HomeMy WebLinkAbout09142009 City Council MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
September 14, 2009 volume 38, Page 147
CALL TO ORDER
The September 14, 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:
Clark Corbridge presiding and
Jean Bardarson
Bob Valdatta
Willard Dunham
Marianna Keil
Tom Smith
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Phillip Oates, City Manager
Jean Lewis, City Clerk
ABSENT -None
COUNCIL VACANCY -One
CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED
FOR PUBLIC HEARING
Jodi Stuart, was excited and thrilled to be repeating the Boy Scout extravaganza next May in
Seward, and was looking for support from the council on Resolution 2009-083 to utilize the park
areas along the waterfront. She stated the event worked smashingly well nine years ago and hoped
the city agreed to have them. back with open arms. She notified that the Boy Scouts planned on
celebrating their 100th Anniversary right here in Seward.
Kerry Martin, also supported passing Resolution 2009-083. He spoke before council nine
years ago when the Boy Scouts first came to Seward. Martin stated at that time there were over 3000
scouts present. The first Boy Scout group in the area was recorded in 1910, with a scout named
Romig who may have been an ancestor for Anchorage's Romig Junior High. Martin also hoped for
support for Resolution 2009-086 which established a memorandum of agreement between the City
and the Seward Community Library/Museum BL!~lding Committee to transfer up to $200,000 to get
to the 35% design process which triggered grants and state funding capabilities.
Motion (Bardarson/Smith)
Motion Passed
Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Unanimous
The following was added to the agenda:
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
September 14, 2009 Volume 38, Page 148
A Report Was Given By Carol Saunders And Kris Ashley Of The Internal Revenue Service In ,_,,,,,
Anchorage On IRS Tax Credit, Education And Outreach.
A Discussion On Executive Session Procedures.
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
The August 24, 2009 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Were Approved.
The Election Board Workers; Jean Cripps, Jean Bardarson, Mark Kansteiner, Rose McSwain
and Betty Casey for the October 6, 2009 Municipal Election Were Approved.
The Canvass Board Workers; Kim Reierson, Lori Draper, Debbie Bond and Jackie Campbell
for the October 6, 2009 Municipal Election Were Approved.
Ordinance 2009-007, Amending City Zoning Map By Rezoning Lots 25 And 26a, Block 12,
Original Townsite Of Seward From Single Family Residential (Rl) To Urban Residential (UR)
Located On The West Side Of Brownell Street And North Of Washington Street At 208 And
210 Brownell Street Was Introduced And Set For Public Hearing On September 28, 2009.
Resolution 2009-083, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Use Agreement With
The Great Alaska Council, Boy Scouts Of America For The Purpose Of Reserving A Portion .,,..,
Of The Waterfront Park From May 21 Through May 24, 2010, And Waiving Camping Fees.
Resolution 2009-084, Authorizing A New Debt Service Fund To Account For Capital Cost
Reimbursements, Other Revenues And Debt Service Costs Associated With Seward Mountain
Haven.
Resolution 2009-086, Supporting A Memorandum Of Agreement Between The City Of Seward
And The Seward Community Library Museum Building Committee In Their Mutual Desire
To Develop, Finance, Design And Construct A New Co-Located Library Museum Facility And
Directing The City Manager To Sign As The City Seward Representative.
Resolution 2009-087 Accepting Grant Funds In The Amount Of $10,000 From Rasmuson
Foundation And $5,000 From The Seward Community Library Association To Be Utilized To
Fund Production Of A 1964 Earthquake Documentary And Appropriating Funds.
Council Member Jean Bardarson disclosed she should have pulled the election worker off the
consent agenda since she was listed. Mayor Corbridge reported a conflict did not exist, council
agreed, and it was duly noted.
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations and Awards ~.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
September 14, 2009 Volume 38, Page 149
A Proclamation Was Read For The 16t" Annual Sobriety Gathering Sponsored By
Qutekcak Native Tribe On September 19, 2009.
~...
A Community Invitation Was Read For The Grand Opening Of Seward Mountain
Haven On September 19, 2009.
Recognition Was Given To The Wilde Family As The Seward Chamber Volunteers Of
The Year.
Borough Assembly Report. Borough Assembly Representative Ron Long stated his last
meeting would be tomorrow in their annual trip to Homer. This was his last official meeting before
term limits, therefore would be his last official report. He appreciated the support from the
community the last nine years, and noted it was an honor and a privilege that would stay with him for
a long time. He noted the community had an opportunity to appoint another candidate and that the
public should ask a lot of questions of them and pick the best one.
City Manager's Report. City Manager Phillip Oates stated due to budget constraints a
City Water and Sewer system assessment costing $40,000 had been broken into two phases. The
assessment would be performed by Michael L. Foster and Associates. This project was originally
funded through a larger State grant, approved by the council in 2008. An H1N1 workshop was held
by first responders on September 10, 2009. A Seward woman's August 28t"death had been linked to
the H1N1 flu virus, however she had other contributing health factors and preexisting medical
conditions that state health authorities believe contributed to her death. As of September 2, 2009 the
Alaska Department ofHealth and Social Services had confirmed 460 cases ofH1Nl (Swine Flu) in
Alaska.
Oates stated AVTEC had received funding to erect a large wind electric generation turbine at
their facility on 3r`~ Avenue (across the road near Safeway). Construction may take place this fall and
winter. The City would work to determine what permits must be established. Initially the use of the
turbine would be limited. for their electrical training program. Oates also had a new drug/alcohol
policy in final draft form being reviewed by the attorneys. Once finalized, this policy would be
implemented within 30 days.
- Seward Mountain Haven, the newly named Long-Term Care Facility was near completion
anal a ribbon cutting ceremony would take place Saturday, September 19, 2009 at the facility.
~ Finance. Preparations continued to enable public utility customers to pay their bills online
through credit card, debit card or e-check, as well as through a 1-800 portal, allowing
payment anytime day or night.
Library Alaskan author Sue Henry was a special guest at a mystery readers and writers
group retreat at the Hotel Seward on September 11-13, 2009.
- Harbor. Land farming operations were completed on 09/01/09 with the contaminated soil
from two diesel spills at SMIC being spread out in an area of 125'x 100' with an average of 8"
in depth. This project was approved by ADEC with the help of Restoration Science and
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
September 14, 2009 volume 38, Page 1 SO
Engineering. Samples would be taken in the spring to monitor the situation. Harbor
personnel were in the process of installing a fence around the used oil tank farm at SMIC ,.,~
which was mandated by Homeland Security, and should be finished before winter.
- Sports & Recreation. The American Ramp Company had completed upgrades to the Evan
Casey Skate Park. The Anchorage Parking Authority was behind schedule with regard to
installation of the new automated pay stations in the south lot, due to recent security and ID
problems. This project would be delayed.
- Other. The Alaska State Firefighters conference would take place in Seward in 2010 and
would welcome approximately 250 first responders. The Public Works department was
working on developing a scope of work for $3.1 M in federal earmark highway funds, and the
number 3 lift station project which was funded through the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act (stimulus funding) was within two weeks of completion.
Oates also noted that $1.6 million was coming from Exxon Oil spill money. He hoped to put
$1.3 million in the general fund unfunded reserves and $300,000 to the Seward Community
Foundation.
Council agreed unanimously to send Vice-Mayor Dunham to the 2T'' Annual International
Urban Waterfronts Conference in Seattle on October 22-24, 2009.
Other Reports, Special Presentations
Tom Tougas took a moment to commend Ron Long orz his last meeting as Borough
Assemblyman and stated Long had only missing one meeting in nine years. Long was applauded by
Council.
A Report On Tax Incentives And Tax Credits Was Given By Carol Saunders And Kris
Ashley Of The Internal Revenue Service.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 2009-085, Authorizing Additional Funding In The Amount Of $226,000 As A
Portion Of The City's Cost Share Of The East Breakwater Extension Project, And
Appropriating Funds.
Motion (Keil/Smith) Approve Resolution 2009-085
Oates stated this project was necessitated because of the design flaws in the original Army
Corps of Engineers design of the breakwater which allowed damaging wave action into the harbor
basin. This project was a $5 million dollar project, funded with American Resource and Recovery
Act (ARRA) monies and funds coming from cruise ship head tax, because of the security response
that would be located at the mouth of the harbor. Oates noted that if this money was not
appropriated, the $5 million project would not happen and he recommended approval.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
September 14, 2009 volume 38, Page 151
In response to questions, Oates agreed the city would forego $4.5 million dollars if this
additional funding was not approved.
Harbormaster Kari Anderson stated construction was anticipated to begin in 2010 and in
between fishing seasons, probably January through April, and may start again in September.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Council Recessed at 8:06 p.m.
Council Resumed at 8:11 p.m.
Resolution 2009-088, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Contract With Harmon
Construction For Construction Of A New Sand Shed For An Amount Not To Exceed $124,692
And Appropriating Funds.
Motion (Bardarson/Keil) Approve Resolution 2009-088
Oates stated the city shed was built over 40 years ago, and when the wall was bumped by the
dozer, the wall crumbled causing the roof structure to partially collapse. Oates thought it was in the
city's best interest to exempt competitive bidding because of the emergency need to repair this shed
before winter. Two bids were submitted with AMLJIA obtaining one on behalf of the city. Of these
two, the Harmon Construction bid was lowest by $31,000. Oates stated the insurance claim would
pay $90,000 of it and recommended immediate approval as the best interest to the city.
Public Works Director W.C. Casey stated the floor would still be a dirt floor. It took awhile
for the city to settle a claim with AML/JIA because the insurance company claimed the city had not
maintained the building.
Motion Passed
Unanimous
OTHER NEW BUSINESS
Amendments And Direction Was Given On Draft Evaluation Forms For The City Manager,
City Attorney, And City Clerk To Finalize By Unanimous Consent.
Council Unanimously Decided To Advertise For The Vacant Council Seat October 7 Through
October 20, 2009, So The Appointment Could Happen October 26, 2009 Directly After The
Organizational Portion Of The Meeting, To Expedite Seating Due To Budget Approval
Timelines.
A Brief Discussion Ensued On Procedures And Reasons For Executive Sessions.
CITIZENS' COMMENTS
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
September 14, 2009 volume 38, Page 1 SZ
Keil encouraged all for getting the flu shot. She commended Ron Long on his many years as
the communities' representative. She also thanked the Wilde family, stating volunteers were the
backbone of a community.
Smith also thanked Ron Long, and knew the drive back and forth to Soldotna and thought it
was amazing that only one day was missed in nine years of travel. He asked the City Clerk to find
out and advice on the new format for Candidates Night from the Chamber.
Valdatta thought it was worth looking into how King Cove was successful in their energy
generation since Seward had area lakes to draw from.
Dunham congratulated all participants in making the Long-Term Care Facility a reality and
thanked UNIT Company, Christy Terry and all the staff for a job well done. He thought it was a
shining example and hoped the community turned out for this grand opening event. He also
congratulated Qutekcak Native Tribe for putting together 16 years of sobriety gatherings that were
now held in the Alaska Railroad terminal. He thanked the Chamber of Commerce for making a
family the recipient of their volunteer of the year award, and thought Ron Long's nine years with the
Borough Assembly was worthy for an acclamation. He also noted that First National Bank employee
Irene Ransom was retiring. Dunham told the public they should go see the Lion King Show in
Anchorage because it was a great show.
Bardarson also thanked the Wilde family and Ron Long for their dedication and
volunteerism.. Although she could not be at the Grand Opening of the Seward Mountain Haven, she
was on the Wesley Board in 1998 and getting a new facility was a long time coming.
Corbridge wanted everyone to come to the Grand Opening on Saturday for Seward
Mountain Haven. He thought Seward was in a great place to be with the building of this facility.
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS
Oates had just given out the Bird Enterprise Fund Rate Review Study for tomorrow's
meeting, and needed guidance about these important funds for budget purposes.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.
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