HomeMy WebLinkAbout05242010 City Council Minutes City of Seward, Alaska
May 24, 2010 City Council Minutes
Volume 38, Page 290
CALL TO ORDER
The May 24, 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
Bob Valdatta Vanta Shafer
Marianna Keil Tom Smith
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Phillip Oates, City Manager
Johanna Dollerhide, Acting City Clerk
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ABSENT — Jean Bardarson
CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED
FOR PUBLIC HEARING
Margaret Anderson spoke in support of the Boys and Girls Club and requested financial
support from the city.
Christy Terry said currently there were no foster programs in Seward and she encouraged
anyone to contact her for more information regarding the process.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Keil/Shafer) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Resolution 2010 -052 was added to the consent agenda.
The following was added to the agenda:
Under Other New Business, rescheduling the May 27, 2010 work sessions was added.
,,• Motion Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
May 24, 2010 Volume 38, Page 291
The May 10, 2010 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Were Approved.
Non Objection of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission's approval to vacate
portions of rights -of -way within the City of Seward described as; First Avenue, Kelly Avenue,
Hemlock Street, Van Buren Street, C Street, D Street, Pine Street and 20 -foot alleyways, and
vacation of public access and utility easements associated with a replat of lots within Federal
Addition USS 1116 (SW 4); Laubner Addition (SW 2); Park Place Subdivision (SW 2004 -11);
Federal Addition AVTEC Replat (SW 2009 -12); and USS 703; within Sections 3, 4, 9 and 10,
Township 1S, R1W, Seward Meridian.
Resolution 2010 -049, Adopting The Port And Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB) Priorities
From April 2010 To April 2011.
Resolution 2010 -050, Accepting A Grant In The Amount Of $4,568.25 From The Alaska
Highway Safety Office For 2010 May- September ASTEP Driving Under The Influence (DUI)
Enforcement Campaign And Appropriating Funds.
Resolution 2010 -051, Authorizing The Discharge Of Fireworks By The Chamber Of
Commerce During The 2010 Independence Day Celebration.
Resolution 2010-052, Authorizing The City Manager To Accept Revenue Funds Received
From The Forest Service Railbelt Wild Land Fire And Appropriate A Portion Of These Funds
To The Seward Fire Department 2010 Budget For Unanticipated Expenses.
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations and Awards
A proclamation was read for Military Appreciation Day.
The Firefighter of the Year, Distinguished Services Award, and Community Member
Recognition Awards were awarded to Michael Vander Vegt, Jillian Chapman, and Elle
and Steve Zernia.
A proclamation was read for the 100 anniversary of the Sacred Heart Church.
A welcome was given to the Harley Owners Group in Seward June 10 -12, 2010.
A proclamation was read acknowledging the Alaska Boy Scout Jamboree in Seward
May 21- 23,2010.
City Manager's Report, City Manager Phillip Oates stated the Resurrection Bay
Conservation Alliance filed an appeal to the 9 Circuit regarding attorney fees. The Trustees of
Alaska wanted the city to pay approximately $125,000 in legal fees. This Thursday, May 27, 2010
was the annual Combat Fishing Tournament. The following purchases had been made between
City of Seward, Alaska
May 24, 2010 City Council Minutes
Volume 38, Page 292
$10,000- 50,000: an electrical transformer for the new Z float which was purchased through the
Denali Commission grant funding for the project at a cost of $11,790 and assisting the Alaska Sealife
Center by helping them to access a more cost - effective vehicle purchase, which was approximately
$25,677. The City was able to utilize the State's preferential bid price to purchase a Ford F250 truck
and pass both the cost and the vehicle on to the Sealife Center. This would be brought forward for
council approval, as required.
Boat owners were encouraged to schedule any travelifts at least a week in advance to assure
their preferred dates. West Construction would begin blasting quarry rock the first part of June in
preparation of the completion on the extension of the east breakwater in the harbor. The
installation should be completed by the end of October. FEMA Public Meetings on the revised
FIRM Maps for the Seward Area were scheduled on June 17, 2010 from 6:00 pm — 8:00 pm in the
Rae Building Auditorium. The Flood Insurance Study for the Kenai Peninsula Borough in the
Seward/Bear Creek Vicinity had been revised to include updating the flood maps that represent the
regulatory floodplain. These maps would be used by the Kenai Peninsula Borough and the City of
Seward for floodplain management and permitting purposes. Community Development was working
with musicians to provide music in Kawabe Park on Fridays and Saturdays during the summer
season.
Public Works Administration was preparing strategies for storm surge work (Lowell Point &
SeaLife Center), preparing an RFP /Invitation to Bid for Lowell Creek Bridge Repair, documenting
bike path repairs, and attended FEMA Benefit Cost Analysis Training. Water /Wastewater staff was
doing pump work at pressure station, electrical work at lift stations, information gathering for M.L.
Foster Wastewater Study, working with Prosser Dagg on ARRA project (Phase I of North Seward
Water Storage Tank Project), and prepping for Coast Guard re- location to N.E. boat harbor area.
Streets staff were cleaning streets, doing ditching work, scoping sidewalk repairs, and doing storm
Surge Repair. Shop staff continued the maintenance of vehicles, shop safety inspection, and
preparing vehicles for the next surplus auction.
Mayoral Report, Mayor Willard Dunham stated he had more meetings than he could
handle including an Arbor Day Celebration, Poppy Day, the Boy Scouts celebration in Seward, and
Military Appreciation Day. A written report would be available at the next meeting. He noted
tomorrow there was a coordinated transportation meeting working on public transportation at 11:30
a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Senior Center. Shelly Knopik from Aurora/Suneel/Ak Railroad/Usibelli had
retired after 21 years.
Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations
A presentation was given by John Bost on the City of Seward Annual Audit.
A Providence Annual Report was given by Chris Bolton.
A presentation was given on the Economic Development Assessment.
Council took a brief recess at 8:25 p.m.
Council resumed at 8:30 p.m.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
May 24, 2010 Volume 38, Page 293
PUBLIC HEARING
Resolution 2010 -047, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Amendment To The
Lease Agreement 94 -092 With ACS Wireless, Inc., As Successor In Interest To Mactel Cellular
System, For 707 Nash Road, Described As A Portion Of U.S.S. 4828 Within Section 12, T1S,
R1 W, Seward Meridian, Seward Recording District, Third Judicial District, State Of Alaska,
For The Purpose Of Extending The Term Of The Lease To June 30, 2015 And Approving A
Sublease To GCI Communication Corp.
Motion (Shafer /Keil) Approve Resolution 2010 -047
Oates stated ACS Wireless currently obtained this lease for a cell phone tower and electrical
structure and their lease expired this month, with one more extension allowed. The annual rate
would increase from $800 to $1,600.
Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public
hearing was opened. No one appeared to address the Council and the public hearing was closed.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2010 -048, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Easement Agreement
With GCI Communication, Corp. For A Temporary And Non - Exclusive Fifteen Foot (15)
Utility Easement, At 707 Nash Road, Seward, Alaska, Located Within A Portion Of Lot 1,
Fourth Of July Creek Subdivision, Number 2, Plat No. 98 -09, Seward Recording District,
Seward Meridian, Alaska, Township 1 South Range 1 West Section 12, And Located Within A
Portion Of Tract 112, Fourth Of July Creek Subdivision, Roberts Replat, Plat No. 2006 -12,
Seward Recording District, Containing 1,215 Sq. Ft. + / -. Notice of the public hearing being
posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. No one
appeared to address the Council and the public hearing was closed.
Motion (Keil/Shafer) Approve Resolution 2010 -048
Oates stated GCI entered into a sublease agreement with ACS Wireless. GCI was using a
private power line and this resolution would approve a temporary easement allowing the use of this
land for the existing improvements through June 30, 2014. GCI had prepaid the administrative costs
and administration recommended approval.
Mayor Dunham stated a possible conflict of interest as he leased land with GCI. Council ruled
a conflict did not exist.
Motion Passed Unanimous
OTHER NEW BUSINESS
Council scheduled a land policies and procedure work session on July 1, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
and would invite PACAB to attend.
City of Seward, Alaska
May 24, 2010 City Council Minutes
Volume 38, Page 294
Discussion on resuming DMV motorcycle testing in Seward. Councilmember Amberg requested
this item be brought forward. It was becoming very inconvenient to obtain a motorcycle license.
Police Chief Tom Clemons explained the service was originally discontinued by the Department of
Motor Vehicles. The dimensions for the testing area were very large and difficult to find, and they
needed a level, paved lot free of cracks and holes. They had been looking for places to conduct
testing. He explained potential costs and wasn't worried about meeting those costs. He was on
board with having testing, but it was difficult finding an adequate site. Council directed staff to look
into potential sites such as the Middle School parking lot, the North Parking lot in the Harbor, and
the airport road and report back to council.
Council rescheduled the May 27, 2010 work sessions. The Library/Museum funding options
work session was rescheduled to June 14, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. The Title 7 updates and PACAB
recommendations work session was rescheduled to June 24, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No action required)
City of Seward Financial Report.
Letter from Governor's office to City Manager Oates regarding support and summarization of
Seward Capital Projects.
List of City Council Work Sessions scheduled through June.
Cruise Ship Transportation Contract Update given by Community Development Director Christy
Terry.
CITIZENS' COMMENTS - None
COUNCILS' COMMENTS
Shafer was happy to see people visiting Seward and the weather cooperating.
Smith congratulated the finance department on a successful audit.
Keil thanked the volunteers for the Fire Department and the nice award ceremony for them
this evening. She was pleased to see younger volunteers. The hospital was acting financially
responsible and she was happy with that. She hoped the cruise ship transportation busses were
successful and was inspired from tonight's economic development report to promote Seward
businesses better.
Dunham complimented the Military Appreciation Day activities. He attended the Poppy Day
celebration in the Seward Schools and thanked those coming and participating in the Combat Fishing
imp Tournament this year. The AT &T tower was up and thanked those responsible — Steve Schafer who
worked tirelessly to get the tower up and Gary Brekke of AT &T. He thanked all the people who
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
May 24, 2010 Volume 38, Page 295
helped clean up Seward on Super Saturday Clean Up. He challenged the community to keep it clean
and encouraged those to pick up trash when they see it.
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS - None
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m.
J hanna Doller ide, CMC Willard E. Dunham
Acting City Clerk Mayor
(City Seal)
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