[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6511249,"mediaKeyId","5332945-4ff61c95b478dc59f520ff16392a5ff4","parentId",5332945,"title","Assembly accepts resignation of Assembly member James Basden; several appointments noted","audioSeconds",1863,"startMs",2395000,"endMs",4258000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5332945-4ff61c95b478dc59f520ff16392a5ff4&start=2395&end=4258","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5332945-4ff61c95b478dc59f520ff16392a5ff4/thumbnail_2395000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6511249/Kenai-Peninsula-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-accepts-resignation-of-Assembly-member-James-Basden-several-appointments-noted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511249-3b4f7b1a656562d5a20b91ff04435e1d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770420820&Signature=DCIPIbS~1co-O7acYCZvpnfEXXV4P2xuPCoqOz8uvE82vCC9ea1~IhL0k7pSohFc8TmwbGOK2Ya~sK1bRWsjCsRQP7q6Zyekv2wSGNhdOwZvTyNu6MxSiOjjXQ5vnlqyxkONSpFXKT~PF8GXeBy7ziw7DtXRpAW0CiaLE2RjVoIymG5WiKK7odhsLsnWh7n9r9P2F9Mo~a1icrDe~gcslNnOUeMI~FOUs-Bub0zqWd9cpyKQRuHmzoo3eG8mvVTeEg2P5brFlrZddXdGAdFIxL633dWOxLv14STr1C5qrbQVRS5HqG8y8f2mdp~uOEdsLHsEW0pJn1pWsRW3en9mzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Kenai Peninsula Borough","date","2025-07-08T00:00:00Z","article","President Ribbons presented Resolution 2025-029 accepting the resignation of Assembly member James Basden and declaring a vacancy.

Basden addressed the assembly and said family commitments required his resignation. \"My life's changed a little bit with my family...I've enjoyed my time here,\" Basden said in brief remarks.

Nut graf: The resolution formalizes a vacancy so the clerk can proceed with the election or appointment process. The committee also reviewed a set of confirmation items for boards and commissions.

The committee recorded several confirmation items on the agenda: KPB7026 confirming Aaron Workman to the South Kenai Peninsula Hospital Service Area Board (term expiring 10/26), KPB700029 confirming Jeff Ciro to the Kachemak Emergency Service Area Board (seat B, term expiring 10/27), KPB7027 confirming Peter Crimp to the Resilience and Security Advisory Commission (Northwest Borough, term expiring 09/30/26), and KPB7028 confirming Planning Commission appointments: Dawson Slaughter (South Peninsula, term expiring 07/31/28) and Virginia Morgan (Cooper Landing/Hope/Eastern Peninsula area, term expiring 07/31/28).

Ending: The resignation was announced and the clerk was instructed to proceed with vacancy processes; the transcript does not show a formal roll-call vote in committee on the resignation or the confirmations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kenai Peninsula Borough - Policies and Procedures Committee on 2025-07-08 4:30 PM - Meeting ID: 835 6358 3837 Passcode: 606672 - Jul 08, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","President Ribbons presented a resolution accepting Assembly member James Basden's resignation; Basden spoke briefly. Committee also noted multiple confirmation items for service-area and commission appointments.","taxTitle","Kenai Peninsula Borough, Alaska","taxId",27490,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6511254,"Assembly introduces ordinance to create Nanilchik recreation service area; school district and staff outline pool-operating complexities",823,3410000,4233000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5332945-4ff61c95b478dc59f520ff16392a5ff4&start=3410&end=4233","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5332945-4ff61c95b478dc59f520ff16392a5ff4/thumbnail_3410000.jpg","/articles/6511254/Kenai-Peninsula-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-introduces-ordinance-to-create-Nanilchik-recreation-service-area-school-district-and-staff-outline-pool-operating-complexities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511254-eefbcdd51f0412cf4106ea8e97a062a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770420820&Signature=QPWI41Z2FHSw27h3wZMxrAZ-J53k8j0r7UdYPy-GPoAS~7DVhzCf-t~vpl3nqn2046bnAATNJAy4jB~BalKeSnhb4iiSA05C1nrEGIbvSrgJ8WODoSGjszVP9lm-tvAa805T4ee3CVo3faOL~SiCf2Sq~S8rRGN0wUUjlm5-71~CLV40QLUKsjpC0xwr5ovKFPgDOs8phAtJ-0WgSzwr4AnLjlb74V5OEtLDCSrGIBfH1EuhHQNxVAoKYXzWmHwmUqB4L3TUgKYR14MzVV-oYoKpbUZQmcy4wRhxgb4DaHrocXp1qKTSSdtlILBdASYbhTDOWSUoX7YDLetf4JtXFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assembly member Johnson introduced Ordinance 2025-17 to establish the Nanilchik Recreation Service Area, a voter-approved service area intended to fund the Nanilchik pool and other recreation priorities.

Nut graf: The ordinance would send a measure to voters to establish a service area that could levy a property tax or service charge (subject to voter approval) to fund pool operations and other recreation services. Staff and a school-district representative said specific operating arrangements are needed where pools sit on school district property.

School-district representative Mr. Lyon described the operational and utility costs that make pools expensive to operate: pools require 100% exhaust air, pumps and heating, and pool water must be within three degrees of ambient air temperature, all of which drive high utility bills. Lyon said one feasible approach is for a community group to operate the pool as a separate entity with its own employees, plus a memorandum of agreement to define utilities and fees when school programs use the pool.

Lyon said examples exist—other borough recreation entities operate off-school property or under lease arrangements—and that an MOA and clear utility allocation (for example, by square footage or metered use) would be needed to avoid creating a \"local contribution\" that could affect school funding caps.

Members asked whether pools in Nanilchik and Seldovia could remain open in the interim while governance, MOAs and utility allocation are finalized. Lyon said staff and the school board were working on solutions and that some reserve accounts (\"7-10 accounts\") exist that have been used in the past for pools. He said operational decisions will depend on the facility condition and the timeline to get systems swimmable.

Clerk Turner asked that the item be removed from the consent agenda so the assembly could make a proper motion to set community- and public-hearing dates; the hearing was announced for Aug. 5 in the packet. Several members expressed support for the proposal while noting the need for voter approval and for clear operating agreements.

Ending: The ordinance was introduced for public hearing; no committee vote adopting the ordinance appears in the transcript.","Ordinance 2025-17 would establish a Nanilchik Recreation Service Area for voter approval to support local pool operations and other recreation needs; school-district and borough staff described operational, utility and legal complexities for pools located on school property.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6511259,"Assembly debates resolution to form seasonal sales-tax working group amid split views on next steps",606,2500000,3106000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5332945-4ff61c95b478dc59f520ff16392a5ff4&start=2500&end=3106","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5332945-4ff61c95b478dc59f520ff16392a5ff4/thumbnail_2500000.jpg","/articles/6511259/Kenai-Peninsula-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-debates-resolution-to-form-seasonal-sales-tax-working-group-amid-split-views-on-next-steps","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511259-bac968f201de52c9f3ca773c065807e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770420820&Signature=bJw34XEKTq~YOApo2Sb24GXP0bIRhi-JPBbDezNIsLAhtypgq3detCkdzAV9Z3odcVcsj5Dsl6MFpNdNKNlT0JNGocHGBbWinsFf1ejkMUayzL0HUDk-B3QH5JQtip5QDUOkvwhTwzK0Bw~VqfiTzwcn2j9LQmDacUrlWF-grbtCNirBh9GONbMarP3eZDeuwXM9saCHKKnGrtrY9sFiAd2EsesZAY1XKvZ8IfRW0FcJZaO7mxGmzUGs-EZdEx38zKX95cqd-TzB4KRoGjfsfz9uCWThH8sU8YjyBuNUY~oUMMMGUn3qkNJzHIpvLTWmiNBUi4hK20NVyhpg4rZGaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Assembly member Cox introduced Resolution 2025-030 to establish a seasonal tax working group to evaluate positive and negative seasonal tax impacts on Kenai Peninsula Borough residents and businesses.

Cox framed the resolution as a response to questions arising from the tourism industry working group and said he wanted more analysis before the assembly advances any tax change. \"I think we should give the same amount of time to one that has the potential to tax our residents,\" Cox said, asking for additional study to understand resident and business impacts.

Nut graf: The proposal would create a nine-member working group appointed by the mayor and approved by the assembly to study a seasonal sales-tax structure that would vary tax rates between summer and winter months. Supporters said the group could clarify fiscal impacts; critics said the process duplicates previous work and risks delaying decisions.

Debate in committee highlighted four recurring points: whether new study time would produce different results from prior working-group work; the mayor's repeated public statements that \"we do not need any more money\"; the question of who would appoint and select the group's chair; and whether non-resident stakeholders with relevant experience should be eligible to serve.

Assembly member Cooper said the tourism working group had been publicly noticed and produced significant public engagement and questioned whether another nine-month study would change results. \"I'm just not certain what another nine months of a working group is going to accomplish,\" she said.

Mayor (role identified in meeting) told the committee he opposed the notion that the borough needed more revenue and argued the measure is presented as a structural option rather than a revenue grab. \"We don't need more money,\" the mayor said, adding that proponents view the measure as a tax-structure change that could, proponents contend, reduce costs for year-round residents.

Assembly member Tunsett raised technical drafting questions: whether the resolution should identify expected revenue or include language clarifying that the working group members would elect a chair and vice chair. Cox said the clerk confirmed the nine members would elect a chair and vice chair from among themselves and that the mayor would make appointments subject to assembly approval.

Ending: At the committee meeting no final vote on the resolution is shown in the transcript; members debated whether to proceed with the resolution, to introduce a related ordinance that would change tax rates, or to leave prior work intact.","Assembly member Cox presented Resolution 2025-030 to create a nine-member seasonal tax working group to study seasonal tax impacts; members and the mayor debated whether another study is needed, how members would be appointed and whether residents would be disproportionately affected.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6511263,"Assembly reviews ordinance to define \"water-dependent\" use and clarify conditional-use permit rules",286,2087000,2373000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5332945-4ff61c95b478dc59f520ff16392a5ff4&start=2087&end=2373","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5332945-4ff61c95b478dc59f520ff16392a5ff4/thumbnail_2087000.jpg","/articles/6511263/Kenai-Peninsula-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-reviews-ordinance-to-define-water-dependent-use-and-clarify-conditional-use-permit-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511263-bbafa62bccb638dd64196da20cab5d27/orig.mp4?Expires=1770420820&Signature=JfVLnhE~MtZ1Yoe0N94au7EUlpk~Vbyy9y2bNplusI0eFd1~hflwSioG3Vzqb06mp9WdJKSj~Xx~B~EGxQWSYs9xyw1j9BdGxqYFV4YBs-ebS5ZeTVwU~XUhoZJD8FK91tHALas4hCM4KFWLUViJDv~rQj9NJjN6odfJH-wP8-r2~E8ihGCCx2ErzrJGqwJb9W7Txp81NtaUO755JJgMTUWv6kuv7QYSD7UgeFD1BdSLmLaj2OuzAUGWtFMuQm5h~LyksehM1324ozgKwuJHgf7hykHZ0HGNyzP1c-gYXtSypCdJ2KbXoVAnk9pQrdysiGqpiW0RFCu8meUg1d8Z-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Smith Lopez, manager at the borough River Center and supervisor of natural-resources planning, presented an ordinance to clarify conditional-use permit standards and add a definition for \"water-dependent\" activities in borough code.

\"We have been working on this definition that hasn't been in code for water dependent for a long time,\" Lopez said, explaining that the planning commission requested a clear definition to make permit decisions more consistent.

Nut graf: The ordinance (2025-12) would amend KPB code sections governing conditional-use permits and insert a code definition for \"water-dependent.\" Staff and the planning commission said the change aims to reduce confusion in permit reviews and to codify long-standing practices.

Lopez described specific amendments included in the packet: a cleanup of a drafting error related to fences and a new allowance that would permit fences on lakes as staff-level permits while maintaining stricter standards for riverfront properties. She explained the rationale: lakes lack the same erosive forces and wildlife movement constraints found on rivers, and the planning commission wanted to avoid requiring permit-level review for routine lakefront fences.

Lopez cited recent examples where access and vehicle turnaround on public rights-of-way created damage and where a property owner obtained permission to install a fence to prevent further erosion and vehicle impacts.

Assembly members asked for clarification about where fences would be allowed and why the distinction between lakes and rivers exists. Lopez said lakes are less prone to erosion and flood-related fence damage; on rivers, she said, commissioners may require a 20-foot removal zone to allow flood flows and wildlife passage.

Ending: Lopez said the amendments aim to match code language to practice so planning staff and the commission apply consistent standards. The committee did not record a final vote on the ordinance during the meeting.","Staff proposed ordinance 2025-12 to define \"water-dependent\" and to clarify conditional use permit requirements in KPB zoning code; planners said the change reflects planning commission requests and eases permitting for certain lakefront fences while maintaining river protections.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6511268,"Assembly hears presentation on boroughwide Safe Streets plan that would unlock federal funds",1228,437000,1665000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5332945-4ff61c95b478dc59f520ff16392a5ff4&start=437&end=1665","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5332945-4ff61c95b478dc59f520ff16392a5ff4/thumbnail_437000.jpg","/articles/6511268/Kenai-Peninsula-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-hears-presentation-on-boroughwide-Safe-Streets-plan-that-would-unlock-federal-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6511268-535a82a588753f39e45327d77cc83b4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770420820&Signature=QMoxETn4PyusE74QCY7PSkeQ7JKTw-AsOVSDvbmfWhPFBQaMgZtjG2dNuDkIUb1FX0054LtsrEnsuqhDo07TBncfoSAQAsjpAFZdCzhn-Mc3UrfWQwStAh71YlRpVN3z64QGzg8-nKSpO1pAhVUJUveWuXDLqQvkjI0XDjagqVIITMPZJHoeYM42GEIWMVlBNjobILHknyQdheOmueXFkpQsOCKgEl8uYc4Eyfc04v4e4doZYe4tsRcJ693t7UqXsu704U1pDEhDbD9cCIu4itF-3sj7rCdrbXDRvEbbWQc6Lg4NQTZVGMjpTToz9TCzme2NITC7s1xejoM5a6f-Hg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Robert Ruffner, Planning Director for the Kenai Peninsula Borough, asked the assembly to adopt the borough's 2025 Safe Streets and Roads for All comprehensive safety action plan as an element of the 2019 Kenai Peninsula Borough comprehensive plan.

The plan, Ruffner said, aims to reduce \"killed or serious injuries\" (KSIs) across the borough by identifying 20 priority locations and recommending proven countermeasures such as rumble strips, improved striping and targeted lighting. \"We have finished the plan...this is the final step, and it is to fold it into our comprehensive plan,\" Ruffner said.

Folding the plan into the comprehensive plan would make the priority projects eligible for Federal Highway Administration grant funds, Ruffner told the assembly. He emphasized the plan is advisory: it \"doesn't mandate anything\" and is agnostic about who owns the affected roads. \"The State can choose to take any of these or they can choose to not take any of them, but there will be a carrot there and that's that Federal Highways dollar,\" he said.

Nut graf: Adoption would not itself authorize construction or mandate local action, but it would formalize a set of priorities and make those priorities eligible for federal funding, potentially speeding safety work that local agencies alone could not fund.

Ruffner described the plan's scope and data sources: the technical team mapped KSIs from 2018 to 2022, worked with borough GIS staff, and held six in-person workshops plus virtual meetings and focus groups across the peninsula. He said new crash data recently released by the Alaska Department of Transportation bolsters the plan's findings.

The plan organizes countermeasures by cost and complexity. Low-cost measures identified include higher-durability reflective paint and targeted no-parking restrictions; medium-cost measures include lighting and signals; high-cost items include realigning roads and building frontage or \"backage\" roads to reduce high-speed access points. Ruffner pointed to the Sterling-to-Soldotna corridor as an example where frontage roads and medians are already being discussed and where the plan could help prioritize complementary work.

Assembly members asked how sites were selected and who would implement projects. \"The primary driver was the data for accidents,\" Assembly member Johnson said; Ruffner confirmed KSI data was the most heavily weighted selection criterion, supplemented by local knowledge of growth or sight-line issues. Ruffner and other staff stressed that most KSIs occur on state-owned roads, so the Alaska DOT will be a principal implementer.

Members raised questions about specific countermeasures. Assembly member Morton cautioned that lighting can sometimes encourage higher speeds and reduces visibility of animals; Ruffner agreed that lighting is project-specific and can create a false sense of security without complementary enforcement. Assembly member Townsend urged staff to keep business impacts in mind, noting vehicles accounted for the vast majority of collisions in the data.

Ruffner also highlighted non-infrastructure components of the plan, including post-crash care coordination and targeted outreach campaigns (for example, messaging aimed at groups responsible for a disproportionate share of KSIs). The plan includes an online dashboard and a safety \"report card\" for ongoing tracking, Ruffner said.

Ending: Ruffner said the Planning Department will continue engagement with cities, DOT and community stakeholders and asked the assembly for its consideration in folding the plan into the comprehensive plan. No final vote on the ordinance was recorded in the committee transcript.","Planning Director Robert Ruffner presented the 2025 Safe Streets and Roads for All plan and asked the assembly to fold it into the borough's 2019 comprehensive plan; the plan identifies 20 high-priority locations, recommended countermeasures and would allow access to Federal Highway dollars but does not mandate work by local jurisdictions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Assembly accepts resignation of Assembly member James Basden; several appointments noted

Assembly introduces ordinance to create Nanilchik recreation service area; school district and staff outline pool-operating complexities

Assembly debates resolution to form seasonal sales-tax working group amid split views on next steps

Assembly reviews ordinance to define "water-dependent" use and clarify conditional-use permit rules

Assembly hears presentation on boroughwide Safe Streets plan that would unlock federal funds