Kenai council directs staff to draft legislation to sunset Harbor Commission; city says grants unaffected
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Summary
Council approved an action directing administration to draft code changes to sunset the Kenai Harbor Commission after the commission recommended sunsetting due to lack of quorum and agenda items; city attorney and manager said harbor grant eligibility would not be negatively affected and the commission could be reinstated later.
Kenai — The Kenai City Council voted Nov. 19 to direct the administration to draft legislation to sunset the Kenai Harbor Commission after the commission itself voted unanimously to recommend sunsetting.
Clerk Marinette told council the Harbor Commission’s meetings had often been canceled recently for lack of quorum or agenda items, and the commission recommended sunsetting. The council asked staff to draft amendments to city code and policy and to bring the legislation back to the commission at a special meeting on Dec. 8 for a recommendation before returning it to council for final action.
Council member Petty asked whether sunsetting the commission would affect eligibility for harbor grant funding. City Manager Kevin Eubank said he was not aware of grants requiring a harbor commission; City Attorney Bloom added that grants the city currently receives generally require a council-on-aging style advisory body in some cases but that harbor-related duties and some code provisions would be shifted to other commissions or staff if the commission is sunsetted. Both said the council could reestablish a harbor commission later if the city wanted.
The council approved the action with unanimous consent and asked staff to provide outreach to current commissioners about alternative commission opportunities and application information.
Next steps: Staff will draft legislation, present it to the Harbor Commission at a special meeting on Dec. 8, and then return the ordinance to council for final action.
