehand.
• Army Corps of Engineers issued pre -solicitation notice for Kenai Bluff Stabilization Project.
2. City Attorney — No report.
3. City Clerk —Acting City Clerk Thibodeau reported that 16 Commission & Committee Surveys had
been received.
ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
1. Citizen Comments (Public comments limited to (5) minutes per speaker) -None.
2. Council Comments
Council Member Sounart wished everyone Happy Thanksgiving.
Student Representative Tanner reported on Statewide events: Alaska Allstate Music Festival, wrestling
championships. Connections Homeschool events: Student Council bake sale, AMC 12B Competition,
Thanksgiving food drive, ice skating at Soldotna Sports Center. Kenai Alternative High School: annual
Thanksgiving dinner event, adverse childhood experiences and parent resiliency event, full student aid
informational event. Kenai Central High School: hockey schedule, wrestling schedule, craft fair,
swimming awards.
Council Member Douthit noted he would be out of town on the December 2W, meeting, and he looked
forward to attending the Alaska Municipal League Local Government Conference.
Council Member Askin congratulated Parks & Recreation Director Best on his award and welcomed
Airport Manager Ables; noted she was looking forward to serving seniors at the annual Senior Center
Thanksgiving dinner, and to the Christmas Comes to Kenai event.
Council Member Daniel welcomed Airport Manager Ables; said he is looking forward to Alaska Municipal
League Local Government Conference; congratulated Parks & Recreation Director Best; and expressed
appreciation to City staff for maintaining the roads.
Council Member Baisden expressed appreciation for the City's road maintenance; welcomed Airport
Manager Ables; congratulated Parks & Recreation Director Best; thanked Council for their support on
Ordinance No. 3380-2023; working on Council recognition of Kenai Kardinal volleyball and football
victories for December 2W' meeting.
Vice Mayor Knackstedt expressed
Manager Ables; will be attending
everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
M. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None.
N. PENDING ITEMS
O. ADJOURNMENT
City of Kenai Council Meeting
November 15, 2023
appreciation for the City's road maintenance; welcomed Airport
Alaska Municipal League Local Government Conference; wished
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P. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None.
There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 6:47 p.m.
certify the above -represents accurate minutes of the Kenai City Council meeting of November 15, 2023.
�Micliel e ner, M
City Clerk
** 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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November 15, 2023