On Wednesday, March 6th, the Kenai and the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce held a joint luncheon, with guest speaker Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche.
Within the meeting, Micciche was able to speak to some of the updates that the Brough has accomplished, and well as some goals for the future.
The mayor opened the session by sharing that the KPB has updated its anti-harassment and anti-bullying policies since he took office in 2022.
He says that the primary thing that they were able to accomplish was to create a drama-free, professional work environment.
He also mentions that he’s looking to the future of the KPB, as well as the need for “a disciplined focus on efficiency and cost control.”
[It’s] really important that we brought people together, that we initially heard with ‘Your Better KPB’ survey about what was important to Burrow constituents, what they saw as problems. We used it on road maintenance issues to determine where those concentrated areas of concern were. We frankly have heard nothing but very positive things about road maintenance and [I] think that system is working,” said Micciche.
Micciche also mentions that housing and the cost of living has been a topic of discussion.
“We’ve got housing issues. That is an impediment to you, our Chambers of Commerce. It is a big deal. When we try to bring physicians here or new engineers or teachers, it’s really a struggle, and we’re trying to do our best to make sure that the one of only two growing areas of the state, Kenai Peninsula and the Matsu Valley that we have opportunities here for adequate housing for people so that we can grow responsibly,” said Micciche.
Micciche also gave a quick update on the bond projects regarding school maintenance as well as Central Emergency Services.
“We’re on track in some way, we’re responsibly delayed in others,” he said. “I’m not sure that anyone was prepared for the escalation in construction costs that we saw from the date the bond was approved until you start processing what it’s actually going to cost.”
The mayor does mention that the CES fire station is on track, and will soon be going out to bid.
There is also a bid that is to be awards to the Seward High School, which is meant for their track area.
When it comes to creating a new space for Soldotna Elementary, however, he describes it as a challenge.
“We’ll get there,” he said. “We’re evaluating what those costs look like from today’s realistic lens, and different ways to go about meeting them.”
