2025-10-02 Regular MeetingKODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
Assembly Regular Meeting
October 2, 2025
A regular meeting of the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly was held on October 2, 2025, in the
Assembly Chambers. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Staff present were
Assessing Director Seema Garoutte, Community and Development Director Christopher
French, Finance Director Dora Cross, Borough Manager Aimee Williams, Borough Clerk Nova
M. Javier, and Assistant Clerk Irene Arellano.
INVOCATION
Captain David 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, 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. Special Meeting Minutes of September 11, 2025, and Regular Meeting Minutes
of September 18, 2025
7. CITIZENS' COMMENTS
The following spoke under citizen's comments:
• Sandra West
• Seema Garoutte
• Rhubie Schultze
8. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS
A. Award Presentation For The Employee Of The Quarter
Kodiak Island Borough
October 2, 2025
Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes
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Borough Manager Aimee Williams announced Patricia Valerio, Projects
Assistant from the Engineering and Facilities Department, as the employee of
the quarter.
B. Proclamation Declaring The Month Of October National Community Planning
Month
Mayor Arndt proclaimed the month of October as Community Planning Month.
Community Development Director Chris French received the proclamation.
C. Proclamation Declaring The Month Of October As Filipino American National
History Month
Mayor Arndt proclaimed the month of October as Filipino American National
History Month. Rhubie Schultze, Filipino American Association Officer, received
the proclamation.
9. COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Assembly Member Griffin reported on a recently held meeting of the Health and
Facilities Advisory Board.
10. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Assembly Review Of The State Of Alaska Alcohol & Marijuana Control Office
Beverage Dispensary Liquor License No. 3299 Transfer Of Ownership From EI
Chicano Inc., DBA EI Chicano Mexican Restaurant, To Antonia Bravo; And
Transfer Of Location From 402 Marine Way, Suite 100, To 202 Rezanof Drive,
With New Restaurant Endorsement Application
GRIFFIN moved to voice non -protest to the State Of Alaska Alcohol & Marijuana
Control Office Beverage Dispensary Liquor License No. 3299 Transfer of
Ownership From EI Chicano Inc., DBA EI Chicano Mexican Restaurant, To
Antonia Bravo; And Transfer Of Location From 402 Marine Way, Suite 100, To
202 Rezanof Drive, With New Restaurant Endorsement, and directed the Clerk
to notify AMCO and the applicant of this decision.
Antonia Bravo and Carlene McChesney spoke under public hearing.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Ames,
Griffin, Johnson, LeDoux, Smiley, and Whiteside.
B. Ordinance No. FY2026-07, Amending Kodiak Island Borough Code Title 2
Administration And Personnel, Chapter 2.10 Appointment Of Officers,
Commissions, And Committees, Section 2.10.030 Compensation For
Regulatory And Quasi -Judicial Boards And Commissions
GRIFFIN moved to adopt Ordinance No. FY2026-07.
Kodiak Island Borough
October 2, 2025
Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes
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Mayor Arndt opened the public hearing. Seeing and hearing none, he closed the
public hearing.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Griffin,
Johnson, LeDoux, Smiley, Whiteside, and Ames.
C. Ordinance No. FY2026-08, 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 Good Cause
Appeal Hearings
GRIFFIN moved to adopt Ordinance No. FY2026-08.
Mayor Arndt opened the public hearing. Seeing and hearing none, he closed the
public hearing.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Johnson,
LeDoux, Smiley, Whiteside, Ames, and Griffin.
D. Ordinance No. FY2026-09, Amending Kodiak Island Borough Code Title 3
Revenue And Finance, Chapter 3.35 Real Property Tax, Section 3.35.040
Method Of Assessment Regarding Correction Of The Assessment Roll
GRIFFIN moved to adopt Ordinance No. FY2026-09.
Mayor Arndt opened the public hearing. Seeing and hearing none, he closed the
public hearing.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: LeDoux,
Smiley, Whiteside, Ames, Griffin, and Johnson.
E. Ordinance No. FY2026-10, Determining The Disposition Of Tax Foreclosed
Properties Acquired By Clerk's Deed in 2024 And Establishing Intention To
Surplus And Sell Said Properties By Finding That A Public Need Does Not Exist
For The Properties And Authorizing The Properties For Immediate Disposal
GRIFFIN moved to adopt Ordinance No. FY2026-10.
Mayor Arndt opened the public hearing. Seeing and hearing none, he closed the
public hearing.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Smiley,
Whiteside, Ames, Griffin, Johnson, and LeDoux.
11. BOROUGH MANAGER'S REPORT
Borough Manager Aimee Williams provided a manager's report, and it was included in
the meeting packet.
Kodiak Island Borough Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes
October 2, 2025 Page 3 of 5
12. MESSAGES FROM THE BOROUGH MAYOR
Mayor Arndt encouraged everyone to get out and vote and announced the last two days
of early voting.
13. CONSIDERATION OF CALENDAR - UNFINISHED BUSINESS — None.
14. CONSIDERATION OF CALENDAR - NEW BUSINESS
14.A. CONTRACTS — None.
14.13. RESOLUTIONS
Resolution No. FY2026-06, Authorizing Disposal By Lease Of A Portion Of USS
2539 LT 1 Remainder Womens Bay
GRIFFIN moved to approve Resolution No. FY2026-06.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Whiteside,
Ames, Griffin, Johnson, LeDoux, and Smiley.
14.C. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION — None.
14.D. OTHER ITEMS — None.
15. CITIZENS' COMMENTS
Carlene McChesney spoke under citizen's comments.
16. ASSEMBLY MEMBERS' COMMENTS
Assembly Member Whiteside urged everyone to cast their vote. He emphasized
that it will only take less than five minutes of your time to decide who will
represents you and make decisions that impact your life and family.
Assembly Member Griffin echoed Assembly Member Whiteside's comments,
and he would like to see an enhanced Borough "I Voted" stickers. He
congratulated Patricia Valerio for receiving the Employee of the Quarter award
and recognized her for her meticulous work on staffing the Health and Facilities
Advisory Board. He expressed his gratitude to the Board of Equalization
members for their service and to Assessing Director Seema Garoutte for the
challenging task of cleaning up and rectifying Borough code issues. He also
announced the upcoming First Friday Art Walk event on October 3.
Assembly Member Johnson, in recognition of Filipino American History Month,
highlighted the significant contributions of Filipino Americans in the U.S. military,
from World War II to today. He also thanked staff for addressing code issues
and emphasized the importance of voter participation, noting that high turnout
ensures the government reflects the people's choice.
Assembly Member Ames urged everyone to get out and vote.
Kodiak Island Borough
October 2, 2025
Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes
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• Assembly Member LeDoux noted that many in the community face financial
hardships, with rising costs of rent, food, and fuel, and emphasized the
significant role of the Salvation Army Food Bank in helping those in need. He
encouraged community support through donations of food or money. He
expressed his gratitude to Patricia Valerio for her excellent work and he also
thanked Aimee Williams, Borough Manager, and recognized her for her
leadership and for fostering an environment of excellence and service.
• Assembly Member Smiley encouraged everyone to get out and vote and
congratulated Patricia Valerio for receiving the Employee of the Quarter Award.
17. ADJOURNMENT
GRIFFIN moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:33 p.m.
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
Scott Arndt, Borough Mayor
Kodiak Island Borough
October 2, 2025
ATTEST:
M -0 nikA"-"
IN M. Javier, Boro gh Clerk
Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes
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