HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-03 Council Minutesr
I
KENAI CITY COUNCIL -REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 3, 2024 -6:00 P.M.
KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
210 FIDALGO AVE., KENAI, AK 99611
VICE MAYOR HENRY KNACKSTEDT, PRESIDING
MINUTES
A. CALL TO ORDER
A Regular Meeting of the Kenai City Council was held on April 3, 2024, in City Hall Council Chambers,
Kenai, AK. Vice Mayor Knackstedt called the meeting to order at approximately 6:00 p.m.
1. Pledge of Allegiance
Vice Mayor Knackstedt led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. Roll Call
There were present:
Henry Knackstedt, Vice Mayor
Phil Daniel
Alex Douthit
James Baisden
A quorum was present.
Also in attendance were:
Brian Gabriel, Mayor (remote participation)
Deborah Sounart
Victoria Askin
**Xinlan Tanner, Student Representative
Terry Eubank, City Manager
Scott Bloom, City Attorney
David Swarner, Finance Director
Linda Mitchell, Planning Director
Stephanie Randall, Human Resource Director
Katja Wolf, Library Director
Tyler Best, Parks and Recreation Director
Scott Curtin, Public Works Director
Kathy Romain, Senior Services Director
Derek Ables, Airport Manager
Dave Ross, Police Chief
Shellie Saner, City Clerk
3. Agenda Approval
Vice Mayor Knackstedt noted the following additions to the Packet:
Add to item E. 3.
Add to item H. 5.
MOTION:
Public Hearing -Ordinance No. 3406-2024
• Amendment Memo
Action/Approval -Community Purpose Exemption to Donate Sand
• Public Comment
Council Member Baisden 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
April 3, 2024
Page 1 of 6
Vice Mayor Knackstedt 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.
B. SCHEDULED ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
1. Classification and Compensation Report, Malayna Halvorson Maes, Senior Consultant for
McGrath Human Resources Group and Stephanie Randall, Human Resource Director.
Malayna Halvorson Maes, Senior Consultant for McGrath Human Resource Group provided an overview
of her firm and presented the classification and compensation report for the City of Kenai, outlined the
importance of classification and compensation in workforce management; challenges faced today with
recruitment and retention; highlighting the City's demographics and turnover rates and the need for
retention efforts; the importance of aligning the City's compensation with the local market; reviewed the
current compensation structure; and presented recommended changes to the compensation structure to
address market shifts.
Stephanie Randall, Human Resource Director provided an overview of the City's compensation package
on healthcare,-retirement benefits, leave policies and other fringe benefits; identified the goal is to ensure
competitiveness in attracting and retaining talent while managing the budget effectively;
,recommendations include: maintaining current employer-employee cost sharing ratios for healthcare,
continuing the life insurance coverage, and adjusting pay structures to ensure fairness and
competitiveness; and summarized that the goal is to create a workplace where employees feel valued,
supported and empowered for success.
There was discussion regarding the longevity cap being set at 15-years instead of 20-years; the financial
impact to the budget with the recommended changes; and changing the probationary period from 6-
. months to 12-months ..
C. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS
1. Alaska Christian College Update, Dr. Keith Hamilton, President of Alaska Christian College.
Dr. Keith Hamilton, President of Alaska Christian College provided an overview of the history, mission,
growth. and offerings of the college; highlighted the college focus of empowering Alaska Natives; outlined
the new facilities, future construction plans and the commitment to the community.
D. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS
Marion Nelson, Kenai Fine.Art Center Board President provided an update to Council on the 33 rd Annual
KPBSD Juried Student Art Show.
E. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Ordinance No. 3404-2024 -Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations in the
Airport Fund to Provide Supplemental Funding for 100 Low Lead Float Plane Basin Fuel.
(Administration)
MOTION:
Council Member Baisden MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3404-2024. Council Member Askin
SECONDED the motion.
City of Kenai -Council Meeting
April 3, 2024
Page 2 of6
r
Vice Mayor Knackstedt opened the floor for public comment. There being no one wishing to be heard,
the public comment period was closed.
VOTE:
YEA: Sounart, Knackstedt, Daniel, Gabriel, Askin, Douthit, Baisden
NAY: None
**Student Representative Tanner: Yea
MOTION PASSED.
2. Ordinance No. 3405-2024 -Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations in the
Congregate Housing Fund for Costs Above Budgeted Amounts. (Administration)
MOTION:
Council Member Baisden MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3405-2024. Council Member Sounart
SECONDED the motion.
Vice Mayor Knackstedt opened the floor for public comment. There being no one wishing to be heard,
the public comment period was closed.
It was reported that the increase was needed due to ongoing issues with keeping the boiler working and
a sewer leak.
VOTE:
YEA: Knackstedt, Daniel, Gabriel, Askin, Douthit, Baisden, Sounart
NAY: None
**Student Representative Tanner: Yea
MOTION PASSED.
3. Ordinance No. 3406-2024 -Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations in the
Airport Special Revenue and Airport Improvement Capital Project Funds and Authorizing
a Final Adjusting Contract Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with HDL
Engineering for Construction Administration Services for the 2020 Kenai Municipal Airport
Sand Storage Facility Project. (Administration)
MOTION:
Council Member Baisden MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3406-2024. Council Member Askin
SECONDED the motion.
Vice Mayor Knackstedt opened the floor for public comment. There being no one wishing to be heard,
the public comment period was closed.
MOTION TO AMEND:
Council Member Baisden MOVED to amend Ordinance No. 3406-2024 as follows:
Title to read , "An Ordinance Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations in the [AIRPORT
SPECIAL REVENUE AND] Airport Improvement Capital Project Fund[S] and Authorizing a Final
Adjusting Contract Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with HDL Engineering
for Construction Administration Services for the 2020 Kenai Municipal Airport Sand Storage
Facility Project. (Administration)"
Council Member Askin SECONDED the motion.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested on the motion to amend.
VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED.
VOTE ON MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED:
YEA: Daniel, Gabriel, Askin, Douthit, Baisden, Sounart, Knackstedt
NAY: None
**Student Representative Tanner: Yea
City of Kenai Council Meeting
April 3, 2024
Page 3 of 6
MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED PASSED.
4. Resolution No. 2024-13 -Authorizing a Contract Award and Corresponding Purchase
Order for Library Materials. (Administration)
MOTION:
Council Member Baisden MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2024-13. Council Member Sounart
SECONDED the motion.
Vice Mayor Knackstedt opened the floor for public comment. There being no one wishing to be heard,
the public comment period was closed.
It was reported that the primary goal is to budgeted funds wisely; the purpose of the proposal was
reviewing things like cost, added value through discounts, shipping, and collection management.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested.
VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED.
F. MINUTES
1. *Regular Meeting of March 20, 2024. (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 -Consent to Assignment and Assignment and Assumption of Lease
Agreement, of Lot 1, Block 5, General Aviation Apron No. 1 Amended. (Administration)
Approved by the consent agenda.
3. *Ordinance No. 3407-2023 -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)
Introduced by the consent agenda and Public Hearing set for April 17, 2024.
4. *Ordinance No. 3408-2023 -Accepting and Appropriating a State of Alaska Code Blue Fiscal
Year 2025 Grant Passed through the Southern Region EMS Council, Inc. to Purchase Two Video
Laryngoscopes. (Administration)
Introduced by the consent agenda and Public Hearing set for April 17, 2024.
5. Action/Approval-Authorizing the City Manager to Request a Community Purpose Exemption to
Donate Sand for the Construction of the Triumvirate Theatre. (Administration)
MOTION:
Council Member Douthit MOVED to authorize the City Manager to Request a Community Purpose
Exemption to Donate Sand. Council Member Askin SECONDED the motion.
Vice Mayor Knackstedt opened the floor for public comment.
Jenny Neyman, President of the Board of Directors for Triumvirate Theatre thanked the City Council for
their generosity with the previous land donation; stated the request for the sand donation was due to the
unexpected cost related to the high water table; the value of the sand donation would be the equivalent
City of Kenai Council Meeting
April3,2024
Page 4 of 6
to three years of utility costs or a summer camp for 25 kids; the goal is to limit construction cost to
minimize the need for loans and ensuring sustainability and the ability to serve the community.
r There being no one else wishing to be heard, the public comment period was closed.
[
Clarification was provided that the City had not previously requested a community purpose exemption
from the FAA; the sand was already excavated; the sand was dusty and not as useful for City purposes
as other sand; and if it were used by the City, the City would need to purchase it.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested on the motion.
VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED.
6. Discussion -Scheduling a Budget Work Session. (Administration)
A Budget Work Session was scheduled for May 4, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.
[Clerk's Note: Mayor Gabriel left the meeting at 7:37 p.m.J
I. COMMISSION / COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Council on Aging
No report, next meeting April 11, 2024.
2. Airport Commission
No report, next meeting April 11, 2024.
3. Harbor Commission
No report, the April 8, 2024 meeting was cancelled.
4. Parks and Recreation Commission
No report, next meeting April 4, 2024.
5. Planning and Zoning Commission
No report, the April 10 2024 meeting, next meeting cancelled.
6. Beautification Committee
No report, next meeting April 9, 2024.
J. REPORT OF THE MAYOR -None.
K. ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
1. City Manager -City Manager Eubank reported on the following:
• Provided an update on the Leachate Agreement with the Kenai Peninsula Borough, and
seeing no noticeable difference at the plant when accepting 5,000 gallons a day, the plant
was now accepting 10,000 gallons a day.
• Minimal damage to City facilities during the windstorm, Parks & Recreation and Streets
cleared trees, and due to power surges, some equipment at the sewer plant needed repairs.
• Public Works Director Curtin attended a Bluff Stabilization Project meeting; due to the rock
testing process more than likely rock placement would not begin this year; the Army Corps of
Engineers is still committed to two-years for completion; and various quarries were being
reviewed.
• Kenai Police Sergeant Coleman recently graduated from the FBI Academy.
• The City received a refund of $72,000 due to the change in 2023 in insurance programs which
included shared savings if it existed.
City of Kenai Council Meeting
April 3, 2024
Page 5 of6
• Attending an upcoming Infrastructure Symposium in Anchorage.
• Fire Chief Prior resigned, his last day will be April 30, 2024 .
2. City Attorney -No report.
3. City Clerk-City Clerk Saner reported on the following:
• Implementation of a text messaging software for the purpose of confirming Commission
meeting quorums.
L. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
1. Citizen Comments (Public comments limited to (5) minutes per speaker)
2. Council Comments
Council Member Douthit noted he would be attending the Senior Connections March for Meals Fundraiser
and Art Show; and reported the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center had hired a curator.
Student Representative Tanner provided detailed schedule of upcoming events and activities with
Connections Home School, Kenai Alternative High School and Kenai Central High School.
Council Member Sounart stated she was looking forward to the Senior Connections March for Meals
Fund raiser.
Council Member Askin stated she was looking forward to the Senior Connections March for Meals
fundraiser; and the Historical Society would be meeting this Sunday.
Council Member Baisden reported that Emma Beck signed with UAA Volleyball; stated his appreciation
for the City clearing the snow from the soccer fields; and noted it was a good work session.
Vice Mayor Knackstedt stated he was looking forward to the Senior Connections March for Meals
Fund raiser.
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 8:04 p.m.
I certify the abov repr ents accurate minutes of the Kenai City Council meeting of April 3, 2024.
** 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.
City of Kenai Council Meeting
April3,2024
Page 6 of6