Planning and Zoning Commission begins prioritizing CIP list for FY2026–2030

The Kodiak Island Borough Planning and Zoning Commission on July 9 began reviewing its draft Capital Improvement Project list for fiscal years 2026–2030 and asked staff to gather updated project information from agencies before commissioners finalize rankings.

The CIP list is the commission’s recommendation to the borough assembly, which in turn may forward items to state legislators or other funding sources. Staff told commissioners the draft they received mirrors last year’s submissions (marked FY2026-001 in the packet) and that agencies have not yet reported substantial funding updates: "I have not received any new projects from anyone. I have reached out to multiple of these agencies to get updated lists," a staff member said during the meeting.

Why it matters: The CIP ranking guides how limited local and state attention and grant opportunities are directed. Commissioners said they want clearer project timelines and funding status before assigning priority; several noted past items were removed from the borough’s list without clear explanation of whether they had received state, federal, or other funding.

Key points discussed

- Top-of-list project: Commissioners and staff noted the water and wastewater treatment plant replacement remained the top item on last year’s list and is on the draft for FY2026. Staff recommended keeping that prominence unless agencies submit new priorities.

- Funding feedback: Commissioners asked whether the state funded any projects from last year’s CIP. Staff reported no confirmations from agencies that state funding had been received and said responses were still pending: "As far as I know, I do not believe so," the staff member said. Members discussed that projects can be removed from the borough list for several reasons — state funding, federal grants, borough reallocation, or other outside funding — and asked staff to document which applies when projects drop off.

- Project phasing and submission details: Commissioners probed how multi-phase projects (for example, harbor infrastructure and fire/rescue projects) should appear on the list. Staff said only the phases actually being submitted for funding should be listed and urged agencies to include the intended FY for each phase to help ranking. A project template in the packet asks agencies to list total cost and funding already acquired so the commission and reviewers can see whether a request is partially funded locally.

- Next steps and homework: Staff distributed printed draft lists and a rubric to help commissioners rank projects. Commissioners were asked to review the packet, identify priorities, and email suggested orderings to staff ahead of the next work session. Staff said they will compile any new submissions and historical submission data (going back up to five years where feasible) for the next meeting.

Quotes from the meeting

"If you go to the one that's got the highlighted sections, this is the draft copy of what I have going on right now," a staff member said when showing the draft list to commissioners.

"I just find it very perplexing that water for a village is deprioritized over a building that's ..." a commissioner said, voicing frustration that some projects affecting basic services can be removed or deprioritized in the funding process.

Clarifying details

- Draft CIP label referenced in the packet: FY2026-001. - Project templates provided to agencies request: agency name, project name, total cost, funding already acquired, intended fiscal year for the request. - Staff asked agencies to respond in writing if there were no changes to their projects so records reflect agency intent. - Deadline expectations: staff anticipated many final submissions arrive the week of the state deadline and asked commissioners to prepare rankings in advance.

Discussion vs. decision

- Discussion: Commissioners and staff discussed priorities, project phasing, how previously listed projects were removed from the borough list, and data gaps about which projects actually received outside funding. - Direction: Staff was directed to follow up with agencies for updated bids, funding status, estimated timelines (including how long projects have been on prior lists), and to compile historical submission details for the next packet. - Decision: No formal vote was recorded. Commissioners scheduled continued work on rankings at the next work session and were assigned homework to review materials and submit suggested rankings to staff.

Community relevance

- Geographies affected: Borough-wide (water/wastewater, harbor projects, rural communities including Larson Bay and Carlock). - Impact groups: Residents served by community water systems, emergency services, schools and public facilities that appear on the CIP list.

Provenance

- topicintro: {"block_id":"seg_103.635","local_start":0,"local_end":115,"evidence_excerpt":"move on from citizen's comments to items for discussion. First item we have this evening is the Planning and Zoning Commission Capital Improvement Project List or CIP, recommendations for FY 2026 through FY 2030. Staff report, please." ,"reason_code":"topicintro"}

- topfinish: {"block_id":"seg_1271.005","local_start":0,"local_end":35,"evidence_excerpt":"Do you have any additional questions, discussion on specific projects before we all go home to do our our homework? K. If you do have questions about the process, the projects, funding mechanisms, anything like that, please reach out to Bronwyn with enough time to get your questions answered before the next meeting so that we have some meaningful discussion about it, please." ,"reason_code":"topicfinish"}