HomeMy WebLinkAbout03122007 City Council Minutes
City of Seward, Alaska
March 12, 2007
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page332
CALL TO ORDER
....
The March 12,2007 regular meeting ofthe Seward City Council was called to order at 7:30
p.m. by Mayor Vanta Shafer.
OPENING CEREMONY
Police Lieutenant Tiner led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
Vanta Shafer presiding and
Willard Dunham
Bob Valdatta
Robert Thomas
Linda Amberg
Steve Schafer
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Marvin Yoder, Interim City Manager
Cheryl Brooking, City Attorney
Johanna Dollerhide, Acting City Clerk
...
ABSENT - Jean Bardarson
CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED
FOR PUBLIC HEARING - None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Thomas/Amberg)
Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Motion Passed
Yes: Amberg, Valdatta, Schafer,
Thomas, Mayor Shafer
No: Dunham
The following was removed from the agenda:
Items 6 A 1 and 2, Police Certification for Judy Parris and Correctional Certification for Alan
King. These items would be presented at a later meeting.
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
.... The February 26, 2007 regular city council meeting minutes and the March 6,2007 special city
council meeting minutes were approved.
City of Seward, Alaska
March 12, 2007
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page333
Resolution 2007-022. accepting a grant in the amount of $1,215.12 from the Alaska Highwayi
Safety Office for 2007 ASTEP SeatbeU Enforcement Campaign and appropriating funds. .....I
Resolution 2007-023. accepting a grant in the amount of $1,518.90 from the Alaska Highway
Safety Office for 2007 ASTEP Driving under the influence (DUI) Enforcement Campaign and
appropriating funds.
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations and Awards
A proclamation was read for Women's History Month.
City Manager's Report. Interim City Manager Marvin Yoder stated a meeting occurred
for the dock project and SAFETEA-LU funding, where it was discovered a technical committee in
Washington D.C. had voted to change the language from "ferry" to "port." It was decided to move
ahead with the #1 priority to build the dock downtown at the Seward Marine Center. Seward had
notified the legislature they wanted the funds released. Yoder was arranging lobbyist Kent Dawson
and University of Alaska President Mark Hamilton to meet with DOT to see they could get the
money released. Yoder felt the city was close to a solution. He commended Brad Gilman for doing
a great job in D.C. on this issue.
A VTEC - A VTEC was reviewing the rent lease draft. A long discussion ensued about the B
street vacation, which had gone to the Planning and Zoning Commission. Drainage was a big issue
in this area. DOT had looked into this and would sit down with Public Works and Community
Development to agree on drainage. There needed to be easements to get through to First Lake.
Since A VTEC wanted more parking in that area, a fire lane was essential.
J
Yoder mentioned the items discussed at the recent council retreat and thanked council for
spending their Saturday with him.
Head Tax - Last year, voters of the state passed the issuance of a head tax. The way the
language read, the state would collect the head tax in the first five ports ships went to. With this
logic, everything that came into Seward should be paying head tax, since cruise ships only had a
maximum of four ports. Lobbyist Kent Dawson said there was a movement in Juneau saying if a
municipality was charging their own fee, they would get the money directly, such as Juneau and
Ketchikan does currently.
Oualitv Asphalt Pavine - ready to work with Seward to pave Fourth Avenue. Public Works
Director WC Casey would be getting price quotes and information to administration. Yoder hoped
to have something on the next agenda to move forward.
Yoder responded to questions from the council. Some of council felt it might be worth J
looking into enforcing a head tax of their own so they could receive the tax instead of a smaller
percentage of the state tax. In response to Dunham, Yoder felt the city had a solid case in the final
hearing on the vacation of Washington Street on March 15,2007. Yoder stated he received a letter
City of Seward, Alaska
March 12, 2007
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page334
.....
from Fish and Game confirming earlier discussions on how they would approach the levee. Moving
the stream was the most logical thing to do. More meetings would ensue, hopefully early next week.
City Attorney Report. Cheryl Brooking stated the attorney's continued to work on drafting
contracts, resolutions, and assisting with administrative matters including platting, land use, and the
Washington Street rep lat. Brooking would be present during the March 15, 2007 borough hearing on
the Washington Street replat. A hearing was scheduled for Friday on the Egger right-of-way
litigation. Brooking continued to work with the small boat harbor on lease and land use matters,
harbor expansion, and the clean water act by the Trustees of Alaska.
Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations
Patricia Linville reported on the Library/Museum Project and read the facility's
mission statement.
A brief overview of the new format of Emergency Operation Plan was given by Fire
Chief Dave Squires.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolutions
... Resolution 2007-021. authorizing the city manager to enter into an agreement with Skyline
Steel, LLC for the I&T Dock Pilings for an amount not to exceed $1,160,598.80.
Yoder stated this would be purchasing sheet piling with gravel fill behind it for the travel lift
dock. This purchase would begin the dock project.
Motion (Thomas/Dunham)
Approve Resolution 2007-021
Harbormaster Scott Ransom stated this resolution was for materials only. Construction
costs would come at a later time.
In response to V aldatta, Yoder the Auction Block had some ideas to go down and lobby for
funds to extend this new dock to the old dock. This was not on the original priority lists that went to
the legislature, so it would be another year before they city could pursue this fully.
Motion Passed
Unanimous
Resolution 2007-024. appropriating $45,000 for lift station control reconfiguration materials.
......
Public Works Director W.C. Casey stated the cost ofthis project was underestimated when
the grant for the lift station was completed. The Department of Homeland Security suggested the
city get moving on this grant before funds were depleted. Because the grant money needed to be
spent soon, engineers recommended Casey get this money appropriated for materials. This would
put the contractor right to work, instead of waiting for the successful bidder to acquire the materials.
City of Seward, Alaska
March 12, 2007
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page335
Motion (Thomas/Dunham)
Approve Resolution 2007-024
\
.....
Motion Passed
Unanimous
OTHER NEW BUSINESS
Council scheduled a work session on the generator replacement for Monday, April 9, 2007 at
6:30 p.m.
Council discussed and exchanged ideas for Military Appreciation and Armed Forces Day the
weekend of May 19, 2007. Council decided to show their appreciation and volunteer for the
upcoming events.
Council decided to decline an invitation to the Turtle Ship Festival from Yeosu City, Korea.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No action required)
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Valdatta, noted the gray cod fishing was good, but could be better if the city got together
with the canneries. He suggested the city meet with the appropriate officials down in Juneau. J
Dunham, thanked Theresa Butts and Allison Barnwell for their presentation tonight and
attendance at the recent energy conference in Ketchikan. Alaska's 50th anniversary was approaching
and the city needed to recognize and participate in this huge event. Funds and grant money could
come out of it. Dunham heard University President Mark Hamilton speak today on the state of
education in Alaska. Dunham would like to see the city make energy saving changes in our
community.
Mayor Shafer, stated pending approval on March 27,2007, a contract had been negotiated
and Phillip Oates was set to start May I, 2007. She would like council to approve a welcome
reception for Oates for the community to meet him.
CITIZENS' COMMENTS - None
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS - None
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion (Schafer/Amberg)
Go into executive session to discuss matters
pertaining to pending litigation.
Motion Passed
Unanimous
,
....
Council went into executive session at 8:35 p.m.
City of Seward, Alaska
March 12, 2007
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page336
Council came out of executive session at 9:10 p.m.
....
Motion (Thomas/Amberg)
Go into executive session for city attorney
evaluation.
Motion Passed
Unanimous
Council went into executive session at 9:13 p.m.
Council came out of executive session at 9:43 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:43 p,m,
i~fer ~
Mayor
...
Joh na Dol erh'd
Ac' g City Clerk
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