Kenai Harbor Commission adopts 2025 work plan, directs leftover state grant funds toward dock repairs

The Kenai Harbor Commission voted to submit its 2024 annual report to the Kenai City Council and adopted a 2025 work plan that carries forward the goals from 2024, the commission said at a regular meeting. Harbor staff reported reallocating roughly $355,000 in remaining state grant funds to dock improvements, including new floats and ramp repairs.

The commission approved the annual report for submission to the city council by unanimous consent. Commissioners then moved to adopt the 2025 work plan; the motion to carry forward the 2024 goals was seconded and approved without objection.

Why it matters: the work plan sets the Harbor Commission’s advisory priorities for the year, including signage, reducing fish waste, a harbor-use survey, reviewing waterfront revitalization plans, parking and dock access, and exploring revenue sources. The staff funding report outlines near-term capital work that could change harbor access and use during repairs and construction.

Harbor staff member Dr. Frey told commissioners that staff shifted leftover state grant money to the dock program. "We had about $355,000 that went to some various improvements down at Spruce Street and some bathrooms down by dip netting and things like that. So, there were still some remaining funds that we just moved over to the dock," Frey said. Frey said the money will be used to buy materials for new floats and to improve concrete launch ramps that are deteriorating.

Frey said the city plans to have maintenance and streets staff build some new dock components in-house to save money once materials arrive. He added that concrete ramp replacement may be bid out in the fall but could wait until the following spring depending on weather and scheduling. "Once we have everything purchased at that point we'll use the remaining funds to look at improving some of the concrete ramps," Frey said.

On a separate but related project, Frey said the Army Corps of Engineers is managing a bluff-stabilization project. He reported that rock for that project is already manufactured and staged in Sandpoint, Alaska, and that permits allow in-water work beginning May 16. Frey said he is holding biweekly meetings with the contractor and the Army Corps and that staff are coordinating with seafood processors about boat access during construction.

Commission discussion focused on how advisory recommendations move from the commission to administration and, ultimately, to capital planning or council action. Commissioners asked about practical next steps for pursuing tasks in the work plan, such as conducting a harbor-use survey and obtaining community input. Frey and other commissioners noted that the Harbor Commission is advisory: commissioners develop recommendations and submit them to city administration, which vets and implements projects or forwards them to the City Council for funding decisions.

Council member Castaneda provided a summary of recent council actions that intersect with harbor issues, including capital improvement planning and budget transfers previously adopted by the City Council to support dock float replacement and ramp repair. Castaneda also noted other city projects and partnerships relevant to harbor planning.

The commission welcomed two new members during the meeting and noted the next Harbor Commission meeting is scheduled for March 10. Commissioners suggested arranging a site visit to harbor facilities to familiarize new members with issues on the ground.