Session 04-24, a Special Meeting of the Homer City Council was called to order at 7:035 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: BECK, FENSKE, NOVAK, STARK, YOURKOWSKI..
STAFF: CITY MANAGER WREDE
CITY CLERK CALHOUN
POLICE SERGEANT HUTT
AGENDA APPROVAL
The agenda was approved by consensus of the City Council with non objection to the Mayor's request that New
Business Items A and B be switched. Mayor Cushing stated that after the Oath of Office is administered to the
newly elected officials he would turn the gavel over to the new Mayor.
PUBLIC COMMENTS UPON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA
Upon matters on the agenda only.
Ray Kranich, City resident, thanked the Mayor and Council for serving the public and especially thanked Mayor
Cushing and Councilmember Fenske, the outgoing elected officials. He noted that Mayor Cushing and
Councilmember Fenske have spent countless, nerve wracking and concerned hours serving on the Council. He
voiced an understanding for the time involved. He thanked the Mayor and Council for taking the time
commitment. He commented that the system requires people to get out and vote and people to place their name on
the ballot and to make a commitment to fulfill the office for which they may or may not be elected. He reiterated
his thanks and appreciation to the Mayor and Council, especially to Mayor Cushing and Councilmember Fenske,
for the years of dedicated service, adding acknowledgment that it has been both exasperating and rewarding.
NEW BUSINESS
Items A and B were switched under Agenda approval.
B. Recognitions to Outgoing Elected Officials
Mayor Cushing presented John Fenske with a plaque and Rick Ladd with a plague in absentia. He read the
recognitions into the record.
Appreciation and Recognition for Honorable Councilmember Rick Ladd.. Serving the City of Homer as
Councilmember from October 2000 to September 2004. The City of Homer and its residents thank you for your
generous, tireless and concentrated efforts. Animal Shelter, Boys and Girls Club Location, Chamber of Commerce
funding, Bridge Creek Watershed Jurisdiction, Steep Slope Issues, City Wide Survey, Land Purchases, Extra
territorial utility projects, Homer Foundation City Endowment, Parks and Trails in general, Kachemak Bay
Peninsula College University Expansion, Pioneer Dock, New Homer Public Library, Non Motorized
Transportation Plan, Old Homer Intermediate School, One Percent for the Arts, Accelerated Programs, Traffic
Calming, Leases/Property Management, Traffic Patterns Transportation Plan, Town Center/Town Square
Concept, Zoning and Annexation, Education and Advocate for Large Stores. Committees - Steep Slope Task
Force Additional contributions: Sponsor for a myriad of legislative documents. Advocate for Sound Education in
the State, Borough and City.
There was a round of applause.
Appreciation and Recognition to the Honorable Councilmember John Fenske. Legislative Commitment: Mayor
Pro Tempore for 2003/2004, Councilmember from October 1998 to October 2004 and Economic Development
Commissioner 1994 to October 1996. 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: Animal Shelter, Baycrest Restrooms, Boys and Girls Club
Location, Bridge Creek Watershed Jurisdiction, Chamber of Commerce funding, City Wide Survey,
Comprehensive Plan and Updates, Extra territorial utility projects, HARP Projects HAWSP Projects, Homer
Foundation City Endowment, Kachemak Bay Peninsula College University Expansion, Land Purchases, Karen
Hornaday Hillside Park Playground, Parks and Trails in general, New Homer Public Library, Non Motorized
Transportation Plan, Old Homer Intermediate School, One Percent for the Arts, Accelerated Programs, Pioneer
Dock, Leases/Property Management, Traffic Calming, Traffic Patterns Transportation Plan, Town Center/Town
Square Concept, Zoning and Annexation. Committees - Water and Sewer Standards and Lease Policy Task Force
and AML and Board Committees. Additional contributions: Serenader of Employees, New Animal Shelter
Advocate, Sounding Board for employees and appointed officials, Ombudsman, Sponsor for a myriad of legislative
documents, Enthusiastic participant in the Alaska Municipal League, Midge Clouse associated for Newly Elected
Officials Seminars.
There was a round of applause.
Councilmember Fenske stated that Ray Kranich said a lot, having served on the Council, adding that Council is
certainly a small band of people that represent the community. He emphasized that being on the Council is a task
that is both exciting, something that someone can be proud of, and agreed that it can become exasperating and
laborious. He expressed his feeling that it's a bitter sweet experience and his thought that everyone who has the
opportunity to serve in public office experiences this. He commented that he does not have regret, that he feels
very proud having been able to spend this time here and thanked the community.
Mayor Cushing recognized those in attendance - the entire Council with the exception of Councilmember Ladd,
who had resigned, City Manager Wrede, City Clerk Calhoun, Bruce Hess with the Planning and Zoning
Commission, Bill Smith with the Town Center Committee, Officer Hutt, Otto Kilcher with Port and Harbor
Commissioner, and the Newly Elected soon to be sworn in folks. He asked everyone to introduce folks who might
have come to be a part of this meeting. He introduced his son Cody Cushing and Cody's girlfriend, Megan. Mayor
Cushing advised that the rest of his family is out of town in different parts of the Country or the State.
Councilmember Stark introduced his bride, Sandy Stark.
Val McLay introduced his wife Jeanette McLay and his dad, Jake McLay, who has been here as part of Homer
since 1945.
Jim Hornaday introduced his daughter Mary and his granddaughters Haley, Amy and Sydney.
Beth Wythe introduced her husband John, his mother Eileen and her Father in Law, Ray Kranich.
Mayor Cushing noted the presence of former Councilmembers Pat Cue, Ray Kranich and former Mayor John
Calhoun.
Mayor Elect Hornaday and Councilmember Yourkowski will jointly make the presentation to Mayor Cushing after
the Oath of Office is administered.
A. Oath of Office administered to the Newly Elected Officials
City Clerk Calhoun administer Oath of Office to James C. Hornaday - Mayor Elect (two year term); and to
Councilmembers Elect - Doug Stark (three year term), Mary E. (Beth) Wythe (three year term) and Val McLay
(four year term). Oath - having been elected to Office for the City of Homer, Alaska for a specified term of Office
in compliance with Alaska Statute Title 29 and the Homer City Code, prior to assuming the duties of said office
effective October 18, 2004. Do you solemnly swear or affirm to defend and support the Constitution of the United
States, the Constitution of the State of Alaska and the Ordinances of the City of Homer and to perform all duties
of the office for which you are about to enter according to law and therein do equal right and justice to all so help
you God.
All said, "I Do!"
City Clerk Calhoun congratulated the new Mayor and Councilmembers.
There was a round of applause.
Newly Elected officials were seated at the Council table and Mayor Cushing handed the Gavel to Mayor Hornaday.
Mayor Hornaday told Mayor Cushing that he enjoyed him being Mayor and that he thought he did a good job.
Mayor Cushing presented Mayor Hornaday the key to City Hall.
Mayor Hornaday and Councilmember Yourkowski presented a plague of recognition to Mayor Cushing.
Appreciation and Recognition of the Honorable Mayor, Jack Cushing, the prestigious Executive Officer of the City of Homer. Legislative Commitment: Mayor from October 1996 to October 2004
Mayor Pro Tempore 1994 to October 1996, Councilmember October 1992 to October 1996. General Project: Animal Shelter, Annexation, Arctic Winter Games - Olympics, Baycrest Restrooms, Boys and Girls Club Location, Bridge Creek Watershed Jurisdiction, Chamber of Commerce funding Comprehensive Plan and Updates, Conservation Easement with Herndon and Thompson, Deep Water Dock, EVOS Funded Projects, Extra territorial utility projects, Floodplain Management issues
HARP Projects, HAWSP Projects, Homer Airport, Homer Foundation City Endowment, Homer Spit Interim Plan, Islands and Oceans Visitor Center, Jack Gist Recreational Park, Kachemak Bay Estuarine Research Reserve, Kachemak Bay Peninsula College University Expansion, Karen Hornaday Hillside Park - Playground, Land Purchases, New Homer Public Library, Non Motorized Transportation Plan, Louis Lagoon Conservation Easement, Old Homer Intermediate School, One Percent for the Arts, Parks and Trails in general, Pioneer Dock, Pratt Museum Funding, Property Management, Small Boat Harbor Rehabilitation, Spit Lagoon, Spit Restrooms,, Spit Bicycle and Pedestrian Path, Traffic Calming, Traffic Patterns , Transportation Plan, Town Center/Town Square Concept, USCG - relationship and home porting, Watershed Land Purchases, Western Shorebird Festival, Zoning. Commission and Committees: Planning Commissioner June 1988 - October 1992
Road Standards Committee 1994 - 1996, Spit Task Force 1990, Myriad of participation in virtually all City
Committees, Cook Inlet and Prince William Sound Regional Citizens Advisory Council and associated Oil Spill
Prevention Groups. State and Borough Bodies: Governor's Coastal Policy Council first appointed 1995, with
Homer's endorsement, Kenai Peninsula Borough Economic Development District First Appointed 1998, Economic
Development Forum Speaker, Active Member in the Kenai Peninsula Coalition of Cities. Additional Activities.
Concerned about, interested and an active participant in: Congressional and State Legislature and Lobbying
Efforts, Planning Principles and Comprehensive Planning, Alaska Coast Walk, Beach Protection, Local Schools,
Pro Family, Enthusiastic participant in the Alaska Municipal League and the Alaska Conference of Mayors, City
Lobbyist , Sponsor for an Intern from the Internship Program at Rockefeller Center, KBMPOD (Kachemak Bay
Multi Purpose Ocean Dock) Stakeholders group, Eagle Scout Award Ceremonies, Homer High School Awards
Ceremony, DARE Program Advocate, Public School Project Champion, Arctic Winter Games Planning Board.
There was a round of applause.
Mayor Cushing stated that during the course of this different work he has had the privilege, on behalf of the City,
to preside over eight different Councils, every Council has been extremely different, there is no way to really
characterize a Council and that the Councilmembers do this themselves. He voiced his belief that this new Council
will be just like many of the others; get together and work hard and have a real good time together doing the
business of the City. He encouraged the Council to have a great go at it and to have fun.
There was a round of applause.
Mayor Hornaday, in keeping with his campaign promise, played his ukelele and sang a song to Mayor Cushing,
Councilmember Fenske, former Mayor Calhoun, for all the others, for Ray Kranich, Bill Smith and the current
Council.
There was a round of applause.
Mayor Hornaday voiced his hope that Mayor Cushing and Councilmember Fenske would come back a lot of times.
Former Mayor Calhoun asked for permission to interrupt and Mayor Hornaday granted that permission.
Former Mayor Calhoun stated that he never would have gotten elected if it had of taken all of that serenading,
adding that he probably would have gotten ran out of town for trying. He noted that when he got elected as Mayor
it was an off year election since Mayor Kessler had resigned and Bruce Turkington was filling in as Mayor. Mr.
Calhoun noted that when he was elected and Bruce Turkington left, Bruce took the gavel. He relayed that all of a
sudden his first meeting as Mayor was coming up and the then City Clerk, Kathy Harold, was desperate to find a
gavel so she contacted Judge Hornaday, who supplied a gavel along with a little note to, "mete out justice and
tender his decisions". Mr. Calhoun stated that almost nineteen years later he has that gavel, opening a gavel box he
pulled out a wood meat tenderizer. Noting that he had to get it back from Mary Calhoun, he presented it back to
Mayor Hornaday.
Amidst laughter there was a round of applause.
Mayor Hornaday thanked former Mayor Calhoun, adding that he never thought he'd see that again and that what
goes around, comes around.
COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE
Pat Cue thanked Mayor Cushing and Councilmember Fenske for all the years of service to the Community of
Homer, that they will be missed and that she knows that they will still have a role in whatever happens.
COMMENTS OF THE CITY ATTORNEY
City Attorney Tans was not present.
COMMENTS OF THE CITY CLERK
City Clerk Calhoun made a presentation from the Clerk's Office to outgoing Mayor Cushing and outgoing
Councilmember Fenske and Ladd. She noted that the two sealed rolls that she is presenting from the Clerk's Office
are to cover anything the City has forgotten to voice appreciation for and, to remind them about those with whom
they have worked: A list of all the Employees, past Mayors and Councils with which each has served and of
Commissioners and Committee members.
COMMENTS OF THE CITY MANAGER
City Manager Wrede, on behalf of all of the City employees, thanked Mayor Cushing and Councilmembers Fenske
and Ladd for all the hard work, help, support and assistance received over their tenures. He voiced appreciation
and voiced a hope that they can still be called upon for advise and the occasional history lesson. He noted that they
would be very much missed. He encouraged the new Mayor and Councilmembers to not be shy in asking for any
help or assistance in learning all the nuances of government, which is why the he and staff are here. He confirmed
that staff will do whatever they can to assist them in being as successful as they can be and to get the City where
they want to take it.
COMMENTS OF THE MAYOR
Mayor Hornaday stated that he looks forward to working with the new Council, issued many, thanks to the
outgoing Mayor and Council people. He advised that he has served on City Council before and therefore has a
rough idea of what Council people do, adding that he is sure he has a lot to learn as Mayor. He stated that he will
do his best to be fair and will certainly be honest. He noted that Homer is a wonderful community and certainly has
as wide diversity of opinion, because most of have chosen to live here, would probably make more money
elsewhere, and take a great interest in the community because of choosing to live here.
COMMENTS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Outgoing Councilmember Fenske wished all well.
Former Councilmembers Cue and Kranich had no further comments.
Councilmember Yourkowski wished the new Council luck with the budget document, the first thing they get to do.
He noted that for the last three years he has been sitting between Jack Cushing and John Fenske and that he
wanted to make sure that they know how much he really enjoyed working with them. He thanked them for all of
their work and, mostly, just for their friendship for which he really thanks them and wished them well.
Councilmember Novak thanked outgoing Mayor Cushing for his efforts and contributions to the City and that
these are greatly appreciated by all. He thanked outgoing Councilmember Fenske and Ladd for their efforts and
their work on the Council. He stated that he looks forward to working with the new Council, voiced appreciation
for their efforts in getting elected and welcomed them to the Council and that he looks forward to an exciting year.
Councilmember Beck thanked Mayor Cushing for all of his work and said to John Fenske that it has been a
pleasure serving with him. She welcomed the newly elected officials, adding that she looks forward to creating a
great team in the next months. She commented that, as Councilmember Yourkowski indicated, the first task is a
big one, working on the City Budget. She voiced confidence that they will be able to do this and welcomed them
all on board.
Councilmember McLay stated that he looks forward to serving with the new and old Councilmembers, looks
forward to drawing from their experience and to working as a team to accomplish what the people want for the
best for the City of Homer. He advised that he spent a lot of time working with the Council over the years when he
was on a Commission, but there is only one of those Councilmembers still at the table. He voiced appreciation for
the time he worked with past Mayors and Councilmembers and that he looks forward to the time he can work
together as a Council to see what they can accomplish, together as a team.
Councilmember Wythe stated that she is looking forward to the coming years, that she does think there are a lot of
opportunities for the Council to do some things that the community is interested in having happen, that she
recognizes there is a lot for her to learn and will be looking the rest of the Council for that information. She
thanked all.
Councilmember Stark stated that the others have said it even better than he could and that he wishes to associate
himself with their remarks.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council the meeting was adjourned at 7:41 p.m. The next
Regular Meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 25, 2004 at 7 p.m. The next Committee of the Whole meeting
is scheduled for Monday, October 25, 2004 at 4 p.m. and includes a Budget Worksession. 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.