HomeMy WebLinkAbout04262010 City Council Minutes City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
April 26, 2010 Volume 38, Page 276
CALL TO ORDER
imp
The April 26, 2010 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00
p.m. by Mayor Willard E. Dunham.
OPENING CEREMONY
Police Chief Tom Clemons led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
Willard E. Dunham presiding and Linda Amberg
Jean Bardarson Bob Valdatta
Vanta Shafer Marianna Keil
Tom Smith
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Phillip Oates, City Manager
Jean Lewis, City Clerk
.. ABSENT — None
CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED
FOR PUBLIC HEARING
Paul Tougas had published the city calendar for four years for the community and he thought
it delivered value to the City of Seward. He was requesting to work and publish the city calendar for
a fee now and asked for support.
Lee Poleske was in favor of Resolution 2010 -031, supporting the Wada Association. He was
on the Iditarod Board, and was always reminding people that Seward was Mile 0 of the Iditarod and
how important Seward was to the Iditarod. Jujiro Wada had pioneered the trail and he thought it
would be an important site to visit for this association, and the city should take advantage of it for all
the exchange activities. Poleske notified that the Iditarod Trailblazer Board members from around
the state would be meeting in Seward for the first time May 7 and 8, 2010, with a public reception
being held.
Edgar Blatchford spoke in favor of Resolution 2010 -031. He apologized for Dr. Nakazawa
who could not make it down to Seward because of a new grandson. Blatchford would stay around to
answer any questions on the Wada Association if needed.
Tim McDonald spoke against the eminent domain on the Gillespie property. He disagreed
that it was a safety issue and not a property issue and that the time frame of six months was not in
line. He listed some property that was expensive to purchase in the past such as; Kawabe, Long
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
April 26, 2010 Volume 38, Page 277
Term Care Facility, and Coffee cup. He wanted the council to think seriously on prices and
negotiations.
Keith Campbell, also spoke in favor of Resolution 2010 -031. He stated he had went to
Japan on a trade mission before, and without them, Seward would not have the coal facility or the
first instructional radar and bridge systems for AVTEC, which were fruits of these kinds of trips.
Campbell thought these trade missions had paid off for the city over the years.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (KeiUBardarson) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
The following was added to the agenda:
A discussion on navigability issues.
Motion Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
The April 12, 2010 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Were Approved.
Resolution 2010 -042, Adopting The Planning And Zoning Commission Priorities From April
awl
2010 To April 2011.
The following Ordinance was introduced by consent and a public hearing was set for May 10, 2010.
Ordinance 2010 -001, Amending The Zoning Map Designation Of Lots 2, 4 & 5, Block 2,
Oceanview, From Single Family Residential (R1) To Auto Commercial (AC) In Compliance
With The Land Use Plan, Located On The West Side Of Third Avenue Between Van Buren
And D Streets.
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations and Awards
A Proclamation Was Read And Presented Honoring Barry Bruning As Spring Creek
Correctional Center's Employee Of The Year.
The Seward City Council Recognized Doreen Valadez For Perseverance In Solving A
30 -Year Cold Case.
A Meritorious Service Bar Was Presented To Doreen Valadez From Police Chief Tom
Clemons From The Seward Police Department. (The only meritorious service bar ever
awarded in Seward)
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
April 26, 2010 Volume 38, Page 278
A Proclamation Was Read Recognizing The Terry's Tires And Lube Sponsored Bike
Rodeo.
A Proclamation Was Read For Super Saturday Clean Up.
A CROP Hunger Walk Day Proclamation Was Read And Presented To Jackie
Campbell.
A Proclamation For National Library Month Was Read And Presented To Patty
Linville.
City Manager's Report, City Manager Phillip Oates had met with the state lobbyist to go
over all the projects and line item vetos that the Governor would be looking at. He noted Phase I
was complete on redoing the electrical under Lowell Point Road. The Electric department stated the
road was open for now and they would begin Phase II as soon as equipment arrived.
Oates stated a job quote, not to exceed $12,000, had been accepted from Alaska Soil
Recycling to remove, sample and dispose of the waste barrels abandoned on City property along
Nash Road in May of 2008. Investigation into this illegal dumping was ongoing with the Police
Department. Oates had attached a memo regarding scoring criteria for the security camera system for
the Police department. He had traveled to Seattle with a contingent from Seward including Mayor
Dunham, Laura Cloward, and other representatives from Seward area businesses. While there, they
visited Holland America, Princess Tours, Northland Services Inc., TOTE, The Freezer Longline
Coalition, and Crowley Maritime Corp to thank those businesses and review opportunities for
improving partnerships with the City. Oates reported on projects that department's were working on,
read in depth all the programs the Parks and Recreation department were conducting, and stated
FEMA/FIRM maps were posted for community review. The Community Development Office was
moving from the Petro Plaza building into city hall next week, and Oates explained the changes of
departments for some of the city's permits. He hoped to have a report on the issue of fluoride in the
near future.
Mayoral Report, Mayor Willard Dunham had a written report laid down before the
council and spoke about a trip taken to Seattle, Washington where they spoke with representatives
about the cruise industry, harbor business, and future partnerships. He had attended the culinary art
training at AVTEC with a guest chef from the Glacier Brewhouse, who had graduated from AVTEC.
Dunham thanked John Foutz for spending hours and hours for working on the GRETC and Lowell
Point Road. He commended his tireless work ethic for the City.
Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations
A Quarterly Report Was Given By Chair Ron Long of The Port And Commerce
Advisory Board.
A Seward Community Library Museum Building Committee Update By Keith
Campbell Was Given.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
April 26, 2010 Volume 38, Page 279
Council recessed at 8:32 p.m.
Council resumed at 8:42 p.m.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Resolution 2010 -031, Supporting The Concept Of The Japan And Alaska
Jujiro Wada Memorial Association Trade Mission Exchanging Opportunities To Grow Travel
Trade Via Tourism Market Promotion Of Marathon And Sport Events And Approving The
Submission Of A $5,000 Discretionary Grant And An Under $2,000 Alaska Humanities Forum
Grant To Assist With Costs Associated With Travel For The Trade Mission Executive
Delegates And Their Planned Proposal.
Motion (Keil/Shafer) Approve Resolution 2010 -031
(As previously stated April 12, 2010)
Amendment (Keil/Bardarson) Accept the revised laydown version which
removed the words "shared sponsorship"
and added "the concept" from the title;
removed the word "sponsor" from the 4th
Whereas and added the word "support"
instead; added wording to the 5 whereas;
removed the words "in state travel and
accommodations, project web site costs" fowl
from the 6 whereas. In Section 2, remove
the word "proposal" and add "concept
proposed", and remove the words "and
agrees to co- sponsor this event" and add
"to promote cultural activities"; in Section 3,
remove the words "any costs associated
with the city share hosting this delegation
in September, 2010, with costs not to exceed
$5,000 coming out of the Mayor /council
Contingency Fund #101 - 1110 - 5690" and
added "air travel costs for the trade mission
executive group and start up of the history
project's website." Add a Section 4 that
reads, "The City of Seward along with other
private and non-profit sponsors agree to hold
a reception and host the first inaugural
Jujiro Wada Memorial Run over the Labor
Day weekend here in Seward."
Amberg wanted to know the actual costs.
Shafer thought other non - profits could assist with putting on the run.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
April 26, 2010 Volume 38, Page 280
Amendment Passed Unanimous
Council unanimously suspended the rules to allow Edgar Blatchford to speak to Resolution
2010 -031.
Main Motion Passed As Amended Unanimous
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 2010 -039, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Agreement With PHT,
LLC dba /Seward City News And Approving Additional Non - Required Electronic Publishing
For The Weekly City Calendar At An Annual Rate Of $2,660 For The Year 2010 And An
Annual Rate Of $3,952 Through December Of 2011.
Motion (Keil/Bardarson) Approve Resolution 2010 -039
Oates explained this was additional non - required electronic publishing of the weekly city
calendar only, to be posted in the Seward City News and recommended approval.
Rules Were Suspended To Allow Questions Answered By Owner, Paul Tougas.
Motion Passed Unanimous
him
Resolution 2010 -040, Selecting "Historic Preservation Exhibit Design For Seward Museum" As
A Grant Project For A State Of Alaska, Department Of Natural Resources, Historic
Preservation Fund Grant, And Authorizing The City Manager To Submit The Grant
Application To The Office Of History And Archaeology, Alaska Division Of Parks And
Outdoor Recreation.
Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Approve Resolution 2010 -040
Oates stated there were minor changes to the title of the agenda statement and an elimination
to the last paragraph because of a proofreading error, but nothing else had changed. This grant
funding must be endorsed by the city council. The focus of this grant was to work with community
planners on museum themes, visitor experiences and interpretive techniques. The total cost of the
project would be $16,050.00, with a local share of $6,420.00 provided by Resurrection Bay Historic
Society as cash and in -kind services.
The laydown agenda statement with changes was supplanted by unanimous consent.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2010 -041, Placing The Seward Light And Power Company Intake Building On The
Seward Register Of Historic Places.
Motion (Bardarson /Amberg) Approve Resolution 2010 -041
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
April 26, 2010 Volume 38, Page 281
Oates narrated the established history in 1995 of the addition of the Seward Register of
Historic Places and the desire for local preservation and recognizing historic properties. This
particular property was on DNR property high up Lowell Canyon and from 1923 to 1950, supported
power to the community.
Amendment (Bardarson /Keil) Add a Section 2 that says; "This
designation is to recognize historical
significance only, with no other legal
ramifications.
Oates thought that was a good amendment stating this building played a significant role in
Seward's past, but placing it on this local historic register was just a recognition and was not binding.
Amendment Passed Unanimous
Main Motion Passed Yes: Valdatta, Amberg, Bardarson,
Shafer, Keil, Mayor Dunham
No: Smith
Resolution 2010 -043, Endorsing The Library Museum Schematic Design Concept As Attached.
Motion KeiUBardarson Approve Resolution 2010 -043
Oates stated the library museum project was selected as the centennial project for 2012 from
a list of community projects. It had gone through an extensive planning process and should be about
16,000 square feet of building. This was for supporting the 35% design concept and there was no
fiscal impact associated with this resolution. Approving money would come in later stages and a
work session would be needed soon.
Motion Passed Unanimous
OTHER NEW BUSINESS
A 1 work session was scheduled for May 27, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. to work on Title 7 issues
with PACAB. A 2 " work session would be on June 21, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
A work session was scheduled for May 27, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. on the library /museum
project.
The work session on wellness initiatives and programs was re- scheduled to June 28, 2010 at
5:00 p.m.
Discussion On Navigability Issues.
Keil spoke about recent meetings in Seward and was distressed about patents not mattering,
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
April 26, 2010 Volume 38, Page 282
how that would affect Metco, and state property ownership issues around meandering creeks such as
4` of July Creek area. She thought if some of these areas were owned by the state, who was
responsible for flood control? She cited the Hunz v SOA case in Juneau, and thought this subject
had some disturbing aspects and ill affects for the community. She requested a work session because
it was important to learn more about navigability issues.
A work session on navigability issues was set for June 7, 2010.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No action required)
February 2010 City Financials
February 2010 Providence Financials
Mayor Dunham's letter sent to Attorney General, re: coal facility.
COUNCILS' COMMENTS
Amberg stated the Boy Scout Jamboree would be here in May with over 900 people and that
historically they always assisted the community with trash pickup.
Keil congratulated Doreen Valadez and Barry Bruning on their prestigious awards. She
notified the community to attend the Borough Assembly meeting in Seward May 4, 2010 because a
big issue was the Borough budget not funding the schools to cap this year
LEN
Bardarson thanked the public for their input on the sidewalks and streets.
Shafer also congratulated Doreen Valadez and Barry Bruning.
Smith thought the city needed to be involved with the Wada Association and thought another
entity could pick up the organization of the running event.
Valdatta asked about the pipeline project and found out it was the Trans -Canada one.
Dunham congratulated the Chamber of Commerce on how many conferences were being
held this year. He also spoke of the 212 military rescue team possibly coming to Seward in May.
Dunham said $4 million dollars was taken off the school budget to cap and had passed by a 6 -3
margin. He thought it was a terrible thing to happen and hoped people would come out in droves
while the Borough Assembly was in Seward May 4, 2010 because this really stressed the schools.
Dunham had also spoken with Patricia Williams on the phone and stated how great it was to speak to
her.
CITIZENS' COMMENTS
Tim McDonald thought it was a consensus among property owners that navigability was just
611-• a land grab that the State made money from. He thought the city of Seward was gravel rich. The
Jujiro Wada Association he liked. He wanted the Association and city to fill the mile and half hole
on the Iditarod trail from Mile 0 to Nash Road by building a bridge back by the runway at the airport
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
April 26, 2010 Volume 38, Page 283
to connect the meridian with the Iditarod trail. He thought they could also use it to protect the
tiiii wetlands. He counted 300 ducks and numerous sandhill cranes at the head of the bay the other day
and thought it could be a world famous spot. McDonald thought government spending was out of
control and they were out of touch with the citizens. He said the federal government was stretched
too thin and the cookie jar would be shut down soon, so he didn't want new infrastructure the city
couldn't pay for later.
Kerry Martin thanked councilmember Keil for bringing up navigability. He had been
surprised the city and borough had not been involved much before now. He stated this potentially
clouded the ownership title. Martin also stated there would be over 1025 boy scouts in town on May
21, 2010 and they would be having a concert on Friday night on the beach that would be open to the
public.
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS - None
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:20 p.m.
...----_- '.---2A3 7 /5i
,r '
Jean wis CMC ! / .. Willard E. Dunham
kJ
City Jerk `� « "! •• ••, Mayor
` Ot �4or •
e •#.
(City Seal) • 'i S g
K
.- i
I. I : – —
. .• 41 ). °••.. .....•° Q• 4 •
•
••.•g7E P