Peninsula Clarion
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly reversed its July decision, voting against sending the mayor/manager question to the electorate Tuesday evening. The initiative failed on a 5-4 vote after Homer Assemblyman Bill Smith switched his previous vote in support of the ordinance to a ‘no’ vote on Tuesday. Seward Assemblyman Ron Long moved for reconsideration of Ordinance 2009-31, which passed on a 5-4 vote, opening discussion back up on the topic and requiring a new vote.
The Alliance of Concerned Taxpayers is seeking to ensure the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly term limits passed in 2007 remain valid through 2011. ACT submitted 140 petition books with more than 2,700 signatures to the borough clerk last week. Once the clerk verifies at least 1,736 signatures are legitimate, the petition becomes certified and placed on the October ballot.
The Kenai city council has approved $15,000 in taxpayer funds to fight an initiative placed on the ballot by city residents. Residents of the MAPS subdivision collected signatures to call a referendum on an ordinance that changed zoning laws to allow for increased development in their neighborhood.
The first of two public hearings on two possible ballot propositions are set for Tuesday’s Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly meeting. Should Ordinance 2009-31 pass, voters will be asked to decide whether the borough mayor should continue to run the administration — or merely serve as a figurehead.