HomeMy WebLinkAbout03092009 City Council MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska
Mnrch 09, 2009
CAI,I, TO ORDER
Cih~ Council ,Minutes
Volume 38. Paee 2 B
The March 9, 2009 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00
p.m. by Mayor Clark Corbridge.
OPENING CEREMONY
Police Lieutenant Louis Tiner led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present: Tom Smith
Clark Corbridge presiding and Jean Bardarson
Betsy Kellar Marianna Keil
Willard Dunham
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Phillip Oates, City Manager
Jean Lewis, City Clerk
ABSENT -Bob Valdatta
CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULF,D
FOR PUBLIC HEARING
Russ Maddox thought the Coal Dust Task Force meeting was good and well attended. He
stated a number of the commm~ity members spoke up on their issues and health professionals spoke
up on their concerns. Maddox notified that the interest in this subject was a community issue, not
just an issue with the Resurrection Bay Conservation Alliance.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Bardarson/Smith) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Motion Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
The February 23, 2009 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes And The March 2, 2009 Special
City Council Meeting Minutes Were Approved.
Non-Objection To The Liquor License Renewal For American Legion Post #5 And Package
Store Liquor License Renewal For Oaken Keg #2728.
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
City nfSeward, Alaska City Council Minutes
March 09, 2009 Voli~nre 3$ Page 29
Proclamations and Awards
A Memoriam Vas Read For Alaska Statesman Curt Menard.
City Manager's Report. City Manager Phillip Oates introduced the new Electric Utility
Manager John Foutz, his wife Tammy, and their two small children. He mentioned that he had fun
travelling with Vice-Mayor Dunham and was impressed on how tirelessly he worked for the City of
Seward.
Japanese Creek Levee. The Corps of Engineer permit was finally in hand. They were dill
working on getting the DOT right-of--way permit for where the levee road met the Seward
Highway. Oates expected property appraisals occurring next week and noted all offers were
contingent on council approval of the sale. An RFP for Phase I which relocated the creek
would be coming up in the future.
Long Term Care Facility. Painting had begun in the first residential building. The large
commons building walls were going up and completion was still set for September, 2009.
September or October was being targeted for an opening ceremony.
Y Economic Stimulus. The City had assigned an internal task force to start aggressively
tracking stimulus funding sources and identifying and prioritizing al] Cityprojccts that may
qualify for the federal stimulus programs. This task force would meet weekly and determine
what projects and finding departments would pursue. This would betaking up a lot of time --~
and a work session would be needed in the future. The city also intended to propose an RFP
for general project design services because projects needed to be "shovel ready" to qualify
for such funding. Staff would continue to provide council reports on the task force's
initiatives.
Coal Terminal. The ARR Task Force decided to disband but had hvo town hall meetings a
year. The city manager would report back via manager's report, email or council action any
decisions. The ARR anticipated coal shipments going up to 15 shipments a year, so he was
hoping the Railroad would put more money into that facility in the fitture.
Oates gave updates on Department of Transportation (DOT) projects and bridge replacement
schedules. He noted there would be public meetings held in Moose Pass April 1 and 2, 2009.
Topics would include an update on Emergency Bridge Replacement and the Seward Hwy Mile 18-2C
project. He also announced Seward could receive $478,000 for the Seward Harbor Breakwater
Extension and $235,000 for Lowell Creek Tunnel through the FY 2009 omnibus appropriations.
Oates stated the city did not receive the Community Block Grant for the ADA boardwalk, but now
had a package put together for other grant opportunities. The Harbor Department was reviewing
procurement documents for Z float. These engineering plans would be included with the bid package
and advertised in the corning month. Oates lastly notified that the Seward Fire Department was
awarded a $48,607 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency
Management Agency, and would purchase new bunker gear, and a washer and dryer that specialized "`
in cleaning that equipment.
Ciry of Sewm•d, Alaska City Cormcil Minurrs
March 09, 2009 Vnlunse 38, Page 3 0
'T'ravel Report. Vice Mayor Willard Dunham provided a written travel rcpori for the
council on his and the city manager's two week trip to Anchorage, Washington DC, Seattle, and
Juneau. He highlighted he went to the REGA meeting in Anchorage to participate in workable
solutions to the governor°s continuing request for the six utilities to become one state entity. This
subject would affect Seward utilities and take considerable time and effort to protect the utility. He
reminded this utility be]onged to the local taxpayers.
Both Cily Manager Oates and Vice-Mayor Dunham met with John Katz in Washington DC,
along with the Corps of Engineers, Congressman Don Young, the National Science Foundation,
Senator Lisa Murkowski, the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and Senator Mark Begich. Dunham
was happy to report the letter of interest went out to build the Alaska Region Research Vessel
(ARRV), so work needed to be done to secure adequate mooring to keep this vessel in Seward. They
met with Royal Caribbean, Holland America, and Princess Tours along with Foss and Crowley
Maritime and discussed their trends in the industry and concerns. Once in Juneau, they met with
many legislators on topics like AVTEC, HB 134, the library/muscwn project, citypriorities and DOT
issues.
Oates thought the federal delegation of Senator Lisa Murkowski and Senator Begich was
encouraging. He thought that both federal and state lobbyists for Seward were superb. He thought
it was time well spent to visit this delegation.
Other Reports, Special Presentations
An Update Was Given By The Friends OI'The Jesse Lee Home. Mary Elizabeth Rider,
stated this project was receiving money through anon-profit board under the Alaska Community
Foundation. Emergency repairs were completed. UNIT Construction had put a solid roof on the
building and the board was waiting on their Stabilization Report to come out next week. The hope
was to turn these buildings into a residentia] charter leadership school. Since it was not a good time
for private philanthropy, the focus was on relationships and coordination of etlorts. The estimated
price tag to re-build three buildings was $24 million, with 513.5 million for two buildings.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Resolution 2009-013, Recommending Kenai Peninsula Borough Approval Of The Seward
Small Boat Harbor, South Harbor Addition, Replat, Located Within The Harbor Commercial
And Park Zoning Districts.
Motion (Bardarson/Keil) Approve Resolution 2009-O13
Oates stated the next step was sending this to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Cor plat approval,
which needed the consent of city council. This resolution dealt solely with the platting action of the
south harbor uplands. He pointed out the zoning would come after this action. The property was
already served by utilities. This was a single parcel of 9.63 acres in size and provided right-ol=way
access l0 4`h Avenue. Oates recommended approval.
City nfSewar•d, Alaska City Council Minutes
,49arch 09, 2009 Volume 38. Pane 31
In response to questions, Community Development Director Christy Terry stated it would
be platted as Park and 1 {arbor Commercial for now, until PACAB and P&Z made a detern~ination
and rezoned it.
Notice of the publ rc hearing being posted and published as required bylaw was noted and the publrc
hearing was opened. No are appeared to address the Coaurcil and the public hearing Naas closed.
Motion Passed
Unanimous
NE~~' BUSINESS
Resolution 2009-015, Acknowledging Support Of The Proposed Seward Community Library
Museum (SCLM),
inro~ r,... n r a r r ~ o a• r ~ • t• nrT~- car na
a r
And Authorizing The City Manager To Begin Site Preparation Of The library Museum Site
Utilizing City Resources As Available.
Motion (Bardarson/Dunham) Approve Resolution 2009-015
Oates stated this resolution moved the project forward and authorized Community
Development to proceed with replatting, and Public Works and the Fire Department offering
personnel and equipment for demolition and site preparation as in-kind contributions to the program.
Oates wished to remove all the language on the resolution referring to an RFP al this time, because
the city did not have the $800,000 needed for design and engineering funds on hand. Without that
tlexibility, it was premature to start an RFP at this time.
Estimated cost increase for operation and maintenance of a new library/museum was
estimated as low as an extra $190,000 annually to $350,000 annually, and administration wanted to
make the city council aware of this increase to the city budget.
Amendment (Dunham/Bardarson)
Remove the wording; "authorizing the city
manager to generate a request for
proposals 12FP for design and engineering
services in preparation for construction of
the SCLM" from the title; remove the 3r~
and 4`~ Whereas, and remove Section 1.
Oates hoped to have this resolution which showed council support for the project, so they
could use it for grant opportunities. He was concerned on going into the RFP process without
finding certainty. Oates thought this signaled the council had continued involvement with the
project.
In response to the question of whether the city could form a service area for this, Library
Director Patty Linville stated a service area had been discussed but it was found to be a hurdle.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Cih~ of Seward, Alaska
March 09- 2009
OTHER NEW BUSINESS
Cih~ Council A~/inutc~s
Volume 38, Page 32
"I'he Evaluation Process Was Discussed Briefly And Council Decided They Did Wish To
Change It. Evaluations For The City Manager, City Attorney And City Clerk Were Postponed
Until After A Work Session Scheduled To Review The Process.
The City Council Discussed Whether To Accept The Letter Of Invitation By The Mayor Of
Yeosu City, Korea To Attend Their Great Turtle Ship Festival May 2 To 5, 2009. They
Wished To Pursue This And Put On The 1~7arch 23 Agenda.
The December City Financial Reports Were Discussed.
Various Work Sessions Were Scheduled For The Future.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No action required
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Bardarson congratulated the Seward Seahawks Boys Basketball team for being number 1 in
the regions. She asserted they would he heading to the State Tournament in two weeks.
Dunham thanked the American Legion and Commander Richard Smith for holding their
convention in Seward this past weekend. He stated it was a huge gathering and was the first time all
top Legion heads were in attendance. He also thanked the Fletchers for the use of their theatre for
the welcoming ceremony. Dunham thought the Coal Dust Task Force railroad meeting was positive
and noted it had a full house with members Crom DEC attending. Two meetings a year would
continue as a citizen open house forwn. He af'rmed the Alaska Railroad was an important link for
the community. Dunham complimented the City Manager [or assigning staff to address the
economic stimulus because it was very important. He disclosed 5200,000 in a bill for the hatchery
and found an article that Homer Electric was possibly hooking up alternate energy to their grid.
Dunham mentioned the bill on daylight savings time.
Smith thanked Seward High School Senior Samantha Feemster for attending the meeting and
assisting the city clerk with minutes.
Keil thanked the road department for their speedy response of providing a sanding truck on a
slippery intersection when called. She had seen the harbor Ilyer for commercial businesses and
thought it was very user-friendly. Kei] thought business licensing should go for a period of two or
three years, and also congratulated the Seward Seahawks on their Regional Tournament win. She
welcomed John Foutz and after seeing the list ofconferences in the Chamber newsletter, thought the
Mary Lowell Center should continue to be pursued.
CI1'IZGNS' COMMENTS -None
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS -None
City of Sex~arrl, Alaska
March 09, 2009
ADJOURNA1ENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
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Jean~~Lewis, CMC
City~Clerk ,,,~,~.,~,
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Crty Courtcrl Minutes
Volume 38, Page 33
Clark Corbridge
Mayor