PO Box 520931 Big Lake AK, 99652-0931 www.biglakecommunitycouncil.com Big Lake Lions Rec Center 1. Call to Order General Membership Meeting Minutes October 13, 2015 7:00 P.M. President Bill Kramer called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. A quorum was established with board members present: President Bill Kramer, Vice President Floyd Shilanski, Secretary Carol Kane, Treasurer Yvonne Ruth, At Large Board Members Cathy Mayfield, Casey Steinau and Darren Zimmer 2. Pledge of Allegiance 3. Approval of Agenda A motion by Carol Kane, and seconded by Floyd Shilanski passed by unanimous consent to accept the agenda as presented. 4. Approval of Minutes A motion by Casey Steinau and seconded by Floyd Shilanski passed by unanimous consent to accept the minutes as printed. 5. Persons to be heard 3 min max. Mary Fig inquired about the status proposed regarding the 4 - lane highway on the Big Lake road passing through the center of Big Lake. President Kramer provided a brief update saying if there was no alternate route being proposed then the current proposal would remain. The state would not impose any restrictions on the type of vehicles utilizing the road. He continued saying a state grant had been processed for an RFP to include Route 3A for the Big Lake Community Impact Assessment. Through that process, five routes were proposed. Included in those proposed was Route 3A, which would go around the back side of Big Lake away from the Big Lake town corridor. A resolution had been passed and process by the Big Lake Community Council in support of Route 3A. Darren Zimmer is currently working with the borough to include the resolution for the Borough s Big Lake Comprehensive Plan. President Kramer concluded his comments noting this was not a done deal yet, but having the resolution does give teeth for approval by the Borough Assembly. Dan Mayfield added, having traffic studies being addressed as part of the process, would have a major traffic impact, should the state proceed without the community input.
Page 2 Minutes 10/13/15 6. Reports 5 min. max. 7. Borough Assembly Report Dan Mayfield Assemblyman Mayfield stated at the Borough September 29, 2015 meeting, an agenda item was the Borough Strategic Plan. The Borough Manager stated within the plan were 65 different projects. The Assembly was asked to define a definitive project list. The process will take several months before the project list could be refined. All active projects would be at the top of the list. When the newly elected assembly takes office, their task would be to define the project list more specifically. He continued his report adding the Borough election results are still pending due to 2302 absentee ballots. Current status - the mayoral race is too close to call. At this time, Dr. Doty leads the vote and George McKee has pulled ahead. It is expected the final tally will definitely change and hopefully results would be known by this Friday, if not then perhaps on Monday. Tuesday at 5:00 P.M. an assembly meeting is scheduled to certify the results. If there would be a potential recount, then the certification cannot occur. Additionally, an introduction of the Comprehensive Plan- Route 3A ordinance is scheduled for 10/20/15, will be directed to the Planning Board then back to the Assembly. The Target Program now wants to be housed at the new Reddington High School. A comprise as presented, resulted in the matter being passed. The Right to Bear Arms would be enhanced with this type of educational program. Closing comment was Hoping that all have voted in the City election. 8. Road Service Area Report Jill Parsons announced the RSA 21 meeting is to be held at 5:30 P.M. on 10/29 and to be at the Library. Included on the agenda will be decisions for the 2016 Capital Improvements. She concluded her comments, by stating the July meeting received information that is now different than that originally proposed. 9. Fire Service Area Report Cathi Kramer Cathi reported there was a joint meeting last Monday night at Station 51. At this time it is intended to only go forward with Fire Station #73. Currently four individuals are being interviewed for Fire Station #73 positions. Additionally, the City of Houston is planning to build a new fire station. 10. Treasurer s Report, Chairperson, Yvonne Ruth Checking $13843.31 Savings $280.71 2014 grant funds remaining = $23,543.60. All grant recipients who have requested being funded have been paid.
Page 3 Minutes 10/13/15 In closing, Yvonne said the has been involved in three grant cycles. At this time, there are still some remaining funds needing to be disbursed. Additionally, $9500 funds from revenue sharing are designated for beautification, which Margaret Billinger worked on several years ago. Additional grant materials are available at the back table. 11. Membership Report Chairperson, Yvonne Ruth 78 12. Chamber Commerce Report Dan Mayfield Dan indicated the Fall Fishing Derby was very successful. Kids and adults really enjoyed being on Big Lake. There will be a new partnership with the Arctic Cat Corporate entity this winter for the February 2016 Ice Fishing Derby. Expected is a $5100 in profit to go back in the Chamber account for operations and additional events. The Christmas Tree lighting is the next planned event on December 5th. The Chamber is accepting new membership applications. The application is on the Chamber website. 13. Parks and Trails Chairperson, Cathy Mayfield Cathy Mayfield said the 2016 Fishing Derby would be on the same date as the Iron Dog. Additionally Arctic Cat Corporation has agreed to be a sponsor for the next several years. Northshore Wayside Park is now re-opened with a new fence. Soon, the new floating dock should be installed. Requested is a resolution in support to stop trapping along the trail. This would address trappers who are taking existing snow machine trails and catching household pets. Concluding the remarks noted was trappers are getting closer to residential areas. The pavement at Jordan Lake Park is scheduled to be completed soon, as well. Additionally, Cathi Kramer stated the Porta Potties would be placed in the park and through the grant funding, tire stops will be added. 14. School Report, Chairperson, Carol G Kane The Big Lake Elementary School staff reported all is going well at the school. Enrollment remains much the same as last year. 15. Transportation Report Chairperson, Darren Zimmer Darren Zimmer reported that the Borough had concluded its negotiations with the property owners and secured an agreement with the design and the necessary Rights of Way to proceed. Utility construction is currently underway and construction for the actual round-about will begin next spring, to conclude by the summer (hopefully to be done by the 4th of July). A copy of the current plans (they may still be amended) is on the BLCC web page.
Page 4 Minutes 10/13/15 In response to a question by Jill Parson, yet to be determined regarding the entity to be responsible for a variety of issues, Assemblyman Mayfield shared the Borough will be responsible for the plowing in compliance with the DOT standard. He continued saying the State would not be paying for the power, rather this will be the Borough s obligation. An original stated estimate for streetlights was $36,000/year; the actual cost is anticipated to be $3600. Speculation is this might be transferred should Big Lake become a city. It appears this is not a priority project for the state or the borough. Part of the bonding package is a $2 million matching grant. At this time, only one route has been selected. Additionally noted, streetlights are very expensive and the actual costs and types are still being reviewed. When Bill Haller inquired about the expected final cost of the roundabout, the expected cost could be - $1.9 million. Dan Mayfield will follow-up this information for further updates. 16. Incorporation Chairperson, Floyd Shilanski Summary comments included the following: The ballots are out. Compliments to the candidates for holding their heads high and taking a positive approach with no slander on the issues. Inappropriate that Butch Moore, while doing a good presentation, his information presented was inaccurate. Should Big Lake become a city, there would be a need to put into code, within 2 years what future expectations might be. Highly qualified individuals have expressed interest in being a part of this future process. If the results of the voting are passed, from August/September collected taxes, funding could become available for city operational expenses. Follow-up is needed with the Division of Elections regarding the forever stamps for the mail- in ballots. The Big Lake Post Office location presents a conflict because mailing in a ballot at this post office, which serves as an official polling place. A request was made to have the City voting on the same day at the regular October elections; however, all 2 nd Class Cities are only allowed to have mail - in ballots. 17. Community Grants, Chairperson, Yvonne Ruth Yvonne stated the Community Grants are funds passed through from the State to the Borough, and then passed on to the. The 2015 grant allocation was $20,200. The Borough had originally requested $55,000. Additionally, she noted from the 2014 Grant funds, $4741.26 for the Saturday Market was returned. Yvonne provided an overview the grant application process, then summarized the 2015 Grant Committee recommendations as follows:
Page 5 Minutes 10/13/15 Big Lake Belles Make Big Lake Beautiful - $2850.00, Big Lake Block Party Safety Fair Commemorating the 20 th Year Anniversary for the Big Lake Fire - $4,500.00, Clothing Closet Supplies to Move Collection Bin - $193.05, Houston High School - Medical Bags and Supplies for Activity Events - $3,000, Mid-Valley Recycling Rain - proofing/access Recycling Bins $5300.00, Valley Movers Expand services to East Lake Mall working in conjunction with FTA 53111 Rural Transit Grant and United Way - $9028.20. Total grant disbursement requested = $24,941.26 A motion by Floyd Shilanski and seconded by Yvonne Ruth passed by unanimous consent to fund 2015 total grant disbursement requested = $24,941.26 Assemblyman Mayfield said should Big Lake become a 2 nd Class City, it could be a possible process to allocate grant funds as a funding resource for the City. Bill Kramer stated he would not support this while Larry Schmidt say he thought this would be a positive action to take. General consensus was in support of this proposal. 18. Correspondence Printed as received Public Notice Tariff Notices from MEA and Enstar. 19. Land Use/Platting 75 Ft. Variance Request Following general discussion regarding a 75 ft. variance request wanting 38ft. to the property line the following were noted: This type of request has been an issue for many years; there still is no consistent resolution. At least 60 days are needed to be reviewed by an advisory group knowledgeable in this type of matter. President Kramer noted the Community Council often times does not receive these requests in a timely matter for review, provide information to understand all the related issues, and then make an informed opinion. Return the request to the Borough Storage Structure request to modify a boathouse on land to access lake from dry land. President Kramer recommended no position by the Community Council until more information is provided in a timely manner. 20. New Business None
Page 6 10/13/15 21. Unfinished Business Board member Zimmer reported an update on the BLCC s Resolution No.2014-102 in support of Community Impact Assessment recommending that Route 3A be formally incorporated into the Big Lake Comprehensive Plan. The Borough Planning Division is submitting an Ordnance seeking the same to the Assembly later this month. Upon presentation to the Assembly, the Ordnance will be returned to the Planning Division for a 90-day public review. Upon the conclusion of the review the Assembly will vote on Ordnance, and if approved, the BLCC Comprehensive Plan will be amended. The earliest we can expect completion of this project is around the February March timeframe. Bill Kramer reported the water levels on the Horseshoe Lake, West Lake, Muleshoe Lake, and Rocky Lake seemed to have returned to normal water levels due to the increased rainfall over the summer. Assemblyman Mayfield stated the dump fee issue is an on-going battle on the Assembly. Issues are divided between the rural and core areas. 5 votes represent the middle core area and 2 votes represent the outer areas. There are 13 transfer stations in the borough and not adequate funding to meet the needs. Following the recommendation of Assemblyman Halter and Mayfield, an agreement was passed to raise fees only 1 time/year. The following chart reflects the new rates at transfer sites and the Central Landfill, which went into effect October 1, 2015. Load Size Current Approved 1 CY $15 $13 2 CY $30 $26 3 CY $45 $32 4 CY $60 $45 5 CY $75 $60 Per Bag (limit 2 bags per day) $3 $2 Per Ton Household Waste (Lined Cell) $125 $120 Per Ton construction and demo Cell $100 $95 Helen Heairet expressed her appreciation for the efforts made by Assemblyman Mayfield for the fee rates to be adjusted. 22. Announcements Casey Steinau inquired where the overhead projector was the Big Lake Community Council had several years ago. Bill Haller stated the had donated it to Houston High School. Yvonne Ruth announced Houston High School will host the last home volleyball game this Thursday October 15 and the next games will be at Reddington High School October 16/17.
Page 7 10/13/15 23. Board Member Comments Yvonne Ruth said it is a pleasure to be in our community. Floyd Shilanski said he enjoyed living in Big Lake and it is real nice to live where there is a small town feeling. Casey Steinau commented on the importance of taking the time to vote advocating for your position on any issue. Larry Schmidt extended his appreciation for all the hard work the Board members have donated to Big Lake. Bill Kramer announced this would be his last meeting. As stated in the by-laws, President Kramer said he would appoint Sandy Baker to fill his remaining term, December 2015. Additionally, the Community Council Nomination Committee will have new Board Member nomination information available. Bill stated he had enjoyed working with everyone and appreciated everyone s hard work. In closing, Bill appreciated the opportunity to be a part of the. 24. Adjournment 8:43.PM. Respectfully submitted, Carol G Kane, Secretary Adopted 11/10/15 Purpose: To provide a direct and continuing means of citizen participation in government and local affairs; to provide a method by which they can work together for expression and discussion of their opinions, needs and desires in a manner that will have an impact on our community s development and service; to provide to governmental agencies a method for receiving opinions, needs, desires and recommendations of residents and groups, and to give local governing bodies an improved basis for decision-making and assignment of priorities for all capital improvements and governmental programs affecting community development and individual well-being.