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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-09-16 Council MinutesKENAI CITY COUNCIL — REGULAR MEETING SEPTEMBER 16, 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 September 16, 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 Victoria Askin, Vice Mayor Sovala Kisena Bridget Grieme Deborah Sounart (remote participation) Glenese Pettey Phil Daniel A quorum was present. Also in attendance were: **Josh Bolling, Student Representative Terry Eubank, City Manager Scott Bloom, City Attorney (remote participation) David Swarner, Finance Director Stephanie Randall, Human Resource Director Katja Wolf, Library Director Lee Frey, Public Works Director Rick Johnson, Airport Manager Ryan Coleman, Police Chief Shellie Saner, City Clerk 3. Agenda and Consent Agenda Approval Mayor Knackstedt noted the following additions to the Packet: Add item H.7. Discussion - Scheduling a Board of Adjustment Appeal Hearing. Add item H.8. Action/Approval - Scheduling a Special Meeting of the City Council. Add item P.1. Informational Item - Alaska Commercial Fisheries Conservation Alliance: Motion to Intervene and Protest of the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Conservation Alliance I DeepGreen Cook Inlet SPV, LLC I Docket No. P- 15423-000 1 Submission ID: 1791000 MOTION: Vice Mayor Askin MOVED to approve the agenda and consent agenda with the requested revisions. Council Member Daniel SECONDED the motion. The items on the Consent Agenda were read into the record. City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 1 of 7 September 16, 2026 Mayor Knackstedt opened the floor for public comments 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 - None. D. UNSCHEDULED PUBLIC COMMENTS Russell Clark spoke in opposition to the proposed Deep Green Cook Inlet Project, noting concerns regarding the adequacy of engineering and environmental assessments; potential impacts on salmon migration and marine habitats; and unresolved regulatory requirements and requested the City submit comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Cassaundra Nichelson spoke in opposition to the proposed Deep Green Cook Inlet Project, noting potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts on Cook Inlet beluga whales, salmon habitats, and subsistence fishing; and requested the City submit comments or a motion to intervene in the FERC proceedings in support of denying the preliminary permit application. Staff clarified that the City was reviewing the proposed project in consultation with the City Attorney, noting options for submitting public comments or intervening in the FERC proceedings and additional information would be brought forward at the October 7, 2026 meeting. E. PUBLIC HEARINGS 1. Ordinance No. 3544-2026 - Amending Kenai Municipal Code Chapter 1.56 Kenai Municipal Library Department, Removing the Library Regulations from the Appendices of Kenai Municipal Code, and Amending the City of Kenai Schedule of Rates, Changes, and Fees for Housekeeping Purposes and to Align the Library with Other City Departments. (Administration) MOTION: Vice Mayor Askin MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3544-2026. Council Member Grieme SECONDED the motion. Mayor Knackstedt opened the floor for public comments. 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. 3544-2026 was provided. There was Council discussion in support of the library code amendments, noting administrative flexibility; improved access to library facilities; and the ability to update policies promptly to meet the needs of staff, patrons, and the community. City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 2 of 7 September 16, 2026 VOTE: YEA: Askin, Pettey, Kisena, Sounart, Knackstedt, Daniel, Grieme NAY: None **Student Representative Bolling: Yea MOTION PASSED. 2. Ordinance No. 3545-2026 - Increasing Estimated Revenues and Appropriations in the General and Senior Center Improvement Capital Project Funds to Provide Supplemental Funding for the Senior Center Canopy Roof Replacement Project. (Administration) 1. Motion for Introduction 2. Motion for Second Reading (Requires a Unanimous Vote) 3. Motion for Enactment (Requires Five Affirmative Votes) MOTION: Vice Mayor Askin MOVED to introduce Ordinance No. 3545-2026. Council Member Kisena SECONDED the motion. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested on the motion to introduce. VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED. MOTION: Vice Mayor Askin MOVED to conduct the second reading on Ordinance No. 3545-2026. Council Member Daniel SECONDED the motion. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested on the motion to conduct the second reading. VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED. MOTION: Vice Mayor Askin MOVED to enact Ordinance No. 3545-2026. Council Member Daniel SECONDED the motion. Mayor Knackstedt opened the floor for public comments. 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. 3545-2026 was provided; and clarification on the project timeline was provided. VOTE: YEA: Kisena, Sounart, Knackstedt, Daniel, Grieme, Askin, Pettey NAY: None **Student Representative Bolling: Yea MOTION PASSED. 3. Resolution No. 2026-61 - Authorizing Purchase of Two Police Interceptors Using the City's Fleet Replacement Fund and the State of Alaska Equipment Fleet Contract. (Administration) MOTION: Vice Mayor Askin MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2026-61. Council Member Daniel SECONDED the motion. Mayor Knackstedt opened the floor for public comments. 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. 2026-61 was provided. City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 3 of 7 September 16, 2026 F. There was Council discussion regarding the City's cost -saving practices in police vehicle upfitting, including in-house uplifting; planned replacement schedules; fleet rotation; the vehicle replacement fund; and continued use of vehicles across departments. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested. VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED. 4. Resolution No. 2026-62 - Authorizing a Contract Award for SCADA Design and Installation Services. (Administration) MOTION: Vice Mayor Askin MOVED to adopt Resolution No. 2026-62. Council Member Kisena SECONDED the motion. Mayor Knackstedt opened the floor for public comments. 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. 2026-62 was provided. Staff clarified the functions of the SCADA system and the proposed upgrades including modernization, improved cybersecurity, and system integration; and outlined the anticipated design -build approach and independent review of the construction costs and plans. UNANIMOUS CONSENT was requested. VOTE: There being no objection; SO ORDERED. MINUTES 1. *Regular Meeting of September 2, 2026. (City Clerk) Approved by the consent agenda. 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 - Non -Objection to the Acceptance and Appropriation of a Donation from the Derek Kaufman Fund in the Amount of $1,000 in Accordance with KMC 7.25.030. (Administration) Approved by the consent agenda. 4. *Action/Approval - Non -Objection to the Acceptance and Appropriation of the Fiscal Year 2027 Public Library Assistance Grant in the Amount of $7,000 in Accordance with KMC 7.25.030 (Administration) Approved by the consent agenda. City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 4 of 7 September 16, 2026 5. *Action/Approval - Confirmation of Mayoral Nomination of Joshua Bolling as Student Representative to City Council and Caroline Karpik as Student Representative to the Council on Aging Commission. Approved by the consent agenda. 6. Discussion - Council Employee Review Consultant. (Grieme) There was discussion regarding the use of an outside consultant to review and improve the performance evaluation process for Council -supervised employees; the consultant's qualifications; scope of work; and procurement requirements. 7. Discussion - Scheduling a Board of Adjustment Appeal Hearing. (City Clerk) The hearing was scheduled for October 21, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. 8. Action/Approval - Scheduling a Special Meeting of the City Council. (Administration) A Special Meeting was scheduled for September 30, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. I. COMMISSION / COMMITTEE REPORTS 1. Council on Aging Commission Vice Mayor Askin reported on the September 10, 2026 meeting, next meeting October 8, 2026. 2. Airport Commission Vice Mayor Askin reported on the September 10, 2026 meeting, next meeting October 8, 2026. 3. Parks and Recreation Commission Council Member Grieme reported on the September 3, 2026 meeting, next meeting October 1, 2026. 4. Planning and Zoning Commission No report, next meeting September 23, 2026. 5. Beautification Commission Council Member Pettey reported on the September 8, 2026 meeting, next meeting October 13, 2026. J. REPORT OF THE MAYOR Mayor Knackstedt reported on the following: • Attended a retirement farewell for Mary Bondurant and welcomed the new Airport Manager. • Attended the Alaska Recreation and Parks Association meeting at the Kenai Visitor Center. • Noted appreciation to the Fire Department for its annal September 11 Field of Flags display. • Welcomed Student Representative Bolling back for another year. K. ADMINISTRATION REPORTS City Manager - City Manager Eubank reported on the following: • Recognized Mary Bondurant for her service as Interim Airport Manager and welcomed new City employees. • Staffing and recruitment updates. • Wildwood Drive repaving anticipated in September. • Updates on the Airport Runway Rehabilitation Project. City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 5 of 7 September 16, 2026 • Consulting with the City Attorney regarding potential comments or intervention on the proposed data center project's regulatory proceedings. • Reviewed Kenai Peninsula housing trends. • Seasonal Sunday hours began at the Library and Recreation Center. • Updates on community events, including the Senior Center's Waffle Friday, Kenai River Marathon, Alaska State Fire Conference, and the Pumpkin Festival. • Recognized Parks and Recreation and Fire Department personnel for their work hosting statewide conferences. 2. City Attorney - No report. I City Clerk - City Clerk Saner reported on the following: • October 4, 2026 is deadline to register to vote or update voter registration for the November election. • The Mobile Food Vendor application process had been updated in coordination with the Fire Department to include fire inspections. L. ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS 1. Citizen Comments (Public comments limited to (5) minutes per speaker) Tim Navarre, Kenai resident, recommended that Council consult the Alaska Municipal League and the Alaska Association of Municipal Clerks and seek input from other municipalities when reviewing its employee evaluation process and encouraged Council and Administration to attend the upcoming Housing Gaps and Solutions conference. 2. Council Comments Student Representative Bolling provided an update on Kenai Central High School homecoming activities and sports. Council Member Grieme encouraged community attendance at the homecoming football game and noted appreciation to City staff for displaying flags throughout Kenai in recognition of Labor Day. Vice Mayor Askin sated appreciation for the Labor Day flags and September 11 Field of Flags display; welcomed Student Representative Bolling; welcomed Rick Johnson to the airport; and thanked Mary Bondurant for her service. Council Member Petty stated appreciation for the flag display and the Fire Department's September 11 commemoration; thanked Mary Bondurant for her service and welcomed Rick Johnson; and reminded the community of the upcoming Walk to End Alzheimer's at Millennium Square. Council Member Kisena welcomed Student Representative Bolling and Council on Aging Student Representative Karpik; recognized Director Best for his role as president of the Alaska Recreation and Parks Association; and welcomed Rick Johnson. Council Member Sounart thanked Mary Bondurant for her service; welcomed Rick Johnson; and thanked Vice Mayor Askin for attending the Airport Commission Meeting in her place. Council Member Daniel thanked Mary Bondurant for her service and welcomed Rick Johsnon. M. EXECUTIVE SESSION - None. N. PENDING ITEMS - None. City of Kenai Council Meeting Page 6 of 7 September 16, 2026 O. ADJOURNMENT P. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS - None. There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m. o he abov re esents accurate minutes of the Kenai City Council meeting of September 16, 2026. Mic e e . Sane), 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 7 of 7 September 16, 2026