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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07142008 City Council MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes Jul 14, 2008 Volume 37, Pa e 597 CALL TO ORDER The July 14, 2008 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Clark Corbridge. OPENING CEREMONY Lieutenant Louis Tiner led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Clark Corbridge presiding and Willard Dunham Tom Smith comprising a quorum of the Council; and Phillip Oates, City Manager Jean Lewis, City Clerk ABSENT -Betsy Kellar Linda Amberg Bob Valdatta Jean Bardarson CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Margaret Anderson spoke on behalf of the Boys and Girls Club. The Club needed extra funding or the possibility of closure in Seward. They were requesting $25,000 for the calendar year now, and $50,000 for 2009 to assure the club could sustain through 2010. Marianna Keil spoke about the budget. She wanted a comparison to what actual expenses were and more detail on the reports. Dale Hoogland encouraged the council to attend the welcoming party for the Obihiro exchange students Friday, July 25, 2008. He requested to have a city representation present so Obihiro recognized that the citizens wanted the program continued. He looked forward to seeing everyone there. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Bardarson/Amberg) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous Resolutions 2008-059 and 2008-066 were removed from the consent agenda and placed on the City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes July 14, 2008 Volume 37, Page 598 regular agenda by unanimous vote. The following was added to the agenda: Discussion topic on energy and scheduling of a work session or special meeting. The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: The June 23, 2008 regular and special city council meeting minutes were approved. Ron Long and Pau! Tougas were re-appointed to serve on the Port and Commerce Advisory Board for a term to expire in July 2011. Resolution 2008-060, Accepting A Grant From The State Of Alaska DCCED Ia The Amount Of $1,750,000 For The Purpose Of Constructing The Japanese Creek Levee/Road. Resolution 2008-061, Accepting A Grant From The State Of Alaska DCCED In The Amount Of $61,250 For The Purpose Of Fish Ditch Restoration. Resolution 2008-062, Accepting A Grant From The State Of Alaska DCCED In The Amount Of $195,000 For The Purpose Of Constructing A Waterfront Pavilion. Resolution 2008-063, Accepting The 2008 Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant (VFA) In The Amount Of $5,212, Authorizing The 10% Matching Funds From The Existing Volunteer Budget, And Appropriating Funds. Resolution 2008-064, Authorizing The City Manager To Execute A Grant Agreement Between The State Of Alaska And The City Of Seward For The Purpose Of Providing Public Access To The Seward Historical Site Inventory On The Seward Historic Preservation Commission Website And Appropriating Funds. Resolution 2008-065, Authorizing The City Manager To Execute A Grant Agreement Between The Alaska Humanities Forum And The City Of Seward In The Amount Of $20,500 With A Required City Match Of $1,500 For The Purpose Of Celebrating Alaska's 50 Years Of Statehood, And Appropriating Funds. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards Mary Daniel and Marci Treadwell were introduced by Sister City Coordinator Debbie Bond as the 2008 Adult Exchange Citizens going to Sister City Obihiro, Japan. Borough Assembly Report. Borough Assembly Representative Ron Long stated that they had the first of two public hearings rescinding a portion of an initiative from two years ago that would require 60 % of voter approval for capitol projects over one million dollars including design, City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes July 14, 2008 volume 37, Page S99 engineering, construction which included any capitol projects funded by grants. This ordinance sought to remove the grant funding portion. City Manager's Report. Assistant City Manager Kirsten Vesel advised the city received a thank you card from the Nordic Ski Club for donating money and that the welcome party for the 2008 Obihiro exchange student program was Friday, July 25, 2008. The fire station apparatus floor repair went out for an RFP, and the city was in the process of completing a U.S. Department of Homeland Security grant application. Vesel also noted the Mary Lowell Center was having an open house on Thursday, July 24, 2008. Other items mentioned were: ^ Harbor. Metco had finished placing rock in the northwest corner of the harbor to stop erosion, and the extension of the 50-ton travelift would be installed and completed next week. Melody Moline had accepted a position in the harbor and transferred from the Finance Department. ^ Li rare. Congratulations go to Librarian Patty Linville for having been designated as a Certified Public Library Administrator with the American Library Association. Ms. Linville was the first person in Alaska to receive such a designation. ^ New employ. Dwayne Atwood had been hired as the new administrative assistant in Community Development, while Christy Terry was now the full-time contract administrator for the city. Chris Murphy was hired as a correctional officer, and Ken Brockman and Jennifer McCoy were hired as patrol officers. ^ Public Works. Fish ditch repairs were in the permitting stage and preliminary design work of Dairy Hill culvert project was forthcoming. Partial funding would come from the Seward/Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board, and they and the city were partnering to seek a FEMA Flood Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant for 2009. Scope of work preparation had begun for repairs to the Lowell Creek waterfall. The Water Department had been busy with dig prof ects, hydrant repairs and improvements to various wastewater sites and inspections at the Long Term Care Facility, and were still working with M.L. Foster on the Water Compliance Study. Community Development Director Bob Hicks spoke on the requirements he had found out about for the weatherization program. PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinance 2008-016, Rescinding Ordinance 2008-001 And Retaining A Sales Tax Cap Of $500. Motion (Bardarson/Dunham) Enact Ordinance 2008-016 Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Marianna Keil asked the city council to rescind the sales tax cap increase ordinance, and put ~ it back to $500. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes July 14, 2008 Volume 37, Page 60D Assistant City Manager Kirsten Vesel stated this ordinance had been going back and forth for months, and it had last been requested to put another ordinance forward to rescind the sales tax cap increase in place, and have it remain at $500. Motion Passed Yes: Smith, Dunham, Bardarson, Amberg, Corbridge No: Valdatta NEW BUSINESS Resolution 2008-059, Clarifying Monthly And Quarterly Financial Reporting Requirements. Motion (BardarsonlDunham) Approve Resolution 2008-059 Vesel read the agenda statement which clarified the type, frequency and format of the reporting requirements for accounting reports given to the city council. The monthly and quarterly financial reports were defined in the resolution, and she recommended passage. In response to questions, Finance Director Kris Erchinger stated the previous year actuals were currently listed on the reports and could be left on. Bardarson did not want to eliminate the narrative in the quarterly report. Corbridge also liked the narrative and did not want it eliminated. Amendment (Bardarson/Amberg) In the 3rd Whereas, after the words "written narrative" insert the words; "for monthly reports but retain for quarterly reports and eliminating the" into the sentence. Amendment Passed Unanimous Main Motion Passed As Amended Unanimous Resolution 2008-066, Authorizing The City Manager To Eater Into A Purchase Agreement With Valley Power Systems For The Purchase Of Radiators And Exhaust Silencers, For A Total Amount Not-To-Exceed $515,788.00 And Appropriating Funds. (Laydown version) Motion (Dunham/Bardarson) Approve Resolution 2008-066 Vesel stated there was a Laydown version that clarified the total cost. She noted with costs increasing daily, the large ticket items for the generators needed to be purchased to realize cost savings for the prof ect. There would be a better shipping rate and were asking to purchase one extra exhaust silencer to have on hand. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes July 14, 2008 Volume 37, Page 601 Utility Manager Tim Barnum stated there were four radiators. Two new ones and two to ~ replace. He was working to get the numbers down and fencing was included in the overall project. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2008-067, Authorizing The Purchase Of Two 75 Horsepower Engines For The City's 21' Boston Whaler In The Amount of $17,030, And Appropriating Funds Motion (Dunham/Amberg) Approve Resolution 2008-067 Vesel stated the need to purchase two Honda engines to have consistent parts. This would result in more efficient maintenance between city equipment. Vesel stated these were needed to provide adequate power to safely carry out tasks and prevent liability and prepare for emergencies during the busy summer season. She recommended approval. Harbormaster Kari Anderson said the funding would come from the cruise ship head tax budget. This was the soonest she could bring this matter before council, and felt it was imperative to purchase before the Salmon Derby in August. Anderson informed all motors would be 4-stroke Honda's to be consistent with parts with other vessels the city operated. Motion Passed Unanimous Other New Business Items A work session was scheduled for September 2, 2008 at 7:00 pm in the City Council Chambers for the Bird Efficiency Study. The city council wished to receive a copy of the study one week prior to this hearing. A work session was scheduled for Tuesday, September 23, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers on how best to address community economic issues. Discussion ensued on the topic of future energy needs and a work session was set for July 21, 2008 at 5:00 pm to discuss priorities, with a possible special meeting the next day. (This work session later changed to 7:00 pm and the special meeting was cancelled) INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No action required) The Providence Seward Medical Center May 2008 Financials. COUNCIL COMMENTS Vice-Mayor Dunham attended the Rural Electric Providers Association meeting on Thursday, July 10, 2008. The issue was deciding whether all utilities should come under one utility ,,,,,,, for power and distribution. He thought the Association needed to know if Seward would be participating now, and he recommended the City participate. The highway resolution had been passed by all but Homer and Seldovia. Dunham wanted the city to help with local energy needs. He City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes July 14, 2008 Volume 37, Page 602 stated the Crab Pot Restaurant had to close down for two days because of the vendors blocking his business along Adams Street over the Fourth of July weekend. He did not think this was fair and wanted vendors moved around next year. Valdatta complimented everybody on tending to their yards and the flowers around town looked nice. Smith noted the traffic jam on the 4th of July and recommended the police practice on that day for emergency responses going out of town. He thought any emergency Seward had would block the roads just like that. He hoped the sales tax cap increase would not be brought up again. Corbridge thought the effort that went into putting on the 4th of July was incredible and he thanked the community. CITIZENS' COMMENTS Marianna Keil, stated the governor had funding for energy needs, and she thought the transmission line could be put in. She thought the city could possibly go to the Y to buy power from Homer. Either way, Keil thought this was an opportunity to think big and settle for smaller. She informed the public that the legislative website spoke of other forms of energy assistance. Margaret Anderson, was in favor of raising the sales tax cap, but didn't feel now was the time with the high fuel prices and the borough sales tax just being raised. She thought the bed tax should be raised and would like to see a resolution for $25,000 for the Boys and Girls Club on the next agenda. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS -None ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:46 p.m. r``~ ~ Jean; ewis, CMS J City Jerk ``~----~~Y~~rtr~~~ ~~~~ ~ O ~ ~~'~~e~~~i (City Seal) o~e,~` ~~.`"•~~`~~~~~•~~'~'~°°m . G ,* . w ;~ tip' -~-•- Fo '~ °r ~, . ,~ a. • m ® i ~~~ ~ w • ~ • ~v..... ~ 4 ~~®~0~ via~o- '' 41~ t Clark Corbridge Mayor