HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-08-21 Council MinutesKENAI CITY COUNCIL — REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 21, 2024 — 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 August 21, 2024, 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
Victoria Askin
**Xinlan Tanner, Student Representative (remote participation)
Terry Eubank, City Manager
Scott Bloom, City Attorney
David Swarner, Finance Director
Scott Curtin, Public Works Director
Derek Ables, Airport Manager
Shellie Saner, City Clerk
3. Agenda Approval
MOTION:
Vice Mayor Knackstedt MOVED to approve the agenda and consent agenda. Council Member Baisden
SECONDED the motion.
The items on the Consent Agenda were read into the record.
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.
*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 - None.
C. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS - None.
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August 21, 2024
D. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS
Sovala Kisena, candidate for Kenai City Council addressed the Council stating he was looking forward to
the opportunity to serve on the City Council; he has seven -years' experience in local municipalities, working
as Risk Manager for the Kenai Peninsula Borough; prior to that worked in health and safety for oilfield
companies; and he was looking to bring some of those problem -solving experiences to the City Council.
Marion Nelson, Kenai Fine Art Center Board Member provided an update, noting that the Tattoo Art Show
was cancelled and she was helping with the Airport Bronze Bear project.
E. PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Ordinance No. 3427-2024 - Increasing Estimated Fiscal Year 2024 Revenues and
Appropriations in the General Fund - Police Department and Accepting a Grant from the
Alaska High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area for Drug Investigation Overtime Expenditures.
(Administration)
MOTION:
Vice Mayor Knackstedt MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3427-2024. 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.
Appreciation was stated for the Police Department participating in the program.
VOTE:
YEA: Gabriel, Askin, Douthit, Baisden, Sounart, Knackstedt, Daniel
NAY: None
"Student Representative Tanner: Yea
MOTION PASSED.
2. Ordinance No. 3428-2024 - Increasing Estimated Revenue and Appropriations in the
Airport Operations Facility Capital Project Fund, Accepting a Grant from the Federal
Aviation Administration and Awarding a Construction Agreement for the Kenai Municipal
Airport Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Facility Rehabilitation Project. (Administration)
• Ordinance No. 3428-2024 Substitute - Increasing Estimated Revenue and Appropriations
in the Airport Operations Facility Capital Project Fund, Accepting a Grant from the Federal
Aviation Administration and Awarding a Construction Agreement for the Kenai Municipal
Airport Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Facility Rehabilitation Project. (Administration)
MOTION:
Vice Mayor Knackstedt MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3428-2024. 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.
MOTION:
Vice Mayor Knackstedt MOVED to amend the Ordinance No. 3428-2024 by Ordinance No. 3428-2024
Substitute. Council Member Baisden SECONDED the motion.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested on the motion to amend by substitute.
VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED.
It was reported this would accept grant funds from the FAA to replace the HVAC equipment at the ARFF
Building; this represents 65% of the project cost; and this facility is crucial for maintain compliance with
FAA regulations for storage and safekeeping of snow removal assets.
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VOTE ON MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED:
YEA: Askin, Douthit, Baisden, Sounart, Knackstedt, Daniel, Gabriel
NAY: None
"Student Representative Tanner: YEA
MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED PASSED.
3. Ordinance No. 3429-2024 - Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations in the
Airport Improvements Capital Project Fund and Accepting a Grant from the Federal
Aviation Administration for the Kenai Municipal Airport Mobile Test Foam System
Equipment Purchase. (Administration)
MOTION:
Vice Mayor Knackstedt MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3429-2024. Council Member Sounart
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.
It was reported this would accept funds from the FAA to cover 100% of the project for a ARFF vehicle
portable test equipment; which allows testing without flowing foam and ensures compliance with FAA
regulations.
VOTE:
YEA: Douthit, Baisden, Sounart, Knackstedt, Daniel, Gabriel, Askin
NAY: None
"Student Representative Tanner: Yea
MOTION PASSED.
4. Resolution No. 2024-38 - Authorizing a Service Agreement for the Fiscal Year 2025
Street Light Repair and Maintenance with Utility Locate Services. (Administration)
MOTION:
Vice Mayor Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2024-38. 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 regarding maintaining a list of problem lights within the City for the public so that
the residents could know the City was aware an issue existed and would be addressing it.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested.
VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED.
6. Resolution No. 2024-39 - Authorizing a Service Agreement for the Fiscal Year 2025 and
Fiscal Year 2026 Water Treatment Plant and Wastewater Treatment Plant Dumpster
Services. (Administration)
MOTION:
Vice Mayor Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2024-39. 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 that the process had been running for roughly a year; has improved the quality of
water leaving the plant; has not resulted in significant utility savings; revenue has been generated
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processing the leachate from the borough; the high cost of sludge disposal and having no end user for
sludge in the area.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested.
VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED.
6. Resolution No. 2024-40 -Authorizing a Contract Award to Supply Operational Chemicals
for the City's Water Treatment and Wastewater Treatment Facilities. (Administration)
MOTION:
Vice Mayor Knackstedt MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2024-40. Council Member Sounart 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.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested.
VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED.
F. MINUTES
1. *Regular Meeting of August 7, 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 - Authorizing Submission of Comment to NOAA to Determine Whether to List
Gulf of Alaska Chinook Salmon Under the Endangered Species Act. (Knackstedt)
Approved by the consent agenda.
3. *Action/Approval - Authorizing a Letter of Support of the Kenai Watershed Forum's Proposal for
WaterSMART Cooperative Management Program Phase I Funding. (Administration)
Approved by the consent agenda.
4. *Action/Approval - Non -Objection to the Large Resort Endorsement of a Beverage Dispensary
Tourism Liquor License for Salamatof Cannery Lodge, LLC - License No. 6111. (City Clerk)
Approved by the consent agenda.
5. *Ordinance No. 3430-2023 - Accepting and Appropriating a Meals on Wheels of America Grant
in Partnership with DoorDash for the Kenai Senior Center Meals on Wheels Delivery Program.
(Administration)
Introduced by the consent agenda and Public Hearing set for September 4, 2024.
6. *Ordinance No. 3431-2023 - Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations in the General
Fund, Land Administration Department for the Purchase of Survey Services to Subdivide City of
Kenai Parcel 04901022. (Administration)
Introduced by the consent agenda and Public Hearing set for September 4, 2024.
COMMISSION / COMMITTEE REPORTS
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1. Council on Aging Commission
No report, next meeting September 12, 2024.
2. Airport Commission
Vice Mayor Knackstedt reported on the August 8, 2024 meeting, next meeting September 12, 2024.
3. Harbor Commission
Council Member Sounart reported on the August 12, 2024 meeting, next meeting September 9, 2024.
4. Parks and Recreation Commission
No report, next meeting October 3, 2024.
5. Planning and Zoning Commission
Council Member Douthit reported on the August 14, 2024 meeting, next meeting was cancelled.
6. Beautification Commission
Council Member Daniel reported on the August 20, 2024 work session, next meeting September 10,
2024.
J. REPORT OF THE MAYOR
Mayor Gabriel reported on the following:
• Field of Flowers looks great this year.
• Attending:
o Ambulance Dedication Ceremony.
o Industry Appreciation Days.
o Kenai Classic Round Table Discussion.
• This would be Student Representative Tanners last meeting and thanked her for her in-depth
reports and service.
K. ADMINISTRATION REPORTS
1. City Manager - City Manager Eubank reported on the following:
• Public Works Director Mr. Curtin's resignation and upcoming relocation out of state.
• Recruitment updates for Chief Animal Control Officer, Deputy Fire Chief, and Planning
Director positions.
• Meeting with the Kenaitze Indian Tribe regarding a grant application for the Cemetery Creek
culvert replacement.
• Proposal to host the 2026-2027 Upper Cook Inlet Fin Fish regulatory meeting in the Central
Peninsula.
• Update on Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) grant application
and letters of support received.
• Upcoming closures at the Rec Center for floor refinishing and epoxy application.
• Commendation of the Senior Center's annual survey results showing high satisfaction.
• Planning Director recruitment closed with one qualified applicant being considered.
2. City Attorney - No report.
3. City Clerk - City Clerk Saner reported on the following:
• Student Representative applications distributed to schools, application deadline September
13, 2024.
• Resignation from the Planning & Zoning Commission, recruitment to begin right away with an
application deadline of September 10, 2024.
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• Resignation from the Harbor Commission effective October 31, 2024, if unfilled the
commission will have less than a quorum.
L. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
1. Citizen Comments (Public comments limited to (5) minutes per speaker)
2. Council Comments
Vice Mayor Knackstedt thanked Student Representative Tanner for her service; reported attendance at
the ambulance dedication ceremony and Industry Appreciation Days; and upcoming Food Bank Soup
Fundraiser and the Senior Center Old Timers Lunch; he thanked Council for their support on the
submission of comments to NOAA.
Council Member Baisden thanked Student Representative Tanner, noting she set a high bar for future
student representatives.
Council Member Daniel thanked Student Representative Tanner and noted that today was the first day
of school.
Council Member Askin thanked Council Member Sounart for filling in at the Harbor Commission meeting;
welcomed new Fire Chief Teague, and thanked Student Representative Tanner, noting she would be
missed.
Council Member Douthit reported throwing the first pitch at the Oilers game as a result of the City of
Kenai winning the King of the River Food Drive this year; helping during the Industry Appreciation Days
event; thanked Public Works for Lilac Drive improvements; reminded everyone there were still areas for
firewood cutting and to contact the Parks Department.
Student Representative Tanner reported it was the first day of school; provided an update on sports
activities; thanked everyone for their support this last year, noting this had been an interesting and
amazing experience and that she enjoyed working will the Council.
M. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None.
N. PENDING ITEMS
O. ADJOURNMENT
P. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None.
There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 6:57 p.m.
I certify the a Qbveepresents accurate minutes of the Kenai City Council meeting of August 21, 2024.
e e Ker, 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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