Kodiak Island Borough Assembly advances ordinance to allow limited remote participation for members

The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly voted 6-1 on April 3 to advance Ordinance FY2025-15, an ordinance to allow electronic participation by the mayor and assembly members, to a public hearing at the next regular meeting.

The ordinance, as amended, would require assembly members to notify the clerk of a contemplated absence at least 24 hours in advance and limits remote participation in regular meetings to a maximum of four times per year. The ordinance lists recognized reasons for electronic participation — illness or injury (of the member or an immediate family member), the death of a family member, employment obligations, or travel on borough business — and requires a quorum of assembly members to be physically present. For regular meetings the ordinance requires a video-conferencing format; work sessions and special meetings may allow other forms of remote participation.

Nova (clerk/staff) summarized the draft during the introduction: "The ordinance requires assembly members to notify the clerk of their contemplated absence at least 24 hours in advance." The staff report said the draft incorporates changes the assembly requested at a March 13 work session.

Debate during the meeting focused on representation, equity and technology. Critics said in-person participation helps maintain accountability to voters. One assembly member argued that increasing electronic participation risks reducing face-to-face accountability: "The electorate has elected us ... I think it's important that individuals stand up and face the electorate in these meetings in order to maintain that connection," an assembly member said during debate. Supporters said limited remote access could broaden eligibility for office and increase participation by working-age residents and people who live off the road system.

Assembly members also amended the ordinance language to clarify it applies to "all types of assembly meetings" (regular meetings, work sessions and special meetings) while preserving the four-meeting limit only for regular meetings; that change passed on a 6-1 voice/roll-call split prior to the final vote on the ordinance introduction. The assembly discussed technology needs and cost: Amy Williams, borough manager, said she had reviewed an Owl Labs system priced at about $4,000 but told members she asked IT to set up a Microsoft Teams account for assembly meetings because the borough already subscribes to Microsoft 365.

The motion to advance the ordinance as amended passed on roll call 6–1 (Smiley voting no). The assembly will hold a public hearing on the ordinance at its next regular meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance FY2025-15 (introduction/advance to public hearing): passed 6–1. Vote record on final motion: Mister Johnson — yes; Mister LeDoux — yes; Mister Sharon — yes; Mister Smiley — no; Mister Whiteside — yes; Mister Ames — yes; Mister Griffin — yes.

- Confirmation: Craig Dagan to Fire Protection Area No. 1 board (term to October 2027): confirmed unanimously (7–0).

- Confirmation: Andrew De Vries to Monashka Bay Road Service Area board (term to October 2027): confirmed unanimously (7–0).

What happens next

The ordinance will return for a public hearing at the assembly's next regular meeting. Staff said it will bring recommended technology and budget implications to the next IT/budget review so the assembly can consider any fiscal adjustments needed to support reliable video participation.