Tag Archives: Kodiak Island Borough Assembly

Kayla Desroches/KMXT One item up for public hearing at the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly regular meeting Thursday is aimed at making more housing options available. The housing ordinance would establish a new zoning district to make it possible for people to build smaller homes. Both the Planning and Zoning Commission and the assembly have so far taken issue with some …

Matt Van Daele. Kayla Desroches / KMXT Kayla Desroches/KMXT A Kodiak Island Borough Assemblyman is joining the Kodiak City staff. Kodiak-born Matt Van Daele will work alongside city manager Mike Tvenge as deputy city manager. Van Daele speaks passionately about the Kodiak community. He says he’s always envied his dad, Larry Van Daele, for the 30 plus years he spent …

(Photo: Raul Lieberwirth) Borden/KMXT The Kodiak Island Borough is exploring new ways to raise funds. In a recent meeting, they discussed a proposed tobacco tax. There’s been a decrease in state and federal funding to the borough, so they need to find other ways to generate revenue. This tax would charge around $1 per pack of cigarettes and 45% of …

Kayla Desroches/KMXT The state government may be short of funds to drive local projects, especially with the budget tied up, but federal funds are still available. The governor’s office is accepting applications from municipalities and tribal organizations with “shovel-ready,” infrastructure-building projects. If the request fits his criteria, the governor will forward it onto the federal government for financing. The Kodiak …

Kayla Desroches/KMXT The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly addressed a letter to the Alaska state legislature last week, urging legislators to pass the budget in light of impending commercial fishery openings. In the letter, the assembly writes that the “salmon won’t stop and wait for a government budget solution.” The letter stresses the economic effect a potential government shutdown on July …

Kayla Desroches/KMXT The right of neighbors to give input on private property came up at the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly regular meeting last night. Since last year, the assembly has been working on an ordinance that would permit accessory dwelling units in certain residential districts. ADUs are living areas with their own kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and entrance that are located …

Kayla Desroches/KMXT Last week, the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly thoroughly reviewed an ordinance that would permit accessory dwelling units in certain residential districts. Tonight, it will hold a public hearing on the ordinance at its regular meeting. Accessory dwelling units are also known as mother-in-law apartments, and according to the meeting packet, are spaces in a home or on the …

An abandoned truck in Kodiak. Photo courtesy of the Kodiak Island Borough Kayla Desroches/KMXT The topic of junk cars leads off the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly work session tonight. Borough Manager Michael Powers says staff will update assembly members on the issue of abandoned cars and the borough regulations that apply to them. “Everything’s expensive to ship whether it’s coming …

Kayla Desroches/KMXT When a dog gets loose and poses a threat to Kodiak residents, animal control is the service they call. Animal control also covers vaccine enforcement and responds to reports of abuse. The Kodiak Island Borough contracts with the City of Kodiak to provide those services and pays for its part of the agreement. Last week at its regular …

Kayla Desroches/KMXT The borough is working to clear the muddy waters of land sale. At the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly meeting on Thursday, the assembly altered language in its code that Borough Manager Michael Powers said modernizes the land disposal process. “It basically puts the onus on a developer or developers to present proposals for the development and then, once …