2026-04-16 Regular MeetingKODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
Assembly Regular Meeting
April 16, 2026
A regular meeting of the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly was held on April 16, 2026, in the
Assembly Chambers. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Staff present were Borough
Manager Aimee Williams, Borough Clerk Nova M. Javier, and Deputy Clerk Lina Cruz.
INVOCATION
Captain Diane Shatto of the Salvation Army gave the invocation.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Griffin led the pledge of allegiance.
3. STATEMENT OF LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We are gathered on the traditional homeland of the Sugpiaq/Alutiiq people, and we acknowledge the 10
tribes of the Kodiak Alutiiq Region. We recognize the Alutiiq culture that enriches our community to this
day.
4. ROLL CALL
Present were Mayor Griffin, Assembly Members Steve Ames, Jeremiah Gardner, Dave
Johnson, Caroline Roberts, Scott Smiley, Bo Whiteside, and Jeffery Woods.
5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
WHITESIDE moved to approve the agenda and consent agenda.
VOICE VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. *APPROVAL OF MINUTES (approved under consent agenda)
A. Regular Meeting Minutes of March 19, 2026, and April 2, 2026
7. CITIZENS' COMMENTS
The following spoke under citizen's comments:
• Brenda Schwantes
• Judy Carstens
• Carlene McChesney
8. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS
A. Bayside Fire Department Swearing -In Ceremony
Borough Clerk Nova M. Javier administered the oath of office to the newly
promoted officers of the Bayside Fire Department.
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B. Presentation Of Certificates To The Citizens Academy Graduates
Manager Williams presented certificates to the following Citizens Academy
graduates:
Carlen McChesney
Diane Shatto
David Shatto
C. Proclamation Declaring The Month Of April 2026 Sexual Assault Awareness
Month
Mayor Griffin proclaimed the month of April 2026 as sexual assault awareness
month in Kodiak and encouraged all residents to support local activities and
programs which assist victims, and to learn more about the pervasiveness of
sexual assault in Alaska so we may eliminate this heinous crime.
Ellamy Tiller received the proclamation.
9. COMMITTEE REPORTS
• Assembly Member Gardner provided an update on the recently held Southwest
Alaska Municipal Conference meeting, and Health Advisory Committee meeting.
• Assembly Member Johnson provided an update on the recently held Borough
Lands Committee meeting and noted the importance of having an updated
strategic plan.
• Assembly Member Smiley noted that the recently scheduled Solid Waste
Contract Committee meeting was not held due to lack of quorum.
• Assembly Member Whiteside also commented on the recently held Borough
Lands Committee meeting noting the committee was presented with a draft
Lands Disposal Principles and Screening Criteria document for review and
consideration at its next regular meeting. He also reported that, due to the lack
of a quorum at the Solid Waste Contract Committee meeting, the meeting was
rescheduled for May 28 to discuss the final draft of the solid waste contract RFP.
• Assembly Member Roberts provided an update on the recently held Kodiak
College Advisory Board meeting, noting that the council is continuing its search
for a new Director and is updating its bylaws to allow members to serve a third
term if their seat cannot be filled.
10. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Ordinance No. FY2026-01A, Amending Ordinance No. FY2026-01, Fiscal Year
2026 Budget, By Amending Budgets And Appropriations To Account For Various
Revenues That Are Over Budget, Providing For Additional Expenditures, And
Moving Funds Between Projects
WHITESIDE moved to adopt Ordinance No. FY2026-01A.
Mayor Griffin opened the public hearing. Seeing and hearing none, he closed
the public hearing.
Kodiak Island Borough
April 16, 2026
Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes
Page 2 of 5
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Ames,
Gardner, Johnson, Roberts, Smiley, Whiteside, and Woods.
B. Ordinance No. FY2026-23, Accepting And Appropriating Funds From The 2020
Prince William Sound Pink And Coho Salmon Fisheries Disaster Relief
Distribution
WHITESIDE moved to adopt Ordinance No. FY2026-23.
Mayor Griffin opened the public hearing.
Brenda Schwantes spoke during public hearing.
Seeing and hearing no other comments, Mayor Griffin closed the public hearing.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Gardner,
Johnson, Roberts, Smiley, Whiteside, Woods, and Ames.
11. BOROUGH MANAGER'S REPORT
Borough Manager Aimee Williams provided a manager's report, and it was included in
the meeting packet.
12. MESSAGES FROM THE BOROUGH MAYOR
Mayor Griffin reported attending the recent Choose Respect March, where he gave a
few comments and short history lesson about the word "Respect". He also shared
updates regarding COMFISH. He encouraged Assembly members to begin considering
potential budget tradeoffs and to be prepared to ask questions regarding the upcoming
School District funding request. Lastly, he expressed sadness regarding the closure of
the Kodiak movie theater.
13. CONSIDERATION OF CALENDAR - UNFINISHED BUSINESS
14. CONSIDERATION OF CALENDAR - NEW BUSINESS
14.A. CONTRACTS
1. Contract No FY2025-49, Change Order #2, KFRC Seawater Pump
Replacement And Installation With Industrial Pumps Of Alaska
WHITESIDE moved to authorize the Borough Manager to execute Contract No.
FY2025-49, Change Order #2 for the extension material for the KFRC Seawater
Pump Replacements.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Johnson,
Roberts, Smiley, Whiteside, Woods, Ames, and Gardner.
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2. Contract No. FY2026-54, Memorandum Of Agreement Between The Kodiak
Island Borough And The Kodiak Island Borough School District Regarding The
East Elementary Roof Replacement Project
WHITESIDE moved to authorize the Borough Manager to execute Contract No.
FY2026-54, Memorandum of Agreement between the Kodiak Island Borough
and the Kodiak Island Borough School District to redirect funds encumbered for
the North Star School Roof and Skylight Replacement Project to the East
Elementary School Roof Replacement Project.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Roberts,
Smiley, Whiteside, Woods, Ames, Gardner, and Johnson.
14.B. RESOLUTIONS — NONE.
14.C. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION
A. Ordinance No. FY2026-24, Rezoning USS 3099 Lot 21 Sublot 6 From R1 Single
Family Residential District To PL Public Use Lands District
WHITESIDE moved to advance Ordinance No. FY2026-24 (corrected version)
to public hearing at the next regular meeting of the Assembly.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Smiley,
Whiteside, Woods, Ames, Gardner, Johnson, and Roberts.
14.D. OTHER ITEMS
1. Declaring A Seat Vacant On The Mission Lake Tide Gate Service Area Board
Held By Mr. Alan Wolf
WHITESIDE moved to declare the seat held by Mr. Alan Wolf on the Mission
Lake Tide Gate Service Area Board vacant and direct the Borough Clerk to
advertise the vacancy per Borough code.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Whiteside,
Woods, Ames, Gardner, Johnson, Roberts, and Smiley.
15. CITIZENS' COMMENTS — NONE.
16. ASSEMBLY MEMBERS' COMMENTS
• Assembly Member Gardner urged the Assembly to read the comprehensive plan
he shared and thanked Manager Williams and the Clerk's Office for their hard
work.
• Assembly Member Johnson commented on the issue of consolidation raised
during citizens' comments, stating that simply discussing the issue will not move
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April 16, 2026 Page 4 of 5
it forward and that if there is public interest in reconsidering consolidation, the
matter should be brought before the voters again.
Assembly Member Smiley shared insight from the last time consolidation was
considered, noting that a representative from the State Boundary Commission
was helpful in providing them with a presentation explaining the real difficult
choices the City of Kodiak and the Kodiak Island Borough had to consider when
entertaining the idea of consolidation. He advised caution, noting consolidation
is a complex and potentially costly process because the City and Borough have
different powers.
Assembly Member Ames also commented on consolidation, noting that while it
may appear straightforward, there could be consequences related to state
policing, finances, and grant eligibility. He stated he does not believe it should
be reconsidered because he does not view it as a financially prudent move for
either government. He also suggested that if the topic is revisited, an
independent party without local ties should be sought to provide a thorough
analysis before presenting the issue to voters.
Assembly Member Whiteside congratulated Bayside Fire Department
volunteers on their promotions and thanked them for their service to the
community. He also thanked Chief Ellis for his leadership and the progress made
at the Bayside Fire Department.
Assembly Member Roberts also congratulated Bayside Fire Department
firefighters on their promotions and thanked them for their service. She also
expressed appreciation to those who attended the first round of the Citizens'
Academy.
Assembly Member Woods also congratulated the Bayside Fire Department
firefighters on their promotions and expressed appreciation for the department's
service. He also recognized Chief Ellis's leadership and noted the strong
cooperation among local public safety leaders and the community.
17. ADJOURNMENT
WHITESIDE moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:55 p.m.
VOICE VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
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Kodiak Island Borough
April 16, 2026
ATTEST:
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Nova M. Javier, MMC, Bor gh Clerk
Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes
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