The two buildings were built in the early 1970s and don’t comply with city code.
Concerns of dilapidation and a potential for hazardous waste on the lot prompted the city to look into demolishing the buildings. An environmental specialist went through the buildings last week to check for hazardous materials so that demolition contractors will know what they are dealing with when the proposal process begins sometime next month.
The Manley Building is currently vacant, but an adjacent building that will also be torn down is home to Desperate Marine, a hydraulic repair shop serving commercial fishermen.
The Auction Block, a fish purchasing business that operates out of another building on the property, also will have to relocate.
Kevin Hogan, owner of The Auction Block, said the move will be a hardship especially during the middle of the halibut season. His company buys 40 to 50 percent of the commercial catch that comes across the Homer docks, Hogan said.
“We’ve been negotiating for over a year and it’s been frustrating,” he said. “We have some short-term possibilities (for a move), but nothing long term.”
Hogan said he plans on moving his business to another community in the next few years.
“We have our bases covered,” he said. “In five years, we’ll be gone.”
Steve Zimmerman, owner of Desperate Marine, said the move also will be a hardship, but that he saw it coming.
“It wasn’t a surprise,” Zimmerman said. “I’m looking for options.”
At Monday’s Homer City Council meeting, Zimmerman asked for a 60-day extension for moving out.
He has been leasing the building from the city for years and was given the eviction notice about two weeks ago, he said.
Zimmerman said he hopes to find something soon so that he doesn’t have to shut down his business.
“It’s all up in the air,” he said.
In Monday’s meeting, the council also reconsidered and then approved a resolution that revised policies for the new Homer Public Library currently under construction.
The original resolution came before the council at its last meeting on June 26, but it failed to earn the four votes needed for approval.
After council members attended a work session on Monday geared at explaining the new policies, it was approved unanimously.
The changes revise the library user conduct, gifts and donations, and display and exhibit policies to make them fall in line with the new, larger building.
The new space-use policy would set guidelines for use during and after library hours, as well as set a fee schedule for private use.
Private meetings or events may be held at the library during closed hours by reservation and at $35 per hour for the conference room, $40 per hour for the lounge and $40 per hour for the children’s room under the proposed policy.
The complete list of proposed changes can be found at the council Web site at: clerk.ci.homer.ak.us/council.htm.
Also in Monday’s meeting, the council approved the final wording of a question on the regular municipal election ballot that, if approved by the voters in October, would make the Community Schools program a permanent division of the city.
The question reads: The City of Homer has created a division of Community Schools within the Department of Administration and has assumed financial and administrative responsibility for the Community Schools Program through June 30, 2007. Should the assumption of the Community Schools Program become permanent after June 30, 2007?
In other news the council:
Passed a resolution expressing the city’s interest in establishing a canine program within the City of Homer Police Department. According to the resolution a Homer citizen has offered to raise the estimated $40,000 needed to help jump-start the program. The city will solicit public input and bring the issue back on the table during the 2007 budget discussions.
Added the 2006 City of Homer Pandemic Flu Emergency Response Plan to the city’s overall Emergency Response Plan.
Authorized the addition of a T-ball field to the Karen Hornaday Park Master Plan.
Exempted the Homer Senior Citizens Inc. from all city property tax.
Called for a joint work session between the council and planning commission regarding the Gateway Zoning District.
Recognized the Lady Mariners softball team for winning the small schools state championship this season.
Ben Stuart can be reached at ben.stuart@hom-ernews.com.
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