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Home My WebLink About2024-10-16 Council MinutesKENAI CITY COUNCIL — REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 16, 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 October 16, 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 Brian Gabriel, Mayor (remote participation) Phil Daniel Deborah Sounart Alex Douthit Victoria Askin A quorum was present. Also in attendance were: Terry Eubank, City Manager Scott Bloom, City Attorney David Swarner, Finance Director Tyler Best, Parks and Recreation Director Dave Ross, Police Chief Shellie Saner, City Clerk 3. Certification of the October 1, 2024 Election Results The City Clerk read the results of the October 1, 2024 election as follows: Candidates ` Polls V Absentee / Total Votes Questioned SOUNART, Deborah F. s97 KISENA, Sovala 332 Write -In 32 5 37 MOTION: Council Member Askin MOVED to certify the results of the October 1, 2024 Election as presented. Council Member Douthit SECONDED the motion. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested. VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED. [Clerk's Note: Reelected Council Member Sounart and newly elected Council Member Kisena were administered their oath of office for a term beginning on October 21, 2024] City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 1 of 5 October 16, 2024 4. Agenda Approval MOTION: Council Member Askin MOVED to approve the agenda and consent agenda. Council Member Daniel SECONDED the motion. The items on the Consent Agenda were read into the record. 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 - None. C. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS - None. D. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS Marion Nelson, Kenai Fine Art Center Board Member provided an update on current events and activities at the center; the recent First Friday show; and the annual Mural Project. Samantha Springer, Executive Director of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center reported that approximately $30,000 was brought in during the 391 Annual Fund Raiser; the team is now setting up the maze for the Haunted Chamber and volunteers are still needed. E. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Ordinance No. 3439-2024 - Increasing Estimated Revenue and Appropriations in the General Fund and Municipal Roadway Improvements Capital Fund to Provide Supplemental Funding for the 2024 Lilac Lane Roadway Project. (Administration) MOTION: Council Member Daniel MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3439-2024. 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. It was reported the Lilac Lane remediation project encountered larger than expected bury pits, which required additional excavation; the project has been completed; and this ordinance seeks additional funding to cover the costs associated with the additional excavation. VOTE: YEA: Daniel, Gabriel, Askin, Douthit, Sounart, Knackstedt NAY: None MOTION PASSED. F. MINUTES 1. *Regular Meeting of October 2, 2024. (City Clerk) City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 2 of 5 October 16, 2024 G. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None. H. NEW BUSINESS 1. *ActionlApproval - Bills to be Ratified. (Administration) Approved by the consent agenda. 2. *ActionlApproval - Non -Objection to Renewal of a Club Liquor License for Fraternal Order of Eagles #3525, DBA Fraternal Order of Eagles #3525- License No. 337 (City Clerk) Approved by the consent agenda. 3. Action/Approval - Confirmation of Mayoral Nomination of Student Representatives to City Council, Beautification Commission and Airport Commission. (Gabriel) MOTION: Council Member Daniel MOVED to confirm the Mayor Nominations for Student Representatives. Council Member Sounart SECONDED the motion. It was reported that current policy requires Juniors or Seniors; during the initial recruitment only one sophomore applied; the application period was extended and only two additional applications were received from sophomores for Commission seats; having no Juniors or Seniors who applied Mayor Gabriel nominated the sophomore applicants for confirmation by City Council. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested on the motion. VOTE: Motion APPROVED; without objection. COMMISSION / COMMITTEE REPORTS 1. Council on Aging Commission Meeting cancelled, next meeting November 14, 2024. 2. Airport Commission Meeting cancelled, next meeting November 14, 2024. 3. Harbor Commission No report, next meeting November 12, 2024 4. Parks and Recreation Commission Council Member Sounart reported on the October 3, 2024 work session and meeting, next meet November 7, 2024. 5. Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting cancelled, next meeting October 23, 2024. 6. Beautification Commission Meeting cancelled, next meeting January 9, 2025. J. REPORT OF THE MAYOR Mayor Gabriel reported on the following: • Thanked Vice Mayor Knackstedt for filling in. • Congratulated reelected Council Member Sounart and newly elected Council Member Kisena. • Reminded everyone to vote in the upcoming General Election. City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 3 of 5 October 16, 2024 K. ADMINISTRATION REPORTS 1. City Manager - City Manager Eubank reported on the following: • New Controller Jennifer Anderson started this week. • New Public Works Director Lee Frey and New Planning Director Kevin Buettner start next week. • Currently recruiting for Public Works Assistant Director, two police officers, a public safety dispatcher, recreation center attendant and a temporary equipment operator. • Land sale has been delayed until November, with a potential further delay until spring. • Updated health insurance will be presented at the next council meeting, with plans to offer both HRA and HSA plans. • The sheet pile wall, to protect bluff properties has been installed by the owners. The City purchased the property, which facilitated the ability for those property owners to install protect their properties. • Toured the Cooper Landing Bypass project with Vice Mayor Knackstedt. 2. City Attorney - No report. 3. City Clerk - City Clerk Saner reported on the following: • Absentee In -Person voting for the November 5, 2024 General Election will begin on Monday, October 21, 2024 at the State of Alaska, Division of Elections new Kenai Office located in the Old Kenai Mall. L. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS 1. Citizen Comments (Public comments limited to (5) minutes per speaker) 2. Council Comments Council Member Douthit noted that the Chamber Fundraiser was a lot of fun and wished everyone a Happy Halloween. Council Member Sounart thanked the residents for supporting her in her reelection; stated that she is excited to be a part of the City; and congratulated newly elected Council Member Kisena. Council Member Asking congratulated both Council Member Sounart and Council Member Kisena on their election; noted the decorations at the Chamber Fundraiser were amazing; and reminded everyone to vote. Council Member Daniel noted that the Chamber Fundraiser was a good time and congratulated Council Member Sounart and Council Member Kisena on their election. Vice Mayor Knackstedt congratulated Council Member Sounart and Council Member Kisena on their election; reported on his participation at the Pumpkin Festival; and provided information regarding the Cooper Landing Bypass Project. M. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None. N. PENDING ITEMS - None. O. ADJOURNMENT P. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 4 of 5 October 16, 2024 Ice Donation Request Letter There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 6:47 p.m. I certify the above represents accurate minutes of the Kenai City Council meeting of October 16, 2024. ichelle Saner, NNIC 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. City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 5 of 5 October 16, 2024