Resolution 14-073 Expressing Support for Kachemak Bay Research Reserve, Hire Interim Director, and Identify a New State Partner

Summary

A Resolution of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Expressing Its Support for the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve and Urging the Governor and Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Campbell to Hire an Interim On-Site Director and Expedite Efforts to Identify a New State Partner. City Manager.

Ordinance/Resolution ID: 
14-073
Ordinance/Resolution Status: 
Adopted
Effective Date: 
06/23/2014
File Attachments: 

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Details

CITY OF HOMER

HOMER, ALASKA

                                                                                                                              City Manager

RESOLUTION 14-073

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, EXPRESSING ITS SUPPORT FOR THE KACHEMAK BAY RESEARCH RESERVE AND URGING THE GOVERNOR AND DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER CAMPBELL TO HIRE AN INTERIM ON-SITE DIRECTOR AND EXPEDITE EFFORTS TO IDENTIFY A NEW STATE PARTNER.

 

               WHEREAS, During the last Legislative session, the Homer City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 14-30 expressing its support for the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve (KBRR) and requesting continued financial and administrative support from the State of Alaska; and

 

               WHEREAS, Resolution 14-030 described the substantial scientific, educational, and economic benefits that KBRR brings to the State of Alaska and the City of Homer; and

 

               WHEREAS, At the end of the Legislative session,  a General Fund match for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) operations funding was restored in the Capital Budget which gave KBRR a one-year reprieve to find a new State partner and secure new matching funds; and

 

               WHEREAS, Without a new State partner and new matching funds, KBRR will lose approximately $590,000 in NOAA 0perations funding; and

 

WHEREAS, The loss of NOAA funding will jeopardize all KBRR project funding leveraged from other sources and its ability to secure new grants; a cascading sequence of events that will probably force KBRR to close its doors; and

 

               WHEREAS, KBRR would be a real asset to a new State partner because it brings additional funding, accomplished research staff, new research opportunities, established partnerships with universities, state and federal agencies, and NGOs, and research and educational facilities at the Islands and Ocean Visitor Center; located within the Kachemak Bay and Fox River State Critical Habitat Area and the Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Reserve; and

               WHEREAS, The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), Sport Fish Division has served as the State partner and is taking the lead in finding a new State partner; and   

 

               WHEREAS, Sport Fish Division staff are very busy with their own programs and budget constraints and may not able to devote the time and resources necessary to make this issue a top priority; and

 

               WHEREAS, A draft timeline of KBRR transition activities indicates that there are many complex and time consuming steps to be taken in the next year  and that a new State partner needs to be identified as soon as possible in order for KBRR to achieve success and continue operations after this year; and

 

               WHEREAS, The Kachemak Bay Research Reserve Community Council has concluded that a qualified, on-site, interim director is needed whose job is to focus solely on the KBRR transition to a new state partnership.

 

               NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Homer City Council hereby expresses its support for the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve and urges the Governor and Commissioner Campbell to hire a qualified, interim, on-site director and expedite efforts to identify a new State partner.

 

               PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 23rd day of June, 2014.

 

CITY OF HOMER

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             MARY E. WYTHE, MAYOR

 

ATTEST:

 

 

______________________________

JO JOHNSON, MMC, CITY CLERK

 

 

Fiscal Note: N/A