2025-08-07 Regular MeetingKODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
Assembly Regular Meeting
August 7, 2025
A regular meeting of the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly was held on August 7, 2025, in the
Assembly Chambers. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Staff present were Borough
Manager Aimee Williams, Assessing Director Seema Garoutte, Community Development
Director Chris French, Interim Projects Manager Patricia Valerio, Borough Clerk Nova M.
Javier, and Deputy Clerk Lina Cruz.
INVOCATION
Captain Diane Shatto 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 Steven 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 MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. *APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Approved under consent agenda)
A. Regular Meeting Minutes of July 17, 2025
7. CITIZENS' COMMENTS
The following spoke under citizen's comments:
• Dan Rohrer
• Alan Schmitt
• Nathan Svoboda
8. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS — None.
9. COMMITTEE REPORTS — None.
10. PUBLIC HEARING
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August 7, 2025 Page 1 of 5
A. State Of Alaska Alcohol And Marijuana Control Office (AMCO) New Winery
Manufacturer Sampling Endorsement (MSE) Application For Friends By The
Ocean
GRIFFIN moved to voice non -protest to the State of Alaska Alcohol and
Marijuana Control Office (AMCO) new Winery Manufacturer Sampling
Endorsement application for Friends by the Ocean located at 38057 Chiniak
Highway and direct the Clerk to notify AMCO of this decision.
Mayor Arndt opened the public hearing. Seeing and hearing 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. FY2025-02C, Amending Ordinance No. FY2025-02, Fiscal Year
2025 Budget, By Amending Budgets To Account For Various Revenues That
Are Over Budget, Providing For Additional Expenditures, And Moving Funds
Between Projects
GRIFFIN moved to adopt Ordinance No. FY2025-02C.
Mayor Arndt opened the public hearing. Seeing and hearing none, Mayor Arndt
closed the public hearing.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Griffin,
Johnson, LeDoux, Sharratt, Smiley, Whiteside, and Ames.
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 reminded everyone that it is election season, and that nominating period is
between August 1 and August 15 for Service Districts, the Assembly, the School Board,
and the Mayor seats. Anyone wishing to sign up for any of those, see the Clerk's Office.
13. CONSIDERATION OF CALENDAR - UNFINISHED BUSINESS
14. CONSIDERATION OF CALENDAR - NEW BUSINESS
14.A. CONTRACTS
1. Contract No. FY2026-06, Kodiak Island Borough Facilities Contract With MK
Enterprise, LLC.
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August 7, 2025 Page 2 of 5
GRIFFIN moved to authorize the Borough Manager to execute Contract No.
FY2026-06 for Kodiak Island Borough Facilities Contract with MK Enterprise,
LLC.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Johnson,
LeDoux, Sharratt, Smiley, Whiteside, Ames, and Griffin.
2. Contract No. FY2026-07, Chiniak School Painting With Highmark Marine
Fabrication, LLC
GRIFFIN moved to authorize the Borough Manager to execute Contract No.
FY2026-07 Chiniak School Painting with Highmark Marine Fabrication, LLC.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: LeDoux,
Sharratt, Smiley, Whiteside, Ames, Griffin, and Johnson.
3. Contract No. FY2026-09, Authorization To Contract With DarkTrace For
Network Security Applicance And Security Services
GRIFFIN moved to authorize the Borough Manager to approve Contract No.
FY2026-09 for Network Security Appliance and Security Services with
DarkTrace in the amount not to exceed $74,633 for over three years of IT
security support and services.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Sharratt,
Smiley, Whiteside, Ames, Griffin, Johnson, and LeDoux.
14.13. RESOLUTIONS
1. Resolution No. FY2026-04, Designating Community Development Department
Director Chris French As The Temporary Administrative Official During The
Absence Or Disability Of The Borough Manager And Designated Administrative
Official
GRIFFIN moved to adopt Resolution No. FY2026-04.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Smiley,
Whiteside, Ames, Griffin, Johnson, LeDoux, and Sharratt.
2. Resolution No. FY2026-05, A Resolution Of The Assembly Of The Kodiak Island
Borough Allocating Fiscal Year 2026 Kodiak Island Borough Nonprofit Funding
GRIFFIN moved to adopt Resolution No. FY2026-05.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Whiteside,
Ames, Griffin, Johnson, LeDoux, Sharratt, and Smiley.
14.C. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION
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August 7, 2025 Page 3 of 5
Ordinance No. FY2026-04, Amending Various Sections Of Kodiak Island
Borough Code Title 17 Zoning, Related To Assisted Living Residences
GRIFFIN moved to advance Ordinance No. FY2026-04 to public hearing at the
next regular meeting of the Assembly.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Ames,
Griffin, Johnson, LeDoux, Sharratt, Smiley, and Whiteside.
2. Ordinance No. FY2026-06, Amending Kodiak Island Borough Code Title 3
Revenue And Finance, Chapter 3.35 Real Property Tax, Section 3.35.030 Real
And Personal Property Exempted From Taxation Regarding Definitions
GRIFFIN moved to advance Ordinance No. FY2026-06 to public hearing at the
next regular meeting of the Assembly.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Griffin,
Johnson, LeDoux, Sharratt, Smiley, Whiteside, and Ames.
14.D. OTHER ITEMS – None.
15. CITIZENS' COMMENTS
The following spoke under citizen's comments:
Captain David Shatto of the Salvation Army
Susan Smith
16. ASSEMBLY MEMBERS' COMMENTS
Assembly Member Sharratt shared that he recently learned about the electric
fence issue at the landfill, which he had previously been unaware of. He hopes
it will be prioritized at both the employee and Assembly level, with whatever
actions are needed to restore the long-standing electric fence. He expressed
that he is anxious and still awaiting discussions on the Hospital, Kodiak Island
lands disposal, foreclosure list, and Uniform Minor Offenses Table (UMOT). He
requested more information and clarification on UMOT. He also expressed
appreciation for staff applying for the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
(AHFC) $700,000 grant. Lastly, he asked about the disposition of the front desk
position and allowing access to the building, he stated he would like to have that
discussion either publicly or privately.
Assembly Member Smiley expressed concerns about the Assembly's decision
to fully fund nonprofits this year, stating that it may create the expectation to do
the same next year, which is worrisome to him.
Assembly Member LeDoux thanked the Manager for attending the recent
Womens Bay Service Area Board meeting. He congratulated the Assembly on
what he felt was the best discussion on nonprofit funding he has seen during his
time on the Assembly—describing it as collegial, open, positive, and productive.
He requested that the list of nonprofits funded by the Borough, along with the
amounts allocated, be posted on the Borough website, along with a statement
such as: "If you would like to personally donate, here is the phone number to do
Kodiak Island Borough
August 7, 2025
Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes
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so." He also suggested that the Manager and Mayor sit down with Nate Svoboda
to possibly host a call-in show where people can ask questions about bear
safety. He noted that the Borough's current waste contractor manages all the
transfer sites in Fairbanks and encouraged interested Assembly Members to
visit those sites to see how they operate. He also thanked Captain Diane Shatto
for an outstanding invocation.
Assembly Member Ames commented on the need to repair the electric fence at
the landfill. He emphasized that contractors should understand that, moving
forward, standards and rules will be expected to be followed during bidding
processes, even if they may have been overlooked in the past.
Assembly Member Johnson also expressed surprise at the status of the electric
fence and stated he considers it as a critical infrastructure. He hopes to hear a
plan soon to have it fully operational. He echoed public testimony regarding the
lack of code enforcement, noting that a rule is only meaningful if it is enforced.
He stated that UMOT should either be revoked or enforced. He is also looking
forward to an update on software, discussed four months ago, for monitoring
short-term rentals in the community.
Assembly Member Griffin shared his son's experience with electric fences in
Karluk, noting that bears there have figured out how to turn them off. He
commented on the governor's recent Administrative Orders 359 and 360, saying
they are effectively circumventing state regulations and grant funding processes.
He warned this could lead to rapid changes and increased pressure on staff, and
that next year may be even more challenging financially for nonprofits if these
orders are implemented.
Assembly Member Whiteside commented on the bear issues, thanked the
Manager and the Engineering & Facilities Director for their work, and
encouraged them to continue requesting support from the Assembly as needed
to find solutions. He encouraged the public to report bear sightings to the Alaska
State Troopers in addition to posting on social media.
17. ADJOURNMENT
GRIFFIN moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:07 p.m.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED SIX TO ONE: Johnson, LeDoux,
Smiley, Whiteside, Ames, and Griffin (AYES); Sharratt (NO).
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
Scott Arndt, Mayor
Kodiak Island Borough
August 7, 2025
ATTEST.-
Nova
TTEST:Nova M. Javier, MMCI Borough Clerk
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