HomeMy WebLinkAbout03082021 City Council Laydown - Griswold aI Dsoy Z.—/AizdOW(V—
GC 15L.:,0C4)
March 8, 2021
Dear Council and Administration,
I am very concerned about our city's financial stability and budget. I fear we may have to lay off
staff to support additional high-paid new staff, excessive reimbursement for the acting city
manager, and expensive projects. We cannot depend on traditional revenue and should not
depend on federal bail-outs.This is a crucial time to be frugal and focus on essentials.
Page 39: Resolution 2021-027, the 90-day hire for Acting City Manager, calls for a 50%salary
increase as did amended Resolution 2020-097. It also does not state the annual base salary or
any other pertinent information. Maybe there will be a lay-down today to supply this missing
information.
The Resolution should state the current base salary, the amount of the increase, and the total
salary for the ninety-day extension. Background and Justification details should be provided,
like Resolution 2021-028. A 10%increase is in line with city code when a deputy goes into
acting status, and is more reasonable.
The Resolution should have a clause to terminate this agreement if the new City Manager is
hired before June 16. The Assistant City Manager can help with the transition; there is no need
to have an Acting City Manager serve as well.
Salaries and benefits are public information and should be included in all city Resolutions, and
posted on the city website.
Page 47 Resolution 2021-029 Waive ASLC camping fees:
If sites are not used, there should be a provision that city can make them available to the public
for reservation.
As noted, many non-profit organizations rely on volunteers; why are they not also subsidized
with almost-free RV sites? Does$5/night truly offset utility costs? Will city campsites be made
available to city employees as well this year?Creating employee campgrounds in our municipal
campgrounds is not allowed by code, nor is camping for other than recreational uses.This
needs to be addressed.The city should follow its own code.
When can Council and the public expect to see more details on referenced potential lease
amendment for a long-term solution?Would this be fair and equitable to others? And legal?
$20K camping subsidy is considerably larger than in previous years ($12K in 2019) due to the
recent fee increase.This subsidy should be noted in a budget spreadsheet that accounts for all
subsidies to the ASLC, other nonprofits, hospital, community health care center, Chamber,
seafood processing plants, senior center, food bank, other city services, etc. This is important
information that should be known and considered in the budget process and for Council
actions.
Page 59 Resolution 2021-030 new Parks Maintenance Technician for Parks and Rec
$86,154 is slightly less than the City Clerk's new salary after 10 years of service including 6 years
as deputy city clerk and 3 years as city clerk. Why is this Technician position considered to be
Grade 5 with such a high salary?The Jesse Lee Home is far from being a park with facilities on-
site, as is the Williams restroom.These do not yet justify additional time. Could it be advertised
as Grade 3 and move up as needed?
Do we still need a year-round Campground Coordinator position with benefits if reservations
have moved on-line?Would first-come, first-serve at all campgrounds, not just Spring Creek,
further reduce staff time in the off-season? Would shutting down winter camping save staff
time and eliminate illegal residential use of our Waterfront campground?
Page 78 Gated system for municipal parking lots. Wow.Very unfriendly. Do other Kenai
Peninsula towns do this?Will the cash acceptance option make these stations a target for
theft? If not used, how will people pay if they don't have credit cards, etc.?Are the Smart
Stations cheaper than the Lukes, especially in regards to software updates and life expectancy?
How will the gates be maintained in the winter to avoid plow and other damage?
If the Uplands is gated, will people wishing to use the Uplands restroom or visit the Mariner's
Memorial or other temporary parking have to pay to access to the South Harbor Uplands Lot?
A gated system may virtually eliminate compliance issues in the gated lots but would it push
those who don't want to pay into nearby ROWs, campgrounds, and streets?Will the parking
along Fourth in front of businesses and nearby business parking lots be plugged all day?Will
Harborside Campground face pressure from people wanting to fish off Scheffler Creek beach?
Will the Benny Benson Park parking lot be impacted? Fourth Avenue? Residents along Second
Avenue by Van Buren have already complained about people from a nearby business parking in
the ROW in front of their homes.
As we learned with the Luke pay stations, there are always hidden costs in expensive software
updates, replacement of outdated and damaged machines, tech support,winter storage, etc.
It looks like harbor parking revenue was a net profit gain of$27,555 last year. Is it worth $200K
to gate these lots now?
Page 11: I am opposed to the city sponsoring the Exit Glacier race, scheduled for May 15. A
racer collapsed and died on this course running the 10K in 2019.The course is not in city limits.
the road will not be closed to traffic, which increases hazards, and is relatively remote in case of
emergencies. Plus there are concerns about city staff and volunteer health and safety with
regards to Covid.
https://www.peninsulaclarion.com/life/a-heartfelt-thanks-for-helping-in-my-time-of-need/
Page 15: City Attorney report:
"We advised on the number of votes required for Planning Commission approval of agenda
items." Did you know that if only the quorum of 4 Commissioners are present, 2 votes can
approve a Resolution? Council requires a majority of the total members, or a minimum of 4
affirmative votes,which is much more representative and fair. P&Z's rules should be aligned
with Council rules.
It would be of interest to know the costs for each report period and if our legal expenses are in
budget (or not).
Thank you for your enormous time and effort to serve on Council.
Carol Griswold
Inside city limits