Session 07-18 a Regular Meeting of the Homer City Council was called to order on August 27, 2007 at 7:02 p.m. by Mayor James C. Hornaday at the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska, and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Councilmember Heimbuch has requested excusal.

 

PRESENT:     COUNCILMEMBERS:        NOVAK, ROBERTS, SHADLE, STARK, WYTHE

 

                        ABSENT:                               HEIMBUCH (excused)

 

                        STAFF:                                   CITY MANAGER WREDE

                                                                        CITY CLERK JOHNSON

 

Department Heads may be called upon from time to time to participate via teleconference.

 

Council met as a Committee of the Whole from 4:02 p.m. to 4:42 p.m. in the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers. Agenda items included Regular Meeting agenda.

 

AGENDA APPROVAL

 

(Addition of items to or removing items from the agenda will be by unanimous consent of the Council. HCC 1.24.040.)

 

Agenda was approved by consensus of the City Council with the following changes:

 

Public Hearings - Ordinance 07-26 email Re: Amendment to Account Number and under Resolutions - Memorandum 07-137 from City Clerk, Re: Resolution 07-89 – Correction of Parcel Numbers.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS UPON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA

 

Public may comment upon any matter on the agenda except Public Hearing items: Ordinance 07-26 Accepting and Appropriating a New Automated Fingerprint System Grant with a Sole Source Purchase to Crossmatch Technologies, Inc.

 

Kenton Bloom, city resident, commented on Resolution 07-88. The owners are trying to transfer the right of usage to the City.  The next stage is the 40 acre parcel on top. Two features of the grant are the Rim trail access to Skyline and the inter-canyon trail access along the Palmer Creek. Once the parcels are in a row a final replat can be made and they can be put into a public grant of ownership. The easement goes down Bear Canyon and Little Bear Canyon. There is a large interest in the people he is working with in small and medium trail easements. 

 

Mayor Hornaday said people may consider dedicating land for trails and easements.

 

 

RECONSIDERATION

 

None scheduled.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

 

(Items listed below will be enacted by one motion. If separate discussion is desired on an item, that item may be removed from the Consent Agenda and placed on the Regular Meeting Agenda at the request of a Councilmember.)

 

A.        Homer City Council unapproved meeting minutes of August 13, 2007 Regular   Meeting. City Clerk. Recommend approval.                                                         

           

B.         Memorandum 07-138, from Deputy City Clerk, Re: New Liquor License for Mermaid Café. Recommend non objection and approval.

 

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the adoption of the recommendations of the consent agenda as read.

 

NOVAK/WYTHE – SO MOVED.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

VISITORS

 

There were no visitors.

           

ANNOUNCEMENTS/PRESENTATIONS/BOROUGH    REPORT/COMMISSION REPORTS

 

Mayor Hornaday invited the Borough Assembly and administration for dinner on September 18th. Although he is unable to attend due to prior travel plans, he encouraged Council and administration to attend. The Clerk’s office will be taking reservations.

 

PUBLIC HEARING(S)

 

A.        Ordinance 07-26 An Ordinance of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Accepting and Appropriating a New Automated Fingerprint System Grant in the Amount of $40,946.00        through the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Authorizing a             Sole Source Purchase to Crossmatch Technologies, Inc. and Authorizing the City      Manager or his Designee to Execute the Appropriate Documents. City Manager/Police Chief. First Reading August 13, 2007, conduct Public Hearing and Second Reading on        August 27, 2007.

 

There was no public testimony.

 

NOVAK/WYTHE – MOVED FOR THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 07-26 BY READING OF TITLE.

 

WYTHE/NOVAK – MOVED TO AMEND THE ACCOUNT NUMBER UNDER EXPENDITURES ON PAGE 46 TO 151-790.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: (amendment) YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

VOTE: (main motion as amended) YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

ORDINANCE(S)

 

A.        Ordinance 07-29, An Ordinance of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Authorizing the             Transfer of FY 2007 Funds from City Hall Depreciation Reserves to Fund        170 Set Up for             the Construction of a New City Hall. Finance/City Manager. First Reading August 27,   2007, conduct Public Hearing and Second Reading on September 10, 2007.

                                                                                                                                   

WYTHE/NOVAK – MOVED FOR THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 07-29 FOR FIRST READING BY TITLE ONLY.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

B.         Ordinance 07-30, An Ordinance of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Authorizing      the Expenditure of  Homer Accelerated Roads and Trails Program (HART) Funds for the   Paving of the     Southern 900 Linear Feet of Soundview Avenue. Public Works/City       Manager. First Reading August 27, 2007, conduct Public Hearing and Second Reading             on September   10, 2007.                                                                                

 

            Memorandum 07-140 from Public Works as backup.

 

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the adoption of Ordinance 07-30 for introduction and first reading by reading of title only.

 

WYTHE/NOVAK – SO MOVED.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

C.        Ordinance 07-31,  An Ordinance of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Appropriating             Funds in the Amount of $55,000 from Homer Accelerated Water Sewer Program    (HAWSP) for Investigating the Integrity of the Spit Water Tank and Authorizing the City     Manager to Execute the Appropriate Documents. Public Works/City Manager. First             Reading August 27, 2007, conduct Public Hearing and Second Reading on September 10, 2007.                                                                                                        

 

            Memorandum 07-141 from Public Works as backup.

 

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the adoption of Ordinance 07-31 for introduction and first reading by reading of title only.

 

WYTHE/ROBERTS – SO MOVED.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

 

A.        City Manager’s Report

           

  1. Harbor Expansion Study: Public Scoping Meeting: As you know, the Corps of Engineers is currently doing a feasibility study of the proposed harbor expansion. You will recall that the City is paying 25% of the cost of the study. The Corps is presently in the middle of the scoping process. That means that they are gathering comments about the need and justification for the project and what some of the potential issues of concern might be. The Corps has already had one scoping meeting with the permitting agencies. This meeting is for the public. If the public weighs in with any concerns it may have, it helps the Corps decide which issues need to be studied and what might need to be factored into the permitting  process. The Corps has scheduled a public scoping meeting for Thursday, Sept. 6, from 1 PM to 6 PM. A formal presentation is scheduled for 4 PM. I would encourage the Council members to attend if they can. The meeting announcement flyer is attached.
  2. COLA, Wage Scale Ordinances: We now have the second quarter revenue information that we were waiting for. Based upon that information, I have decided not to bring forward a request for a COLA and Wage Scale Adjustment at this time. I will attempt to fit those items into next year’s budget when we have more revenue information. In short, the revenue picture at this point does not give me confidence that across the board increases in compensation are sustainable. At the end of the year we will have a better picture of our fiscal situation. In short, after two quarters of this fiscal year, our sales tax revenues are close to those projected in the budget, however, property taxes are down slightly, and revenues in the water and sewer fund are significantly low. Port and Harbor Revenues are slightly behind projections. I concluded that this is probably not the best time to make a mid-year adjustment. 
  3. Spit Leases: The leases for: Bob’s Trophy Charters and Sportsman’s Supply both expire in the near future. All options have been used. Both Lessee’s wish to enter into new leases and have submitted proposals pursuant to the Lease Policies. The Lease Committee met on August 22 to discuss the proposals and the Harbor Commission was scheduled to discuss this later that evening. The new Lease Committee is up and running. For these leases, John Velsco is representing the Port and Harbor Commission and Philip Alderfer is representing the public. We wre not able to find anyone from the Economic Development Commission.
  4. Jack Gist Park Improvements: Things are really moving along at Jack Gist thanks to Carey and a whole host of dedicated volunteers. I would encourage everyone to go down and take a look. The ballfields are beautiful. I wanted to let you know that we have incurred some additional expenses above the approve budget and will be bringing you a budget amendment ordinance at a future meeting. In general, costs have increased quite a bit over the past 5 years since the budget was approved. In addition, some of what we assumed would count as a local match has been disapproved by the granting agency. One example is all of the dirt (including equipment time) that DOT/PF brought in from the East End Road project. This was a really slick deal from our perspective but the granting agency had some problems with approving it as a match. So, the additional money will help in two ways. It will help us fulfill our obligations for the local grant match and therefore make the full amount of grant money available to us. Second, it will help us complete the work for this year. The requested money will be about $14,000 and includes $5,000 for gravel for the parking lot and $9,000 for hydroseeding.
  5. Phase III, Kachemak Drive Water and Sewer: As you may recall, the petition for Phase III did not have sufficient support. However, its is Carey’s belief that we should construct the Phase III water line anyway and set up deferred assessments. He does not think it is a good idea for either water quality or pressure to build another dead end water line. We hope to be able to talk to you about this in some detail in the near future. Phase II is currently being designed and it would be a cost savings if we could take Phase III water on to the contract. 
  6. ISO Rating / Fire Insurance: ISO inspectors will be in Homer On September 13 and stay for two or three days. They will be testing fire hydrants, looking at Fire Department equipment, staffing levels, and other things to come up with the City’s new ISO rating. This is very important because it has an influence on the insurance rates that City residents pay. This will tie up the Fire and Public Works Departments for several days.
  7. Spit Trail Parking Expansion: PW still plans to do this project this summer or fall. Right now we are waiting for the ROW Permit we need from State DOT/PF. State employees have spoken favorably about the project to date but the application has been pending for over a month. It now appears that the FAA must review this project also. Carey submitted the application back in May. We will do our best to keep things moving.
  8. Fire Department: Over the years, Homer has been extremely fortunate to have a strong group of dedicated volunteer firefighters and emergency medical staff. In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult for HVFD to recruit and retain volunteers. The list of volunteers shrinking. There are a variety of reasons for this and the City and HVFD are looking closely at ways to address this problem. The Chief is considering drafting a strategic plan on recruiting and retaining volunteers. Some of these issues can be addressed administratively. The Chief is examining a menu of incentives and methods of expressing the City’s appreciation to the volunteers that other Cities with volunteer fire departments are using. I mention this now because it may become a consideration in the upcoming budget discussions. 
  9. Council / PC Joint Meeting: A tentative joint meeting has been scheduled for the Committee of the Whole on September 24 (a change). You will recall that the Council and the Planning Commission agreed to meet in joint session on a quarterly basis.  The Planning Commission would like to discuss the Gateway Overlay Zoning District and the Community Design Manual. Jo has tentatively placed these items on the Agenda. The Ethics Ordinance has also been mentions as an agenda item. Please let us know if this time and date is satisfactory and if there is anything you would like to add to the agenda.
  10. City Hall / Town Center Project: The City received four proposals from GC/CM teams. All four teams were highly qualified. The proposal evaluation team reviewed and scored the proposals last weekend and narrowed the list to three teams that have been invited to the interview stage. Interviews took place on August 15. The next step is for the proposers to submit proposed profit margin.
  11. Spit Parking: Parking on the Spit Road is very congested and presents a safety hazard. Pedestrian safety issues might be reduced when the Spit Trail is completed. However, the problem seems to get worse every year. The Port and Harbor and Police Departments are working together to find a way to ramp up enforcement and increase safety. This issue has been a high priority of the Port and Harbor Commission. The seasonal harbor officers have been assisting the Police but it is possible that more personnel might be needed because both the harbor officers and the police have many other duties in the summer. We hope to come up with an integrated plan that involves implementation of the next phases of the long range parking plan, more aggressive zoning enforcement, more aggressive police enforcement, and encouragement of private sector solutions including, but not limited to, shuttle buses.
  12. Spit Trail: Good News. We are now optimistic that the Spit trail might be completed all the way to the Ferry Terminal and End of the Road Park as early as next year. DOT/PF and DNR staff are encouraged by the recent grant and legislative appropriation the City has received for the project. Also, DOT/PF staff recently informed us that the Commissioner had accepted the City’s proposal to take over maintenance and operations on some State roads ( portions of Main Street, Mission, Bunnell, and Ohlson) in exchange for the rest of the needed construction funding. (estimated to be $900,000).

 

Items of discussion at the Committee of the Whole included Jack Gist Park improvements and water services for Kachemak Drive Phase III.

 

The Harbor Expansion Study will begin to hear from the public with a formal presentation scheduled for September 6th from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. and a formal presentation at 4 p.m. Meetings will be held at Islands and Ocean Visitor Center. The public is encouraged to participate as it is a big capital project with the prospect of a big impact on the City.

 

Second quarter revenues fell behind projections, a result of slower summer business. There is not enough confidence in the figures for COLAs at this time. When figures are in for the third quarter, overall, the City will be ahead in revenues.

 

Increased police enforcement on the beaches over Labor Day is planned. There was discussion of budgeting funds for an ATV for police patrol; the City’s one ATV is configured for search and rescue with tracks. The police’s 4-wheel drive trucks are fairly new and it is preferred they not be driven on the beaches.

 

For the first Council meeting in October, Councilmember Wythe asked for the 2005 salary review, COLAs and CPI increases since then, and what allocations have been applied to employees. A rollover list of employees that have come and gone in that time frame was also requested.

 

Expansion of the Spit Trail received grant and legislative appropriation and is awaiting the processing of permits. The City will take over maintenance of portions of Ohlson, Mission and Bunnell streets. 

           

B.         Question of the Week                                                                                      

            1. Do you think the City should impose restrictions on motorized vehicle use on the           beaches?

            2. What services are needed to improve our Cosmic Hamlet by the Sea?

           

COMMITTEE REPORT

           

A.        Comprehensive Plan Community Advisory Committee

            (August 28, 2007 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.)

 

B.         Global Warming Task Force

            (August 29, 2007 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.)

 

C.        Public Arts Committee

            (September 20, 2007 11:00 a.m.)

 

 

D.        Transportation Advisory Committee

            (September 18, 2007 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.)

 

PENDING BUSINESS

 

None.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

A.        Memorandum 07-139, From City Clerk, Re: November 2007 Meeting Dates for City             Council. Recommend approval.

 

WYTHE/NOVAK – MOVED TO AMEND THE MEETING DATES FOR NOVEMBER TO THE 13TH AND 26TH.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.                                                            

 

RESOLUTIONS

 

A         Resolution 07-88, A Resolution of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Accepting         Pedestrian and  Drainage Easements Within the Canyon Rim Park Subdivision. City         Manager. Recommend adoption.                                                                     

 

NOVAK/WYTHE – MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 07-88 BY READING OF TITLE.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

B.         Resolution 07-89, A Resolution of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Approving a Purchase Agreement and Authorizing the Exchange of Four City Owned Parcels Containing 10 Acres Located Near the Homer Boat Yard and Kachemak Drive (Parcel Numbers 175-080-09, 15, 25, 26) for a Portion of a Parcel of Land (Tax ID 173-053-08) of Equivalent Value Adjacent to the Water Treatment Plant, and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Appropriate Documents. City Manager. Recommend adoption.      

 

WYTHE/ROBERTS – MOVED FOR THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 07-89 BY READING OF TITLE ONLY.

 

WYTHE/ROBERTS – MOVED TO AMEND IN THE TITLE LINE 6 – PARCEL NUMBER SHOULD BEGIN WITH 179 AS OPPOSED TO 175.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: (amendment) YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

Discussion ensued on the land exchange for the Water Treatment Plant. The four City parcels are either high or moderate value wetlands. There are access issues; the federal easements in federal patents are unknown at this time. Nancy Hillstrand’s intent is to preserve the land, although a specific offer for a conservation easement has not been made. City Manager Wrede stated he would gladly talk to Nancy Hillstrand it is Council’s intent to have a formal conservation easement on the parcels.

 

Mayor Hornaday commented Homer is land poor and in 20 to 30 years the City may regret not having the land.

 

NOVAK/ROBERTS - MOVED TO INCLUDE A PORTION IN THE NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT STATES THAT WE ASK FOR A LETTER OF INTENT TO PUT THIS PROPERTY INTO A CONSERVATION EASEMENT.

 

City Manager Wrede suggested a motion to amend the purchase agreement be added.

 

Mayor Hornaday agreed it was a friendly amendment and Councilmember Novak voiced acceptance of the amendment. City Clerk Johnson stated it was more than a friendly amendment.

 

NOVAK/ROBERTS - MOVED TO AMEND TO PUT INTO THE PURCHASE AGREEMENT A STATEMENT TO THE EFFECT THAT WE WOULD ASK THAT SHE SIGN A LETTER OF INTENT TO PUT THE PROPERTY INTO A CONSERVATION EASEMENT.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: (secondary amendment) YES. NOVAK, ROBERTS

VOTE: NO. STARK, WYTHE SHADLE

 

Motion failed.

 

VOTE: (primary amendment) YES. SHADLE, NOVAK, ROBERTS

VOTE: NO. STARK, WYTHE

 

Motion failed.

 

VOTE: (main motion) YES. WYTHE, SHADLE, STARK, NOVAK, ROBERTS

 

Motion carried.

 

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

 

There were no comments from the audience.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY ATTORNEY

 

City Attorney Tans was not present.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY CLERK

 

City Clerk Johnson had no comments.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

City Manager Wrede had no comments.

 

COMMENTS OF THE MAYOR

 

Mayor Hornaday attended the ground breaking for the new $2M senior housing unit on Bartlett St. He congratulated the senior citizens, Fred Lau and administration at the Senior Center. Local representatives and the congressional delegation helped. As we continue to get older more of us are looking forward to living there. Mayor Hornaday also attended the Girl Scout gold award celebration for Katie Bauer, the first time a young woman in this area has been awarded.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

 

Mayor Pro Tempore Novak commented on the new election cycle and asked people to get educated and vote.

 

Councilmember Shadle said it was good to be home after surfing around the Bering Sea for a couple of weeks. While fogged in on the island of St. Paul, he had the opportunity to tour the island on 4-wheeler with the Mayor of St. Paul Island. It is a beautiful island and there was a lot to see.

 

Councilmember Stark report Friday at City Hall and Saturday at the Library are the deadlines to register to vote in the October 2nd City election.

 

Councilmembers Wythe and Roberts had no comments.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Council, Mayor Hornaday adjourned the meeting at 7:38 p.m. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 10, 2007 at 7 p.m., the next Committee of the Whole is scheduled for Monday, September 10, 2007 at 4 p.m. and the next Special Meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 10, 2007 at 5:30 p.m. All meetings scheduled to be held in the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.          

 

 

______________________________

JO JOHNSON, CMC, CITY CLERK

 

Approved: _____________________