Session 09-04 a Regular Meeting of the Homer City Council was called to order on February 9, 2009 at 7:00 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.

 

PRESENT:           COUNCILMEMBERS:      HOWARD, LEWIS, NOVAK, ROBERTS,                                                                  WYTHE, ZAK

 

                               STAFF:                                CITY MANAGER WREDE

                                                                            CITY CLERK JOHNSON

                                                                            CITY ATTORNEY KLINKNER

                                                                            FINANCE DIRECTOR HARVILLE

                                                                            PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR MEYER

 

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

 

Council met as a Committee of the Whole from 4:04 p.m. to 5:29 p.m. Agenda items included: Water/Sewer Rates, Council Travel Guidelines, Main Street Improvement/Intersection and Regular Meeting Agenda. Council conducted a Special Meeting from 5:30 p.m. to 6:48 p.m. Agenda item was City Manager Wrede Annual Performance Evaluation/Employment Contract. 

           

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

 

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

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS/PRESENTATIONS/BOROUGH REPORT/COMMISSION REPORTS - The Homer Foundation Financial Report, Period Ending December 31, 2008; ORDINANCES - Ordinance 09-07 – written public comments; and RESOLUTIONS - Resolution 09-22 A Resolution of the Homer City Council Supporting the Proposed Closure of Portions of Peterson and China Poot Bays to Shellfish Harvest to Sustain Educational Use.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS UPON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA

 

Charles Burgess, Kachemak Drive resident, expressed opposition to Resolution 09-18. He asked if it was the assumption when an LID is undertaken that all dialogue with the homeowners stops. That has been the conduct of the City ever since the LID process started. On January 29th Kachemak Drive property owners met at City Hall with Public Works Director Carey Meyer and City Manager Walt Wrede. Despite the concerns of the property owners, the City will proceed. Homeowners have provided more than a few thousand of their own dollars to make sure the construction process does not cause unintended harm to their property. Resolution 09-18 is proof the City does not care and is choosing to ignore the substance of their concerns. The City and Borough both passed resolutions stating a need for a comprehensive hydrologic study. The vote that passed the LID was flawed by allowing a number of those that did not respond to be counted as a “yes” vote. There is flowing water across the ground and onto Kachemak Drive. The geotechnical report has limitations and flaws and individual properties could expect conditions to worsen. DOT and Fish and Wildlife are in the process of formulating concerns. Has anyone attempted to ask or understand why 50% of the property owners have not responded?

 

Rika Moew, Kachemak Drive resident, has property in Phase II and lives in Phase III. She referenced the seventh whereas of Resolution 09-18 that states the project has undergone a scoping review by local, state, and federal regulation and environmental permit agencies. This is not accurate since DOT, Corps of Engineers, and Fish and Wildlife have not received plans or permit applications. The City Engineer feels the last remaining hurdle is to acquire remaining easements. This is one half of the easements; 23 out of 46 to be resolved. It seems to be a clear red flag to the unpopularity of the project. Moving forward with the eminent domain process is premature, costly, and contentious to property owners. Property owners do not feel assured by the Duane Miller geotechnical study, as to whether it addresses the hydrological and flooding challenges. Property owners contracted a separate review of the report. Concerns of the property owners have not been addressed by the narrower study of the geotechnical study. In June 2008 Council approved a resolution in support of a Beluga Wetlands Study; it is the only rational way to proceed. If the City chooses to move forward on eminent domain proceedings, property owners will continue to feel they are unheard.

 

Michael McCarthy, geologist and Kachemak Drive Phase III resident, commented that many people on Kachemak Drive are deeply involved in saving the City money in litigation costs. He urged Council not to pass Resolution 09-18, but to postpone. What was discussed on January 29, 2009 at a neighborhood meeting and Resolution 09-18 are irreconcilable. The City Manager stated eminent domain would be a last resort. What is the cost of pursuing eminent domain for 23 property owners? Who will pay the price, the citizens and the property owners with a double wammy? Mr. McCarthy disputed the whereas clause that the project has undergone a scoping review by local, state and federal regulatory and environmental permit agencies and no issues have been identified that would preclude the issuance of all required construction permits. He has talked to the Corps of Engineers, DOT, and Senator Murkowski’s office and they have no permit or communication on file. Mr. McCarthy disagreed with the whereas clause stating the findings of the Duane Miller geotechnical report that the project does not impose a surface or subsurface drainage regime change and that it is not expected to contribute to bluff erosion. No mention is made of Duane Miller’s recommendation that a stormwater pollution prevention plan may be required for the project. The City is looking at a portion of $41.2M delegated to the Homer Water and Soil Conservation District for the Beluga Wetlands Study. Phase I is already on the list of five phases. There is a better chance to study Kachemak Drive now from an economic basis. If we have no direct driving force to make us act irrationally or without full forethought we should wait until facts about groundwater geology and the wetlands are known. No one entity should be allowed to interface without input from Kachemak City, Homer, the Borough, and State properties.

 

Councilmember Zak asked Mr. McCarthy what type of soil was on Kachemak Drive. Mr. McCarthy answered from the 26 borings a good portion is peat. If native materials are returned to the same trench they create no problem. In 1999 ACS flooded his property and caused erosion loss on his bluff. When you dig peat it changes the perimeters of how the water travels through. Peat on the Homer bench will allow water to pass horizontally before passing vertically. When you shred peat and toss it back in it becomes a conduit for water passage. After Phase I, water on the Beluga wetlands is unexplainable. People that have lived on Kachemak Drive for over 20 years have not seen it before. The Olson’s property has a culvert 10 ft. deep; last year water was a couple inches below surface. That was after the system DOT put in for $495,000.

 

RECONSIDERATION

 

None.

 

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 January 26, 2009 Regular Meeting.            City Clerk.                                                                                                      

                                                                                                                                   

B.         Memorandum 09-12, from Mayor, Re: Appointment of Lou Stewart to the Parks and             Recreation Advisory Commission.    

 

Mayor Hornaday called for a    motion for the adoption and/or approval of the recommendations of the consent agenda as read.

                                               

NOVAK/ZAK - SO MOVED.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

VISITORS

 

A.                 Leonard Wells, Water Billing Rates

 

Leonard Wells suggested using a per day cost of water/sewer usage to keep the water/sewer bills consistent. The base charge is calculated by the number of gallons used. On some months the meters are read at 33 days which puts a customer’s usage over the monthly base charge. The new software the City purchased may have the ability to alter the charges. Users would then be getting a proper bill instead of an incorrect one.

 

B.         Brenda Pilgrim Ahlberg, Executive Director, and Mike Navarre, Board President,  Boys & Girls Club of Homer

 

Brenda Pilgrim Ahlberg, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Kenai Peninsula, acknowledged the City’s ten year partnership for the Homer Club. The City has provided the building, maintenance, and utilities. The Homer Club will soon be celebrating its 10th anniversary and is a second home for children and many families. The Club’s focus is on youth programs, including a focus on self, inclusion, and diversity. The Club needs to anchor its foundation with the City’s annual financial support. The Club is experiencing financial difficulty with reduced funding, and is waiting on Federal dollars. They are hoping to receive $35,000 as a reimbursable grant from the Federal government. Last year with the help of The Homer Foundation and local investors $24,000 was generated. To date $30,000 has been raised and reductions in expenditures have been made. Investing in the Boys and Girls Club is a wise investment.  

 

Mike Navarre, Boys and Girls Club Board President, joined the board twelve years ago and continues to serve as he recognizes the needs of the organization. The program was started with federal funds and local funds were raised. There has been a significant decline in federal funding. Some clubs were closed in the summer, benefits and programs were cut, and supplies are at bare bones. Seward and Soldotna have made budget allowances to fund the clubs, and Kenai and Homer have been asked to provide funding. The budget request for Homer is $45,000. It is the intent to ask the Kenai Peninsula Borough to provide matching funds for all communities clubs.   

 

Kelly Jackman, Director of Homer Boys and Girls Club, thanked the volunteers that have set a positive example for the youth. The Club provides affordable daycare for single parents and has produced success stories in youth that have become independent, strong, and successful adults. She has lived in Homer for 19 years and finds there is no greater priority that to invest in our children.

 

Mayor Hornaday allowed public comment from the following:

 

Jenny Zelenski commented the Boys and Girls Club is a godsend in the summer. It is a wonderful place to send her son as she knows he is safe and well fed. A lot of kids really need the place as their parents work multiple jobs. We need to value the youth as much as the seniors and our animals without having to beg for money every year.

 

Nancy Johnson, city resident, is a newcomer to Homer and wants to be part of the community. Without the Club it would not be possible to have this life here.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS/PRESENTATIONS/BOROUGH    REPORT/COMMISSION REPORTS

 

Bill Smith, Kenai Peninsula Borough Assemblyman, requested that Council consider sending a message to the Borough to support continuance of the spruce bark beetle program. We will soon see higher temperatures, drying, and the threat of serious fires. The spruce bark beetle program provides education to homeowners, clearing right-of-ways, means to escape fires, and coordination between agencies. There is significant money available from federal programs, without costs to Borough taxpayers. The South Peninsula Hospital MRI project request for funding from the Denali Commission failed. Funding for the architectural and engineering design for the building addition was approved. While he was in Juneau, Mr. Smith talked with Steve Haagenson, Alaska Energy Authority, about the Kachemak Bay Feasibility Energy Study and we may get good results and help from Washington, DC.

 

Mayor Hornaday allowed public comment from the following:

 

Annette Koth, city resident, expressed opposition to Kachemak Drive Phase II Water/Sewer LID.

 

Jeff Coble, city resident, is working with the Kachemak Drive neighborhood on studies for determining impacts to bluff for development. DOT came up with a memo in 2000 suggesting the next utility installation addresses many drainage issues on Kachemak Drive. Mr. Coble did a study on the bluff side of Kachemak Drive to address the needs for the study. He believes DOT engineers will back the studies before moving ahead, as when you put in utilities there is a lot of mobilization and costs. We need to install a major drainage system on Kachemak Drive to prevent erosion problems.

           

A.                 Mayor’s Proclamation – Brother Asaiah Bates Day – February 14, 2009                                                                                                                                                              

B.                 Alaska Municipal League, Juneau Trip January 28-31, 2009, by Mayor Hornaday       

 

C.        The Homer Foundation Financial Report, Period Ending December 31, 2008

 

8.         PUBLIC HEARING(S)

 

A.        Ordinance 09-06, An Ordinance of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Appropriating             Funds in the Amount of $6,940.00 from the General Fund for Housing and Operational        Expenses for a VISTA Volunteer. Wythe. Recommended Dates: Introduction January 26,             2009, Public Hearing    and Second Reading February 9, 2009.

 

There was no public testimony.

 

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the adoption of Ordinance 09-06 by reading of title only for second and final reading.           

 

WYTHE/NOVAK – SO MOVED.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

B.         Proposed ADOT East End Road Pedestrian Crossing.                              

 

            Memorandum 09-15 from Public Works as backup.    

 

There was no public testimony.

 

Council made a recommendation under New Business.

 

ORDINANCE(S)

 

A.        Ordinance 09-07, An Ordinance of the Homer City Council Amending Section 4 of     Ordinance 06-01(A) to Prohibit the Feeding of Eagles Under that Section After March 27, 2009.  Mayor/Howard, Lewis, Novak, Roberts, Wythe, Zak. Recommended Dates:       Introduction February 9, 2009, Public Hearing and Second Reading February 23, 2009.

                                                                                                                                   

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the adoption of Ordinance 09-07 for introduction and first reading by reading of title only.

 

ZAK/LEWIS - SO MOVED.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

B.         Ordinance 09-08, An Ordinance of the Homer City Council, Appropriating Funds in the          Amount of $248,030 from the Water/Sewer Fund Reserve Account for the Cost of            Watershed Land Acquisition, and Authorizing the City to Acquire Real Property   Described as Lots 6, 7 and 8, Roehl Parcels Record of Survey, Homer Recording District,        for Watershed Protection Purposes. City Manager. Recommended Dates: Introduction February 9, 2009, Public Hearing and Second Reading February 23, 2009.            

                                                                                                                                   

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the adoption of Ordinance 09-08 for introduction and first reading by reading of title only.

 

ROBERTS/NOVAK - SO MOVED.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

 

A.                 City Manager’s Report

 

  1. Homer Animal Friends Correspondence: I recently received a letter from the Homer Animal Friends Board of Directors. The Board requested that the City establish an advisory body for the Homer Animal Shelter. My response is attached for your information. I informed the Board that any such advisory body would be formed by the Council and that if it wanted to pursue this matter further, it could take the request directly to the Council.
  2. Garbage Collection: We now have a signed contract with Moore and Moore Services and waste collection commenced on February 1. It will likely take Moore and Moore until the end of March to get all of the dumpsters fitted with the new bird proof lids.
  3. Cell Phone Contract: A new cell phone service contract was signed with GCI on February 4th. Phone may be traded out and numbers ported as soon as February 6. 
  4. Water and Sewer Rates: The Finance and Public Works Staff are working to pull information together for the February 9th Committee of the Whole. Regina has ordered new books to supplement our library regarding rates structures for small utilities. She is also looking at how many customers the City would need to “break even” and how many residences there are that should be hooked up but are not. Public Works is well on the way to preparing the maps you requested.
  5. Tsunami Warning System: We have been having persistent problems with the new Tsunami Warning System. You may recall that this new system has many capabilities including transmitting voice messages and warnings. It is an important component of the emergency communications system. The siren at the end of the Spit, near the harbormaster’s office, has not functioned properly since the Spring. The control panel at the Police Dispatch office has not worked properly for months either. Last week it was showing dispatchers that all of the sirens were inoperable. The system (most of it) will work if activated by the Borough but the City would have problems activating it locally in the case of a local emergency. This siren upgrade was a joint project of the Borough Office of Emergency Management and the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. We have been badgering the Borough about this for months. The recent activity at Redoubt Volcano has added urgency to our requests. There have been a number of problems in completing the project and I won’t go into all of them here. But installation was never fully completed and the contractor has been issued a stop work order by the Department of Labor. After a flurry of activity late last week and over the weekend, we believe we will have resolution to this problem quickly. Thanks to Mayor Hornaday, Representative Seaton, and Senator Stevens for jumping in and helping out.
  6. LAB / Community Gardens: The Library Advisory Board has discussed the idea of establishing a community garden on library grounds at several recent meetings. At its meeting in January, the Board asked the staff some specific questions about restrictions and potential liability. Attached is a response I wrote to the LAB for your information. I advised the LAB that it wants to proceed with this idea, it should bring the issue directly to the Council.
  7. Airport Terminal Contract Amendment: Attached is a copy of an amendment to the airport tiling contract. We decided that it would be a good idea to get the painting and the tiling done at the same time for a variety of reasons. We sought some quotes for painting not that long ago and the quotes were all in the $25,000 dollar range. Hence the dollar amount that appears in the approved budget. Our tiling contractor gave us a quote of just under $10,000. So, the approved budget for tiling was $70,000 and we are getting it done for $48,000. The approved budget for painting was $25,000 and we are getting it done for less than $10,000. Some good financial news never hurts!!
  8. Roehl Property Acquisition: This agenda contains an ordinance to authorize purchase of 30 acres in the watershed. We have discussed this before and Council authorized us to proceed with negotiations. One thing that I wanted to bring to your attention is that the ordinance takes the money from the Water and Sewer Fund Reserve Account. This may require some discussion. We have talked all along about using HAWSP funds for land acquisitions in the watershed, however, I think HAWSP is already pretty committed. Also, we have had some discussion lately about what HAWSP funds should be used for and what the intent of the voters was when they created the fund. Land acquisition is probably not in that category. So, we were left with a difficult choice. The Water and Sewer Fund has adequate reserves but using them for this purpose raises its own set of concerns. The Land Bank does not have enough money in it and the General Fund, although it has ample reserves, is probably not a place you want to go either under present circumstances.
  9. Homer Electric Legislative Request: Attached is a copy of a legislative request Homer Electric will be submitting. Rick Ekert came over to speak with me about it last week. Rick thought that this would be of interest to the City because if the tidal power project proves to be feasible, the generators will need to be connected to a three phase power line. Without it, the genitors won’t help much and their impact would be greatly reduced. Rick’s point is that this legislative request is compatible with and an important component of the City tidal power project. HEA would appreciate the City’s support for this idea. Please let me know if you want to discuss this in detail and we’ll invite Rick back to discuss this.
  10. Coastal Community Conference on Climate Change: The Alaska Marine Conservation Council (AMCC) is sponsoring and organizing a coastal community conference on climate change. The event will take place here in Homer at the Islands and Ocean Visitor Center February 24 through February 26. You may know that Barb Seaman is now the Executive Director of that organization and Allan Parks is the local staff person. The intent of the conference is to get coastal communities together to talk about climate change and see if a common agenda can be established. The conference should be very interesting and a good opportunity to forge ties with other coastal communities in Alaska. The conference will be good for Homer because it will bring visitors to town and generate some economic benefits. Also, Homer is going to be highlighted because of its activities so far resulting from the Climate Action Plan. AMCC is asking for a donation from communities to help put on the event. I promised to provide $1,000 from the City. Rather than bring you an ordinance for such a small amount of money, I decided that I could get it out of the Manager’s budget, perhaps by reducing the travel or professional services budget. This seemed like something the Council would approve of, but let me know if it is not. I have not written any checks.

 

Council discussed problems with the Tsunami Warning System. City Manager Wrede reported the system will be resolved soon. The system was never fully installed as the contractor ran into labor law, software, and licensing problems. The siren at the end of the Spit has not worked properly since last spring, nor has the control panel at the Police Department worked properly. The warning system was a joint project with the Borough and the Division of Homeland Security. The Borough has been trying hard to fix it, but not fast enough. With the threat of Redoubt Volcano, the urgency to get the system running increased. He is confident they have cut through the red tape to get the system fixed quickly.

 

The Alaska Marine Conservation Council is planning a conference in Homer with a gathering of coastal communities from Alaska. The conference is scheduled for February 24 – 26 at Islands and Ocean Visitor Center. Communities will get together to talk about issues of common concern with climate change. Hopefully they will come up with principles and a common agenda the communities can rally behind. Visitors will come to spend money and have a discussion about climate change, with Homer at the forefront with the Climate Action Plan Council passed. Mr. Wrede pledged $1,000 from the City.

                                                                                   

B.         Bid Report                                                                                                      

 

C.        Games Report                                                                                                 

           

D.        Question of the Week                                                                                      

           

COMMITTEE REPORT

           

A.        Public Arts Committee

 

B.         Transportation Advisory Committee                                                                 

 

1.                  Memorandum 09-14, HART Policy Amendment Recommendations

 

Councilmember Roberts reported on the recommendations from the Transportation Advisory Committee on the HART Policy. Those include: educating property owners about the process; offer a third voting option on a non objection for the LID process; allow use of HART funds for local matches on State rights-of-way; and adjust the fixed frontage foot assessments for 20% property owner/80% City costs.

 

C.        Permanent Fund Committee

 

D.        Lease Committee

 

PENDING BUSINESS

 

None.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

A.        Memorandum 09-15, from Public Works Director, Re: Review of Proposed ADOT East        End Road Pedestrian Crossing Transportation Advisory Committee TAC.                        

 

Councilmember Novak suggested the pedestrian crossing from the north to south side of East End Road be located after Kachemak Drive. 

Public Works Director Meyer will combine public, TAC and Council comments to DOT. There will be less traffic and potential conflict to locate the pedestrian crossing after Kachemak Drive.

 

Council concurred the recommendation that the crosswalk be after Kachemak Drive to minimize the traffic. Councilmember Roberts commented the TAC also made the same recommendation.

 

RESOLUTIONS

 

A.        Resolution 09-18, A Resolution of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Expressing its   Support for the Swift Construction of the Kachemak Drive Water and Sewer             Improvements (Phase II) and the Completion of a Decisional Document Supporting the     Initiation of the Eminent Domain Process in securing the Necessary Required Easements.       City Manager/Public Works.                                                                            

 

            Memorandum 09-16 from Public Works Director as backup.               

 

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the adoption of Resolution 09-18 by reading of title only.

 

NOVAK – SO MOVED.

 

Motion failed for lack of second. (Resolution 09-18 failed.)

 

B.         Resolution 09-19, A Resolution of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Amending the Design Criteria Manual for Streets and Storm Drainage April 1985, Revised February        1987, to Adopt a New Article, Article 5.13, Non-Motorized Trails and Public Access      Easements. City Clerk.

 

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the adoption of Resolution 09-19 by reading of title only.                                                                                

 

ROBERTS/LEWIS - SO MOVED.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

C.        Resolution 09-20, A Resolution of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Directing the City         Administration to Track Sales Tax Revenues Generated by Port and Harbor Operations   and Transfer Those Revenues into the Port and Harbor Enterprise Fund on an Annual   Basis as Part of the Normal Budget Approval Process. City Manager.  

 

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the adoption of Resolution 09-20 by reading of title only.

Resolution failed for lack of a motion.

 

D.        Resolution 09-21, A Resolution of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Supporting       House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 1 for Residential Fire Sprinkler Systems. Mayor.

 

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the adoption of Resolution 09-21 by reading of title only.                                                                                                                                

 

ROBERTS/ZAK - SO MOVED.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

E.         Resolution 09-22, A Resolution of the Homer City Council Supporting the Proposed   Closure of Portions of Peterson and China Poot Bays to Shellfish Harvest to Sustain    Educational Use. Mayor.

 

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the adoption of Resolution 09-22 by reading of title only.

                                                                         

ZAK/ROBERTS – SO MOVED.

 

WYTHE/ROBERTS – MOVED TO POSTPONE TO THE NEXT MEETING AND INCLUDE A PUBLIC HEARING.

 

A map and information was requested.

 

VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

 

Marilyn Sigman, Director of Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, explained Resolution 09-22 is necessary to preserve the resource and educational opportunity. The only marine invertebrates regulated for harvest in the state are crabs, clams and shrimp. All other marine invertebrates are available for personal use with no limitations. The area requesting closure is the small part of China Poot Bay, 4.5 acres on the northeast side of the bay and 3 acres in Peterson Bay. The access has changed and with the closure of Seward beaches people are using the area more. 

 

James Thomas Allen, aka Friday, has lived in Homer for a few years and Alaska for over four decades. He recently read we were spending $2.2M for a stoplight at Main Street. Two years ago Former Senator Ted Stevens was chastised by the New York Times for attaching $186,000 to a transportation bill for Chula Vista, California to get a stoplight. The excess funds would provide a lot of food for the Food Pantry, funding for the Boys and Girls Club and people to help clean up the beaches. There are better things to spend our money on. Dress up someone in a halibut suit with a flip sign at $40,000 for 40 years.

 

Mayor Hornaday commented there is a highway engineer coming to explain the costs.

 

Gary McCarthy, city resident, thanked Council and Kachemak Drive residents for saving the City a lot of litigation costs. We have been working on the Coastal Impact Assistance Program for FY 09 and 10 and there is $41.2M that can be used for coastal erosion projects and the Beluga Wetlands Study. They are in the same boat trying to save some dollars.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY ATTORNEY

 

City Attorney Klinkner extended Council the opportunity to ask questions, although Council had none.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY CLERK

 

City Clerk Johnson had no comment.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

City Manager Wrede had no comment.

 

COMMENTS OF THE MAYOR

 

Mayor Hornaday had no comment.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

 

Councilmember Novak commented the entire $2.2M will not be spent on the stoplight. It does not make sense to Council and they are looking at ways to deal with traffic at the Main/Sterling Highway intersection. Possibly some of the money will be used. Resolution 09-18 will initiate the start of paperwork on the imminent domain process. He would like to postpone to allow discussion. The storm drainage program is not part of the project, where the water goes after a storm with the bluff erosion is another issue. There are unanswered questions and the property owners do not feel they have had their questions answered or mitigated. He hopes Council can get to the bottom and come up with answers they are looking for. It has been on the books for four years. He is interested in working together. Water and sewer on Kachemak Drive from one end to the other is the goal and the issues need resolve. He urged property owners to step forward and the City to listen to the issues and comments and address them and get it taken care of.

 

Councilmember Zak voiced his appreciation for the parents, directors, and past Borough Mayor to speak on behalf of the Boys and Girls Club. Council just passed a resolution to purchase land to protect the water sources, as we have to focus on infrastructure. When he sees the Boys and Girls Club with federal funding cut, he realizes Council must search hard to find a way to support the Club. The Club is a resource that needs planning for the future. He welcomed listeners to offer suggestions of a means to support them. Mr. Zak hopes the Borough will offer support too.

 

Councilmember Wythe commented on Mr. Wells’ presentation on water rates. The meter readers are not able to read meters on a consistent day. She questioned the new automatic reading system and how long it now takes to read the meters in comparison to before the new system.

 

City Manager Wrede commented the meters are easier to read with the automated system, although we run into problems when there is a shortage of staff. There are occasions when the meter readers do not get there on the same day each month. It didn’t used to be as big a problem before; it is now when the bills are based on consumption. We are looking at ways to fix the problem, with Public Works training more guys to do the meter reading, the Finance Department is looking at ways to give automatic rebates or use the bill average pay. People do notice it when the reading is a couple days late.

 

Councilmember Wythe requested a Worksession on the Kachemak Drive Phase II LID. There were valid questions brought up today and there is a report with the drainage information that Council should see. A Worksession will be scheduled for March 9th at 5:30 p.m.

 

Councilmember Roberts appreciated hearing from the Boys and Girls Club. She too supports the Boys and Girls Club and wants everyone to know the City currently supports them too. It is no easy solution, but she is thinking like many others. She did not vote to have the Kachemak Drive resolution introduced as she does not like the idea of imminent domain at all. She would like to find a solution. There is information lacking and based on public testimony she could not support the resolution.

 

Councilmember Lewis echoed support for the Boys and Girls Club. In driving by the Club between 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. there are school busses dropping kids off. A lot of kids go there. On the Kachemak Drive issue he did not know enough to support the resolution.

 

Councilmember Howard asked if the HART policy recommendations from the TAC could be added to a future agenda. To the citizens that care so much about the community to come to the meetings and listen on the radio is wonderful. She is confident after hearing the complicated world news, with good intentions and good information Council can solve the Kachemak Drive problem sometime in her lifetime. As to Resolution 09-22, in the spirit of the Open Meetings Act, the posting of the agenda is to ensure there are no surprises. She asked in the spirit of transparency that we limit or exclude any new items on the agenda that are not posted.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Council the meeting was adjourned at 8:29 p.m. by Mayor James C. Hornaday. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 23, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. The next Committee of the Whole is scheduled for Monday, February 23, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. A Joint Worksession with Advisory Bodies is scheduled for Monday, February 23, 2009 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: _____________________