[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6562709,"mediaKeyId","3249683-eddd08accf8da76080572a9c912a3933","parentId",3249683,"title","New emergency management manager introduces himself; seeks IPAWS authorization and village outreach","audioSeconds",285,"startMs",203340,"endMs",488630,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3249683-eddd08accf8da76080572a9c912a3933&start=203&end=488","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3249683-eddd08accf8da76080572a9c912a3933/thumbnail_203340.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6562709/Kodiak-Island-Borough/Alaska/New-emergency-management-manager-introduces-himself-seeks-IPAWS-authorization-and-village-outreach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562709-e1011787e2cce075d2d4bf0762da0642/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505975&Signature=YDIoyWe2MhhYKKxdeat3Dmiq7FhCeBfeMomy1R-pmWO2rkLrhLqlcGjrX7xaNG3mzT0WsqwQ~B1EbrlKoA25Rvzjqw4hPS2cqF-y~eNFiwvGUJIoLRLr5crIVL-SyVdo4phzeQXl626aXUWO67URYu68IXbYWWR9KrpWcxgSmozZh3qipoCfYRaoVE9k7KLFYsw9TAQkGOeRmd27TFo7h~yandMknKpfA30oxOSpNQkHw1s0dmJ8iI65EtxB8GdpX5T1yQV91h-NbdjLyMfewCFVC7E6qlC-CQGC5GaK~9L4J4WjPmDHc6mj-HNclOdpC0QpaRLEblF1CIyH33AmuA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kodiak Island Borough","date","2025-05-09T16:31:41Z","article","Rich Gonzales, the Kodiak region's new emergency management manager (a position jointly funded by the city of Kodiak and Kodiak Island Borough), introduced himself at the May 8 work session and summarized early work since beginning the role in January.

Gonzales said he has been reactivating local committees, presenting weekly situation reports, engaging the state Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), attending national and state emergency-management conferences and building relationships with local media outlets (KMXT, KVOK and the Kodiak Mirror) to improve public communications in emergencies.

Gonzales said he submitted the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) community plan that would allow the borough to send its own emergency-alert messages. He also reported outreach to village public-safety officers and said he plans more face-to-face visits to rural communities. Gonzales said he has been coordinating with the Coast Guard emergency-management staff and local Coast Guard fire personnel.

Assembly members asked about specific village needs: one member reported a nonworking tsunami siren at Akiak and asked Gonzales to follow up; Gonzales said he would investigate. Other members pressed for continued outreach and training; the manager and Gonzales noted that VPSO (village public-safety officer) training with Texas A&M's TEEX program had been valuable and is expected again this summer.

Ending: Gonzales asked for time to continue relationship-building and the assembly signaled support for expanding local communications and IPAWS capabilities. No formal decisions were made; staff will follow up on the Akiak siren and on scheduling village visits and training coordination.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Assembly Work Session of May 8, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Rich Gonzales, the jointly funded emergency management manager for the Kodiak region, introduced himself to the borough assembly and described outreach to local media, village public-safety officers, the Coast Guard and state/federal partners; he said he has submitted the IPAWS notification plan so the borough can send emergency alerts directly.","taxTitle","Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska","taxId",13713,"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},6562712,"Assembly hears plan to close skylight at North Star Elementary as part of roof project; ARB recommended solid roofing over glazing",313,6737625,7051455,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3249683-eddd08accf8da76080572a9c912a3933&start=6737&end=7051","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3249683-eddd08accf8da76080572a9c912a3933/thumbnail_6737625.jpg","/articles/6562712/Kodiak-Island-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-hears-plan-to-close-skylight-at-North-Star-Elementary-as-part-of-roof-project-ARB-recommended-solid-roofing-over-glazing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562712-900bbe4ed1919b329b0e6e3fca6f477c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505975&Signature=bJb9ukshWOep8Bv7EjVTDaBsdedddcPWBhPSRMQOoXHbu6bnLU486EUU8WRym~zlj1q-1LLqvlxKz2V6VIAWLflD6j6qz3qGl81q1yu3p7Oa4Ype3VMrq9f-FU1OmRcN3howhTZBvtdiOcDHk1C~d6DYcxeH2TBrhzFekjYprc4Zs0AWMpNdaqHwX2ihDJcUQui9lTTgRBKNbsP8WMxR1yvpcTuc0PGV44DYcvksx9AvsD9ceDRKdJd1u5EkLhWplfTvfBVw~RGY5X36ROBaBY7v6vWQ0aYSrChmXsNXBwuTmD9fAPUgkK1O~olQSKo57byxyuSomhAjUz1nuDucOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Borough staff and the architectural review board recommended a change to the North Star Elementary roof and skylight design at the May 8 work session aimed at stopping chronic leaks and reducing heat loss.

The proposed change (a contract change order to the North Star roof and skylight structural design) would remove the glazing from the top and sides of the skylight ' leaving the gable-end windows ' and close the opening with insulated steel panels and conventional roofing. Staff said the building's owner and the ARB reviewed the options and recommended the change to reduce future leaking and to provide a more durable roof assembly.

Facilities staff cautioned that removing the glazing and altering the roof plane could require sprinkler-system modifications and might affect interior clearance or structural details; they recommended an engineer review before larger structural work or removal of other elements. The building inspector and facilities director noted that warranties and long-term maintenance were considerations given prior roof problems at borough buildings; staff said the project will be part of a larger roofing contract that would include standard warranty work.

Assembly members asked whether the problems were concentrated in the glazing or reflected a larger roofing failure. Staff replied that the glazing and the roofing assembly both contributed to the leaks and that consolidating to a metal roof over the skylight would reduce the most frequent leak path while the overall roofing project will address membrane and flashing issues elsewhere on the roof.

The ARB previously voted to recommend the approach; staff framed the change order as a less-exposed, lower-maintenance solution given the building's likely change in use (the school has closed and the borough is considering alternative uses). The assembly did not take a formal vote at the work session; staff said the contract change order would be finalized as part of the next meeting's packet for formal action.

Ending: Facilities staff and the ARB recommended moving ahead with the skylight closure as part of the roofing project, with an engineer review to confirm sprinkler and structural implications and to finalize contract language and cost estimates.","The architectural review board and borough staff presented a change order to close the North Star Elementary skylight: replace glazing on the top and sides of the skylight with insulated steel panels while retaining gable-end windows; staff said the change should reduce leaks and heat loss but may require sprinkler and structural checks.",{"_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},6562717,"Building inspector flags structural, moisture and mold issues at Signal Hill buildings; engineer review recommended",531,1747650,2278970,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3249683-eddd08accf8da76080572a9c912a3933&start=1747&end=2278","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3249683-eddd08accf8da76080572a9c912a3933/thumbnail_1747650.jpg","/articles/6562717/Kodiak-Island-Borough/Alaska/Building-inspector-flags-structural-moisture-and-mold-issues-at-Signal-Hill-buildings-engineer-review-recommended","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562717-ecf2cb4cfeee756f60b6d7240b972d07/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505975&Signature=Ey~NzHKG3T--9UxYG2Cwa4bIgLyHqB0JZEs8DGx8yC7tp36RzlOL2i7ZTQLZ7QkfKFP4R3w79Vvg3OOkVwkDtowpCk13Rb2xvAd~1WOaZAcH~dR3xDF6I10IGu4b5lb-WCJt~Ia2wcQHc2ymARKShEYHkhGGY-0~SsyOk1x0CXg8qgrRakb4VXz6MlEfQ5F70lgdLJB3~1tgIG2~~y-XdIRUZ4z7EjCdDGJmm4pSoy2Jp5LV2ecB8R0rpqD9Bp5TXrOA3LlFolNTaZUzBYCdDnN5cwAVYwoubImnT616Cg7vKHbLYN08pnjpiUQ-kP4QQqlKs-e4nge5RGjBUvKx0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ted Hansen, Kodiak Island Borough building inspector, presented findings from an April 16 and follow-up site walk of the Signal Hill abatement and demolition project, briefing the assembly on the condition of two former residential buildings used for behavioral-health services.

Hansen told the assembly the buildings were designed for residential loads and have been converted to higher loads in places; second-floor joists appear overloaded in some areas and numerous framing members have been notched or cut. The structures are primarily 2-by-4 construction dating to a 1968 plan set, Hansen said, and the buildings' aspect ratios (narrow and long) leave them without sufficient interior shear walls; that deficiency increases seismic and wind vulnerability.

Hansen described three principal conditions: evidence of moisture intrusion and rot on the west wall of the smaller (North) building, mold in one or two units, and numerous places where structural members were cut to create corridors and other openings. He said the south (larger) building smelled better on reinspection but still requires extensive renovation to restore structural integrity and meet current codes for stairs and headroom.

Foundations appear sound and were reinforced previously: Hansen said demolition crews had to jackhammer a poured foundation with embedded rebar. The crawl spaces currently have polyethylene (\"rhino hide\") in place as a moisture barrier. Hansen said it is possible to save and retrofit the buildings but that the dollar value will determine whether that path is prudent. He recommended commissioning a structural engineer to analyze the existing framing and provide a cost-to-repair estimate before any decision on renovation.

When asked, Hansen said renovation typically costs more than new construction, and that salvaging the buildings would require significant structural sheathing, replacement of notched joists and repairs to exterior sheathing and insulation. He noted specific code items that would need attention, including stairs and headroom clearances.

Ending: The assembly received the report, and staff said the loss of the interior finishes to date makes it possible to move forward on either path; no decision was taken at the work session. The inspector's recommendation for an engineer review will inform a cost-comparison between renovation and demolition/rebuild.","Building Inspector Ted Hansen reported that two former mental-health residential buildings at Signal Hill show overloaded floor joists, rot and mold in places, and structural openings that would require costly repairs; he recommended a structural engineer review and said renovation could be more expensive than new construction.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6562721,"Assembly reviews manager's FY26 budget: PILT, Maptor, facilities fund, insurance and landfill costs under scrutiny",3863,2324120,6188000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3249683-eddd08accf8da76080572a9c912a3933&start=2324&end=6188","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3249683-eddd08accf8da76080572a9c912a3933/thumbnail_2324120.jpg","/articles/6562721/Kodiak-Island-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-reviews-managers-FY26-budget-PILT-Maptor-facilities-fund-insurance-and-landfill-costs-under-scrutiny","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562721-9564eff51eb1d74a5bf2bbc770bc978d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505975&Signature=VHbyguqPIL5PnQXNvDoif5j05z4AVib-EDSLOEjvn9zW6snekl6Y6qTNV1fnnJw8ZQNtItJ75BnctqfV-OHYmBRUB65Glf83I2ND2~~A1p8n-XLEkgGY4eOQy4KbzGyxqPCgTghL2Wyh1QjoWB-ocgNqh5AJFhjlb2oJpNc7QUqUoe-kgutG5raoxjUykla7l9IAuQEIcaUsaJnAQnjH2HxFIJJ3uQXXibSZF1gYOpeDVciuCvL0Fdalz8PVxhS62qCm1zYyM9ZfV7zYgGumIysqpsWrXcoeWO6blr9Xxf6R8bvYGkkHc54dyw-S-bKtyeRbYXpS64ocdC0j8esNrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assembly members and staff spent the May 8 work session reviewing the Kodiak Island Borough's proposed FY26 manager's budget, with a focus on revenue assumptions and specific fund lines including federal PILT, severance taxes, the facilities renewal-and-replacement fund, and enterprise funds for the landfill and long-term care center.

Manager Amy told the assembly that the preliminary budget is balanced on current revenue estimates, but several large revenue items remain uncertain or timing-dependent. The borough is budgeting $1.7 million for federal PILT (payment in lieu of taxes), an estimated $700,000 for seafood severance taxes, and $900,000 for fisheries business tax. Amy noted that some federal and state receipts have not yet been received and will appear later in the year.

Maptor and local tax capacity: Finance director Dora explained that the borough's ability to raise property-tax revenue is constrained by the maximum-allowable-property-tax-revenue framework (referred to in the meeting as \"Maptor\"). She said the borough can adjust mill rates within that cap and that bond debt is handled separately from Maptor calculations. Assembly members asked staff to model different mill-rate choices and the effect on the borough's capacity to support the school district request.

Facilities fund: Staff summarized the facilities renewal-and-replacement fund and noted $21.8 million has been used in recent years for insurance, debt service and capital projects. The borough currently projects about $1.37 million in interest for the facilities fund and has changed rules to allow up to 50% of that interest for debt service in some cases.

Insurance and risk: Staff warned the assembly about pending changes in the municipal insurance market. A proposed merger of insurance pools (AMLJIA and APEI/APRA referenced in the meeting) may require updated building valuations and could increase premiums or change payout formulas; staff said valuation updates could be costly for smaller communities and create large swings in property-insurance expense.

Landfill and solid-waste funds: The assembly reviewed the solid-waste enterprise fund, which includes landfill operations and a leachate-treatment plant. Staff laid out revenues (dump fees, metals recycling, penalties) and expenses (personnel, baler maintenance, hazardous-waste handling). The fund currently carries a modest unreserved balance ($303,510 as reported), and staff recommended continued examination of rates and capital needs; the FY26 manager's budget proposes using $144,592 of the fund balance to balance operations.

Long-term care center and other enterprise funds: Staff presented the long-term care center enterprise fund, showing lease payments and contingency planning for equipment replacement and debt-service costs. Assembly members asked about contingency balances and whether previous contingencies had been spent; staff said unspent contingency stays in the enterprise fund as fund balance.

Tourism and commercial-passenger-vessel receipts: The tourism-development fund (accommodations tax) and commercial-passenger-vessel (cruise-ship) fees were reviewed; staff noted that cruise-ship receipts vary sharply by season and vessel routing, and the FY26 manager's budget uses conservative historical figures.

Debt service and school bonds: The manager's packet includes bond-payments and a projected reduction in bond payments beginning in 2026 because several bonds will be paid off; the packet also shows a reduced assumed school bond reimbursement from the state (manager's level 2 reflects an anticipated 75% reimbursement rather than full reimbursement) that would increase the borough's local debt burden.

Next steps: Staff will return to the assembly with modeled revenue options (mill-rate changes within Maptor) and with any updates that emerge from insurance-valuation work or state revenue changes. Assembly members flagged the need to plan for multi-year capital- and equipment-replacement needs, rather than rely on ad-hoc budget amendments in times of crisis.

Ending: Managers and department leads said they will present more detailed figures and proposed rate adjustments (if any) at the regular meeting and in the public hearing process set for early June.","Borough staff walked the assembly through revenue assumptions and several funds in the manager's proposed FY26 budget, highlighting federal PILT projections, Maptor constraints on property-tax collections, facilities fund history and emerging insurance and landfill cost risks.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6562726,"Kodiak Island Borough School District asks assembly for $12.98 million as officials warn of multi-year shortfall",8744,74515,8818970,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3249683-eddd08accf8da76080572a9c912a3933&start=74&end=8818","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3249683-eddd08accf8da76080572a9c912a3933/thumbnail_74515.jpg","/articles/6562726/Kodiak-Island-Borough/Alaska/Kodiak-Island-Borough-School-District-asks-assembly-for-1298-million-as-officials-warn-of-multi-year-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6562726-b6697188af862fa3e68a5e5c800feb89/orig.mp4?Expires=1770505975&Signature=QRmlZfLNcLBBWFVGDkoSW-q1W9k4u7tgPpKbBVxNOfZvu5V7qdDXQe0e4NMa2l6XFKGXSW6XwLPakOLxZoD9Oowhaappd0ZcOfScDnNLg~Ag7R7Tpv~WxfGn-S~dLVtcwKImIg0FdCZHCOpEhEpD-JoEMiUGu2sMNrEbmTFe6kKb2e6~ZGbtK17ukX0I1VXFolF34GIH9Iqhm8nAGm0KnUFKrMrLV53r5p~xNXgw-cRegDOL~hFTYxsco701I3CtIDjarXW6FbVVI-Eu49w0DiAZX8CN3HJKaNesTIiRP-AYH54QZswME9Wd6ZkQu8NRkOq89~-jlzDW6upfuNyrnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Cindy Mika, superintendent of the Kodiak Island Borough School District, asked the borough assembly on May 8 to support the district's full FY26 funding request of $12,979,556.50, saying the request is critical to maintaining programs as costs rise.

The district's preliminary budget was built on a projected $10 million deficit identified in the FY24 audit, Mika told the assembly, and assumes a 3.40 increase to the base student allocation and the use of $5,000,000 from fund balance. The district closed North Star Elementary in February as part of cost reductions, an action the district estimates will save about $3,000,000, Mika said.

Why it matters: Assembly members and staff repeatedly framed the request against two constraints: (1) state-level funding uncertainty and (2) the borough's local property-tax limits (\"Maptor\"). Finance staff warned that changes to the state foundation formula could reduce the district's state contribution and that the borough's allowable property-tax revenue is tied to assessed values, complicating local budgeting.

During the discussion, assembly members asked how proposed or pending state actions would affect the district. Amy (borough manager) and Dora (finance director) explained that recent legislative debate could add between roughly $700 and $1,700,000 to school funding at the state level depending on what the legislature and governor decide, but that if the change to the foundation formula becomes permanent, some of that money is contractually promised to employee salaries under collective bargaining agreements. Dora and other staff said the district's local ask to the borough does not automatically decrease if the district receives additional state funds.

Assembly members pressed the superintendent and finance staff on the district's multi-year outlook. Staff said the district is projecting use of several million dollars of fund balance to balance FY26; using those reserves this year would require the district to make even deeper cuts the following year, because the fund balance would no longer be available to offset recurring personnel-cost increases. Superintendent Mika said the district has projected a shortfall even after the school closure and heavy use of fund balance.

Multiple assembly members recommended a joint long-term planning effort between the borough and the school district to address a multi-year structural gap. Several members said they want to avoid a situation where a district or the borough has to react to sudden, large operating deficits that result in painful layoffs and service cuts.

No formal vote or commitment on the district's FY26 ask was recorded at the work session. The assembly's manager said the manager's preliminary budget presented to the assembly did not reflect the increased ask; the assembly will address the district request again at the May 29 meeting when it is scheduled for a formal vote.

The assembly also discussed related revenue and policy factors: local-burden calculations tied to assessed values, the borough's ability to adjust mill rates within Maptor limits, and uncertainty around state school bond reimbursement levels.

Ending: Officials said they will continue the discussion at the regular meeting later this month and urged continued coordination between borough finance staff and the school district to model scenarios for FY27 and beyond.","Superintendent Cindy Mika urged the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly to approve the school district's full FY26 funding request of $12,979,556.50; assembly members pressed staff on how borough revenue limits, state decisions and the district's use of fund balance will affect future years.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

New emergency management manager introduces himself; seeks IPAWS authorization and village outreach

Assembly hears plan to close skylight at North Star Elementary as part of roof project; ARB recommended solid roofing over glazing

Building inspector flags structural, moisture and mold issues at Signal Hill buildings; engineer review recommended

Assembly reviews manager's FY26 budget: PILT, Maptor, facilities fund, insurance and landfill costs under scrutiny

Kodiak Island Borough School District asks assembly for $12.98 million as officials warn of multi-year shortfall