The Kenai Borough Assembly convened for just under an hour Tuesday to consider several ordinances. All items were passed unanimously.
Assembly members voted to support some big-ticket items including the over $9 million purchase of a surgery center for Central Peninsula Hospital.
The Assembly also supported spending $16 million dollars to replace a fire station for the Central Emergency Service Area to be paid for with municipal bonds. Now, the question over whether to purchase the upgraded facility will be put to voters in the Kenai Peninsula Borough election on Oct. 4.
Assembly members also approved an ordinance appropriating $300,000 to create sites to dispose of residential woody debris. The effort is considered "high priority" in light of the increasing woody debris caused by the ongoing spruce bark beetle invasion. They also confirmed new appointees Diane Fikes and Franco Venuti to the borough planning commission.
Two ordinances were introduced at the regular meeting that focus on policy and procedural changes. The first would update the protocol for how the mayor makes Emergency Declarations. The second ordinance would modify the application process for marijuana businesses. Both ordinances will have a public hearing at the next assembly meeting on Aug. 9.
