Access to Composting Area Threatened

Brianna Gibbs/KMXT
Last week the Kodiak City Council signed a five year contract with Quayanna Development Corporation to turn city bio solids into usable compost at a facility in Middle Bay. However, those plans were clouded during a joint work session between the city council and Kodiak Island Borough Assembly Tuesday night.
“I’m not going to let you bring it down my road," said Middle Bay resident Todd Hiner. "End of story.”
Hiner’s property neighbors the five acres of land where the composting operation is slated to go, and the only access is on a road through Hiner’s property. Hiner admitted that there is an easement that allows some use of the road, but said he doesn’t want transportation of bio solids to be one of them.

— (Joint Work Session 2 :22 “And there was an easement that… you come down that road.”)

Hiner’s public comment during Tuesday’s joint work session raised questions among city council and borough assembly members about whether or not neighbors had been contacted before the contract was signed. Assemblywoman Louise Stutes also asked why access to the property hadn’t been considered.

— (Joint Work Session 3 :23 “In signing the lease was access…all tied up except for.”)

City Manager Aimée Kniaziowski deferred the question to Quayanna President Peter Olsen, who said access on the road is covered in the easement.

— (Joint Work Session 4 :47 “The lease is with, the land…agreement with the land owner.”)

City council and borough assembly members agreed that clearly more outreach is needed, whether specifically with Hiner or other neighbors to the plant property.

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