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Home My WebLink About2025-09-17 Council MinutesKENAI CITY COUNCIL — REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 — 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 September 17, 2025, 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 Victoria Askin A quorum was present. Absent: Alex Douthit Henry Knackstedt, Vice Mayor Deborah Sounart Sovala Kisena Also in attendance were: Terry Eubank, City Manager Mary Bondurant, Temporary Airport Manager Lee Frey, Public Works Director Katja Wolf, Library Director Dave Swarner, Finance Director Christine Cunningham, Assistant to City Manager Logan Parks, Deputy City Clerk Shellie Saner, City Clerk 3. Agenda and Consent Agenda Approval MOTION: Vice Mayor Knackstedt MOVED to approve the agenda and consent agenda. Council Member Askin 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. City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 1 of 5 September 17, 2025 B. SCHEDULED ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS - None. C. SCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS 1. Kenai Silver Salmon Derby Grand Prize Awards, Executive Director of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center, Samantha Springer. Samantha Springer, Executive Director of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce presented the results of the Silver Salmon Derby, noting there were 176 adult participants and 12 youth participants; 302 fish were weighed in; the adult grand prize was awarded to Tomi McMurray and the youth prize was awarded to Lily Craig. D. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS - Marion Nelson, Board Member of the Kenai Art Center addressed the Council regarding the upcoming Harvest Auction and the activities of the Potter's Guild. E. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Ordinance No. 3485-2025 - Accepting and Appropriating a Grant from the State of Alaska for the Purchase of Library Materials. (Administration) MOTION: Vice Mayor Knackstedt MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3485-2025. Council Member Kisena 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 that the Library had been receiving this grant for a couple of decades; and the funds would be utilized for purchasing materials. Appreciation was stated for the Library's staffs continued efforts in obtaining grant funding. VOTE: YEA: Daniel, Sounart, Knackstedt, Askin, Kisena, Gabriel NAY: None. ABSENT: Douthit MOTION PASSED. 2. Ordinance No. 3486-2025 - Accepting and Appropriating a Grant Received from the Rasmuson Foundation for the Kenai Bronze Bear Family Sculpture Project. (Administration) [KMC 1.15.070(d)] 1. Motion for Introduction 2. Motion for Second Reading (Requires a Unanimous Vote) 3. Motion for Enactment (Requires Five Affirmative Votes) [Clerk's Note: Vice Mayor Knackstedt reported that he was a member of the Bronze Bear Family Sculpture Project Committee and he has not nor will he receive financial gain serving on the Committee; he also noted his membership on the Kenai Community Foundation which donated funds toward the project. Council Member Askin reported that she was also a member of the Kenai Community Foundation. Mayor Gabriel ruled there was no conflict for Vice Mayor Knackstedt or Council Member Askin.] MOTION: Vice Mayor Knackstedt MOVED to introduce Ordinance No. 3486-2025. Council Member Sounart SECONDED the motion. City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 2 of 5 September 17, 2025 UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested on the motion to introduce. VOTE: Motion APPROVED, without objection. MOTION: Vice Mayor Knackstedt MOVED to conduct the second reading on Ordinance No. 3486-2025. Council Member Sounart SECONDED the motion. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested on the motion to amend. VOTE: Motion APPROVED, without object. MOTION: Vice Mayor Knackstedt MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3486-2025. Council Member Daniel SECONDED the motion. Mayor Gabriel opened the floor for public comment. Mary Bondurant and Christine Cunningham provided an overview of the Bronze Bear Project, noting a contract was in place with the artist for the two bear cub sculptures; the funds from the Rasmuson Foundation would allow the committee to contract for the mama bear sculpture; and fundraising was still underway. Paul Ostrander addressed the Council on behalf of the Rasmuson Foundation noting the Foundations past and present members support the project; and the decision to award was made after a presentation by the project organizers. There being no on else wishing to be heard, the public comment period was closed. Council Members expressed their gratitude to the Rasmuson Foundation and all the others who had donated toward this project. VOTE: YEA: Sounart, Knackstedt, Askin, Kisena, Gabriel, Daniel NAY: None. ABSENT: Douthit MOTION PASSED. F. MINUTES 1. *Regular Meeting of September 3, 2025. (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 - Purchase Orders and Purchase Order Amendments Requiring Council Approval in Accordance with KMC 7.15.020. (Administration) Approved by the consent agenda. 3. *Action/Approval - Confirming the Appointment of the Election Precinct Boards for the October 7, 2025 Regular City Election. (City Clerk) I. COMMISSION / COMMITTEE REPORTS 1. Council on Aging Commission City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 3 of 5 September 17, 2025 Vice Mayor Knackstedt reported on the September 11, 2025 Work Session, next meeting October 9, 2025. 2. Airport Commission No report, next meeting October 9, 2025. 3. Harbor Commission No report, next meeting November 10, 2025. 4. Parks and Recreation Commission No report, next meeting September 18, 2025 Work Session. 5. Planning and Zoning Commission Council Member Sounart reported on the September 10, 2025 meeting, next meeting cancelled. 6. Beautification Commission Council Member Askin reported on the September 9, 2025 Work Session, next meeting October 14, 2025. J. REPORT OF THE MAYOR Mayor Gabriel reported on the following: • Spinning the wheel to kick off the Silver Salmon Derby and doing the final spin for the championship weight. • Swearing in new Police Officers Luke Michael, Tyler Greenhalgh, and Trevor Hamilton. K. ADMINISTRATION REPORTS 1. City Manager - City Manager Eubank reported on the following: • Recruitment for the Airport Manager, Building Official, Chief Animal Control Officer, Utility Operators and other seasonal positions were ongoing. • The City Slash Site will close on September 28, 2025. • The Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District (KPEDD) hosted a regional roundtable focused on affordable housing; and they continue working on the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. • Storefront & Streetscape Improvement Program was accepting applications through October 17, 2025. • The Kenai Police Department was reaccredited by the Northwest Accreditation Alliance. • The Bluff Stabilization Project completion was anticipated for October 29, 2025. • The City of Kenai will host the 2026 Alaska Park Association Conference in Kenai. • Recognized Sarah Herrin for ten years of service on the Kenai Police Department. Regarding the Bluff Stabilization Project, clarification was provided that the consultant was preparing a report on slope stabilization, access pointes will be evaluated after the report is received; due to the anticipated continued sloughing of the bluff, there were safety concerns related to public access; remaining funds available may be applied toward construction of access and related project needs. 2. City Attorney - No report. 3. City Clerk - Deputy City Clerk Parks reported on the following: • Absentee voting begins Monday, September 22, 2025. City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 4 of 5 September 17, 2025 Clarification was provided polling locations were for both the City and Kenai Peninsula Borough; although the City Council may only confirm City residents to serve as poll workers, the Borough could appoint non - city residents to serve at the same location; and both of the Citizen Initiative Propositions on the Borough ballot if approved would not apply to City Elections. L. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS 1. Citizen Comments (Public comments limited to (5) minutes per speaker) Samantha Springer, Executive Director of the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center provided an update to Council, noting the were still looking for volunteers for the Kenai River Marathon; the Annual Fundraiser was scheduled for October 4, 2025; the Haunted Chamber would run October 18 - 31, 2025; and planning for the Christmas Comes to Kenai was underway. 2. Council Comments Council Member Sounart wished everyone a Happy Fall. Council Member Askin thanked Library Director Wolfe for the library's efforts in managing grants; and congratulated Kenai Police Department on their reaccreditation and also congratulated the winners of the Silver Salmon Derby. Council Member Daniel echoed Council Member Askin and reminded everyone to enjoy Fall. Council Member Kisena recognized the efforts of election workers and acknowledged the significant work involved in conducting elections. Vice Mayor Knackstedt wished the public a happy Fall Equinox. M. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None. N. PENDING ITEMS - None. O. ADJOURNMENT P. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None. There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 6:54 p.m. e 4bove represents accurate minutes of the Kenai City Council meeting of September 17, 2025. C City Clerk ** The student representative may cast advisory votes on all matters except those subject to executive session discussion. Advisory votes will not affect the outcome of the official council vote. Advisory votes will 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 September 17, 2025