HomeMy WebLinkAbout08242009 City Council MinutesCity ofSeward, Alaska
August 24, 2009 City Council Minutes
Volume 38, Pa e 140
CALL TO ORDER
The August 24, 2009 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00
p.m. by Vice Mayor Willard Dunham.
OPENING CEREMONY
Lieutenant Tiner led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
Willard Dunham presiding and
Jean Bardarson -arrived at 7:20 p.m. Betsy Kellar
Bob Valdatta Tom Smith
Marianna Keil
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Phillip Oates, City Manager
Jean Lewis, City Clerk
Johanna Dollerhide, Assistant City Clerk
ABSENT -Mayor Clark Corbridge
CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED
FOR PUBLIC HEARING
Tim McDonald notified the council people were four wheeling on the beach byhis property
and wanted council to outlaw this action immediately. They were doing irreparable harm to the main
salmon stream in the bay. It was important this action no longer continued. In response to Dunham,
McDonald said the land was on DNR but within city limits.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (KeiUSmith)
Motion Passed
Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
Approved the August 16, 2009 Special City Council Meeting Minutes and the August 10, 2009
Regular City Council Meeting Minutes.
Resolution 2009-078, Amending Minor Language Changes To Rule 35 Of The City Council
Rules Of Procedures To Be Consistent With Past Changes.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
August 24, 2009 Volume 38, Page 141
Resolution 2009-079, Changing Rule 2 Of The City Council Rules Of Procedures To Reflect A
Change In The Meeting And Adjournment Times For City Council Regular Meetings.
Resolution 2009-081, Authorizing A No-Fault Settlement With Polar Equipment, Inc. In The
Amount Of $27,856.32 Relating To An Electric Power Claim, And Appropriating Funds.
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AN~J REPORTS
Proclamations and Awards
A proclamation was read for National Preparedness Month.
An Excellent Leadership And Dedicated Service Award Was Presented To Gregory
Carpenter For His Service On The Seward Historic Preservation Commission.
An Excellent Leadership And Dedicated Service Award Was Presented To Betsy Kellar
For Her Service On The Seward City Council.
City Manager's Report. City Manager Phillip Oates stated in July, the city council
appropriated funds in the amount of $30,000 for asbestos abatement for basement floor tiles and tale
replacement. The city had also decided to expand this contract to include the asbestos abatement of
the basement ceiling tiles, which would be $12,630. The Police Department received a capital grant
from the State of Alaska Department of Corrections to build a cover over the steps leading do st of
the Seward Community Jail. Harmon Construction Inc. would be doing this work for a co
$25,240.00. The SMIC department needed to spend $22,709 plus freight on new belts for the 250-
ton Travelift. Belts were replaced according to standards set by Marine TraveLift supplier Kendric
Equipment, and were replaced as necessary.
AMLJIA sent a risk manager to Seward on August 19, 2009. During this visit, they assessed
signage on Mount Marathon. They would provide the city with a written recommendation on how
best to mitigate the risks of this trail system. AMLJIA also worked collaboratively with the Alaska
SeaLife Center to inspect the sheet wall on the east end of the center.
As of August 19, 2009, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services had confirmed
400 cases of H1N1 (Swine Flu) in Alaska, 295 cases had been reported in the Anchorage/Mat-Su
area, 12 in the Gulf Coast, 37 in the Interior, 6 in the Northern area, 46 in the Southeast region, and 4
in the Southwest region. Alaska experienced its first H1N1 death on July 28, 2009. Confirmed
numbers may fluctuate as cases were updated with more current information. Hand washing was
being stressed to help slow the spread of the H 1N 1 virus.
Community Development -the City of Seward welcomed Dr. William H. Thomas (founder
of THE GREEN HOUSE® model for the Seward Long Term Care Facility) with a reception on
August 24, 2009 prior to the Council meeting from 5-7 at Legends. A tour also occurred with Dr.
Bill Thomas at Seward Mountain Haven from 3-4:45pm. The Planning and Zoning Commission
was working hard on the updates to Title 15.
City of Seward, Alaska
Au ust 24, 2009 City Council Minutes
Volume 38 Page 142
Finance worked with the Seward Community Library/Museum committee to develop
appropriation ballot language for the voter pamphlet, to explain the anticipated impact of the
advisory vote on whether to increase the sales tax by 0.5% for the purpose of funding bonds to
construct the new library/museum. The department distributed preliminary budget worksheets to
department heads, to submit their preliminary budget requests for the City's first biennial bud et and
the 2009 Budget Calendar was distributed. Final utility bills were sent to all harbor utility customers
by the finance department, with notification that future harbor utility bills would come directl from
the harbor department. The finance department was in initial stages of rolling out the ele tronic
requisitioning system, allowing for purchasing authorizations to be submitted electronicall ,
increasing efficiency by eliminating the need to hand-walk paperwork through the process and
allowing customers to pay their bill anytime day or night, at their convenience.
Harbor -The Silver Salmon Derby was a success this year. The Harbor and Administration
would like to thank the Chamber for their fantastic organization and marketing of this event. Recent
changes in the Coast Guard organization resulted in Coast Guard Sector Anchorage assumin VHF
radio coverage previously maintained by Air Station Kodiak. All requests for USCG assistance in
the Seward area should be directed to the Sector Anchorage Command Center. Please contact the
harbor if you need these phone numbers.
Sports and Recreation -the American Ramp Company was in Seward sooner than expected to
upgrade the Evan Casey Skate Park on Ballaine, at the end of Adams Street. Demolition and
,,,,~„ removal of the existing (homemade) elements was ongoing and soon the public would see the
professional installation of new skate park elements including ahalf--pipe for the first time. Due to
the work being done, the skate park was currently closed but, barring any delays itshould be re-o en
by September 1, 2009. p
Chamber of Commerce Report. Director Laura Cloward thanked all for their support
during the derby. It was very close to being a record year in terms of numbers of people visiting
Seward. A volunteer appreciation event was planned. She thanked Kellar for her service to the
community. Meet the Candidates Night would be September 22, 2009. The format would be
changed a bit due to no opposition for the council candidates, and then on to the Kenai Peninsula
Borough Assembly candidates.
Cloward gave an economic development report for the council. She narrowed it down to
some key points. She focused her research on working with the people from the Center of Economic
Development to decide how best to determine Seward's economic development. It was about
growing the wealth needed to grow community development. Marketing was a third tangible piece
to that equation. Economic development was driven by a business decision to come to Seward.
Cloward noted most decisions were web based, and before Seward even has a direct personal
impact/communication. She stated the positive and negative impacts of using the chamber or
government for economic development. Cloward noted government agencies were less likely to
look at economic development from a strategic position. For a community the size of Seward,
studies showed one person could be designated for economic development.
Other Reports, Special Presentations
City Council Minutes
City of Seward, Alaska Volume 38, Pa e 143
August 24, 2009
A report was given by Matt Gray of RBCA on Mono-filament Collection and Recycling
Project.
A report on the Alaska Harbor Observation Network was given by Howard Ferren and Dr.
Orson Smith.
Council recessed at 8:20 p.m.
Council resumed at 8:29 p.m.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Council voted and appointed Robert Buck as a member to the Port and Advisory Board with a
term to expire July 2012.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 2009-080, Amending Rule 16 To Reflect Changes To The Evaluation Process For
The City Manager, City Attorney And City Clerk.
Motion (Kellar/Keil) Approve Resolution 2009-080
Oates reviewed past direction given by council on recent evaluation changes. These
included: staggering evaluations for the months of January, February, and March, goal summaries
and accomplishments be submitted, and review the evaluation forms for the three individuals.
Kellar thought new city managers should be evaluated biannually instead of annually.
Valdatta thought that was standard procedure for all newly hired city managers. City Clerk Jean
Lewis noted all employees had a six month probationary evaluation. Oates stated this resolution
would not prevent that. He recommended it be put in all contracts the six month
probationary/evaluation period referenced by Valdatta.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2009-082, Increasing The Budget For Contracted Services For Water ($160,000)
And Wastewater ($35,000) Engineering Services, And Appropriating Funds.
Motion (Bardarson/Dunham) Approve Resolution 2009-082
Oates stated this resolution would ensure that the city would be ready at a moments notice to
apply for grants. If the city did not get grant funding to accomplish these things, the city would have
to come up with the funding itself. These funds would come from existing fund balances.
Budgeting had been in place for these studies in the past, but not enacted due to lack of time.
Valdatta wanted to know about the status of the water tanks.
City of Seward, Alaska
August 24, 2009 City Council Minutes
Volume 38, Page 144
Keil thought these infrastructure items had been put off for a long time, so this was an
appropriate use of funds.
Bardarson agreed the city should be ready for grant funding.
Motion Passed Unanimous
OTHER NEW BUSINESS
Discussed whether to support guidance documents for the issuance of preliminar ermits
the Outer Continental Shelf. Y P on
Dunham noted in the past, it had been a large business venture for Seward and he had
requested this discussion item. Keil asked if this would have any affect on the Alaska SeaLife
Center's power project. Dunham thought it might help it. He also said it could hel the res
vessel as well. A support station was also needed, if Seward didn't do it, someone would - erhach
Kodiak. p ps
Oates thought a support resolution would be a good idea and sought direction to work with
the appropriate agencies involved. The sealife center had an opportunity to brief ant re uests to
Denali Commission and he intended to voice city support for them. ~ q the
Kellar thought the city should lead and supported that direction. Keil felt Seward was also
leading and cutting edge and we should move in that direction. Bardarson thought it would be ood
to show city support of this project. g
Dunham wanted it researched to have ice free sidewalks.
Direction was given for the city manager to draft a support resolution for the issuance
of preliminary permits on the Outer Continental Shelf.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No action required
Pending Work Session Schedule.
City of Seward Financial Report Statement For June.
Erchinger summarized the financial report before the council. The biggest news for her was
what was happening at the hospital. The budgeted amount was a $'/2 million loss this year, but the
good news was that Providence corrected some prior years bookkeeping which resulted in a positive
increase of about $100,000. Erchinger stated she did not have updated sales tax figures at this time.
Keil asked about cost containment measures, Oates stated they would be implemented if and
,,,,~,,, when they were needed.
Erchinger said the city had received the first check from the borough on the cruise ship head
City Council Minutes
City of Seward, Alaska volume 38, Page 145
August 24, 2009
tax which took some time because it was the initial check. They had a commitment from th~
borough mayor to receive a fair share of the tax revenues, but had yet to see any more at this porn
Dunham noted the breakwater and dredging projects would be getting off the ground soon.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Kellar thanked people in Seward who help make this place the wonderful community that it
was. She thanked the local businesses and all for glvmg her the opportunity to be a leader of this
community.
Bardarson thanked Kellar for her time and efforts and the citizens for a great salmon derby.
Keil thanked Kellar for being herself and she has enjoyed working with her on council. She
con ratulated Terry for her cost containment efforts and management with the Long Term Ca
g
Facility. It was going to be an impressive facility.
Smith added the Long Term Care Facility was a great accomplishment and wished Kellar
good luck and said she never baked him cookies as promised.
Valdatta made a reference to McDonald's comments that the city should curb the ATV's
right away. He congratulated Kellar on her promotion in Barrow.
Dunham said they would miss Kellar. He congratulated Lost Lake winners and the Vincent's
should be very proud of what they set up. The Quteckak Wellness Gathering was September 19,
2009 at the Railroad dock. He requested the city do a letter of support or a resolution congratulating
them for this. Regarding the budget, Dunham wanted to set aside money for tourist improvements in
town. He would like to see Seward get a piece of this head tax money and put it towards the
beautification in Seward. The mural society did a lot for this town regarding beautification. The
Long Term Care Facility was a spectacular facility to see and recommended all go view it. Dunham
noted the City of Kenai just approved a project manager position and remarked Seward was seeing a
huge growth and department heads were right now project managing their own projects. He thought
Seward should have a full time project manager. He noted John Osenga passed away recently and he
and his wife were institutions in Seward and expressed his condolences.
Oates reminded council of future work sessions and hoped all. council members would be in
attendance for the September 15, 2009 electric rate review work session and the budget work
session. He hoped council candidates might participate, also.
Valdatta noted the water flooding on the airport and that it should be built up five feet, he
wondered if that was the hesitation with the hanger request.
CITIZENS' COMMENTS -
John French thanked Kellar for her energetic participation on council.
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS
City of Seward, Alaska
Au ust 24, 2009 City Council Minutes
volume 38 Page 146
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:21 p.m.
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