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2025-10-16 Regular MeetingKODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH Assembly Regular Meeting October 16, 2025 A regular meeting of the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly was held on October 16, 2025, in the Assembly Chambers. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Staff present were Borough Manager Aimee Williams, Community Development Director Chris French, 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, 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. October 2, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes 7. CITIZENS' COMMENTS David Miller spoke under citizen's comments. 8. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS — NONE. 9. COMMITTEE REPORTS 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. Kodiak Island Borough Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes October 16, 2025 Page 1 of 5 12. MESSAGES FROM THE BOROUGH MAYOR Mayor Arndt thanked Kodiak for the privilege of serving as Mayor. He mentioned that, in light of the Assembly's recent work session discussions and the North Slope Borough's school bond issue, he strongly suggested the Assembly consider pursuing a $12-15 million school maintenance bond with a ten-year term. He noted that the State's reimbursements may only cover 50% and expressed concern that this opportunity might not last, as it appears to be a loophole left open when the legislature did not extend the moratorium. 13. CONSIDERATION OF CALENDAR - UNFINISHED BUSINESS 14. CONSIDERATION OF CALENDAR - NEW BUSINESS 14.A. CONTRACTS 1. Contract No. FY2026-27, Agreement For Lobbying Services With Hickey & Associates GRIFFIN moved to approve Contract No. FY2026-27 Lobbying Services with Hickey & Associates. ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Ames, Griffin, Johnson, LeDoux, Smiley, and Whiteside. 14.B. RESOLUTIONS 1. Resolution No. FY2026-07, Authorizing The Issuance Of A Negotiated Ground Lease With Kodiak Rodeo And State Fair, Inc. GRIFFIN moved to adopt Resolution No. FY2026-07. ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Griffin, Johnson, LeDoux, Smiley, Whiteside, and Ames. 2. Resolution No. FY2026-08, Approval Of The Assembly Meeting Calendar For The Year 2026 GRIFFIN moved to adopt Resolution No. FY2026-08. ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Johnson, LeDoux, Smiley, Whiteside, Ames, and Griffin. 3. Resolution No. FY2026-09, Ratifying And Certifying The Results Of The October 7, 2025, Regular Municipal Election GRIFFIN moved to adopt Resolution No. FY2026-09. Kodiak Island Borough Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes October 16, 2025 Page 2 of 5 ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: LeDoux, Smiley, Whiteside, Ames, Griffin, and Johnson. 14.C. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION Ordinance No. FY2026-11, Amending Various Sections Of Kodiak Island Borough Code Title 17 Zoning, Related To Child Care Facilities GRIFFIN moved to advance Ordinance No. FY2026-11 to public hearing at the next regular meeting of the Assembly. ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Smiley, Whiteside, Ames, Griffin, Johnson, and LeDoux. 14.D. OTHER ITEMS 1. Administration Of Oath Of Office To Newly Elected Officials Borough Clerk Nova M. Javier administered the Oath of Office to the newly elected Mayor Jared Griffin. Borough Clerk Nova M. Javier administered the Oath of Office to newly elected Assembly members Jeremiah Gardner and Jeffery Woods. 2. Presentation To Outgoing Elected Officials The Kodiak Island Borough recognized outgoing Mayor Scott Arndt and Assembly Member Larry LeDoux for their service. 3. Appointment To The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly Caroline Roberts was appointed to the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly seat. Clerk's Note: Mayor Arndt voiced his intent to file a Mayoral veto before the next regular meeting of the Assembly regarding the appointment of Caroline Roberts. 4. Administration Of Oath Of Office To Newly Appointed Assembly Member Borough Clerk Nova M. Javier administered the Oath of Office to the newly appointed Assembly Member Caroline Roberts. 15. CITIZENS' COMMENTS The following spoke under citizen's comments: • Captain David Shatto • Carlene McChesney Kodiak Island Borough Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes October 16, 2025 Page 3 of 5 16. ASSEMBLY MEMBERS' COMMENTS • Assembly Member Smiley attended the recently held Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and they were not able to establish a quorum. He encouraged all identified members of that committee to attend moving forward. • Assembly Member LeDoux had no comment. • Assembly Member Ames congratulated the newly elected officials who won the election and have been sworn in. • Assembly Member Johnson addressed a recent KMXT article titled "Two Lowest Vote Getters in Election Hope to Fill Vacant Kodiak Island Borough Assembly Seat." He emphasized that the appointment process is entirely different from an election. It is not about campaign results; it is about judgment, and that process must be treated seriously. He stated that the community deserves better than a headline that reduces it to a scorecard. He concluded that it was his intent not to move to adjourn the meeting until the question of the vacant Assembly seat was settled. Assembly Member Griffin thanked everyone who voted and volunteered during the recent election. He emphasized that trust across the borough is important to him and that oath taking represents a renewal of commitment to the community. He spoke about his hopes for the Assembly to govern with honesty, plan with intention, and listen with empathy, focusing less on ideology and more on action. He thanked his wife, Katie Oliver, and his family for their support and expressed gratitude to the Kodiak community for their trust. He concluded by stating he would not vote to adjourn the meeting until all issues on the agenda had been settled. Assembly Member Whiteside agreed with incoming Mayor Griffin's points and thanked Assembly Member LeDoux for offering different perspectives and mentorship. He congratulated Mayor Griffin on his transition from Assembly Member to Mayor and noted that outgoing Mayor Arndt's construction knowledge will be missed as the Assembly continues land disposal efforts. He welcomed the newly elected officials, expressed enthusiasm to work with them, and stated that he would also not vote to adjourn the meeting until all agenda items were addressed. 17. EXECUTIVE SESSION A. Evaluation Of The Legal Counsel Applicants GRIFFIN moved to convene into executive session to discuss the evaluation/scores of the legal counsel applicants, a matter which might include a discussion that could potentially prejudice the reputation and character of the applicants. ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Whiteside, Ames, Griffin, Johnson, LeDoux, and Smiley. GRIFFIN moved to invite the Borough Mayor, Assembly, Borough Manager, and the Clerk into executive session. VOICE VOTE ON MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Kodiak Island Borough Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes October 16, 2025 Page 4 of 5 Upon returning from the executive session, Mayor Arndt reconvened the regular meeting at 7:33 p.m. and announced that the direction was given to the Manager to set up interviews with the top two that were picked by the assembly. 18. ADJOURNMENT GRIFFIN moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:38 p.m. VOICE VOTE ON MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH ed Griffin, y Kodiak Island Borough October 16, 2025 am , 02��- Nova M. Javier, MMC, Bor gh Clerk Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes Page 5 of 5