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Borough Mayor’s Narrative Report #8 December 14, 2008

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Week #8 has been most productive with a good deal of time and effort being focused on long and short term direction for the Borough. The 2009-10 Budget, reductions in Borough employees, economic opportunities and increasing involvement of Borough residents in public policy decision-making have been the highlights of this week during which we had groups of school children coming by and singing Christmas carols.

 

Item #1, the incident at the Hospital has raised concerns with many employees regarding security in Borough Buildings. We are evaluating what needs to be done. The Assembly appropriated $100, 000 in the current budget to address security in the Borough Building especially the Clerk’s Office. We have been advised by Law Enforcement to restrict access to the Mayor’s Office. I have denied this request as I feel citizens must have free access to their elected leader.

 

Item #2, the Cruise Ship Tax will be a continued source of income for the Borough. We are discussing the correct use of these funds. As long as the overwhelming majority of these funds are generating from the Seward area, they will be used in that area on proper projects. The City of Seward has been very pro-active regarding these funds.

 

Item #3, there have been numerous requests that I VETO the motion to postpone the introduction of the K-Beach USAD. While I was considering vetoing the K-Beach USAD Ordinance, I can find no proper reason, at this time, to veto postponement.

 

Item #4, speaking at the Soldotna Chamber on Borough activities was most fun. We live in an awesome place and an awesome time. I discussed 28 topics the Borough is focusing on as well as the attitude to which we are committed. It seemed to go very well.

 

Item #5, the meeting to provide direction for the future of the Spruce Bark Beetle Program was difficult but necessary. I have decided to complete the majority of the Borough’s participation in this program by June 30th, the end of the 2008-09 Fiscal Year. There are no more Federal funds being requested. The Firewise Educational Program will be transferred to other Borough employees, Spruce Bark Beetle removal will be done under other Borough contracts and Borough agreements.

There will be the immediate (by January 16th) reduction of two employees; a Forestry and Fire Specialist and a Right-of-Way Mapping Coordinator. By July 1st, it is anticipated that there will be four additional position eliminated.

 

Item #6, the Kenai River Special Management Area (KRSMA) board meeting now includes Assembly President Martin among its’ membership. At their monthly meeting, they re-stated their approval of a request made in 2005 to include lands around Cooper Lake in the KRSMA area as requested by Board member Martin on behalf of Rep. Paul Seaton.

The Board also decided to partner their effort regarding legislative priorities with the Borough. The list of legislative priorities are their primary topic at the January Board meeting and work session.

 

Item #7, a resident of Clam Gulch discussed many priorities regarding needs. Included in the discussion was the need for a Borough dumpster for waste, a gas pipeline delivering service to residents, subsistence rights like Ninilchik, a possible school, better cyber connectedness and a picture of Clam Gulch on the wall outside of the Mayor’s Office.

 

Item #8, during a meeting with Retired Public Employees, attended by 75 people including Rep. Paul Seaton, many inequities were discussed regarding TRS and PERS. The difficulty regarding the retention of public employees because of the portability clause of non-vested employees encourages employees to leave the state and take borough and individual funds out of the system.

The Social Security Offset (fraud) was also discussed. It limits the Social Security benefits of retired public employees, and their surviving spouses, while required the same level of withholding from paychecks even though equal benefits will never be provided.

 

Item #9, in January I will be introducing the first Mayor’s Ad-Hoc Group (MAG) dealing with water (MAG-W). The citizens that volunteer to serve on MAG-W will work on different subcommittees dealing with KRSMA legislation regarding the Kenai River, the Fish Habitat Partnership plan, the listing of the Cook Inlet Beluga Whale as an Endangered Species, and the Borough’s Kenai River 50 Foot Over-Lay District.

 

In all, week #8 has been very good with a great deal of work being done by employees on providing our basic services. Next week, #9, the TEAM will be hearing from ENSTAR regarding USADs, traveling to Homer for a day of meetings and discussions and also a trip to Anchorage for the Resource Development Council. We will also continue to work on a trip to Tyonek and to Seward.

 

 

Mayor’s Weekly Report #8 Week of Dec. 8th-14th, 2008

Dave Carey, Borough Mayor

Monday, December 8th

Meeting at Poppy Lane Building with Staff about Security.

Meeting on Hospital Grants with Grant’s Manager.

Meeting on Cruise Ship Tax with Finance Director.

Meeting with OEM Director about Emergency Response.

Discussed Veto options with Clerk.

Pioneers of Alaska Meeting, Kenai Igloo, nominated as President.

Tuesday, December 9th

Worked on Chamber Remarks.

KPC Class #29 review for Final Examination.

Soldotna Chamber Speaker.

Agreed to become Treasurer for CMCD.

Funeral for Joseph M., CPH worker.

Wednesday, December 10th

Meeting with Spruce Bark Beetle Manager about future.

Meeting on Sustainable Planning.

Borough Christmas Party.

Thursday, December 11th

KPC Class #30 Final Examination.

Rotary Meeting, Empty Stocking fund.

Meeting on Budget preparations with Finance Director.

Meeting about Small Business Activities (SBA) and opportunities.

Kenai River Special Management Area (KRSMA) Board meetings.

Friday, December 12th

Book Talk #5, Class #9- Current Events, Asian Religions.

Lunch meet with Well Fargo to discuss Borough economics.

Meeting to discuss Clam Gulch needs (Patmor).

Core TEAM Weekly meeting.

Saturday, December 13th

Meeting with community, including ACT members.

Meeting with Public Employees Pension Group.

Analyzed, with comments, Staff and SAB Weekly reports.

Sunday, December 14th

Worked on Mayor’s Ad-Hoc Group on Water (MAGW)

Completed Mayor’s Report #8.

Worked on Mayor’s Narrative Report #8.

 

 

Category: Announcement, KPB

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