Homer Alaska - News -

The council is nearing the end of a months-long process of prioritizing the city's Capital Improvement Project list -- a lengthy wish list of projects that will later be taken to state and federal legislators in search of funding -- and a public hearing on the matter was one of their last steps. Everyone who testified had three minutes to speak.

n Take expansion of the Deep Water Dock off the list, said Homer resident Rika Mouw.

"We as a community have never had a conversation about whether or not we want a Deep Water Dock expansion," said Mouw, adding that she was concerned about wildlife habitat in the area and what a possible increase in truck traffic on the Homer Spit would do to traffic patterns in town.

n Fund all non-profit projects on the list, said Homer resident Leonard Wells.

"Whether they make the short list or not, they should be there," said Wells.

n Help South Peninsula Hospital acquire a new MRI machine and building, said Bill Smith, who represents Homer on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly.

The hospital's current MRI facility, which is housed in a trailer adjacent to the building, is unacceptable, said Smith.

"I really feel that this project is a keystone project. We need to have a fully modern facility and we're hoping to get support from the city to be able to go to the legislature with this," he added.

n Support independent housing for seniors, said Fred Lau, director of Homer Senior Citizens, Inc.

"We're not asking the city for any funding, but it's at least important that we be able to go to the Legislature. We're kind of out in the cold if were not on this list," said Lau, referring to a $1.4 million plan to build a four-unit rental complex for seniors on Swatzell Street.

n Bring the sport of disc golf to Homer, said members of the Alaska Disc Golf Association.

Edan Badajos testified that, except for snowplowing and garbage removal, the city would not have to contribute money to a plan to install a nine-hole disc golf course at Jack Gist Park.

"We're willing to put in volunteer hours to make this happen and we're looking forward to working with the city," said Badajos. "It would provide recreational opportunities for people of all ages and skill levels."

Thad Gunther, coach of the Homer High swim team, testified that a recent disc golf demonstration at Parks Day was a big success.

"We had maybe 60 kids and several adults. It was really great to see the adults and children playing together," said Gunther, who added that he has been playing the sport for 10 years.

Later in the meeting, the council adopted a resolution to include the disc golf course at Jack Gist Park.

The council will finalize their priorities for the CIP list at their next regular meeting, scheduled for Oct. 13.

Also at its meeting this week, the council:

n Removed from the agenda two memorandums that would have accepted the resignation of Mayor James Hornaday and appointed an interim mayor.

"Since the mayor has withdrawn his resignation prior to the council accepting his resignation, it is the opinion of the city attorney that his original resignation is no longer valid," said Mayor Pro Tem Dennis Novak.

n Heard a presentation from Tina Day, executive director of the Homer Chamber of Commerce, and Michael Haines, member of the chamber's Economic Development Committee, requesting matching funding in support of their efforts to "cultivate local economic development opportunities, training, resources and business counseling."

Day said the chamber is looking for "seed money" to update their materials and to train employees in new positions.

n Introduced an ordinance authorizing the purchase of Caselle accounting software for $27,445.

n Introduced an ordinance appropriating a $3 million loan increase from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation for construction of a new water treatment plant.

n Rejected a resolution "providing a signage area allowance credit for renewable energy generation by local businesses."

n Postponed until Oct. 22 a resolution "creating an agricultural free enterprise zone."

n Said goodbye to Mike Mason, news director for KBBI 890, who is leaving the station and moving to Anchorage.