Session 00-25, a Special Meeting of the Homer City Council was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Cushing at the Homer City Hall Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska, and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: CUE, FENSKE, KRANICH, MARQUARDT, YOURKOWSKI.

Telephonically: LADD (Council consensus on December 11, 2000)

STAFF: CITY MANAGER DRATHMAN

CITY CLERK MARY CALHOUN

FINANCE DIRECTOR BAUGH

ACTING CITY PLANNER GUYTON

POLICE SGT. HUTT

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR MEYER

AGENDA APPROVAL

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

The agenda was approved by consensus of the Council and there was consensus to move Resolution 00-125 forward on the agenda to just before the Consent Agenda.

PUBLIC COMMENTS UPON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA

Julie Cesarini apologized for being unable to attend the Ordinance 00-33 public hearing on December 11, 2000, regarding the foreclosure on her property for unpaid property taxes. She read a letter into the record that she wrote to the Mayor and Council on December 11th. She asked for a plan, whereby she may retain her property and stated that she recognizes her responsibility. She informed the Council that there have been some events in her life that have left her despondent, depressed and that she has had difficulty being fully functional. Ms. Cesarini advised that she had applied for the $10,000 property tax exemption, that was evidently received too late by the borough to be considered. She relayed that the exemption denial left her angry and sensitive. She reported that she is financially unable to pay the back taxes. She said that she would appreciate any consideration or advise that the Council could give her. She commented on having met with City Clerk Calhoun, but that she does not understand the process.

Bill DeCreeft, Kachemak Air Service, relayed that the Float Plane project has been tried several different ways and has been promised about four different times. He advised that the first time this project was promised was when the Airport Terminal got paved and that it has been on the "list" every five years. He emphasized that the last time the project was promised was this past summer. According to Mr. DeCreeft, Mike Morawitz, Airport Manager, had expressed his opinion that this project was a sure deal and scheduled to go out to bid June 2000, but the project had, evidently, been stopped by Fish and Wildlife. Mr. DeCreeft pointed out some unbalances in the Lakeshore Drive/Beluga Lake subdivision area; that initially, as a subdivision requirement, there had been a public area, a picnic and airplane tie down area set aside that would eventually become a airplane out access off of Beluga Lake and onto wheels, with a future road in the plan. The City of Homer traded that property for some property on Bishop's Beach for the Fish and Wildlife museum, or whatever it is going to be. He noted that he had wondered, at the time, about there being no public notice and no public comment period. Right now the current property owner wants $500,000 for that property and the Federal Wildlife suggests that the City purchase this property and build the access. He asked for City support to make up for losing that property that already existed for the project purpose. Mr. DeCreeft emphasized that there are safety hazards on the road way when the aircraft are transported to the airport on wheels, aircraft have been damaged and this road access is very much needed from the lake to the airport. He suggested that economically this would benefit the City with the out of town aircraft, such as Rainbow King Lodge. Wide load permits, flaggers and etcetera are needed every time aircraft have to be moved. He commented that the Mike Morawitz map shows an area where they, DOT, want the road, where there is a cut in the grass and a few dead spruce trees.

There was some discussion regarding "D" Street and "A" Street accesses to the Lake.

Ken Day, Emerald Air Service, commented about the Airport Advisory Board in 1990-1992 and the Airport Master Plan for Homer that designated a road, from the lake to the airport, just to the east of where Bald Mountain Air Service is currently located. He commented that at the time of the master plan this area was state property and in 1986 the funds were appropriated, however, those funds were spent on something else. In 1991 the project/roadway was once again approved and DOT stated that it would be done when the Airport was resurfaced. The state came up against some kind of financial difficulty and did not repave the airport; therefore, the road project was not done. Mr. Day stated that to him this road is very necessary, because Homer is growing and there is going to be more and more airplane traffic. He emphasized that there could be several maintenance shops on the field, which would also enhance and boost revenues to the airport thereby boosting revenue to the City.

Chris Day, Emerald Air Service, elucidated the process of moving the planes from the lake to the airport and emphasized the unsafe situation. She voiced an appreciation for anything the Council/City can do to assist in getting this access road completed.

RECONSIDERATION

RESOLUTION ITEM D. Resolution 00-125, Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Supporting DOT'S Efforts Regarding the Beluga Lake Floatplane Facility, Project # 53394, to Maintain the Project Ranking on the STIP and to Move this Project Forward to Completion. Kranich.

KRANICH/YOURKOWSKI - MOVED FOR THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 00-125 BY READING OF TITLE ONLY.

Council discussed the need for this project and that they would like to read the US Fish and Wildlife Service, field level, biologist's letter/concerns and would appreciate more information such as the outline of the use.

Mayor Cushing called for a recess at 7:59 pm., reconvening the meeting at 8:05 p.m.

The Airport Master Plan maps were reviewed and the same project was in the proposal that the City weighed in on years ago.

Councilmember Cue inquired if there is a standard for the maximum amount of planes or the amount of lake that is available for float planes.

Discussion ensued including the COE, Army Corp of Engineers, pervious period for public comment.

YOURKOWSKI/CUE - LIKE TO AMEND BY ADDING A WHEREAS CLAUSE AT THE END

OF ALL THE WHEREASES AND IT WOULD SAY: WHEREAS, THE CITY OF HOMER APPRECIATES AND SUPPORTS DOT'S EFFORTS TO PROTECT OTHER UNDISTURBED BELUGA LAKE WETLANDS OWNED BY THE STATE AND IT IS THE CITY'S UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS FACILITY WILL NOT BE EXPANDED WITHOUT A CUMULATIVE IMPACT STUDY BY THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY.

There was brief discussion.

VOTE:(primary amendment) YES: CUE, FENSKE, YOURKOWKSI, MARQUARDT, KRANICH.

NO: LADD

Motion carried.

VOTE:(main amended) YES: FENSKE, LADD, YOURKOWSKI, MARQUARDT, KRANICH, CUE.

Motion carried.

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 regular meeting unapproved minutes of December 11, 2000. Recommend approval.

B. Resolution 00-115, Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Establishing the 2001 Regular Meeting Schedule for the City Council, Library Advisory Board, Parks and Recreation Commission, Advisory Planning Commission, and the Port/Harbor Advisory Commission. City Clerk. Recommend adoption.

C. Resolution 00-117, Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Confirming the Appointment of Dean Baugh as the Acting City Manager for Calendar Year 2001. City Manager. Recommend adoption.

D. Resolution 00-118, Of the Homer City Council Confirming Dean Baugh as Treasurer for Calendar Year 2001. City Manager. Recommend adoption.

E. Resolution 00-119, Of the Homer City Council Confirming Jean Mack as Deputy Treasurer for Calendar Year 2001. City Manager. Recommend adoption.

F. Resolution 00-120, Of the Homer City Council Designating Signatories of City Accounts, Superseding any Previous Resolution so Designating. Finance. City Clerk. Recommend adoption.

G. Memorandum 00-66, from Councilmembers Cue & Yourkowski, Re: Beach Policy Task Force. Fiscal Note: 100.5210.100, $750, unbudgeted.. Recommend approval. (Placed under New Business as Item A.)

H. Resolution 00-121,Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Amending the Official Records Retention Schedule for the City of Homer Regarding Clerk Contract Files and Finance Files. City Clerk. Recommend adoption. (Placed under Resolutions as Item E.)

Memorandum from Clerk and Finance as backup.

I. Memorandum 00-67, from City Clerk, Re: Liquor License Renewal for Boardwalk Fish and Chips. Recommend approval and non objection.

J. Resolution 00-126, Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Homer Community Schools Agreement for Joint Use of Equipment and Facilities in the Amount of $20,823. City Manager. Recommend adoption.

MARQUARDT/FENSKE - MOVED FOR THE APPROVAL OR ADOPTION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CONSENT AGENDA .

LADD/ - PLACE ITEM G. UNDER NEW BUSINESS AS ITEM A.

MARQUARDT/ - PLACE ITEM H. UNDER RESOLUTIONS AS ITEM E.

Finance Director Baugh, per Council inquiry, clarified that the Community Schools money, $20,823 is budgeted, that the Winter Program is $20,000 and the summer program is $5,000. This is half of the funding and the Kenai Peninsula Borough provides the other half.

VOTE:(Items A - F, I - J.) YES: KRANICH, CUE, FENSKE, LADD, YOURKOWSKI, MARQUARDT.

Motion carried.

VISITORS

ANNOUNCEMENTS/ PRESENTATIONS/ BOROUGH REPORT/ COMMISSION REPORTS

A. Certificate of Recognition to the City of Homer from the US Department of Commerce, US Census Bureau.

Mayor Cushing reported about the fishing fleet and the stellar sea lion issue, that Senator Stevens was able to place a rider on the bill so that the local fishing fleet will be able to fish this winter. There was consensus of the Council for the Mayor to send a letter in support of the local fishing fleet. The Council will have an opportunity to take official supportive action on this matter in January. Mayor Cushing provided a copy of the document from Senator Stevens.

PUBLIC HEARING(S)

ORDINANCE(S)

A. Ordinance 00-32(A), Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Appropriating Funds for the Calendar Year 2001 for the General Fund, the Water Fund, the Sewer Fund, the Port/Harbor Fund, Debt Funds, Capital Reserve Funds (conditional expenditures). City Manager. Finance Director. (First Reading 11/27/00, Public Hearing 12/11/00, Second Reading 12/18/00.) The budget document is separate. (Proposed budget amendments were submitted to the Council on a separate document and are numbered. )

FENSKE/CUE - MOVED FOR THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 00-32(A) BY READING OF TITLE ONLY.

Mayor Cushing called for a recess at 8:49 p.m., reconvening the meeting at 9:01 p.m.

Mayor Cushing addressed the conflict of interest issues regarding the budget and non profit/Homer Foundation appropriations. He and Mr. Marquardt had asked for a legal opinion/attorney ruling on their potential conflict of interests regarding the Homer Foundation and Bunnell Street Gallery. Mayor Cushing read portions of the City Attorney legal opinion, advising that the City Attorney has found that he does not have a conflict with regard to his wife being on the Board of the Homer Foundation. He further advised that Councilmember Marquardt has no conflict as long as the money is allocated to the Homer Foundation and no specific allocation is made to the Bunnell Street Gallery.

Council concurred with the City Attorney.

YOURKOWSKI/CUE - MOVED TO AMEND THE BUDGET ORDINANCE 00-32(A) GENERAL FUND, DEPARTMENT 350, ACCOUNT 58730, THE HOMER FOUNDATION AMEND THAT LINE ITEM TO READ $100,920 AND TEN PERCENT OF THAT, $10,092 WOULD GO INTO THE CITY OF HOMER'S ACCOUNT CORPUS AND THE BALANCE $90,928 WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED TO NON PROFITS IN THE YEAR 2001.

Council predominately discussed the amount to the Foundation and Corpus and some on the distribution process.

CUE/FENSKE - PROPOSED TO AMEND THE AMENDMENT THE HOMER FOUNDATION $120,000, $100,000 TO GO TO THE NON PROFITS AND THEN $20,000 TO GO TO THE CORPUS OF THE HOMER FOUNDATION.

There was further discussion.

VOTE:(amendment to primary amendment 1.) YES: CUE, MARQUARDT,

NO: FENSKE, LADD, YOURKOWSKI, KRANICH.

Motion failed.

VOTE:(primary amendment 1.) YES: FENSKE, LADD, YOURKOWSKI, MARQUARDT, KRANICH, CUE.

Motion carried. (From Account: 100.5830.350, $100,920 to the Homer Foundation with 10% or $10,092 to the City of Homer Account Corpus and the balance of $90,828 distributed to the non profits.)

The Homer Foundations non profit criteria was discussed and the City Manager suggested a worksession in January. The Homer Foundation submitted an updated paper of criteria for municipal funding.

KRANICH/CUE - MOVED FOR THE ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT TWO, AS PRESENTED BY STAFF.

This amendment funds the full time harbor officer position as amended in at first reading of the Budget Ordinance, this previous amendment is noted as amendment 1. on the amendment sheet.

VOTE:(Primary amendment 2.) YES: KRANICH, CUE, FENSKE LADD, YOURKOWSKI, MARQUARDT.

Motion carried. ( From the following accounts with the respective amount: 400.4638.602, $19,000; 400. 4621.603, $500; 400.4622.603, $10,000; 400.4633.604, $1,000; 400.4640.603, $8,000; 400.4643.603, $1,000 and 400.4634.605, $500 for the Harbor Officer Position.)

The Chamber of Commerce submitted follow up information as requested regarding economic development type services.

FENSKE/YOURKOWSKI - MOVED FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE LANGUAGE AS NOTED IN AMENDMENT 6. (Up to $25,000 for the Chamber of commerce for contracting generic advertising for the City of Homer and training for economic development.)

KRANICH/LADD - MOVED TO AMEND TO CHANGE THE DOLLAR AMOUNT TO $35,000.

VOTE:(amendment to primary amendment 3.) YES: KRANICH.

NO: YOURKOWSKI, MARQUARDT, CUE, FENSKE LADD.

Motion failed.

VOTE:(primary amendment 3.) YES: MARQUARDT, KRANICH, CUE, FENSKE, LADD, YOURKOWSKI.

Motion carried. (Approved the following language change regarding the money to the Chamber of Commerce: Up to $25,000 for the Chamber of Commerce for contacting generic advertising for the City of Homer and training for economic development)

FENSKE/YOURKOWSKI - MOVED FOR THE APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT 7. (100.5325, Parks & Recreation membership fees and dues, $500, for the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission membership in the Alaska Recreation and Park Association (ARPA) for $100 and related expenses such as attending the ARPA meetings.)

City Manager Drathman advised that Daryl Farrens would probably be the individual attending the ARPA meetings.

VOTE:(primary amendment 4.) YES: LADD, YOURKOWSKI, MARQUARDT, KRANICH, CUE, FENSKE.

Motion carried. (From account 100.5325.175, $500 for membership fees and dues for the Parks and Recreation Commission for ARPA and for Darryl Farrens to attend the 2002 Conference Planning Meetings.)

Council noted that this budget is fairly tight and voiced appreciation to the City Manager, Finance Director and the rest of the staff for their work on the budget.

Councilmember Yourkowski expressed his opinion that more funding needs to be appropriated to the Planning Department for planning and that this budget does not reflect the planning needs of this community. He advised that once the new planning director is on board the Council needs to be prepared to address this issue, amend the budget, early next year, 2001. For the record, as requested by Mayor Cushing, Councilmember Yourkowski read the following list of items that he feels need to be addressed by planning: Rezone of general commercial districts; revise the conditional use permit process to set standards for architectural review, landscaping, parking lots, buffers and conditions; revise ordinances to designate large structures as conditional use; lighting ordinance; lot coverage ordinance; ordinance to specify standards for allowable fill and elevation modifications; ordinance to specify slope and drainage requirements for developments; revision of the sign ordinance; Bridge Creek Watershed regulations; flood damage regulations with FEMA; zoning code format revisions, wetland fill permit policies and field procedures; steep slope development standards; review set back requirements for central business district; review open air market ordinance for central business district; site development permits; and stream set backs.

There was discussion on whether or not additional funding would even be required. The City Manager stated that once a planning director is on board these items, noted above, and some others would be prioritized, public hearing processes set in motion, staffing needs identified and et cetera.

VOTE:(main amended motion): YES: LADD, YOURKOWSKI, MARQUARDT, KRANICH, CUE, FENSKE.

Motion carried.

Final budget figures:

General Fund $5,753,262

Water Fund $1,074,600

Sewer Fund $ 921,578

Port/Harbor Fund $2,302,488

Capital Projects $1,157,935

Internal Service Fund $ 410,000

Total Expenditures $11,620,121

MAYOR REQUESTED A CONSENSUS OF THE COUNCIL TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO BRING RESOLUTION 00-124 FORWARD FOR ACTION AT THIS TIME, DUE TO POSSIBLE IMPACT ON ORDINANCE 00-33.

VOTE: Unanimous Consent.

RESOLUTION ITEM C. Resolution 00-124, Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Requesting

that Staff Begin the Process of Adding Acreage to the General Commercial Zoning Districts and Instituting a Temporary Moratorium on the Issuance of Wetland Fill Permits. Yourkowski.

FENSKE/CUE - MOVED FOR THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 00-124 BY READING OF TITLE.

YOURKOWSKI/CUE - MOVED TO AMEND IN THE SECOND NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, NUMBER TWO ON PAGE 88, STRIKE OUT NUMBER 2. ENTIRELY AND REPLACE WITH, "STAFF SHOULD CONSIDER THE LITTLE FIREWEED AREA OF EAST ROAD AS A POTENTIAL AREA FOR SUCH REZONING. (2. Staff should consider the Little Fireweed Area of East Road as a potential area for such rezoning. and should send a letter, approved by the Mayor, to the property owners to ascertain their interest in rezoning; and)

There was a brief discussion about getting early feed back from the public.

VOTE:(primary amendment 1.) YES: CUE, FENSKE, LADD, YOURKOWSKI, MARQUARDT, KRANICH.

Motion carried.

There were pros and cons discussed about the resolution in entirety.

FENSKE/KRANICH - MOVED TO AMEND BEGINNING WITH THE TITLE AT THE WORD DISTRICT STRIKING AFTER ZONING DISTRICTS FROM AND THROUGH THE END OF THE SENTENCE AND ON THE SECOND LINE AFTER THE PROCESS OF, ADD ASSESSING SO THAT THE TITLE READS: A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA REQUESTING THAT STAFF BEGIN THE PROCESS OF ASSESSING ADDING ACREAGE TO THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICTS, I WOULD THEN LIKE TO STRIKE, ITEM 3. AT THE END THE ENTIRE PARAGRAPH ITEM 3. ( 3. That the City should institute a temporary moratorium on the issuance of wetland permits until the City reevaluates the standards and processes for permit applications and appeals of the City's General Permit 88-6N for low value wetland development received from the Corp of Engineers.)

The Manager advised that in essence, there already is a moratorium in effect by his administrative directive to the Acting City Planner to not issue any wetland permits until the process is ironed out including appeal procedures.

It was noted that the processes, procedures etcetera will be back to the Council for approval and there will be a public process.

VOTE:(primary amendment 2.) YES: KRANICH, CUE, FENSKE, LADD, YOURKOWSKI, MARQUARDT.

Motion carried. (RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA REQUESTING THAT STAFF BEGIN THE PROCESS OF ASSESSING ADDING ACREAGE TO THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICTS. AND INSTITUTING A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON THE ISSUANCE OF WETLAND FILL PERMITS. Under the Now therefore be it resolved strike item 3.: 3. That the City should institute a temporary moratorium on the issuance of wetland permits until the City reevaluates the standards and processes for permit applications and appeals of the City's General Permit 88-6N for low value wetland development received from the Corp of Engineers. )

FENSKE/KRANICH - MOVED TO AMEND PARAGRAPH 1. TO READ: STAFF BEGIN THE PROCESS OF ASSESSING ADDING ACREAGE TO THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICTS; AND. (Now therefore be it resolved clause item 1.)

VOTE:(primary amendment 3.) YES: MARQUARDT, KRANICH, CUE, FENSKE, LADD, YOURKOWSKI.

Motion carried. (1. Staff begin the process of assessing adding acreage to the General Commercial Zoning Districts; and.)

VOTE:(main amended motion) YES: FENSKE, LADD, YOURKOWSKI, MARQUARDT, KRANICH, CUE.

Motion carried.

FENSKE/YOURKOWSKI - MOVED TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO CONTINUE PAST MIDNIGHT TO FINISH BUSINESS.

VOTE: YES: FENSKE, LADD, YOURKOWSKI, MARQUARDT, KRANICH, CUE.

Motion carried.

B. Ordinance 00-33, Of the City Council of the City of Homer, Alaska, Accepting Certain Tax-Foreclosed Property Deeded to the City by the Kenai Peninsula Borough and Determining the Disposition of Parcel 179-280-33. City Clerk. Fiscal Note: Taxes due as of November 15th $5,785.78 with penalty, acct: 100.5233.140. (First Reading 11/27/00, Public Hearing 12/11/00, Second Reading 12/18/00.)

FENSKE/CUE - MOVED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 00-33 BY READING OF TITLE FOR SECOND AND FINAL READING.

Mayor Cushing and the Council directed that a new ordinance to accept and designate the property for resale come back before the Council in January, with suggestion for a ten year redemption period.

VOTE: NO: CUE, FENSKE, LADD, YOURKOWSKI, MARQUARDT, KRANICH.

Motion failed.

CITY MANAGER' S REPORT

A. City Manager's Report.

B. Bid Report, from City Clerk

Councilmember Yourkowski inquired if Mr. Boelter's letter had been addressed.

City Manager Drathman advised that a recommendation would be to the Council at the next meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORT

PENDING BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

A. Consent Agenda Item. G. Memorandum 00-66, from Councilmembers Cue & Yourkowski, Re: Beach Policy Task Force. Fiscal Note: 100.5210.100, $750, unbudgeted. Recommend approval.

MOTION IS ON THE FLOOR, PURSUANT TO ACTION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

Council discussion included whether or not there was a need for this task force and the body of the memorandum:

In response to citizen requests, Ordinance 00-12 was proposed to limit vehicle use of the beach. A lengthy public hearing process was desired to hear from all citizens about conflicting uses. After two public hearings, many conflicts have been identified, and many solutions offered. It is time to convene a working group to bring together the various interest groups and propose solutions that will be acceptable to as many beach users as possible. In an attempt to include stakeholders and keep the size of the Beach Policy Task Force manageable, we suggest an eight-or-so member group.

The Beach Policy Task Force will identify problems and propose solutions for the use of City owned beaches and the protection and regeneration of beach structure, sensitive habitat, and private property. Th focus of the Task Force will be to:

1. Identify the problems and conflicts relating to use of the City owned beaches and tidelands;

2. Determine the extent of these problems;

3. Examine existing regulations for adequacy in solving these problems and conflicts; and

4. Recommend what City and /or private property owner policies, if any, need to be adopted to accomplish the following;

Preserve access to the beach

Preserve private property

Protect and regenerate sensitive habitat

Protect and restore beach structure

Enhance public safety

KRANICH/LADD - MOVED TO POSTPONE UNTIL A PLANNING DIRECTOR IS HIRED.

VOTE:(postponement) YES: KRANICH, LADD

NO: MARQUARDT, CUE, FENSKE, YOURKOWSKI.

Motion failed.

MAYOR CUSHING CALLED FOR A CONSENSUS TO CHANGE THE WORD "PROBLEMS" IN THE SECOND PARAGRAPH FIRST SENTENCE TO NEEDS/CONFLICTS.

There was unanimous consent of the Council.

There was some discussion regarding public notice, agendas and public input matters. The City Clerk was asked by Mayor Cushing to provide information regarding notice, agendas, and the like to Councilmembers Yourkowski and Cue.

KRANICH/MARQUARDT - MOVED TO ADD TO THE TASK FORCE A MINOR/TEEN BEACH USER.

VOTE: (primary amendment 1.) YES: YOURKOWSKI, MARQUARDT, KRANICH, CUE, FENSKE, LADD.

Motion carried.

The other Beach Policy Task Force members:

Councilmembers Cue and Yourkowski, Co-Chairs

Mark Robl

Beach science person

Planning Commissioner Smith

Gordon Berg

Beach Property owner (Will probably be Paul Eneboe)

Carol Harding

Dave Brann

Additional individuals as needed and identified by the Task Force are to be confirmed by the Council, as well as those not specifically named in the membership list, but referred to as Beach science person and teen beach user.

The issue of using a facilitator for conducting the task force meetings was discussed

VOTE:(main amended motion) YES: KRANICH, CUE, FENSKE, LADD, YOURKOWSKI, MARQUARDT.

Motion carried.

RESOLUTIONS

A. Resolution 00-122, Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Revising the Port and Harbor of Homer Terminal Tariff NO. 600. Finance. Port/Harbor. City Clerk.

FENSKE/CUE - MOVED TO ADOPT RESOLUTION 00-122 BY READING OF TITLE.

It was noted that the Resolution contains only those items/fees being revised and does not contain the entire tariff. The fee revisions are noted within the 2001 budget.

VOTE: YES: LADD, YOURKOWSKI, MARQUARDT, KRANICH, CUE, FENSKE.

Motion carried.

B. Resolution 00-123, Of the City Council of the City of Homer, Alaska, Amending the City of Homer Fee Schedule Regarding the Sewer Rates. Finance. City Clerk.

FENSKE/CUE - MOVED FOR THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 00-123 BY READING OF TITLE.

These fee revisions are noted within the 2001 budget.

VOTE: YES: FENSKE, LADD, YOURKOWSKI, MARQUARDT, KRANICH, CUE.

Motion carried.

C. Resolution 00-124, Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Requesting that Staff Begin the Process of Adding Acreage to the General Commercial Zoning Districts and Instituting a Temporary Moratorium on the Issuance of Wetland Fill Permits. Yourkowski.

ACTED ON JUST PRIOR TO ORDINANCE 00-33.

D. Resolution 00-125, Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Supporting DOT'S Efforts Regarding the Beluga Lake Floatplane Facility, Project # 53394, to Maintain the Project Ranking on the STIP and to Move this Project Forward to Completion. Kranich.

ACTED ON JUST PRIOR TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.

E. Consent Agenda Item. H. Resolution 00-121,Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Amending the Official Records Retention Schedule for the City of Homer Regarding Clerk Contract Files and Finance Files. City Clerk. Recommend adoption.

Memorandum from Clerk and Finance as backup.

MOTION ON THE FLOOR PURSUANT TO THE ACTION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

In response to Councilmember Marquardt, City Clerk Calhoun elucidated the amendments and requests by the Finance Department, noting that many of these are done to be in compliance with Federal and/or State record retention schedules, as applicable to the City.

VOTE: YES: CUE, FENSKE, LADD, YOURKOWSKI, MARQUARDT, KRANICH.

Motion carried.

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE.

Michael Hawfield thanked the Council on behalf of all the community service organizations and the non profits as well, who all will be applying to the Homer Foundation for financial assistance, and thanked Council for the, all important, continued support. He thanked the Council for all their hard work and consideration. Mr. Hawfield expressed his agreement that this is an excellent opportunity for planning for the future and noted the importance of the Homer Foundation in that scenario. He expressed his opinion that this is a terrific opportunity and exciting challenge to look to a community wide solution that is a combination of public funding, which is critical. He reported that the all important municipal or public funding is on the decline, however, private, corporate and foundation funding is on the increase, one of the great stories in America. He suggested that this is a terrific opportunity to see if, through the Homer Foundation, a solution for this funding can be found and that the City of Homer's "advised fund" is one of the ways. He told the Council that he did not feel it was their responsibility to work out a couple of thousand here and/or there to make that fund work. He voiced his belief that there is a much bigger challenge to the whole community from Ninilchik on down, and to all those who use these organizations that happen to be centered in Homer.

COMMENTS OF THE CITY ATTORNEY

City Attorney Tans was not present.

COMMENTS OF THE CITY CLERK

City Clerk Calhoun wished everyone happy holidays.

COMMENTS OF THE CITY MANAGER

City Manager Drathman thanked everyone on the staff for the work on the budget, which was in many ways a more difficult budget than last year's. He emphasized that the public is really getting their money's worth from the Council, at $50 a month. He stated that he did not always agree with the Council during the budget process, but never questioned their integrity or commitment. He voiced his admiration of the methodology of the Council on the budget and for their thorough review. He wished all a nice Christmas or Happy Holiday.

COMMENTS OF THE MAYOR

Mayor Cushing thanked the Council for a very thorough year, and for the considerable amount of work and effort by the Council, who certainly rose to the event through thick and thin. He noted that this is the last meeting this year. He voiced his appreciation for the work on the budget by the Council and voiced an extra commendation to the staff for the clarity of the budget document. Mayor Cushing noted that it is clear that this Council likes challenges and is lining out a full plate of work for next year, which is exciting. He commented that he had expected to break a few votes tonight, which ended up being 4/2. He encouraged the Council to keep up the good work and to continue to come to quick resolutions on ideas.

COMMENTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Councilmember Ladd voiced his appreciation of working with the Council and of the budget process. He wished everyone a very Merry Christmas and a great New Year. He commented about having been on the Council just a short period of time and has found that they are a real professional group and enjoys working with each of the Councilmembers.

Councilmember Kranich complemented everybody for working together tonight, emphasizing that a lot of issues were resolved. He relayed public concern about the cost of legal review fees of matters that polarize people such as the beach ordinance and matters that may be frivolous. He suggested that all of the Council use discretion regarding these types of matters and analyze the need for a particular matter. He wished all a good holiday and to come back in '01.

Councilmember Cue commended the Council for their work and for the support of the Beach Policy Task Force. She commented that while there may be those on the Council who think the initial ordinance may have been frivolous, this kind of work is going to send a message to the community that the City needs to effectively manage its property. Then, hopefully, the City can manage the 25 square miles that may be annexed next year. She expressed her opinion that the process is a good one and that people are being brought in from the community for input. She voiced her hope that six months before the summer season strong recommendations will be before the Council for the appearance of the beaches, both present and future. She wished everyone a nice holiday.

Councilmember Yourkowski thanked Alan Parks, Paul Seaton and Mike Brooks for putting on a real good public forum on the Stellar Sea Lion issue and that they brought out a lot of information. He stated that it is unbelievable just how screwed up something can get. He voiced a hope that the Council would remember that this budget is really tight and there is no frivolous stuff in there. He noted that last year something had to be done for annexation. He asked the Council to remember the budget process when faced with the Boundary Commission. He suggested that if there were more people sharing the burden of City services there would be an animal shelter, larger library, a few sidewalks in town and a trail here and there.

Mayor Cushing announced an invitation to an open house tomorrow, December 19, 2000, at the Homer Flight Services Station in celebration of their being named, nationwide, Flight Service Station of the Year.

Councilmember Marquardt stated that he has enjoyed working with all of the Council this year and looks forward to next year. This is a good group of caring people. He thanked the staff for all their support and especially Mike Hawfield who has gone above and beyond as a citizen in this community offering both advice and support to this Council. He wished all happy holidays.

Councilmember Fenske voiced appreciation of the work of the staff on this budget and the last couple of budgets, particularly the exemplary Finance Department. He stated that he appreciated what Mike Hawfield had to say to the community at large, because it is one community. He commented that he has no doubt, in his mind, that the people that chose to live on the south end of the peninsula, care about it. He urged the Council to examine their souls when it comes to things within the community.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Council the meeting was adjourned at 12:56 a.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for January 8, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. in the Homer City Hall Council Chambers.

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MARY L. CALHOUN, CMC, CITY CLERK

Approved: ____________________________