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2025-02-06 Regular MeetingKODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH Assembly Regular Meeting February 6, 2025 A regular meeting of the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly was held on February 6, 2025, in the Assembly Chambers. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Staff present were Borough Manager Aimee Williams, Finance Director Dora Cross, Engineering and Facilities Project Manager Codi Allen, Engineering and Facilities Projects Assistant Patricia Valerio, Borough Clerk Nova M. Javier, and Deputy Clerk Lina Cruz. 1. INVOCATION Mr. Anthony Furio of the Salvation Army gave the invocation. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Mayor Arndt 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 Mayor Scott Arndt, Assembly Members Steve Ames, Jared Griffin, Dave Johnson, Larry LeDoux, Ryan Sharratt, Scott Smiley, and Bo Whiteside. 5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA GRIFFIN moved to approve the agenda and consent agenda. VOICE VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 6. *APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Approved under consent agenda) A. Regular Meeting Minutes of January 16, 2025 CITIZENS' COMMENTS The following spoke under citizen's comments: • Bill Oliver • Chris Berns • Daniel Rohrer • Julianne Curry • Rob Lindsey • Sandra West 8. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS — None. Kodiak Island Borough Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes February 6, 2025 Page 1 of 5 9. COMMITTEE REPORTS Assembly Member Whiteside reported on the Kodiak Island Borough and City of Kodiak Joint Fisheries Work Group meeting held on January 22, 2025. He highlighted the presentation by Danni Evans, representative for ADF&G, and the update from Harbormaster Dave Johnson regarding the Kodiak harbor. Additionally, he shared information from the US Coast Guard on the new cutters that will be stationed in the community. Assembly Member Johnson reported on the Solid Waste Advisory Board meeting held on January 28, 2025. He commended staff for their outstanding presentation and expressed interest in the Board taking a larger role in the management of local facilities. Mayor Arndt reported on the Borough Lands Committee meeting held on February 3, 2025. He noted that several actions had been taken by the Committee that will be brought forward to the Assembly for review. He also mentioned that the Committee is considering land in Chiniak and Killarney Hills for further evaluation. 10. PUBLIC HEARING A. Ordinance No. FY2025-12, An Ordinance Of The Assembly Of The Kodiak Island Borough Accepting And Appropriating Grant Funds For The 2021-22 And 2022-23 Bristol Bay Red King Crab And Bering Sea Snow Crab Fisheries Disaster Declaration GRIFFIN moved to adopt Ordinance No. FY2025-12. Mayor Arndt opened the public hearing. Hearing and seeing none, Mayor Arndt closed the public hearing. ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Ames, Griffin, Johnson, LeDoux, Sharratt, Smiley, and Whiteside. B. Ordinance No. FY2025-13, Writing Off The Personal Property Delinquent Taxes, Penalties, Interest, And Fees Of Those Non -Collectable Accounts GRIFFIN moved to adopt Ordinance No. FY2025-13. Mayor Arndt opened the public hearing. Hearing and seeing none, Mayor Arndt closed the public hearing. ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED SIX TO ONE: Griffin, Johnson, LeDoux, Smiley, Whiteside, and Ames. (AYES); Sharratt (NO). C. Ordinance No. FY2025-14, Amending And Redirecting Funds From The Previously Authorized American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) State And Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) For The Benefit Of The Residents Of The Borough GRIFFIN moved to adopt Ordinance No. FY2025-14. Kodiak Island Borough Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes February 6, 2025 Page 2 of 5 I I Mayor Arndt opened the public hearing. Hearing and seeing none, Mayor Arndt closed the public hearing. ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED FIVE TO TWO: Johnson, LeDoux, Smiley, Whiteside, and Griffin. (AYES); Sharratt and Ames (NOES). 11. BOROUGH MANAGER'S REPORT Borough Manager Williams provided a manager's report, and it was included in the meeting packet. 12. MESSAGES FROM THE BOROUGH MAYOR Mayor Arndt thanked Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS) staff for making a visit to Kodiak. He also thanked Andy and Bernadette Binky for showing him and the Manager how much the riverbed in Bells Flats has eroded. 13. CONSIDERATION OF CALENDAR - UNFINISHED BUSINESS 14. CONSIDERATION OF CALENDAR - NEW BUSINESS 14.A. CONTRACTS 1. Contract No. FY2025-42, Kodiak Fisheries Research Center Elevator Maintenance Services Contract With TK Elevator Corporation Not to Exceed $34,300 GRIFFIN moved to authorize the Borough Manager to execute Contract No. FY2025-42 with TK Elevator Corporation for KFRC Elevator Maintenance Services for an amount not to exceed $34,300. ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: LeDoux, Sharratt, Smiley, Whiteside, Ames, Griffin, and Johnson. 14.B. RESOLUTIONS —None. 14.C. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION — None. 14.D. OTHER ITEMS 1. Confirmation Of Mayoral Appointments To The Planning And Zoning Commission City Seats Of Mr. Sean Cleary And Mr. Nicholas Mangini GRIFFIN moved to confirm the Mayoral appointments of Mr. Sean Cleary to the Planning and Zoning Commission City Seat for a term to expire December 31, 2025, and Mr. Nicholas Mangini to the Planning and Zoning Commission City seat for a term to expire December 31, 2027. Kodiak Island Borough Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes February 6, 2025 Page 3 of 5 15. 16. ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Sharratt, Smiley, Whiteside, Ames, Griffin, Johnson, and LeDoux. CITIZENS' COMMENTS The following spoke under citizen's comments: • Rob Lindsey ASSEMBLY MEMBERS'COMMENTS Assembly Member Whiteside thanked everyone who attended the recent Joint Work Session with the City of Kodiak, noting he was encouraged by the number of ideas generated by citizens regarding the housing shortage in Kodiak. He acknowledged that addressing the housing crisis is a multifaceted issue and expressed his desire to see more actionable solutions. He was discouraged, however, hearing multiple statements suggesting that "this is how it has always been." He thanked the citizens who have provided ideas, suggestions, and concerns on how to approach the housing crisis, appreciating their input and welcoming more in the future. Assembly Member Griffin echoed Assembly Member Whiteside's comments and thanked the City Council for attending the Joint Work Session. He expressed disappointment about the session and the lack of clarity on the expectations the Assembly had hoped to achieve. He further pointed out that while stories from the past are valuable, they do not provide the data or solutions needed to address the housing crisis. He also spoke about the recent passing of Dr. Withrow, a quiet supporter of the High School drama team and KMXT and he offered condolences to the family. Assembly Member Johnson noted the community's recent loss of influential figures, such as Bill Feda, the previous Harbormaster in Kodiak. He agreed with other Assembly Members' comments, particularly regarding the idea that doing things the same way as always may have contributed to the current state of the housing situation, and perhaps doing things differently is key to moving forward. He also expressed discouragement from the Joint Work Session with the City of Kodiak. He shared his enthusiasm for the Borough Lands Committee's work in identifying potential housing lots, but voiced concerns about speculators attempting to buy and flip those properties for high margins. He also mentioned an agenda item request form regarding remote participation for the Assembly and requested that someone provide a second signature to move it forward. Assembly Member Ames shared that he has completed his work in Old Harbor and will be in town more often this year, which will allow him to be a more active member of the Assembly and better serve the citizens. Assembly Member LeDoux expressed appreciation for the other Assembly Members' comments and agreed with their perspectives. He emphasized that ignoring history can lead to repeating mistakes. He thanked Engineering and Facilities Projects Assistant Patricia Valerio for her work on the Landfill contract. He also requested that Service District chairs be invited to speak on the Borough Assembly's role when citizens file complaints against Service Districts. He commended Borough Manager Aimee Williams for her excellent representation of the Borough during the recent Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) Board public hearing. Additionally, he expressed a desire to hear from local builders about the challenges they face when developing land. He thanked the Borough Lands Committee and was pleased to hear they are working on making land available Kodiak Island Borough Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes February 6, 2025 Page 4 of 5 I to the community. Lastly, he expressed disappointment in the Joint Work Session with the City of Kodiak, stating that he would have liked the Assembly to be more involved in the topics discussed, allowing for better collaboration. Assembly Member Smiley had no comment. • Assembly Member Sharratt concurred with Assembly Member LeDoux's points, expressing that patience is not his virtue and emphasizing his desire to see more action with Woodland Drive. He mentioned a recent citizen request for the Mayor to have an email address and suggested that the Assembly figure out how to provide one. He also voiced a desire for better project management controls and a commitment to doing better, without further excuses. He noted that bait -and - switch tactics erode public trust in government and that once a contract is approved, it should be honored. He thanked Mr. Cleary and Mr. Mangini for their volunteer service and appreciated the public testimony. Lastly, he congratulated the Paintball team for taking second place at Super Games in Orlando, Florida. 17. ADJOURNMENT GRIFFIN moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:16 p.m. VOICE VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH ATTEST: Scott Arndt, Borough Mayor Javier, Borough Kodiak Island Borough Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes February 6, 2025 Page 5 of 5