The Kenai City Council passed financial appropriations for capital projects that were up for a public hearing during Wednesday night’s council meeting. Ordinance 3146-2020 approves planned funding of capital projects deferred to Fiscal Year 2021 because of financial uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Among the projects set for Fiscal Year 2021, under this ordinance, are:
- $60,000 in repairs of 250 feet of damaged roadway and curb on First Street.
- $58,000 to improve HVAC systems at the Kenai library.
- $62,000 to improve Direct Digital Control systems at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center.
- $120,000 towards improving basin conveyance and capacity within the Inlet Woods Subdivision.
- $60,000 towards improving water heater equipment at the Kenai Recreation Center.
- $35,000 towards improving city network infrastructure.
- $210,000 to replace the roof top unit air handler at City Hall.
- $120,000 to remove and replace the roof at the Kenai Visitor and Cultural Center.
- $300,000 to design and construct an existing stormwater pipe on Bryson Street.
- $420,000 in street repairs on Willow Street.
A unanimously-passed amendment introduced by Councilmembers Tim Navarre and Robert Peterkin added a commitment of $150,000 to fund a revamp of the Kenai Fine Arts Center. The intent is to upgrade bathrooms, increase the functionality of the rear of the buildings, as well as the addition of new windows and lighting.
Councilmember Navarre said that he is thankful for the ability to fund the city’s needed capital projects: “As you know, last year, we cancelled our capital projects. Our city’s gonna need it and our contractors are gonna need the jobs and the work, and we need to do maintenance and capital projects in our city. We know we’re not going to get a lot of funds from the state in the future, and I’m just glad that we were finally able to institute this capital project fund going forward. So, I give the administration a lot of kudos.”
Mayor Brian Gabriel also expressed confidence in the projects as-presented, with particular excitement about the future of the Kenai Fine Arts Center as an anchor for the city: “COVID hit and the brakes went on and this was the low-hanging fruit, there was so much uncertainty. It makes me feel good that were moving that ball forward because we can’t stop forever. We need to do the improvements. We need to do for the city and move forward. As far as the Fine Arts Center goes, that is a city building and it’s an anchor to Old Town. It draws people in. That’s a goal of ours is to develop that, and I think it fits very well down there. Things can grow around that. I’m still wanting to see a brewery down there at some point!”
Ordinance 3146-2020 passed unanimously.
