2023-05-04 Regular MeetingKODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
Assembly Regular Meeting
May 4, 2023
A regular meeting of the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly was held on May 4, 2023, in the
Assembly Chambers. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Staff present were Borough
Manager Aimee Williams, Borough Clerk Nova M. Javier, and Deputy Clerk Lina Cruz.
1. INVOCATION
The invocation was given by Major David Davis of the Salvation Army.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Deputy Presiding Officer Smiley led the Pledge of Allegiance.
3. STATEMENT OF LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We are gathered on the traditional homeland of the Sugpiaq/Alutiiq people and we
acknowledge the 10 tribes of the Kodiak Alutiiq Region. We recognize the Alutiiq culture
that enriches our community to this day.
4. ROLL CALL
Present were Assembly members Scott Arndt, Joseph Delgado, Jared Griffin, Larry
Ledoux, Scott Smiley, and James Turner.
SMILEY moved to excuse Assembly Member Smith who is absent due to personal
leave.
VOICE VOTE ON MOTION CARRIED.
5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
ARNDT moved to approve the agenda and consent agenda.
VOICE VOTE ON MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. "APPROVAL OF MINUTES (APPROVED UNDER CONSENT AGENDA)
A. Regular Meeting Minutes Of April 20, 2023
7. CITIZENS' COMMENTS
The following spoke under citizen's comments:
• Assessing Director Seema Garoutte
• Melvin Stevens II
• Cynthia Berns
• Ryan Sharratt
• Patrick O'Donell
• Judith Clayton
• Carlene McChesney
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May 4, 2023 Page 1 of 10
• Thomas Schwantes
• Bruce Schactler
• Joe Macinko
• Mike Dolph
8. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS
1. Proclamation Declaring April 30 - May 6, 2023, as 54th Annual Professional
Municipal Clerks Week
Deputy Presiding Officer Smiley proclaimed the week of April 30 - May 6, 2023,
as Professional Municipal Clerks Week and presented the Proclamation to
Borough Clerk Nova M. Javier, and Deputy Clerk Lina Cruz.
The 54th Annual Professional Municipal Clerks Week is celebrated April 30
through May 6, 2023. This week is to recognize the accomplishments of all the
Professional Municipal Clerks for the vital services they perform and their
exemplary dedication to the communities they represent.
9. COMMITTEE REPORTS
10. PUBLIC HEARING
1. Appointment To The Kodiak Island Borough Mayoral Seat
LEDOLIX moved to open nominations.
SMILEY nominated Rebecca Skinner.
GRIFFIN nominated Scott Arndt.
SMILEY nominated Joseph Delgado.
SMILEY closed the nominations.
Deputy presiding officer Smiley ruled that Assembly Members Scott Arndt and
Joseph Delgado should not participate in the balloting due to their conflict of
interest.
Conflict of interest:
Each assembly member is vested with the primary duty for monitoring his or her
conflicts of interest, according to the procedures prescribe by Alaska law. While
the primary responsibility for monitoring a member's conflicts of interest falls
upon the member, the governing body as a whole has a SHARED responsibility
for ensuring that undisclosed, perceived conflicts are properly addressed so as
to ensure the validity of subject proposed action.
Deputy Presiding Officer Smiley closed the regular meeting and opened the
public hearing.
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CITIZENS' COMMENTS
Michael Brechan spoke under citizen's comments.
Deputy Presiding Officer Smiley closed the public hearing and reconvened the
regular meeting.
11. BOROUGH MANAGER'S REPORT
Manager Williams reported on the following:
Manager's Department
• Union Negotiations — Negotiations will restart on Monday, May 8, 2023. IBEW
has been contacted and has agreed to let the new manager be added to the
negotiation team.
• Compensation Study — Gallagher Human Resource and Compensation
Consulting is progressing. A second round of requests from municipalities was
sent out and the consultant is analyzing that data now. We are still two — three
months away from having a report.
• Grant Opportunities — Staff continues to monitor and review grant opportunities
as they present themselves for consideration.
• Federal Advocacy - Meeting with the new regional representative for Senator
Murkowski's office on May 251h. The new KIB Mayor is invited as well.
• Rural Forum - Meagan Christiansen was able to attend parts of the forum last
week. Some current challenges the villages are facing are lack of cell phone
service with 3G being phased out, workforce shortages, housing shortages, and
issues with aspects of the local education system. There was also positive
feedback about the availability of internet in the villages that have bought into
the Starlink system.
• Leases — Beginning review of current leases and how they are structured,
updated, and maintained.
• Bayside — There have been two resumes submitted for the Fire Chief position.
The window for applicants closes on May 5, 2023, at 5PM.
Assessing Department
• Field Work - Assessing staff will start their field work soon if the weather permits.
The 2023 field inspections are in for SD1. The public has been notified via the
newspaper, website, and Facebook.
• Certification - Testing has begun for the Service Area No. 1 final certification.
• BOE - The Board of Equalization met on Monday to hear a single case and then
again on Tuesday to finalize.
• Director Vacation - Seema will be on vacation May 18-June 12.
Community Development
• Staffing — the department continues to be short staffed.
• UMOT — Work continues making changes for a Version 2 of the updates that
were presented previously.
• LEPC — Coordinating with the City of Kodiak concerning Local Emergency
Planning Committee issues.
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Parks & Recreation — Staff is looking forward to having more community
members be appointed to the Parks & Rec board so that group can start meeting
again.
Capital Improvement Projects - We have also notified all Villages about getting
their CIP together so that they can provide us with projects that have been vetted
by either tribe or village board approval. CIP lists aren't due to CDD until August.
Director Vacation - Seema will be on vacation May 18-June 12.
Enaineerina and Facilities
• ADEC Permits — Application and revision of plans associated with the solid
waste permit is ongoing. The process is continuing with consultation being
requested as the alterations to the various plan components are being finalized
prior to submission.
• KFRC and PKIMC - Kodiak Island Borough has partnered with Providence
Kodiak to share in bringing Remidi8 to Kodiak to perform inspection and provide
a recommendation for the repair or replacement of smoke dampers throughout
the facility. As this is a life safety matter the KIB wants to verify proper function,
review recommendations based on the most current NFPA Codes and repair
and relace these devices to ensure function for the health and safety of the
occupants. This item is on the agenda for the next Health Facilities Advisory
Board that is scheduled for May 81 at 3PM.
• KIBSD — Peterson Elementary - Contract No. FY 2023-47 is on the agenda
tonight that would authorize the manager to execute and award the Peterson
Elementary School HVAC and Roof Replacement Project to Friend Contractors,
LLC for $2,516,400.00.
• North Star Windows & Siding Phase 2 - The contractor, Wolverine, reached out
and materials should be arriving just before the end of school to proceed with
the work this summer.
• Kodiak High School Roof Repairs — EF Department received a Notice of Work
from the contractor, Rain Proof Roofing, but are still waiting on a proposed time
schedule.
• PKIMC Elevator — The project is to be placed on the May 8, 2023, Health Care
Facility Advisory Board. Anticipate forwarding this to the assembly for
consideration and funding to follow.
• Health Facilities Advisory Board — Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, May
8, 2023, at 3pm.
• OSHA Voluntary Compliance Visit — OSHA requirements are being completed.
Anticipate hiring an outside firm to assist in updating the required OSHA plans
for the KIB. Serious corrective actions are being rectified and extensions have
been requested.
• Light PU Truck — The light trucks have arrived and are parked outside of the
front entrance. They are on a hold until the licensing and registration
requirements are taken care of.
• Full Size Truck - Full Size 1 Ton Pick-up Truck RFP is being prepared.
• Leachate Treatment Plant — Steel building package information for the issuance
of the required building permit has been received and approved by the Building
Department. Contractor is on site.
• Stage 3 Closure/Leachate Treatment Plant SRF Loan - Staff from the Alaska
State Revolving Fund division have informed the Borough that the Financial
Capacity Assessment was completed and the request for $6,162,265 was
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accepted and recommendation to continue with the loan agreement was
determined. The next step is the loan agreement which is currently being
drafted.
• Bayside Classroom Addition — Architect is working on the revised plan request
for the design of the addition to house restrooms, coffee mess and storage. The
board has requested that the design is taken to the 35% stage and a professional
estimate be conducted at that time.
• Household Hazardous Waste Event - Kodiak Island Borough Household
Hazardous Waste Event and the Chamber of Commerce Community Clean Up
Day is Saturday, May 61, from 9AM-2PM in the Kodiak High School parking lot.
(Commercial businesses with hazardous wastes for disposal need to set up an
appointment by April 28th with US Ecology Alaska).
• Threshold Recycling will also be accepting household electronics for free at the
event.
• Touch Tank — There were 381 visitors to the touch tank in April 2023.
• Director — Dave is scheduled to be back in the office on Monday, May 8, 2023.
Finance Department/ IT
• FY2024 Budget Preparation — The Manager's Budget has been distributed and
is available on the website. Please feel free to bring questions to Dora. The
sooner you bring your questions/ideas, the more time staff must incorporate
them into budget amendments.
• PATS Software — Property Assessment and Taxation Software - Internal
discussions are continuing. A meeting with the Borough Attorney took place on
Tuesday to fine tune the needed parts of the software package. Anticipate the
request to be placed on the agenda soon.
• Foreclosures Process — For real properties with delinquent 2021 tax balances,
the Borough will file for a Clerks Deed on June 61. A 30-day notice will be sent
to property owners and published in the newspaper beginning May 51.
• Small Claims Process — Previous court awarded judgements for delinquent
taxes were submitted to the courts as a claim against taxpayers PFDs. Staff is
also preparing new Small Claim Complaints against non -real property taxpayers
who are delinquent in paying their taxes. These complaints will be filed with the
courts soon.
• Director Vacation —Dora will be on vacation from May 10-18.
List of Pending Items for Discussion
• City of Kodiak
o E911 System and compensation
o Lease of Borough Building and Borough Building Remodel / Upgrades
o Joint support and participation in the development of the Federal CIP List
• Hospital System Repair and Replacement
• Disposition of Closed School Facilities —Allowable Scope for Current Staff
• Continued update of the Personnel Manual
• ARPA Funding Reporting is continuing.
• Leases — City of Kodiak Borough Building Lease, Teen Court, Red Cross,
Fairgrounds, KISA, Chiniak Library, Long Term Care
• Major Maintenance Funding for Facilities
• Disposition of 717 Rezanof (Mental Health Buildings)
Kodiak Island Borough
May 4, 2023
Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes
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• Solid Waste Collection Contract Modifications (May 10, 2023, Meeting)
• Service Area Contracts
• Annual Contracts
• Additional Methods to Reward Employees in Personnel Manual.
• Funding opportunities for road repairs and improvements.
12. MESSAGES FROM THE BOROUGH MAYOR
None.
13. CONSIDERATION OF CALENDAR - UNFINISHED BUSINESS
14. CONSIDERATION OF CALENDAR - NEW BUSINESS
14.A. CONTRACTS
1. Contract No. FY2023-47 Awarding Of The Peterson Elementary School HVAC
And Roof Replacement Project
ARNDT moved to authorize the Manager to execute and award Contract No.
FY2023-47 Peterson Elementary School HVAC and Roof Replacement Project
to Friend Contractors, LLC in the amount of $2,516,400.00.
Peterson Elementary school has undergone five additions and multiple remodels
throughout its lifespan. The pandemic has resulted paying closer attention to the
aging Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems and their
components at the facility. The oil -fired boilers were replaced within the last ten
years and have been well kept; however, the exterior ducting was never
addressed when the furnace upgrades were performed. Since the exterior
ventilation ducts are twenty plus years old and are built on top of the aging roof,
it makes sense that the roof structure is beyond replacement age and requires
replacement as well. The heightened awareness about potential increase of
filtration in air handling systems due to the pandemic has forced entities to
rethink maintenance procedures and prioritize air handling projects to upgrade
and replace aging systems as is found at this school.
The twenty plus year old roofing has developed numerous leaks that have been
penetrating to the interior of the facility. The leaking roof and associated
components have raised the level of need to the top of the local priority list due
to the fact that a leaking, damaged roof not only presents poorly to the occupants
but also results in devaluing the educational experience on a social level. The
exterior HVAC ducting and insulation have been compromised to a level in which
the heated air leaks from the ducts have reached the point where the volume of
heated air routing through the ducting has dramatically reduced, causing a much
larger demand for heating, and reduction in efficient use of fuel and electricity.
The Kodiak Island Borough (KIB), with the assistance of Jensen Yorba Wall
(JYW) and RSA Engineers, began planning and designing for this project in early
2021. With completed drawings and specifications from JYW, KIB issued an
invitation to bid on March 29, 2023, for the Peterson Elementary HVAC and Roof
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Replacement. It was advertised for the required 3 consecutive weeks in the
Anchorage Daily News and on the KIB website. The bid opening was held on
April 2023.
There were two bids submitted. Friend Contractors, LLC was the lowest qualified
bidder. The bid tabulation is attached.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Arndt,
Delgado, Griffin, Smiley, and Turner.
14.B. RESOLUTIONS —None.
14.C. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION — None.
14.D. OTHER ITEMS
1. Administration Of Oath Of Office To Newly Appointed Mayor
The Clerk administered the Oath of Office to the newly appointed Mayor Scott
Arndt.
KfBC 2.20.030 Oath of office.
Before taking the office of borough mayor, the mayor shall affirm in writing that
the duties of the mayor will honestly, faithfully, and impartially be performed. The
oath shall be filed with the clerk.
2. Declaration Of A Member's Seat Vacant On The Assembly (In The Event Of An
Assembly Member Is Appointed To The Mayoral Seat)
GRIFFIN moved to declare Assembly member Scott Arndt's seat vacant on the
Assembly effective May 5, 2023.
The seat needs to be vacated since an Assembly member cannot serve
simultaneously as Mayor and as an Assembly member.
This resignation will create vacancy occurring within six months of a regular
election; therefore, it needs to be filled by the Assembly. The person selected
shall serve until October 2023.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Delgado,
Griffin, Ledoux, Smiley, Turner, and Arndt.
3. Good Cause Determinations For Late File Senior Citizen Or Disabled Veteran
Exemption Applications
Deputy Presiding Officer Smiley recessed the regular meeting for five minutes
at 7:25 p.m. before convening a quasi-adjudicatory hearing for Good Cause
Determinations for Senior Citizens and Disabled Veterans Exemptions.
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LEDOUX moved that the Senior Citizen Exemption be granted for showing good
cause as stated in KIBC 3.35.030 (D) and direct the Assessor to accept the
application as timely filed for Mike Dolph for the property located at 326 Plover
Way, Kodiak, AK 99615.
Applicants requested good cause hearing determinations be brought before the
KIB Assembly to determine if good cause for filing a late application exists. Letter
of notifications were mailed by the KIB Assessors Office advising the applicants
of the ability to give public testimony for their appeal. The assembly is to
determine if good cause was shown.
Senior Exemption Good Cause Determination for the following:
• Michael Dolph, 326 Plover Way, Kodiak, AK. 99615
• Jennifer Graham, 22505 Chiniak Highway, Kodiak, AK. 99615
• Melvin Squarstoff, 405 Bayview Drive, Port Lions, AK. 99550
• Darcio M Stielstra, 3650 Woodland Drive, Kodiak AK. 99615
• Rebecca Dawn, NHN Spruce Island, Ouzinkie, AK. 99644
• Bernadette Deplazes, 522 Leta Street, Kodiak, AK. 99615
Veteran Exemption Good Cause Determination for the following:
• Robert Bushnell, 1626 Sawmill Circle, Kodiak, AK. 99615
• Robert Coyle, 12758 S Russian Creek Road, Kodiak, AK. 99615
Clerk's note: Meeting notification letters were mailed to the applicants on
Wednesday, April 26.
At the end of each appeal, Deputy Presiding Officer Smiley stated the following:
According to Appellate Rule 602, the Appellant or the Assessor has the right of
appeal to the Superior Court of the State of Alaska from the final decision.
Should you wish to exercise your right of appeal, you must do so by notifying the
Borough attorney and initiating the process within 30 days from the date of this
written decision. Failure to do so will forever bar you from any appeal of this
case.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION FAILED THREE TO THREE: Griffin,
Ledoux, and Delgado (AYES); Smiley, Turner, and Arndt (NOES).
ARDNT moved that the Senior Citizen Exemption be granted for showing good
cause as stated in KIBC 3.35.030 (D) and direct the Assessor to accept the
application as timely filed for Jennifer Graham for the property located at 22505
Chiniak Highway, Kodiak, AK 99615,
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Ledoux,
Smiley, Turner, Arndt, Delgado, and Griffin.
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ARNDT moved to uphold the Assessor's decision for lack of good cause shown
as stated in KIBC 3.35.030 (D) for Senior Citizen Exemption for Melvin
Squarstoff for the property located at 405 Bayview Drive, Port Lions, AK 99550.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED FOUR TO TWO: Smiley,
Turner, Arndt, and Delgado (AYES); Griffin and Ledoux (NOES).
ARNDT moved that the Senior Citizen Exemption be granted for showing good
cause as stated in KIBC 3.35.030 (D) and direct the Assessor to accept the
application as timely filed for Darcio M Stielstra for the property located at 3650
Woodland Drive, Kodiak AK 99615.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Turner,
Arndt, Delgado, Griffin, Ledoux, and Smiley.
ARNDT moved to uphold the Assessor's decision for lack of good cause shown
as stated in KIBC 3.35.030 (D) for Senior Citizen Exemption for Rebecca Dawn
for the property located at NHN Spruce Island, Ouzinkie, AK. 99644.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION FAILED THREE TO THREE: Delgado,
Griffin, and Ledoux (AYES) ; Arndt, Smiley, and Turner (NOES).
Deputy Presiding Officer Smiley recessed the regular meeting for five minutes
at 8:13 p.m. before reconvening the quasi-adjudicatory hearing for Good Cause
Determinations for Senior Citizens and Disabled Veterans Exemptions.
TURNER moved to postpone the Good Cause Determinations for late file Senior
Citizen and Disabled Veteran Exemption applications for Bernadette Deplazes,
Robert Bushell, and Robert Coyle To The Next Assembly Regular Meeting of
July 20, 2023.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Delgado,
Griffin, Ledoux, Smiley, Turner, and Arndt.
15. CITIZENS' COMMENTS
Carlene McChesney spoke under citizen's comments.
16. ASSEMBLY MEMBERS' COMMENTS
• Assembly Member Turner had no comment.
• Assembly Member Delgado commented on the needs for citizens to apply for
boards and committees, the challenges they face getting quorums, and the need
to get those boards and committees filled. He also spoke on the need to have
positions filled for the borough.
• Assembly Member Griffin echoed Assembly Member Delgado's comments
about joining boards and running for election this fall. Spoke on his opinion
regarding the results of the Good Cause Determinations forthe Dolph family and
how he believed it was cruel and unforgivable.
• Assembly Member Arndt had no comment.
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May 4, 2023 Page 9 of 10
Assembly Member Ledoux responded that the solicitation of applicants to fill the
mayor's seat that it was important as it allows public input. He spoke on the
difference between the decision making of the Assembly Members and
Assessor. He felt the Assembly did not do things well regarding the Good Cause
Determinations applications by not having a full Assembly and being unable to
do anything about it. He congratulated Aimee Williams on her first meeting, and
Scott Arndt on his appointment as Borough Mayor. Lastly, he mentioned that the
manager's reports list of pending items for discussion needs to be addressed
like the issues on having local preference in hiring.
Assembly Member Smiley mentioned he will miss the next two assembly
meetings due to his travel plans to Amsterdam with his family.
17. ADJOURNMENT
ARNDT moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:02 p.m.
VOICE VOTE ON MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
Scott Arndt, Borough Mayor
Kodiak Island Borough
May 4, 2023
ATTEST:
1 � y
Nova M. Javier, Borough It
rk
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