CITY OF HOMER

HOMER, ALASKA

                                                                                                            Council

RESOLUTION 08-115(A)

 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, EXPRESSING ITS CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR CONSOLIDATION OF THE KACHEMAK BAY CAMPUS AND ACQUISITION OF THE CITY HALL BUILDING BY THE UNIVERSITY; BUT CLARIFYING THAT THE CITY IS CURRENTLY NOT IN A POSITION TO VACATE CITY HALL.

 

            WHEREAS, The University of Alaska, Kachemak Bay Campus, has expressed an interest in purchasing the current City Hall building so that it can consolidate and expand its campus and programs; and

 

            WHEREAS, The Homer City Council has expressed its support for this plan by adopting several resolutions to that effect; including one which gives the University the right of first refusal if and when the Council decides to sell City Hall; and

 

            WHEREAS, The City has taken significant steps toward making a new City Hall and consolidated University Campus a reality including securing a portion of the project financing, preliminary design and permitting, and a draft MOU and Purchase Agreement with the University; and

 

            WHEREAS, The Homer voters rejected a bond proposition in March that would have completed the financing package and allowed the project to move forward; and

 

            WHEREAS, Subsequent to the special election in March, the economy has slowed, sales tax revenues have decreased, costs have risen, and the voters approved an initiative to exempt unprepared foods from the sales tax; all of which has combined to reduce revenue, place reserve funds at risk, and reduce the City’s bonding capacity.

 

            NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Homer City Council hereby expresses its continued support for consolidation of the Kachemak Bay Campus and acquisition of the current City Hall by the University.

 

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the City Council finds that it does not presently have the financial resources or the political consensus to move forward expeditiously or to vacate the present City Hall.

 

 

 

            BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the City Council expresses its interest in entering into a long term planning process with the University to consolidate and expand its campus and programs.

 

            PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 24th day of November, 2008.

 

CITY OF HOMER

 

 

 

                                                           

JAMES C. HORNADAY, MAYOR

 

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

                                                           

JO JOHNSON, CMC, CITY CLERK

 

 

Fiscal Note: NA