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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05262009 City Council MinutesCit}- nJ'Seward, ATaska Mny _76 ?p(~ City Cornrril Mirurfes~ Volxnte 38, Pa ~e 83 CALL TO ORDER "1'he May 26, 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 F3utch Tiner ]ed the pledge of allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Clark Corbridge presiding and Betsy Kellar Willard Dunham Jcan Bardarson Marianna Kcil comprising a quorum of the Council; and Phillip Oates, City Manager Johanna Dollerhide, Acting City Clerk ASSENT-Tom Smith, Bob Valdatta CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT 'THOSE [TF,MS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Warren Huss, spoke in support of fluoride in the city wafer. Huss gave a history of fluoride and the benefits of placing it in water systems. He noted 65 years of peer reviewed studies showed this was a viable, legitimate practice. Michael Moriarty, a local dentist in Seward, also spoke in support of fluoride in city water. It was not an industrial waste as some were to believe. Moriarty gave several medical and scientific facts of the benefit of I7uoride to prevent tooth decay. if fluoride was used daily, tooth care would be improved greatly. Bill Tudor, a registered dental hygienist, also spoke in support of fluoridation of city water. Tudor noted tooth decay was 100% preventable. Daily fluoridation could greatly reduce tooth decay and other tooth diseases. Everyone young and old benefited from fluoride. Michelle Hensel, a board certified doctor, spoke in support of fluoride and oral health for Seward's community. The overwhelming weight of scientific evidence had proven the safety of fluoridation for dental health. Seward had a significant portion of children who had medical needs, and stated fluoridation could help this problem. Dave Hamner, thanked council for the opportunity to discuss the fluoridation issue. As a resident with young children, health was an important issue. The issue of Iuoride was something not City of SeN~ard, Alaska Crty Council Minifies Mah 26, 20119 Vahnne 38, Pnge 84 new to water. There were many benefits to adding fluoride to water, along with appropriate measures to he taken when using it as an additive. Troy Ritter, from the Alaska native Tribal Health Organization in Anchorage, spoke in support of water fluoridation. His organization had researched this issue for 9 years. The fluoridation of water in villages showed significant beneficial effects in the dental care ofthe youth. Sara McDonald, in the medical profession, requested the city council please support the fluoridation of city water. Seward had a high native population, so funding of Iuoridating water could be helped. This was a cost saving measure and listed several local doctors who supported this measure. Joe Hewitt, spoke in support of Iuoride. Two-thirds of the entire U.S. population was fluoridated. The only negative effect seen after C5 years of research was fluorosis, which was the discoloration of teeth of youth. Hewitt had also researched what cavities could do to one's overall health. Keith Campbell, spoke in favor of Iuoride, and was in lavor several years ago when it was installed in city water. From a personal note, and as a commissioner on the Alaska state health commission, prevention mast be addressed. Dcutal was the biggest disease found in children. He urged council to take this seriously. Judi Christensen, board member of the Seward Community Foundation, gave an update on the 55,000 pass through grant that the city gave to the Foundation to award. The grant making committee recommended and the board agreed to award the Play and Chat Group 54,000 and the Imagination Library $1,000. The rest of the grant money went to the Boys and Girls Club, the Kenai Crewsers, and Science Engineering and Experience Camp (SEEC) . Seward Community Foundation thanked council for this opportunity. John French, spoke in favor of Resolution 2009-043. }le had handed out a response to council to read. It had been suggested the science of fluoridation was based on facts that were over 50 years old. There had been continual review of the concept and was supported by many health agencies throughout America. Research had reconfirmed the quality of the science. Maya Moriarty, chat r of the hnproving Oral Health Committee, asked for council support of fluoridation of water. She advised council and the public to ask themselves who they should believe when asking for medical advice. She noted for some, this was an emotional issue, and suggested those interested do their own research, and ask credihle sources. Moriarty pointed out fluoridating water was not an economic gain for her industry. She noted financially, this would hurt the dental community, but it was the right thing to do. Carol Griswold, spoke on address markers, and how important. it was to have house numbers clearly posted ou each home. She felt bad for emergency responders, delivery services and promoted reflective signs that were available from the Kenai Peninsula Borough or the PTSA. She encouraged .~ all to look into this program. Cr1y ofSewarrl, Alaska May Z(, 2009 CiN Couaci! Mi~iutes 1%lunu 38, Page 85 APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA iVIotion (Bardarson/Keil) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda The following was added to the agenda: Scheduling a work session on the two year budget policies and scheduling the Hospital Administration Report was added under Other New Business Items. Notion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: 1'he May 11, 2009 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes were approved. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards Borough Assembly Report. Borough Assembly Representative Ron Long was not present. r,,, City Manager's Report. City Manager Phillip Oates stated he received information today from city lobbyist Brad Gilman about the appropriations request from our congressional delegation. Requests made by Senator Begich were S1 million dollar for Lowell Creek Tunnel repairs, $3 million from FEMA for the removal of sediment gravel, upgrade culverts, improve drainage and to determine safe zones around Seward, and $1.6 million for the Jesse Lee Home. Senator Murkowski requested $1.5 million dollars for Seward road improvements and $500,000 for Jesse Lee Home residential charter school project. Oates stated Seward had two state appropriations coming to the community, $4.5 million for dredging the cruise ship basin and $167,000 for cruise ship passenger transportation in and around Seward. Finance Department. The finance department completed the capital financing oftwo loaders, the fire tntck, and the fire apparatus. One of the loaders had been delivered and one was expected to be delivered this week. The hvo fire apparatus had been ordered and would be constructed over a period of the next few months. Japp Creek. The project to re-route a 900' portion of Japp Creek was nearing completion. The city had received inspection reports, including extensive photographic documentation of the various phases of the project. The contractor did an exceptional job of protecting habitat and constructing the new channel and the new creek banks in accordance with the project specifications. Work was coordinated with the Department of Fish & Game to ensure no fish were ham~ed during the creek relocation process. The city had one other parcel of property to make an offer on and acquire. He anticipated the nett steps would be going out to RFP for all gravel work and to build the levee itself, and then RFP for the paving. Ciq+nfSewnrd, Alnska City Council Minutes Mnv 26, 2009 Volume 38, Pnge 86 The Providence Alaska Region board met in Seward on May 19, 2(109 and held a reception and a meeting to discuss the Seward community health needs assessment. The board was introduced .-~ to marry of the health initiatives being pursued by the obesity, smoking cessation, health care access, and oral health sub-committees, as well as the City's own wellness program. The Providence Alaska Region board also toured the new long-term care facility. The ribbon-cutting for Seward Mountain Haven would be held on September 12, 2009 and the move-in day estimated to be September 24, 2009. The founder of the Green House Project, Dr. Bill Thomas, would be in Seward on August 25, 2009 to assist with the final phase of training. Harbor/SM1C. Oates followed up on a question during the last council meeting in regards to the SBA-financed lease requirements -the problem wasn't with SBA but FNBA. The bank wanted the City to bear the risk of any default by not charging rent if the bank foreclosed. Seward Harbor Opening Day Wcckend was a success with many folks coming out for the events and enjoying the nice weather. The Combat Fishing Tournament for the military was held ou May 2] , 2009. A huge thank you went to Keith Mantunach and Bob Candopoulos for their efforts in coordinating this event. The harbor had a few "problem' sea-lions which caused damage to the fish-cleaning stations in the harbor. The harbor was working with the Sealife Center and National Marine Fisheries Enforcement and would like to remind everyone that it was illegal to teed marine mammals. The Nash Road site (from the abandoned dorms) had been officially cleared, no further action needed to be taken. Public Works. The Department had been sweeping streets, painting cross walks, and completed painting parking stripes. Signage was being put. up and they were preparing for bntsh cutting of the rights of way. New garbage cans for the downtown business district were ordered. The Fish Ditch bid documents were being prepared and the Lowell Creek Bridge bid was near completion and the repairs would occur in September 2009. Water and Wastewater crews were working diligently on the Lift Station 1#3 project. Bids had been received and were currently in the review process. The City may receive $2 million forgiveness for the $4 million loan needed for the new Water Storage Tank project. Community Development. Code revisions to Title 15 had begun. The Planning Commission set their schedule of work sessions and the advertising campaign to solicit public involvement had begun. A Floodplain variance was approved by the Planning and Zoning Commission and issued to Jim Hoeffler to construct an aircraft hanger at the airport. The Community Development Department had a number of Residential Camping Complaints and the city was encouraging compliance by continuing to disperse public information on the code requirements. Beginning June 1, 2009, the city would be conducting a citywide review of this issues Thank you to all our willing volunteers who were involved with the initial step of painting the lumber for the Branson Pavilion. The Alaska Scalife Center again requested the City consider changing the classification of their utility status from large general service customer to industrial customer. The city manager had agreed to the change in c]assification based on the expected increase of power consumption of the facility. The anticipated impact to the City's electric utility was a reduction in revenues iu excess of $300,000 per year. There was concern about setting the precedent of assigning the industrial classification to an entity whose intended use was not industrial in nature as well as the impact of this change in classification on the already strained financial condition of the Electric Fund. The city Crry ofSewtmd, Afaska ~~1ay 26, 2009 City Council Minute.+' Volume 38, Pate S7 manager also noted he was taking away industrial rates for Spring Creek Correctional Center due to failure to meet the requirements of an industrial level. In other areas, the city had submitted its request to the State for Revenue Sharing funds for 20I 0 and the estimated receipt from the State was $230,656. The Torch Run Pledge Run for the Special Olympics occurred on May 16, 2009. $3,330.00 was earned and will stay within the Seward community to benefit local athletes. There would be a blackout on June 2, 2009 at the alleyway between Fourth and Fifth Avenue for maintenance. The Senior Awards and Scholarship ceremony was held on May 19, 2009 and Michael Zweifel (Trooper Zweifel's son) received a $300,000 scholarship to WestPoint which was presented by an Army representative that evening. The City had recently completed a voluntary OSHA inspection and submitted a submission for the AMLJIA's newsletter, which encouraged other communities to follow in the City of Scward's footsteps. The Seward Community Library Museum Building Committee would host a site dedicatio^ for the project ou 7une 18, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. The festivities would be held on the silt at 6t° and Adams, formerly Ray's Reusable's. All members of the comnnmity were invited to attend. hi response to council, Oates stated the $3 million from DOT for road improvements was not being held up, but that he intended to combine earmarks to cornpletc road improvements for next season for a total of $5 million. The new water lank price was $4.S million - $2 million would come from economic stimulus funds, and the other 52.5 million would he met by a low interest loan, Oates anticipated. Other Reports, Special Presentations .... An update was given by Ernie Piper from the Alaska Railroad on the March 9, 2009 Coal Task Force Meeting. A Library/Museum Project Report was given by Keith Campbell. Chris Kowalcaewski of the Foraker Group and Donna Logan of the McDowell Croup were available via telephone as well. Council recessed at 8:49 p.m. Council resumed at 8:54 p.m. A Yeosu City, Korea PowerPoint Presentation was given by Seward Delegates Willard Dunham and IV1ike Meeks. NE~'~' BUSINESS Resolution 2009-043 Submitting An Advisory Ballot Proposition To The Qualified Voters At The October 6, 2009 Regular Municipal Election Regarding Whether Fluoride Should Be Added To The City Of Seward Water. Motion (Kellar/Bardarson) Approve Resolution 2009-043 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes Mny 2h 2009 Volurne 38, Page 88 Oates gave a brief update to the council and stated the intent of this resolution. He recommended approval of Resolution 2009-043. Oates had provided the recent Seward Fluoridation •-~ Study and peer review by the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. This was an advisory vote only. Council could determine this issue without a vote of the people, but because it was such a passionate issue, administration felt it would best be determined by the public. If approved, staff would work to present information to the public as unbiased as possible before the October election. In response to Keil, Oates stated the guidelines given in the study were looking at equipment requirements, the ability of the Public Works department, what the costs were and grant funding available. Oates wanted to wait until a peer review was paired with the Michael Foster study before issuing the information to council. Dunham thought this was an excellent way to handle this divided issue. Bardarson agreed and was happy to see the public to come forward on this issue as well. Maybe in the future, the city could have something open to the public for a question and answer period for interested citizens. Kellar thought it was honorable of the council to give this decision to the people and felt it was the right thing to do. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2009-044, Accepting The 2009 Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant (VFA) And Authorizing The l0'% Matching Funds From The Volunteer Budget 101-1221-5460. Motion (Kellar/Bardarson) Approve Resolution 2009-044 Oates recognized the efforts of the fire department and their grant applications. He recommended approval of the resolution before the council. Motion Passed Other New Business items Unanimous Council directed the clerk to schedule the Hospital Administration Report for the next available agenda. Council scheduled a work session on the two year budget policy on Monday, June 1, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. Council also scheduled a work session on the Library Museum Project on Monday, June 22, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. 1NFORMATIONAI. ITEMS AND REPORTS (No action requit•erl) City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes May 2G, 2009 vah<rne 38, Pape 89 Keil expressed condolences to the family of Kevin Towsley and a moment oTsilence was held in his memoriam. COUNCIL COMMENTS Kellar thanked all the businesses who contributed to the harbor opening weekend and the organizers of the Arrned Services Combat Fishing Tournament. She wished the graduates of Seward High School success. Bardarson thanked the Chamber of Commerce for their event calendar that they put out. Seward Cily News also had a community calendar to inform every one of upcoming events. She talked with Metco and Harroion Construction, and both agreed September or October would be a good tune to discuss RFP's in a work session. She encouraged the public to get educated on the Iluoride issue. Dunham thanked Keil for the moment of silence for Towsley. He attended the funeral and was very proud of the community and its display for an individual who dedicated himself to his community. Dunham complimented Seward's Fire Department and all who participated. He also commended Saltwater Safari and the Anned Forces YMCA for their successful Combat Fishing Tournament for those in the armed services. It was well attended and he was impressed by how much was donated by our local businesses. Ile and Oates attended the International Law of the Oceans Conference held in Seward last week. Dunham stated he wanted the city to do a practice of ,,,,~ welcoming visiting groups that come to Seward by a proclamation or a resolution of support/welcorne. He apologized he did not get a chance to help with the pavilion painting. He was very pleased they finished ahead of schedule. Keil also congratulated the senior class. CITIZENS' COMMENTS John French spoke as the representative for the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens Advisory Council. The resolution council recently passed acknowledged the 20 year anniversary of the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, but also encouraged state support for dual tug boats, which so far had been successful in the legislation. The support issue was moving forward very effectively and receiving positive media attention. Maya Moriarty thanked the council for approving Resolution 2009-043 and encouraged the public to speak to the local medical authorities on this topic. She hoped everyone would purchase a sign marker for their residence. Moriarty staled she was very proud of this community, and felt it was moving forward in a positive way. She encouraged all to support the PTSA. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS Dunham noted the uniform worn by the Seward delegates to Korea marched in was a Usibelli necktie and a City of Seward baseball hat. City of Seward, Alaska Mav 26. 2009 ADJOURNivIF.NT City Council Minutes volume 38, Page 90 Motioned by Keil and seconded by Bardarson, the meeting was adjourned by unanimous consent. The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 p.m. Johanna Dollerhidc, CMC Clark Corbridgc Acling City Clerk Mayor (City Scal)