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1997-11-06 Regular MeetingA regular meeting of the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly was held November 6, 1997 in the Assembly Chambers of the Kodiak Island Borough Building, 710 Mill Bay Road. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. Presiding Officer Heinrichs led the Pledge of Allegiance. There were present: Robin Heinrichs, Tom Abell Tuck Bonney Gary Stevens comprising a quorum of the Assembly; and Jerome Selby, Mayor Donna Smith CMC /AAE, Clerk Judi Nielsen CMC, Deputy Clerk Linda Freed, Community Development Director Steve Hobgood, Engineering /Facilities Director APPROVAL OF AGENDA JOHNSON, seconded by W. STEVENS the agenda. W. STEVENS, seconded by BONNEY Regular Assembly Meeting November 6, 1997 KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH Regular Assembly Meeting November 6, 1997 Presiding Scott Arndt Bob Johnson Wayne Stevens moved to approve moved to amend the agenda by adding as Item No. 12.C.2. Resolution No. 97 -44 Urging Recognition of the General Fund Contribution Made by the Seafood Industry by Refraining From Decreases in the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Division of REGULAR MEETING ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF AGENDA Volume XXIII Page 148 VOTE ON MOTION TO AMEND MOTION CARRIED VOTE ON MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED MOTION CARRIED APPROVAL OF MINUTES W. STEVENS, seconded by G. STEVENS Regular Assembly Meeting November 6, 1997 Commercial Fisheries Management and Development Budget for Fiscal Year 1999. Unanimous voice vote Unanimous voice vote moved to approve the minutes of September 23, October 2, and October 16, 1997. Assemblymember Johnson clarified his intent in the minutes of September 23, page 4, paragraph 3 as follows: A resolution adopted by the Southwest Alaska Municipal League acknowledged that the Permanent Fund corpus was inviolate and could not be utilized without a vote of the public; however, the interest earnings were not subject to that same limitation. The resolution further urged the legislature to use the interest earnings to support state programs. VOTE ON MOTION TO APPROVE AS CORRECTED MOTION CARRIED Unanimous voice vote AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS A. Employee of the Month. Mayor Selby presented the Employee of the Month Award to Ron Riemer, environmental engineer in the Engineering and Facilities Department. Mayor Selby presented to Karleton Short, Borough Finance Director, the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government APPROVAL OF MINUTES AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH FINANCE CERTIFICATE Volume XXIII Page 149 Finance Officers Association for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1996. Mayor Selby said there were very high standards and stringent guidelines to achieve the certificate, and this was the third year to receive the certificate. He thanked Director Short, staff, and the Assembly for working to positively manage the Borough. Director Short thanked Borough staff for their assistance in producing an excellent product. CITIZENS' COMMENTS A. Agenda Items Not Scheduled For Public Hearing and General Comments. Phil Cline, Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center administrator, shared the 42 week audit that showed an operating gain of $919,000 with a total gain of $1,100,000. He held the charge to continue that financial performance. The September operating report showed a gain of 8.5 percent above the budget with a year -to -date gain of 8 percent. The Borough would receive half of those dollars. He was pleased to represent the hospital and enjoyed the staff. He thanked the Assembly for their continued support. An open house was scheduled for December 17. In response to Assemblymember Johnson, Mr. Cline said that if rates were not decreased, at least they would remain constant. A two percent increase was below other hospitals. Assemblymember Bonney inquired about the Mental Health Center transfer. Mr. Cline said Providence representatives in Anchorage were 100 percent satisfied with negotiations and were confident of the January 1, 1998 implementation date. Assemblymember Bonney asked about staff for the school program. Mr. Cline said staff would be hired by Friday of the next week. In response to Assemblymember Bonney, Mayor Selby Regular Assembly Meeting November 6, 1997 CITIZENS' COMMENTS Volume XXIII Page 150 said the Borough would complete the plan for the school district this year through January 2, 1998. Mr. Cline noted that there were meetings with the school district so it would be a collaborative plan. Assemblymember G. Stevens asked about the hospital's operating gains. Mr. Cline said the new facility enhanced the public's perception, and, although the care givers were the same, the expertise and commitment were apparent. Assemblymember Bonney wondered about the $2 million profit in the operating fund. Mayor Selby said a loss in the past, approximately six years ago, was resolved by the previous hospital administrator. Assemblymember W. Stevens said the philosophy of the Hospital Advisory Board was to keep costs in line. Presiding Officer Heinrichs thanked Mr. Cline for his monthly report that allowed the public to remain abreast of happenings at the hospital. COMMITTEE REPORTS Assemblymember W. Stevens reported that the Road System Fire Protection Area Task Force met on November 10 and the draft of the final report was available and would be presented to the Assembly in December. He appreciated Presiding Officer Heinrichs' work on the draft. Assemblymember Johnson said the Kodiak Community College Board met, and director Carol Hagel would retire at the end of the year. The Board discussed how funding would affect the hiring of an interim director. The Board agreed to a recommendation to combine the interim director position with the business manager position held by John Durham. The Board was working on goals and objectives. PUBLIC HEARING PUBLIC HEARING None. Regular Assembly Meeting November 6, 1997 COMMITTEE REPORTS Volume XXIII Page 151 MESSAGES FROM THE BOROUGH MAYOR MESSAGES FROM MAYOR Mayor Selby attended the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Policy Committee meeting. He served as vice - chair of the Minerals Management Service (MMS) Committee and was pleased to announce that the MMS received the President's Hammer Award for efforts to cut costs and downsize the operations of the MMS. The United Nations declared 1998 the Year of the Ocean. Concern was that the 18 member Steering Committee did not include a member of the fishing community. The Committee focus for 1998 was 1) understanding ocean conditions; 2) managing coastal economies and environments; and 3) restoring fisheries. It was important to focus on restoring fisheries so that stocks would not be destroyed. The desire was to include someone from the fishing industry to help work toward a sustainable management of fisheries. The Coastal Impact Assistance Program was adopted and oriented to distribute 27% of future OCS oil spill development revenues as a 50/50 split between states and communities. If implemented in 1998, Alaska would receive $25 million - -$12.5 to the state, and $12.5 to communities. If allowed to grow to the year 2002, the funds could increase to $40 million and benefit municipalities within 200 miles of oil development. It was suggested that the Secretary of the Interior introduce legislation for distribution of land and water conservation fund monies to all 50 states. This would help in Congress for nationwide support to bring money back to the community. He shared a salary update that projected a $71,810 reduction from the current fiscal year (FY) budget. The general fund was $48,090 of that. The $71,810 was in addition to the $130,000 reduced from the FY 1997 budget. He expected these reductions to carry forward to FY 1999 to represent a $100,000 savings. The state extended the early retirement incentive program to the end of 1999. That could impact 10 Borough employees and reduce salary expenses. Regular Assembly Meeting November 6, 1997 Volume XXIII Page 152 He commended those who worked with the Coast Guard on the planning for the new Sub -Area Oil Spill Contingency Plan. This was a first because in no other region in Alaska had the Coast Guard allowed community involvement in plan development. The Intermodel Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) funding was stalled and may not move through Congress until the first of the year. ISTEA funding represented a large sum of money to Alaska. There were no bidders for the Mark Air terminal so the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDA) would become the new owner. The estimating firm would soon finish the Fisheries Research Center analysis of the 65% and 100% drawings to quantify differences. The contractor and architect would review the analysis, and the architect would attend the December 2 work session. Terry Hyer, ECI /Hyer architect, was working on the Peterson Elementary School program and an April notice to proceed date was anticipated. The Coast Guard fire chief agreed to reduce the embankment work behind the school and that would cause significant savings to hold the project within the budget. A $5 million federal appropriation could be received to build the phase II office building on Near Island that was included in the conceptual plans. The federal government was interested in housing federal employees in the building. The new superfund cleanup bill for the remaining cleanup of WWII remains on the Coast Guard base was introduced in Congress. In response to Assemblymember Johnson, Mayor Selby said changes between the 65% and 100% drawings of the Fisheries Research Center was negotiated between the architect and the contractor who was responsible for what was added based on tenant requests. The changes suited the tenants who would pay for them, so there was no cost to the Borough. Regular Assembly Meeting November 6, 1997 Volume XXIII Page 153 In response to Assemblymember G. Stevens, Mayor Selby said employees eligible for early retirement were identified by the state; however, there had to be a cost savings to the Borough to remain eligible. In response to Assemblymember Arndt's questions about Peterson Elementary School, Mayor Selby said the architect and the Architectural Review Board (ARB) would be available at the December 2 Assembly work session. After ARB review, the Assembly would receive the 65% conceptual drawings. Assemblymember Arndt wanted to see options prior to the 65% drawings. When the Assembly toured Peterson Elementary School, he saw seven different drawings that the Assembly had not previously seen. Mayor Selby said the Assembly would receive the information when the obvious plan and cost differentials were available. Assemblymember Arndt wanted the School Board, the ARB, and the architect to discuss the Peterson Elementary School project at a work session. Steve Hobgood, Engineering /Facilities Department director, said he met with the Peterson Elementary School teachers and principal. They requested six classrooms instead of five and one bathroom versus a bathroom in each classroom, so the cost was a wash. He hoped to have the 35% drawings in early December. In response to Assemblymember Abell, Mayor Selby said the Coast Guard reduced the requirement for a wide avenue behind Peterson Elementary School. Assemblymember Bonney heard Mayor Selby say the Borough would have a savings in salaries; however, he wanted information on specific positions. At Presiding Officer Heinrichs' inquiry, Mayor Selby said the coastal impact assistance proposal was new money from new development that was needed to fulfill the Office of Management and Budget criteria. Using existing revenue reduced the federal government's cash flow, where new revenues were revenue neutral. Regular Assembly Meeting November 6, 1997 Volume XXIII Page 154 OLD BUSINESS None. NEW BUSINESS A. REORGANIZATION OF THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH REORGANIZATION ASSEMBLY OF THE ASSEMBLY 1. Election of Presiding Officer. ELECTION OF PRESIDING Clerk Smith informed the Assembly that a majority of OFFICER four votes were needed to elect a member to office. JOHNSON, BONNEY, W. STEVENS, nominated Assemblymember Robin Heinrichs as presiding officer of the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly. nominated Assemblymember Gary Stevens as presiding officer of the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly. nominated Assemblymember Scott Arndt as presiding officer of the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly. Assemblymember Arndt declined the nomination. There being no further nominations, nominations for presiding officer were closed. After calculation of the ballots, Clerk Smith announced that Assemblymember Gary Stevens was elected to presiding officer. Regular Assembly Meeting November 6, 1997 OLD BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS Volume XXIII Page 155 2. Election of Deputy Presiding Officer. ELECTION OF DEPUTY PRESIDING Abell, nominated OFFICER Assemblymember Scott Arndt as deputy presiding officer of the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly. W. STEVENS, A. CONTRACTS BONNEY, seconded by ARNDT Regular Assembly Meeting November 6, 1997 nominated Assemblymember Robin Heinrichs as deputy presiding officer of the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly. There being no further nominations, nominations for deputy presiding officer were closed. After calculation of the ballots, Clerk Smith announced that Assemblymember Scott Arndt was elected to deputy presiding officer. Assemblymember Gary Stevens took the chair as presiding officer. Presiding Officer G. Stevens thanked Assemblymember Heinrichs for leading the Assembly through difficult times. He looked forward to the next year and the realignment of Borough government. 1. Contract No. 97 -64 1997 Shot Rock Acquisition for Landfill Cover Material. moved to award Contract Contract No. 97 -64 to Anderson Construction Co. of Kodiak in an amount not to exceed $48,300. Mayor Selby said four bids were received and it was recommended to award the contract to Anderson CONTRACTS CONTRACT NO. 97 -64 Volume XXIII Page 156 Construction Co. as the low bidder. There was no discussion by the Assembly. VOTE ON MOTION TO AWARD Ayes: Abell, Arndt, Bonney, Heinrichs, Johnson, W. Stevens, G. Stevens Noes: MOTION CARRIED Regular Assembly Meeting November 6, 1997 None Unanimous B. RESOLUTIONS RESOLUTIONS 1. Resolution No. 95 -01D Amending Resolution RESOLUTION NO. No. 95 -01 Adopting a Records Retention 95 -01D Schedule and Central Filing System to Reflect Amendments to Various Categories and Retention Schedules. Presented for consideration was Resolution No. 95 -01D that, if adopted, amended Resolution No. 95 -01 to add a category to include nonprofit grants and the mayor's administrative files that were not included in any other category. JOHNSON, moved to adopt seconded by ARNDT Resolution No. 95 -01D. At Mayor Selby's deferral, Clerk Smith said these were nonprofit and administrative records in the mayor's office. There was no discussion by the Assembly. VOTE ON MOTION TO ADOPT Ayes: Arndt, Bonney, Heinrichs, Johnson W. Stevens, Abell, G. Stevens Noes: None Volume XXIII Page 157 MOTION CARRIED Unanimous 2. Resolution No. 97 -44 Urging Recognition of RESOLUTION the General Fund Contribution Made by the NO. 97 -44 Seafood Industry by Refraining From Decreases in the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Division of Commercial Fisheries Management and Development Budget for Fiscal Year 1999. Presented for consideration was Resolution No. 97 -44 that, if adopted, urged the Alaska Legislature during budget deliberations to a) recognize the full general fund contribution made by the seafood industry, including the 50 percent of fish tax revenues passed onto the local governments, b) consider the foregone economic opportunities to generate more revenues from fish tax, and c) the need to grow the state's economy and the opportunity presented therein by the state's largest private sector employer. W. STEVENS, moved to adopt seconded by BONNEY Resolution No. 97 -44. JOHNSON, seconded by W. STEVENS Mayor Selby said the resolution, drafted by the United Fishermen of Alaska, related to commercial fishing and should be submitted at the Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference for statewide support for no more cuts. He felt the amendment was fine. VOTE ON MOTION TO AMEND Regular Assembly Meeting November 6, 1997 moved to amend Resolution No. 97 -44 by adding to the NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED after "c)" the word: "consider "; by replacing the word: "grow" with the word: "stimulate "; and by replacing the words: "therein by" with the words: "to do this through ". Volume XXIII Page 158 Ayes: Noes: MOTION CARRIED Assemblymember Arndt knew field positions, not office positions, were proposed to be deleted. He wanted to encourage deleting office positions in Anchorage and reinstating field positions already deleted. Mayor Selby agreed but noted that the resolution had general language requesting no more cuts. The Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference resolution was more detailed in terms of field positions. Presiding Officer G. Stevens said it was important to realize that fisheries were a priority before oil and the need was to stress continued importance. Mayor Selby agreed, stating that the ADF &G made money for the state directly through enforcement and raw fish tax with a $9 million surplus. VOTE ON MOTION TO ADOPT AS AMENDED Ayes: Noes: MOTION CARRIED Regular Assembly Meeting November 6, 1997 Bonney, Heinrichs, Johnson, W. Stevens, Abell, Arndt, G. Stevens None Unanimous Heinrichs, Johnson, W. Stevens, Abell, Arndt, Bonney, G. Stevens None Unanimous C. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION None. D. OTHER ITEMS OTHER ITEMS 1. Kodiak Island Borough Coastal Management KIB COASTAL Volume XXIII Page 159 JOHNSON, seconded by ARNDT Program - Sensitive Areas Identification MANAGEMENT Project Report. PROJECT REPORT moved to acknowledge receipt of the Kodiak Island Borough Coastal Management Program - Sensitive Areas Identification Project Report. At the deferral of Mayor Selby, Linda Freed, Community Development Department Director, said the Borough, the Coast Guard, and the Department of Environmental Conservation worked to prepare the subarea plan for this region. This regional contingency plan outlined guidelines for tankers carrying crude oil and non -crude oil to develop their own industry contingency plan consistent with the plan for this region. The planning document would use an Incident Command Structure (ICS) agreement as a unified command that would include a local representative as the local on -scene coordinator to provide direction and decisions through the process. Identification of sensitive areas was important because shippers and others were required to have contingency plans for response to sensitive areas. The operations section outlining Kodiak's involvement in planning and response was the most significant part of the plan. The rough draft should be complete in January and a public review process beginning in early spring. Director Freed directed attention to environmental sensitivity index maps in the chambers that were prepared by NOAA in conjunction with the Coast Guard. The guideline nationwide was the same as seen in Prince William Sound, Cook Inlet, and Kodiak. The need was to identify strategic locations for equipment. Presiding Officer G. Stevens was impressed with the plan and the maps. Director Freed noted that the maps were computer Regular Assembly Meeting November 6, 1997 Volume XXIII Page 160 generated and, therefore, easily manipulated and updated. The maps would be available throughout the community. VOTE ON MOTION Ayes: Noes: None. MOTION CARRIED Unanimous W. STEVENS, Seconded by BONNEY Regular Assembly Meeting November 6, 1997 Johnson, W. Stevens, Abell, Arndt, Bonney, Heinrichs, G. Stevens 2. Establishment and Appointments to the KODIAK AREA Kodiak Area Transit System Coordination TRANSIT SYSTEM Committee. COMMITTEE moved to establish the Kodiak Area Transit System Coordination Committee and appoint the following people to the committee: Wayne Stevens, Jesse Vizcocho, Pat Branson, Marie Barni, Woody Koning, Wanetta Ayers, John Miller, Mike Machulsky, and Tim Blott. Mayor Selby said the request for proposal(RFP) to develop a transit system for Kodiak was available. The committee reviewed the system, prepared a feasibility study, and secured funding for the system. This allowed the committee to oversee the process. Assemblymember Arndt thought the committee's charge would be to review the proposals. He objected to the committee appointment before establishing the charge. Presiding Officer G. Stevens felt that was a good point; however, the process had been underway for two Volume XXIII Page 161 to three years and this formalized those volunteers who worked on the grant process to study issues, obtain grant funding, and develop the RFP into a committee. He felt this was a transitional step. Assemblymember Johnson agreed that this group was the most knowledgeable about the system, and he saw the need to proceed. Assemblymember Arndt was concerned about establishing a committee without setting their charge. Mayor Selby interjected there was no problem in developing the charge at a later date because the committee had work to do reviewing the RFP responses. ARNDT, seconded by BONNEY ARNDT, seconded by BONNEY Regular Assembly Meeting November 6, 1997 moved to amend the motion by replacing the words: "18 months" with the words "review of the RFP ". Clerk Smith stated a point of order because 18 months was not part of the main motion. The motion was declared invalid. moved to amend the the motion by inserting the words: "for the purpose of reviewing and recommending to the Assembly with regards to the RFP ". Assemblymember W. Stevens thought the committee could act on behalf of the Assembly. He saw no need to micro manage because the committee would review the RFPs and advise the Assembly. Assemblymember Abell thought the less Borough involvement the better. Assemblymember Bonney agreed with Assemblymember Abell. Volume XXIII Page 162 Assemblymember Arndt did not want to move forward without knowing the committee's charge. He identified areas where the Borough was involved in administering the contract. Assemblymember W. Stevens again submitted that this was a transitional process, review was needed, and it was important to allow the committee to accomplish that review. The Borough administers the grants and volunteers make recommendations. Mayor Selby said it was usual for the Assembly to appoint committees to design tasks. This was consistent with what the Assembly had done in the past and gave as an example the recent changes to the charge of the Architectural Review Board. Assemblymember Johnson felt Assemblymember Arndt's concerns could be addressed after committee review. VOTE ON MOTION TO AMEND Ayes: Abell, Arndt Noes: W. Stevens, Bonney, Heinrichs, Johnson, G. Stevens MOTION FAILED 2 Ayes, 5 Noes Assemblymember Abell wanted the Borough to remain uninvolved. Mayor Selby said the Borough was the grant recipient and the grant utilizer. Mayor Selby felt that discussion from the committee was important. In response to Presiding Officer G. Stevens, Mayor Selby said staff was serving the role of contracting officer and support for the committee. Although Assemblymember Bonney agreed with Assemblymember Abell, he concluded that the function of the Borough was to not jeopardize the program but to be a conduit through their support. Regular Assembly Meeting November 6, 1997 Volume XXIII Page 163 Assemblymember Arndt asked about costs to the Borough. Mayor Selby said the Borough would administer the operation and maintenance of the contract to prepare records for an administrative fee of $40,000. Assemblymember Arndt asked whether an enterprise fund was being created. Director Freed said the fund had been created. Assemblymember Arndt said enterprise funds generally paid for the total cost of operation, and he wanted that to be the case with this. Assemblymember Abell was hopeful this trial program would work without Borough assistance and the Committee could reach that objective. Assemblymember W. Stevens said the intent was for the committee not to last more than 18 months. VOTE ON MOTION Ayes: Noes: Arndt Regular Assembly Meeting November 6, 1997 Abell, Bonney, Heinrichs, Johnson, W. Stevens, G. Stevens MOTION CARRIED 6 Ayes, 1 No INFORMATIONAL INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS (No action required) MATERIALS A. MINUTES OF OTHER MEETINGS MINUTES OF OTHER MEETING 1. MIS Steering Committee Regular Meeting of August 13, 1997. 2. Fire Protection Area No. 1 Board Meetings of September 9 and October 2, 1997. 3. Personnel Advisory Board meeting of October 8, 1997. 4. Kodiak Island Borough School Board Regular Meeting of September 22 and Special Meetings of October 6 and 20, 1997. Volume XXIII Page 164 B. REPORTS 1. Kodiak Island Borough Financial Report of October 1997. 2. Kodiak Island Borough Engineering/ Facilities Project Updates of September 1997. C. OTHER 1. Economic Development Journal of October 1997. 2. Kodiak Island Borough School Board Special Meeting Summaries of October 20 and 27, 1997. CITIZENS' COMMENTS Diana Buffington phoned to say the Borough authorized $2,000 for a Town Meeting that accomplished nothing. She now understood the total cost was $8,800. She asked why taxpayers should pay the additional cost when the limit was $2,000, and the city of Kodiak Council had not made a commitment. Town Meeting was $12,000 last year, and the taxpayers footed the bill. The Borough was not directly involved in the preparations yet taxpayers had to pay the bill. Responding to Presiding Officer G. Stevens, Mayor Selby recalled that the City had agreed to pay half. Presiding Officer G. Stevens noted that the Assembly had a difficult decision because $2,000 was budgeted, but they did not want the vendors to go unpaid. Lorna Arndt phoned to state her opinion that the RFP for the transit system stunk. She felt the Borough should present the bill for administering the contract as the service districts did. She wanted more work done on the RFP. Presiding Officer Stevens appreciated Ms. Arndt's comments. ASSEMBLYMEMBER COMMENTS ASSEMBLYMEMBER COMMENTS Regular Assembly Meeting November 6, 1997 REPORTS OTHER CITIZENS' COMMENTS Volume XXIII Page 165 Assemblymember Heinrichs congratulated Ron Riemer as Employee of the Month. He read a National Geographic article that quoted Mayor Selby and Mike Sirofchuck on the Rocket Launch Facility. Assemblymember Abell said that after the work session where the residents proposed a speed zone on Island Lake, he spoke with members of the jet skier's group who said they had no intention of using the lake for jet skiing. He called Barbara Williams and informed her. He suggested to the jet skier members that they attend work sessions where the topic would be discussed. He added that his conflict -of- interest with Leisnoi, Inc. was settled. He was sorry that money was spent to defend his position and hoped it would not deter people from running for public office. He reiterated that he was a shareholder of a business that had never contracted with Leisnoi, Inc. Assemblymember Johnson complimented Assemblymember Heinrichs for his capable job as presiding officer. He congratulated Scott Arndt and Gary Stevens for their election to the Assembly. The Town Meeting incorporated its goals and objectives as an annual event. He felt the Meeting was evaluated as good to excellent and hoped a judgement would not be made until the financial report was obtained. He clarified that there were 77 educators, 76 non - educators, and 7 high school students in attendance, which did not equate to the 60 percent educators as previously indicated. He felt the result provided valuable information. Assemblymember W. Stevens congratulated Gary Stevens as the presiding officer. He congratulated Ron Riemer for his greatly appreciated efforts. He thanked Robin Heinrichs for his diligence during the past year. He welcomed Scott Arndt to the Assembly and looked forward to many spirited debates. Assemblymember Arndt thanked the Assembly for the deputy presiding officer position. He especially thanked the public for electing him. He felt the Regular Assembly Meeting November 6, 1997 Volume XXIII Page 166 voters stated a desire to see a change in the way the Borough does business, and he would fight for that change. He considered the need to control and rein in costs and administrative costs of the Borough. Assemblymember Bonney believed that, as a community, there was an obligation and, therefore, the transit system was a good idea as long as there was no cost to the Borough. He hoped it would work. He believed in open access to information with both pro and con as long as the public was not misled. Responding to his question, Clerk Smith said the jukebox was part of the optical disc imaging software that allowed more cost - effective records retention. Assemblymember Bonney thought staff did a good job and he supported them. Presiding Officer G. Stevens attended Cindy Amberfield's memorial service. He respected her involvement and interest in the community. He appreciated the recommendations on the transit committee. The manager form of government was moving ahead to begin the process. The budget was a major issue facing the Assembly. He asked that the form for Assemblymembers to designate the boards/ committees they wished to represent be distributed. Presiding Officer G. Stevens announced that the assembly would meet in a work session on Tuesday, November 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the borough conference room. Members of the Assembly would travel to Anchorage to attend Alaska Municipal League meetings November 18 - 22. The next regular meeting was scheduled for Thursday, November 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the assembly chambers. Assemblymember Arndt heard rumors about the computer software and asked for an update. Mayor Selby said the December 2 work session was the best time for the ARB, School Board, and Assembly to meet with the Peterson Elementary School architect. Regular Assembly Meeting November 6, 1997 Volume XXIII Page 167 Director Hobgood added that his concern was that waiting for option selection would delay the project. Mayor Selby remembered the first option was the education specifications the school board approved. Assemblymember Arndt thought the Assembly needed to be informed as they would be at the December 2 work session. Director Hobgood noted the Assembly, as well as the school board and ARB, saw the drawings at 32 -35% and again at 95 %. Presiding Officer G. Stevens reiterated that the December 2 work session would bring together the Assembly, school board, and ARB and that added meetings may be scheduled. There being no further business to come before the ADJOURNMENT Assembly, the meeting adjourned at 10:02 p.m. ATTEST: /e72 -na Ii Donna F. Smith, CMC /AAE Borough Clerk Regular Assembly Meeting November 6, 1997 G:. ry L. tevens Presiding Officer APPROVED: 11/25/97 Volume XXIII Page 168