In other action, the council:

• Held an executive session to consider legal advice on how to proceed in a lawsuit won by Ken Castner challenging how the city assessed condominiums in the Homer Natural Gas Special Assessment District. 

In public comments before the executive session, Castner criticized the city for filing a counter motion against his motion that the city pay his legal expenses of $642.

“I have to say it’s petty and personal,” Castner said. “If you think it’s going to intimidate me, it won’t.”

• Introduced an ordinance that would appropriate $300,000 from the general fund as a loan to the Port and Harbor Enterprise Fund to complete financing for a new port and harbor, or harbormaster’s, building. That ordinance will be up for a second reading and a public hearing at the council’s Feb. 10 meeting.

• Awarded a contract for $4.8 million to Harris Sand & Gravel of Valdez for harbor facilities improvements. The bid came in well below the estimated $7 million cost.

• Voted down, but then approved on reconsideration, appropriating $35,000 for a new fish grinder at the harbor.

• Postponed action on a resolution approving a new intergovernmental agreement between the city of Homer and Kachemak City regarding sewer rates.

• Awarded a $1,360 contract to Handpainted Designs by Dan Coe for park signage.

The council next meets in its regular meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 10 in the Cowles Council Chambers, City Hall.

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