Session 04-26, a Special Meeting of the Homer City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by
Mayor James C. Hornaday at the Homer City Hall Council Chambers located at 491 E Pioneer Avenue, Homer,
Alaska, and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
PRESENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: BECK, McLAY, NOVAK, STARK, WYTHE, YOURKOWSKI..
STAFF: CITY MANAGER WREDE
CITY CLERK CALHOUN
The Council conducted a Budget Worksession from 5 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. on the 2005 Budget, there was a
question and answer period on the budget and there was a brief discussion on the Land Allocation Plan.
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 by consensus of the City Council. During a special meeting no agenda addition are
allowed.
PUBLIC COMMENTS UPON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA
Public may comment on anything on the agenda excluding the public hearing.
There were no public comments.
PUBLIC HEARING(S)
A. East End Road Water and Sewer District.
There was no public testimony.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
A. City Manager's Report - includes Library Advisory Board Request and Legislative Priorities.
(Updates and Follow up on (1)Library Advisory Board Meeting, (2)Legislative Priorities, (3) Ice Rink Grant
Funds, (4)Library Project, (5)Animal Shelter Staffing, (6)STIP (State Transportation Improvement
Program)comments (Bunnell St. Ohlson Lane, Mission Road, Spit Pathway), (7)RFPSpit leases )Lots 9A, 10A,
12C along Fish Dock Road, Lots 31 and 35 Northeast side of harbor, portion of lot 8D1 adjacent to Deep Water
Dock approach and overslope property near the Northwest and Northeast corners of the harbor), (8)RFP
Convention and Civic Center; Employee Anniversaries - Jim Hobbs PWD 24 years, Ed Barcus PWD 21 years,
Dave Bolt PWD 21 y ears, Glenn Satterfield P/H 8 years, Dave Shealy HPD 7 years, Mike Prouty HPD 6 years
and Mike Riley PWD 4 years; RFP Document for Professional Consulting Services Homer Conference Center
Feasibility Study; ADF&G P:ublic Notice - Announcing withdrawal of proposed regulations for On-Bottom
Aquaculture in Kachemak Bay; and Peninsula Clarion Article on Pebble Mine.)
City Manager Wrede relayed that the Library Advisory Board requested the joint session with the Council be on
December 13th rather than November 22nd since two of the key Library Advisory Board Members will not be
available for meeting on November 22nd. He interjected that more would also be known regarding the funding
that Senator Ted Stevens is trying to secure for the Library project. He reported apprizing the Library Advisory
Board that this was the Council's call regarding changing the meeting date.
There was some concern expressed by the Council that the Committee of the Whole time might be needed for
budget considerations. Noted was that there are additional hearings and meetings scheduled for the budget.
City Manager Wrede pointed out that the Library Project has budgetary implications depending upon what
Senator Ted Stevens does. He noted that if funded at the requested level it would be wonderful, whereas, if the
City ends up coming up with half of the money then the Council will have to decide whether or not to borrow
money with any payments involved having to be in the next year's budget. He reported that Anne Marie Holen,
Special Projects Coordinator, did check with the USDA folks and that, depending on when the City takes a loan,
first payment could be put off until FY 2006, therefore there is potential for some flexibility if the Council finds it
wants to borrow some of the money to complete the package.
Further comments were:
There was a consensus of the Council to conduct the joint session during the Committee of the Whole on
December 13, 2004.
In response to Council and Manager inquiry, the City Clerk advised that the December meetings are:
Special Meeting December 6, Regular Meeting December 13th and Special Meeting reserved for December 20th
if needed.
City Manager Wrede that Item 6, (6)STIP (State Transportation Improvement Program)comments (Bunnell St.
Ohlson Lane, Mission Road, Spit Pathway) require a workshop and some real thought. He advised that he has had
some follow up conversations with the Department of Transportation regarding those projects. He stated that he
wanted to highlight Item (8)RFP Convention and Civic Center and apologized for stating that the RFP includes
privatization in the scope of work when it does not, adding that he thought it did. He confirmed that public
ownership is what the Town Center folks and Planning Commission have envisioned, that it is expected that this
will not pay for itself directly, but through indirect spin off with sales tax, etcetera.
Council commented on the RFP for the Convention and Civic Center about changing the scope of work to include
the aspect of privatization. The scope of work could include verbiage about considering public ownership versus
private ownership. There are a lot of examples in the state of Convention Centers that are highly functioning and
information, about those, could be obtained on operations, costs, how the operation is done and how those are
funded. Another thing to consider would be public ownership, but operated by a private entity and there may be
other options. Discussion regarding the merits of including in the scope of work of having proposers look at what
is actually funding the facility and one suggestion might be bed tax.
City Manager Wrede elucidated reasons for staffing the Animal Shelter rather than continuing to contract out the
services. He responded to questions that the difference in the contract and staffing is about $30,000.00 higher for
staffing and that the Animal Shelter employees would be under the Police Department, as is the current contract.
He advised that the projection is for one full time person 8 a.m. to 5 p.m and one part time person working
weekends and on call.
It was agreed that one way or another the Council has to deal with this matter. Council requested that the City
Manager bring a resolution to them at the next meeting regarding changing from contract to staffing so that the
Council can take formal action.
Mayor Hornaday inquired about the status of the Bartlett Street upgrade project and the City Manger responded
that it has been put off again and should be constructed next summer, adding that the City will be taking over the
maintenance once it is up to City standard. City Manager Wrede reported that the project includes a pedestrian
pathway on either side of the road as far as the Pratt Museum and then on one side of the road to South Peninsula
Hospital.
PENDING BUSINESS
A. Memorandum 04-142, from City Clerk, Re: Selection/Appointment of Mayor Pro Tempore.
Memorandum 04-144, from City Clerk, Additional information.
Selection was tabled on October 25, 2004. Motion required to bring back to the table.
Nominations were Councilmember Beck and Councilmember Stark. The results of the secret ballot voting were
3/3.
WYTHE/NOVAK - MOVED TO TAKE FROM THE TABLE, SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT OF
MAYOR PRO TEMPORE.
VOTE: (take from table) YES: NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
Matter is back no the table.
McLAY/WYTHE - MOVED TO RE OPEN NOMINATIONS.
VOTE: (open nominations) YES: NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
BECK/ - NOMINATED MICHAEL YOURKOWSKI.
WYTHE/BECK - MOVE NOMINATIONS CEASE.
VOTE:(nominations cease) YES: NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Council called for secret ballots.
Ballots cast: Four votes cast for Councilmember Michael Yourkowski. Two votes cast for Councilmember Doug
Stark.
Mayor announced that Councilmember Michael Yourkowski is elected as Mayor Pro Tempore.
Congratulations were expressed.
Mayor Pro Tempore Yourkowski thanked the Council for their confidence.
RESOLUTIONS
A. Resolution 04-92, Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Designating Signatories of City Accounts and Superseding any Previous Resolution so Designating. City Clerk.
Main motion postponed on October 25, 2004.
Main motion as postponed is on the floor: STARK/McLAY - MOVED RESOLUTION 04-92.
WYTHE/BECK - MOVED TO MAKE A CORRECTION AND INSERT MICHAEL YOURKOWSKI'S NAME
AS MAYOR PRO TEMPORE.
City Clerk Calhoun requested that the selection date be changed from October 25, 2004 to November 15, 2004.
Maker and seconder concurred and there were no objections from the rest of the Council.
Motion reads: MOVED TO MAKE A CORRECTION AND INSERT MICHAEL YOURKOWSKI'S NAME AS
MAYOR PRO TEMPORE AND THAT THE SELECTION DATE BE CHANGED FROM OCTOBER 25, 2004
TO NOVEMBER 15, 2004.
There was no discussion.
VOTE: (primary amendment) YES: NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
There was no discussion.
VOTE:(main motion as amended) YES: NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE
Audience comments upon any matter.
Ginny Espenshade thanked the Council, noted that she is a City resident, commented on the budget worksession
and voiced much concern regarding cuts to Community Schools. She recalled coming to the Council last year,
advocating for continued, sustainable funding for this program. She noted that every year there are discussions
about what this town needs for the youth, adults and community such things a Teen Center, Convention Center,
Recreation Center and activities. She pointed out that some of this already exists in the form of Community
Schools, encouraging the Council to not to cut what already exists. She provided a verbal snap shot of the past 72
hours: That 100 kids from around the state came to Homer for a Youth Court Conference, hosted in Homer
becaus of a world class school facility that was made available through the coordination of Community Schools.
That Sunday afternoon she was in the gym for eight hours as a volunteer for Community Schools opening that
gym for Women's Basketball, Co-ed Soccer, Youth Soccer, Adult and Youth Co-ed Volley Ball. She commended
the work of Mike Illg, who is doing the best he can and that he uses a lot of volunteers to keep these programs
going. She emphasized the quality that Community Schools programs give to the community and that these
programs are prevention, such as youth in the gym on a Sunday night until 10 p.m., which is preventing them from
doing other things that will cost the City a lot more than Community Schools funding. She urged the Council to
keep this in mind, acknowledging that this is an easy thing to cut, but is impossible to replace. She thanked the
Council.
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 Hornaday stated that he did appreciate the trip to Fairbanks for the AML Annual Conference, that there
was a strong representation from Homer of Council and staff. He commented on working with the parents, thirty
years ago, of some of the individuals he met with at the conference. He noted that the Clerk's meetings for new
members were very good, that Linda Murphy did a very good job, and voiced disappointment in the Mayor's
Conference. He advised that he had to come back Wednesday, adding that the meeting was very worthwhile. He
noted that the main thrust at the conference was revenue sharing and PERS and TERS.
COMMENTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Councilmember Beck welcomed Mayor Hornaday to his chair, adding that he was missed at the last meeting.
Councilmember Stark voiced appreciation of the comments of Ms. Espenshade, noting that one of the
amendments that he submitted on the budget, two weeks ago, was to increase the budget for the Community
Schools. He stated that he agrees with all of the comments received on Community Schools with the exception of
the negative ones. He voiced his opinion that the AML meeting in Fairbanks was outstanding as he has always
found it to be for the last 35 years that he has been attending. He apprized the Council that he will be attending the
annual meeting of the Resource Development Council this week in Anchorage and that the speakers will include
the Governor and others that he knows. He informed the Council that Mayor Morris will also be attending.
Councilmember McLay expressed his opinion that this has been a good meeting, that Council had a good
worksession and that Council is getting to know each other and how each responds, which he thinks is very good.
He commented about looking forward to the Council working together to accomplish some things. He stated that,
like the Mayor, he really enjoyed some of the meetings in Fairbanks, that he was not able to stay through for the
whole week due to having to work for a living. He commended the clerk's doing an awesome job on the Newly
Elected Officers and as a result he thanked Homer's Clerk for all she does here. He noted that this is something
that most people don't see, because things go along smoothly they don't think anything happens and he thanked
the Clerk, her office and staff for everything they accomplish for the Council, which makes their job easier, and he
voiced appreciation for the information they provide for the Council and that they are going to hear a lot more
from him on that one.
Councilmember Novak voiced his pleasure in seeing the Homer representation at AML and the contacts that they
made, which are beneficial. He stated that he looks forward to the Council working together to get through the
budget.
Councilmember Wythe thanked the City for sending Council to AML, that this was very valuable training and that
there was a lot of information shared, which was a good way to get up to speed. She voiced appreciation for the
Council getting to know each other. She thanked Dean Baugh for the water and sewer rate work and information,
and that she is looking forward to a viable resolution. She voiced appreciation for the short meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council the meeting was adjourned at 7:43 p.m. The next
Regular Meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 22, 2004 at 7 p.m. The next Committee of the Whole
meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 22, 2004 at 4 p.m. All meetings scheduled to be held in the Homer
City Hall Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.
_____________________________________
MARY L. CALHOUN, CMC, CITY CLERK
Approved: _______________
City Clerk's Office, clerk@ci.homer.ak.us, 235-3130.