HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 3486-20250.11
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KENAI
CITY OF KENAI
ORDINANCE NO. 3486-2025
Sponsored by: Administration
AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING AND APPROPRIATING A GRANT RECEIVED FROM THE RASMUSON
FOUNDATION FOR THE KENAI BRONZE BEAR FAMILY SCULPTURE PROJECT.
WHEREAS, the Kenai Municipal Airport Terminal Rehabilitation Project removed all prior landscaping
and irrigation systems, with subsequent landscaping improvements included in the City's Capital
Improvement Plan; and,
WHEREAS, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service collaborated with Airport Administration and the City
Manager's Office in 2023 to discuss incorporating a bronze wildlife sculpture into the terminal's landscape
design, and provided conceptual sketches of a bronze bear family sculpture; and,
WHEREAS, the Bronze Bear Family Sculpture Project was presented to the Kenai Airport Commission
at its regular meeting on September 14, 2023, and the Commission unanimously supported the project;
and,
WHEREAS, on October 19, 2023, the City Council authorized Airport Administration to incorporate the
Bronze Bear Family Sculpture into the airport landscape design, pursue grant funding, and support a
community fundraising committee to purchase the sculpture on behalf of the City; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Kenai has partnered with a community working group to bring the Kenai Bronze
Bear Family Sculpture to the Kenai Municipal Airport, enhancing the airport entrance as a cultural and
community landmark; and,
WHEREAS, the Rasmuson Foundation has awarded the City of Kenai a grant in the amount of $25,000
in support of the Kenai Bronze Bear Sculpture Project; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Kenai is serving as the grant applicant and will pass through the awarded funds
to the project's fiscal sponsor, Bridges Community Resources, to support the efforts of the volunteer -led
working group; and,
WHEREAS, the Kenai Bronze Bear Sculpture Project aligns with the City's mission to serve its citizens
through listening and leading, and to promote growth and continually improve services by supporting a
community -led initiative that balances public priorities with responsible management; and,
WHEREAS, the project will enhance community spaces, celebrate local identity, support tourism
development, provide long-term cultural and educational value for residents and visitors, and is in the
best interest of the City.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That the City Manager is authorized to accept and expend the Rasmuson Foundation
grant funds in the amount of $25,000 for the Kenai Bronze Bear Sculpture Project.
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Ordinance No. 3486-2025
Page 2of2
Section 2. That estimated revenues and appropriations be increased as follows:
General Fund:
Increase Estimated Revenues -
Legislative — Grants to Agencies $2
Increase Expenditures —
Legislative — Grants to Agencies
Section 3. Severability That if any part or provision of this ordinance or application thereof to any
person or circumstances is adjudged invalid by any court of competent jurisdiction, such judgment shall
be confined in its operation to the part, provision, or application directly involved in all controversy in
which this judgment shall have been rendered, and shall not affect or impair the validity of the remainder
of this title or application thereof to other persons or circumstances. The City Council hereby declares
that it would have enacted the remainder of this ordinance even without such part, provision, or
application.
Section 4. Effective Date: That pursuant to KMC 1.15.070(f), this ordinance shall take effect
immediately upon enactment.
ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, THIS 17T" DAY OF SEPTEMBER,
2025.
Approved by Finance:y ,
rian Gabriel Sr., Mayor
Introduced: September 17, 2025
Enacted: September 17, 2025
Effective: September 17, 2025
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7000, /
City of Kenai 1 210 Pidalgo Ave, Kenai, AK 99611-7794 1907.283.7535 1 www.6nai.city
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Gabriel and Council Members
THROUGH: Terry Eubank, City Manager
FROM: Christine Cunningham, Assistant to City Manager
DATE: September 5, 2025
SUBJECT: Ordinance 3486-2025 - Accepting and Appropriating a Grant Received from
the Rasmuson Foundation for the Kenai Bronze Bear Family Sculpture
Project.
The Kenai Bronze Bear Family Sculpture Project is a community -led effort to install a life-sized
bronze bear family sculpture at the entrance to the Kenai Municipal Airport. The idea first emerged
during the Airport Terminal Rehabilitation Project, when landscaping concepts were under
development. With support from the Kenai Airport Commission and the City Council, the project
has grown into a significant community partnership.
The City is serving as the grant applicant and would pass through awarded funds to the project's
fiscal sponsor, Bridges Community Resources, a local nonprofit, to support the volunteer working
group leading the effort. This working group is made up of community partners, including
members from the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Kenaitze Indian Tribe, Kenai Art Center, Kenai
Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center, and current and retired City of Kenai representatives.
The Rasmuson Foundation has awarded the City of Kenai a grant in the amount of $25,000 to
support the Bronze Bear Family Sculpture Project. The total project budget is $200,000. To date,
$124,818 has been secured through sponsorships and individual donations. In addition,
approximately $20,000 in in -kind contributions —including donated shipping and marketing
services —has reduced the project's effective cost to $180,000. These contributions reflect strong
community support. Notification of the grant was received on September 5, 2025, creating a time -
sensitive opportunity to secure funding and meet the October installation schedule. Pursuant to
KMC 1.15.070(d), an ordinance making or changing appropriations may be read and passed the
same day by unanimous consent. Same -day introduction and passage are requested to accept
the funds and maintain the project timeline.
The Kenai Bronze Bear Family Sculpture will serve as a welcoming landmark at the Kenai
Municipal Airport, celebrating Alaska's wildlife, strengthening community identity, and supporting
tourism. Adoption of the ordinance will allow the City to accept the Rasmuson Foundation grant
and allow the Bronze Bear Family Sculpture to be installed in October.
Council's approval is respectfully requested
From: grantsCcbrasmuson.org
To: Christine Cunningham
Cc: ; Terry Eubank; Christine Cunningham; Christine Cunningham
Subject: Application Tier 1 19407: Kenai Bronze Bear Family Sculpture Approved
Date: Thursday, September 4, 2025 4:35:21 PM
CAUTION: This email originated from outside your organization. Exercise caution when
opening attachments or clicking links, especially from unknown senders.
Congratulations! Rasmuson Foundation is pleased to award City of Kenai a Tier 1
grant in the amount of $25,000.00 for the Kenai Bronze Bear Family Sculpture
project.
Your organization will receive an electronic Grant Agreement via AdobeSign in the
coming weeks. The Agreement will include award terms and reporting requirements.
To initiate payment, please ensure the Agreement is signed and returned to
Rasmuson Foundation within 15 days of receipt, through AdobeSign electronic
signature.
We are interested in keeping in touch with your activities during the year. Please
include us on your regular mailing list and inform us if you have a special event,
receive recognition for your services, or have a significant accomplishment. We would
enjoy hearing about it.
If you have any questions, please contact grants management at
gra�nts_(2rasmuson.org or by phone at (907) 297-2700. From the entire Rasmuson
Foundation team, thank you for everything you do to improve the lives of Alaskans.
Best Regards,
Christina Gheen
Grants Manager
Rasmuson Foundation