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Home My WebLink About05112009 City Council MinutesCit}~ ofSex~ard, Alaska Mav 11, 2009 CALL TO ORDER City Cortncil Minutes Volume 38, Pare 77 The May 1 1, 2009 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 Betsy Kellar Willard Dunham Bob Valdatta comprising a quorum of the Cotmcil; and Phillip Oates, City Manager ,lean Lewis, City Clerk ABSENT-Tom Smith, Marianna Keil, and Jean Bardarson CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEP'T' THOSE, ITEMS SCHEDULEll FOR PUBLIC HEARING Matt Gray, stated the bear resistant program sponsored by the Resurrection Bay Conservation Alliance was still in full swing and lhcy had 200 garbage cans available for purchase. The Alliance was trying to eradicate a yellow and white sweet clover patch in the middle of Resurrection River that could outconrpete native habitat. It went to seed last year and they would try to contain it. Gray stated the Kenai Peninsula fish habitat partnership was currcutlyworking on their habitat plan partnership for the peninsula and notified a strategic plan was ready for review and comments. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (ValdattalDunham) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: "I'he April 13, 2009 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes, And The April l3 And 14, 2009 Special City Council Meeting Minutes Were Approved. The Apri127, 2009 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Were Approved. City of Sewurd, Alaska City Courtcdl Mirrtetcs 'Na} l l X009 Volume 38, Page 7& The Restaurant EatinglPublic Convenience Liquor License For The Railway Cantina Was Approved. Resolution 2009-040, Adopting The Planning And Zoning Commission Priorities From April 2009 To April 2010. Resolution 2009-041, Adopting The fort And Commerce Advisory Board Priorities From April 2009 'I'o April 2010. SPECIAL ORDF,RS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPOR'CS Proclamations and Awards A Welcome Proclamation Was Rcad For The Center For Oceans, Law And Policy Conference May 20-24, 2009. A Proclamation Was Read For Poppy Awareness As 'fhe Memorial Flower Oi' The American Legion And American Legion Auxiliary. A Proclamation Was Read For National Military Appreciation Month And Armed Service Dav. A Memoriam Was Read For Ex-Mayor Lowell (Boh) Satin. City Manager's Report. City Manager Phillip Oates stated Seward Parks and Recreation hosted the Pink Checks Triathlon on May 2, 2009 and it was a huge success! The Triathlon consisted of 289 registered participants. Other news listed below: ^ Harbor. Seward Harbor Opening Day weekend would occur May 15-17, 2009, with the Chamber hosting a Military Appreciation Bar-BQ in the Harbor on Saturday, May 16, 2009. The Combat Fishing Tournament for the military would be held on May 21, 2009. On Monday, April 27, 2009 there was a 200* gallon diesel spill in the harbor from a tear in a supply line to Shoreside Petroleum's fttcL dock. Shoreside Petroleum had worked with the DEC and USCG on containment and clean-up of the spill. The Seward >-harbor would be working with the Army Corps of Engineers on two projects that received 55.4 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These two projects include the extension of the East Breakwater, and dredging within the Harbor. Northern Economics had completed the SMIC feasibility study. The harbor was also applying for grants for the following projects: ^ 250 ton TraveLift vessel wash-down station ^ SSDD vessel transfer expansion ^ SM1C maintenance/storage yard electrical improvements ^ NE Harbor fish-cleaning station improvement project ^ Construction for Security (Z) float City o/ Seia~ard, Alaska Mav ll, 2009 City Cairricil /vlinutes 1/olwrve 38, Page 79 Oates stated the legislature had appropriated $0 for the FY10 Municipal Harhor Facility Grant program, so the Harbor would be reapplying for this grant program for Z float for FY11. ' Community Development. Title 15 code revisions would be available beginning May 15, 2009 and Title 7 and harbor tariff updates would begin their public process .luly 1S, 2009. The department had a number of complaints of camping in residential areas so staff would be conducting a citywide review of this issue, and utilizing new code compliance software to track any violations. Pavilion construction had begun and was on schedule for completion by the 4'~ of July. Oates stated the Seward City Council was sponsoring a Business and Economic Forum at the Seward High School Auditorium, Wednesday, May 13, 2009 from 7PM to 9PM. The objective ofthe forum was to: ' a) inform citizens on the actions and policies that were implemented since the last Forum held on September ] 9, 2007; ^ b) identify actions and policies that would continue to encourage and expand economic devetoprnent in the City of Seward; and ^ c) discuss measures to reduce the impact of the current recession on the local economy. He also mentioned DOT/YF had no additional plans [or closures of the Seward Highway because of bridge repairs or inspections. Inspection dales and schedules were set up for oversized vehicles. ' Marv Lowell Center Undate. The most signi ficant change in the project would he the elimination of the conference center and reduction of the administrative areas for partner agencies. ~.. The previous design called for a facility that included a preliminary estimate for construction at approximately $19.SM (including contr-act administration and construction contingencies). Afacility devoted exclusively to the NPS was anticipated to he less, probably within a range of S10M to $15NI. ' Statehood Svmposium. More than 100 people attended the Statehood reception and Symposium on May 1-2, 2009. hlvited guests of the tirst panel, moderated by fom~cr Seward Mayor and Alaska Commissioner Edgar Blatchford, and featuring Wally [ Iickcl, Keith Miller, Vic Fisher, and .lack Roderick discussed Alaska's statehood story in first person. The second panel, entitled Seward: Home of Alaska's Flag lectured t:dgar Blatchford, Jackie Pels, Mary Bany and Paul Ongtooguk, with 1'om Osbonie moderating. Senator Gary Slevcus and Representative Paul Seaton were active audience participants. Finally, the Seward Mural Socictyunveiled anew mural designed by artist Justin Pechuzal for the post office. The whimsical mural would be installed iu early Jwte. These activities were made possihle by the generous Alaska Statehood Experience Crant program through Alaska HwnanitiesForum, National Endowment forthe Humanities and Rasmuson Foundation. Oates infonncd the week of May 4-7, 2009, all Cily Departments participated in a volunteer OSHA inspection. Each department was inspected for potential safety violations which included facility inspections and an audit of all safety plans. The OSHA inspector was overall impressed with the City's safety policies, practices, and plans. He stated each department would require Borne minor safety upgrades, and with timely compliance the city would be exempt frotn planned OSHA inspections for one year. The city intended to comply with all OSI IA recommendations, and would City of Seward, Alaska play 1 !, 2009 City Council Minutes Volume 38, Pale 80 assess the upgrades and costs im'olved. Oates updated the council and public about ongoing procedures and responses in case of an outbreak of influenza A (H1N1), the swine Ilu viers. In response to questions, Oates stated he had met with the real estate division of the ARR, and was trying to secure an agreetncnt to move the Coast Guard building and askthe RR to consider and propose to take the "sliver" and the old CG building area to give the city additional parking spots. The talks were for ARR to trade land with the city, and come back to council for approval. He thought it was worth exploring to have further development and parking for the city, and the ARR would have direct access to their land. This was in the exploration stages only. Other Reports, Special Presentations A Travel Report Was Given By Vice-Mayor Willard Dunham on the Ycosu City, Korea Trip. Other delegates on this trip were: Michael Mccks, city employee, Steve Denton from Usibclli, and Patrick Flynn born the Alaska Railroad. A china tea set was given as a gift honoring their upcoming International Expo in 2012. PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolution 2009-039, Authorizing 'T'ermination The Existing Lease With lack Scoby And Sheila L Scoby dba Orca Enterprises And Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A New Lease With Dockside Ventures, LI,C For Lot 10, Block 6, Seward Small Boat Harbor Subdivision, Plat 2000-19, Seward Recording District, Third Judicial District, State Of Alaska. ~9otion (Dunham/Kellar) Approve Resolution 2009-039 Oates stated the Scoby's would terminate the lease when the sale of the business closed. T le recommended entering into a new lease with Dockside Ventures, LLC. This would be signed when the sale of the property occurred between the two parties. Language guaranteed in the event of default was standard. New rates were in effect based on fair market values and adjusted to annual CPI. Oates recommended approval. Notice of the public hearing being posted mrd published as rear+irerl bylaw was noted artd the public hearing was opened. Niklas Ranta, encouraged the council to transfer this lease. He stated the businesses within the building employed upwards of 18 people. They didn't intend to change the operation of the building, j ust purchase and transfer ownership and lease to a new company. Rauta thought some of the lease language the city used needed to be amended to allow for SBA lending opportunities. He encouraged council to discuss this matter with the city attorney. Harbormaster Kari Anderson thought this language was standard from the attorney to properly address liability issues if pa}nnents were not made to the bank. The City would not be held responsible if the lessee defaulted with the lender. '~ 17otion Passed Unanimous City of Seward. Alnska Mav ll, 1009 City Council r~finutes Volwne 38. Pace 81 UNFINISHED BUSINESS Motion (Dunham) Reconsider Resolution 2009-034 Motion Failed for lack of a second Resolution 2009-034, Amending The Port And Harbor Tariff By Temporarily Decreasing Launch Fees, Effective May 1, 2009 Through December 31, 2009 stuys failed as voted on Apri127, 2009. Motion (Dunham) Reconsider Resolution 2009-035 Motion Failed for lack of a second Resolution 2009-035, Amending The Cit}~ Parking Fees Schedule For City-Owned Parking Lots, Temporarily Decreasing Daily Parking Fees, EtI'ective May 1, 2009 Through December 31, 2009 stays approved as voted on Apri127, 2009. NF.W BUSINESS Resolution 2009-042, Adopting The North Harbor Development Recommendations (laydowrt versiotl). Motion (Dunham/Kellar) Approved Resolution 2009-042 Oates stated these recommendations were vetted through I'ACAB. Harbormaster Kari Anderson stated she had not had any opposition to the recommendations as presented so far. Motion Passed Unanimous OTHER NEW BUSINESS The City Council wished to bring a work session on possible amendments to Title E in September, ?009 by unanimous consent. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No action required) COUNCIL COMMENTS Dunham complimented the Saturday clean-up crew. He was not happy that the high school graduation would not have the scholarships given out on graduation day. The idea the town would not have an opportunity to see who gives awards and who received them he found utterly outrageous. He hoped the town would complain to school administration. He noted the community had a City of Seward, Alaska Ciry Cotuuil Miitu(es Mav l 1, 2009 Volume 38, Page 8l prideful record for giving out scholarships, and those involved deserved to be recognized at graduation. Dunham reported the Oceans and Law Conference group would be in town, and he .- thought the community should be very proud to have this group of scientists here in Seward. The cooperative utility group would meet tomorrow to work out differences between the governor and the legislator, and he would attend. Kellar concurred about not liking the decision of the high school administration giving scholarships on a different day besides graduation. She said this decision was the talk around town. Oates thanked the people for beautifying their yards. CITIZENS' COMMENTS Theresa Butts, was concemedwith the every IS minutes program at the high school. She was happy to say they did a fantastic job. The effect was powerful and she thanked the police department for handling this so well. The cast side of Seward Fisheries lease area needed to be cleaned up and wondered if it could be made available for others to lease. The landscaping in the North harbor recommendations was a dual purpose to get the people out of the streets and onto the sidewalks. Butts staled tourists were interested in industry and wanted to know what was going on around them. Christy Terry stated the E3ranson pavilion needed volunteers to paint the pavilion. She said this was a great benefit to the town and urged folks to call the city to volunteer which begins May 18 and would be painted in the city garage. Anyone aged 14 and up were invited. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO C1TI7.GNS' COMMENTS Dunham thought painting was a good idea, but was sad there were too manythings going on at the same time that week and he couldn't make it to all of theut. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m. J Jca ~Lcwi s, CM . Cit iClerk ~~ (City Seal) ~a~a~~~ t~ .. ~~~~~i~ ~W A, ,+ r ~ ~ [ ` J • s b .- .~ Ma N k °Q' ~. ... _., M s aq ~ ,~ ~, ~ ~+, a ~~ •~ f~~f1~Y ~~~~~,,~ Clark Corbridge Mayor