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Home My WebLink About02232009 City Council MinutesClty ofSeimm~d. Alaska City Council Minutes Pehne~n'y '.~, 2009 Volume 3$ Page22 CALL TO ORDER The February 23, 2009 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Clark Corbridge. OPENING CEREMONY Lt. Butch Tiner led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. ROIL CALL There were present: Clark Corbridge presiding and Jean Bardarson Bob Valdatta Betsy Kellar "fom Smith comprising a quorum of the Council; and Kirsten Vesel, Assistant City Manager Johanna. Dollerhide, Assistant City Clerk ABSENT -Willard Dunham, Marianna KeiL CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUB.IECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHL+'DULF,D FOR PUBLIC HEARING Matt Gray, representing Resurrection Bay Conservation Alliance, updated the council on the alliance's recent events. He commended the I larbormaster's efforts on containment in the harbor. The alliance's community program would start back ttp in the spring for bear resistant cans and dumpsters. 't'he alliance's annual spring beach and river program would be kicking off on May 9, 2009. V1'alter Corrigan spoke in support of Resolution 2009-0 l2. The Fire Department's current vehicle was beyond its service life. It was a second hand vehicle that had served the department well, and Corrigan thought this purchase was a cost effective item. Theresa Butts thanked the council for squeezing in some support for net metering for legislation. She wanted to clear up a misconception that windmills were dirty power. Butts announced there were devices available at the library for check out to plug into appliances to see how much energy was consumed and how much could be saved. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (BardarsonlSmith) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Resolution 2009-01 1 was placed on the regular agenda upon the request of Councilmcmber Kellar. City gfSewai-d. Alaska City Council Minutes February 23, 2009 ~nlunze 38 Paxe23 Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: The February 9, 2009 Regular And Special City Council Meeting Minutes Were Approved. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESEN"1'ATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards The "Adelmann Award" was presented to Seward High School Senior Lee Yoo. A proclamation was read to welcome the 53rd Annual Western District Convention of the American Legion. Borough Assembly Report. [borough Assembly Representative Ron Long -not present. City Manager's Report. Assistant City Manager Kirsten Vesel stated $40,944.00 had been authorized for Cable Fault Locators to find underground cable faults. The Seward Community Library recently received kudos for scn~ice outputs in the new 2009 Library Journal Index of Public Library service. The Seward Community Library was given a 4 star rating within the peer group category. A total of 7115 libraries were rated nationwide with six libraries in Alaska earning star reviews. The Chamber of Commerce had reported that Holland American Cntise Line had signed an agreement to stay in Seward for six years. The Alaska Railroad had signed a lcrter agreeing to all terms and conditions with Aurora Energy concerning the tug boat agreement for Seward (a 3000 horse power tug operated by Amak Towing Co. out of Ketchikan). The City of Seward Fire Department had issued an "latent to Award" notice for the contract for a Tripe Combination Pumper to Spencer Manufacturing. Harbor/SMIC: A 50 foot recreational vessel sunk in the Harbor (in its slip) on the evening of Friday, February 13, 2009. The owner and USCG were immediately notified, and a local salvage company was hired to re-float the vessel and provide additional containment. The City was reviewing inspection reports for Seward Ship's Dry Dock and should have a report ready for Council in early March. The South Harbor Uplands area (created by dredged material icom the Harbor Expansion Project) was platted and approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission on February 17, 2009. The plat would come before Council soon. Finance: The Finance Director attended her lirsl meeting of the Alaska Retirement Management Board in Juneau this past week and would be serving on two sub-committees on the Board; the audit committee and the real estate investment committee. The Finance Department had been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its Ci{y of Seward. Alnskrr City Council Mirnrrea~ Februmy 23, 20D9 Volume 38, Pas;e24 comprehensive annual financial report, for the tenth consecutive year. The finance department staff continued to prepare for the amlual audit which would take place from March 23-April 3, 2009. The City anticipated receiving the final permit for the Japanese Creek levee/road project next week from the Army Corps of Engineers, which would allow the City to proceed with property acquisition and with issuing a Request for ]nformation to begin the initial phase of construction. The permit with DOT had not been finalized, and the city was awaiting the outcome of their department review of the permit. application. The Public Works Department completed and submitted two questionnaires to the State of Alaska, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation's Alaska Clean Water Fund (ACWF) loan fiord program for the State's Fiscal Year 2010 Intended Use Plan for two projects: North Seward Water Storage Tank & Pumping Facility and a New Lift Station No. 3 Electrical Building. Sports and Recreation: Visiting coach T'Neisha Turner met with students and athletes with an all school assembly at the Middle School and with the High School basketball teams. She was here promoting Mini Camp basics as well as the basketball camps coming this summer. Community Development: Bob Hicks received his Flood Plain Management Certification from the Association of State Floodplain Managers. The Planning and Zoning Commission recently approved two conditional use permits allowing Captain Jack's Seafood Locker to operate a commercial processing business in Leirer subdivision, and allowing Blue Rose Enterprises to com~crt _ first floor commercial vendor space into additional residential apartments. The South Harbor Upland plat was approved and would come to council for approval prior to being sent to the Borough. An Alaska Harbor Observation Network Tower was approved as an unlisted use in the Harhor Commercial District. Other Reports, Special Presentations A presentation was given by Dan Hertrich of Polar Consult on a proposed Hydro- electric project at the 4r~ of July Creek area. PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinance 2009-0112. Amending Seward City Code Title 15, Land Uses Allowed Table 15.10.225 To Allow Lodging, Multi-Family Dwelling Apartment By Conditional Use Permit In The Harbor Commercial Zoning District. Community Development Director Christy Terry stated the intent of the Ordinance and gave some background information. The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval for this zoning change. There were no life safety concerns and it also received support by the harbormaster. Notice ofthe public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Crty ofSewarrl, Alaska Cite Council Minutes February 23, 20JJ Volume 3$ Page25 Dennis Bailey, owner of Harbor Lights Condominiums, spoke in support ofthis Ordinance. They had tried very hard to keep the lodging as monthly rentals and it was consistently proving to be -- difficult. They were now being approached for summer rentals to be able to make ends meet and were now hoping to provide a nightly rental in addition even though they preferred the monthly rentals. Motion (Bardarson/Kcllar) Enact Ordinance 2009-002 Kellar commended the owners of the condorniniums on their service to the community and she supported this ordinance. Motion Passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS -None NFW BUSINESS Resolution 2009-011, Accepting A Grant In The Amount Of $662.11 From The Alaska Highway Safety Office For 2009 Every Fifteen Minutes Program And Appropriating Funds. Motion (Bardarson/Smith) Approve Resolution 2009-01 1 Vesel stated administration was in support of this resolution and summarized the Every Fifteen Minutes Program. Kellar thought it sounded 1 ike a great program, but she had researched and found information indicating the program may not be that effective. She was concerned with the intensity and severity of the program. She feared the program could come off as scare tactics or could have even worse effects on the youth. Kellar would not be supporting this resolution because of the approach it took to educate Seward's youth. in response to Valdatta, Police Lieutenant Butch Tiner believed there were other costs other than the grant funded portion. It was volunteer time, as well as some SPD time. The $662 awarded was j ust to cover the additional costs not already taken care o C The extra costs to the city would be personnel costs, basically staff time. Motion Passed Yes: Smith, Bardarson, Valdatta, Corbridge No: Kellar Resolution 2009-012, Authorizing The City 1Vlanager To Purchase One Light Rescue Fire Apparatus From Spencer Manufacturing, Inc., And A Mobile Radio And Automatic External Defibrillator From Other Vendors, In An Amount Not To Exceed $161,877.00 Subject To Obtaining Financing And Appropriating Funds From The Motor Pool Internal Service Fund. Motion (Kellar/Smith) Approve Resolution 2009-012 City ofSeivard, Alaska City Council MrniTtes Febrr~ary 23, 2009 Volume 3$ Page26 Vesel stated administration's support for this resolution. 'this would be a multi purpose vehicle that would be replacing two fire department vehicles that were old and dilapidated. Staff anticipated a reduction in fuel costs. Fire Chief Dave Squires reported this vehicle would have everything needed to combine the light rescue vehicle and brash truck. Squires answered some questions on the technical specifications of the vehicle and stated no capabilities would be lost with this purchase. In response to Kellar, Squires staled both new units would be housed in the fire station, with one old vehicle going over to SMIC. Motion Passed Unanimous INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No action ~°equirecn 4`~' of July Creek Hydro Electric Project Informational Item. COUNCIL COMMENTS Smith thought the fire department made a smart decision with this purchase. Valdatta complimented the Harbor for their informational letter going out to boat owners. Bardarson agreed with Valdatta on the Harbor letter. CPI'1LENS' COMMENTS Theresa Butts hoped PACAB could be involved with the Hydro Project proposal. She thanked Kellar for her connnents on the Every Fifteen Minutes Program. She hoped the SMIC ti re response would remain adequate. Corbridge responded to Butts that this hydro project proposal was in a verypreliminary state, and was sure if it progressed, PACAB would be brought on board on this issue. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE, TO CITILGNS' COMMENTS Kellar thanked Butts for her support and for Corbridge's assurance that PACAB would be involved with the hydro project ifit went anywhere. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned al 8:15 p.m. City of Sewcxrd, Alaska February 23, 2009 Ciry Council Minenes ~nlurne 38, PaQe27 ~~ ~~_ .fohauna Dollerhide, CIVIC Clark Corbridge Assistant City Clcrk Mayor (City Scal) ~~,~,',~~ t)~ Lam, ~,°3,~6~ O er r ~. ^' s i ~~ ~" .: _ a d 4 i ,{~ ~ ® tl' Vt ~ G ®®o L~ P • ° "~~ ~Y a' j' uu.• - ~~ 4Q' JJJJJJJ\\^i~0®`