Session 06-24 a Special Meeting of the Homer City Council was called to order on October 16, 2006 at 7:02 p.m. by Mayor James C. Hornaday at the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska, and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

PRESENT:     COUNCILMEMBERS:        HEIMBUCH, McLAY, NOVAK, ROBERTS, STARK, WYTHE

 

ABSENT:       COUNCILMEMBERS:        SHADLE (excused)                

 

                        STAFF:                                   CITY CLERK CALHOUN

                                                                        DEPUTY CITY CLERK JOHNSON

                                                                        ACTING CITY MANAGER ROBL


AGENDA APPROVAL

 

The agenda was approved by consensus of the Council.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS UPON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA

 

Barbara Howard thanked Councilmember McLay for his years of service.  She appreciates always being able to talk to him.  She congratulated Councilmembers Novak and Roberts and looks forward to the new Council working together on the serious issues of the community.

 

Ray Kranich thanked Councilmember McLay for stepping forward to serve the community as councilmember.  Mr. McLay served the community long and worthy on the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission.  He thanked Councilmember Novak and expressed appreciation to Francie Roberts for stepping forward to continue our Democratic system.  It requires all levels of participation by our citizens.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

A.        Oath of Office Administered to the Newly Elected Officials

 

Mayor Hornaday called Councilmember Novak and Newly Elected Councilmember Roberts to the Clerk’s table.  City Clerk Calhoun administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Hornaday and Councilmembers Novak and Roberts and congratulated them.

 

B.         Recognitions to Outgoing Elected Officials

 

Mayor Hornaday presented a plaque to Councilmember McLay:

 

Mayor Pro Tempore for 2005/2006

Councilmember from October 2004 to October 2006

Port and Harbor Advisory Commissioner/Chair 1991 to October 2002

 

The City of Homer and its residents thank you for your generous and dauntless service.  Some of the issues, projects and concerns you have addressed and brought to fruition and/or were an integral part of the legislation thereof:

 

Bear Attraction Nuisance (Bears and Garbage)                                                             Bird Feeding Nuisance, Eagle Baiting

Comprehensive Plan and Updates      Deep Water Dock                                                                                     Gateway Zoning

HARP Projects                                                                      HAWSP Projects                                    Intersection Improvements

Kachemak Bay Peninsula College Expansion                                                                                                      Land Purchases

Leases/Property Management                                                                                                        Master Water and Sewer Plan

New Homer Public Library                                                                                                                                        New City Hall

Non Motorized Transportation Plan                                                                                                                          Pioneer Dock

Port and Harbor Development                                                                                         Proponent of the Sister City Programs

Small Boat Harbor Repairs & Renovations (TORA project)                                                                     Town Center/Square 

Transportation Master Plan                                                                                                                                                              

 

Committees - Comprehensive Plan, Kachemak Bay Multi Purpose Ocean Dock Stakeholder. Winter Carnival 50th Anniversary. Selflessly and enthusiastically participated and contributed to numerous  committees and advisory groups.

 

Additional contributions: 

60 Year Resident of the Greater Homer Area and annexed into the City                                            Active City Participant

City Lobbyist                                               Proponent of Responsible Development                Advocate for Citizen Concerns

Enthusiastic participant in the Alaska Municipal League                         Contributed to the Development of Port Services

Supporter of the Preservation for Citizen/Resident Property Rights                                 Key in Establishing Port Services

Long Shoreman                    Mariner Advocate                                 Health, Welfare and Safety of the Community at Large

 

Placing Homer “On the Map” - Subject of ABC, Australia Broadcasting; John Stewart Television Show; Rush Limbaugh Radio Show; and Global Register’s Who’sWho in Executives and Professionals.

Bashing Cane

 

Outgoing Councilmember McLay voiced his appreciation for serving the community.  Homer has been his home for 60 years and he will be around regularly.

 

Mayor Hornaday invited Councilmember Roberts to join the Council at the table.

 

C.        Memorandum 06-176, from City Clerk, Re: Selection/Appointment of Mayor Pro Tempore.

 

Councilmember Heimbuch asked to defer selection of Mayor Pro Tempore to the next regular meeting due to the absence of a full body and lack of the Mayor’s vote.  City Clerk Calhoun advised the Code requires the selection be done tonight.

 

STARK/ - MOVED THAT COUNCILMAN HEIMBUCH BE APPOINTED AS MAYOR PRO TEMPORE.

 

Motion died for lack of a second.

 

ROBERTS/ - I NOMINATE DENNIS NOVAK FOR MAYOR PRO TEMPORE.

 

Motion died for lack of a second.

 

WYTHE/NOVAK - MOVED FOR A NOMINATION SYSTEM TO VOTE ON CANDIDATES THAT ARE NOMINATED.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE:  YES.  NON OBJECTION.  UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

NOMINATIONS WERE MADE:

 

Councilmember Roberts nominated Dennis Novak.

Councilmember Novak nominated Mike Heimbuch.

 

Mayor Hornaday asked for a motion to close nominations.

 

WYTHE/HEIMBUCH - SO MOVED, TO CLOSE NOMINATIONS.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE:  YES.  NON OBJECTION.  UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

NOVAK/WYTHE – MOVED FOR A SECRET BALLOT.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE:  YES.  NON OBJECTION.  UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

City Clerk Calhoun advised four votes were needed.

 

The secret ballot voting followed.  Ballots were given to the City Clerk who tallied the votes:

 

Dennis Novak – 3 votes

Mike Heimbuch – 2 votes

 

There was some discussion about waiting for another member to vote and Deputy City Clerk Johnson read HCC 1.24.080 and advised the Mayor Pro Tempore shall be elected tonight.

 

WYTHE/NOVAK – MOVED FOR AN ADDITIONAL BALLOT.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE:  YES.  NON OBJECTION.  UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

The secret ballot voting followed.  Ballots were given to the City Clerk who tallied the votes:

 

Dennis Novak – 3 votes

Mike Heimbuch – 2 votes 

 

NOVAK/ - MOVED TO TAKE A HAT AND PUT IN FIVE BALLOTS FOR MIKE HEIMBUCH AND FIVE FOR MYSELF AND EVERY COUNCILMEMBER DRAWS ONE.

Motion died for lack of a second.

 

The possibility of a joint Mayor Pro Tempore position with each serving six months was discussed.  Mayor Hornaday read HCC 1.24.080.  City Clerk Calhoun advised the code states a majority vote could be used.  Councilmember Stark said in the replacement of a councilmember with five members present, a majority vote of three was used.

 

WYTHE/ROBERTS - MOVED THAT DUE TO THE LACK OF A COUNCILMEMBER WE WOULD RECOGNIZE A MAJORITY AS THE MAJORITY OF MEMBERS AT THE TABLE AT THIS MEETING.

 

There was discussion about previous action to elect a councilmember and the need to require four votes.

 

VOTE:  YES.  WYTHE, NOVAK, ROBERTS

 

VOTE:  NO.  STARK, HEIMBUCH

 

Motion failed.

 

NOVAK/WYTHE – MOVED THAT IT BE INTERPRETED AS WITH THE CODE IN FRONT OF YOU OR WE COULD FLIP A COIN.

 

Deputy City Clerk Johnson advised the motion was invalid.

 

Postponement to the next meeting was discussed.  Acting City Manager Robl said in the event of a natural disaster that renders the Mayor incapacitated, a Mayor Pro Tempore is needed for an emergency declaration to get to the Governor’s office.  He suggested a vote be made for a  Mayor Pro Tempore tonight and the vote could be revisited at the next meeting when a full council is present. 

 

Mayor Hornaday ruled that a Mayor Pro Tempore be elected at tonight’s meeting.

 

Mayor Hornaday called for a recess at 7:32 p.m. and resumed the meeting at 7:37 p.m.

 

Councilmember Heimbuch said in the interest of moving the election of Mayor Pro Tempore forward he deferred to longevity on the Council and to age to Mr. Novak. 

 

HEIMBUCH/WYTHE – MOVED FOR AN OPEN VOTE.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE:  YES.  NON OBJECTION.  UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

NOMINATIONS WERE MADE:

 

Councilmember Heimbuch nominated Dennis Novak.

Councilmember Stark nominated Beth Wythe and she respectfully declined.

Councilmember Novak nominated Mike Heimbuch.

 

Mayor Hornaday ruled nominations were closed.

 

VOTE:  (Dennis Novak)  YES.  ROBERTS, WYTHE, STARK, NOVAK, HEIMBUCH

 

Motion carried.

 

Seating at Council table selection pursuant to Council’s Operating Manual.  Mayor Pro Tempore selects first and the rest of the Council by seniority.

 

Mayor Pro Tempore Novak chose the seat to the Mayor’s immediate right.

 

Councilmember Stark chose the seat to the Mayor’s immediate left.

 

Councilmembers Wythe and Heimbuch chose to remain in their respective seats.

 

Upon Councilmember Shadle’s return he will be given the opportunity to select a seat. 

 

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

 

Ray Kranich thanked Mayor Hornaday for stepping forward to serve and being re-elected.  For a number of years he has viewed the samurai sword that hangs behind Council’s bench.  It is a nice place to have the sword that was given to the City of Homer by the City of Teshio.  Mr. Kranich asked if it would be appropriate to move the sword to a glass and oak case similar to the other Sister City case that holds memorabilia.  At no cost to the City he may get handy in his shop and build a display case this winter.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY ATTORNEY

 

City Attorney Tans was not present.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY CLERK

 

City Clerk Calhoun and Deputy City Clerk Johnson had no comments.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY MANAGER

 

Acting City Manager Robl had no comments.

 

COMMENTS OF THE MAYOR

 

Mayor Hornaday had no comments.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL

 

Councilmember Novak thanked the Council for their support, recognizing the additional level of responsibility as Mayor Pro Tempore.  In his three years on the Council he has learned there is a lot that goes with the job and much one can take on.  He realizes he has a lot to live up to and will do the best he can.

 

Councilmember Stark congratulated all candidates on removing their signs the night of the election.  He gave notice that Military Police Colonel Sandra Stark and himself may be activated for a short stint of duty in Valdez where part of the 49th Military Police Brigade is serving because of the flood.  If activated it will be for about a week; Councilmember Stark hopes it doesn’t happen.    

 

Councilmembers Wythe and Heimbuch had no comments.

 

Councilmember Roberts is very glad to be here and hopes she does a good job for the citizens of Homer.  She offered a special thank you to Val McLay for doing everything he did for the City.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

There being no further business to come before the Council the meeting was adjourned by Mayor James C. Hornaday at 7:45 p.m.  The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 23, 2006 at 7 p.m. and the next Committee of the Whole is scheduled for Monday, October 23, 2006 at 4 p.m.  Special Meetings are scheduled for Monday, October 23, 2006 at 5:30 p.m. and Friday, October 27, 2006 at 10 a.m.  All meetings scheduled to be held in the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.  

 

 

 

_________________________________

JO JOHNSON, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

 

 

Approved: ________________________