KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly last night authorized the sale of general obligation bonds to pay for the first part of the high school rebuild and approved an ordinance to change the rules for the way members or the mayor may speak for the borough. It also approved a strategic plan and caught some flak over the scaling back of Dumpsters. KMXT’s Maggie Wall has more.
(((Boro Ass 4:30 "At its regular…Scott Arndt. SOC."))
At its regular meeting last night the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly approved an ordinance that would require assembly involvement before any assembly member or the mayor can speak for the borough.
Assembly members Chris Lynch, Dave Kaplan and Sue Jeffrey opposed the measure but four others supported adding that statements must first be discussed with or approved by the assembly before being put out as speaking for the borough.
Louise Stutes was the sponsor of the ordinance. She, Jerrol Friend, Judy Fulp and Carol Austerman supported the measure.
Under contracts, the assembly approved new, standardized H-VAC systems for the borough building and the Karluk School. The combined total is nearly $100,000.
Manager Rick Gifford said it was a sole source contract with Control Contractors of Anchorage, but the firm is the only one in Alaska that handles these specialized items and the unique services needed.
Under resolutions, the assembly adopted the borough strategic plan for the years 2011 to 2015, approved the sale of general obligation school bonds in preparation for the high school project, and established dates for the Board of Equalization to meet.
Later the assembly confirmed the appointment of Carrie Morton to the Board of Equalization.
Regarding the strategic plan, assembly member Jeffrey said it was a living document that provides the guiding principles which directs the borough’s activities. The plan is reviewed and changed each January.
Borough Mayor Jerome Selby said it lists a number of goals:
(((Jerome Ambitious list of goals
The document takes 14 pages on the borough’s website and gives residents a good idea of what the assembly hopes to achieve in the next several years. There is a link to the borough’s strategic plan on KMXT’s website.
When it was time to talk about the school bonds, Borough Finance Director Karl Short gave a brief tutorial of how bond sales work, differing reasons for different interest rates, as well as a quick course on the Alaska Bond Bank and the advantages it presents.
In the end it all comes down to a lot of papers:
(((Karl signatures
Not everyone was keen on the idea of a 20 year payback for the bonds. Scott Arndt, speaking under citizens comments, said the borough is hoping the state will pay for much of the project. But, he said, there is no way to know what the state’s finances will be that far out. And the borough could get stuck with holding the bag:
(((Scott 20 years
Borough Manager Rick Gifford said the 20 year paybacks are a requirement of the Department of Education for being able to get reimbursed for the money. It requires 20 even payments spread over for 20 years.
It wasn’t on the agenda, but a caller and then Scott Arndt complained of being blind-sighted by a plan to extend curbside garbage pick up to several areas outside the city as early as mid April. Arndt, who is the chairman of Service District One said no one was given notice of the plan:
((Scott garbage
Scott Arndt.
I’m Maggie Wall.
LINK to Borough’s Strategic Plan See pages 25 to 29 http://www.kodiakak.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=1219
