09/02/1999 RMA regular meeting of the Kodiak Island Borough
Assembly was held September 2, 1999 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.
The invocation was given by Paster Todd Pitney of
Kodiak Community Baptist Church, followed by the
Pledge of Allegiance.
There were present:
Ayes:
Mayor:
Gary L. Stevens
Assemblymembers:
Tom Abell
Scott Arndt
Tuck Bonney
Pat Branson
comprising a quorum of the Assembly; and
Linda Freed, Acting Manager
Judi Nielsen, CMC, Clerk
Patti Kirkpatrick, Deputy Clerk
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
HEINRICHS,
seconded by ARNDT
ARNDT,
seconded by BRANSON
VOTE ON MOTION TO AMEND
Noes:
MOTION CARRIED
Regular Assembly Meeting
September 2, 1999
None
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
Regular Assembly Meeting
September 2, 1999
Robin Heinrichs
Wayne Stevens
Greg Spalinger
moved to approve the
agenda.
moved to amend the agenda
to add item number 16
Executive Session, A.
Matters Pertaining to
Manager Hire.
Abell, Arndt, Bonney, Branson,
Heinrichs, Spalinger, Stevens
Unanimous
REGULAR MEETING
ROLL CALL
APPROVAL OF
AGENDA
Volume XXV
Page 196
VOTE ON MOTION TO APPROVE AS AMENDED
MOTION CARRIED
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A.
Kodiak Island Borough Assembly regular meeting
of August 5, and special meetings of August 12
and August 16, 1999.
HEINRICHS,
seconded by ARNDT
VOTE ON MOTION TO APPROVE
MOTION CARRIED
AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS
A. Employee of the Month
Manager Freed presented the Employee of the Month
Award to Bob Scholze, associate planner in the
Community Development Department.
CITIZENS' COMMENTS
Unanimous voice vote
Unanimous voice vote
moved to approve the
regular minutes of
August 5, August 12,
and August 16, 1999.
A. Agenda Items Not Scheduled For Public Hearing
and General Comments.
None.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Assemblymember Branson attended the Kodiak College
Council meeting and learned that the college pursuing
implementing a vocational training program.
PUBLIC HEARING
All ordinances and resolutions presented at this
meeting were introduced by title only and copies made
available to the public.
A.
Ordinance No. 99 -08 Placing a Ballot Measure
Before the Voters at the October 5, 1999
Regular Municipal Election That, if Passed by
the Voters, Would Allow the Kodiak Island
Regular Assembly Meeting
September 2, 1999
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
AWARDS AND
PRESENTATIONS
EMPLOYEE OF THE
MONTH
CITIZENS'
COMMENTS
COMMITTEE
REPORTS
PUBLIC HEARING
ORDINANCE
NO. 99 -08
Volume XXV
Page 197
Borough to Levy and Collect a Consumer's Sales
Tax Not Exceeding One Percent (1 %) of the
Sales Price on all Retail Sales, on all Rents,
and on all Services Made Within the Confines
of the Kodiak Island Borough and The Revenues
Derived Therefrom May Be Used for the Kodiak
Area Transit System (KATS) Operations.
BONNEY, moved to adopt
seconded by BRANSON Ordinance No. 99 -08.
Manager Freed provided a brief background on the
ordinance. She referred to the attorney's opinion
regarding implementation of a sales tax.
Mayor Stevens opened the public hearing.
Mike Milligan was upset to hear that the Alaska
Municipal League (AML) supported a yes vote to reduce
the permanent fund dividend (PFD). Although many
Alaskans opposed taxes, he favored the proposed sales
tax as a compromise the community could understand.
Mayor Stevens was not aware that AML supported the
PFD ballot question.
John Parker opposed a sales tax because it would be
costly to administer. He said the Kodiak Area
Transit System (KATS) had failed to prove itself in
eighteen months and taxpayers should not fund a
system that was not fully utilized.
Michael Rasmussen phoned to say that the voters voted
for a tax cap two years ago and did not want to pay
more taxes. He said the feasibility study failed to
show KATS was a problem venture until the funding was
gone. He saw KATS as a new form of welfare.
Roger Reddekopp was opposed to KATS and to the sales
tax because he saw no limitation on where the funds
would be spent.
John Marshall phoned to say he felt any new tax would
burden the taxpayers of Kodiak.
Sara Thayer opposed a sales tax funding KATS.
William Hogan phoned to say he felt increased taxes
would hurt those living on a fixed income.
Regular Assembly Meeting
September 2, 1999
Volume XXV
Page 198
Mel Stevens said that with declining state funds,
local government had fund existing services; however,
he opposed government funding new services like KATS.
Ben Ardinger phoned to say he felt a sales tax would
encourage the community to shop out of town via
catalogs. He wanted KATS to pay for itself.
Cathy Cordry supported KATS as an admirable cause.
She asked if there would be a tax cap similar to the
city's. She was concerned that the Assembly was
dedicating funds.
Mayor Stevens said the funds would be placed in the
general fund and potentially used to support KATS.
Tom Quick phoned in to ask how the school district
paid for bus service. He thought KATS could provide
school bus service and resolve the issue.
Woody Koniq said KATS was an important part of the
community's infrastructure. He questioned the
seasonal sales tax because of the accountability;
however, as a taxpayer, he would support KATS.
Isaac Milligan said many students living in Bell's
Flats relied on KATS to travel to town to participate
in athletics. He suggested fares be increased to
help support the system.
Karla Griffiths, KATS petition volunteer, felt there
was community support for KATS. She said KATS
benefited the elderly, families with one vehicle, and
students. She noted that whenever she rode the bus,
there were two to twelve riders each time.
Clerk Nielsen read into the record a letter received
from Philip Chiaravalle, Jr. opposing the ordinance.
Mayor Stevens closed the public hearing and
reconvened the regular meeting.
Assemblymember Bonney was opposed to raising taxes;
but, he felt obligated to pursue funding for KATS.
He thought to reduce the tax and collect throughout
the year to resolve accounting problems. He wanted
basic services like education and non - profits funded
first. He hoped for an ordinance with exemptions
similar to the city's. He felt this was a fair way
for the community to pay for a service they wanted.
Regular Assembly Meeting
September 2, 1999
Volume XXV
Page 199
BONNEY,
seconded by BRANSON
Assemblymember Bonney felt one - quarter of one percent
would provide enough funds for KATS to operate and if
additional funds were needed, they could go back
before the voters. He wanted a check and balance
system for KATS.
Assemblymember Branson appreciated Mel Stevens'
comments on funding for the community. She noted the
Assembly did not fully fund education and stressed
the importance for the Assembly to review future
budget problems and to have the foresight to place
the ordinance on the ballot for the voters to decide.
Assemblymember Abell opposed the ordinance.
Assemblymember Arndt opposed the sales tax. He said
the Borough did not fund the KATS pilot project;
however, the Borough provided funds until grant funds
were received. He was concerned that one - quarter
percent might not be enough.
Assemblymember Branson thanked Assemblymember Bonney
for bringing the ordinance forward. She pointed out
that placing the question on the ballot allowed the
voters to make the decision.
Assemblymember Stevens felt a one percent tax was
easier to collect. He wanted to place the question
on the ballot.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON AMENDMENT
Ayes:
Noes:
MOTION FAILED 3 Ayes, 4 Noes
Assemblymember Stevens said first this was a property
tax petition and then a sales tax question. He
appreciated the vigorous debate and felt the
community was learning how local government worked.
Regular Assembly Meeting
September 2, 1999
moved to amend
Ordinance No. 99 -08 by
replacing the words:
"one percent" with the
words: "one- quarter of
one percent ".
Bonney, Branson, Abell
Arndt, Heinrichs,
Spalinger, Stevens
Volume XXV
Page 200
Assemblymember Spalinger felt Kodiak did not need a
transit system.
Assemblymember Branson strongly favored allowing the
voters to decide.
Assemblymember Bonney felt the one percent sales tax
collected throughout the year was not in line with
the original intent to fund KATS.
Mayor Stevens said if the voters approved the ballot
measure, the Assembly would have many options
available to them.
Assemblymember Bonney was concerned about the use of
the excess revenue generated by the one percent sales
tax. He favored a special election to raise funds
for services like education and non - profits.
In response to Assemblymember Arndt, Manager Freed
said 2,600 passengers in one month was low for summer
months.
Assemblymember Arndt said the current budget was
balanced; however, he felt that, historically, the
Assembly had spent beyond their means. He saw more
budget cuts next year due to declining state
revenues. He felt the current tax burden was
adequate and opposed increasing taxes. He did not
feel the Assembly was doing their job in providing
basic services.
Assemblymember Heinrichs wanted the voters to decide.
He noted that the sales tax would provide relief to
property owners.
Assemblymember Abell reiterated that the feasibility
study indicated the system would support itself. He
was disappointed that the Assembly was not advised
that public transportation could not subsidize
itself.
VOTE ON MOTION TO ADOPT
Ayes: Branson, Heinrichs,
Stevens
Noes: Bonney, Spalinger,
Abell, Arndt
Regular Assembly Meeting
September 2, 1999
Volume XXV
Page 201
MOTION FAILED 3 Ayes, 4 Noes
MESSAGES FROM THE INTERIM MANAGER MESSAGES FROM
INTERIM MANAGER
Manager Freed reported on problems with the Akhiok
teacherage. She said the Alaska Housing Authority
repair and make the teacherage livable.
In response to Assemblymember Arndt, Manager Freed
noted the teacherage had been a concern for some
time. She said the doors and windows needed to be
replaced. She said this was before the assembly for
their review in case repairs were more than $5,000.
She said the funds were available in the budget.
Assemblymember Arndt was disappointed that Akhiok
waited until the start of the school year to repair
the teacherage.
MESSAGES FROM THE BOROUGH MAYOR MESSAGES FROM
THE MAYOR
Mayor Stevens noted that the five manager applicants
were in Kodiak last week and met the Assembly, staff,
and the community. He thanked the clerk's office for
their help and hard work during the hiring process.
OLD BUSINESS OLD BUSINESS
A. Ordinance No. 99 -05 Amending Title 17 Zoning ORDINANCE
of the Kodiak Island Borough Code of NO. 99 -05
Ordinances by Amending Section 17.02.030
Comprehensive Plan to Incorporate the
Pasagshak /Narrow Cape Area Plan (June 1999).
ARNDT,
seconded by BONNEY
ROLL CALL VOTE ON MOTION TO POSTPONE
Noes:
MOTION CARRIED
Regular Assembly Meeting
September 2, 1999
None
moved to postpone
Ordinance No. 99 -05 to
October 7, 1999.
Assemblymember Arndt said it was agreed at the work
session to postpone the ordinance to allow discussion
of the Plan in detail with Manager Freed.
Ayes: Branson, Heinrichs, Spalinger,
Stevens, Abell, Arndt, Bonney
Unanimous
Volume XXV
Page 202
NEW BUSINESS NEW BUSINESS
A. CONTRACTS CONTRACTS
1. Contract No. 99 -38 Refrigeration Unit
Processing at the Kodiak Island Borough
Landfill for the Period of September 1999
to June 2001.
STEVENS,
seconded by ARNDT
Manager Freed said state regulations required that
Freon be removed by a certified professional. She
recommended approval of the contract as there were
many refrigerators at the landfill awaiting disposal.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON MOTION
Ayes:
Noes: None
MOTION CARRIED Unanimous
B. RESOLUTIONS
None.
C. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION
None.
D. OTHER ITEMS
Regular Assembly Meeting
September 2, 1999
moved to award Contract
No. 99 -38 with Kodiak
Refrigeration at the
rate of $52 per hour.
Heinrichs, Spalinger,
Stevens, Abell, Arndt,
Bonney, Branson
RESOLUTIONS
ORDINANCES FOR
INTRODUCTION
OTHER ITEMS
1. Confirmation of Mayoral Appointments to APPOINTMENTS TO
the Providence Kodiak Island Mental THE PROVIDENCE
Health Center Advisory Board. KODIAK ISLAND
MENTAL HEALTH
STEVENS, moved to confirm the CENTER ADVISORY
seconded by ARNDT mayoral appointment of BOARD
Patricia Crowe to a
term to expire December
31, 1999, and Pam
Foreman to a term to
Volume XXV
Page 203
ROLL CALL VOTE ON MOTION
Ayes:
Noes: None
MOTION CARRIED Unanimous
2. Southern Region Emergency Medical
Services Council Board of Directors
Nomination.
BRANSON,
seconded by ARNDT
Mayor Stevens noted that Mike Dolph, former fire
chief, asked to be reappointed to the Council.
There was no discussion by the Assembly.
VOTE ON MOTION Unanimous voice vote
INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS (No action required)
A.
B.
MINUTES OF OTHER MEETINGS
1. Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting of
June 16, 1999.
2. Kodiak Island Borough School District
Board of Education Regular Meeting of
July 19, and Special Meetings of August 2
and August 5, 1999.
REPORTS
None.
Regular Assembly Meeting
September 2, 1999
expire December 31,
2001 on the Providence
Kodiak Island Mental
Health Center Advisory
Board.
Spalinger, Stevens,
Abell, Arndt, Bonney,
Branson, Heinrichs
moved to nominate Mike
Dolph to a three -year
term on the Southern
Region Emergency
Medical Services
Council, Inc.
NOMINATION TO
THE SOUTHERN
REGION EMERGENCY
MEDICAL SERVICES
COUNCIL, INC.
INFORMATIONAL
MATERIALS
MINUTES OF OTHER
MEETINGS
REPORTS
Volume XXV
Page 204
C. OTHER
None.
CITIZENS' COMMENTS
None.
ASSEMBLYMEMBER COMMENTS
Assemblymember Arndt was bothered by the two contract
awards. He said repairs to the Middle school should
have been done before school started. He said the
Fire Marshall recommended repairs to the old hospital
boiler room ten months ago, and he questioned that
bid process.
Assemblymember Abell reminded the community that the
Borough had no interest in the issues surrounding the
city's annexation. He was disappointed that the AML
supported a yes vote on the PFD ballot measure.
Mayor Stevens said the Borough decided to stay out of
the annexation issue. He did not attend the last AML
conference and was surprised that they supported the
PFD ballot measure.
Assemblymember Heinrichs congratulated employee of
the month Bob Scholze as a competent staff member.
He reminded the community that school was in session
and to watch for children.
Assemblymember Stevens also congratulated Bob
Scholze. He appreciated his longevity with the
Borough. Assemblymember Stevens said his father was
enjoying his visit to Kodiak.
Assemblymember Branson also congratulated Bob
Scholze. She appreciated his involvement in the
community, especially at the Brother Francis Shelter.
Assemblymember Spalinger encouraged the community to
call with any questions or concerns they might have
regarding annexation.
Mayor Stevens announced that members of the Assembly
would travel to Port Lions on Monday, September 6.
The assembly packet review work session of September 9 was
rescheduled to Tuesday, September 21 following the joint
Regular Assembly Meeting
September 2, 1999
OTHER
CITIZENS'
COMMENTS
ASSEMBLYMEMBER
COMMENTS
Volume XXV
Page 205
assembly /council work session at 7:30 p.m. in the Borough
conference room. The regular assembly meeting of
September 16 was been rescheduled to Thursday September
23, 1999 at 7:30 p.m. in the assembly chambers.
He announced that the state's special election would be
held Tuesday, September 14, and that absentee voting was
available in the clerk's office.
16. EXECUTIVE SESSION
STEVENS,
seconded by HEINRICHS
VOTE ON MOTION
Ayes:
Noes: None
MOTION CARRIED Unanimous
At 9:05 p.m. Mayor Stevens recessed the regular
meeting into executive session and invited the
clerk's staff to attend.
At 9:43 p.m., Mayor Stevens reconvened the regular
meeting and announced that no action was taken in the
executive session.
There being no further business to come before the
Assembly, the meeting adjourned at 9:44 p
ATTEST:
4
J ith A. Nielse
B rough Clerk
Regular Assembly Meeting
September 2, 1999
moved to convene into
executive session to
discuss matters
pertaining to manager
hire.
Stevens, Abell, Arndt,
Bonney, Branson,
Heinrichs, Spalinger
i3 at r L.
Mayor
Approved: 10/21/99
EXECUTIVE
SESSION
ADJOURNMENT
Volume XXV
Page 206