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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07232007 City Council Minutes City of Seward, Alaska July 23,2007 City Council Minutes Volume 37, Page 386 CALL TO ORDER ..... The July 23,2007 regular meeting of the 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 ofthe Council; and Phillip Oates, City Manager Jean Lewis, City Clerk Cheryl Brooking, City Attorney .... ABSENT - None CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING - None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Thomas/Bardarson) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda The following were pulled from the agenda by the Administration to secure insurance and be added as a public hearing on the August 13, 2007 city council meeting: Resolution 2007-076. Authorizing The City Manager To Appropriate Funds For $5000 To The Community Built Playgrounds Project And Authorizing The Use Of A Portion Of The Park On Ballaine As A New Community Built Playground. Resolution 2007-077. Authorizing The City Manager To Appropriate Funds For $5000 To The Community Built Playgrounds Project And Authorizing The Use Of The Third Avenue Playground As A New Community Built Playground. .... The following was removed from the consent agenda and placed on the regular agenda: City of Seward, Alaska July 23, 2007 City Council Minutes Volume 37, Page 387 Resolution 2007-072. Authorizing The City Manager To Re-Appropriate Funds To Provide Site Closure At Fort Raymond Subdivision For Diesel Spill For An Amount Not To Exceed ..... $21,684.30. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Resolution 2007-069. Accepting The 2007 Volunteer Fire Assistant Grant (VFA) And Authorizing The 10% Matching Funds From The Volunteer Budget 101-1221-5460. Resolution 2007-070. Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Cooperative Fire Management Between The Forest Service, United States Department Of Agriculture And The City Of Seward. Resolution 2007-071. Authorizing The City Manager To Amend The Contract With Dryden And Larue Inc., For The Purpose Of Relocating Electrical Facilities In Conjunction With The Mile 0-8 Seward Highway Project, Including Sub-Contracting A Portion Of The Services To Be Reimbursed By The State Of Alaska Department Of Transportation. Resolution 2007-073. Accepting Grant Funds From ALPAR, The Kenai Peninsula Borough And Seaview Community Services And Appropriating Funds For A Parks And Recreation Litter Patrol As Creating Opportunities For Youth (COFY). -- Resolution 2007-074. Supporting The Wildlife Conservation Community Program To Help Prevent Negative Bear Encounters. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards A proclamation was presented to the U.S. Coast Guard for National Coast Guard Day and local commendation. 100 Years of Chugach National Forest proclamation and presentation was given. City Manager's Report. City Manager Phillip Oates stated the new hire for the DMV office would start August 9, 2007. The Seward Risk Management/Safety Committee qualified for the 2007 AMUJIA Loss Control Incentive Program and was awarded $9,209.00 for their ongoing work to mitigate risk and enhance city safety. He noted Federal lobbyist Brad Gilman was having problems getting revised language in the final conference agreement which would give the Army Corps. of Engineers the authority to extend the breakwater. Other items of interest were: . Ferry Service. The city and chamber both testified at the Marine Transportation Advisory Board (MTAB) meeting on July 17, 2007 in support of restoring ferry service in Seward. .... City of Seward, Alaska July 23, 2007 City Council Minutes Volume 37, Page 388 ... · The city manager agreed to construct a frame to hang a downtown association mural in Kawabe Park. · Fire Department. The vehicle exhaust system obtained from a Homeland Security grant was installed and completed. The department had responded numerous times to individuals setting bails of hay on fire at Phoenix Drive and was asking the public for information. The city's automated external defibrillator (AED) was used to resuscitate an 84 year old man, thus resulting in a great return for the initial investment. · Public Works. Fuel storage tanks were inspected at Providence and Wesley. Deficiencies were found that require improvements. The #3 lift station grant project was 75% complete, and handicap parking was under review at city hall. · Parks & Recreation. Adult softball leagues were wrapping up the season and youth soccer leagues beginning. The TYC summer day camp attendance was excellent, and more vandalism was occurring in the paid parking lots. · Librarv. The Harry Potter Book Party was a smashing success with 50 students and 25 adults in attendance with many staff and volunteers. ~ Oates stated the Chamber of Commerce pays for additional garbage collection from vendors at the 4th of July, and thought the city should charge them for the litter they generated. He stated the city employee health insurance costs had increased and he would look into increasing deductibles to reduce the city's costs at the next APUIT Board meeting. In response to council questions, Council member Thomas commended Oates for his work on the ASLC Board and for the continued effort to bring the ferry Tustumena back to Seward. Chamber of Commerce Report. Chamber Director Laura Cloward stated updated statistics were still growing for the year with 374 members, which was increasing by 2% each month. She informed that website hits and visitor guide requests were also up. Cloward notified that a Japanese crew would be in Seward, August 2 through 8, 2007 to shoot a film. She spoke of two projects, the branding program, and the coffee with the branding logo that were being used as promotional tools. Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations - The 2007 Japanese adult and student exchange program students from Obihiro gave speeches and were introduced. The city council presented gifts. The four female exchange students from Japan were: Yuka Kudo, Julia Kaneko, Shuli Omori and Asami Iritani. The two female visiting adults were: Kiyomi Takahashi and Michiko Muneoka with her two children Gouma (5) and Noiko (2). City of Seward, Alaska July 23, 2007 City Council Minutes Volume 37, Page 389 A presentation was given by John French on the oil discharge and prevention and tanker contingency plan for Prince William Sound (PWS). He spoke of tethered escorts, double hull requirements, the establishment of citizen advisory councils and response plans which had all added a greater level of safety. 1 ! ...... PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinance Requiring a Public Hearing Ordinance 2007-004. Amending The Land Use Plan And Rezoning Of Lots 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, CP1, CP2, CG1, CG2, BC1, BC2, BD1, And BD2, Forest Acres Subdivision From Institutional (INS) To Rural Residential (RR) (24 Parcels); Tract A Forest Acres, Afognak Addition And Lots CM, CL, CK, A W, And A V From Institutional (INS) To Resource Management (RM) (6 Parcels). Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. No one appeared to address the Council and the public hearing was closed. Council member Schafer declared a conflict and Mayor Shafer ruled a conflict existed. Council member Schafer abstained. Motion (ThomaslDunham) Enact Ordinance 2007-004 ..,.j Motion Passed Yes: Amberg, Bardarson, Thomas, Dunham, Valdatta, Mayor Shafer Abstain: Schafer NEW BUSINESS Resolutions Resolution 2007-072. Authorizing The City Manager To Re-Appropriate Funds To Provide Site Closure At Fort Raymond Subdivision For Diesel Spill For An Amount Not To Exceed $21,684.30. Motion (Thomas/Amberg) Approve Resolution 2007-072 Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2007-075. Approving The Access Route (s) For The New Long-Term Care Facility Site. ... City of Seward, Alaska July 23, 2007 City Council Minutes Volume 37, Page 390 .... Oates informed council that this resolution limited itselfto only the Oak Street right-of-way extension at this time. This route goes from the Long-Term Care Facility, north to the OaklHemlock Street intersection and establishes itself as the primary access route into the center. He limited the route because it was essential to put utilities in this summer, and would allow finalization of the layout ofthe buildings on the property. Additional information on the other route extensions were needed. Oates spoke that the further extension north up Oak to Ash Street, had 40 foot right-of-ways (ROW) with some 45 and 50 foot ROW sections. Additional property would have to be purchased from roughly 15 owners for this route to be chosen. This route would affect 38 residential parcels, and it was not possible to have all the information provided for tonight's meeting. Oates addressed the Hemlock extension route to the Seward highway. He felt this was the best long term solution for the primary route. It appeared to be the most costly and had an adverse impact on two property owners and the Army Recreation Center building, but the City had the required 50 foot ROW on the entire route, it was the most direct, it separated the schools from the Forest Acres area, and added additional foot routes. Water and sewer needed to be installed and it would clean up problem intersections. This route affected 10 residential parcels vs. the 38 on the above route. ..... Oates reported the council could amend the resolution and finalize the route by adding the entire route of their choice. He thought once it was known what funds would be available, then council could consider developing multiple routes into the facility. He requested this resolution be passed for that portion of Oak Street to begin needed design work on the facility. Oates would bring another resolution to council seeking their guidance on the complete route. Motion (SchaferlBardarson) Approve Resolution 2007-075 Dunham was leaning toward extending up north through Ash Street. He thought the Hemlock route would end up in litigation and was still galled the primary route could not be Sea Lion Drive. Valdatta noted you could go down an undeveloped road to the facility. Schafer thought the undeveloped road had a 40 foot ROW which would require property acquisition, and was in favor of passing the resolution tonight as is. Motion Passed Unanimous INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No action required) City of Seward Monthly Budget Summary. COUNCIL COMMENTS .... Bardarson welcomed the exchange students from Japan and thanked Debbie Bond and the City Clerk's office for administering the program. City of Seward. Alaska July 23, 2007 City Council Minutes Volume 37, Page 391 Schafer thanked the city manager for the added items in the budget report. .... Thomas also welcomed the exchange students and gave congratulations to the Coast Guard for their commendations. He hoped some of the public would discontinue blasting council for things they may not be totally informed about. Dunham was delighted to see the exchange students, and suggested the city recognize the Fletcher's on their 50 years in business. He wanted the 35 mph posting looked into. Dunham said the city had more time to work on ferry verbiage for the Senate, and he wanted to look into permitting of old buildings. With the added costs to upgrade older buildings, it would be nice to enhance them and keep them on the tax roles. Mayor Shafer thanked the Coast Guard for their continued service and also thanked the Library staff ofTember Eliason and Maureen Callahan for their creativity with programs, and giving the kids an alternate place to go. Thomas pointed out he was perfectly happy with the speed limits as they are. CITIZENS' COMMENTS - None COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS - None .J ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m. ~bYO Ie Lewis,.. . Ciij- Clerk. ",U..II"" ........" or Sc~ III" ...,~!, ......... ~~ " (City Seal) ~.. CJ' ....oY\?O~';;... <:> -:. ~..;.p ~" ~ = :~ -+- ~ ~ - : ~ .. : 0: SEAL :.: : ~ : - "". . ____ . es. - . . -=- ~ ... v'~. ,~... 'Qooo ~ .... U)"'..,:,.A{~ 1 '\'),""A~ ~ '" ~-1)-;..~.."']."" p.:;.:,;;......v.t "'" E: OF J:>.\...r ,...... ""'1111""\ u# Vanta Shafer Mayor ....i