Harbor Commission votes to recommend City Council "sunset" the commission

The Kenai Harbor Commission voted on Dec. 8, 2025, to recommend that the Kenai City Council adopt a proposed ordinance to "sunset" the Harbor Commission and transfer most harbor-related duties to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Planning Director Kevin Buettner, who authored the draft ordinance, told the commission the measure would "amend Kenai Municipal Code 1.9001 and remove reference to the harbor commission," repeal the code section that sets out the commission’s duties and powers, and move language about leasing tidelands into the city-owned lands chapter. "It brings review for all city owned lands under the planning and zoning commission," Buettner said, summing up the proposed consolidation.

Director Frey introduced the staff report and handed the presentation to Buettner. Frey later thanked commissioners for their service: "No report tonight, just wanted to thank all the commissioners for their time and efforts on this commission," he said.

A commissioner asked whether the Harbor Commission section would be retained in the code as a repeal notation or completely removed. Buettner said the sections would remain in the code marked as repealed so the council could more easily reinstate the commission in the future if it chose to do so.

The motion to recommend approval of the ordinance to City Council was made and seconded (movers not named in the transcript). Commissioner Camille requested unanimous consent; Chair Keaton asked for objections and, hearing none, declared "the motion passes." The transcript records no roll-call vote or numeric tally in the meeting record.

No scheduled or unscheduled public comments were offered during the meeting. After the vote, the commission had a brief staff report and then adjourned.

Next steps: the recommendation will be delivered to the Kenai City Council for consideration; the city council will have the authority to adopt, modify, or reject the proposed ordinance.