HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 3491-2025KENAI
CITY OF KENAI
ORDINANCE NO. 3491-2025
Sponsored by: Administration
AN ORDINANCE ACCEPTING THE DONATION OF THREE BRONZE STATUES FROM THE KENAI
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND VISITORS CENTER.
WHEREAS, the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center (KCCVC) is a 501(c)(6) organization
that promotes economic development, job growth, and education in the City of Kenai through destination
marketing, support of the visitor industry, management of the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center, and the
promotion of Kenai's history, arts, and culture; 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 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 sculptures on behalf of the City; and,
WHEREAS, KCCVC, the City Administration, and a community working group collaborated to bring the
Kenai Bronze Bear Family Sculpture to the Kenai Municipal Airport, creating a cultural and community
landmark; and,
WHEREAS, the community working group raised approximately $172,000, including sponsorships,
individual donations, and a grant from the Rasmuson Foundation to support the project; and,
WHEREAS, KCCVC used the funds to purchase three bronze statues, including "Standing cub and
walking cub," "Mother bear with fish," and five bronze miniatures (moquettes) for project sponsors, valued
at approximately $135,000; and,
WHEREAS, the bronzes are complete and scheduled for installation at the Kenai Municipal Airport on or
before November 6, 2025; and,
WHEREAS, KCCVC desires to donate the three bronze statutes to the City, which will become a City
asset maintained by the Kenai Municipal Airport, enhancing community spaces, celebrating local identity,
and providing long-term cultural and educational value; and,
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to accept this donation.
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 a donation of three bronze statutes valued
in the amount of approximately $135,000.
Section 2. That the estimated revenues and appropriations be increased as follows:
Airport Fund:
Increase Revenues —
Donations $135s000
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Ordinance No. 3491-2025
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Increase Appropriations— Terminal
Improvements
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 5T" DAY OF NOVEMBER,
2025. / / /7 . ,
ATTEST:
Michelle ne , MM , City Clerk
Approved by Finance: -77
my H. 1 n'ackstedt, Mayor
Introduced: November 5, 2025
Enacted: November 5, 2025
Effective: November 5, 2025
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I�ENA!
City of Kenai 1 210 Fidalgo Ave, Kenai, AK 99611-7794 1 907.283.7535 1 www.6nai.city
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor Knackstedt and Council Members
THROUGH: Terry Eubank, City Manager
FROM: Christine Cunningham, Assistant to City Manager
DATE: October 16, 2025
SUBJECT: Ordinance 3491-2025 - Accepting the Donation of Three Bronze Statues
from the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center.
The Kenai Bronze Bear Family Sculpture Project is a community -led effort to install a life-sized
bronze bear family sculpture at the Kenai Municipal Airport entrance. The idea first emerged
during the Airport Terminal Rehabilitation Project, and with support from the Airport Commission
and City Council, it has grown into a strong community partnership.
The Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center (KCCVC) has played a central role in the
project. The KCCVC established a special projects account to manage fundraising and finances,
developed the project logo, managed the website, and coordinated with the fiscal sponsor,
Bridges Community Resource Network, Inc.
A community working group, including members from the KCCVC, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge,
Kenaitze Indian Tribe, Kenai Art Center, and current and retired City representatives, provided
leadership, coordination, and creative vision. Together, the group raised approximately $172,000
through sponsorships, individual donations, and a Rasmuson Foundation grant.
The KCCVC entered into a Fine Art Purchase Agreement with Atlas Bronze Casting for three
bronze sculptures - Mother Bear with Fish, Standing Cub, and Walking Cub - and five donor
miniatures. The sculptures are complete and scheduled for installation at the airport on or before
November 6, 2025.
The project was made possible through the generosity of community sponsors — Title Sponsors
Grant Aviation and Three Bears Alaska; Silver Sponsors Marathon Petroleum, Bear Mountain
Lodge, Lynden Transport, Rick and Bobbie Baldwin, and Dr. Pete and Karolee Hansen; Bronze
Sponsors Alaska E-Line Services, HDL Engineering Consultants, Kenai Community Foundation,
Alaska Channel, Marty and Victoria Askin, and Aleutian Airways — as well as a Rasmuson
Foundation grant and contributions from individual donors.
Notification was received on October 14 that the sculptures could ship as early as October 21,
with an expected arrival date of October 28. This short timeline creates a need to accept the
donation promptly so installation can occur before winter weather conditions become a challenge.
Pursuant to KMC 1.15.070(d), same -day introduction and passage of the ordinance is requested
so the sculptures may be installed promptly.
The KCCVC wishes to formally donate the three bronze sculptures to the City of Kenai. The
Bronze Bear Family Sculpture will serve as a welcoming landmark, celebrate Alaska's wildlife and
local identity, support tourism, and provide a lasting cultural and educational landmark.
Council's approval is respectfully requested.
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