1997-01 DEC Full Time EngineerKODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
RESOLUTION NO. 97 -01
Introduced by: Mayor Selby
Requested by: Assembly
Drafted: Mayor Selby
Introduced: 01/02/97
Adopted: 01/02/97
A RESOLUTION URGING THE STATE OF ALASKA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION TO RETAIN
A FULL -TIME ENGINEER POSITION IN THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
WHEREAS, the State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC)
has had a full -time environmental health and quality position in the Kodiak Island
Borough for over twenty -five years; and a full -time engineering position since 1989;
and
WHEREAS, the engineering position has been essential in helping the six cities,
unincorporated communities, logging camps, and the Kodiak Island Borough deal with
many environmental quality issues that fall under the purview of the Department of
Environmental Conservation; and
WHEREAS, the efforts of the engineer have resulted in a positive working
relationship between the state and local governments and the people living in the
Kodiak Island Borough, as environmental quality issues are addressed; and
WHEREAS, there is a significant amount of critical work to be accomplished in the
Kodiak Island Borough which will require the skills of an engineer to successfully
complete over the next few years, including: construction of an addition to the City
of Kodiak wastewater treatment plant; completion of the Kodiak Island Borough
landfill close -out and development of a new landfill area; development of a
village /regional solid waste plan funded by the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council;
development of the State of Alaska- United States Coast Guard Kodiak subarea plan
for oil spill prevention and response; construction of the landfill and upgrade of the
sewage treatment facility in Karluk; development of a new landfill area in Akhiok;
assistance with a wide variety of water and sewer issues in the other villages, and
numerous other DEC related - environmental quality projects; and
WHEREAS, the Kodiak Island Borough requires the assistance of an ADEC engineer
to assist with the state's unfunded mandate transferring the subdivision review for
septic systems to the Borough. The elimination of the engineer's position will create
further environmental quality problems as the region will lose an experienced engineer
with expertise in septic system design in the Kodiak region, impacting the
development community and the regional economy; and
Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska Resolution No. 97 -01
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WHEREAS, the ADEC proposal to serve the Kodiak Island Borough with a community
generalist is not adequate to meet the diverse needs of this growing region, as
evidenced by the need for and utilization of an engineer over the last eight years; and
WHEREAS, staffing the Kodiak Island Borough from another geographic area has
been proven to be unreliable due to weather and construction schedules, has led to
a great deal of frustration, and will additionally reduce service levels in Kenai and
Anchorage as these staff are called on to respond to environmental quality issues in
the Kodiak Island Borough, wasting valuable time in travel and travel delays; and
WHEREAS, the added cost of airfare and travel costs to come to Kodiak Island from
other areas to provide DEC support have proven to be cost prohibitive in the past;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK ISLAND
BOROUGH that the State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is
urged to retain the full -time engineer position in the Kodiak Island Borough for at least
the next two years.
ATTEST:
ADOPTED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
THIS SECOND DAY OF JANUARY, 1997
_ onrla ir
Donna F. Smith, CMC /AAE, Borough Clerk
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
e me M. Selby, Borou
Robin Heinrichs, Presiding Officer
Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska Resolution No. 97 -01
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