Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 3502-2026Sponsored by: Administration CITY OF KENAI ORDINANCE NO. 3502-2026 AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO REIMBURSE ANNUAL LEAVE USED BY FIREFIGHTER GARRICK MARTIN FOR ATTENDING A PARAMEDIC INTERNSHIP PROGRAM. WHEREAS, Firefighter Garrick Martin recently completed his paramedic certification program; and, WHEREAS, as part of the certification process, Firefighter Garrick Martin utilized his GI Bill educational benefit, grant funds, approximately $13,000 of his own funds, and 384 hours of annual leave to attend a paramedic internship at Montgomery County Hospital District in Houston, Texas from October 4, 2025 through November 16, 2025; and, WHEREAS, the City benefits from having certified paramedics in the Fire Department who provide a higher level of emergency medical service; and, WHEREAS, as a certified paramedic, Firefighter Martin receives additional compensation; and, WHEREAS, consistent with past City practice, it is in the best interests of the City to reimburse Firefighter Garrick Martin's leave account for the 384 hours of annual leave used to attend the paramedic internship; and, WHEREAS, an ordinance is necessary to accomplish this reimbursement, as the City Code does not contain a specific method for reimbursing leave time for this purpose. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. Form: That this is a non -code ordinance. Section 2. Authorizing the Reimbursement of Leave: That the City Manager is authorized to enter into an agreement to reimburse 384 hours of annual leave utilized by Firefighter Garrick Martin for attending a paramedic internship program over a period of two months. Section 3. Severabilily: 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 30 days after enactment. ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, THIS 4T" DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026. !�) - a4,6_4t" Victoria Askin, Vice Mayor New Text Underlined; [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] Ordinance No. 3502-2026 Page 2 of 2 ATTEST: i M. MMC, City Clerk Approved by Finance: 5v� Introduced: January 21, 2026 Enacted: February 4, 2026 Effective: February 4, 2026 New Text Underlined; [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] N 'A 17m City of Kenai 1 210 Fidalgo Ave, Kenai, AK 99611-7794 1907.283.75351 www.lcenai.city MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Knackstedt and Council Members THROUGH: Terry Eubank, City Manager FROM: Stephanie Randall, Human Resources Director DATE: January 13, 2026 SUBJECT: Ordinance No. 3502-2026 - Authorizing the City Manager to Reimburse Annual Leave Used by Firefighter Garrick Martin for Attending a Paramedic Internship Program. This memo provides additional information in support of the referenced ordinance. Firefighter Garrick Martin participated in the Paramedic program through Kenai Peninsula College. The program consisted of classroom sessions, ride -a -longs, labs, hospital clinical rotations and culminated with a 6-week field internship at Montgomery County Hospital District in Houston, Texas. Firefighter Martin has completed the program as of December 3, 2025 and is a Nationally Registered Paramedic. As a licensed paramedic, Firefighter Martin expands the Kenai Fire Department's advanced life support capabilities and increases the level of emergency medical care the department is able to provide to our community. Kenai Fire Department firefighters are not required to become paramedics and are not eligible for a leave of absence with pay under KMC 23.40.060 to attend paramedic school since it is not a requirement of their positions. However, in recognition of professional development, personal time, and effort of the individual to achieve the same, a recognition entitlement is paid to Fire Department employees who obtain a paramedic certification as an additional 5% of the employee's current hourly pay. The City of Kenai has previously reimbursed leave for two other firefighters who used leave when completing paramedic training out-of-state. Reimbursing leave taken to attend paramedic school is also typical of what other similarly -situated departments are doing nationwide. Based upon the recommendation of Fire Chief Jay Teague, the attached Ordinance provides for the City Manager to reimburse Firefighter Garrick Martin for the 384 hours of leave he utilized to attend paramedic training. Thank you for your consideration.