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In the midst of a recession, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly voted not to pursue an improvement and expansion project of the borough administration building parking lot.

Ordinance 2008-19-52, which would have appropriated nearly half of the $250,000 needed for the project, was voted down at Tuesday's meeting, however, the assembly had varying views on the subject.

"We need to appropriate this money and move forward," said Kenai Assemblyman Gary Knopp. There's not a good reason not to go ahead with the project, he said.

Assemblyman Bill Smith, of Homer, suggested postponing the ordinance, which raised questions from assembly members about whether delaying the project would increase the cost.

Borough Mayor Dave Carey's chief of staff, Hugh Chumley, said the administration is comfortable with the price but couldn't say for certain if the price would increase should the ordinance be pushed back.

Postponement failed on a 6-3 vote.

"This is a luxury at this time, not a necessity," said Assembly Vice President Pete Sprague. Sprague said he went outside of the building at 2 p.m. on Tuesday -- when all employees were working and assembly members were in town for the meeting -- and counted 25 unused parking spaces.

When the ordinance was introduced at the April 21 meeting, mayor Carey said the project would include expansion of the lot as well as additional lighting.

Sprague said he could support spending money on extra lighting but not for expansion. Additional parking is only needed a few times a year, Sprague said.

Knopp disagreed. He said there have been a number of times when he hasn't been able to find a spot to park.

"I just think the need is there," Knopp said.

Assemblyman Charlie Pierce, of Sterling, agreed.

"Parking is an issue in this borough," he said.

Pierce cited the additional $260,000 the assembly appropriated for supplemental funding to the school district. He said the district will just put that money into a savings account. If the assembly will fund that, why not an extra $150,000 for improvements? he asked.

"It is a health and safety issue," Carey said when the ordinance was introduced. "It's worth adequate funding."

Carey also added the money could be spent on the addition of electrical outlets for engine block heaters.

Seward Assemblyman Ron Long said though it might be a safety issue, the specifics of the plan are non-existent.

"The level of detail is woefully inadequate," he said at the April 21 meeting. The number of additional parking spots, number of extra lights, number of plug-ins, cost of additional electricity and who would pay for the increased electric bill was not calculated.

At Tuesday's meeting, no more information was presented.

Long said though the lot may have to be expanded at some point, now is not the time.

"To me, it's not there," said Assemblyman Hal Smalley. "I've never been able not to park there."

Mayor Carey said he brought the ordinance up because the assembly asked the previous administration to do so two years ago.

As far as estimated cost of additional electricity for engine block heaters, Carey said he couldn't say because he could not predict the weather for next year's winter season. He also said it was unfair for assembly members to just use their own experiences because they didn't have borough employees' point of view as no one from the public spoke on this ordinance at the meeting.

Assembly President Milli Martin agreed with Carey that the parking lot is a safety issue. Martin said she's slipped in the past and has seen the lot full.

"I do think it's needed," she said. "I will support it."

Martin also mentioned an environmental aspect to having more block heater plug-ins available. Using block heaters reduces the amount of harmful exhaust in the atmosphere, she said.

Long said if it's an environmental issue, everyone should be given a free engine block heater plug in for their vehicle.

He said today's economic outlook is different from two years ago. As far as no public comment on this topic, Long said they had the opportunity to speak on this ordinance.

The ordinance failed on a 6-3 vote. Martin, Knopp and Pierce voted in favor.

Mike Nesper can be reached at mike.nesper@peninsulaclarion.com.