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04/21/1966 RMI Call to Order II Roll Call KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH ASSEMBLY MEETING April 21, 1966 The meeting was called to order in the Magistrate's Courtroom, Donnelley Building, Kodiak, Alaska, by Presiding Officer Russell Wright at 7:45 p.m. Present Absent Wilton White, Borough Chairman Fred Brechan Russell Wright, Presiding Officer Eldon Lester Sven Haakansen Mrs. Jo Hajdu Also present: Jim Stansbury, City /Borough Building Official; Harry Carter, Sanitarian; Jim Barr, Borough Engineer; Sally Hendrix, Borough Secretary, taking minutes; and approximately 150 people in the audience. V COMMUNICATIONS - CORRESPONDENCE - PEOPLE TO BE HEARD B. Petition re Borough Assessor A petition was read which requested the removal of the present Tax Assessor. Chairman White explained that under State law passed by the legislature, property must be assessed at current market value. After the assessments are made, the governing bodies determine their expenses, and the mill rate is then determined from the total amount of the assessments and the amount required by the budget. However, the values always go up higher than the mill rate goes down, which results in taxes going up. Mrs. Hajdu emphasized that the important factor in determining the amount of the taxes is the budget. It was pointed out that those people interested in keeping taxes down should attend the budget hearing. Chairman White explained that the intention of the meeting was to hear everyone's comments concerning the Borough tax assessments. He stated that some assessments have risen greatly even without improvements because they are predicated on how much the property is selling for. He commented that some property owners in Kodiak are being penalized by the speculative condition that now exists here. A question was raised as to whether a market value couldn't be determined without involving the speculative values. Mrs. Hajdu pointed out that the speculative values have to be involved, because the market value is defined as having a willing buyer and a willing seller. It was pointed out that the State holding of the land is causing the inflationary prices, since people are forced to pay high prices to get the land. Chairman White pointed out that it is difficult and a slow process to obtian land from the State because of the mechanics involved. The Borough now has a new system to finances its own surveys and this should speed up the system. The Borough will try to relieve the price situation by obtaining more land. In answer to the objection that large companies often overbid overyone else at the land sales, Chairman White commented that State law requires the sales to be conducted by public auction, but thatithe Borough has requested that the law be changed to a process of individual drawings. Also, the Borough is requesting more and smaller parcels of land. There were suggestions that FHA appraisers be asked for their values on the property. Mrs. Hajdu stated that their values are required to be low, whereas the State requires the Borough assessments to be made at market vlaue, and based on the best possible use of the land. There was a comment that although taxes are going higher, there are few improve- ments being made in the Community. Chairman White agreed that everyone would be glad to see results of higher taxes. It was brought out that a different assessor might not necessarily make lower assessments, since he would also have to follow the requirements of the law. A suggestion was made that the evaluations be published so that an individual can see how he is being assessed compared to his neighbors. It was brought out that this information is available in the Borough Office. 0 ASSEMBLY MEETING - April 21, 1966 2 Various complaints were made that there are inequitities in the assessments. It was brought out that it is possible for errors to be made, and that possible errors should be checked out by talking to the Assessor. If an agreement cannot be reached, an appeal should be made to the Board of Adjustment. If an agreement still is not reached, an appeal may be made to the Superior Court. In summarizing, Chairman White stated that the Assembly realizes that there is a lot of dissatisfaction concerning the assessments, and that some action must be taken to resolve it. He suggested that a board be created to act in an advisory capacity both to the public and the tax assessor, which would assist him in making the assessments. This board should represent a cross - section of the property owners. He emphasized that everyone who cannot come to an agreement with the Assessor should apply for a Board of Equalization hearing. According to the law, a visit must first be paid to the Assessor. If agreement cannot be reached, then the BOE forms should be filled out. But the discussion must be held with the Assessor, not with the Chairman or the Assembly members. Those people who cannot see the Assessor during working hours may call him at the Borough Office. A comment was made that re- appraisals should be done. Mrs. Hajdu replied that the overall values would remain the same. If there are inconsistencies, they should be reported so that they may be adjusted. III Minutes of previous meeting, April 7, 1966, were not read aloud since copies were available to everyone. IV School Board minutes of April 5 and April 11 were read. Mr. Schott explained to Mr. Wright that the pension is an honorarium of one payment which is paid out of the General Fund. V COMMUNICATIONS - CORRESPONDENCE - PEOPLE TO BE HEARD A. Letter from Supt. of Schools re Special Assembly Meeting on April 28 for elementary school bid opening was read. Mr. Schott explained that if the bids are in order on that day, the contract could be awarded if the Assembly is present, thus saving time. Chairman White stated hhat the Borough has been advised that the bond market is so depressed that interim financing had been suggested instead. After brief discussion, it was decided that the bond matter would be checked into, and a decision made then about Assembly attendance at the meeting on April 28. VI PLANNING & ZONING ITEMS A. Exception to Build Men's Dormitory in R2 Zone - Townsite Blk 1 Lots 7 & 8 - L. A. Hopkins (Case #127 -A) - Public Hearing Case was reviewed, and Mrs. Hajdu made a motion that the exception be granted to Hopkins Construction for construction of a men's dormitory in the designated area. Seconded by Mr. Haakansen. Public hearing declared open. The Metrokins and Bortons stated that they wished to be removed from the petition in favor of construction. It was pointed out that Walter Kraft, also on the petition, no longer owns property in the area. There was an objection that there would be no room for parking. Mr. Dunham, representing Hopkins, explained that the dorm would have a live -in supervisor, and that there would be enough parking space. There were other objections that this would open the area to other R3 dwellings; and that a dorm should not be put in a residential area. It was suggested that new petitions be drawn up, both for and against. Mrs. Hajdu withdrew her motion and moved that a public hearing be scheduled for the next meeting. Mr. Haakansen concurred. Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. B. Request for Rezoning Erskine Addn Blk 9 Lots 115 -117 from R2 to Business - Paul T. Walls (Case #134-A) C. Request for Rezoning Erskine Addn Blk 9 Lots 89 -92 from R2 to Business - Elaine Banks (Case #134 -A) Cases were reviewed. Mr. Welsh commented from the audience that if the ddor was opened to business in that area, the whole area would become business. Mr. Haakansen made a motion that an ordinance be drawn up to cover this rezoning. Seconded by Mrs. Hajdu. Carried by unanimous roll call vote. I ASSEMBLY MEETING - April 21, 1966 3 D. Subdivision, USS 3218, Holland Acres - Argo Corp. (Case #133 -A) - Approval of Preliminary Plat E. Request for Rezoning - Aleutian Sub Blk 14 Lots 8 -14 from Ri to R3 - Tony Perez (Case #40 -A) VII OLD BUSINESS The plat was studied. Mr. Best explained that the line showing the border of the industrial zone was intended to be arbitrary, and is to be adjusted to the subdivision boundaries. The line will have to be changed on the zoning map, by ordinance if necessary. Mrs. Hajdu moved for approval of the preliminary plat of the Holland Acres Subdivision of USS 3218, Argo Corp. Seconded by Mr. Haakansen. Carried by unanimous roll call vote. Case was reviewed. Mr. Perez requested another public hearing on the case, since the Assembly never took final action after the last public hearing. Mrs. Hajdu moved that a public hearing and action on the case be scheduled for the next meeting. Seconded by Mr. Haakansen. Carried by unanimous roll call vote. A. Approval of Resolution No. 66 -15 -R Establishing Election Date for Special Election re Hospital and Bonding B. Rezoning Townsite Blk 16 Lots 15 & 17 from R3 to Business (Case #101 -B) - First Reading C. Subdivision - USS 3100 Lot 14 - John Schreiner - Approval of Res. #66 -14 -R VIII NEW BUSINESS Resolution was read. Mrs. Hajdu moved for approval. Seconded by Mr. Haakansen. Rev. Childs asked if the resolution limited the hospital to 22 beds. It was decided that the limit was on the $300,000 bond issue, but not on the number of beds. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote. Ordinance 66 -7 -0 was read. Mrs. Hajdu moved for adoption of Ord. 66 -7 -0, first reading. Seconded by Mr. Haakansen. Carried by unanimous roll call vote. Resolution was read. Mr. Best stated that he believed that portions of the Subdivision Ordinance would be jeopardized if this subdivision were approved without posting of bond or installation of utilities. Mrs. Hajdu agreed. Mr. Perez commented that the Naughton's subdivision was held to the ordinance, despite very high cost of utilities installation. Mrs. Hajdu moved that Resolution 66 -14 -R be approved subject to posting of a bond covering the installation of sanitary facilities. Seconded by Mr. Haakansen. Carried unanimously by roll call vote. Amount of bond to be determined by Borough Enginee D. Request for Trailer Court Permit, Lot 1, USS 3099 - Eugene & Letitia Harding (Case #30 -A) - Public Hearing to be Scheduled Case was reviewed. Mrs. Hajdu made a motion that the case be scheduled for a public hearing at the next meeting. Seconded by Mr. Haakansen. Carried by unanimous roll call vote. A. Bids for Borough Vehicle Chairman White explained the necessity for a vehicle for use by Borough employees, including the Sanitarian, Building Inspector, Assessor, and lands people. Bids were opened. R. G. Berg Motor Co., Kodiak, submitted a bid of $2935. Bid from Clark's Garage, Kodiak, was for $2995, with alternate of $2750, which did not meet specifications. Letter was read from Fifth Avenue Chrysler Center in Anchorage stating that they could not meet specifications. After some discussion, Mr. Haakansenmmoved that the Borough accept the lowest bid that meets the specifications. Seconded by Mrs. Hajdu. Carried by unanimous roll call vote. Mr. Perez offered to inquire at the Base about the possibility of obtaining a used Navy vehicle if the Borough ever needed a secodd vehicle. fl ASSEMBLY MEETING - April 21, 1966 4 B. School Budget Mr. Schott pointed out the summary sheet included in the budget which compares it to last year's. He also pointed out an increase in enrollment, in employees, and the takeover of the 6 schools formerly under BIA on July 1. The budget also includes the additions of a driver training program and an expanded evening program. There was further discussion of the takeover of the schools formerly under BIA, which accounts for $35,000 of the $40,000 increase over last year's budget. It was decided that Assembly members would study the budget until the next meeting. IX CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 3 1 A. Radiological Monitoring Course - Invitation to Sanitarian Letter from the U. of Alaska was read inviting Mr. Carter to attend this course for two weeks. Mr. Carter explained that this monitoring could be used for tracing water and sewer lines, as well as in wartime. He stated that he felt the course would be worthwhile. The Assembly concurred that the Chairman should discuss this matter with the City and reach an agreement with them. X ASSEMBLY COMMENTS - None XI The meeting was adjourned at midnight. S.B.H. TO: ALL DEPARTMENTS AND DIVISIONS FROM: BOROUGH CLERK SUBJ: ASSEMBLY MEETING OF APRIL 21, 1966 Item Assembly Action V -B Chairman suggested that board be created to act in advisory capacity to tax assessor V -A Sale of school bond issue to be checked into VI -A New petitions and an additional public hearing requested on Hopkins exception to build men's dormitory in Townsite Blk 1 Lots 7 and 8 VI -B VI -C VI -D Ordinance requested for rezoning of Erskine Blk 9 Lots 89 -92 (Elaine Banks) and Lots 115 -117 (Paul Walls) Preliminary plat of Holland Acres Subdivision, USS 3218 (Argo Corp) Approved VI -B Public hearing and action on case requested for next meeting on rezoning of Aleutian Sub Blk 14 Lots 8 -14 (Tony Perez) VII -A Res. No. 66 -15 -R establishing date for special election re hospital and bonding approved VII -B First reading approved on Ordinance No. 66 -7 -0 re- zoning Townsite Blk 16 Lots 15 and 17 VII -C Resolution 66 -14 -R on subdivision of USS 3100 Lot 14 (John Schreiner) approved subject to posting of bond covering installation of sanitary facilities VII -D Public hearing requested for Harding Staff to schedule public hearing and send Trailer Court permit, Lot 1, USS 3099 notices VIII -A Bids for Borough vehicle opened. Lowest bid which meets specifica- tions to be accepted VIII -B School budget discussed IX -A Assembly concurred in requesting Chairman to confer with City and make decision on Sanitarian's attendance at Radiological Monitoring Course KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH ASSEMBLY ACTION SUMMARY Action Needed by Administration Chairman and staff to follow through Staff to check on sale of school bond issue and decide if Assembly should attend elementary school bid opening on April 28 Staff to schedule public hearing and send notices Borough Attorney to prepare ordinance Staff to notify Argo Corp. Staff to schedule public hearing and send notices Staff to prepare for election Staff to schedule second reading and public hearing for next meeting Staff to notify Mr. Schreiner and follow up Staff to follow up Assembly members to study budget for next meeting Chairman to follow up