A "severe" lack of funding, combined with changes in federal rules and the skyrocketing cost of raw materials, have forced the Alaska Department of Transportation to scale back or even halt several road improvement and construction projects in recent years, said ADOT Chief of Planning and Administration Jennifer Witt in a Jan. 16 letter to Homer City Manager Walt Wrede.

Nevertheless, ADOT, for the first time since 2004, is calling on Homer and other communities to submit nominations by March 3 for new projects to be added to the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan.

The reality of ADOT's funding dilemma would likely prevent most, if not all, of Homer's projects from rising to the top of the list, said Wrede, but possible incentives, such as the city offering to pay a portion of the cost or take over maintenance or ownership of the completed project, might help.

"It's actually not a fair system," he said.

"The state is pitting municipalities against each other. The ones with more money can pony up while those that are off the road system are usually out of luck."

Also, any transportation project that receives funding from the recently passed federal economic stimulus package must be on the STIP list, said Wrede.

"I'm more concerned that the state is even going to be able to do any of these projects," said Public Works Director Carey Meyer. "I've heard $175 million is how much the DOT is expecting from the federal stimulus and that's really not that much."

All of the nominated projects but one - reconstruction of Lake Street - appeared on the last STIP list.

"Lake Street is such a mess and the state does such a lousy job," said Mayor James Hornaday.

In the end, the council agreed to take over maintenance and ownership of a reconstruction and traffic control project for Main Street if and when it is completed by ADOT.

For consideration in the STIP list, the council nominated the following projects:

* Main Street reconstruction and traffic control improvements

* Harbor float replacements

* Freight Dock Road improvements

* Bunnell Street and Ohlson Lane rehabilitation

* Lake Street reconstruction

* Pioneer Avenue improvements

* Sterling Highway beautification

* Heath Street reconstruction

* Homer Spit pathway, phase two

* End of the Road Wayside Park

* Homestead Trailhead construction

* Fishing Hole handicap access

* Kachemak Drive pathway

Also at their Monday meeting, the council:

* Passed an ordinance prohibiting the feeding of eagles in the city limits in all cases, including that of Steve Tarola, longtime assistant to Homer "Eagle Lady" Jean Keane, after March 27, 2009.

"I would urge you to pass this," said Leonard Wells. "I think there should be very harsh and expensive penalties for anyone being ticketed."

Enforcement of the eagle feeding ordinance would be up to the city, said Wrede, which could fine violators up to $200 per day.

* Voted 3-2 to approve a resolution in support of the closure of portions of China Poot Bay and Peterson Bay to shellfish harvesting. Because municipal law requires four votes for passage, however, the resolution failed.

Several people, including Marilyn Sigman, executive director for the Center For Alaskan Coastal Studies, testified on the matter.

The area in question has been used for educational purposes by the center for 25 years, said Sigman, is relatively small and is in danger of becoming over-harvested.

"As a long term resident of Alaska, one of the things that has been long fought is the rights of the citizens to subsistence," said council member Beth Wythe, who cast a "no" vote along with council member Barbara Howard. "I don't find these things to be in the purview of the city council."

* Authorized a March 2 trip to Washington, D.C. for Wrede and Wythe. The pair will present the city's wish list for federal economic stimulus money on the trip and plan to meet with Alaska's congressional delegation. The trip will cost approximately $4,064, including airfare, hotel accommodations and a $58 per diem for meals.

* Requested that the Alaska Department of Transportation make repairs to Lake Street "as soon as possible" and move a reconstruction project for the road to the top of their priority list.

* Expressed support for a feasibility study on the potential for tidal power at four locations in Kachemak Bay.

* Held a joint work session with representatives from the Lease Committee, Library Advisory Board and the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission to go over the 2009 Land Allocation Plan. The plan covers every parcel of city-owned land and includes recommendations for their use from various committees and commissions.

* Presented Homer author and Alaska Writer Laureate Nancy Lord with a plaque honoring her 10 years of service on the Library Advisory Board.

"When she gets involved in things, whether it's opposing the paving of Pioneer Avenue or supporting the new library, she really puts her all into everything," said Hornaday of Lord.

Lord said she would use her two-year term as Writer Laureate to advance the cause of libraries across the state.

* Appropriated, by a 4-1 vote, $248,030 toward the purchase of three parcels of land in the Bridge Creek watershed area.

"I have to look at the budget and wonder if we should spend this money right now," said council member Bryan Zak, who cast the lone dissenting vote. "I don't think anybody is proposing to build on that property or misuse it. If that money were put toward water and sewer usage to cut the rates, in my mind that would be a better use."

* Held an executive session, at the request of Wrede, to receive "a legal briefing with attorney Jim Leik of Perkins Coie on confidential matters, city of Homer vs. HEA."

* Expressed support for continuation of the Kenai Peninsula Borough's Spruce Bark Beetle Mitigation Program.

* Amended the 2009 operating budget to include $8,748.91 for the refitting of the Homer Harbor's tugboat.

* Celebrated Wrede's birthday with singing and a chocolate cake.

Aaron Selbig can be reached at aaronselbig.@homernews.com.