Kenai: 11/04/2026 City Council Meeting

Good evening, everybody. I'd like to call to order the November 4th, 2026 City Council meeting to order. If you're able, please rise and join me for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Clerk, please call the roll. Council Member Petty. Present. Council Member Kusena. Here.

Council Member Deborah Sounart. Here. Mayor Knackstedt. Here. Council Member Daniel.

Here. Council Member Brieme. Present. Vice Mayor Askin. Here.

Student Representative Bowling. Here. You have a quorum. Thank you. That brings us to approval of the agenda and consent agenda.

We have no laydowns. Pleasure of council. Vice Mayor Askin. I move that we approve the agenda and consent agenda as requested and request unanimous consent. I'll second that.

Are there any additional revisions to the agenda or consent agenda from the council? Seeing none, would the clerk please read the consent agenda items into the record? Approval of the regular meeting minutes of October 21st, 2026, brought to you by the City Clerk. New business action approval, bills to be ratified, brought to you by the administration. Action approval, renewal of the memorandum of understanding between the Third Operations Support Squadron and the City of Kenai, brought to you by the administration.

Action approval, special use permit to Tote Maritime Alaska LLC for truck trailer storage, brought to you by the administration. Action approval, council confirmation of mayoral nomination of Janet Nelson-Dorn conformity to the Council on Aging Commission, brought to you by the mayor. Introduction of ordinance number 3549-2026, removing the public purpose designation on Kenai Peninsula Borough parcel number 03906141 to accommodate disposal recommendations in the City of Kenai Land Management Plan, brought to you by the administration. Public hearing scheduled for November 18th, 2026. And that is your consent agenda.

Thank you for that. Are there any public comments on any of the consent agenda items just read by the clerk? Seeing no one, unanimous consent was requested. Are there any objections? Hearing no objections, the agenda and consent agenda are approved.

At this point, I'd like to take a quick pause. We have Tanya here tonight from the Leashore Center, and I'd like to, uh, to provide a proclamation to her., proclaiming October as a Domestic Violence Month. So, Tanya, if you could come forward.

Whereas domestic violence is an intolerable violent crime with public health implications for every person in in the central Kenai Peninsula, and no one person, organization, agency, or community can eliminate domestic violence alone; and whereas, domestic violence prevention can better be addressed through education, counseling, support of victims and survivors, and increased support for service agencies in collaboration with the Lee Shore Center; and whereas, the Lee Shore Center, its staff and volunteers work year-round to address domestic violence by providing 24 crisis services, offering support to those impacted by domestic violence, and providing prevention education, survivor empowerment, information to schools, churches, and civic organizations, as well as medical, mental health, law enforcement, education, and criminal justice personnel. And whereas the Leeshore Center continues to develop and improve the quality of service for those most profoundly and directly impacted by domestic violence, Now, therefore, I, Henry Knackstedt, Mayor of Kenai, Alaska, do hereby proclaim October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the city of Kenai and urge all citizens to support and assist the Lee Shore Center as it continues its efforts to bring real hope for freeing the central Kenai Peninsula from the tragedy of domestic violence and exploitation. So thank you very much. Thank you. For everything you do.

May I take a picture with us?

Thank you. Thank you. Here you go. Awesome. Thank you so much.

Thank you so much for everything you guys do. Thank you.

Okay, moving on our agenda. We have, uh, no scheduled administrative reports. We have no scheduled public comments. That brings us to unscheduled public comments. Are there any members from the public that would like to speak on any item not appearing on the agenda?

Do we have anyone? That brings us to public hearings. We have first Resolution 2026-69, establishing the 2027 Kenai Council regular meeting schedule, brought to us by the clerk, pleasure of council. Vice Mayor Askin, I move we adopt Resolution 2026-69 and request unanimous consent. I'll second.

Is there anybody from the public that would like to speak to Resolution 2026-69? Seeing no one, we're back to council. Um, Madam Clerk, do you have anything more you want to—. There's Pretty much the standard, uh, standard with two meetings every month except for the month of July.

Any council discussion?

Seeing none, unanimous consent was requested. Are there any objections? Seeing no objections, the, uh, 2027 City Council regular meeting schedule is approved. Now we are on new business item H6. Action, action approval providing comments to the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources regarding their preliminary writing findings for the Kenai Loop gas field natural gas storage lease brought to us by legal.

Pleasure of counsel.

Need a motion. I move that we approve the preliminary written findings and request unanimous consent. I'll second.

So if I might interject just for a second, we're not asking for approval of the preliminary written findings. We're actually asking for the opposite. We're asking for comments, uh, approval of the city providing comments to DNR regarding their preliminary finding.

Thank you. Do we want to have the motion restated?

I think so. Just the motion is to approve the city providing comments to DNR in regards to their preliminary finding. I move that we approve administration provide comments to the state of Alaska regarding their preliminary findings. I'll second. And you request unanimous consent.

I'll request unanimous consent. Are there any members of the public that would like to speak on this item? Seeing no one, bring it back to council. Mr. Bloom. Thank you, Mayor Knackstedt.

So previously shared with council was a preliminary finding from the Department of Natural Resources essentially claiming ownership of pore space underneath the city of Kenai that the city asserts that it owns. And so we are asking— and I— we don't have the comments ready yet. They're not due till the— they're not quite due yet, and we haven't finished preparing them. But we're just generally asking for approval to provide comments to DNR that the city asserts ownership of the pore space, and any permitted project needs city approval and work through a process with the city.

Any council questions of Mr. Bloom? Any discussion?

Mr. Daniel. Thank you, Mayor Knackstedt. I just appreciate city staff for working on this. I really— I know it's taking a lot of staff time, especially of your office, Mr. Bloom and Mr. Eubank. Really appreciate it.

And I do support you guys working together to put the comments forth so we can, uh, um, have a, I guess, a stake at the table, if you will. Thank you. Very good. Any further discussion?

Councilmember Petty, um, I was just wanting to know if when the pore space that was over there off of Beaver Loop, did the Department of Resource intervene in that process? Mr. Bloom? Yes, uh, Mayor Knackstedt, Councilmember Petty. So that was a different, um, situation as far as ownership of the pore space was concerned. In that case, the city only owned some of the surface estate where the project took place, and when the city litigated that case, it argued that this— the pore space belonged to the owner of the surface estate.

This case is different. The city is asserting that we own, uh, rights underground that include the pore space.

Thank you for that explanation. I appreciate it.

Any further comments, questions? Seeing none, unanimous consent was requested. Are there any objections? Seeing none, the item H6 is approved.

Now we are on item H7, scheduling a council work session to discuss the city's first 5-year strategic plan, brought to us by administration. This is an open discussion.

Mr. Vice Mayor Any, any discussion?

You have your, you have your mic sticking straight up, so it kind of threw me there. Sorry, sorry, Mr. Mayor. Um, yeah, Mr. Mayor, members of council, so, you know, as council's aware, as part of the, uh, FY27 budget, council did approve, um, some funding for the city to develop its first ever strategic plan, uh, 5-year strategic plan, uh, working with our consultants, University of Kansas. They are in the kind of the fact-gathering mode, information-gathering mode. They've been walking through a process to analyze a number of the city's plans and reports, from our comp plan to our two various master plans of the city, to our budget document, to our capital plan and others.

Part of that process too is they will be here the week of January— or I'm sorry, December 14th through the 17th, meeting with a number of stakeholders in the community, trying to get out and engage with various other groups or members of the public to gather that sort of input. Council should have received a request to schedule an interview, an individual interview with staff there with the University of Kansas, where council will provide their comments individually. This is part of that process. We're asking for a work session at 5:00 PM on December 16th. This is preceding the council meeting on that date.

And again, this is just the information kind of gathering stage of the process, and the consultants asked for this, so we're hoping that council will be able to schedule that work session for us. Was that on the 17th?

This would be— the work session would be on Wednesday the 16th. Unless— I'm looking at your memo. The 17th, we're actually having an open house for the public that's going to be at the Kenai Cultural and Visitor Center. So that's another meeting that will be that week. But this is a specific work session with council on the 16th preceding your council meeting.

Council discussion? He's suggesting the 16th at 5 o'clock? Council Member Pitti, um, has our consultants— they have already concreted these dates in and they will definitively be in town, is that what I'm understanding? That is correct. Thank you.

Looks good to me. I have no complaints on that date.

Okay, all thumbs up. Okay, we have the 16th at 5 PM.

Now we are on item H8, appeal of the Planning and Zoning Commission decision to grant a conditional use permit for cabin rental for a single-family dwelling on parcel 04326047, located 502 Ash Avenue Kenai, Alaska, brought to us by the clerk. And this is an item for scheduling a hearing. It's not for discussion of the appeal, per se. And we have one that's very similar to it right after this that we'll be talking about. And I wanted to point out that the appellant has requested, same appellant, that we do not do them both on the same date.

Be consecutive days or whatever, uh, for, for good reason. So, um, so that, uh, that request I would strongly encourage that we, uh, that we keep. And, uh, Madam Clerk, you had kind of a schedule for us here. I could go into that a little bit on my own, but if you like. Thank you, Mayor Knackstedt.

So city code says that the council will attempt to hold it within the 6— and within 45 days of the appeal being heard That takes us to December 13th, and then code allows it to go the next Monday. So December— sorry, December 14th meets that 45-day, and for certain circumstances we can go out to 60 days, and that would be December 16th. So it is— then the council meetings that are during that time period are on there. So Wednesday, December 2nd is a council meeting. And Wednesday, December 16th, is a council meeting.

I'm sorry, the 60-day is December 28th. The days are jumbled in there. So, so if you want it on a council meeting day, those are the two council meeting days, but that does not mean it has to be on a council meeting day. But before we schedule separate days, I'd be interested in hearing what you deemed as compelling reasons for them to be scheduled separately. Mr. Bloom.

Do you want to answer that in a legal fashion?

Yes, could you repeat the question? Sorry, Mayor Nackstedt said that the appellant requested that the two hearings not be scheduled back to back with compelling reasons as to why. I'm interested in knowing what those reasons are before we make a scheduling decision. Sure, I believe she said she had medical reasons for not being able to attend a lengthy hearing, two hearings back to back.

Thank you for doing that. Mr. Daniel? Yes, just clarification. So we could have them one after another, different days, but just not all in the same session. Would that— is that acceptable?

Just curious. Yeah, they could be two consecutive days. And kind of remind council, and Mr. Bloom, if you, if you want to correct me, um, these typically take about an hour and a half to hear, and then council might go into an executive session type meeting. It's actually a board meeting to discuss it and maybe find findings or just discuss it. We may or may not do that, and then it would be the same for the second meeting the next day or whenever we do that.

But at some point, we do need to meet privately and to discuss our findings one way or the other for Mr. Bloom to, to prepare. So my suggestion is, is we, we couple these as closely as we can together because I think they're going to be pretty similar, and, uh, one is kind of connected to the other in many ways. So the clerk has provided us with the, with a soonest possible date, which case you would have to have everybody within 300 feet of each of these, uh, properties notified by Friday, which is pretty tight, I think, especially with tomorrow being, you know. Thank you, Mayor Knackstedt. To be honest, we have the notices ready.

We just have to plug dates and deadlines in, so we could get them out by Friday if the council chose to schedule that as soon as—. So if, if that were the case, looking at the calendar, the earliest times would be realistically, if we did it during the week, would be the, the 23rd, 24th. That's a Monday and a Tuesday of November. The alternate— and that would just be before Thanksgiving. So, um, the, uh, I The other possibility would be, and giving us a little more time, would be the following Monday and right up into our meeting actually into December, the 30th, 31st, and then December 2nd, we might have an executive session after the regular scheduled meeting.

I would, uh, I guess that's not the 30th and the 1st. I, I would not be available after our meeting on the 2nd. I have to fly to Anchorage for medical stuff the first thing the following morning, but I could do a work session prior to our meeting on the 2nd but not after. Mayor Knackstedt, if I may, and just so council is aware, um, we have 30 days after the hearing to issue a decision, and we can go into what's called an adjudicative session to discuss every everything at any time within those 30 days. So you can hold the hearing and then we could meet in an adjudicative session at any time within 30 days of the hearing to get a decision out.

Thank you. If it helps, I can do the 31st and 2nd. 30Th and the 1st is my preference. And then with the meeting before the—. Yeah, our meeting on the 2nd.

And we, we might be able to do everything we need to do. And so it's a matter of if we're going to pick those two days, what time of the day, uh, we want to do. Now, um, Council Member Petty will not be on council. Um, um, Mr. Douthit, who is most likely going to be on council because of the numbers, um, he's already had a bite at the apple, um, since he's on Planning and Zoning. Um, so, um, Mr. Daniel will just, uh, assume that you're going to be at this point, and if not, the other fellow, you know.

But, uh, just, just for planning, because that, that would be a question. But, uh, any, any time, um, on the 30th and the 1st, Monday, that Monday, Tuesday, work for me. Council Pepper. Thank you, Mayor Nexton. I would prefer both days, just to do it in the evening.

Like 6 PM Standard Time, I mean our 6 PM meeting time. Yeah, yeah. Would anyone be opposed to doing a little earlier, like 5? Is that— does that not work for your schedule? Actually, no, it doesn't.

Okay, that's fine since we can do 6. Yeah, I'm available any of those days.

Yeah, um, in it, if we could do it earlier, of course it would be during the staff's normal working hours too, if that is a— if it doesn't interfere with other things here. I don't want to complicate it. I have staff work at that same time. You have staff?

Work. I just have my regular work those two days. Yeah, well, I do too. Yeah, I think we all do. Well, most all of us.

Are we talking 5 or 6 o'clock? I would— or 5:30 even. Yeah, anytime after work would be ideal for me. I could, I could skip work if I had to, but I prefer to do it. How about 5:30?

On the 30th, 30th and the 1st. Mr. Daniel? That's good. Remind me, what is it, takes a couple hours roughly? Mr. Bloom, I suggested an hour and a half.

Yeah, I don't, I certainly don't think they would go more than 2 hours, especially if you weren't, if we weren't meeting into an adjudicative session afterwards to make a decision, but instead just hearing the evidence and then we're going to discuss the Um, evidence and decision at a later date. Does that have to be noticed, the adjudicated session? No, it does not need to be noticed. I didn't think so. Thank you.

Um, depending on how it goes, I might encourage us to do just that after the second meeting and, uh, discuss it. So On the 1st or prior to our meeting on the 2nd?

On the 1st, after we— actually, we could do it on the meeting of the, the 2nd as well, so we can discuss that when the time comes. If we're good with 5:30 on the 30th and the 1st, it all depends on how it rolls out.

Okay, I got a nod, thumbs up, all okay. Adam Clerk, you got that? So the first one is going to be on November 30th at 5:30 PM, and the second one would be on December 1st at 5:30 PM? That's correct. Okay.

Next, if I may, just to remind council that, um, you shouldn't be having any communications with any of the applicants or landowners And also, you shouldn't go and visit the site unless it's like part of your normal route home. It's— you can use your knowledge in making these decisions based on your knowledge as a member of the community, but you shouldn't go out and do any independent investigations on your own. Also, I will be providing counsel a confidential brief prior to the hearings, just sort of with some of the law and issues.

Mr. Bloom, just to expand on that, the planning and zoning meeting was recorded, so would that be an equivalent to going to seeing it if you watch that? I think one of our council members was there.

Um, so I, I wouldn't recommend going and watching the meeting. You're supposed to make a decision. This is what's called the de novo hearing. So you're not providing any deference to the Planning and Zoning Commission that made the decision prior. You're looking at all the evidence yourselves for, like, the first time.

So it doesn't really matter what was presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission. The applicants and appellee can actually change their presentation. It's not based on It's not just a review of the record before the Planning and Zoning Commission. It's a review of the record that is presented and submitted to you. Um, so I, I, I wouldn't recommend going and watching it.

Um, just, I think it could confuse issues if whether you heard something at that meeting versus what you heard at this meeting. However, if you were an observer or at, at that meeting, I don't think it disqualifies you from making a decision at a later date because you weren't participating in that meeting.

Thank you for that clarification. Um, so, uh, item H8 is, is for the Ash Avenue, and that is the 30th of November at 5:30. Next, I'm going to Move on to the next one. And we kind of discussed the timing for both, but I— but since they are different, I'm going to move on. There's no further discussion on that item.

H9, appeal of the Planning and Zoning Commission decision to grant a conditional use permit for a cabin rental of a single-family dwelling on parcel 04328011 located at 1123 Walnut Avenue, Kenai, Alaska, brought to us by the clerk. This is to schedule a hearing date and time discussion, and we discussed that, that we'll do that on the, on the 1st of December at 5:30. Any changes?

Good. Okay, so that brings us down to item I, commission reports. Council on Aging, Council Member Askin. Thank you. Um, there was no meeting.

The next meeting is the 12th of November.

We have Airport Commission, Council Member Sovala Kisena. The next meeting is Thursday, November 12th. Next we have Parks and Recreation Commission, Council Member Brieme. The next meeting is tomorrow, November 5th.

Thank you, Mayor Knackstedt. Uh, so P&Z met last week and, uh, a couple things, nothing crazy. Uh, there is a re-plat in the Swan subdivision passed without any issue, and then a really neat conditional use permit for a daycare on Beaver Loop by Frontier Community Services. And that was a really neat application. It's a daycare for um, for a demographic of kids who normally might need some extra development, or, you know, really serve as a special and unique, you know, need in the community.

Not just a regular daycare, one for, uh, kids who may need extra help. So it's pretty cool. It was a really neat, uh, neat deal. And so that also passed. They're getting that set up as well.

And that was it. And next P&Z is next Wednesday. Okay, beautification committee, Council Member Petty. Thank you, Mayor Nextedt. Um, there has been no meeting and the next meeting will be in January of '27.

Thank you, sir. Thank you for your report. Next we have a report of the mayor. I'd like to thank our clerk in the clerk's office for all of our work and continuing work on this election cycle that we've been very much aware of one way or the other. There's a lot of communication coordination with with other municipalities as well as the borough.

And, but there was also, you know, all the helpers and volunteers and everything that put their time into it and all that coordination. It's like probably any party that works out really well, it just seems like it's just gonna— it's just easy to organize, but I think it's always more complicated than it appears to be. And this one seemed to go quite well. And I do appreciate that. But other than that, remind everybody that next Wednesday is Veterans Day.

So now that brings us to administrative reports. City Manager Eubank.

Thank you, Mr. Mayor, members of council. A few things to report on. I will start with staffing and recruitment. We're currently recruiting for several positions, including, um, the city clerk public safety dispatcher, kitchen assistant, and a senior at the senior center. We have a couple of part-time openings including a janitor, a driver, and an administrative assistant.

Would direct everybody to the city's website if they're looking for employment. It's going to be found there. I talked about this already, but I think it's important enough to discuss again. We are in the process of putting together the city's first strategic plan. Um, again, that work, uh, um, it— council members have been invited to take individual, um, or schedule individual conversations with, um, Alex Terwilliger from the University of Kansas ahead of his December visit.

Uh, we've sent out surveys to city employees. Um, that survey closes this Friday. Uh, surveys have also been sent to all commission and committee members. We're looking, hopefully, they're taking a look at those and completing those surveys.

KU team is also scheduling critical interviews and planning other items for their December visit, including opportunities to hear from people where they already gather. We've invited both tribes to meet with the consultants, and we have scheduled a time for with the Kenai Tribe. Bear Creek, for the consultant to meet with them. And again, we're scheduling a general open house for the public on December 17th from 5:30 to 8:30 at the Kenai Cultural and Visitor Center. Residents are invited to share their priorities for Kenai's future.

And I just would encourage people, I mean, I think sometimes when people we don't recognize or don't know start asking questions out in public, it kind of can set people off. Um, we'll be promoting this on, on the radio and other means, city's Facebook pages and things. But, but Alex's plan is to travel around the community and try to, like I said, you know, meet people where they are rather than expecting everybody to come to us. He's talked about ideas of potentially showing up at drop-off or pickup time at daycares where notice has been provided to the parents ahead of time so that they're not caught off guard again. But, you know, a lot of times working parents don't have a lot of time for these types of meetings, things like that.

We've encouraged them to attend a lunch over at the senior center, get a chance to meet with a bunch of seniors where they're already over there having lunch and things like that. So just want the public to be aware of that, and I think gathering this information is going to be critical to putting that plan together. Together. Um, if you missed it, there's a promotion going on right now, um, promoting the Kenai River Bear Creek family. Um, it's, uh, showing up at, uh, Ted Stevens Airport in Anchorage at carousels, um, 7 and 8.

Um, it's going to run through, uh, May of next year, um, highlighting those and encouraging people to come to Kenai and look at them. Uh, I want to stress again, winter road maintenance. We talked about this last meeting. We're definitely— I think we're ready, prepared for snow removal, but we want to encourage the public. There's still— I drove around the other day looking at some of the ditches and things with a significant amount of rain in them, but there are still a number of basketball hoops and other items that are still out in the right-of-way.

They need to be moved.

Unfortunately, the graders don't really seem to care a whole lot about them. They're not real consequential to them. So we just ask people to get those out of the way so things don't get damaged. And, and same thing with vehicles. Some on the topic of rain, I will tell council, you know, the administration, we're fully aware of the amount of rain that we've received.

It was a very wet fall. Inlet Woods in particular has us— the retention pond at the back is completely full and overflowing. It's even crossing the road. It's not that unusual, but it is concerning for us because as winter approaches, we'd sure like to have a little bit of capacity in that pond for what we know will happen this winter as well. Staff are working on it.

There are not a lot of great solutions. We just have a lot of groundwater right now, and, you know, this wet fall, the ground is saturated. So, but we are aware of it. We are working on it. I've talked to a number of residents over there, really appreciate those conversations.

They've all been very cordial and polite, and people just looking for some assistance and understanding of what's going on. And so I had good conversations, but unfortunately we don't have a lot of great solutions.

But, uh, and then a few community events. Um, there will be, uh, the Senior Center is hosting a Veterans Day celebration, uh, on Tuesday, November 10th at noon. This is the day before the holiday. Uh, reservations can be made by calling the Senior Center. Um, the Senior Center's collectible and craft show is November 14th and 15th from 10 to 4 PM each day.

The library has dinosaur-themed activities planned for the month of November, along with writing, natural dye, and wildfire preparedness programs for adults. Details can be found on, uh, at the library or on their website. And I want to remind everybody, city offices will be closed next Wednesday, November 11th, for Veterans Day. And I'm happy to answer any questions. Any questions of City Manager?

Mr. Eubank, I do have this one kind of generally. I did sign up for the strategic plan, and, uh, I, you know, first, like, 7 o'clock in the morning, which works good for me, and I, I don't have any idea what I'm going to be asked. Are we, are we going to be getting any kind of a format, or is it just kind of a a flow, kind of experience it as it happens. Yeah, thank you, Mr. Mayor, members of council. I, I don't believe, um, I don't, I, I don't believe there's any, um, prepared items that'll be sent out ahead of that.

I think it's just a general conversation to have with each council member, um, to get your perspective and input. Uh, will be the same questions, I believe, that are being asked of everybody. Um, but I, I honestly don't even know what those questions are. So thank you for that.

There's no questions of the city manager. City Attorney Bloom. Thank you, Mayor Knackstedt, members of council. I don't have anything to report, but I'm happy to answer any questions.

City Clerk Sener. Thank you, Mayor Knackstedt. Just for clarification, I got a reminder the Planning and Zoning Commission next meeting was rescheduled for Tuesday, November 17th due to the Thanksgiving holiday. And then also to let you guys know that the canvas board starts meeting tomorrow at 10:00 AM. They will be canvassing the absentee question and personal representative ballots, affidavit envelopes, and they will be opened and tallied on Tuesday, November 10th to bring in our absentee totals and finalize the documents for certification at the next council meeting.

And that process is open to the public. Our schedule starts 10 AM tomorrow, and the schedule will meet as needed after that, which will be posted on the city website at the end of each day of when our next meeting will be. And I'm available for questions. Any questions of the clerk?

Seeing none, that brings us to additional public comments. Are there any members from the public who would like to address the council at this time? Have anybody online? Seeing none, that brings us to council comments. Did Rep.

Bowling? Good evening, Mayor Nextedt and council members. I have no comments tonight. Try—. Council Member Petty.

Yes, thank you, Mayor Nextedt. I would like to, um, sincerely thank all of our community members, um, and individuals who have served in the military, and I want to give my great thankfulness and appreciation, and I'm very thankful that we have the opportunity to honor them on November 11th. I wish it was the whole month of November, but we have one specific day, and I am thankful for them every single day, but we will certainly give them special honor on the 11th. That ends my comments. Thank you, sir.

Thank you, Councilmember Sovala. Thank you, Mayor, Mayor Knackstedt. I just echo Councilmember Petty's veteran remarks. Just happy Veterans Day next Wednesday, and thank you to everyone out there who has served or is serving in any of the branches. And I know Alaska has a big Coast Guard presence and Well, I guess Air Force too, and Army.

We have a lot of— the military life touches a lot of families in our community. So even if you don't have somebody directly in your immediate family, just— you probably know somebody that knows somebody that has somebody. So anyway, if you have an opportunity, think of it.

Councilmember Daniel. Thank you, Mr. Knackstedt. Yeah, I echo all that sentiment in those comments. I couldn't say it better myself. And adding one other thing, really want to thank all the election workers.

It was a— went and voted, and it— with even despite all the changes and 3 ballots, walked right through, did my thing. And just a big shout out. I know it was a big change this year, but it seemed to go very smoothly, at least from my perspective. But I really appreciate that. Thank you.

Councilmember Gremmie. Thank you. I also wanted to extend my gratitude, my thanks to all those who have served at home and abroad, and point out that I was especially grateful and exercised the right they protect for me yesterday at the polls when I was able to vote as a free citizen of the United States of America. So I'm grateful every day, but yesterday was a strong reminder of how fortunate we are. I also wanted to wish a belated First Responders Appreciation Day, was last week, to all of our police, firemen, firefighters, I shouldn't say firemen, my daughter would be very angry if I say firemen, firefighters, EMTs, and of course our dispatchers, lifeline to all of our first responders on the radio.

I'm grateful every single day for every single one of them, but I am a little— okay, I'm a lot extra grateful for my husband, my son, and my daughter, who are all first responders. I also want to say congratulations to the KCHS boys and girls swim team. I guess they're combined, so maybe they're kind of the stardinals this year. Yeah, but boys and girls teams both brought home wins at regionals last weekend and are sending 19 swimmers to state. State.

So that's pretty, pretty amazing accomplishment. Congratulations to all of those swimmers. And lastly, had a great Halloween in Kenai yet again. I think I said every time we have a holiday, I say it's one of my favorite parts of living in Kenai, but I guess I have lots of favorite parts living here. Halloween is one of them.

My neighborhood kind of turns into a Hallmark movie. I had 395 trick-or-treaters at my house. That's my record for the last 5 years. And it was just so great to see kids and parents and big kids and little kids and everybody in between. And, you know, it was just— it was great.

It was a great reminder of community and, and how lucky we are to live where we live. So thank you.

Vice Mayor Askin.

Thank you, Mayor Nexted. I also echo the sentiments of Veterans Day. It's It's especially poignant for me. My late father was a veteran, as is my brother. Um, Glenese, I want to thank you for your year of service on the council.

And Clerk Saynor, I don't know how you put all that stuff together for the polls, but I worked them yesterday, and, um, it was pretty amazing what all we accomplished. And everybody having to come through and signed for 3 ballots. It was disconcerting for a lot of people, and but they appreciated the one-stop. And I think that's all I have for comments. Thanks.

Thank you for that. We have no executive session, no pending items, no pending items. And, uh, Sovala, you're hiding back there. I saw somebody tapping on your shoulder, but I didn't hear them. Notably very small and hard to see.

You are hard to miss. Yeah. If I had a dollar for every time someone didn't see me, I'd—. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. Oh no, I appreciate it. Yeah, I don't think I'm going to say it any better. Just appreciative of everyone who served or still serving. So, yeah, Happy Veterans Day next week for sure.

I also live in Bridget's neighborhood and I would say it's like a Hallmark movie if Hallmark was millions of people in your neighborhood at one time. But it is a ton of fun. We had 318 people participate in our game. And, uh, for Halloween, and that was our record. Um, also just wanted to thank, uh, Kenai Police Department for coming through the neighborhood on Halloween and helping, uh, get rid of, uh, two pretty riled up moose that were posing a threat.

And, uh, thank you to our neighbors who took in kids temporarily as they needed a safe place to be. Um, and then, yeah, just super thankful for everyone who worked the polls, um, leading up to.