General Meeting Minutes 3-9-2006

Minutes for the City Council General Meeting

March 9, 2006

Call to Order 7:01 PM 

Roll Call

Wayne Howell (acting mayor and meeting chair in Sandi’s absence)

Becky King

Martha Romero

Ken Klawunder

Mike Atkins

Approval of Minutes: Becky made a motion to approve the minutes as read.  Motion Passed 5/0

Public Comment on non-Agenda Items (Public Comment Limited to 3 minutes) 

Ordinances for Publication:

1.     Non-Code Ordinance Number 2006-02

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF GUSTAVUS PROVIDING FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2006

Wayne explained that the change made appropriations for funding for water quality testing in Gustavus.  Wayne read the ordinance. 

Ordinances for Public Hearing:

Resolutions for Public Hearing:

Unfinished Business    

2.    Award of the Road Maintenance Contract for 2006

Wayne explained the history and process involved with the bidding procedure and rewrite of the Road Maintenance Specifications.

Becky made a motion to accept the road committee’s recommendation to award the contract to Fairweather Construction as specified in the Road Maintenance RFQ.  Motion Passed 5/0.

3.     Diane Klawunder discussed the results of her meeting w/DOT.  Diane mentioned that we need to have a Harbor Ordinance adopted to have DOT construct the launch ramp at the Salmon River.   Through the discussion, June was set as the deadline for adoption the Harbor Ordinance.  Wayne requested that the Harbor Ordinance be put on the agenda for the next work session on the 16^th of March.

     Discussion on this topic followed.

4.    Announcement of Approval of the Pre-Application for EDA Grant for Construction of the Barge Ramp/Sport Ramp at the Salmon River.

Diane explained what the grant is for and how it works.

Diane explained that the Pre-Application for this grant has been approved.  For the Application for this grant to be approved, proof that the city has matching funding available must be provided.

Wayne specified that the target appropriation from the legislative grant was $60,000.00 of those funds.

Mike made a motion that the city of Gustavus appropriate from the 2005 State Legislative Grant the matching funds required for the EDA Economic Adjustment Public Works Implementation Grant to fund the barge ramp project. Ken seconded the motion. Motion passed 5/0  

5.    Announcement of Arts Council Funds impending absorption by the City if no one steps forward to take over the Arts Council.

The clerk stated that the last interested party would be sent a letter about the impending absorption of funds.  A final notice will be given regarding these funds at the next general meeting in April.

New Business

6.    Tim Gibson Sr. will present his concerns regarding marine transport of freight to Gustavus.

Please see attached letter from Mr. Gibson.  Tim requested that the council write a letter to the Denali Commission expressing the dire situation that Gustavus was in concerning the cost of the marine transport of freight and need for a barge ramp in Auke Bay.  Wayne suggested that perhaps it would be beneficial if the Mayor of Gustavus contact the Mayor of Juneau to express the dire situation caused by the loss of a main freight staging area, the Smith Brothers Ramp, in Juneau because this ramp was designated for sport use only.  Wayne asked if there were any other communities impacted by these issues.

Mike made a motion that the city of Gustavus supports the City and Borough of Juneau in requesting funds from the Denali Commission for a new commercial port facility located in the Auke Bay area of Juneau.  Motion Passed 5/0.

7.    S.B. 112- REAA Tax (Tax on the residents of an educational district to fund educational programs)

Wayne read a synopsis of the Bill and what measures it would enact.  Please see attached synopsis.  Wayne also read a summarization of the proposed tax revenue.  Please see attached copy of proposed revenue.  Wayne noted that the bill has already passed the house.

Discussion on this topic followed.

Wayne stated that the Council needed to have a representative at the March 23 conference of Mayors in Juneau to express the Community’s disfavor of this bill.  Wayne will also send a letter to Rep. Thomas’s Office. 

Committee Reports

1.     Endowment Fund Committee-

Bruce Tedtsen gave a brief report.  Please see attached copy of report.    Several things must be changed. The yearly cycle must be clarified in ordinance to designate either the funding or the fiscal year (Section 04.08.030).  Wayne asked that this be put on the work session agenda for next week.  What does the Council want to use as an established baseline for withdrawal and what the council should designate the funds to were the other issues that needed clarification.  Bruce recommended going with the higher number for the baseline allocation of the fund. 

2.     Parks and Recreation Committee

          No Report was given.  Wayne did mention the farmer’s market proposal will be discussed at the work session next Thursday and that the clerk should contact the committee and ask them to attend.

3.       Library Board

Lynne Jensen thanked the council for the opportunity to attend the Library Conference in Anchorage last month.  She said that it was a good experience.  She also stated that the library will have publications available to go along with the health fair at the school.  She also thought that the extended hours were being utilized and community reactions had been favorable.  Lynne then read a report.  Please see attached copy of report.  George Jensen stated that prior to the new extended hours there were only 317 adults and 55 students that attended the library in a 4 week period.  After the hours were extended the Library patronage was 403 adults and 115 students in a 4 week period.

Council Comments

Ken Klawunder stated that before he visited Sen. Kookesh and Rep. Thomas, Ken formulated a proposal consisting of capital expenditures that we could ask for help with funding for.  Ken then met with them and gave examples of current projects that are in process and several projects that had already been proposed but had not been funded.  Please see attached list of proposed projects to forward on to our Sen. and Rep. as possible projects to fund.  Ken then discussed and explained the choices on the attached list.  Further discussion on this topic followed. 

Becky made motion to have an emergency meeting Monday night to discuss the CIP list and that we ask the Strategic Planning committee to attend.  Wayne asked for discussion and discussion ensued.  Motion passed 5/0.     

Adjournment  9:19 PM