The Kenai City Council met on Thursday, September 20 to discuss Resolution No. 2023-59.
Within this resolution, it would give the City Manager Authorization to enter a Project Partnership Agreement with the Department of The Army for the Administration and Construction of the Kenai Bluff Stabilization Project with an Estimated Project cost of $41,604,000.
This also includes a Federal Cost Share of $37,443,600 and City Share of $4,160,400.
“I think the design for the project is complete and the core is finally moved to the point where we’re ready to sign the project partnership agreement. That agreement is going to define the city’s roles and responsibilities with the project. It also defines the core, responsibilities and also our financial commitment for both the city and the core,” said Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank.
According to Eubank, the erosion at the mouth of the Kenai River has been an issue for 60 years. He says this has been “a tremendous amount of work by prior administrations, city managers, and city councils.”
And as for the funding, Eubank says the city has been awarded an excess of $9 million in State of Alaska grants.
“We currently have a little over 8 million of those funds still available to us and we will be utilizing the state grants to match our federal share.”
Eubanks also stated that if the contract exceeds the anticipated budget, they are not required to sign into contract.
This partnership did pass with all six members in favor, making Resolution 2023-59 adopted.
There will be a signing event on Monday, September 25 at the Kenai Senior Center at 5:30 p.m. Governor Mike Dunleavy will be in attendance.