Ordinance 14-36(A) Budget Appropriation for Clearing Trees and Underbrush in Town Center and Surrounding Trail

CITY OF HOMER

HOMER, ALASKA

                                                                                                                                       Mayor & City Council

ORDINANCE 14-36(A)

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, AMENDING THE FY 2014 OPERATING BUDGET BY APPROPRIATING $35,000 UP TO $25,000 FROM THE GENERAL FUND / FUND BALANCE FOR CLEARING TREES AND UNDERBRUSH ON CITY OWNED PROPERTY IN THE TOWN CENTER AND THE TRAIL FROM POOPDECK TO THE LIBRARY IN ORDER TO ENHANCE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY.

               WHEREAS, Police Chief Robl reports that homeless and seasonal camps in Homer appear to be expanding over previous years in both size and number; and

               WHEREAS, Unfortunately, many of these illegal and unpermitted camps are hotspots for a variety of illegal and in some cases, dangerous activities; and

               WHEREAS, One of the primary problem areas is on City owned land in the designated Town Center; and

               WHEREAS, Homer Police Department has been working cooperatively with CIRI, the other major landowner in the Town Center, and the Public Works Parks Maintenance staff, to reduce trespass and illegal activities in Town Center; and

               WHEREAS, Another problem area for illegal activities and dangerous behavior is the trail leading from the Poopdeck Trail to the Library; and

               WHEREAS, HPD strongly recommends that the City clear these areas in a manner similar to what occurred along the Poopdeck Trail last year in order to improve visibility, enforcement and public safety; and

               WHEREAS, The Public Works Department has obtained initial cost estimates for this work and the Administration recommends clearing small dense trees, alders and underbrush, and cutting limbs on large healthy trees high enough to allow officers and others to see into the woods; and.

WHEREAS, The Homer City Council authorizes and encourages Public Works to bid the two projects separately if they desire.

               NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY OF HOMER ORDAINS:

               Section 1. The Homer City Council hereby amends the FY 2014 Operating Budget by appropriating $35,000 up to $25,000  from the General Fund / Fund Balance for clearing trees and underbrush on City owned land in the designated Town Center and along the trail from Poopdeck to the library as follows:

Expenditure:

Account                                           Description                                               Amount

               100-0100                                         Tree and Brush Clearing                      $35,000 $25,000

Section 2.  The Homer City Council hereby authorizes and encourages Public Works to bid the two projects separately if they desire.

Section 23. This is a budget amendment ordinance only, is not permanent in nature, and shall not be codified.

               ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA this _____ day of ____________, 2014.

CITY OF HOMER

______________________
MARY E. WYTHE, MAYOR

ATTEST:

____________________________

JO JOHNSON, MMC, CITY CLERK

AYES:

NOES:

ABSTAIN:

ABSENT:

First Reading:

Public Reading:

Second Reading:

Effective Date:

Reviewed and approved as to form:

                                                                                                                                                                                                  
Walt Wrede, City Manager                                                                   Thomas F. Klinkner, City Attorney

Date: _________________________                                              Date: _________________________