The Homer Tribune :: Homer, Alaska

The Weekender ; What's happening in Homer this weekend?

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

homertribune.com web

THIS WEEK'S HEADLINES

• Homer preps for swine flu

• Pebble’s progress necessarily slow

• A dozen candidates file for city, borough offices

• Mayor Carey warns of ‘brown-outs’

• FYI

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

• In a cave . . . in the rain

• Jewel Kilcher returns home

• test

SPORTS

• Voz Cougars dominate eight-man football field

• Homer turns out in pink to run for the cure

• Homer Halibut derby standings

FEATURE

• When pigs fly

• Ninilchik pair finds net mending a dying art

BUSINESS

YOUTH

• Youth get creative about climate change

Council OKs money to educate voters

Ordinance allows $5,000 to ‘help public understand’ implications of sales tax on food

By Sean Pearson
Homer Tribune

June 24, 2009

In a lengthy meeting dominated by discussions of finances and responsible spending, the Homer City City Council voted Monday night to pass an ordinance that would allow the city to spend $5,000 to educate voters on an upcoming ballot measure regarding city sales tax on food.
Ordinance 09-29(A), amended the FY 2009 operating budget by appropriating funds in the amount of $5,000 for public information on the sales tax ballot proposition.
Two members of the public testified to the use of the funds and the appropriateness of “influencing” the outcome of the vote using taxpayers’ money.
Homer Mayor Jim Hornaday also questioned the ordinance.
“I certainly respect everyone’s opinion here, but it seems that the people already voted to take this measure off the ballot,” he said. “Why is council putting it back on?”
Councilmember Beth Wythe, who originally proposed the appropriation, stressed the importance of helping citizens understand what the exemption costs this year and what the costs would be with the continued tax exemption.
“I fully support the community’s decision not to collect sales tax on food, but want to make sure people understand the implications to the water/sewer fund and general fund reserves,” she explained. “Everything the city does for essential services costs money.”
Hornaday expressed some concern over recent fallout from APOC regarding the city’s decision to spend money on a brochure promoting its town square project. However, City Attorney Thomas Klinkner assured the council that the appropriation was within the legal limits of the city’s power. Klinkner commented that it is clear from the APOC decision on Town Hall that APOC construes very narrowly what is non-partisan. The measure was presented to City Council in this manner to avoid the issues with APOC.
In other council news, an ordinance amending the Homer City Code to provide for the determination of sewer and water rates on or before Dec. 1, 2009 failed.
After some discussion regarding when the actual rate increases may go into effect, several councilmembers expressed concern over rate increases around the holidays and voted it down.
• Five people testified to a resolution amending the Karen A. Hornaday Hillside Park Master Plan. The amendment was approved.
• Duane Bannock, Program Manager, Spruce Bark Beetle Mitigation Program provided information on the Spruce Bark Beetle Mitigation Program and future plans to fell, buck and limb dead trees on the Kenai Peninsula. Bannock said the downed trees will be used to offer firewood to the public using a permit system.
• John Woodward and Allison Butler with Technology Matrix Corporation and the Northern Building Science Group provided information on the Anaerobic Digester Pump the city is considering for the Sewer Treatment Plant. City Manager Wrede thanked Council for their discussion on the anaerobic digester pump, and said he will continue to get more answers to ongoing questions about the pump.
• A resolution approving a mutual aid agreement between the City and the Kenai Peninsula Borough on behalf of the Kachemak Emergency Services Area was adopted with discussion. Bob Cicciarella, Administrator, Kachemak Emergency Service Area, gave a 15-minute presentation on Kachemak Emergency Services and the need to work with the Homer Volunteer Fire Department to develop services and expand coverage.
• Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Carey reported after meeting with Chevron and the State of Alaska Oil and Gas Director, that eight oil platforms will resume operations soon. He praised the people and work at South Peninsula Hospital, noting the Borough provided support for a loan to purchase a MRI. The largest single vision Mayor Carey has for the Borough is to promote alternative energy and energy efficiency.
• $165,000 in funds to the city from State HB 79 that passed at the end of the session, will provide stimulus money for economic relief with no strings attached. Mayor Carey said he plans to recommend the Borough’s allotted $1M go to property tax relief. The city could recommend the funds go to sustainability.
• City Manager Wrede has received the go ahead from DOT for the Spit Parking Lot project. This summer, the existing parking lot at the base of the Spit will be doubled in size.
• A resolution authorizing the city administration to proceed with the boiler replacement project at the old middle school was amended change the fiscal note of the project to $64,000 for the new boiler.

Visit the Homer Tribune Weblog and post
your thoughts about this week's news!