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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 2469-2010P (L V ✓f KENAI. ALASKA AN ORDINANCE OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, INCREASING ESTIMATED REVENUES AND APPROPRIATIONS BY $10,000 IN THE GENERAL FUND NON DEPARTMENTAL TO PROVIDE A GRANT FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE HOLY ASSUMPTION OF THE VIRGIN MARY RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK, LOCATED IN OLD TOWN KENAI. WHEREAS, the Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Church (the Church), in Old Town Kenai, has been designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service; and, WHEREAS, the Church is one of 49 National Historic Landmarks in the State of Alaska and is a large visitor draw to our community every year; and, WHEREAS, the Church has received a "Save America's Treasures Grant" to be administered by the National Parks Service for restoration and preservation of the landmark; and, WHEREAS, the $125,492 Federal Grant requires a local match of $129,895; and, WHEREAS, preservation of Kenai's only National Historic Landmark is important to the community's history and culture. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA that estimated revenues and appropriations be increased as follows: General Fund Increase Estimated Revenues: Appropriation of Fund Balance Increase Appropriations: General Fund Non Departmental Grants to Agencies CITY OF KENAI ORDINANCE NO. 2469 -2010 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] Suggested by: Mayor 10,000 10,000 Ordinance No. 2469 -2010 Page 2 of 2 PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, this 17th day of March, 2010. ATTEST: Carol L. Freas, City Clerk Approved by Finance: PAT PORTE•, MAYOR New Text Underlined' [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] Introduced: March 3, 2010 Adopted: March 17, 2010 Effective: March 17, 2010 The Holy Assumption of the Virgin Mary Russian Orthodox Ch A National Historic Landmark Kenai, Alaska There are only 49 National Historic Landmarks in the State of Alaska. One of the 49 is here in Kenai: the Holy Assumption of the Virgin Ma Russian Orthodox Church in Old Town. Our National Historic Landmark contains the church, the chapel, cemetery, and Ft. Kenay properties. 13 acres in total. It is the prime tourist destination in Kenai, and one of the most highly photographed sites on the Kenai Peninsula. In fact, here is the 2010 National Park Service Calendar with our Kenai Landmark for January. (Pass calendar around). This area was designated a National Historic Landmark for a number of reasons: o It is the principal and most enduring representative of Russian culture in southcentral Alaska from the time when the first Russian fur traders arrived on the banks of the. Kenai River in the 1790's. Today, it is both an active parish and the destination of thousands of tourists who visit the Kenai Peninsula each year. o The missionaries and priests erected the first school at the site of the current Ft. Kenay building, educating children to read, write, grow vegetables, and learn basic building methods. o The priests brought the first access to public health in the form of smallpox vaccine drier the first epidemic killed half of the population on the Kenai Peninsula. o The Russian Orthodox Church icons date from the early 1700s when the first group of Russian missionaries came to Alaska. Our Lady of Kazan is considered to be one of the oldest non native pieces of art in the State of Alaska. o The church also served as a judicial center acting as arbiter between the Russian American Fur Trading Company and the native people. o Primary Resource Documents a re stored here in Kenai and the U.S. Library of Congress. Copies of these documents are also in the UAA archives. However, we are in danger of losing Kenai's historical property due to sagging log walls, a crumbling foundation, and no fire or theft alarm systems. In fact, The Alaska Association of Historic Preservation named the Kenai Russian Church to its Top Ten List of Endangered Properties in Alaska for 2011. Last year (2009), the church applied for and received a Federal Save America's Treasures Grant which is one of the largest and most successful federal grant programs for the protection of our nation's endangered and irreplaceable cultural heritage. Only National Historic Landmarks are considered for these federal matching fund grants. Here are some financial statistics: $125,492 Save America's Treasures Federal Grant Funds $129,895 Matching Funds Needed 53,000 Estimated Funds they have or will have shortly 76,895 Amount still needed to match as of February 8, 2010 MEMO: "Vif/aye with a Past, Gi with a Future" 210 Fidalgo Avenue, Kenai, Alaska 99611 -7794 ewe Telephone: 907 283 -7535 FAX: 907 283 -3014 tllll 1992 TO: The City Council FROM: Mayor Patricia Porter DATE: February 11, 2009 SUBJECT: Preservation of the Holy Assumption Orthodox Church The Russian Orthodox Church in Old Town Kenai is one of only 49 National Historic Landmarks in Alaska, designated by the U.S. National Parks Service (NPS). The NPS has teamed with the Local Parish to undertake a project to preserve the church. The Church is in danger of future collapse as a result of the structural deterioration of the walls. An engineering/architectural firm specializing in the preservation of historic properties has recently begun the design for this important project. The Kenai Russian Orthodox Church is much more than a church to our community. It is a tourist destination and a constant reminder of our community's history and cultural heritage. The estimated cost of the preservation project is approximately $260,000. The Parish is being supported by a "Save America's Treasures Grant" administered by the NPS in the amount of $125,492. This is a matching grant that requires a match of $129,895. Initially, the Parish thought they would be the recipient of a Rasmuson Foundation Tier II grant in the same amount, but given the present state of the economy, that did not come to pass In order to make up the matching funding shortfall the Parish is looking to the community and other funding sources. The following funding sources have been identified: Local Parish Funds 13,000 Rasmuson Foundation Tier I Grant 25,000 National Trust for Historical Preservation 5,000 Russian Orthodox Sacred Sites in Alaska 5,000 Kenai Historical Society 5.000 Total 53,000 The Parish still needs to raise approximately $77,000 in order to match the NPS grant required tocomplete the project. I have spoken with Ms. Dorothy Gray, representing the Parish, and she has informed me she has requested funding from the Kenai Peninsula Borough, our local legislative delegation, the Kenai Soldotna Rotary Clubs, and others. I respectfully request the Kenai City Council direct the administration to prepare an ordinance which would provide a grant in the amount of $10,000 to the Kenai Russian Orthodox Church to assist in providing the needed match for the "Save America's Treasures" federal grant administered by the NPS. Thank you for your consideration of this request.