HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2006-54Suggested by: City Council
CYTY OF KENAI
RESOLUTION NO. 2006-54
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CIT OF KENf1I, ALASKA, SUPPORTING
ONGOING EFFORTS THROUGH REQUESTS FOR STATE, PRIVATE, CORPORATE AND
GRANT FUNDING, TO PRESERVE AND RESTORE THE JESSE LEE HOME IN
S~WARD, ALASKA.
WHEREAS, the Jesse Lee Home, in Seward, Alaska, served a vital need for the children
of the Territory of Alaska over a 40-year period beginning in the mid 1920s and was a
refuge for housing, education, and health care at a time when epidemics exacted a
devastating toll on Alaska Natives; and,
WHEREAS, the Jesse Lee Home has many prominent Alaska Native alumni, with
perhaps the most famous, Benny Benson, who was a resident when he won the design
competition for the Alaska Rag; and,
WHEREAS, the Jesse Lee Home suffered esctensive damage from the 1964 Earthquake,
was abandoned and since then, the property has suffered furiher neglect and
deterioration - without iinmediate restoration, the building wiil be lost forever; and,
WHEREAS, in 2001, the State Legislature passed a bill recognizing the Jesse Lee I-Iome
as a site of historic significance for all people of Alaska and directed the Department of
Natural Resources to determine costs and procedures necessary for its preservation
and restoration; and,
WHEREAS, in July 2005, the Seward City Council unanunously approved a resolution
of support for the preservation of the Jesse Lee Home as a city priority and in August,
2005 also approved a second resolution authorizing City administrative support and
the City to seek and apply for grants; and,
WHEREAS, on February 23, 2006, the "Friends of the Jesse Lee Home° was established
to pursue the preservation of the Jesse Lee Home.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI,
ALASKA, that it supports ongoing efforts, through requests for state, private, corporate
and grant funding, to preserve and restore the Jesse Lee Home as an educational
facility; and,
BE IT I'URTHER RESOLVED, the City of Kenai encourages continued participation by
the State of Alaska in efforts to identify a viable and sustainable use for the Jesse I.ee
Home.
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI~S , this 7~h day oP October,
2006. ,-'~'r~ ~~
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PAT PORTER, MAYOR
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Carol L. Freas, City Clerk