HomeMy WebLinkAbout11062006 City Council Minutes
City of Seward, Alaska
November 6, 2006
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 270
CALL TO ORDER
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The November 6, 2006, regular meeting ofthe Seward City Council was called to order at
7:30 p.m. by Mayor Vanta Shafer.
OPENING CEREMONY
Police Chief Tom Clemons led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
Vanta Shafer presiding and
Willard Dunham
Bob Valdatta
Jean Bardarson
Linda Amberg
Steve Schafer*
Robert Thomas
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
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Clark Corbridge, City Manager
Cheryl Brooking, City Attorney
Jean Lewis, City Clerk
Johanna Dollerhide, Assistant City Clerk
*Councilmember Schafer arrived at 7:42 p.m.
ABSENT - None
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations and Awards
A proclamation was read for National Adoption Month.
Dorene Lorenz received a plaque for excellent service on the Seward City Council.
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Borough Assembly Report. Borough Assembly Representative Ron Long stated the
Assembly met on October 10, 2006 and by resolution waived the solid waste collection fees for any
debris for flood damage disposal. The Assembly adopted a 2003 Resurrection River Maintenance
Plan, which required the Borough to put forth $20,000 a year and the city $10,000 a year to remain
eligible for FEMA funding. They exempted a piece of their code to go approve the Elhard
Assessment District. Long announced he was elected president ofthe Borough Assembly for another
term. The Borough was putting together a list of capital priorities and Long would be lobbying for a
long term flood mitigation plan. It would be on a large scale and would require the city being
persuasive as well.
City of Seward. Alaska
November 6, 2006
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 27 J
Long responded to questions from the council.
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City Manager's Report. City Manager Clark Corbridge's report consisted of:
Lon!! Term Care Facilitv: On October 23, 2006, the Kenai Peninsula Borough approved
City's plat and the proposed vacation of rights-of-way. On October 26, 2006, the Alaska Department
of Health and Social Services declared the city's application for a certificate of need complete. The
public comment period was now open and would be received no later than November 26, 2006 at
4:30 p.m. and a public hearing would be held in the Seward Council Chambers on November 16,
2006.
Flood Miti!!ation Plan: Corbridge re-iterated the importance and urgency for the city to
begin flood mitigation measures immediately. The City Manager instructed staff to implement a
preliminary action plan beginning with a planning meeting to be held next week.
Harbor: The Department had winterized and closed their outside bathrooms until next
spring. The floats were clear for snow removal; winter equipment had received pre-winter
maintenance and was ready for operation. Water lines on floats had been winterized, storm debris
had been removed, and staff would be coming forward with a request to refinance the 2000 harbor
revenue bonds.
Electric Department: Alcan finished up some projects for the city last week. The J
Department would not be able to complete all of the requested service installations this fall due to ..
work required to repair flood damage. Norcon was continuing work on the T-line reconstruction.
The Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) hearings for the city's power sales agreement was
scheduled for November 30 - December 5, 2006. The city expected to get the judge's ruling in the
capital credits complaint filed by MEA in the near future. Three grievances were scheduled for
arbitration November 15 and 16, 2006. Rail Belt utility managers had been meeting to discuss
possible methods for disbursement of the Rail Belt Energy Funds.
Parks and Recreation: The Pumpkin Prowl brought out nearly 100 kids and parents. Fifth
and sixth grade monthly dances had been bringing in about 40 kids per dance. The middle school
masquerade dance-a-thon raised over $1,800.00 for the purchase of new computers. The Seward
Archery League would begin November 10,2006. Thirteen staff members were certified by the Red
Cross in Emergency Shelter Management on November 3, 2006.
Marv Lowell Center: The plat action for the vacation of Washington Street was approved at
the Borough Planning Commission meeting on October 23,2006. The Park Service asked that the
Council members read a summary concerning the time line and Park Service process for the land
swap proposal, prior to or during tonight's executive session on that topic.
City Attorney Report. City Attorney Cheryl Brooking stated the attorney's worked with
administration on land use matters, employment matters, contracts and resolutions. The attorney's j
filed an answer on behalf ofthe city to the Resurrection Bay lawsuit that was filed by the Trustee's of
Alaska. The case was currently in federal district court. Brooking stated she worked with the Kenai
Peninsula Borough attorney's office on the Elhard Assessment District.
City of Seward, Alaska
November 6, 2006
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 272
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Port & Commerce Advisory Report. Deborah Altermatt stated P ACAB met with
quorums for their October and November meetings. The board had a budget presentation in
September and in October some members voiced individual opinions on how to balance the budget.
P ACAB passed a resolution regarding the Seward Marine Center Dock. The board continued to look
into alternative energy options. She reminded the council of Ocean Renewable Energy as a possible
source of alternative energy. Their next work session was November 15, 2006 and Altermatt
expressed her happiness that the board was at a full quorum.
Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations
Keith Campbell gave a presentation on the Library/Museum Project. Keith Campbell
stated the land for the Library/Museum had been acquired, and the Steering Committee was now
focusing on work plans and financing plans. Fundraising was next on the agenda, and Campbell
wanted the community to know that Seward would have to put some money up front to show the
town's commitment to potential fundraising. The committee was looking at two completion dates:
2009, 50th anniversary ofthe state, or 2012, the 100th anniversary ofthe actual incorporation of the
City of Seward. The committee hoped to have the new Library/Museum open by one of those two
dates. Campbell hoped to have a work session at a later date to discuss this project further.
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A presentation by the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home was given. Barbara Donatelli of
COO introduced the group compiling of the Friends ofthe Jesse Lee Home and announced the nature
ofthe project. The Jesse Lee Home project was gaining momentum and Donatelli stated the group
met with Senator Ted Stevens a few weeks ago about the home. Mary Elizabeth Ryder also spoke of
the Friend's draft plan for the home. The Friends had applied for $3 million from the state to
stabilize the facility and move forward with the process. Donatelli asked for support from the City of
Seward and hoped it would remain as a numbered priority on their federal, state, and city priority
lists.
CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED
FOR PUBLIC HEARING
Tom Swann, stated he put together an informal petition, which consisted of signatures of
people who supported the Jesse Lee Home and stated their intent to keep the home on the city's
priority lists. There was a lot of support for this program, and Swann got a lot of positive input on
the historic building.
Iris Darling, had two issues to address tonight. The first was the legislative priorities and
preserving the history ofthis town. She highly recommended keeping the Friends ofthe Jesse Lee
Home on the legislative priority list. Darling asked the council to give thought to Paul Snowden's
request to swap land, which could save Washington Street.
Tim McDonald, said the council had a lot on its plate tonight. He felt the idea of the Jesse
.... Lee Home was great, but was worried the process would get manipulated. McDonald would hate for
it to get carried out incorrectly. He hoped the city would get their finances under control.
City of Seward, Alaska
November 6, 2006
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 273
Tanya Sandefur, was disturbed by facts issued from the railroad. Combining chemicals was;
unsafe and too much of a risk, she thought. The herbicide the Railroad was hoping to spray would .."
cover 500 miles of track, from Seward to Fairbanks. Sandefur reminded the council of the
formaldehyde spill the Railroad had just north of Seward. Would the council/City of Seward be held
liable if something happened in Seward?
Paul Snowden, addressed the executive session this evening and offered his services before
or during the executive session.
APPROV AL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Thomas/Amberg)
Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Motion Passed
Unanimous
Resolution 2006-123 was pulled from the consent agenda and placed on the regular agenda.
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
The Yukon Bar's application for the renewal of a liquor dispensary license was approved.
Resolution 2006-125. accepting grant funds in the amount of$16,000 from the Kenai Peninsula
Borough, authorizing the city manager to engage the services of Nuka Research & Planning
Group, LLC to rewrite the City of Seward's Emergency Operations Plan, and appropriating
funds.
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Resolution 2006-126. authorizing the city manager to enter into an agreement with URS
Corporation to conduct a site assessment of Fort Raymond Substation for an amount not to
exceed $21,648.30.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Resolutions Requiring a Public Hearing
Resolution 2006-108 throu!!h 2006-117. approving fiscal year 2007 city budget, consisting of
general funds, enterprise funds, the motor pool fund, and the capital budget. Notice of the
public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was
opened.
Paul Carter, wished he had attended the work sessions regarding the budget. He felt the
budget before the council seemed to be a "re-run" of past budgets. Carter thought city administration
continually under-estimated income and over-estimated expenses. The City of Seward's cash
position had grown over the years; and the huge surplus of capital should be re-invested in Seward. J
Tim McDonald, agreed with Carter's insights. He was concerned with ten different
enterprise funds, the electric fund, the general funds all being supposedly separate; but they were
City of Seward, Alaska
November 6, 2006
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 274
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being used as one big fund, with transfers from one to another at will. Infrastructure should be built
with some of this money.
Other Public Hearing Items
Resolution 2006-118. terminating the employment agreement with City Manager Clark
Corbridge (City Manager Clark Corbridge has exercised his rights to a public hearingper Charter
2.11 a) Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and
the public hearing was opened.
Kim Kowalski-Rogers, thanked Corbridge for his work as Seward's City Manager. He was
the finest city manager she had ever worked with in her 17 years with the city. She appreciated the
work he had done.
Sarah Spanos, thanked Corbridge for his great work done. She would miss him and noted
over 70 employees signed a letter of support to the Alaska Municipal League for his nomination as
Employee of the Year.
Charlie Forrest, supported Corbridge and hoped council would reconsider keeping the city
manager on with the city. There were some serious city issues in the city right now. Forrest had
never worked with a better city manager in his twenty years with the city.
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Boyd Morris, wished Corbridge luck in his future endeavors. He wished they would have
had an opportunity to speak. Morris felt many problems could have been settled in the Electric
Department through simple communication.
Iris Darling, spoke in support of Clark Corbridge. He worked very hard for the business
people of Seward and felt council was not giving him a fair chance. They should work with him, not
against him. Corbridge was a smart man who kept the city employees together as well as the
businesses.
Tim McDonald, stated what little he knew ofthe city manager, McDonald felt he had done a
good job. The city council didn't want a city manager; they only wanted a "yes" man.
Tanya Sandefur, supported the city manager. She reviewed the city manager's evaluations
and in her opinion there were only a few questions directed to his position with the city council. She
felt many ofthe questions should not have been on these evaluations. The questions should stay in
the realm ofthe city manager's job description. People must remember there were two sides to every
story and she thanked Corbridge for his hard work and honesty.
Doug Olsen, stated the city manager was being fired for looking out for the city's best
interest. People knew it was all about the SeaLife Center to the council. He felt there was blatant
corruption at the Center, and didn't understand how the city could negotiate with SAAMS as the city
..... were the owners ofthe building and land.
Tom Tougas, was sad to be before the council tonight. The role ofthe city manager was to
City of Seward, Alaska
November 6, 2006
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 275
be the paid professional leader of the community. The city manager was supposed to provide J
leadership, to form a consensus vision, and be in touch with the community. Tougas felt the city ..J
manager should include bringing people together and find compromise instead of confrontation. The
past two years the city had gone backwards and felt from tonight forward they could move on.
Sharyl Seese, said it was a sad thing when the community couldn't get along. The city
employees enjoyed working with the city manager. The city had been through so many city
managers. Seese appreciated Corbridge's efforts.
Scott Egger, thanked council for letting the public speak. He felt there was more to
Corbridge's situation than most thought. He respected what others have said tonight, but found it
ironic that staff could speak in favor ofthe city manager, but were silenced later on when speaking
about other staff during public meetings. Egger thought there were some things Corbridge did an
excellent job on, but others things he did not. He agreed with council on this issue. No matter what,
Seward needed public input. We should not have a closed government.
Polly Egger, felt she had seen the bad side ofthe city manager and felt she had been treated
poorly. Too much money had been spent on legal fees, and felt it was really sad. She wished him
luck but felt he was too much of a puppet for other employees.
Kris Erchinger, stated she would miss the city manager's loyalty and moral courage. She
would miss his work ethic, his leadership by example, his faith that good would always prevail, his
refusal to fight with bullies, and his endless support for those who supported the city. Corbridge
always gave 110% and never gave up. He loved Seward and Erchinger apologized for the suffering
he and his wife had to endure during this process. She appreciated his refusal to give in to the rich
and politically well-connected in Seward, which was why so many people were in attendance
tonight. Erchinger thanked Corbridge and she would miss him.
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Dorene Valadez, thanked the one council member who asked her about Corbridge and
expressed her support for the city manager. She hoped council would make the right decision.
Patrick Messmer, voiced his support for the city manager and felt he shouldn't be punished
for being an ethical person.
Dave Squires, spoke as the Fire Chief and a citizen. As chief, he commended Corbridge for
moving small projects forward under budget and for teaching his employees to follow the rules, even
ifthey were not agreed with. Corbridge had instilled that in all ofthe city departments. As a citizen,
he was concerned with the projects coming up and a change in leadership could cause them to be
lost. This was the council's decision, but Squires reminded them of how much support Corbridge
received compared to how little support past city manager's had received.
Kirsten Vesel, thanked Corbridge for being the best boss she's had. She was going to miss J......
him. It had been an honor and a pleasure to work for him. Vesel hoped everyone could learn from ...
this experience and work productively together to make a difference in this community. She
believed this was possible. Vesel was sorry things couldn't work out and offered her utmost respect
for the city manager.
City of Seward, Alaska
November 6, 2006
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 276
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Motion (Schafer/Bardarson)
Approve Resolution 2006-118
Council Member Amberg asked to be excused from voting, since she was a newly elected
council member and did not evaluate the city manager. Mayor Shafer allowed Amberg to
excuse herself from discussion and the vote.
Valdatta didn't think it was appropriate that former Council Member Lorenz wasn't able to
speak her evaluation or have it be read publicly. Things may have been different had this been
allowed. Dunham clarified that Lorenz's evaluation was added in to the overall score, but Valdatta
felt it was unfair her evaluation was not read out loud like the rest of councils.
Motion Passed
Yes: Thomas, Schafer,
Bardarson, Mayor Shafer
No: Valdatta
Abstain: Amberg
Dunham,
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None
Items Postponed from a Previous Agenda
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Resolution 2006-095. opposing the Alaska Railroad's permit request to the Alaska Department
of Environmental Conservation to spray an herbicide mixture along the railroad right-of-way
inside Seward city limits.
Motion (Lorenz/Bardarson)
(motion was previously made on September 11,2006)
Approve Resolution 2006-095
Dunham felt there should be more context added to this resolution, specifically about
spraying in the proximity of the city's water wells.
Motion to Amend (DunhamlBardarson)
Amend Resolution 2006-95, adding whereas
"The City Council is concerned about
possible contamination in the Fort
Raymond area, and potential financial
liability to the people of Seward related to
the monitoring of existing wells in the
area. "
Motion to Amend Passed
Unanimous
Motion Passed
Unanimous
.... Council recessed at 9:14 p.m.
Council resumed at 9:25 p.m.
City of Seward, Alaska
November 6, 2006
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 277
NEW BUSINESS
Resolutions
Resolution 2006-119. recognizing the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home as a statewide interest
group dedicated to the preservation of the Jesse Lee Home as a city and state priority and
directing the city manager to support their efforts to seek federal, state corporate and private
grants and/or funds for the Jesse Lee Home as a statewide leadership school and utilize the
Alaska Community Foundation as the fiduciary and managerial agent of such funds and
necessary contracts for the predevelopment and planning for the Jesse Lee Home.
Motion (V aldatta/Thomas)
Approve Resolution 2006-119
Motion Passed
Unanimous
Resolution 2006-120. approving the City of Seward's calendar year 2007 Federal Legislative
Priorities.
Motion (Thomas/Bardarson)
Approve Resolution 2006-120
Motion to Amend (Dunham/Schafer)
Amend Resolution 2006-120,
Under "Public Facilities":
.change funding for the Mary Lowell
Center from $19.5 million to $22.5 million
.add item number two, $3 million to
support the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home
for the stabilization of the facility
Under "Beneficial Legislation":
.strike item number one, Support for the
Jesse Lee Home leadership school
.under item number six, strike wording,
"University of Alaska request for"
.add item number seven, $1 million in
support for the Corps of Engineers study
for North Dock Breakwater project.
Motion to Amend Passed
Unanimous
Main Motion Passed
Unanimous
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Resolution 2006-121. approving the City of Seward's calendar year 2007 State Legislative
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Motion (Thomas/Bardarson)
Approve Resolution 2006-121
City of Seward, Alaska
November 6, 2006
Motion to Amend (Dunham/Bardarson)
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Motion to Amend Passed
Main Motion Passed
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City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 278
Amend Resolution 2006-121,
Under ~'Port and Harbor":
-add item number three, $0.5 million for
Corps of Engineers study for North Dock
Breakwater project
Under ~~Public Facilities":
-add item number two, $3 million for
support for the Friends of the Jesse Lee
Home for the stabilization of the facility
Under "Infrastructure":
-move item number three to item number
one
Under "Beneficial Legislation":
-strike item number one, support for the
Jesse Lee Home leadership school
-add item number ten, support legislation
that re-evaluates the funding for city's
owning harbors.
Unanimous
Unanimous
Resolution 2006-122. approving the City of Seward's calendar year 2007 City Legislative
Priorities.
Motion (Thomas/Amberg)
Motion to Amend (Bardarson/ Amberg)
Motion to Amend Passed
Main Motion Passed
Approve Resolution 2006-122
Amend Resolution 2006-122,
Under "Public Facilities":
-change item number five to include public
works and the amount from $3.5 million to
$7 million
Under "Studies and Plans":
-add item number five, support for a flood
study plan
Unanimous
Unanimous
Resolution 2006-108. adopting the electric enterprise fund budget for calendar year 2007.
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Motion (Thomas/Bardarson)
Approve Resolution 2006-108
City of Seward, Alaska
November 6, 2006
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 279
Motion to Postpone (Schafer/Dunham)
Postpone Resolution 2006-108 through
Resolution 2006-117 to the November 27,
2006 city council meeting.
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Motion to Postpone Passed
Yes: Schafer, Dunham,
Bardarson, Mayor Shafer
No: Thomas, Amberg
Valdatta,
Resolution 2006-123. adopting an alternative allocation method for the 2007 shared fisheries
business tax program, and certifying that this allocation method fairly represents the
distribution of significant effects of fisheries business activity in the Cook Inlet Fisheries
Management Area.
Motion (Dunham/Amberg)
Approve Resolution 2006-123
Motion Passed
Unanimous
Resolution 2006-124. authorizing the purchase of a breathing air compressor from Municipal
Emergency Services, Inc. for the Seward Fire Department for an amount not to exceed
$20,576.58, and transferring funds.
Motion (Thomas/Bardarson)
Approve Resolution 2006-124
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Fire Chief David Squires spoke on the proposal before the council. The current machine in
use was time consuming and time was running out to purchase this piece of equipment. It would be
a tremendous help to the department.
Schafer saw a need to get air bottles filled as well.
Valdatta wanted to know if the city should go for the extra features, Squires said all the
compressors had the minimum requirements he needed and could get by with this piece of equipment
adequately.
Motion Passed
Unanimous
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No action required)
The August 2006 and September 2006 financials for Seward Providence Medical Center.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Amberg hoped Squires would get bids for the next Fire Department purchase.
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Bardarson wished Corbridge luck in the future and for the work he had done.
City of Seward, Alaska
November 6, 2006
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 280
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Thomas encouraged everyone to vote for the State election and thanked Corbridge for his
time with the city.
Valdatta wanted to know what to do now that the city didn't have a manager.
Dunham announced a Seward Sea Kayaking Symposium at Resurrect Art on November 7,
2006. He hoped staff could paint the curbs red on Third Avenue by the Senior Center to stand out
more. Dunham said it was nice to hear talk ofthe old buildings in town, but thought it was strange
there was no mention of the old Solly's Building.
CITIZENS' COMMENTS- None
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS -None
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS
Motion (Thomas/Bardarson)
Go into executive session to discuss a land
swap proposal by Paul Snowden that has
the potential to significantly impact the city
finances
Motion Passed
Unanimous
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Council went into executive session at 10:15 p.m.
Council came out of executive session at 10:30 p.m.
Motion (Thomas/Amberg)
Decline the offer of the land swap proposal
brought forth by Paul Snowden
Motion Passed
Unanimous
Motion (Thomas/Bardarson)
Go into executive session to discuss the City
Attorney evaluations
Motion Passed
Unanimous
Council went into executive session at 10:32 p.m.
Council came out of executive session at 10:45 p.m.
Council advised city clerk to advertise for interim city manager and set a special meeting for
November 20, 2006 to discuss candidates.
ADJOURNMENT
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The meeting was adjourned at 10:59 p.m.
City of Seward, Alaska
November 6, 2006
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 281
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