The City of Kenai committed the appropriation of matching funds along with the Alaska Department of Transportation to construct a pedestrian and bicycle path from the Kenai Spur Highway to Beaver Loop along Bridge Access Road. The ordinance passed with only one no vote, from Councilmember Jim Glendening.
Councilman Robert Peterkin addressed his support for Ordinance 3137-2020 and what it may hold for the future of the area: “I really hope that we pass this. I’d really like to see it happen, sooner than later. That new bike path on Beaver Loop is beautiful and it could tie into Kenai, and I’d like in future years to see it go from there to across the bridge and onto K-Beach. I mean, it would finish off the loop. I think this is huge for community enhancement. I’ve lived here my entire life in Kenai and am an avid bike-rider, and I think it’s really important for our community and that area in particular. I think it’s just a beautiful fit. It’s something we need, it makes it a lot safer. People riding on the side of the highway is not a good idea.”
Councilman Henry Knackstedt also spoke in favor of the bike bath.
City Manager Paul Ostrander, however, said he prefers getting more time to acquire a draft agreement from the Department of Transportation to see how these funds be utilized. He said that a delayed vote would not put much of a delay on the project’s construction: “DOT was pushing us to either go forward with the project or not. They provided a couple of options: either go ahead this year and commit the funds and we’ll get started on the design, or alternatively, we could postpone it. I thought it was appropriate to bring council in and it would allow you to make that decision whether to commit this funding now – the match of $216,000 – and go forward with the design, or postpone for a year. I think a delay of a month, all they’re really going to start is design now, so I wouldn’t think that would delay the project for a year.”
The council discussed postponing the vote to allow Ostrander to get more information, but it was ultimately decided to amend in the word “discretion” to allow the City Manager to ultimately have the ball in his court by having the discretion to make the final decision on when to enact spending. The council wanted to express their support for the project, but they feel this allows Ostrander to get more information.
Mayor Brian Gabriel divulged that he works for the Department of Transportation, but said that his department would play no role in this matter. The council ruled that he had no conflict-of-interest in discussing the matter.