Kenai

Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel spins the magic wheel to determine the winners of this year’s silver salmon derby at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Firm updates council on efforts to market Kenai to visitors

During 2021, the company seized opportunities to highlight local businesses and promoted relocation to Kenai

Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel spins the magic wheel to determine the winners of this year’s silver salmon derby at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Monday, Sept. 20, 2021. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Council member James Baisden speaks in support of legislation opposing government COVID-19 mandates during a meeting of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai council OKs grant funds for COVID leave, testing for city employees

The grant funds were made available under the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services

Kenai City Council member James Baisden speaks in support of legislation opposing government COVID-19 mandates during a meeting of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Triumvirate Theatre is seen on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. The building burned in a fire on Feb. 20. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Triumvirate Theatre is seen on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021 in Nikiski, Alaska. The building burned in a fire on Feb. 20. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel (left) swears in student representative Silas Thibodeau at the Kenai City Council meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai junior sworn in as council student rep

Thibodeau says he wants to focus on inclusivity and kindness during his term

Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel (left) swears in student representative Silas Thibodeau at the Kenai City Council meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel and Kenai City Manager Paul Ostrander speak at the Kenai City Council meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Due to COVID spike, state funds to be used to cover city administrative leave

COVID cases are up 38% from last week, and have risen significantly since mid-December.

Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel and Kenai City Manager Paul Ostrander speak at the Kenai City Council meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion 
Buildings are perched above eroding bluffs on North Kenai Beach on Wednesday. The City of Kenai is receiving federal funds to address coastal erosion along sections of the bluff through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.

‘A long time coming’

Infrastructure act provides millions for Kenai bluff stabilization

Camille Botello / Peninsula Clarion 
Buildings are perched above eroding bluffs on North Kenai Beach on Wednesday. The City of Kenai is receiving federal funds to address coastal erosion along sections of the bluff through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.
Kenai City Manager Paul Ostrander (left) and Kenai Finance Director Terry Eubank (right) moderate a city council work session discussing budget goals at Kenai City Hall on Monday, Jan. 10, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai developing budget goals

Officials aim to provide more transparency in the budget process

Kenai City Manager Paul Ostrander (left) and Kenai Finance Director Terry Eubank (right) moderate a city council work session discussing budget goals at Kenai City Hall on Monday, Jan. 10, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Alaska Association of Realtors President Dale Bagely presents a regional real estate update during the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District’s 2022 Industry Outlook Forum on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Forum brings industry leaders to Kenai

The annual event is hosted by the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District

Alaska Association of Realtors President Dale Bagely presents a regional real estate update during the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District’s 2022 Industry Outlook Forum on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Fencing marks the boundaries of a planned dog park near Daubenspeck Park on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Dog park funding approved after debate

Opponents expressed concerns about lack of defined plans for the project

Fencing marks the boundaries of a planned dog park near Daubenspeck Park on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Eroding bluffs can be seen on Kenai North Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on June 3, 2021. (Peninsula Clarion file)

Kenai council thanks Dunleavy for proposed bluff funds

Gov. Mike Dunleavy including funding for Kenai bluff erosion in his proposed budget

Eroding bluffs can be seen on Kenai North Beach in Kenai, Alaska, on June 3, 2021. (Peninsula Clarion file)
A holds locker is seen at the Soldotna Public Library on Friday, Jan. 15 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai council approves library grants

Some funds will go toward buying a holds locker that allows material pickup when the library is closed

A holds locker is seen at the Soldotna Public Library on Friday, Jan. 15 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Fencing marks the boundaries of a planned dog park in Kenai near Daubenspeck Park on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai council to consider additional funds for dog park

The additional $65,000 would be support design and construction needs

Fencing marks the boundaries of a planned dog park in Kenai near Daubenspeck Park on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Upper Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone can be seen on this map provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Image via fisheries.noaa.gov)

Municipalities still working to oppose EEZ closure

The waters in question run from south of Kalgin Island to about Anchor Point

Upper Cook Inlet Exclusive Economic Zone can be seen on this map provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Image via fisheries.noaa.gov)
Kenai City Council members convene for a work session on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

After delay, Kenai council awards waterfront study contract

The project area runs from the city dock to Millennium Square along the Kenai waterfront.

Kenai City Council members convene for a work session on Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion
The Kenai Community Library health section is seen on Oct. 26. After the Kenai City Council postponed a vote to approve a grant funding health and wellness books, community members set up a GoFundMe to support the purchase of materials.

Council OKs library grant at the center of censorship controversy

The new council gave unanimous approval to the legislation on Wednesday.

Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion
The Kenai Community Library health section is seen on Oct. 26. After the Kenai City Council postponed a vote to approve a grant funding health and wellness books, community members set up a GoFundMe to support the purchase of materials.
A polar bear is displayed inside of the Kenai Municipal Airport on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Airport in final phases of sand storage project

The approximately 5,600-square-foot building is slated for completion in the spring or summer of 2022.

A polar bear is displayed inside of the Kenai Municipal Airport on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel (left) and Kenai City Council Member Henry Knackstedt speak at a joint work session at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Monday, Oct. 11, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai council defeats efforts to extend review of land management plan

The proposal would have divided the plan into four chunks that each of the city’s commissions would review one at a time.

Kenai Mayor Brian Gabriel (left) and Kenai City Council Member Henry Knackstedt speak at a joint work session at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on Monday, Oct. 11, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Terry Eubank (left) and Paul Ostrander address the Kenai City Council during a budget work session on Saturday, April 24, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai to use remaining CARES Act funds for public safety payroll

The city has about $63,000 that needs to be spent by the end of the year

Terry Eubank (left) and Paul Ostrander address the Kenai City Council during a budget work session on Saturday, April 24, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai City Council members James Baisden (left) and Deborah Sounart (right) listen as member Teea Winger (center) speaks in support of legislation opposing government COVID-19 mandates, during a meeting of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, in Kenai.

Kenai council declares opposition to mask mandates

The statement does not change city code or supersede federal law.

Kenai City Council members James Baisden (left) and Deborah Sounart (right) listen as member Teea Winger (center) speaks in support of legislation opposing government COVID-19 mandates, during a meeting of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, in Kenai.
Kenai Police Department Chief David Ross explains the purpose of a grant to be used for new radios during a meeting of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Police to update radios using grant money

The department received almost $260,000 through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Kenai Police Department Chief David Ross explains the purpose of a grant to be used for new radios during a meeting of the Kenai City Council on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)