Loading...
2025-03-20 Regular MeetingKODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH Assembly Regular Meeting March 20, 2025 A regular meeting of the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly was held on March 20, 2025, in the Assembly Chambers. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Staff present were Borough Manager Aimee Williams, Project Manager Cool Allen, Borough Clerk Nova M. Javier, and Assistant Clerk Irene Arellano. 1. INVOCATION Cadet Joe Duran 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 Arndt, Assembly Members Steven Ames, Jared Griffin, Larry LeDoux, Ryan Sharratt, Scott Smiley, and Bo Whiteside. 5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA 6. `APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Approved under consent agenda) A. Regular Meeting Minutes Of March 6, 2025 CITIZENS' COMMENTS Mr. Craig Dagen spoke under citizens comments. 8. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS — None. 9. COMMITTEE REPORTS Assembly member Griffin provided an update regarding his recent travels and participation in various conferences and events, including the Alaska Municipal League Winter Legislative Fly -in, the Drama State Tournament, the Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference Economic Summit, and the Kodiak Economic Development Council. He plans to submit a comprehensive report to the Borough Clerk for distribution to the Mayor and Assembly. Assembly member Smiley remarked on the Jones Act while Senator Sullivan indicated his intention to address tariff exemptions related to the act. In reply, Assembly member Griffin pointed out that there had been no conversations regarding the Jones Act at the events he participated in. Kodiak Island Borough Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes March 20, 2025 Page 1 of 4 10. PUBLIC HEARING — None. 11. BOROUGH MANAGER'S REPORT Borough Manager Aimee Williams provided a manager's report, and it was included in the meeting packet. 12. MESSAGES FROM THE BOROUGH MAYOR Mayor Arndt reiterated the remarks made by Assembly member Griffin concerning the AML Winter Legislative Fly -in held in Juneau. Furthermore, he noted that the TRS/PERS debt remains unaddressed and unpaid. He provided an update on his engagements in Washington, D.C., where he met with Alaska's Representatives and Senators, and also reported on his involvement and participation with NACo. 13. CONSIDERATION OF CALENDAR - UNFINISHED BUSINESS Resolution No. FY2025-20, Designating Jenna Hassinger As The Individual Who Will Serve As The Temporary Administrative Official During The Absence Or Disability Of The Borough Manager And Designated Administrative Official The motion was already on the floor which is to "Move to adopt Resolution No. FY2025-20." GRIFFIN moved to amend Resolution No. FY2025-20 by substitution with Version 2. ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION TO AMEND BY SUBSTITUTION WITH VERSION 2 CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Ames, Griffin, LeDoux, Sharratt, Smiley, and Whiteside ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Griffin, LeDoux, Sharratt, Smiley, Whiteside, Ames, and Griffin. 14. CONSIDERATION OF CALENDAR - NEW BUSINESS 14.A. CONTRACTS Contract No. FY2025-47, Pool Facility Condition Survey By Jensen Yorba Wall In The Amount Of $59,540 GRIFFIN moved to authorize the Borough Manager to execute Contract No. FY2025-47 for the Pool Facility Condition Survey By Jensen Yorba Wall in the amount of $59,540. ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: LeDoux, Sharratt, Smiley, Whiteside, Ames, and Griffin. Kodiak Island Borough Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes March 20, 2025 Page 2 of 4 2. Contract No. FY2025-49, KFRC Seawater Pump Assembly Replacements From Industrial Pumps Of Alaska GRIFFIN moved to authorize the Borough Manager to execute Contract No. FY2025-49 KFRC Seawater Pump Assembly Replacements from Industrial Pumps of Alaska. GRIFFIN moved to amend the authorization to the Borough Manager to allow for the purchase of five seawater pumps. ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION TO AMEND CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Smiley, Whiteside, Ames, Griffin, LeDoux, and Sharratt ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Whiteside, Ames, Griffin, LeDoux, Sharratt, and Smiley. 14.6. RESOLUTIONS 14.C. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION 14.D. OTHER ITEMS 15. CITIZENS' COMMENTS — None. 16. ASSEMBLY MEMBERS' COMMENTS • Assembly Member Whiteside had no comment. • Assembly Member Griffin mentioned he will be submitting a comprehensive report to the Borough Clerk regarding his recent travels and participation in various conferences and events for distribution to the Mayor and Assembly. • Assembly Member Ames had no comment. • Assembly Member LeDoux shared updates from Senator Sullivan's address to the Alaska Legislature, noting that the naval station at Adak will be coming online and that a new Icebreaker will be based in Juneau. He also mentioned that the Coast Guard is now under the Department of Defense for school construction. • Assembly Member Smiley raised concerns about delays in state department processes, citing the example of 110 special needs students whose certification by the State Department of Education was expected in October but only arrived this week. He emphasized that this issue extends beyond education, affecting Medicaid, food stamps, and other essential services. Smiley urged the Borough to take a stand and communicate with the State government, particularly the governor, about the financial mismanagement that is negatively impacting residents. • Assembly Member Sharratt highlighted three key points from the manager's report, particularly praising Borough Manager Aimee Williams and staff for their efforts in advancing the project office initiative, which improves clarity and transparency in a potentially complex process. He also expressed anticipation for the upcoming budget review discussion, where he plans to closely examine the department's professional development line items. Kodiak Island Borough Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes March 20, 2025 Page 3 of 4 17. EXECUTIVE SESSION A. Assembly Discussion On Strategies On How To Proceed With Construction At Borough Hill GRIFFIN moved to convene into executive session under the authority of KIBC 2.30.030(F)(1)(B) to discuss the Borough's strategy on how to proceed with the construction at Borough Hill, which is a matter the immediate knowledge of which would tend to affect adversely the finances of the Borough. ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED FIVE TO ONE: Whiteside, Ames, Griffin, LeDoux, and Smiley (AYES); Sharratt (NO). GRIFFIN moved to invite the Mayor, Assembly, Manager, and Project Manager Codi Allen into executive session. After the vote, Mayor Arndt recessed the regular meeting at 7:52 p.m. and convened the executive session. Upon returning from the executive session, Mayor Arndt reconvened the regular meeting at 8:51 p.m. and announced that direction was given to the Borough Manager to descope the facets of the project on Borough Hill. 18. ADJOURNMENT GRIFFIN moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:52 p.m. VOICE VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH Scott Arndt, Borough Mayor Kodiak Island Borough March 20, 2025 ATTEST: r Nova M. Javier, Borouo Clerk Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes Page 4 of 4