HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2009-68the of
KENAI, ALASKA
CITY OF KENAI
RESOLUTION NO. 2009 -68
Sponsored by: Council Member Molloy
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, SUPPORTING
ACTIONS BUILDING AND MAINTAINING A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY WITHIN THE
CITY OF KENAI, AND SUPPORTING NETWORKING WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ON
THE KENAI PENINSULA.
WHEREAS, participants from several Alaska coastal communities developed
statements, positions, and recommendations by consensus to form the content of the
Alaska Coastal Communities Global Climate Change Compact (Compact) in order to
address issues of climate change, ocean acidification, renewable energy, work -force
development, and infrastructure affecting Alaska coastal communities; and,
WHEREAS, several Alaska municipal governments adopted resolutions supporting,
and became signatories to, the Compact, including the City of Homer, the City of
Seward, the City and Borough of Sitka, the City of Petersburg, the City of Dillingham,
and the City of Gustavus; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Kenai held several public hearings on the
issues of signing the Compact and supporting the State of Alaska Energy Policy as
proposed by the Tri- Borough Commission, and heard numerous public comments that
were made by many persons during these hearings; and,
WHEREAS, testimony taken during the public hearings regarding the Compact, and
the Council discussions thereafter, demonstrated general concerns that other
statements in the Compact implied its support of cap- and -trade legislation that might
be harmful to the oil- and -gas industry, which industry is an important component of
the City's economic health and of the economic welfare of many of the City's citizens;
and,
WHEREAS, while there was vigorous disagreement about other statements in the
Compact and about climate change and its causes, testimony taken during the public
hearings generally supported the State of Alaska Energy Policy as proposed by the Tri-
Borough Commission; and,
WHEREAS, in Resolution No. 2010 -16, the Council of the City of Kenai, Alaska then
supported Senate Bill Number 220, the Alaska Sustainable Energy Act; and,
WHEREAS, testimony taken during the public hearings on the Compact and the State
of Alaska energy policy recommended that the City of Kenai network with other
communities while supporting its current economic base; focus on local action to
diversify the local economy; support energy efficiency; and take advantage of emerging
economic opportunities (renewable energy and others) in order to provide a continuing
and new source of personal livelihoods for the City's residents for the future; and,
Resolution No. 2009 -68
Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, after hearing vigorous debate of the issues, and following the Council
discussions thereafter, the Kenai City Council determined on January 20, 2010, the
City of Kenai would not sign the Compact; and postponed the amended resolution
presenting the issues in order to develop an additional public process for further
public input on these public policy issues; and,
WHEREAS, in order to develop that additional public input, the City of Kenai held a
Town Hall Meeting on May 8, 2010, to address the question of what policies,
initiatives, and actions the City of Kenai should support in order to continue building
a sustainable community able to facilitate employment opportunities, economic
stability, environmental responsibility, energy efficiency, and quality of life for its
residents; and,
WHEREAS, the major recommendations from the public at the Town Hall Meeting
included recommendations that the City:
Foster communication through collaborative, engaged decision- making
processes;
Explore and encourage efficient use of energy, including renewable
sources; and,
Promote and facilitate economic development.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI,
ALASKA, that
1. The City of Kenai supports the development of renewable wind energy in the
City of Kenai in accordance with its ordinance allowing for the construction and siting
of wind energy systems, and encourages ideas for other local renewable energy
applications; and,
2. The City of Kenai will review, discover, and, subject to the policy directions of
the Council, will pursue reasonable opportunities available to the City under the
Alaska Sustainable Energy Act or other State of Alaska energy policies, including
grants for energy efficiency projects for city buildings where appropriate; technical
assistance related to appropriate residential and commercial building energy codes
and energy efficiency standards; opportunity for participation in a statewide fuel
purchasing cooperative; and other opportunities relevant to maintaining a sustainable
City of Kenai; and,
3. The City of Kenai supports the development of a process for joint meetings of
leaders of local governments on the Kenai Peninsula, which joint meetings should
foster communication through a collaborative, engaged decision making process as
recommended by public testimony at the public hearings and by the citizens at the
Town Hall Meeting; and,
Resolution No. 2009 -68
Page 3 of 3
4. The City of Kenai will continue its efforts to support community dialogue on
building and maintaining a sustainable community in the City of Kenai, able to
facilitate employment opportunities, economic development, economic stability,
environmental responsibility, energy efficiency, and quality of life for its residents.
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA this seventh day of July,
2010.
ATTEST:
Carol Freas, City Clerk
PAT PORTER, MAYOR