[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6615788,"mediaKeyId","2858020-b36a61571c874de638e138a81f82a7f0","parentId",2858020,"title","Votes at a glance: Kenai City Council adopts record-retention and public-comment policies, approves Council on Aging work plan, introduces land-donation Ordin. ","audioSeconds",752,"startMs",3150000,"endMs",3902000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2858020-b36a61571c874de638e138a81f82a7f0&start=3150&end=3902","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2858020-b36a61571c874de638e138a81f82a7f0/thumbnail_3150000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6615788/Kenai/Kenai-Peninsula-Borough/Alaska/Votes-at-a-glance-Kenai-City-Council-adopts-record-retention-and-public-comment-policies-approves-Council-on-Aging-work-plan-introduces-land-donation-Ordin","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6615788-279fb5ade8638fd5dcecab6a96798d50/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163540&Signature=Mf74yW5KvaWxhMZf9ktynIXhIExP7--Q3Pm2Ri2czqVpjD~ivfEgJuOb9aqhoKvHjlrGzCDB-mNE5LdK3eHaiGAmEoRclzCDT0M5j8snFJqJap7EX2Q3yO86jVk141iTL9OlnuMqo3iRhxBt0Tv4kE~fKqWEB2ZZX7BLmXvUBOWaJ~IyS2-~I8dE51mkpnkWbGKE126MDHKnaWuurBc-Ddc65mpwz3fRNvU9KmvPRWKnZU-RaaS6nROf3UDNQRPnXaH6F0LfRCpnzM9OctCXvhItr6jDYGzUGl32NZEXfMZFZvKexFbaX9dw1kX27qlwjdN6CtaNWs0klKQDSdV2UA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Kenai, AK","date","2025-04-03T03:36:45.413Z","article","At the meeting the Kenai City Council took several procedural and policy actions:

- Resolution 2025-21 (record retention): The council adopted a housekeeping resolution amending council policies on recording council meetings to align meeting recordings with the city’s records management retention schedule (10 years as stated by the clerk). The clerk explained the retention schedule is based on the State of Alaska model and that any change to the schedule would return to council by resolution for public review.

- Resolution 2025-22 (public-comment limits): The council adopted a resolution establishing a 20-minute aggregate limit for scheduled public comment and a 30-minute aggregate limit for unscheduled public comment. The clerk said the council can suspend the aggregate limit by majority vote if it chooses.

- Council on Aging Work Plan: The council approved the Council on Aging Commission’s 2025 work plan, which the council summarized as three objectives: identifying intergenerational programming, reviewing the Kenai Senior Center emergency plan, and identifying health-and-wellness programs and activities.

- Ordinance introduction (land donation to KPHI): Councilmember Raskin moved to introduce an ordinance to conditionally donate a parcel of city land to the Kenai Peninsula Housing Initiative (KPHI) and to schedule a public hearing for April 16, 2025. The motion was seconded and carried by unanimous consent; the ordinance number was read inconsistently on the record and is noted in the detailed article on the land donation.

- Budget work session scheduling: Council set its annual budget work session for May 3 at 9 a.m.

- Executive session: The council voted by roll call to convene into executive session to review annual evaluations of the city manager, city attorney and city clerk pursuant to AS 44.62.310(c)(2). The roll call recorded seven yes votes for the executive-session motion.

Ending: These actions set the schedule for follow-up hearings and the next budget review; substantive land-donation final action and any budget appropriations remain to be decided at future meetings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/2/25 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The council adopted housekeeping changes to meeting-record retention and set aggregate time limits for public comment, approved the Council on Aging work plan and introduced an ordinance to donate land to KPHI, scheduling its public hearing for April 16. The body also scheduled a May 3 budget work session and moved into executive session by roll.","taxTitle","Kenai, Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska","taxId",56073,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6615793,"Kenai Peninsula Housing Initiative seeks roughly 5 acres from city to expand senior and affordable housing; council introduces ordinance for public hearing",2036,1850000,3886000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2858020-b36a61571c874de638e138a81f82a7f0&start=1850&end=3886","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2858020-b36a61571c874de638e138a81f82a7f0/thumbnail_1850000.jpg","/articles/6615793/Kenai/Kenai-Peninsula-Borough/Alaska/Kenai-Peninsula-Housing-Initiative-seeks-roughly-5-acres-from-city-to-expand-senior-and-affordable-housing-council-introduces-ordinance-for-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6615793-ccd48e480fc93f40b0843b86b07920b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163540&Signature=Igr0bk4CuhcnsCCrXpyec~InEjG6mhxg0Ob7k1LFENxaLMRH7YbusV20OTyz52c19zUAfK6amGaOaY4WCVsExz-2I0EA6D1jNTaK8Wmz6ol9vpKk64nxayVpEaB5gftO4OlxovEWhBImhHIp8xVRuLExwSVTlEaXvufOJW~X~k5mDXKP9bxHjqB-jMyy3mpR~s24LJWEXHjghA~ZH9l5M2bGGatpoVm0YPaOPjOPogEACmsEgqw3ZJ-3VcZ5XVJygFbqZ-1grQ0JcaKPA313LzwoNV5tYZ5GNQEFeiXVP4yoZ40i00IfXhZmX5vpRgdMbZCkz7X5tIC1u~EycQpVrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dana Gregorra and Brandi (executive director) of the Kenai Peninsula Housing Initiative (KPHI) told the Kenai City Council the nonprofit needs an additional roughly 5.09 acres from a city-owned tract to compete for a time-limited funding opportunity and expand senior and low-income housing in Kenai.

KPHI’s request and the ordinance: The administration placed an ordinance on the meeting laydown to conditionally donate city-owned land described in the packet as subdividable parcels from an approximately 69.5-acre tract (identified in the packet as Kenai Meadows, Tract 1A per plat 2023-48). Gregorra said the requested parcel with right-of-way would total about 5.09 acres and would be used to increase the development footprint on an existing roughly 10-acre assemblage KPHI already holds in that area. KPHI said the full 10-acre assemblage would support up to 54 senior housing units and 54 low-income multifamily units when fully developed.

Funding and timing: KPHI said the additional land would let the nonprofit apply for a Federal Home Loan Bank funding round the group has not used previously. Gregorra said the application period for that funding opportunity runs from April 1 to April 30 and that the timing is why the administration sought to add the ordinance as a laydown item for tonight’s meeting so it could be introduced and then scheduled for public hearing at the council’s April 16 meeting.

How many units and need: Gregorra said KPHI operates 31 rental properties across the peninsula with 155 occupied units and is currently developing four additional properties that will add 26 units. She said the Kenai wait list for KPHI properties contains 62 people. For the parcel they are ready to break ground on now (Lot 4), Gregorra said the project includes 12 senior units and 8 low-income units.

Rents, income certification and funding model: Council members asked how rents are set and how tenant eligibility is certified. Gregorra said rents on restricted units are set using HUD rent limits tied to income limits (30%, 50% or 60% of area median income depending on the specific funding), and that tenants must be income-certified; many tenants use the Alaska Housing Choice Voucher Program for rent assistance. Brandi, KPHI’s executive director, said residents are re–income-certified annually and that if a household’s income rises above program thresholds the household is charged the lesser of 30% of adjusted monthly income or market rent as required by funding rules.

Council action: Councilmember Raskin moved to introduce the ordinance and schedule the public hearing for April 16. The motion was seconded and, by unanimous consent (no objection), the ordinance was introduced and the public hearing scheduled for April 16, 2025. The packet referenced an ordinance number on the laydown; the ordinance number was read into the record inconsistently during the meeting (see audit note). The administration clarified that a formal motion to introduce and set a hearing date was required and was made at the meeting.

Why it matters: KPHI said donated land is a critical competitive advantage when applying to constrained affordable housing funding sources and that donated city land has enabled prior developments that provide restricted rent units for seniors and low-income households on the Kenai Peninsula.

Ending: KPHI representatives thanked the council and administration staff for prior land donations, discussed collaboration with planning and zoning staff, and said they will pursue the Federal Home Loan Bank funding opportunity if the land donation proceeds to public hearing and subsequent council action.","Kenai Peninsula Housing Initiative asked the Kenai City Council for a conditional donation of about 5.09 acres from a larger city parcel to permit additional senior and low-income housing; the council introduced an ordinance and scheduled a public hearing for April 16.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6615798,"Kenai Watershed Forum asks Kenai City Council to restore $5,000 annual contribution for river monitoring",1437,407000,1844000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2858020-b36a61571c874de638e138a81f82a7f0&start=407&end=1844","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2858020-b36a61571c874de638e138a81f82a7f0/thumbnail_407000.jpg","/articles/6615798/Kenai/Kenai-Peninsula-Borough/Alaska/Kenai-Watershed-Forum-asks-Kenai-City-Council-to-restore-5000-annual-contribution-for-river-monitoring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6615798-3acc4d31dc8467b1cb24e35173ecc187/orig.mp4?Expires=1771163540&Signature=fMd7F6CgCUS6OO7OxgAOjfUUGxpyVdwJgpddDXLXV-UeyXlDl-z3GzKRsQywAA1hG1BUfwp~5Dc8laqHcnpqNk9m50ayFKplzHBn5brkiZUhuBGu-4Iw3DEptF-qlQBAatLGEUo3CJDtj~V4cfLdX7GQRj56YGHsYyZ8OgCFIzemDSLAtfinmiHp3MEDm-tCxzeARO6-oHGRIbz2SOFa~iPHmGOs28BV9kPI6yx7n8xv75hTDyJARhGyijk8KVih-ceRa5K1ALgTPWMRMirNa1bzF1EA-LVoQ4Tn4zhaJfF7g3wQ1Ur5S89r7T1DI4pT6sf2xKw2oRfTVflx59lLVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Benjamin Meyer, environmental scientist and water-quality coordinator for the Kenai Watershed Forum, asked the Kenai City Council to restore the city’s annual contribution to the forum’s Kenai River Baseline Water Quality Monitoring Project to $5,000 — the level the city provided from 2011 through 2023. The forum’s current local contribution from the City of Kenai is $1,500, Meyer told the council during scheduled public comment.

Meyer said the forum has 10 of the 16 signers it is seeking on a memorandum of understanding and is asking the City of Kenai to resume the $5,000 annual contribution to form the baseline operating budget for the monitoring effort. He showed a short video describing the program, said a comprehensive report assessing the monitoring results is due within the next year, and explained that the group treats the monitoring as a twice-yearly “health checkup” for the river.

Why it matters: The forum’s monitoring is positioned as a cooperative, multi-party effort that can prompt follow-up by state agencies if sampling identifies a credible pollution concern. Meyer said the project’s data have in the past prompted follow-up monitoring by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and private consultants to replicate and investigate findings.

Funding and partners: Meyer described the project budget as a baseline formed from expected annual partner contributions. He said the Alaska Department of Natural Resources provides $3,000 annually to support laboratory expenses and that some work has been supported by a Federal Bureau of Reclamation grant. The forum’s recent video was supported by a ConocoPhillips Alaska community grant and produced by Martin Media. Meyer said the forum’s Anchorage contract laboratory, SGS Laboratories, provided a 15% in-kind discount that will save the project roughly $2,500 annually.

Staffing and operations: Meyer said the Watershed Forum has five full-time employees. Typical sampling events involve two forum staff and about 15–17 total volunteers or partner staff contributing roughly half a day to field work. He said the forum is reviewing its sampling design as part of the comprehensive report and may shift effort away from measures that show little year-to-year variation to save budget.

Questions from council: Council members asked about duplicate monitoring by state agencies, laboratory services, and whether local wastewater lab capacity could be used. Meyer said DEC staff participate by providing in-kind labor and that DEC would conduct follow-up monitoring if community data suggested a legitimate concern. He confirmed the Soldotna wastewater lab had been providing in-kind analysis of total coliform and total suspended solids and that he had confirmed the lab’s state certification. Meyer said he planned to contact the Kenai wastewater treatment plant manager to discuss possible lab services.

Council action and next steps: Councilmembers did not take a formal funding vote at the meeting. Meyer noted the forum’s projected revenue gap scenario (about $18,200 for 2025 in the packet without external funding) but said some staff-time analysis costs will be covered this year by existing support. City staff told the presenters that budget and grant requests are typically reviewed through the city’s upcoming budget work session and grant-review process. The council’s budget work session was later scheduled for May 3 at 9 a.m.

Ending: Meyer thanked the council and said the forum would continue outreach to secure additional grant and partner support. He also offered to provide more details or answer questions as the council considers funding during budget and grants review.","Kenai Watershed Forum asked the Kenai City Council to resume its prior $5,000 yearly contribution to a Kenai River baseline water-quality monitoring project and described current funding, partners and a near-term grant deadline tied to matching support.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Kenai City Council adopts record-retention and public-comment policies, approves Council on Aging work plan, introduces land-donation Ordin.

Kenai Peninsula Housing Initiative seeks roughly 5 acres from city to expand senior and affordable housing; council introduces ordinance for public hearing

Kenai Watershed Forum asks Kenai City Council to restore $5,000 annual contribution for river monitoring