MEMORANDUM
TO: Ronald Wm. Drathman, Assembly President
Members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly
THRU: Mike Navarre, Borough Mayor
FROM: Bonnie L. Golden, Assistant to the Mayor
DATE: August 26, 1999
SUBJECT: Ordinance Reappropriating State Grants to Ninilchik and Moose Pass for Community Capital Improvement Projects
In 1993 the Borough was awarded several grants under AS 37.05.515 - Grants to
Municipalities. Several of the grants were for projects that are usually conducted by the
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities ("DOT/PF"). Therefore,
the Borough entered into Transfer of Responsibility
Agreements with DOT/PF to complete the projects. All but two of these projects have been
finished; these two are the safety projects in Ninilchik and a safety path in Moose Pass.
Because it is unlikely these projects will be completed, the Borough rescinded the TORAs
and requested that the Legislature reappropriate the funds for other purposes. The
following provides more detailed information regarding these two grants.
Ninilchik Grant ($200,000): The community of Ninilchik originally requested a pedestrian path adjacent to the bridge crossing the Ninilchik River. DOT/PF advised the community that such a path would be unsafe to both pedestrian and highway traffic and recommended an alternative plan. Since that time, DOT/PF has been working with the community to design and construct pedestrian access to and across the river. However, there has been conflicting direction from the community on which option to pursue.
The primary concern of Ninilchik is the safety of its citizens, at all times but especially during emergency situations. They desperately need an adequately equipped ambulance to provide emergency medical services. Since 1994 Ninilchik has identified this need as it highest capital priority. Using the grant funds would fulfill this need. At a community meeting in November 1998, attended by representatives from several local agencies and organizations, the community stated they would rather have a new ambulance than continue with the trail project.
The State Legislature has reappropriated the grant by amending the purpose of the grant to state: "Ninilchik Pedestrian and Vehicle Safety Improvements and Purchase of a Safety Vehicle". Upon acceptance and appropriation of the amended grant by the Assembly, an ambulance can be purchased for the Ninilchik community. The ballot for the October 1999 general borough election includes a proposition asking the voters to approve the exercise of powers for fire and emergency medical services. Should this proposition pass, the ambulance would be purchased by and through the service area. If the proposition fails, the Borough would purchase the ambulance on behalf of the Ninilchik Volunteer Ambulance Service.
Moose Pass Grant ($15,000): In 1992, Moose Pass identified the extension of its safety path as one of its highest capital priorities. The community originally requested the existing safety path be extended 2 miles north to the fish hatchery on Upper Trail Lake. An on-site review of the project by DOT/PF indicated several problems with the original proposal. The proposed trail location extends into areas that have very steep slopes and are too close to Kenai Lake. The amount of grant funds are insufficient to complete the trail. DOT/PF has had several community meetings in Moose Pass to re-define the scope of work. No consensus has yet been reached. Now that the purpose of the grant has been amended to include "community improvements", a meeting will be held in Moose Pass to gather public input on exactly how the community would like to use the $15,000.
/bg
cc: Ninilchik Chamber of Commerce
Moose Pass Sportsmen's Club