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Home My WebLink About2026-06-17 Council MinutesKENAI CITY COUNCIL — REGULAR MEETING JUNE 17, 2026 — 6:00 P.M. KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 210 FIDALGO AVE., KENAI, AK 99611 MAYOR HENRY H. KNACKSTEDT, PRESIDING MINUTES A. CALL TO ORDER A Regular Meeting of the Kenai City Council was held on June 17, 2026, in City Hall Council Chambers, Kenai, AK. Mayor Knackstedt called the meeting to order at approximately 6:00 p.m. 1. Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Knackstedt led those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance. 2. Roll Call There were present: Henry Knackstedt, Mayor Sovala Kisena Deborah Sounart A quorum was present. Absent: Bridget Grieme Also in attendance were: Victoria Askin, Vice Mayor Phil Daniel Glenese Pettey (remote participation) **Josh Bolling, Student Representative Terry Eubank, City Manager Scott Bloom, City Attorney David Swarner, Finance Director Kevin Buettner, Planning Director (remote participation) Tyler Best, Parks and Recreation Director Lee Frey, Public Works Director Kathy Romain, Senior Services Director Mary Bondurant, Interim Airport Manager Julie Semmens, Airport Administrative Assistant Dave Ross, Police Chief Ryan Coleman, Police Sergeant Shellie Saner, City Clerk 3. Agenda and Consent Agenda Approval Mayor Knackstedt noted the following additions to the Packet: Add to item E. 7. Public Hearing - Resolution No. 2026-50 • Informational Materials MOTION: Council Member Askin MOVED to approve the agenda and consent agenda with the requested revisions. Council Member Sounart SECONDED the motion. The items on the Consent Agenda were read into the record. City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 1 of 7 June 17. 2026 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 Alaska Wastewater Monitoring for Infectious Disease Program, Clayton Weingartner, MPA HAI/AR Program Manager for the Alaska Department of Health, Division of Public Health / Section of Epidemiology. Clayton Weingartner addressed the Council regarding the wastewater monitoring program, noting its use for tracking community level disease trends; methods and locations used for collecting samples; wastewater monitoring data reporting and trend analysis capabilities; and identified the role of the utility operators in supporting the program. 2. 2026 March for Meals Event, Jerry Nassen, Vice President for Kenai Senior Connection, Inc. Jerry Nassen, President for Kenai Senior Connection, Inc., presented a $120,000 check to the Kenai Senior Center, noting that $75,000 was from the March for Meals fundraiser with the reaming funds coming from Senior Connection, Inc.; he reported that roughly 31,000 meals were served to seniors in the community and that was a 21 % increase from the previous year. D. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS - None. E. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Ordinance No. 3528-2026 - Accepting and Appropriating $42,867.04 in asset Forfeiture Sharing Funds for the Purchase of Law Enforcement Equipment into the General Fund, Police Department. (Administration) MOTION: Vice Mayor Askin MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3528-2026. Council Member Sounart SECONDED the motion. Mayor Knackstedt opened the floor for public comment. There being no one wishing to be heard, the public comment period was closed. A summary overview of the memorandum as attached to Ordinance No. 3528-2026 was provided. VOTE: YEA: Daniel, Askin, Pettey, Kisena, Sounart, Knackstedt NAY: None ABSENT: Grieme **Student Representative Bolling: Yea MOTION PASSED. 2. Ordinance No. 3529-2026 - Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations in the General Fund - City Manager for Leave Cash -Out, Finance Information Technology City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 2 of 7 June 17. 2026 Salaries and Benefits, and Public Works Administration Salaries and Benefits in Excess of Budgeted Amounts. (Administration) MOTION: Vice Mayor Askin MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3529-2026. Council Member Sounart SECONDED the motion. Mayor Knackstedt opened the floor for public comment. There being no one wishing to be heard, the public comment period was closed. VOTE: YEA: Askin, Pettey, Kisena, Sounart, Knackstedt, Daniel NAY: None ABSENT: Grieme "Student Representative Bolling: Yea MOTION PASSED. 3. Ordinance No. 3530-2026 - Accepting and Appropriating a Grant Awarded to the Kenai Senior Center from the Kenai Peninsula Foundation, Inc. and the Alaska Community Foundation, Inc., Through the Elmer and Ruth Schwantes Fund for the Purchase of Meals on Wheels Delivery Bags. (Administration) MOTION: Vice Mayor Askin MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3530-2026. Council Member Sounart SECONDED the motion. Mayor Knackstedt opened the floor for public comment. There being no one wishing to be heard, the public comment period was closed. Appreciation was stated for staff obtaining grant funds. VOTE: YEA: Pettey, Kisena, Sounart, Knackstedt, Daniel, Askin NAY: None ABSENT: Grieme "Student Representative Bolling: Yea MOTION PASSED. 4. Resolution No. 2026-47 - Authorizing Binding of the City's Property, Liability, Workers' Compensation, Airport and Other Ancillary Insurance Policies with the Alaska Public Risk Alliance for July 1, 2026 Through June 30, 2027. (Administration) MOTION: Vice Mayor Askin MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2026-47. Council Member Sounart SECONDED the motion. Mayor Knackstedt opened the floor for public comment. There being no one wishing to be heard, the public comment period was closed. A summary overview of the memorandum as attached to Resolution No. 2026-47 was provided; it was reported that the City had received a refund for Fiscal Year 2026 of $47,000 for loss incentives such as safety meetings and employee training. Appreciation was stated for the loss incentive activities. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested. VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED. City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 3 of 7 June 17. 2026 F 5. Resolution No. 2026-48 - Authorizing an Agreement with the Boys and Girls Club of the Kenai Peninsula for the Operation of the Teen Center Located in the Kenai Recreation Center. (Administration) MOTION: Vice Mayor Askin MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2026-48. Council Member Sounart SECONDED the motion. Mayor Knackstedt opened the floor for public comment. 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. 6. Resolution No. 2026-49 -Amending the City of Kenai Land Management Plan to Change the Land Management Designation of Tract E, Boat Ramp Subdivision From "Retain" to "Mixed — Retain/Dispose. (Administration) MOTION: Vice Mayor Askin MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2026-49. Council Member Sounart SECONDED the motion. Mayor Knackstedt opened the floor for public comment. There being no one wishing to be heard, the public comment period was closed. A summary overview of the memorandum as attached to Resolution No. 2026-49 was provided; there was discussion regarding the parties who had previously noted interest in the land; the portions of the land that would be retained for City purposes; and the portion of land nearby that is used for dewatering the silt when dredging the boat launch annually. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested. VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED. 7. Resolution No. 2026-50 - Authorizing a Contract Award and Corresponding Purchase Order to Vector Airports Systems for Aircraft Operating Fee Billing and Collection Services. (Administration) MOTION: Vice Mayor Askin MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2026-50. Council Member Sounart SECONDED the motion. Mayor Knackstedt opened the floor for public comment. There being no one wishing to be heard, the public comment period was closed. A summary overview of the memorandum as attached to Resolution No. 2026-50 was provided; it was reported this was an automated service; this would capture 75% of the landing fees not currently being collected; this ensures all user are paying; and there were no new fees added. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested. VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED. MINUTES *Regular Meeting of June 3, 2026. (City Clerk) Approved by the consent agenda. G. UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None. City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 4 of 7 June 17. 2026 H. NEW BUSINESS 1. *Action/Approval - Bills to be Ratified. (Administration) Approved by the consent agenda. 2. *Action/Approval - Special Use Permit to Empire Airlines, Inc. for Use of Apron Space at Kenai Municipal Airport for Aircraft Parking. (Administration) Approved by the consent agenda. 3. *Action/Approval - Special Use Permit to Everts Air Fuel, Inc. for Use of Apron Space at Kenai Municipal Airport for Aircraft Parking and Loading. (Administration) Approved by the consent agenda. 4. *Action/Approval - Special Use Permit to State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Fire Protection for Use of Apron Space at Kenai Municipal Airport for Aircraft Parking and Loading. (Administration) Approved by the consent agenda. 5. *Action/Approval - Special Use Permit to United Parcel Service Co., Inc. for Apron Space at Kenai Municipal Airport for Aircraft Parking and Loading. (Administration) Approved by the consent agenda. 6. *Action/Approval - Second Amendment to the Agreement with Tyler Distributing Company, Inc. for ATM Services at the Kenai Municipal Airport Terminal. (Administration) Approved by the consent agenda. 7. *Action/Approval - Memorandum of Agreement with the Alaska Department of Health for Participation in the Wastewater Monitoring Program. (Administration) Approved by the consent agenda. 8. *Ordinance No. 3531-2026 - Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations in the Kenai Recreation Center Improvements Capital Project Fund and Accepting a Grant from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program to Replace Lighting in the Kenai Recreation Center. (Administrations) Introduced by the consent agenda and Public Hearing set for July 8, 2026. 9. *Ordinance No. 3532-2026 - Determining that the Proposed Subdivision of Dena'ina Point Estates Serves Other City Purposes, Authorizing the City to Share in Subdivision Costs, and Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations in the General Fund - Lands Administration in the Amount of $54,219. (Administrations) Introduced by the consent agenda and Public Hearing set for July 8, 2026. I. COMMISSION / COMMITTEE REPORTS 1. Council on Aging Commission No report, next meeting July 9, 2026. 2. Airport Commission Council Member Sounart reported on the June 11, 2026 meeting, next meeting July 9, 2026. 3. Parks and Recreation Commission City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 5 of 7 June 17. 2026 No report, next meeting August 6, 2026. 4. Planning and Zoning Commission Council Member Daniel reported on the June 10, 2026 meeting, next meeting June 24, 2026. 5. Beautification Commission No report, next meeting September 8, 2026. J. REPORT OF THE MAYOR Mayor Knackstedt reported on the following: • Thanked Senior Connection, Inc. for their work and donation. • The Senior Center was accepting rhubarb donations. • Thanked staff for having Flags on every pole for Flag Day. • Noted the Field of Flowers progress this year. • Reminded everyone about the Kenai vs. Soldotna Food Drive Competition. K. ADMINISTRATION REPORTS 1. City Manager - City Manager Eubank reported on the following: • Provided a staffing update, welcomed new employees; reported ongoing interviews for the Airport Manager, and the resignation of Jennifer Anderson, City Controller. • Activities in Juneau regarding the Alaska LNG, noting the House passed their Bill and the Senate was in Special Session working on how to deal with Taxes for the proposed project. • Meeting with Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District regarding their pipeline -to - pipeline initiative. • Working with the Planning Department to update the Land Management Plan. • Personal Use Fishery is only weeks away and City preparations were underway. • Industry Appreciation Day is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, 2026. 2. City Attorney - No report. 3. City Clerk - City Clerk Saner reported on the following: • Annual Marijuana License Review. L. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS 1. Citizen Comments (Public comments limited to (5) minutes per speaker) -None. 2. Council Comments Council Member Kisena noted his appreciation for the Kite Festival. Council Member Sounart thanked Senior Connection, Inc.; stated her appreciation for the Flags on Flag Day; and noted she was excited to see the Field of Flowers. Council Member Daniel noted the enjoyable weather. Vice Mayor Askin thanked Senior Connection, Inc.; and stated her appreciation for the Flags on Flag Day. M. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None. City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 6 of 7 June 17. 2026 Vice Mayor Askin thanked Senior Connection, Inc.; and stated her appreciation for the Flags on Flag Day. _ M. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None. N. PENDING ITEMS O. ADJOURNMENT P. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None. There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:20 p.m. I certify the abov represents accurate minutes of the Kenai City Council meeting of June 17, 2026. 6 ichel M. �nerN,-�MC �- City Cler ** 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 7 of 7 June 17, 2026