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.
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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.
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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.
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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