Legislative Wish List on Council’s Work Session Agenda

Jay Barrett/KMXT
The Kodiak City Council is gathering for a work session tonight (Tuesday). In addition to going over the agenda for Thursday night’s regular meeting, the council has scheduled several discussions.
One will be to review the downtown parking plan, and another to go over the preliminary findings of the compensation and classification study for city employees and their pay.
City Manager Aimee Kniaziowski will present her working list of city needs for the 2013 Capital Improvement Projects list. Though the city is hoping to get another $15-million for Pier III replacement in the statewide transportation bond package that will be on the general election ballot this fall, she says the city should be prepared to request the funding from the state if the bond does not pass. She’s recommending Pier III replacement be the city’s number one priority again for Fiscal Year 2014.
Though started with cruise ship excise tax funds, the pedestrian improvements between Pier II and downtown did not get follow up funds during the last legislative session due to the decrease in the cruise ship tax. Kniaziowski suggests requesting $5-million to complete the project.
Also on the list are emergency-preparedness equipment, including $400,000 for a new fire engine and $350,000 to replace the Enhanced 911 equipment, which can help pinpoint an emergency call. A city study in 2009 recommended its replacement as the old system is aging and service, replacement parts and maintenance agreements are no longer available.
Kniaziowski says in her packet memo to the council that she likes to keep the funding list short, but says the council may wish to review or add other projects, such as an ambulance replacement, design funds for a new fire hall, continued water, sewer and drainage replacements, pump house refurbishment and electrical upgrades at Saint Herman Harbor.
The council work session will be at 7:30 tonight in the borough conference room downstairs in the borough building. The council will hold a regular meeting on Thursday.