Session 10-22 a Regular Meeting of the Comer City Council was called to Order at 6:00 p.m. on July 26, 2010 by Mayor Hornaday at the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers Located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

PRESENT:     COUNCILMEMBERS:   HOGAN (Telephonic, )HOWARD, LEWIS, ROBERTS, WYTHE,

                                                ZAK

 

STAFF:                             CITY MANAGER WREDE

                             DEPUTY CITY CLERK JACOBSEN

PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR MEYER

                             FINANCE DIRECTOR HARVILLE

                             PORT AND HARBOR DIRECTOR HAWKINS

                             CITY ATTORNEY KLINKNER

                            

Councilmember Hogan has requested telephonic participation, or if not possible, excusal.

 

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.)

 

The agenda was approved with the following changes:

Ordinances: Ordinance 10-35 appropriating $9900 from the Sister City Reserve Account for the 25 Year Sister City Celebration - Sister City Proposed Anniversary Event Budget, Ordinance 10-37 Accepting  Grant to Purchase Exercise Equipment for the Police Department amend amount on agenda to $6123 and corrected Reference Sheet; Removal of Ordinance 10-36 City Manager’s Report – Animal Shelter Photos; Pending Business Memo 10-93 from City Manager Re: Gas Transmission Line / Proposed Action Plan – Back up information from Senator Paul Seaton and Letter from Anchor Point Safe Water Corp. Resolutions: Resolution 10-63(S) Awarding the Contract for the Live Fire Training Structure.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS UPON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA

 

Bob Letson, South Peninsula Hospital CEO, strongly encouraged support of Resolution 10-57. The addition will be coming up for discussion at the August 3 Borough Assembly meeting. This project has been in the works for about a year and the MRI equipment is fully funded and ready to be built. The construction crew and architects are ready to begin the building. It is coming to the Assembly in terms of a change order to the existing phase II construction project that has been going on at the hospital. The main point he wanted to convey is that there cannot be any additional delays. It costs $1000 per day on lease cost of the old MRI and have probably had to spend close to $100,000 of additional lease cost already. We really need to proceed with this project through the change order process with encouragement from the Council. It is projected by the Borough if we are forced to go through a second bidding process it could delay the project up to four months to a cost of $350,000 to $400,500 additional to the hospital and tax payers for winter construction costs, architect fees, and the cost of the lease per day for the MRI scanner. It is the most prudent way for the project to be handled to let them proceed. The funds are available as long as the project stays in a reasonable time frame. At the request of Councilmember Howard, Mr. Letson explained that one of the problems with the existing scanner is that it cannot be upgraded. It is four series of software upgrades behind and it is becoming obsolete. Funds are available to purchase a new scanner and the hospital would get reimbursement from Medicare for the purchase, where the current lease is $30,000 per month and coming out of their operating capital.

 

Mako Haggerty, Borough Assembly member for District 9, encouraged Council to vote in favor of Resolution 10-57. He said it is real important to get this project going. Everything is in place and the only thing that needs to happen is to have the change order, and change orders are common in capital projects. We can save a lot of money moving forward now, any delay could add up to a half a million dollars to the project.

 

Leonard Wells, city resident, commented in opposition to Ordinance 10-37. Not knowing much about it other that what is in the packet, he requested they not accept the funds. It is somebody’s money and he doesn’t understand why the Homer Police personnel need it. He assumes they are required to stay in shape in order to keep their job and we pay them fairly well, so he doesn’t see why any government organization should be paying for personal health equipment. They should keep themselves in shape.

 

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 unapproved Regular Meeting minutes of June 28, 2010. City Clerk. Recommend adoption.

 

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

 

LEWIS/WYTHE SO MOVED.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

                                                                                                        

VISITORS

 

No visitors were scheduled.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS/PRESENTATIONS/BOROUGH REPORT/COMMISSION REPORTS

 

A.       Borough Report

 

B.       Commissions/Board Reports:

1.       Library Advisory Board

 

2.       Homer Advisory Planning Commission

 

3.       Economic Development Advisory Commission

 

4.       Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission

 

5.       Port and Harbor Advisory Commission

 

No reports were given.

 

PUBLIC HEARING(S)

         

No public hearings were scheduled.

 

ORDINANCE(S)

 

A.       Ordinance 10-35, An Ordinance of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Amending the         FY 2010 Operating Budget by Appropriating $9,900.00 from the Sister City Reserve    Account for the Purpose of Celebrating the Twenty-Five Year Anniversary of the Sister      City Relationship Between the City of Homer and the City of Teshio, Japan.       Mayor/Wythe. Recommended dates: Introduction July 26, 2010, Public Hearing and   Second Reading August 9, 2010.             

 

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the adoption of ordinance 10-35 for introduction and first reading by title only.

 

WYTHE/LEWIS SO MOVED.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

B.       Ordinance 10-36, An Ordinance of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Amending Homer City Code Title 21 Re: Permitted Uses in GC1 District. Roberts. Recommended dates:   Introduction July 26, 2010, Public Hearing and Second Reading August 9, 2010.

 

Pulled under agenda approval.

 

C.       Ordinance 10-37, An Ordinance of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Accepting and           Appropriating a Grant from the Alaska Police Standards Council in the Amount of     $6123 to Fund the Purchase of an Exercise Bike for the Workout Room. City         Manager/Police Chief. Recommended dates: Introduction July 26, 2010, Public Hearing          and Second Reading August 9, 2010.

 

          Memorandum 10- 100 from Police Chief as back up.

 

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the adoption of ordinance 10-37 for introduction and first reading by title only.

 

LEWIS/WYTHE SO MOVED.

 

Councilmember Wythe noted that it is not uncommon for large organizations to provide fitness equipment for their employees for a multitude of reasons, one of which is helping to encourage employees to maintain a healthy lifestyle which helps reduce the cost of the health insurance.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

D.       Ordinance 10-38, An Ordinance of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Amending Ordinance 10-21 to Authorize the Purchase of Property within the Bridge Creek Watershed, Kenai Peninsula Borough Parcel No. 17307031 within the Bridge Creek Watershed (N 663 ft. of NE 1/4, SE 1/4, East of Skyline Drive, T 6S R 13W Sec 7) with funds from the Water Depreciation Reserve Account for the purpose of protecting the watershed and providing alternate access to property north of the City’s Water Treatment Plant. City Manager. Recommended dates: Introduction July 26, 2010, Public Hearing and Second Reading August 9, 2010.

 

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the adoption of ordinance 10-38 for introduction and first reading by title only.

 

WYTHE/LEWIS SO MOVED.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

E.       Ordinance 10-39, An Ordinance of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Appropriating Fund for the Demolition of the Old Water Treatment Plant Building. City Manager/Public Works Director. Recommended dates: Introduction July 26, 2010, Public Hearing and Second Reading August 9, 2010.

 

          Memorandum 10-101 From Public Works Director as back up.

 

 

WYTHE/LEWIS SO MOVED.

 

City Manager Wrede suggested the following amendment to section 1:

Section1:  The Homer City Council hereby amends the FY 2010 Operating Budget by appropriating $169,000 $146,500 from the insurance settlement monies and $22,500 from the water reserve account for the purpose of demolishing the old water treatment plant building.

 

WYTHE/LEWIS SO MOVED.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: (Primary amendment) NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

There was brief discussion about the SCADA information in the memorandum.

 

VOTE: (Main motion as amended) NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

 

A.   City Manager’s Report 

 

Duane Bannock from the Spruce Bark Beetle Mitigation project talked to the Council about the current Bridge Creek Watershed project. He explained that they are interested in selectively harvesting the dead and dying spruce trees. They have spent a lot of time hiking through the property and in excess of 70% of the trees there are dead or dying, which creates a serious fire hazard. A majority of the land is owned by the City and the University system, but from a Borough wide point of view they decided to dedicate their funds where they could do the most good. Mr. Bannock referenced the pictures in the packet and explained they have the opportunity to take approximately 190 acres and create an effective fire block for the City and surrounding areas. Mr. Bannock explained that Stimulus Funding is available for the project and they ask the City to give the Spruce Bark Beetle Mitigation program permission to do the project so they can commit to the program and carry it out. 100% of the costs from start to finish will be borne by their organization. During discussion with the Council, Mr. Bannock noted other projects and the success with the project off Greer Road where they removed approximately 350 cords of firewood and made it available for public use. Today it is completely grassed over and has a park like appearance. He reiterated that it is not clear cutting, but selective cutting with definitions of the size, type, and etc of tree that can be removed. 

 

City Manager Wrede advised Council that the Borough is also looking at a project in the area where the City owns ski trails and is interested to know if the City wants to participate in that as well. He noted the Bridge Creek Watershed project is important for safety and water quality in the area and he plans to have an action item on the next agenda.

 

City Manager Wrede said that the Planning Department is struggling with enforcing the sign code on the spit. There are huge issues and they are not sure how much energy and time to put into it, because in a few months many of the signs will be gone. They are looking for feed back and the Planning Commission may talk about the priority of this in relation to all of the code enforcement issues the City has. Councilmembers Howard and Hogan commented that there are problems with sandwich boards in parking spaces and also positioned in a way that forces pedestrians into the line of traffic. City Manger Wrede has talked with Planning about a short term plan to address things like removing sandwich boards that are in parking spaces or causing safety problems, then address possible code changes in a more methodical way over the winter. Planning has visited most businesses with sandwich boards and explained the issues, but so far there has been very little cooperation. Staff is considering notifying businesses that if their signs are not taken care of, they will come and start taking them.

 

Regarding Main Street, Council is on record as saying they would like a traffic signal at the intersection. It has been on hold because cost estimates are way over the $2 million that the City has. He met with the State Traffic Engineer who said they are pretty confident they can do it for under $2 million, including turning lanes and other things needed. He asked if Council wants to see this as an action item or if they feel they have already expressed their will and wants to move forward. Councilmember Wythe expressed that Council has already given direction and it doesn’t need to come back again.

 

Councilmember Howard expressed that she is happy that the new Water Treatment Plant living up to what it was built out to be.

 

Fire Chief Painter reported on the most recent siren testing and said Homer’s results were fair and the results in Seward were dreadful. There will be another test with the NOAA activation. The siren issues aren’t completely resolved yet but they are continuing to work on them.

 

City Manager Wrede commented regarding the proposed fenced yard for the Animal Shelter. There will be a little screening from the trees, but it will be visible from the road. Public Works had done some research on cost and the low bid was around $8000, and the Homer Animal Friends is hoping the City would split the cost with them. There was discussion of the size of the area and an alternate location to the side of the building as the current suggested location near the highway doesn’t seem to be the best place.

 

B.       Bid Report   

 

C.       Games Report  

 

D.       Records Inventory Report

 

E.       Other

         

COMMITTEE REPORT

         

A.       Public Arts Committee

 

B.       Transportation Advisory Committee

 

C.       Permanent Fund Committee

 

D.       Lease Committee

 

PENDING BUSINESS

 

C.       Memorandum 10-93, From City Manager, Re: Gas Transmission Line / Proposed     Action Plan. (Postponed from June 28, 2010)

Mayor Hornaday stated the following motion is now on the floor for further discussion: ZAK/LEWIS - SO MOVED FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF MEMORANDUM 10-93.

Councilmember Wythe raised question of the administrative time for this grant process. City Manager Wrede said he does not know but doesn’t think there will be a lot administration involved.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

A.       Memorandum 10-98, From City Clerk Re: Proposed 2010 Budget Schedule.

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the approval of the recommendations of Memorandum 10-98.

WYTHE/LEWIS SO MOVED.

There was no discussion.

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

B.       Memorandum 10-99, From City Clerk Re: Vacate a Portion of the 33-Foot Public Right-of-Way Easement and Utility Easement Along the West Boundary of Government Lot 37, West of Kachemak Drive, as Reserved in the Original BLM Patent No. 1142509 in Book 6 Page 218 of the Homer Recording District, All Within Section 14, Township 6 South, Range 13 West, Seward Meridian, Alaska; KPB File No. 2010-79; Location: City of Homer.

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the approval of the recommendations of Memorandum 10-99.

LEWIS/HOWARD SO MOVED.

Concern was raise to whether this eliminates access to the beach. It was noted that the property is on the north side of Kachemak Drive and is not on the bay side.  There was also brief discussion that it appears they are vacating on the north side of the lot but there is a right-of-way easement on the east side of the lot. 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

RESOLUTIONS

 

A.       Resolution 10-57, A Resolution of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Establishing a City Hall Renovation Task Force for the Purpose of Developing a Plan for Renovation of City Hall. Wythe.

 

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the adoption of Resolution 10-57 by reading of title only.

 

WYTHE/ZAK SO MOVED.

 

WYTHE/ROBERTS MOVED TO AMEND TO INCLUDE STAFF MEMBERS CITY CLERK JO JOHNSON, CITY PLANNER RICK ABBOUD, AND FINANCE DIRECTOR REGINA HARVILLE.

 

There was brief discussion changing the make up of the task force.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

HOGAN MOVED TO CHANGE THE MAKE UP OF THE TASK FORCE FROM THREE STAFF MEMBERS TO TWO STAFF MEMBERS AND TWO MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC AT LARGE.

 

Motion failed for lack of a second.

 

There was discussion that Councilmembers Wythe and Roberts had expressed interest in participating. Councilmember Hogan said he would participate on the task force.

 

WYTHE/LEWIS MOVED TO FILL THE COUNCIL SPOTS WITH WYTHE, ROBERTS, AND HOGAN.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

B.       Resolution 10-58, A Resolution of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Approving the Grant Aviation, Inc. Lease and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute the Appropriate Documents. City Manager.

         

          Memorandum 10-102 from Personnel Director as back up.

 

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the adoption of resolution 10-58 by reading of title only.

 

LEWIS/WYTHE SO MOVED.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

C.       Resolution 10-59, A Resolution of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Approving the Community Recreation Agreement and Authorizing the City Manager Execute the Appropriate documents. City Manager.

 

          Memorandum 10-103 from Personnel Director as back up.

 

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the adoption of resolution 10-59 by reading of title only.

 

WYTHE/LEWIS SO MOVED.

 

Councilmember Roberts disclosed that she is a Kenai Peninsula Borough Employee. Mayor Hornaday deferred to City Attorney Klinkner who said there does not appear to be any direct financial interest.

 

Mayor Hornaday ruled that Councilmember Roberts does not have a conflict.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

D.       Resolution 10-60, A Resolution of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Recommending an In-House Salary and Benefits Study be Conducted. City Manager.

 

          Memorandum 10-104 from Personnel Director as back up.

 

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the adoption of resolution 10-60 by reading of title only.

 

ROBERTS/LEWIS SO MOVED.

 

Councilmember Wythe disclosed that her husband is an employee of the City. Mayor Hornaday deferred to City Attorney Klinkner who said this is only a study and is not determining compensation; he does not think it is an issue.

 

Mayor Hornaday ruled that Councilmember Wythe does not have a conflict.

 

HOGAN MOVED TO REFER THIS TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION.

 

Motion failed for lack of a second.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

E.       Resolution 10-61, A Resolution of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Endorsing the          Alaska Clean Harbor Certification for the Homer Harbor. Mayor

 

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the adoption of resolution 10-61 by reading of title only.

 

HOWARD/WYTHE SO MOVED.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

F.       Resolution 10-62, A Resolution of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Supporting a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at the South Peninsula Hospital. Mayor.

 

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the adoption of resolution 10-62 by reading of title only.

 

HOWARD/ROBERTS SO MOVED.

 

Councilmember Howard reiterated the importance of this project moving forward.

 

Councilmember Hogan expressed his concern that this is not a change order but a sole source contract and there is currently and MRI available. It is important that there is a transparent and honest bidding process for the work being done. It is only fair to the tax payers and contractors that it go out to bid. He suggested the City stay out of it and let the Borough deal with it.

 

Councilmember Zak commented that it is a disservice if the Borough delays it any longer.

 

Councilmember Roberts acknowledge the information of the cost from Mr. Letson and said she supports this.

 

VOTE: YES: LEWIS, ROBERTS, WYTHE, ZAK, HOWARD

          NO: HOGAN

 

Motion carried.

 

G.      Resolution 10-63, A Resolution of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Awarding the           Contract for the Live Fire Training Trailer to the Firm of Fire Training Structures of    Phoenix, Arizona, in           the Amount of $195,800.00 and Authorizing the City           Manager to Execute the Appropriate Documents. City Clerk.

 

Resolution 10-63(S), A Resolution of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Alaska, awarding the contract for a live fire training trailer to the firm Fire Training Structures, LLC of Phoenix, Arizona, in the amount of $ 195,800.00 and authorizes the City Manager to negotiate the contract and prepare the appropriate documents.

Memorandum 10-105 from Fire Chief as back up.

 

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the adoption of resolution 10-63(S) by reading of title only.

 

LEWIS/ROBERTS SO MOVED.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

H.      Resolution 10-64, A Resolution of the City Council of Homer, Alaska, Awarding the Contract for           Completing Energy Audits and Constructing/Installing Energy Efficiency Improvements to the           Firm of Siemens Industry Inc. of Anchorage, Alaska, and authorizes the City Manager to negotiate a final work scope, schedule and budget and execute the contract within the established budget. Mayor/Roberts

         

Memorandum 10-106 from Public Works Director as back up.

 

Mayor Hornaday called for a motion for the adoption of resolution 10-60 by reading of title only.

 

ROBERTS/LEWIS SO MOVED.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

 

Darren Holmes, city resident and owner of Aurora Cabs, commented that he had heard that this subject was going to be on the agenda but it wasn’t. He said that there is a company in town that is offering free rides when the cruise ship is town. The cab owners in town pay a lot for licenses, insurance, and permits. They have a 15 passenger suburban that they are transporting passengers, supposedly to their business and they don’t carry the insurances and permits cab companies are required to have. He questioned if something can be done to ensure that they have those permits and if there is an accident can the cruise lines sue the City. He said he spoke to Officer Kuhns about this and was under the impression that this was an issue before the Council tonight. City Manager Wrede said this issue has come to the City’s attention and is being discussed internally and options have been discussed with the City Attorney, but there are no answers yet. 

 

Chris Fischer, city resident and owner of Kachecab, commented that he was here to back what Darren said. Another issue he sees is an issue of competing because it is hard to sell something when someone else is giving it away. If they want to do that they should still be required to be duly licensed and insured since they are using these vehicles for commercial purposes to promote their business in town. As you know, insurance companies rig everything so they have the most possible opportunity to say no to something. He talked with the Police Chief who said there is a loophole where because they aren’t charging, they aren’t required to have the insurance. Mr. Fischer said if that loophole is there he thinks we should close it because they are using the vehicles that are not properly insured for commercial purposes.

 

Mako Haggerty commented as a business owner on the spit. He said there is a stretch of road on the spit that has a lot small businesses on either side; it is a very friendly pedestrian area. He doesn’t see the sandwich boards as a problem; he sees it as adding color. He doesn’t have a sandwich board at his business and they do draw attention away from his business, but he doesn’t see them as a problem. He sees the problem is the speed that vehicles travel. People out there need to slow down. He thanked Council for passing the resolution for the MRI.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY ATTORNEY

 

City Attorney Klinkner thanked the Council for introducing Ordinance 10-38. In addition to its providing additional water shed it will solve a lot of problems still outstanding in the eminent domain litigation for the Water Treatment Plant site. Having this acquisition completed will be a big step forward toward getting that one off the books.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY CLERK

 

Deputy City Clerk Jacobsen had no comments.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

City Manager Wrede noted that the additional $6000 that is being used toward community schools to pay the School District is proposed to be taken from the Homer Foundation. He wanted to ensure that the Council noticed that, is okay with that, and he has permission to move forward to apply for the money for that purpose.

 

COMMENTS OF THE MAYOR

 

Mayor Hornaday had no comments.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

 

Mayor Pro Tempore Wythe noted in the Manager’s report a proposal for taking over parking regulations on the spit. She commented that she likes the idea of the City taking full charge of the parking and speed limit. She thought it was a good choice to lower the speed limits over the July 4th weekend, and it is something the City may want to consider for high traffic weekends, or weekends in general. There are high traffic times on the spit where it would seem appropriate for people who don’t realize that the white dashes painted on the road are cross walks.

 

Councilmember Lewis thanked Petro Express for educating people on how much tax on a gallon of gas they actually pay, but half an education is not a great thing. If they want to advertise how much tax is on a gallon of gas, it would be really nice to find out the cost to produce, transport, and distribute a gallon, how much profit is made, and how the tax is broken down between Federal, State, Borough, and City.

 

Councilmember Roberts is glad they introduced the Sister City Ordinance and she looks forward to passing it at the next meeting. She was happy to have the Resolution for the Energy Audit before them; moving forward on that project has been a long time coming and it is a really good project. She is also happy to have moved forward on the Gas Line and also MRI Resolution. It was a great night.

 

Councilmember Zak dittoed what Ms. Roberts said. A lot of good things happened. He agrees that adding the gas line to the CIP list right away and getting it moved up will be something the City Council can do. A lot of people are concerned that we never reduce the cost of living, but he thinks the gas line coming to Homer will definitely be a move in that direction.

 

Councilmember Hogan is glad to hear Planning is looking at the sandwich board signs especially as they relate to safety. He thinks we need to look at the sign code and maybe loosen things up so people have better visibility. He looks forward to being back at the next meeting.

 

Councilmember Howard said she calls the drainage at ramp 3 the newest lake in town. A hole was filled in but it is a huge puddle of water. She said she doesn’t see any speed limit signs leaving the spit going back to the mainland; they are all on the other side, with the exception of one that says 45 which means they are slowing down from 60 to 45. Her experience is the outbound speed is very high. Lastly, she requested they discuss the Police Department Annual Report at the second meeting in September.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Council the meeting was adjourned at 7:23 by Mayor Hornaday. The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 9, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. The next Committee of the Whole is scheduled for August 9, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. The next Worksession is scheduled for August 9, 2010 at 4:00 p.m.

 

 

                                                                  

MELISSA JACOBSEN, CMC, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

 

Approved: