02/09/04 - Session 04-04, a Regular Meeting of the Homer City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Jack Cushing at the Homer City Hall Council Chambers located at 491 E Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska, and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Committee of the Whole meeting was held from 4:02 to 5:30 p.m. regarding the Draft Ordinance for Large Retail And Wholesale Structure Development Impact Statement and Standards, as presented by Planning Commissioners and the Regular Agenda Items.

PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: BECK, FENSKE, LADD, NOVAK, STARK, YOURKOWSKI.

STAFF: CITY MANAGER WREDE

CITY CLERK CALHOUN

FIRE CHIEF PAINTER

LIBRARY DIRECTOR HILL

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 City Council with the following changes: Remove: Kachemak Shellfish Growers Association, Re: Spit Facility, since they have requested to be placed on a later agenda. Mayor Cushing advised that Pat Johnson has declined his appointment to the Strategic Planning Committee and therefore asked for his name to be removed.

PUBLIC COMMENTS UPON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA

Public comments upon matters on the agenda with the exception of Visitors and Public Hearing Items: Ordinance 04-06, Appropriating the State Homeland Security Grant for Motorola Brand Radios and Communications Equipment and Ordinance 04-07, Accepting and Appropriating a Reimbursable Grant in an Amount Not to Exceed $325,000.00 from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish (ADFG), for Constructing Plumbed and Non Plumbed Restrooms and Fish Cleaning Site.

Becky Lyon, on behalf of the Homer Animal Friends, addressed the Council regarding the Animal Shelter and Memorandum 04-25. She provided a quick clarification regarding the three facility plan options in the packet that after the meeting with City Manager Wrede and other shelter supporters it became clear that Option 1 was based on a mis communication and that it is not feasible due to the additional ground work required. She stated that, if Mr. Wrede is in agreement, she would like to suggest that the Council save some time and energies and focus totally on options 2 and 3. She advised that she, the Homer Animal Friends, and the shelter supporters have spent a great deal of time researching current trends and needs for the Animal Shelter Design. She informed the Council that those efforts have resulted in the floor plan associated with option 2. and that option 3. is based on the design based on the five year old Kenai shelter. Ms. Lyon reported that, while the specifics of their design are not critical in Council's initial funding decision, there are two key concepts that they would like the Council to consider as Council reviews the options, these are the square footage required and the flexibility of the floor plan. She stated that the proposed square footage by the Homer Animal Friends is believed to be the minimum required to accommodate the number of animals currently processed through the animal shelter as well as all the associated support areas required to function in a organized, sanitary, safe and humane manner. She advised the Council that, initially, they tried to maximize the available site that would be able to serve the City of Homer's growth as long as possible. Secondly, she continued, the Homer Animal Friends proposed floor plan has more areas for specialized functions which will afford the facility a more flexible response to both the shifting needs of the community and potential disease outbreak. She emphasized that this is done by being able to change the rooms' functions without affecting any core shelter operations. She encouraged the Council to realize that the cost associated with both options are preliminary and that there seem to be many areas for economizing and/or redesigning. She pointed out that as a result they do not believe that options 2 or 3 are all that far apart and that, surely, option 2 could be built for a little less money or option 3. build just a little larger or with a more flexible floor plan. She relayed that Homer Animal Friends request that the Council approve a budget, regardless of the floor plan chosen, for a new Homer Animal Shelter so that this project can move forward. She told the Council that they have nothing but the best wishes for the City in this venture as well as high hopes that the new shelter will be a credit to the City of Homer. She thanked the Council for their consideration.

Sue Mauger, resident of the City and Chair of the Homer Library Advisory Board, reported that the last Library Advisory Board meeting did not have a quorum, however they had planned to provide the City Council with a formal recommendation related to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification for the new Library project. She advised the Council that she has heard, individually, from each boardmember that they are in support of the following statement:

The City of Homer's Library Advisory Board recognizes the value of designing the new Homer Library as a sustainable and energy efficient building. In considering how to use water energy, materials and land more efficiently than have been considered in past projects the new library will be less expensive to operate and to maintain. In addition, by designing the library with attention to natural light and clean air the new building will be a healthier and more desirable learning space for our citizens. We support the recommendation of the City Manager in Memorandum 04-28, in the packet and the Library Projects' Building Committee, to move forward with the goal of achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, also known as LEED, Certification. We are going for the silver level with the new library project. We believe that the LEED Certification is a desirable goal to lower future operating and maintenance costs for the City of Homer, to make the new library project more attractive to foundations as the first community LEED Certified building in Alaska. It will create a sustainable and environmentally sensitive building that reflects the values that are important to Homer citizens. She thanked the Council for their consideration and time.

Mayor Cushing noted for the record that Kenai Peninsula Borough Assemblyman Moss is in the audience.

Ken Castner, resides at Mountain View Drive and member of the New Library Building Committee, advised that he is one of the people who helped draft the letter or the Memorandum that the Council, got to consider the LEED Certification. He advised the Council that he has been working with the Architects and gave the Council a little background:

LEED is the new commercial equivalent of the five star energy program designed for residences. Building standards are set and if you meet those standards you get a certain rating. LEED Certification is a little different and was designed, because there are many different ways of building "green" buildings. Some of those ways are to use resources that are more sustainable than others. For example - Bamboo has become very popular because it grows very quickly and does not have the same impact that cutting down old growth trees has. LEED goes a step beyond. They are just now looking for things that are kind of sustainable, things that have a lasting power, that save over the life of the building and cut down on maintenance and up keep. This program has been put together over the course of many year. Mr. Castner stated that he does not know why it all of a sudden snuck up on us in Alaska. He reported that California has done about thirty of the buildings and more and more governments are now demanding LEED standards, because the pay back is so fast in maintenance and energy savings. It is not just about using sustainable wood products or sustainable building products or energy efficient, it is a combination of all of those things. The certification element is that you can lay this stuff out, but if someone is not keeping track of it, it does not get done.

Mr. Castner reported that the certification requires a little more work on behalf of the contractor, architect and engineers to make sure that this thing all gets put together so that the systems are working systems and not just design systems that don't work and don't produce the energy savings and sustainability that you want. He noted that this does not add anything to the project, but it seems like, in our opinion, a sustainable building will lead to a sustainable City Center, which leads to a sustainable community. He thanked the Council.

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.)

Councilmember Novak requested that Item F. Memo 04-25, be removed. Mayor Cushing stated that it would be placed under New Business. To be item B.

A. Homer City Council unapproved meeting minutes of January 26, 2004 Regular Meeting. Recommend approval.

B. Resolution 04-18, Of the City Council Amending the City of Homer Fee Schedule, Planning and Zoning Fees, Bridge Creek Watershed Permit. Fenske. City Manager. Recommend adoption.

C. Memorandum 04-22, from City Clerk, Re: Liquor License Renewals for Alice's Champagne Palace - Brew Pub License, Homer Brewing Company for a Brewery License and El Pescador for a Beverage Dispensary License. Recommend approval and non objection.

D. Memorandum 04-23, from Port./Harbor Commission, Re: Dredge Spoils RFP and Minimum Bid Amount. Fiscal Note: Revenues to account 400-4901-600 estimated at $4 x 10,000 = $40,000. Recommend approval.

E. Memorandum 04-24 from City Clerk, Re: Schedule Land Allocation Worksession with Advisory Bodies. Recommend approval.

F. Memorandum 04-25, from City Manager, Re: Animal Shelter Construction, Proposed Action Plan. Recommend approval.

Placed under New Business as Item B.

G. Memorandum 04-26, from Mayor, Re: Fire Department Strategic Planning Committee, Appointments (Doug Stark - Councilmember, Walt Wrede- City Manager, Bob Painter - Fire Chief, Gary Thomas- Homer Volunteer Firefighter, Mary Griswold - Homer Volunteer EMS, Gary Kulesza - Contractor, Phil Morris - Mayor of Kachemak City, Pat Johnson - Kachemak Emergency Services Area Board, Kurt Marquardt - General member of the public). Recommend confirmation

H. Memorandum 04-27, from Mayor, Re: Appointment of Thomas Bursch to the Library Advisory Board and Reappointment of Tim Daugharty to the Parks and Recreation Commission. Recommend confirmation.

I. Memorandum 04-29, from City Manager, Re: Airport Terminal Lease for Olson Air Service. Fiscal Note: $28,447.20 in revenue for Homer Airport Terminal. Recommend approval.

LADD/FENSKE - MOVED FOR THE APPROVAL AND/OR ADOPTION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE CONSENT AGENDA AS READ.

VOTE:(except F.) YES: NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

VISITORS

A. Kachemak Shellfish Growers Association, Re: Spit Facility.

The Kachemak Shellfish Growers Association requested rescheduling.

B. Kenny Bryant, Teen Solutions.

Mr. Bryant did not show.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/PRESENTATIONS/BOROUGH REPORT/COMMISSION REPORTS

A. Mayoral Proclamation, Homer Garden Club Appreciation Week, February 9 - 15, 2004.

Borough Assemblymember Moss gave a borough report:

Several members of the assembly will be traveling to Washington DC the end of February. He stated that if the Council provides additional copies of Homer's Legislative Requests or Capital Improvement Projects he will ensure that these are available to the Assemblymembers.

Did get a copy of the Council's Resolution on the Borough Comprehensive Plan, which Council advised is not adopted. He advised that the land planning and zoning is probably going to be far fetched at the Borough at this time since the Kenai Peninsula Borough is a second class borough and the citizens will be voting on those issues. He interjected that the land planning and zoning are for the areas outside of the cities and therefore there is usually a lot of resistence in those areas to any changes. The Draft Borough Comp Plan is scheduled for September.

He reported that he has presented an Ordinance that is working its way through, that is a flat tax on the airplanes to reduce the migration of airplanes to Anchorage, the higher valued ones that are used in the summer tourist industry. It appears that this will be changed to something similar to the boat tax, which is a graduated scale. This will not have any impact on City taxes and will only affect the Borough taxes at this level. Final hearing will be in April.

Mayor Cushing voiced appreciation for the Special Election out on the co curricular, which spreads the burden of that great service to the entire Borough.

Assemblyman Moss advised that this will be a By Mail, Special Election on March 30th. It is essentially a .5 mill levy on personal and property taxes and will generate a little over two million dollars in revenues, which is, always, subject to Assembly approval in the budget request.

Mayor Cushing noted that at the moment the City is paying for the Community Schools person. He reported that he has been talking to Borough Assembly President Pete Sprague about coordinating efforts on the Legislative and Capital Improvement Project lists. He emphasized the area wide and City projects such as the dock.

Mayor and Council and City Manager commented, briefly, on the letter sent to the Borough School District, regarding state education and formula funding and the borough's unique geography.

Councilmember Ladd voiced concerns, noting that the Co Curricular is not just sports, it is music and forensics. Co Curricular is a very vital part of the schools. The Borough's Co Curricular budget used to received $3.3 million. Now this budget is stretched thin and more activities are being provided to more schools and more children.

Assemblyman Moss reported that the assembly had a budget meeting with the school district, adding that the financial situation is very drastic. The school district has a short fall in excess of $5 million this year and next year. Funding for PERS and TERS is an impact. Co Curricular funding will be of some assistance. The state contributes about $4,100 per student and it is estimated that it takes about $4,500 per student to keep the same budget as this year. In response to Councilmember Novak's question Mr. Moss replied that the Assembly's main message whenever they go to Juneau is schools, the fact that everyone describes the Borough as the canary in the coal mine. The borough has the problem of being up against "the cap", not being able to contribute any more. He noted that other bigger school districts are starting to have similar problems.

Councilmember Ladd commented, for perspective, that Alaska kicks in $4,100 per student, whereas, for example, the State of Maine kicks in $8,100 per student.

Assemblyman Moss noted that the same question came up during the joint meeting with the School Board. He relayed his comment to the School Board that their sights were being set way to low, that they need to go to the Legislature, because the Borough cannot fund any more at this time and additional funding has to come from the State level. In response to Councilmember Fenske regarding the Meeting of 55 in Fairbanks, tapping Permanent Fund monies for Municipal Dividend, that the Assembly has not discussed this much and that there was a Resolution on the agenda two meetings ago opposing Senate Bill 18, a percent of the PFD Plan. He advised that the Borough declined the Resolution. He advised that the Borough is waiting to see what comes out of a lot of these plans, interjecting that a lot of these will be constitutional issues that everyone will get to vote upon. He apprized the Council that there is a lot of difference of opinion at the Assembly level. Assemblyman Moss was thanked for attending the Council's meeting.

PUBLIC HEARING(S)

A. Ordinance 04-06, Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Appropriating the State Homeland Security Grant for Motorola Brand Radios and Communications Equipment and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Appropriate Documents. HPD. City Manager. Fiscal Note: Budgeted via Ordinance 03-64, Revenue and Expenditure Account151-784 State Homeland Security Grant for HPD Dispatch Center and Radios $562,923.00 (First Reading January 26, 2004, Public Hearing and Second Reading February 9, 2004.)

There was no public testimony.

BECK/STARK - MOVED FOR THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 04-06 BY READING OF TITLE.

It was noted that this is a pretty straight forward issue and an excellent thing to increase Homer's communications, particularly with the other emergency units in the Kenai Peninsula.

VOTE: NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

B. Ordinance 04-07, Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Accepting and Appropriating a Reimbursable Grant in an Amount Not to Exceed $325,000.00 from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division of Sport Fish (ADFG), for Constructing Plumbed and Non Plumbed Restrooms and Fish Cleaning Site and that the City Manger is Authorized to Execute the Appropriate Documents. City Manager. Port/Harbor. Fiscal Note: New Revenue and Expenditure Account 415-917, ADFG Reimbursable Grant of $325,000.00 for P/H Restroom and Fish Cleaning Site. (First Reading January 26, 2004, Public Hearing and Second Reading February 9, 2004.) Page 123

There was no public testimony.

FENSKE/LADD - MOVED FOR THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 04-07 AS READ.

There was no discussion.

VOTE: NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

ORDINANCE(S)

None Scheduled.

CITY MANAGER'S REPORT

A. City Manager's Report (Updates/Follow up; February Employee Anniversaries - Don Henry PWD 20 years, Tammy Hagerty PWD 18 years, Beverly Guyton P/Z 14 years, Jan Jonker PWD 13 years, Bonnie Nesvic HPD 12 years, Kelly Hamilton HPD 5 years, Rachel Livingston Admin. 2 years, Dan Miotke HVFD 2 years, Lisa Vaughn Finance 2 years, Tim Yarbrough HVFD 2 years, and Cory Rupe HPD 1 year; News Release Walkable Communities; Proposed Emergency Services Dispatch Operational Surcharge; Division of Forestry Hazardous Tree Removal; Overslope Development lots 9, 10 and 11 New Revenue Sources; Road Repaving; Cross Walk Locations and Materials Summary; EDD Meeting Report.)

There was some discussion regarding the Long Range Fiscal Planning meetings and process.

These worksessions will be held on Council meeting Mondays and not off Mondays and not on Saturdays. These meetings will start early on Mondays. Various times were mentioned. Council concurred on getting this done soon. Perhaps start at noon or earlier, such as 9 a.m. as noted in the Manager's Memorandum. It was suggested to start on Monday, February 23rd, there were no objections.

The facilitator hiring was discussed. This person does not have to be local. Perhaps AML or DCED could assist. Criteria for selection would be someone with economic background and government experience with facilitator skills. Fiscal impact is not known at this time. New EDD Director John Parker might be interested and it has been reported that he is pretty good at this sort of thing.

The need for the Committee of the Whole to discuss Regular Meeting agenda items was noted.

Council should review the Staff's Draft 10 Year Fiscal Policy Plan before it goes to the public for review. There were comments on reviewing at a Committee of the Whole or at a Regular Council meeting. The 10 Year Fiscal Policy Plan should be formally adopted, at some time, by the Council.

B. Game Report.

COMMITTEE REPORT

A. Road Standards Committee. January 20 and 27, 2004 Synopsis.

Councilmember Yourkowski and Committee Chair Marquardt briefly reported, that the Committee is making good progress. It was noted that the Committee also met on February 3rd. The Committee has not addressed repaving of roads or cross walks.

Councilmember Stark reiterated his concerns regarding the pedestrian crossing of the Sterling Highway in the area of Poopdeck Street and the Islands and Oceans Visitor Center.

B. Town Center Development Committee.

Appreciation was expressed for the EDD report by Anne Marie Holen, Administrative Assistant.

PENDING BUSINESS

None scheduled

NEW BUSINESS

A. Memorandum 04-28, from City Manager, Re: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification for the Homer Public Library. Fiscal Note: Revised Budget Total Project is $5,688,111.00, previous project total budget was $5,688,611.00.

Recommendation: That the Homer City Council approve LEED certification for the library, approve the revised budget presented in the attachment from the Public Works Director, and authorize the Manager to execute all necessary documents including a Notice to Proceed to the Architect.Original Budget Revised Budget Building $ 3,825,000 $ 3,885,000

Site Improvements $ 500,000 $ 300,000

Furnishings $ 250,000 $ 250,000

1% for Art $ 38,250 $ 40,000

Design $ 485,361 $ 485,361

LEEDS Certification $ 0 $ 83,300

Construction Management $ 315,000 $ 315,000

Contingency $ 275,000 $ 329,450

Total Project Budget $ 5,688,611 $ 5,688,111

STARK/BECK - MOVED FOR THE ADOPTION OF MEMORANDUM 04-28 BY READING OF TITLE.

There was no discussion.

VOTE: YES: NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

Mayor Cushing called for a recess at 7:58 p.m. reconvening the meeting at 8:10 p.m.

B. Consent Agenda Item F. Memorandum 04-25, from City Manager, Re: Animal Shelter Construction, Proposed Action Plan. Recommend approval.

Recommendation: Council approval and adoption of Option 3 as depicted in the attached Memorandum from the Public Works Director including cost estimates, site location, and dimensions. Authorize the Manager to proceed with the final design phase.

NOVAK/STARK - MOVED TO APPROVE THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF MEMORANDUM 04-25.

The following is from the Manager's Memorandum:

Benefits of Option 3:

· Cost: it is the least costly option because it reduces costs associated with design, construction, earthwork, and site improvements

· It provides the best footprint for the physical and dimensional characteristics of the property. The result is better parking options, better traffic flow, and less disruption to existing drainage, water and sewer infrastructure.

· It is a modern and humanitarian facility that will meet the City's needs for the next 20 years or more.

· The design and location makes shelter expansion relatively easy.

Assumptions:

· The cost estimate provided for Option 3 ($ 899,000) is a not to exceed number. This estimate was calculated as though the construction will be carried out entirely by contractors. It is our intent to investigate options for performing portions of the work using force account labor and volunteers. There are other ways in which we may be able to cut costs. In short, we hope to construct the building for less than this amount.

· Although this proposal establishes size and budget parameters, there is still room for public input on the interior design. The next step will be to bring the architect to Homer to work with the City and the public final interior design.

· The construction schedule contained on page 2 of the Public Works Director's Memorandum.

Funding Issues:

The big question on everyone's mind is of course, where is the money coming from. That is a very legitimate question and I appreciate that concern. I am concerned myself. However, I think the bottom line is that the City must assume some financial risk if the building is going to be constructed this year. We presently have about $450,000 in construction funds for this project. That means that we will have to raise about $450,000 more in the next six months or so. As I noted above, we hope to build the facility for less than $900,000 but we should assume that this is the amount we need for planning purposes.

In order to assure that construction begins this year, I believe that the Council will have to "bite the bullet" and commit to using General Fund money to complete the project. We (the City, SOS, Animal Friends) will try to raise as much of that amount as we can. I have asked Rachel Livingston to take an active roll in helping to generate money for this project. Rachel will work with SOS and the Animal Friends to look for grants and conduct fund raising activities. The animal shelter will get the same level of staff support from the Manager's office as the library and the ice rink are receiving.

The money that the Council provides for construction will have to come from either the General Fund or a reserve account. The Council has options to repay the impacted fund. These options include selling bonds, taking a commercial loan, designating sales tax revenues to a capital construction fund, etc. These issues can be discussed as part of the long range fiscal plan discussions.

It is important to note that at this time, I am asking for authorization to proceed with the final design only. The final design will provide us with much more refined cost estimates. We will come back to the Council for authorization to proceed with construction at that time. The money for construction must be identified before we can offer a construction contract.

There was no discussion prior to the amendment.

NOVAK/BECK - MOVED TO AMEND THE DIMENSIONS IN OPTION 3. TO FORTY EIGHT FEET BY SIXTY EIGHT FEET PHYSICAL OUTSIDE DIMENSIONS AND RECOMMEND THAT OPTION 3 BE ADOPTED WITH THOSE CHANGES. (A change from 44'8" to 48')

Discussion items:

Option 3., as far as the rectangular shape, is the best for the configuration of the current site. In the construction practice it works a lot better to have outside dimensions divisible by 4.

The amendment provides a little more space, making the total square footage 3,264.

The interior design may be altered.

This building needs to be a ten to twenty year building.

Even with the additional 3 feet there will not be a lot of room to spare in this building.

The proposed dimensions have been reviewed by the City Manager and Public Works Director and that they both believe this will work just fine.

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

Motion carried.

Discussion items on amended main motion:

Floor Plan as presented by Architect Kluge is the floor plan of Option 3. It is not the same floor plan used for the other two options.

Biggest difference in the floor plans is the square footage in foot print. Option 1 and 2 were the designs presented by Homer Animal Friends and SOS (Supporting Our Shelter). 600 square feet larger and a square configuration.

Option 3. is less room for isolation and less cat room. One medical room rather then separate rooms for euthanasia and treated dogs.

This Memorandum provides budget parameters, the placement of the building, and the foot print. The next step will be to meet with the Architect and review the interior design. There may be some other options created by the additional, almost 300 feet, that have not been considered.

Desire to complete as much of the building as possible with the monies available. Rooms can be left unfinished or even unframed. There will be a roof, a facility and a portion of the interior. There are lots of options.

Rule of Thumb is that it takes about one third of the total cost of a project to rough in the structure and about two thirds of the total cost to finish the structure.

Once the building starts to surface there may be more opportunity for fund raising in the surrounding communities, since this is serving the greater area.

Another $500,000.00 needs to be acquired. Will the $450,000 provide enough of a completed building that it will be usable?

City Manager Wrede clarified that what he is asking for tonight is just permission to go to the Architect, not permission to go to construction. After meeting with the Architect, he continued, that he believes he will have refined numbers and a better idea where this project can and cannot be force accounted and where volunteer labor can and cannot be used. He reported that Rachel Livingston, Administrative Assistant, will be working with the Homer Animal Friends and SOS on fund raisers. He advised the Council that Anne Marie Holen, Administrative Assistant, has been looking for grants and so far has located only small grants. He informed the Council that Rachel Livingston is going to try to work with folks to see who, such as contractors and suppliers, is out there that might be willing to volunteer labor, equipment and other things. He voiced his opinion that once the word is out that this project is a go and that it is going to be done this year that people will get excited, people will donate money and time, and hopefully this project can be done for a lot less than currently estimated. He agreed that this is a bit of a risk and emphasized that it is an opportunity and signals to the community that the City is going to build an Animal Shelter.

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

Motion carried.

RESOLUTIONS

None scheduled.

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

Audience comments upon any matter.

Pat Moss, proud new member of the City living on Jeffery Avenue and very pleased to be a member of the City, noted that she has been coming to the Council since the mid 80's to complain about the Animal Shelter. She thanked the Council, adding that it is very, very exciting and that she believes that when there is something tangible it will be supported and built. She said that she would like to put her money where her mouth is, that she thought of this tonight, finally. She commented that Animal Shelters are health and safety and that one of the things that can be done to further the health and safety of the community is to educate the community about the care of animals through training with the 4-H Kids, talking about animal care. She stated that building in a part of the shelter for that can happen and she volunteered her services as a dog trainer to get that extra room, a training room, added on, which would be about three quarters of the size of the Council Chambers, an additional thirty feet. She told the Council that she would continue to volunteer her services as a trainer, charging people and that money would go toward that room until it is paid off. She thanked the Council very much.

Ken Castner stated that he is glad to see this document from the Planning Commission, that he has spent about fifteen minutes going through it and that he has a lot of green markups, things that he has minor issues with. He expressed his opinion that it is fairly comprehensive and has narrowed issues down and not missing a lot of the stuff that he was afraid would be missing. He commented that once all of these things are on the table it is a lot easier to deal with it then having to come in and say what about this, and what about that. He commended the Planning Commission for the nice job. He wished the Council well on taking it from here. He invited the Council to take part in the planning going on for the Library on the 18th and 19th. He reported that on the 18th there will be a kind of sharette process, which is just going through all the elements to make sure they are all there and that all of the adjacencies are correct and everything like that. He reported that on the 19th will be preliminary stuff at the 35% level. He advised the Council that after this the Architects will take this back and come in with a 35% design, and during the following visit it will be taken to the public. Mr. Castner informed the Council that he has really been impressed with these architects, that they've done a really good job, and that they have shown a lot of restraint. He shared his suspiciousness of architects, because he thinks that they always have in their minds the way it is going to look first, however, these architects have been really diligent on making sure that it is all going to fit together in an floor plan and package. He noted that they have not drawn a single elevation that he has seent, which, he relayed, really pleases him. He commented on the Animal Shelter, that enthusiasm is a strange thing and can be easily killed and hard to maintain, however, once to a certain level it is hard to stop. He emphasized the need for Council to play more of a roll in this if they are going to do force account, since the savings are usually non existent. He voiced his opinion that in this case the architect is going to have to design a building that is made to be force accounted, for example it will not be a concrete building. He stated that it will have to be something like a structurally insulated panel, something that can go up in four days, put tresses in, roof it and be done with it. He clarified that it needs to be something wherein Council can get all of the people to show up for four days, work hard, get it done and dried in. Mr. Castner stated that the other thing is that Council should probably just poor the slab and put all the radiant floor heat into the slab, since it requires only a small boiler and leave that heat in there forever. He noted that the air handling can be dealt with later. He said that he is like Pat Moss and willing to kind of get involved and give his services to help the Council by drawing up a schedule of values so that the Council can see what their spending curve is going to be, adding that he is not convinced that it is going to be a $900,000 project. He expressed his thought that the Council should, at least, try to get this going since once it is going the momentum will be hard to stop.

Chris Moss commented that he should have mentioned this during his borough report since it is part of the aspect of the borough. He said that one of the things he wanted to mention was the Spruce Bark Beetle Task Force monies, noting in Council's agenda that there is an offer of doing work in the summer, to clear downed trees. He reported that one of the programs that the Borough does with the Spruce Bark Beetle fund is clear right of ways and that the municipalities have just as much access to that money as outside the cities. He voiced his opinion that this is something that the City should look very carefully at and should try to target some of these roads in the newly annexed areas that have more bark beetle killed trees and work toward clearing some of those areas and toward having access to those funds. He stated that this money is available, has come down from Senator Stevens and that this past year there was an additional million dollars. He advised that one of the key components in the fire problem, that is always talked about in the infestation, is the urban interface where most of the houses are and the trees, which are the most dangerous. He expressed his thought that the City should really look at accessing those funds and using those funds to clear the right of ways in any area that may have this type of problem, interjecting that those funds will go away at some point and right now are being used, pretty much exclusively , in the unincorporated areas. He encouraged the Council to target these monies as a funding source for reducing fire hazard and creating fire breaks.

COMMENTS OF THE CITY ATTORNEY

City Attorney Tans was not present.

COMMENTS OF THE CITY CLERK

City Clerk Calhoun had no comment.

COMMENTS OF THE CITY MANAGER

City Manager Wrede had no comment.

COMMENTS OF THE MAYOR

Mayor Cushing thanked the general community for all of their work on City issues and projects. He noted that some great progress has been made, due in great part to the community at large. He emphasized that up on top there is great snow, the snow machining is outrageous and the skiing is even more outrageous.

COMMENTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Councilmember Stark noted that the City's 40th Anniversary is coming up at the end of next month and voiced hope that somebody does something more than just to sing Happy Birthday at a Council meeting, because this is an important event.

Councilmember Fenske complemented the Planning Commission and Planning Department on the amount of work that they have put in on this project that the Council has given them. He noted that this is not a finished document, but it really helped going through the document and the explanations by Planning Commission Chair Smith. He voiced his thought that the Council is really indebted to them, emphasizing that Council's Commissions are exceptional and exceptionally motivated groups of people.

Councilmember Beck commented on the City Manager celebrating his first anniversary, with the City. She thanked him for all the work he has done in the last year, that he really jumped in with both feet. She stated that she has no idea how he is managing to keep all of the plates spinning on those sticks and that he is doing a great job.

Councilmember Novak thanked the Planning Commission and that he is impressed by their work. He stated that they have done a great job, and, although they ate a lot of sandwiches he has watched them work long into the night. He voiced appreciation for their effort. He thanked those individuals who stepped forward to volunteer to just help out, just like tonight with the Animal Shelter. He pointed out that it is people who are willing to do this that makes this community what it is.

Councilmember Ladd advised that he really feels good about what the Council did with the Library tonight to make it more energy efficient and environmentally efficient. He voiced a concern with regard to the Library and the Animal Shelter in terms of community, which goes beyond the City limits. He relayed comment from Councilmember Yourkowski talking, at times, about service areas. He stated that the way the total cost of the Library were developed involves certain formulas that deal with population. He commented that when looking at the population in terms of growth for the next twenty years or to 2020 and half that population is City of Homer, maybe a little more since annexation, and the other half is outside the City of Homer. He noted that it will be the people of the City of Homer who will have to, somewhere along the way, pay for maintenance and operation. He suggested that maybe a way can be found with seasonal sales tax to pay for a bond or something like that, wherein everyone participates. He continued, in terms of how Homer maintains and operates these facilities and get the capital dollars necessary Homer is certainly servicing the people out in Dimond Ridge and Fritz Creek, and Kachemak City. Mr. Ladd recognized Kachemak City for their partnership and involvement with the Animal Shelter and the Library and that they have put funds in. He voiced his hope that the people in the outlying areas can be encouraged to recognize their part in this and to help out. He emphasized that the City of Homer cannot afford to continue providing these services. He stated that he does support the location of the Animal Shelter and the Library. He thanked the Planning Commission and that he has not had a chance to read the draft thoroughly and noted that it is fairly comprehensive. He suggested that there be more in economics, some specific economic data that supports some of the statistics and numbers in the document, such as the square footage of building foot prints. He thanked the City Manager for the Long Range Fiscal Planning document, noting that a lot of work went into that. He voiced his hope that the Council can come out with a fiscal plan with goals and objectives and that at the end of this planning that the Council will be able to figure out how to take care of things like the Animal Shelter and the Library, which are so important.

Councilmember Stark commented that he thinks Councilmember Ladd said it very well, that Mr. Ladd has been a leader in the economics on the Council and was the first supporter of moving into a fiscal plan. He voiced his thought that one of the things Council will find is that a lot of the answers to the questions he asked will come out of the fiscal plan. He expressed his opinion that it is Council's responsibility to come up with this, that he is sure Council will and that Council will find that the people outside the City limits of Homer have been paying all along and will continue to pay their share of the facilities that they use. He stated that he looks forward to this cooperative arrangement continuing for many years to come.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Council the meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 23, 2004 at 7 p.m. The next Committee of the Whole meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 23, 2004 at 4 p.m. A Joint Worksession with the Planning Commission is scheduled for Tuesday, February 17, 2004 at 6 p.m. A worksession on the Long Range Fiscal Plan is scheduled for Council meeting Mondays , time to be announced. The meetings are scheduled to be held in the Homer City Hall Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

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MARY L. CALHOUN, CMC, CITY CLERK

Approved: _______________

clerk@ci.homer.ak.us, 235-3130, home number 235-2843.