Council members sworn in

After certifying the results of the Oct. 1, election, the Homer City Council swore in two council members at its regular meeting Monday.

Raising his right hand, first-time city council member Gus VanDyke swore to “impartially perform all duties of the office which I am about to enter, according to law, and therein do equal right and justice to all, so help me God.” Returning council member Bryan Zak also took the oath of office.

With VanDyke having travel plans in place, outgoing council member James Dolma “remains at the table through the meeting and active until Oct. 21, at which time Van Dyke will replace him,” said Mayor Beth Wythe.

The council got an overview of the 2014 budget from Finance Director Zhiyong “John” Li. It will officially receive the budget at its next meeting.

During the evening meeting, the council voted not to reconsider its Sept. 23 decision not to approve Resolution 13-040, directing the city administration to terminate all survey, design and cost estimating work on the Kachemak Drive pathway;

As part of the consent agenda, the council approved:

• The appointment of Roger MacCampbell to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission Tom Stroozas to the Planning Commission and Daniel Donich to the Port and harbor Advisory Commission, and the reappointment of Dave Brann to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission;

• Accepted and appropriated a $75,000 state of Alaska Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant, and appropriated a required local match of $75,000 for improvements to Karen Hornaday Park;

• Appropriated a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Learning Landscape Grant with a 50 percent in-kind match requirement up to $25,000 for landscaping improvements at Karen Hornaday Park Playground;

• Resolution 13-098, expressing support of the Pratt Museum’s $2.55 million grant request for its new facility;

• Resolution 13-099, encouraging Gov. Sean Parnell and the Legislature to invest in transportation infrastructure;

• Resolution 13-100, requesting the governor include in the Fiscal Year 2015 capital budget $100 million for replacing the M/V Tustumena;

• Resolution 13-101, supporting the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies state of Alaska Recreational Trail Program Grand application;

• Resolution 13-103, approving the sublease and operating agreement between the Kenai Peninsula Borough and South Peninsula Hospital Inc.;

• Awarding the contract for the Homer natural gas conversion project, phase 1, to Intelligent Design in the amount of $56,776;

• Awarded the bid for snow removal and sanding services for 2013-2016 to Gregoire Construction of Homer in the amount of $450 per snowplow trip and $450 per sanding trip;

• Authorized Wythe and council member Bryan Zak to attend the Alaska Municipal League 63^rd Annual Local Government Conference in Anchorage Nov. 18-22;

• Authorized vacation of the west half of an 80-foot wide public use easement of Lot 38 in the Bunnell subdivision; and

• Approved Resolution 13-106, awarding three-year, $129,989 contract for operation and management of the Homer Animal Shelter to Coastal Animal Care of Homer, with a two-year extension option.

The next regular meeting of the Homer City Council will be Oct. 28.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.