Session 00-03, a Regular Meeting of the Homer City Council was called to order at 7:30 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.

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

STAFF: CITY MANAGER DRATHMAN

DEPUTY CITY CLERK BENSON

RECORDING CLERK ROSENCRANS

ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBER: CUE (excused)

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 with the following changes noted: Items 5I, 5K, and 5L have been deleted from the Consent Agenda and replaced as Items 9C, 9D, and 9E. Item 5M has been added to the Consent Agenda, Re: Opposition to Limited Restrictive Measures on Commercial Fish Processors in the Gulf of Alaska.

PUBLIC COMMENTS UPON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA

Don Lane, resident, spoke in support of Resolution 00-26 and requested the council's support of fish processors in the Gulf of Alaska. Mr. Lane explained the difficulties in enhancing Homer's groundfish fishery with the loss of the Icicle Seafood processing plant. Mr. Lane encouraged the Council to voice support of this issue before public hearings begin. Mr. Lane also voiced 00-18 Safe Boating, encouraged city to support this Resolution, explained cold water death rates are high and due to lack of education of cold water survival.

Asiah Bates commented positively on the Agenda, that it is "out of this world," and with the ongoing processes of economics, Ordinances and Resolutions, Homer's Council meetings are in perfect order. He explained while at the Christian Community church he noticed there were flags on each side of the alter. He stated it promotes unity, which is a very important issue on our planet.

RECONSIDERATION

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 January 24, 2000. Recommend approval.

B. Resolution 00-09, Of the City Council of the City o f Homer, Alaska Opposing SB 150 in its Present State; and Supporting the Expansion of the Current Alaska Housing Finance Corporation Rural Housing Assistance Program into other Geographic Areas by Modifying the Specifications of the Funding Program. Mayor. Recommend adoption.

C. Resolution 00-16, Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska in Support of House Bill 243 and/or CS House Bill 243 and the Companion Senate Bill 178, Relating to Taxes on Motor Fuel used in or on Boats and Watercraft. City Manager. Recommend adoption.

D. Resolution 00-17, Of the Homer City Council Establishing Zoning Permit Fees. City Manager. Planning Commission. Recommend adoption. Memorandum from Planning Director as backup.E. Resolution 00-18, Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, supporting Alaska's Boating Safety Act and the State Boating Safety Program. City Manager. Recommend Adoption. Memorandum from Harbormaster as backup.

F. Resolution 00-19, Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase the Filter Media for the Water Treatment Plant Described in Purchase Order 50628, from Loprest Water Treatment Company in the Amount of $9,680. City Manager. Public Works. From Account 315-831-5210, Capital Reserve Water. Recommend adoption. Memorandum from Public Works as backup.

G. Resolution 00-20, Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase Water Treatment Plant Chemicals as Described in Purchase Order 50629, from Van Waters and Rogers in the Amount of $8,190. City Manager. Public Works. From Account 201.141, Chemical Inventory. Recommend adoption.

Memorandum from Public Works as backup.

H. Resolution 00-21, Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Awarding the Contract for Professional Engineering Services to the Firm of Peratrovich, Nottingham & Drage, Inc. (PND) Engineering Consultants of Juneau, Alaska in the Amount of $243,925.00 for the Repairs and Renovations of the Small Boat Harbor and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Appropriate Documents. City Manager. Public Works. Project 415906. Recommend adoption. Memorandum from Public Works as backup.

I. Resolution 00-22, Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Accepting the HarperCollins Publishers/Foulsa Award in Honor of Author Barbara Kingsolver from the Friends of the Homer Public Library, Inc., in the amount of $10,000 for the Homer Public Library. City Manager. Library Director. Recommend adoption.

J. Resolution 00-23, Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Recognizing the Longstanding and Outstanding Work of the Friends of the Homer Public Library, Inc. in support of the Homer Public Library. City Manager. Library Director. Recommend adoption.

K. Resolution 00-24, Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Accepting the State of Alaska Department of Fish And Game Grant for the Fish Waste Disposal System in the Amount of $68,000 and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Appropriate Documents. City Manager. Harbormaster. Recommend adoption.

L. Resolution 00-25, Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase Three Used Police Vehicles Funded by the Police Department Fleet Reserve Fund in the Amount of $34,000. City Manager. HPD. Recommend Adoption.

Memorandum from Chief of Police as backup.

M. Resolution 00-26, Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska to Oppose Any Limited Restrictive measure on Commercial Fish Processors in the Gulf of Alaska. City Manager. Recommend Adoption.

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

VOTE: YES: FENSKE, WELLES, YOURKOWSKI, MARQUARDT, KRANICH.

Motion carried.

VISITORS

ANNOUNCEMENTS/PRESENTATIONS/BOROUGH REPORT/COMMISSION REPORTS

A. Presentation to the City from the Friends of the Homer Public Library

Library Director Helm explained how the process of the grant and award came about. Representatives of the Friends of the Library then travelled to San Antonio, Texas to accept the HarperCollins Publishers/Foulsa Award in Honor of Author Barbara Kingsolver on behalf of the Friends of the Homer Public Library, Inc. Mayor Cushing accepted a plaque on behalf of the City of Homer, and expressed his appreciation to the Friends of Library for finding the award and writing the grant and working together to make it happen.

B. Special Presentation by the Mayor and Council. MAYORAL PROCLAMATION: FEBRUARY 14, 2000, BROTHER ASAIAH BATES DAY.

PUBLIC HEARINGS.

City Manager Drathman explained Representative Moss will be delayed and asked for a consensus to suspend the rules.

Mr. Moss was present at 9:12 p. m. He explained the recreation service area issue will be voted on in April 2000.

ORDINANCE(S)

A. Ordinance 00-01, Amending the Sign Code, Chapter 21.60 of the Homer City Code to Modify the Restrictions on Freestanding Signs on the Homer Spit and in Certain Portions of the Central Business District. Planning Commission. City Manager. (Introduction 02/14/00, Public Hearing 02/28/00, Final Reading 03/13/00.) Memorandum from Planning Director as backup.

FENSKE/WELLES - MOVED FOR ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 00-01 BY READING OF TITLE ONLY.

Councilmember Fenske stated this will be a positive ordinance in the long run as the business area develops and he hopes it moves right along.

Councilmember Kranich explained he has dealt with this issue in the past with the subzone on the bypass and he will vote on this to get it in the process. However, he is still concerned about visibility with ground signs and encourages the public to attend the public hearing on February 28.

Planning Commissioner Smith explained the standards are the same on the bypass as they are on the Spit. Planning specifications have been changed to allow for visibility, and Ordinance 00-01 shouldn't create conflict.

VOTE: YES: WELLES, YOURKOWSKI, MARQUARDT, KRANICH, FENSKE.

Motion carried.

B. Ordinance 00-02, Of the City Council of the City of Homer, Alaska, Amending Section 14.04.040, Sewer Rate Schedule, Section 14.08.010, Purpose, Section 14.08.080, Schedule of Rates - Rules and Regulations, Section 14.08.090, Schedule of Rates Outside of the City Limits, 14.08.091, Serviced Deposits, Section 14.08.100, Bulk Water Sales, and Section 14.08.105, Resale of Water. Finance. City Clerk (Introduction 02/14/00, Public Hearing 02/28/00, Final Reading 03/13/00.) Attached: Resolution 00- Of the City Council of the City of Homer, Alaska, Establishing the Sewer and Water Rate Schedule by Resolution Pursuant to Ordinance 00-02. Memorandum from Finance as backup.

WELLES/FENSKE - MOVED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 00-02 BY READING OF TITLE ONLY.

Councilmember Fenske stated his understanding is that this Ordinance will make the way the City charges for water/sewer the same as it is charged at the Port/Harbor. Finance Director Baugh explained that the water/sewer rates will be in the City Code from now on as opposed to the Fee Schedule.

VOTE: YES: YOURKOWSKI, MARQUARDT, KRANICH, FENSKE, WELLES.

Motion carried.

C. Ordinance 00-03, Of the City Council of City of Homer, Alaska, Accepting and Appropriating a Grant of $10,000.00 from the HarperCollins Publishers/Foulsa Award in Honor of Author Barbara Kingsolver from the Friends of the Homer Public Library, Inc. for the Homer Public Library. City Manager. City Clerk (Introduction 02/14/00, Public Hearing 02/28/00, Final Reading 3/13/00.)

WELLES/KRANICH - MOVED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 00-03 BY READING OF TITLE ONLY.

Councilmember Welles commended the Friends of the Library for attaining the grant.

Councilmember Kranich concurred, and voiced appreciated to the current staff of the library as well as previous organizations of the library for the work that was necessary to get the library to this point.

VOTE: YES: MARQUARDT, KRANICH, FENSKE, WELLES, YOURKOWSKI.

Motion carried.

D. Ordinance 00-04, Of the City Council of City of Homer, Alaska, Accepting and Appropriating a Grant of $68,000.00 from the State of Alaska, Department of Fish and Game for the Fish Waste Disposal System, and Authorizing and City Manager to Execute the Appropriate Documents. City Manager. City Clerk (Introduction 2/14/00, Public Hearing 2/28/00, Final Reading 3/13/00.) Memorandum from Port/Harbor Director as backup.

YOURKOWSKI/MARQUARDT - MOVED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 00-02 BY READING OF TITLE ONLY.

Councilmember Yourkowski expressed this facility would be a welcome addition on the Spit.

Councilmember Marquardt asked to clarify the figure of 1000 pounds of waste per day. Harbormaster Abbott explained the fish grinding facility will have the ability to handle more waste than that, but 1000 pounds is currently the average that the Port/Harbor handles per day.

Councilmember Kranich asked if that 1000 pounds is what the city collects or if it includes other sport/charter fish waste as well. Further, will the charter fleet have the availability of the waste facility rather than dumping it over the docks. City Manager Drathman explained the facility can handle the capacity that is required.

VOTE: YES: KRANICH, FENSKE, WELLES, YOURKOWSKI, MARQUARDT.

Motion carried.

E. Ordinance 00-05, Of the City Council of City of Homer, Alaska, Appropriating $34,000.00 from the General Fund Fleet Reserve for the Purchase of Three Used Police Vehicles. City Manager. (Introduction 2/14/00, Public Hearing 2/28/00, Final Reading 3/13/00.) Memorandum from Public Safety Director as backup.

WELLES/KRANICH - MOVED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE 00-05 BY READING OF TITLE ONLY.

Councilmember Welles expressed the used police vehicles are a great bargain. City Manager Drathman explained the extra vehicles will allow each officer to have one to take home and the Police Department should get at least another ten years out of them.

VOTE: YES: FENSKE, WELLES, YOURKOWSKI, MARQUARDT, KRANICH.

Motion carried.

Mayor Cushing called for recess at 8:40. The meeting resumed at 8:55.

CITY MANAGER' S REPORT

A. City Manager's Report. (Commendation to HPD, Crane Time, State of the Library, Bob Painter named Fire Chief and Scott Elmer named Assistant Chief, Commendation to Snow Plow Operator Kurt Roe.)

City Manager Drathman voiced appreciation to Police Chief Robl, Library Director Helm and Fire Chief Painter. He brought attention to a memorandum from Spike Christopher to Public Works Myer commending Kurt Roe for his help with snow removal and that he is a great asset to the Public Works department.

B. Bid Report, from City Clerk

C. Game Permit Report, from City Clerk

COMMITTEE REPORT

PENDING BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

RESOLUTIONS

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

Brother Asaiah thanked the Council for the "Valentine", and said he was honored.

COMMENTS OF THE CITY ATTORNEY

City Attorney Tans on standby, pursuant to contract agreement.

COMMENTS OF THE CITY CLERK

Deputy City Clerk Benson and/or Recording Clerk Rosencrans had no comment.

COMMENTS OF THE CITY MANAGER

City Manager Drathman said there will be a meeting with planners for the hospital design and the public is encouraged to attend. Councilmember Fenske asked if there will be another entrance to the hospital created with the new design.

COMMENTS OF THE MAYOR

Mayor Cushing recently attended a Mayor's Conference, and Mayor Mystrom explained Municipal assistance should continue to be acquired. Local governments should not, however, become passive about state assistance as it will remain very important to local government. The Coast Guard had a good discussion regarding the new Main Dock. The Coast Guard's final determination is that Homer be on the books to receive the new Cutter. They are waiting for final appropriation from Washington. He stated Homer Council on the Arts won first place as the Best Community Council on the Arts under Joy Steward's direction.

COMMENTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Councilmember Welles voiced congratulations to the Department Heads who work so hard to save the City money in various ways.

Councilmember Fenske stated he is pleased to see different factions of the community meeting and helping the council decide who to support and how to spend money at a time other than budget time.

Councilmember Marquardt concurred that the communication between the City Manager and the Department Heads has improved, and there are more way being found to save the City money.

Mayor Cushing advised further that the City Manager and the Public Works department are applying for a grant for a recreational facility.

Councilmember Yourkowski congratulated Joy Steward and said she is the reason Homer is known as an arts community.

Councilmember Kranich concurred that it appears the City Manager is working well with the department heads, and thanked Brother Asaih and said he wished there were more like him.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Council the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for February 28, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

_________________________

SHELLY ROSENCRANS

RECORDING CLERK