2019-12-30 Regular MeetingKODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
Consolidation Committee
Minutes of December 30, 2019
A Consolidation Committee meeting was held on December 30, 2019, in the Borough
Conference Room The meeting was called to order at 6:31 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Present: Culbertson, Griffin, Kavanaugh, Thran via telephone, Thomas, VanDyke, ex-
officio Twenge
Absent: Kewan, Kornelis, Haines, alt Delgado, alt Turner, ex-officio Powers
PUBLIC COMMENTS (Limited to Three Minutes per Speaker)
There was no public comment
AGENDA ITEMS
MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 25, 2019 MEETING
Approved unanimously via voice vote
MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 9, 2019 MEETING
Approved unanimously via voice vote
REVIEW RECOMMENDATIONS TO DATE
Discussion included desire for minor language changes to clarify these are
recommendations, not final decisions, and are subject to change; and some items need
additional language to provide answer to anticipated questions.
REVISIT PREVIOUS ITEMS
Road Services
Discussion included the preference for maintaining a public works department in order to
provide consistent service. Discussion also included the question of whether or not to
maintain the exemption of properties fronting state -maintained roadways from property
taxes designated for road maintenance.
MOTION: The consolidated government will provide road maintenance services throughout the
road system utilizing an internal public works department, with the ability to subcontract work as
needed, paid for via property and sales tax; properties fronting state maintained roadways will
continue to be exempt from property tax for road maintenance.
The motion was amended to remove the exemption from property taxes for properties fronting
state maintained roadways.
Approved unanimously via voice vote
Kodiak Island Borough Consolidation Committee Minutes
December 30, 2019
REVISIT PREVIOUS ITEMS
Fire/EMS
Discussion focused on how to merge the existing three fire departments of the
two municipalities in a manner that will provide consistent service to residents.
It was acknowledged that the three departments currently maintain mutual aid
agreements so that, when needed, the departments will respond outside their
jurisdiction to assist another department. It was also noted that the City of
Kodiak will respond to ambulance service requests along the whole road
system, not only within city boundaries. There was also discussion that other
municipalities, such as Sitka, successfully operate fire departments with a
workforce of both paid and volunteer firefighters.
MOTION: The consolidated government will have a centrally administered fire department that
will provide fire and EMS response to the road system with a blended workforce of paid and
volunteer workers, paid for with area -wide taxes such as property tax and sales tax, and user
fees.
Approved unanimously via voice vote
BUILDING INSPECTION
Discussion about the importance of building safety; and whether/how the
building inspectors assist residents who build structures off of the road system.
It was decided by consensus that the Building Inspection Department will be maintained and
paid for with area -wide funding plus user fees.
LIBRARY
It was determined that the Library provides service to all residents of the
borough because residents of outlying areas may request to check out material
via email and will be mailed those materials for their check-out. The Kodiak
Public Library Association participates in library services by way of providing
for special activities and services but not operating funds so should not be
significantly affected by a change in government structure.
It was decided by consensus that library services will continue and be paid through the general
fund and supplemented by user fees.
AIRPORTS
The City's two airplane facilities, the Municipal airport at Lilly Lake and the
Trident Basin sea plane airport, are currently operated and maintained utilizing
different funds, one in the General Fund, the other in an Enterprise Fund.
It was decided by consensus that in the consolidated government the two airport facilities
should be maintained and supported by user fees and area -wide taxes.
MEMBERS CLOSING COMMENTS
Discussion of changing the next meeting date; FY20 City budget document will be
made available to the committee
Kodiak Island Borough Consolidation Committee Minutes
December 30, 2019
SET NEXT MEETING DATE AND TIME
January 13, 2020 at 6:30 pm
Changed from January 13 to January 6, 2020 at 6:30 pm
ADJOURNMENT
adjourned at 8:32 pm
Approved:
Kodiak Island Borough
ed On: January 6, 2020
Kodiak Island Borough Consolidation Committee Minutes
December 30, 2019