HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2011-05the nty
KENAL ALASKA
CITY OF KENAI
RESOLUTION NO. 2011 -05
Suggested by: Mayor Porter
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, IN SUPPORT OF
THE KENAITZE INDIAN TRIBE'S DENA'INA HEALTH AND WELLNESS CLINIC.
WHEREAS, the Kenaitze Indian Tribe has a long history of providing needed services
within the Kenai community and has been recognized as an important partner in
providing for the well -being of the Alaska Native and American Indian residents; and,
WHEREAS, the Kenaitze Indian Tribe's health and dental clinics are located in a
commercial strip mall, which the Tribe has been leasing for the past 20 years.
Although the number of patients using all Tribal services increased by 57% from 2001
to 2009, the clinic size is 65% below the level recommended by Indian Health Service;
and,
WHEREAS, due to the efficient administration of Tribal healthcare dollars, these
services are made available at no cost for some of our most vulnerable citizens; and
lacking a new facility, Kenaitze Indian Tribe's ability to provide primary care services
in the central Kenai Peninsula will be compromised severely; and,
WHEREAS, Kenaitze Indian Tribe and the Indian Health Service are planning a joint
venture project to build and operate a new state of the art facility in Kenai to provide
integrated medical, dental and behavioral health services to over 3,000 Alaska Native
and American Indian people, 51% of whom are low and moderate income; and,
WHEREAS, the Dena'ina Health and Wellness Clinic is one of only three projects
nationwide selected by the Indian Health Service for the Joint Venture Construction
Program in FY 2011. Under the joint venture, Kenaitze Indian Tribe will design,
construct and equip the new facility; in exchange, the Indian Health Service will
provide funding for the operation and maintenance of the facility for a minimum of 20
years; and,
WHEREAS, the Dena'ina Health and Wellness Clinic's economic impact includes
bringing more than $200 million in federal funding to the community over the next 20
years, new jobs through the hiring of local contractors and construction personnel, the
employment of over 100 full -time health care professional staff, with at least 20 new
positions being filled during the first year of operation, and, as new employees spend
their earnings locally, the benefit will trickle throughout the community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI,
ALASKA, that the City of Kenai supports the Kenaitze Indian Tribe's Dena'ina Health
and Wellness Clinic.
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, this l9th day of
January, 2011.
Resolution No. 2011 -05
Page 2 of 2
ATTEST:
Carol L. Freas, City Clerk
New Text Underlined; [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
PAT PORTER, MAYOR