Session 00-21, a Special Meeting of the Homer City Council was called to order at 7:32 p.m. by Mayor 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, MARQUARDT, WELLES, YOURKOWSKI.

COUNCILMEMBER ELECT: LADD

STAFF: CITY MANAGER DRATHMAN

CITY CLERK MARY CALHOUN

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.

PUBLIC COMMENTS UPON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA

There were no public comments.

OATH OF OFFICE

Jack Cushing, Mayor, Incumbent, reelected for a two year term, expires 10/2002.

Ray Kranich, Councilmember, Incumbent, reelected for a three year term, expires 10/2003.

Rick Ladd, Councilmember, elected for a three year term, expires 10/2003.

The Oath of Office was administered by City Clerk Calhoun. There were congratulations expressed all around.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

Mayor Cushing presented outgoing Councilmember Welles with a plaque that expressed recognition and appreciation from the City of Homer and noted his term on the City Council, October 1997 - October 16, 2000; his term on the Economic Development Commission from 1994 to 1997, his service on the Water and Sewer Rate and the Port/Harbor Rate Committees and that he was instrumental in establishing the rate models for Water, Sewer and the Port/Harbor; that in October 1998 he made the Eighth Grade News for Ordinance 98-19; that he served on the Economic Development District and was appointed February 1998; that he was concerned about Homer's Economic Development and Municipal Revenues; that he lobbied the Legislature and other State Officials on behalf of the City of Homer; and that he is known for his dedication to the community and his statesmanship. Mayor Cushing voiced his personal appreciation for out going Councilmember Welles and that he does expect to see him in politics. The Mayor presented him with a card from City Hall employees and the Council.

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 Mayor Cushing and Councilmembers Kranich and Ladd. She thanked out going Councilmember Welles for all his work, adding that he would be missed.

COMMENTS OF THE CITY MANAGER

City Manager Drathman dittoed the Clerk's comments.

COMMENTS OF THE MAYOR

Mayor Cushing thanked out going Councilmember Welles for serving, and for being, what he considers, a real good team player with a diverse Council, and for the input that he has brought to this Council. He noted that Mr. Welles was not stepping down from his district responsibilities with the Republican Party and wished him good luck with his future political endeavors. Mayor Cushing noted that Mr. Welles is a good citizen of Homer.

COMMENTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

Councilmember Yourkowski offered his sincerest thanks and appreciation to out going Councilmember Welles for his participation and all the time he has spent. He congratulated the newly elected officials.

Councilmember Marquardt reiterated his comments from last week. He expressed his opinion that out going Councilmember Welles had done a really great job on the Council, that it has been good working with him and as the Mayor said, he is a team player. To Mayor Cushing and Councilmember Ladd, Mr. Marquardt commended them for stepping up to the plate again at this time in the ball game, so to speak. He stated that this is probably not the most popular time to be signing up, but that he appreciated their efforts.

Councilmember Fenske commented that he knows that the Council has not seen the last of out going Councilmember Welles, and so until the next committee or project. He stated that he really thinks that Mr. Welles was part of doing a really great job on the rates committees and was an inspiration to the Council in moving forward and attacking some other very complex issues and wished him well. He congratulated the Mayor on winning and that he admires the job the Mayor has done. He welcomed Councilmember Kranich back and that he appreciates his involvement, whether or not they agree. He also welcomed Councilmember Ladd to a very diverse table and that people will accuse him of being one of the gang. He concluded that the Council will move on from here.

Councilmember Cue thanked out going Councilmember Welles for his hard work, time and energy. She encouraged him to not hesitate to call her anytime, in the next two years, that he has something that he would like to talk about, as far as what the Council is doing or not doing. She stated that she has an open door policy and that she appreciates all his efforts. She welcomed Councilmember Ladd and congratulated Mayor Cushing and Councilmember Kranich.

Councilmember Kranich thanked out going Councilmember Welles, adding that he served with Mr. Welles for two out of his three years and that it has been a pleasure. He advised that he contacted Mr. Welles on several issues and voiced appreciation that quite often Mr. Welles gave him a different perspective to pull him a little closer to "on track". Mr. Kranich voiced a hope that Mr. Welles would not change his phone numbers, so that he can talk to him again on line and that he does appreciate Mr. Welles' input. Mr. Kranich stated that it has been a pleasure serving the last year with the existing Council and Mayor Cushing and that he is looking forward to continuing on another three years. He voiced acknowledgment that he is not going to always see eye to eye with all of the Council, but that, hopefully, through the diversity on the Council, presumably, all sides of all issues can be reviewed and result in a decision that is for the betterment of the community. He stated that he is really looking forward to serving with this group, a really diverse group and to going ahead.

Councilmember Ladd commented that it is a real privilege to be working with this diverse group and that he has got to know where the diversion is on the Council. He noted that eighteen months ago he had an operation on his back. He advised that since that operation he has learned a little humility, and to listen to people and that he brings that to the board. He commented that he wants to learn from each of the Councilmembers and voiced his hope, that together they can make Homer a real great place for everyone to live. He stated that he looks forward to working with the community. He commented that City Manager Drathman knows his concerns, having served on a board together. Mr. Ladd informed the Council that he is willing to call a spade a spade, that he does not play politics and that the Council will know where he stands. He looks forward to working with everyone here and congratulated out going Councilmember Welles on surviving it all.

Outgoing Councilmember Welles encouraged the Council to please continue using the rate models. He stated that he learned to really respect the City employees, that he has got to know a fair amount of them and that they are great, which is something that is learned once someone gets involved. He commented that he did not think the community at large appreciates the quality of personnel that keeps the City going. He gave a special thanks to the City Clerk. To Councilmember Ladd, Mr. Welles emphasized that he would find out real quick that the City Clerk's Office is his best asset in helping, keeping him organized and up to speed on everything and that the City Clerk is really dedicated. He noted the crew that City Manager Drathman has put together, those he has hired, are great: System's Manager Steve Bambikidis, Public Works Director Carey Meyer, and City Planner Richard Bagley, who he just met today. Mr. Welles gave a big thank you to all and that he will definitely being see more of everyone.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Council the meeting was adjourned at 7:53 p.m. The Clerk served cake. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for October 23, 2000 at 7:30 p.m. A worksession will be held at 6:30 p.m. on October 23, 2000, Re: 90% Design Completion of the Small Boat Harbor Repairs and Renovation Project, presentation by John Pickering of Peratrovich, Nottingham and Drage.

MARY L. CALHOUN, CMC, CITY CLERK