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SPECIAL ASSEMBLY MEETING MINUTES
SOUTH NAKNEK
APRIL 27, 2005

  1. Call to Order: The Special Assembly Meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Michael S. Swain, Sr. The meeting was held in the Lunch Room at South Naknek School.

  2. Roll Call: Present: Assembly Members Shelby Boothe, Eddie Clark, Mel Coghill, Jr. Carvel Zimin, Jr. and Russell Phelps. No one was absent.

    Also present: Mayor Michael S. Swain, Sr., Borough Clerk Betty Bonin, Borough Manager Fred Pike, Treasurer Ellen Skiles, Jerry Castleberry, Josie Savo, Jeff and Anishia Elbie. No one else was present.

  3. Business:

    1. Ordinance No. 2005-05 Amending Chapter 3, Sections 3.16.010, 3.16.040, Sales Tax on Raw Fish Tax, Sections 3.20.020, 3.20.070, Transient Occupancy Tax: Mayor Swain stated this was the second reading and public hearing. He opened the public hearing for any comments. Fred Pike stated this was a "housekeeping" ordinance and it cleaned up some of the language for collecting monies on raw fish tax and transient occupancy taxes in our code book. Hearing no comments, the public hearing was closed.

    2. Ordinance No. 2005-06 - An Ordinance of the Bristol Bay Borough providing for the Establishment of the Budget for the Fiscal Year 2006, Second Reading and Public Hearing. Mayor Swain stated this was the Second Reading and Public Hearing on FY06's Budget and opened it up for public comments.

      Anishia Elbie asked for an overview since this was the first they had seen a copy of the budget. Mayor Swain read the highlights on a Memo dated April 24, 2005 from Manager Fred Pike and Finance Director Ellen Skiles. (Copy attached).

      Anishia Elbie asked about the revenue projection. Mayor Swain stated the projected Revenue was $4,689,089. Manager Fred Pike stated that was estimating .60 cents per pound on raw fish taxes as predicted by Fish & Game in the Naknek River. The Borough doesn't get any raw fish monies on fish caught outside the Borough boundaries.

      There was discussion about projected fish totals, processors, fish prices and adjustments.

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      APRIL 27, 2005

      Anishia Elbie asked if the Assembly had considered a "Tourist Tax"? Mayor Swain stated we checked into it in the past but we don't own or operate the airport. They also Talked about enhancing tourism on the way to and from Katmai National Park. Other Borough's like Lake & Peninsula Borough have instituted guiding fees but that has a cap on it also. We have also discussed User fees and now we have sewer fees in place. We tried dump fees and really kicked that around. He thinks it's a lot easier to look at a mill rate increase since most of the property owners live outside our Borough.

      Carvel Zimin, Jr. stated the Borough charges 3% Raw Fish Taxes. We don't get a lot of Money on that, this year its projected at $29l,600. ASMI's 1% is going away but they are talking about a regional 1% for promoting fish but it would have to go before the voters.

      Sales Taxes, exemptions, employment taxes, seasonal taxes and property taxes were all discussed.

      Anishia Elbie inquired if the proposed Pubic Works Director/Port Director was combined into one position? Mayor Swain stated that would put an individual over Public Works and the Dock and take administrative duties of the Public Works Lead Person.

      Manager Fred Pike stated the largest increase was due to rising PERS and Insurance Costs.

      Mayor Swain closed the Public Hearing on Ordinance No. 2005-06.

  4. Persons to be Heard:

    Josie Savo - she loves the dump now and has no complaints.

    Jeff Elbie - a lot of people are putting an effort into making the burn box work at the dump.

    Manager Fred Pike stated he talked to Jeff Elbie last week. They can develop something with everyone working together on what is allowed and not allowed in the burn box. Carvel Zimin, Jr. suggested that perhaps personnel from Trident, Village Council and the Borough get together and discuss it.

    Jeff Elbie is currently putting a list together on what can and cannot be put in the burn box. They will have a separate pile for large items. The burn box can burn 20 pallets at a time.

    Mike Swain asked about the South Naknek Dock. Jeff Elbie stated it needs work. It can move empty containers.

    Eddie Clark stated he is confident our economy is on the "up swing". All the homes that were empty a couple of years ago are all getting sold. All of Paug-Vik rentals are full for the first time in years.

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    APRIL 27, 2005

    Eddie Clark stated there are a lot of meetings going on about gold & oil right now. He encourages everyone to attend those meetings and keep informed.

    Eddie Clark - The Borough boundary lines cut off at Graveyard so if they fish in Branch River, our Borough doesn't get 3% tax on those fish. Branch River is in Lake and Peninsula Borough though we will get a Pack Tax.

    Eddie Clark - he sat on his first Board of Equalization meeting the other night. He commended our assessor on their job. They do the research and they know what they are talking about.

    Eddie Clark - Camai is doing good. He also feels there is gas and oil south of us and gold north of us. He also stated he thinks we are coming out of the "slump" and it's looking better.

    Jeff Elbie - the floating gas platforms in Cook Inlet are slowly using up their gas. They are wiling to make a road from Iliamna to Bristol Bay.

    Carvel Zimin, Jr. - they had a nice community plan meeting the other day. The #1 priority was the bridge. They asked the residents to write letters for full funding on the bridge. Hopefully they keep doing a good for the Borough.

    Fred Pike - doesn't look like there will be a cost recovery program this year. Carvel Zimin, Jr. stated we have to thank Fred Pike for that.

    Jeff Elbie - the Personnel Policy is being revised. Are employees going to be able to review it? Carvel Zimin, Jr. stated he would like to see the additions and changes underlined.

    Mel Coghill, Jr. - in favor of sitting down with the Personnel Committee, Assembly and employees and going through the Personnel Manual. Assembly thought that was a good idea.

    Shelby Boothe - regarding the step classification schedule. Are we going to adopt a Step Classification Monday also? Fred Pike stated that we will not.

    Carvel Zimin, Jr. - we need to proceed with adopting a budget.

    Mel Coghill, Jr. - leaving town tomorrow and won't be here for May 2nd Assembly Meeting. His daughter is graduating from college.

    Fred Pike - Garth Howlett, Engineer fro PND will be here to inspect the Dock on May 9th and give a presentation on May 10th to Planning & Zoning.

    Fred Pike - also working with the Denali Commission and Shirley Kelly with EDA. There is a possibility to get design money back that disappeared earlier.

    Carvel Zimin, Jr. - Northern Dynasty will be at the May 2nd Assembly Meeting.

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    APRIL 27, 2005

    Eddie Clark - Northern Dynasty is having a meeting in Anchorage and inviting someone from the villages to attend. The Borough should have a representative there. They are paying for the travel costs.

    Shelby Boothe - What is happening on funding for the EMS Radio System? Fred Pike stated he talked to Allen Williams tonight and he will be getting the final cost tomorrow. Allen also said that someone can come out to install the radios for $16,000. If we install them ourselves, we lose the 3 year warranty. He is not happy doing business with this company, he feels were are being "gouged".

    Mel Coghill, Jr. - thanked Anishia, Jeff and Josie for coming out to the meeting tonight.

  5. Adjournment: By general consensus of the Assembly, the meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m.
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