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Today is the last day to file an application to fill the Soldotna City Council seat being vacated by the resignation of Councilman Shane Horan.

As of Friday, City Clerk Teresa Fahning said only one person had applied.

The council is slated to interview candidates June 24 before filling the vacant council seat.

The appointee will then serve until the municipal election in October when voters will select a person to complete the remaining two years of Horan's unexpired term.

On Wednesday, Horan expressed sadness in needing to leave the Soldotna area saying he "will miss dearly" the people and quality of life he has come to love in Soldotna.

Horan is moving to Denver, Colo., to be with his wife and daughter. He said earlier, "I need to be with family."

Applications for the seat need to be completed and filed at Soldotna City Hall by 5 p.m. today, along with completed financial disclosure statements.

On behalf of herself "and others who considered running for council," Soldotna resident Nancy Eoff thanked the council on Wednesday for considering an ordinance that would seek voter permission for the city to create its own financial disclosure rules rather than comply with state statutes.

The state requirements, enacted in 2007, are described in the proposed ordinance as "intrusive and unreasonable."

With voter approval, municipalities may exempt municipal officers and candidates for elective municipal office from the requirements.

Soldotna City Manager Larry Semmens said earlier, the state's requirements "clearly discourage people" from wanting to serve as elected and appointed officials.

Fahning said the city administration is working on a draft of public financial disclosure forms that would return Soldotna's requirements to the pre-2007 Alaska Public Offices Commission rules.

A public hearing was set for June 24 on the ordinance.

The council also discussed the possibility of issuing general obligation bonds to finance the planned expansion of the city's public library. In order to issue bonds for the financing, the city would need voter approval.

A needs analysis last year showed the existing 8,000 square-foot library should be expanded to 15,824 to serve Soldotna's current population, and should be at 17,774 square feet to meet the projected 2020 needs. The Klauder and Company architect's estimate for doubling the size of the library is around $12 million.

Semmens recommended putting the bond issue on the ballot in order to get an indication of the public's support for the project.

"I think we can achieve our critical needs for $3 million," Semmens said.

Councilman Ed Sleater said the $12 million project the architect presented to the council "was the Taj Mahal of libraries," but likened going at the expansion in piecemeal phases to "trying to swallow the elephant one bite at a time."

Partially agreeing with Sleater, Councilman Jim Stogsdill said the city should make a good argument for the expansion and bond it.

"Nobody's gonna go for $12 million," Stogsdill said.

Councilman Shea Hutchings said he would like Klauder to come back with options such as an expansion the city could buy for $5 million, $7 million or $9 million.

All council members except Hutchings and Betty Obendorf agreed to wait until the architect comes back with a less expensive project, before seeking voter approval of a bond sale.

"I suggest we work on this in a work session," said Mayor Peter Micciche.

Later in the meeting, Eoff recommended the city take steps to educate voters to "make sure people really know how bonds work."

Semmens said he would contact Klauder to determine when he would be available to present alternatives to the council.

The city manager also informed the council that soils testing would begin this week on Knight Drive property the city is considering for a cemetery.

"I still have not been able to contact one of the owners," Semmens said. The six parcels under consideration are owned by four separate entities.

Micciche reminded council members that Comprehensive Plan focus groups will meet tonight, Tuesday and Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at city hall. City Planner Stephanie Queen said the overall vision for the city in 2030 is still being formed.

Phil Hermanek can be reached at phillip.hermanek@peninsulaclarion.com.