With big-ticket items, like the budget, non-conforming structures and spaghetti lines, dominating Monday's Homer City Council meeting, the council also discussed the comprehensive plan and several important ordinances.

One issue that is incorporated in the comprehensive plan, a document which provides a broad look at Homer today and what Homer hopes to be tomorrow, is the creation of a new Town Square, a bond issue that was voted down 2 to 1 last year.

According to council member Kevin Hogan, "I guess my concern is that the voters overwhelmingly rejected the bond issue. I think this whole town center concept has got the cart way ahead of the horse. I think we need to make sure that the rest of the community is on the bus."

The comprehensive plan discussion will continue at a work session Nov. 9 and the next council meeting Nov. 23.

In other council business:

* The council passed an ordinance allowing Robert Nakada to keep his mobile home. Nakada had replaced a dilapidated mobile home off of Sterling Highway with an updated mobile home and was found in violation of city code, which outlines criteria for moving, expanding, replacement and sometimes the repair of a mobile home. The council passed an exemption allowing Nakada to continue living in his mobile home for the rest of his life or until he sells the property.

* The so-called spaghetti line ordinance took a twist, with the introduction of a new ordinance that would not force property owners with spaghetti line taps into city water to hook up to the new Fairview water main. The catch, however, is that the new ordinance requires that anyone who purchases property that can connect to the Fairview water main must do so, a cost which will most likely be factored into the purchase price of properties currently using temporary lines.

* Ordinance 09-51A, which would set up a city public art fund, was passed on in its second reading.

* Ordinance 09-53, which would appropriate $15,000 for repairs to the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon handicapped access ramp, was introduced with a second reading to be held Nov. 23.

Online> Read more council action @ HomerNews.com

* Ordinance 09-54, which would set the start time for future council meetings at 6 p.m., was introduced with a second reading to be held Nov. 23.

* Ordinance 09-55, accepted unanimously American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funding in the form of a loan with 90 percent forgiven upon purchase in the amount of $500,000 for the purpose of replacing four pressure reducing vault stations. The new pressure reducing vaults will replace four 35-year old vaults that suffer from corrosion and groundwater infiltration. These stations are responsible for delivering most all water to the Homer water system. The council later passed resolution 09-112, which awarded a contract totaling $35,000 to Bristol Environmental and Engineering Services Corporation to complete the water and sewer design.

*Ordinance 09-56, which would was successfully introduced and the council will continue discussion on adding new gates and video surveillance to the Deep Water Dock at the public hearing and second reading of this ordinance on November 23.)

*Resolution 09-09 was not removed from the table and would have dealt with the lease between the city of homer and University of Alaska for the former Homer intermediate School. The resolution sought to discuss the extension of the lease between the city and the University of Alaska, and the offer of a new lease at an increased rate of $64,832.14 annually to help defray costs of fuel, electricity and upkeep. The ordinance was tabled at the previous Council meeting.

*Ordinance 09-42(A)(S) sought to require permits for special events. The measure was brought on in anticipation of the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge, expected to draw thousands of visitors to Homer in the summer of 2010. The ordinance was not approved in its second reading by vote showing four opposed and one in favor. The intent of the vote was to hold on passing the ordinance to review a similar ordinance to be brought to the council in a future meeting.

*Ordinance 09-19 was also unanimously passed in its second reading and rezoned areas behind the Lakeshore Mall and Spenard Builders Supply from Urban Residential to Residential Office

*Memorandum 09-141 was approved and appointed Bryan Zak as Homer's elected/city official representative to the Economic Development District.

*Memorandum 09-142 authorized Mayor Hornaday to attend the Alaska Municipal League meeting in Anchorage on behalf of Homer on Nov. 16-20.

*Resolution 09-109 was passed unanimously. Port and Harbors of Homer Terminal Tariff No. 600 will remain at its current rate including annual moorage fees of $34.19 per lineal foot plus $50 administration fee.

*Resolution 09-110 was passed unanimously and the City of Homer fee schedule will remain at the 2009 rate to follow budget. The current fee structure is a Mill levy of 4.5 mills to the city, 6.5 mills to the borough, 1.75 mills to the hospital and 0.10 mills to KPC.

*Resolution 09-113 would keep the current mill rate at 4 mills but was postponed.

*Resolution 09-114 was passed by a 3-2 vote, giving the go-ahead for the production and implementation of a new request for proposals to firms willing to look at and provide comprehensive insurance to the city.

*Resolution 09-116 was postponed but would have altered the schedule of proceedings on council meeting nights with work sessions beginning at 4 p.m. followed by a Committee of the Whole at 5 p.m.

*Resolution 09-117 was passed unanimously and called for a draft RFP for a redesign of the City of Homer website.