Council approved a cooperative agreement with a tribally designated housing entity that would support construction of senior housing and acquisition of low‑income units; legal counsel said income and use restrictions required by the funding source are central to the agreement and that such housing likely would be tax‑exempt under borough rules.

Design consultants told Kenai council the 1973 public safety building has aging mechanical systems, hazardous materials and space shortages; they recommended a new combined police and fire facility as the most cost‑effective option and provided preliminary cost estimates ranging from about $29.6M (new combined) to $40M (renovate/expand).

At its Dec. 17 meeting the Kenai City Council enacted Ordinance No. 3496 for supplemental Challenger Learning Center funding, adopted change order authorization for Bluff Access Pathways design, approved a cooperative agreement with a tribally designated housing entity, and adopted a resolution seeking disaster designation for Upper Cook Inlet fishermen; several mayoral appointments were also approved by unanimous consent.

A city-commissioned survey of 300 Kenai residents finds jobs and the local economy top the list of concerns, while residents report strong satisfaction with police, fire, parks and library services; a gap analysis highlights support for small business as the area with the largest unmet expectation.

Council adopted a resolution requesting the governor designate the Upper Cook Inlet East Side set‑net fishery as impacted by economic disaster following testimony that ex‑vessel value fell about 82% in 2025; the council cited fishermen's livelihoods and prior disaster distributions that have aided the community.

At its Dec. 3 meeting the Kenai City Council adopted three resolutions by unanimous consent: (1) Resolution 2025-67 authorizing a $200,000 quitclaim deed for Wildwood Drive right-of-way; (2) Resolution 2025-68 adopting an allocation method for the FY2026 fisheries business tax; and (3) Resolution 2025-69 awarding an architectural services contract for multiple municipal projects.

The council approved Resolution 2025-67 authorizing a $200,000 quitclaim deed with the Kenai Native Association to secure the Wildwood Drive right-of-way; staff said the acquisition is necessary so the state DOT can include Wildwood paving in a Spur Highway project next summer.

Kenaitse-run transit launched service serving Nikiski–Sterling via Kenai with one route initially, four Gillig buses and fares starting at $5; managers said funding includes two FTA grants and formula funding will sustain operations beyond the grants.

HDR engineering told the Kenai City Council the bluff-stabilization berm built with the Army Corps and Western Marine Construction is complete (marked Oct. 11), placing roughly 62,500 cubic yards of rock across about 4,700 linear feet; engineers recommended monitoring and vegetation establishment as the primary next steps.

During a Dec. 1 work session the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District heard a letter of intent from the 2 Rivers charter APC and directed administration to explore lease terms, financial modeling (1–5 years), and options that would retain or remove the BEST satellite hub, while noting district charters hold a statutory right of first refusal.

The board approved first reading and advanced Article 6 (BP 6114 and BP 6161.1–6190) to a second reading after a public hearing in which citizens sharply criticized allegedly explicit library materials and called for greater transparency and opt‑in controls.

Commissioners discussed replacing aging pumps and issuing an RFP for temporary fueling after Crowley said self‑serve sales do not justify a $200k–$300k infrastructure upgrade; staff will seek FAA approvals and report back in December.

The planning commission voted Nov. 12 to forward the borough2035 comprehensive plan to the borough assembly with numerous amendments, adding language on food security, tourism management, utilities and feasibility studies for long-range transportation and berth electrification.

City staff said council directed a review of Kenai Municipal Code Title 14 subdivision regulations to clarify road, water and wastewater standards and consider using adaptive policies to streamline development; the commission expects multiple follow-up work sessions.

The assembly reviewed ordinances to accept two federal fishery disaster relief distributions ($156,150.40 and $41,557.81) and discussed directing those funds to a fisheries economic development account to support UAF/Sea Grant training and crew safety courses.

A Petersburg resident urged the planning commission to adopt stricter rules for proposed towers by Tlingit Haida; Vice Chair Heather told the commission she changed her prior support for a Tlingit Bridal Tower after hearing assembly testimony and signed a letter of concern.

At its Nov. 12 meeting the Denali Borough Assembly approved an economic development strategy contract solicitation (ordinance 25‑11), code cleanups (25‑12, 25‑13), an amended change to commercial use permits (25‑14), funds for solid‑waste truck repairs (25‑15), and resolutions supporting PILT parity and a FLAP pathway grant; the assembly postponed

Golden Valley Electric Association told the Denali Borough Assembly it has seen an uptick of outages on the Cantwell feeder tied to beetle‑killed spruce; the co‑op plans mechanical clearing outside typical easements, to pursue DOT partnerships and to reapply for a wildfire‑defense grant in 2026 while stationing crews closer to Cantwell.

Minnesota Housing Partnership told the Denali Borough Assembly it has begun a needs assessment after a small survey and workshop that found high construction costs, limited housing stock and short‑term rentals reducing supply; MHP will expand engagement next summer and return with a housing action plan and funding options.

Council adopted a resolution terminating the lease with the Alaska Center for Space Technology (Challenger Center). Tim Dillon, the board president, said the center will "completely close down as of November 15" due to loss of operating revenue; staff will assess utilities and the administration plans a future work session on the facility's future.

City manager updated the assembly on Telephone Hill: tenants were given legal notice to vacate (deadline 11/01/2025), hazardous‑materials testing will precede demolition, and staff plan solicitations and outreach to developers to pursue high‑density housing on the site.

City planner Kevin Butner presented a Community Development Block Grant overview and proposed using CDBG funds to install new water and wastewater mains and a local service road on Sixth Street to unlock low‑income and senior housing development; the city noted the program cap in Alaska and that two public hearings are required.

Council enacted Ordinance 3490-2025 to accept a $2,900,000 EPA grant for the Kenai Wastewater Treatment Facility digester blowers upgrade, approved a $750,000 supplemental appropriation after bidding shortfalls, and awarded the construction contract to Blazey Construction; the ordinance passed 6–0.

A fire-department presentation using 2024 incident data and modeled driving-time bands identified clusters west of Bicentennial Park and between Stations 12 and 7 as areas often outside the department's 4-minute/8-minute targets. The department recommended relocating Station 12 east and adding one new station to improve coverage.

The Committee of the Whole voted Nov. 3 to direct staff to draft a scope, process and budget for a West Douglas master plan, but rejected a separate motion to draft a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Gold Belt Corporation LLC on services and mitigation; staff said no final application has been submitted by Gold Belt.