Session 09-22 a Special Meeting of the Homer City Council was called to
order on October 20, 2009 at 7:01 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tempore Dennis Novak 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: HOGAN, HOWARD, NOVAK, ROBERTS,
WYTHE, ZAK
STAFF: CITY
MANAGER WREDE
CITY
CLERK JOHNSON
Mayor Hornaday and Councilmember Lewis have requested excusal.
AGENDA APPROVAL
(Only those matters on the noticed agenda may be
considered, pursuant to City Council’s Operating Manual, pg. 5)
Mayor Pro Tempore Novak called for a motion for the
approval of the agenda.
WYTHE/ZAK – SO MOVED.
There was no discussion.
VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENTS UPON MATTERS ALREADY ON THE AGENDA
There were no comments from
the public.
VISITORS
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
PENDING BUSINESS
A. Oath of Office administered to the Newly Elected Officials, Kevin
Hogan and Francie Roberts.
City Clerk Johnson administered the Oath of Office to Kevin Hogan and Francie Roberts.
B. Memorandum 09-138, from
City Clerk, Re: Selection/Appointment of Mayor Pro Tempore.
HOWARD/ZAK – MOVED TO
NOMINATE BETH WYTHE AS MAYOR PRO TEMPORE.
There was no discussion.
VOTE: YES. NON OBJECTION.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
Councilmember Zak was seated in Councilmember Lewis’
seat. Councilmember Lewis will decide his new seat when he returns and
Councilmember Hogan will be seated in the remaining seat.
Outgoing Mayor Pro Tempore Novak passed the gavel to
newly elected Mayor Pro Tempore Wythe.
C. Recognition of Outgoing Elected Official, Dennis Novak.
Mayor Pro Tempore Wythe
read a plaque of appreciation and recognition to Dennis Novak:
Mayor Pro
Tempore October 16, 2006 to October 20, 2009
Councilmember from October 20, 2003 to
October 20, 2009
The City of Homer and its residents
thank you for caring and sharing
and selflessly giving of yourself and
energy. Some of the issues,
projects, and concerns you have
addressed and brought to fruition
and were an integral part of the
legislation thereof:
Support of Retail and Wholesale
Development Impact Standards.
Support for increased building size for
retail/wholesale for the Central Business District and GC1.
Support of an Open Space-Recreational
District with conditional uses.
Support of a proposition for a 1% sales
tax increase and imposing a limit on property tax.
Support of contributions to the Pratt
Museum and The Homer Foundation.
Support of governing telephonic
participation of Mayor and Council at meetings.
Support of “dormitory” as a permitted
use in CDB, GC1, and GC2.
Support exemption of properties used for
community purpose from property taxation.
Support the continued feeding of eagles
by Jean Keene and prohibiting the feeding of eagles after her death.
Support the determination of water and
sewer rates on a biannual basis.
Support of a proposition to levy 3%
sales tax on non-prepared foods for a nine-month period.
Support of GCI broadcasting shelter
animals during Council recesses.
Support of naming the Fishin' Hole the
Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon.
Support for construction of a Conference
Center in Homer.
Support for Kachemak Bay National
Estuarine Research Reserve Construction of Marine Science Exhibits
at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor
Center.
Support for restructuring and upgrading
the Planning Department.
Support of HAWSP assessments for split
lots on Kachemak Drive.
Support for initiating the Town Center
Development Plan.
Support of adding the Heath Street
extension to the State and Federal Capital Project Lists.
Encouraging landowners and stakeholders
in Town Center to coordinate efforts for the Town Center vision.
Support for creation of the Gateway
zoning district.
Support for the Phase II expansion of
the South Peninsula Hospital.
Support to join ICLEI and pledge to
undertake emissions reduction by implementing an action plan.
Support fee amendments for Planning and
Zoning and commercial water and sewer rates.
Support grant application for
hydroelectric power.
Support reimbursing city officials for
legal fees in lawsuit.
Support of bringing natural gas to Homer
and expressing displeasure of not delivering.
Support of code revision for disclosure
of records.
Support for repairs at Bishops Beach
Picnic Shelter.
Support for reducing the frequency of
committee and commission meetings.
Support that Mayor and Council provide
brown bag lunches for meetings.
Support for a proposal for Permanent
Fund investment services.
Support of provisions for candidacy
filing.
Thank you for devoting your time and
energy to serve on:
Homer Conference Center Feasibility
Study Steering Committee
Town Center Development Committee
Economic Impact Standards Task Force
Permanent Fund Committee
Dennis Novak commented he became involved to make Homer a better place
to live, where quality of life is a priority, a place where people want to live,
and a town that stands out as a friendly, growing, progressive community. It is
about making a difference. He named the sixteen people he worked with over a
six year period on the Council.
COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE
Mike Heimbuch, city resident, commented Mr.
Novak has been a bridge on the Council and he is a person of incredible
integrity. He appreciated the deliberations, mindset, and unwavering dedication
to following what he thought was right for the City on behalf of the people.
COMMENTS OF THE
City Attorney Klinkner
was not present.
COMMENTS OF THE
City Clerk Johnson
commented she enjoyed working with Dennis and will miss him.
COMMENTS OF THE
City Manager Wrede concurred and thanked
Dennis for his work. He congratulated Kevin and looks forward to working with
him.
COMMENTS OF THE MAYOR
City Clerk Johnson said Mayor Hornaday sends his well
wishes to both candidates. He has completed all treatments and is looking
forward to returning home.
COMMENTS OF THE
Councilmember Roberts commented she enjoyed working
with Dennis and can see from the long list of accomplishments that he
contributed a lot to the City.
Councilmember Zak stated he greatly appreciates
Dennis’ willingness to look at things differently. He looks forward to seeing
what he will do in the future and is looking for good things.
Councilmember Howard commented Dennis certainly has
done a good job. She hopes he stays in touch and will be listening to the meetings.
She hopes the new chapter in his life will be as rewarding as work on the
Council. Mrs. Howard thanked Kevin for the committees and commissions he served
on and welcomed him to Council. She congratulated Francie.
Councilmember Hogan stated many thanks to Dennis for a
long time at a thankless job. Dennis left some big shoes to fill.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Council the meeting was adjourned at 7:26 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tempore Beth Wythe. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 26, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. The next Committee of the Whole is scheduled for Monday, October 26, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. A Worksession is scheduled for Monday, October 26, 2009 at 5:30 p.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, CMC, CITY CLERK
Approved: ______________________