Session 02-19, a Special 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:        CUE, FENSKE, KRANICH, LADD, MARQUARDT,                                                                     YOURKOWSKI.

           

                        STAFF:                                   CITY MANAGER DRATHMAN

                                                                        CITY CLERK CALHOUN

                                                                        DEPUTY CITY CLERK BENSON

                                                                        ASSISTANT CITY CLERK ROGERS

 

AGENDA APPROVAL

 

(Addition of items to or removing items from the agenda will be by unanimous consent of the Council. HCC 1.24.040.)

 

The agenda was approved by consensus of the City Council with substitute Resolution 02-68(S)  and attached substitute certificate including the final canvass board results.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS UPON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA

 

There were no public comments.

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS/PRESENTATIONS/BOROUGH REPORT/COMMISSION  REPORTS

 

A.        Canvass Board Report.

 

Pauline Benson, Homer Canvass Board member gave the Canvass Board report as follows:

 

We, the Election Canvass Board, duly appointed, of the City of Homer, Alaska hereby certify that the validated absentee and validated questioned ballots were opened, counted, and recorded at a legally authorized and convened meeting of the City of Homer Canvass Board, held October 7, 2002 and that the results of that count are hereon entered with the certified results of the votes counted for the precinct polling places via Accu-Vote Ballot Tabulation System and that the total results are recorded hereon.

 

For the Office of Mayor:          

            Harry Gregoire,            Total of 491 Votes for a percentage of 39.75

            Jack Cushing,               Total of 710 Votes for a percentage of 57.49

 

For Councilmember Two Three year terms: 

                        Rose Beck,                  Total of 692 Votes for a percentage of 63.17

                        Charles H. Davis, Jr.     Total of 245 Votes for a percentage of 22.36

                        Michael Yourkowski    Total of 595 Votes for a percentage of 54.31

                        Gary “Gil” Mayforth     Total of 237 Votes for a percentage of 21.63

                        Stan Welles                  Total of 416 Votes for a percentage of 37.97

 

            For Councilmember One Two year term:

                        Doug Stark                   Total of 578 Votes for a percentage of 48.24

                        Conley Croom              Total of 128 Votes for a percentage of 10.58

                        Patricia L. Cue Total of 484 Votes for a percentage of 40.40

 

            For Councilmember Two One year term:

                        Rick Ladd                    Total of 621 Votes for a percentage of 59.17

                        Ray E. Kranich, Sr.      Total of 589 Votes for a percentage of 56.12

                        Alexander Clark           Total of 243 Votes for a percentage of 23.15

                        Hank Boelter                Total of 238 Votes for a percentage of 22.68

                        Doris Cabana               Total of 404 Votes for a percentage of 38.49

 

            Total number of voters voting in this election was 1,294.

                                       

We further certify that there were 1,145 Regular voters  123 Absentee voters, includes Special Needs Voters, and 26 Questioned voters for a total of 1,294 voters that voted in this election.  Percentage of voter turn out is 32.35%. Total registered voters for the City of Homer are 4,000 as of September 1, 2002.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 7th day of October, 2002.

Krystal Quinn, Pauline Benson, Deena Benson and Attested to by Mary L. Calhoun, City Clerk.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

A.        Memorandum 02-49, from City Clerk, Re: REQUEST FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO AS '44.62.310(C) (1). Real Property Issues.

 

Recommendation: Approve the request for Executive Session and conduct under New Business as Item A.1.

 

FENSKE/YOURKOWSKI - MOVED FOR APPROVAL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF MEMORANDUM 02-49.

 

Councilmember Ladd questioned the need for the Executive Session.

 

Mayor Cushing and City Manager Drathman confirmed that the need exists.

 

VOTE: YES:    NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried. 

 

1.         Conduct Executive Session.

 

Mayor Cushing recessed the Regular Meeting to Executive Session at 7:37 p.m. Council returned from Executive Session at 9:05 p.m. Mayor Cushing reconvened the meeting at 9:07 p.m.

 

Mayor Pro Tem Marquardt stated that the Council  met in Executive Session regarding real property issues and no action was taken.

 

RESOLUTIONS

 

A.        Resolution 02-68(S), Of the City Council of Homer, Alaska Certifying the Results of the City of Homer Regular General Municipal Election held October 1, 2002 to Elect the Mayor and Five Councilmembers. City Clerk. Canvass Board.              

 

FENSKE/LADD - MOVED FOR THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 02-68(S) BY READING OF TITLE.

 

The Clerk’s Office was thanked for making a rather complicated election go smoothly.

 

Mayor Cushing commented on the number of registered voters as compared to the census population. [1]

 

There was a brief discussion about the ongoing process of purging the voter rolls.

 

Mayor Cushing congratulated all those who came out and voted.

 

VOTE: YES: NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT

 

Motion carried.

 

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

 

There were no audience comments.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY ATTORNEY

 

City Attorney Tans was not present.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY CLERK

 

City Clerk Calhoun congratulated those who were elected and said good bye to those outgoing Councilmembers.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

City Manager Drathman thanked Councilmembers Cue and Marquardt for their work on the Council. He told Doug Stark, newly elected official, that he is about to find out how much work Councilmembers Cue and Marquardt did for $50.00 a month.

 

COMMENTS OF THE MAYOR

 

Mayor Cushing, with Council’s concurrence, stated that his comments would follow the Council’s  at which time he would present plaques to Councilmembers Cue and Marquardt.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

 

Councilmember Kranich thanked Councilmembers Cue and Marquardt for the their time on the Council, noting the different committees and task forces wherein they have served. He emphasized that being on the Council is a big time commitment to the City and voiced his appreciation to both outgoing Councilmembers. 

 

Councilmember Ladd echoed Councilmember Kranich’s comments. He voiced his appreciation to Councilmember Cue for all the time spent with the Beach Task Force and for being a real advocate for the animal shelter. He voiced his hope that the Council could put the animal shelter project to rest for Councilmember Cue. He noted that for Councilmember Marquardt, being a small business person in town, that it is difficult to be on a Council, such as this, and that he was an easier target. Mr. Ladd commented that most small business owners would not consider being on a Council, because they know it might impact their revenues or their function in the community. He thanked Councilmember Marquardt for taking over when the Mayor decides to pass the gavel. He reiterated thanks to both out going Councilmembers and wished them good luck.

 

Councilmember Yourkowski stated and inquired to and of the City Manager that since the budget process is starting when would it be a good time to do the lease policy.

 

There was a concurrence of the Council to place this as the first item on the Committee of the Whole agenda for October 14th and to dedicate the first hour to this issue.

 

Councilmember Ladd emphasized the need to get on with the process of the survey. He advised that he had a conversation with the City Manager, who advised that he has been in contact with the National Research Center. Mr. Ladd noted that the survey questions are compiled and wondered if the Council could give the Manager a green light to go ahead and work with the third party, adding that there will be some associated dollars/costs. He voiced concern about meeting the November deadline date.[2]

 

Mayor Cushing replied that this action needs to be taken officially.

 

City Manager Drathman asked if the Council wanted to go through the third party or if they wanted him to do this in house. The estimated cost for the third party is $8,600, for in house is the cost of the postage. He encouraged the Council to allow him to do the survey process in house, adding that software can be purchased to accomplish the data analysis. The Manager emphasized that the expenditure for a third party would have to go to Council in the form of an Ordinance.  He voiced his confidence that the process could be done in house or by a third party. He urged the Council to decide.

 

There was lengthy pro and con discussion on using a third party for mailing and collating the received data versus doing this all in house. The history of the survey to its current status was mentioned. The survey will be on the October 14, 2002 Committee of the Whole agenda

 

Mayor Cushing reminded the Council that the action Council took was for a third party to look at the questions. Mayor Cushing, after Council discussion stated that the Survey will be the second item on the Committee of the Whole agenda, that this matter deserves an hour, and will be an agenda item under New Business on the Regular Meeting Agenda, in part, to decide whether to move forward with the budget process and whether or not to send out the survey.

 

COMMENTS OF THE MAYOR

 

Mayor Cushing presented Councilmember Cue with a Certificate of Appreciation plaque from the City of Homer that reads in part.

COUNCILMEMBER

Elected as Councilmember by residents: 10/99 and served through 10/02

APPOINTMENTS

Beach Policy Task Force - 12/00--10/02

Water and Sewer Standards Committee  - 3/24/97--10/02

OTHER

Champion for the Protection and Aesthetics of City Beaches

Key to the Formation and Adoption of the Beach Policy

Protector of Pedestrian Right-of-Ways, Pathways and Zones

Encourager of Vehicular Prohibitions on City Beaches

Exhorter of Storm Berm Protection

Advocate for Noise Control issues, particularly Excessive Jake Brake Usage

Supporter of the Animal Shelter and Homer Animal Friends

Concerned with Estuarine protection issues

Proponent for the Protection of Woodard Creek Drainage

Concerned about Urban Sprawl and Clear Cutting

Supporter of Responsible Development

Proponent for Project Status Reporting

 

Councilmember Cue stated that one of the things that kept coming to her mind when she was thinking of what to say at her last meeting was the fortitude of the Council regarding annexation, adding that the Council sat through months and years of testimony and meetings that accumulated to a really good piece of legislation that will benefit the City for many years to come. she thanked the Council for their work. She noted that the annexation process was not easy, the Council did the right thing and it took a lot of courage for the Council and the City Manager. She commented on the work of the Beach Policy Task Force that she and Councilmember Yourkowski were involved with and that she does not want this work to end with her leaving.  She  advised the Council that she certainly is going to be a citizen advocate of the beaches and that she would like to see this continue on. She thanked the Council for supporting her as a new member, voiced appreciation of the new friendships, looks forward to hearing the Council on the radio and maybe coming and testifying once in a while and rattling the Council’s chain a little bit. She asked the City Manager to send out an email to all the employees and Department Managers thanking them for their hard work and that she really appreciates their services.

 

City Manager Drathman said to consider it done.

 

Mayor Cushing presented Councilmember Marquardt with a Certificate of Appreciation plaque from the City of Homer that reads in part

 

MAYOR PRO TEMPORE/COUNCILMEMBER

Elected as Councilmember by residents: 10/96, Reelected 10/99 and served through 10/02

Elected as Mayor Pro Tempore by Councilmembers and served from 1998 through 2002.

APPOINTMENTS

Parks and Recreation Commissioner - 7/18/94--10/96

Road Standards Committee  - 3/24/97--10/02

Served as Road Standards Committee Chair - 1999 through 2002

 KPB EDD City of Homer Representative - 12/09/96 -- 02/06/98

Parking Task Force - 04/23/2001 -- 10/02

HVFD Strategic Planning Group - 09/97 --05/98

CITY VOLUNTEER

Homer Volunteer Fire Fighter  - 01/07/93--10/96

OTHER

Advocate for the Non Profits

Supporter of the Arts and Recreational Activities

Concerned with safety of City Park Playground Equipment

Defender of the Integrity of the Homer Accelerated Roads Program

Advocate for the Maintenance of gravel and/or non maintained roads

Protectorate of Parks and Beaches

Champion for the Skateboard Park

Advocate for Traffic, Parking, Noise Control issues

Supporter of the Animal Shelter, Library and Town Square Projects

Guardian of City History and of City Aesthetics

Pro Responsible Development

 

Councilmember Marquardt thanked the Council for being a cooperative group, for making him feel welcomed here. He thanked administration and all the staff for being supportive of the Council, adding that there are a lot of municipalities that are dysfunctional in this way. He stated that he really believes that the City of Homer staff is responsive to the Council’s needs, which makes their job easier. He voiced his honest enjoyment with serving on the Council and has no regrets other than wishing that maybe he should have put more time into this job, which is part of the reason he decided to step down and give someone else a shot at it.

 

Mayor Cushing thanked both out going Councilmembers for their service to the City of Homer, adding some humorous comments about Councilmember Marquardt’s extra curricular activities, skills and achievements.

 

Councilmember Fenske stated that Council member Cue is the first Councilmember he ever danced with. He commented that Councilmember Cue has really had her plate full with her full time at South Peninsula Hospital and part time job with the military, wherein during her term on the Council she was appointed to Major. He stated that a lot of people think that all the Council  does is come in here and make people’s lives miserable. He lauded Councilmember Cue’s attributes and committee work. He commented about Councilmember Marquardt’s work, projects he and Councilmember Marquardt have had similar interests in and that he really appreciates Councilmember Marquardt’s ability to courageously speak to and move forward on issues to best serve the community. He voiced appreciation for both out going Councilmembers’ work and that they have not received the recognition that they should have.

 

Mayor Cushing dittoed Councilmember Fenske’s comments.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Council the meeting was adjourned at ­­­­­­9:50 p.m. to enjoy a celebration cake. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for October 14, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. The Committee of the Whole is scheduled to meet at 4:00 p.m. A Special Meeting is scheduled for October 14th at 7:30 p.m. just prior to the Regular Meeting, to administer the Oath of Office and reseat the reelected incumbents and seat the Newly Elected Councilmembers. These meetings will be held in the Homer City Hall Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

 

 

_____________________________________

MARY L. CALHOUN, CMC, CITY CLERK

 


[1] 4,000 registered voters as of September 1, 2002. Census 2000 population, pre annexation 3,946, plus approximately 890 from the annexed area.

[2] Memorandum 02-40(A), Recommendation 2. stated that the survey be completed by community members and survey results be compiled and tabulated for City Council and public use no later than the second City Council meeting in November and before approval of the FY 03 Budget.