HomeMy WebLinkAbout08222011 City Council Minutes •
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
August 22, 2011 Volume 38, Page 647
CALL TO ORDER
The August 22, 2011 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
Jean Bardarson Vanta Shafer
Marianna Keil Bob Valdatta
Ristine Casagranda
Comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Phillip Oates, City Manager
Johanna Kinney, City Clerk
Brenda Ballou, Deputy City Clerk
Absent — Tom Smith
CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED
FOR PUBLIC HEARING - None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
The following was pulled from the agenda:
Ordinance 2011 -005 Amending Portions Of Seward City Code 15.10.220 Development
Requirements Table 15.10.225 Land Uses Allowed And 15.10.225 Land Uses Allowed Table To
Change, Update And Accommodate The Wishes Of The Public.
The following was added to the agenda:
Discussion on City Manager hire.
Schedule work session to discuss extending the transfer pit and the length of the rails at
ow. Seward Ship's DryDock to accommodate US Coast Guard vessels.
Motion Passed Unanimous
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
August 22, 2011 Volume 38, Page 648
J
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
The August 3, 2011 City Council Special Meeting Minutes And The August 8, 2011 City
Council Regular Meeting Minutes Were Approved.
Council Scheduled A Special Meeting For August 29, 2011 To Approve The Contract For
Marine Engineering Services For The Seward Marine Industrial Center For The Development
Of A Harbor Breakwater And Harbor Expansion Project To Follow Adjournment Of The 6:00
P.M. Building Codes Work Session.
Resolution 2011 -063, Appropriating Funds In The Amount Of 7,322.00 From The Harbor
Enterprise Fund Balance To Cover Excess Costs Associated With Critical Float Repairs.
Resolution 2011 -064, Appropriating $250,000 In Grant Funds From The State Of Alaska For
Alutiiq Pride Shellfish Hatchery Improvements And Expanding Shellfish Aquaculture In
Alaska.
Resolution 2011 -065, Appropriating $304,290 In Library Grant Funds And Approving
Amendment No. 3 For The Contract With Rise ECI /Hyer For Architectural Services During
The Construction Phase Of The Seward Museum /Library.
Resolution 2011 -066, Appropriating $144,965 In Library Grant Funds And Approving
Amendment No. 4 For The Contract With Rise Alaska For Project Management During The
Construction Phase Of The Seward Museum /Library.
Resolution 2011 -067, Authorizing The City Manager To Submit An Application To The
Alaska Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund For An Aggregate Amount Not To Exceed
$678,533 To Pay The Cost Of Energy Upgrades At The Alaska SeaLife Center Building.
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations and Awards
The following proclamations and awards were given:
1. Founder's Day Proclamation
2. National Preparedness Month
3. Welcome to Alaska Recreation and Park Association (ARPA)
Representative Chris Tuck, District 29, South Central Anchorage, made an impromptu
visit and was recognized by the Mayor. He said there were 138 high schools in the state of Alaska
with fewer than 30 students; of that, roughly 70 high schools had less than 10 students. He was
concerned about keeping children in school because if there were fewer than six students in the
school, the school would be closed. The Jesse Lee Home School project was a great solution for
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
August 22, 2011 Volume 38, Page 649
those few students from many rural areas throughout the state to attend a good school, without the
entire family having to uproot and move from their community. Having the Jesse Lee Horne School
open up would provide a sense of pride for the community and students alike. He encouraged the
council to keep moving forward with the project.
Chamber of Commerce Report, Cindy Clock stated the Silver Salmon Derby was a great
success. Ticket sales: 4,500 daily tickets sold; 3,500 Derby tickets sold; 2,000 more pounds of fish
turned in this year than last year; total poundage turned in this year was 12,314 pounds. She thanked
the 150 volunteers who took part and supported the Derby and she thanked the city and harbor for
their support. She noted that women fishermen carne on strong this year. The Discovery Channel
filmed during the Derby and would be showing it late this year or early in 2012. The Derby volunteer
appreciation would be a Fox Island dinner cruise on September 2, 2011.
The Chamber would be working with the Alaska Railroad to host the first -ever Fall Foliage
Train on September 17 -18, 2011; passengers would receive passbooks (printed by the Alaska
Railroad) to bring around to businesses to be stamped. The Chamber would also host the Meet the
Candidates night prior to the election.
City Manager's Report, City Manager Phillip Oates thanked the Chamber for a successful
Silver Salmon Derby. He also recognized several new employees: Robert Ivy joined the Police
Department as a new dispatcher; Shannon Huston would be starting in mid - September as the new
Electric Executive Assistant; and Tarrah Beals started as the new Utility Counter
Cashier /Receptionist.
Oates asked for an agenda item to be added to the September 26, 2011 City Council regular
meeting agenda regarding the Management & Operating Agreement for Seward Ship's DryDock.
Oates and Mayor Dunham would be meeting with Governor Parnell's Chief of Staff on
August 30, 2011 to discuss the Coastal Villages Region Fund.
The City of Seward received two responses to the recent request for proposal regarding the
Seward Marine Industrial Center's engineering contract; one from R &M Consultants and one from
PND Engineers Incorporated. R &M Consultants would be awarded the bid at the August 29, 2011
Special Meeting of the City Council.
The Scheffler Creek Pedestrian Bridge was opened this evening with a ribbon cutting
ceremony. Oates invited everyone to go and visit the bridge.
The closing for the general obligation bond for the Library Museum Project would be held on
September 14 -15, 2011. As City Manager, Oates would be accompanied by the Finance Director
Kris Erchinger, City Clerk Johanna Kinney, and City Attorney Cheryl Brooking.
Mayor's Report, Mayor Willard E. Dunham stated this had been a ribbon - cutting month.
It was a great Derby; he complimented the work the Chamber did and noted he enjoyed being a
judge. Dunham said he attended the Mayors' Conference in Sitka and he had the opportunity to
speak with the NAPCO representative from Washington, D.C. plus two mayors who asked to get
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
August 22, 2011 Volume 38, Page 650
involved in funding for the US Army Corps of Engineers project. Dunham spoke with Attorney
General Tom Burns about the permit process and that its benefit for the state; following up on that
conversation, Dunham spoke today with Assistant Attorney General Tim Condon from Juneau and
said he wanted the state to get involved. Randy Ruaro, Deputy Chief of Staff, and Senator Stedman
asked about the progress of the Library Museum Project; the Senator said he saw more money going
into that project and that other cities were pursuing similar endeavors. The city received an invitation
from Yeosu, Korea for five people to attend the World Expo as their guests in May 21 -24, 2012. The
Jujiro Wada group would be coming in September, bringing 25 visitors to go to Nome and
Fairbanks, and they also wanted to come to mile zero in Seward.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Resolution 2011 -061, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Lease Agreement With
The United States Of America For Tract A, Marina Subdivision, Seward Small Boat Harbor,
For The Purpose Of Operating A Marine Dispatch Building. 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 (Bardarson /Keil) Approve Resolution 2011 -061
Oates recognized Scott Bartlett from the Army Recreation Center. He also recognized Kari
Anderson and thanked her for her service as Harbormaster.
Scott Bartlett stated that he saw the potential for upgrading the existing building. It had been
five years since the project started; most of the delays had been due to the Army Corps of Engineers
giving the land back to the City of Seward. He said it was important to get the project off the ground
this year.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2011 -062, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Amendment To The
Lease Agreement 75 -055 With The United States Of America For Lot 2, Block 6, Marina
Subdivision, Seward Small Boat Harbor, For The Purpose Of Extending The Term Of The
Lease To October 31, 2011. 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 (Bardarson /Keil) Approve Resolution 2011 -062
Oates stated this lease extension of one month would allow the US Coast Guard enough time
to move their building; no costs would be incurred by the city.
Mayor Dunham asked why the city had to go through this legal process; Oates responded that
the relationship between the US Coast Guard and the Alaska Railroad made things more
complicated.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
August 22, 2011 Volume 38, Page 651
Motion Passed Unanimous
NEW BUSINESS
Ordinances for Introduction
Ordinance 2011 -004, Amending Portions Of Seward City Code 15.10.140 Definitions To
Change, Update And Accommodate The Wishes Of The Public.
Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Introduce Ordinance 2011 -004
Mayor Dunham questioned why these actions were being taken at this time. Assistant City
Manager /Community Development Director Michelle Weston replied that it was part of an
ongoing effort to update the language of the Land Use Code.
Vice Mayor Bardarson asked if the language relating to the new Brewpub definition could be
expanded to include `brewing is primarily for on- premise consumption, with limited off - premise
sales...'
Mayor Dunham was concerned with tightening definitions when there hasn't been a lot of
discussion. Weston suggested they have a work session for the Council and the Planning & Zoning
Commission.
L
Motion to Postpone (Keil /Shafer) Introduction of Ordinance 2011 -004
Postponed to the October 24, 2011
Meeting
Motion Passed Unanimous Consent
Discussion on City Manager hire.
City Clerk Johanna Kinney sought further direction relating to scheduling a date for in-
person interviews for the three candidates. The evening of September 8, 2011 worked for all of
council. There would be a public reception from 5:00 -7:00 p.m., with the interviews to follow at 7:00
p.m. Dunham asked if the Bear Room at the SeaLife Center would be available for the reception.
Kinney asked council to consider how they wanted to perform reference checks on the candidates.
Shafer wanted council to perform the reference checks instead of hiring a consultant, but was
comfortable using a consultant from AMLJIA. Kinney would present final interview questions at the
Special Meeting on August 29, 2011 for council's approval.
Council scheduled a work session to discuss extending Seward Ship's DryDock enclosed work
area in order to accommodate the US Coast Guard vessels for October 10, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Shafer was pleased to hear about the reconsideration of the size of parking spaces by the
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
August 22, 2011 Volume 38, Page 652
Planning & Zoning Commission.
Keil congratulated Kari Anderson and sent her best wishes. Regarding the Flood Service
Area Board, Keil stated no one had applied; there was the potential to make it an at -large seat.
Dunham suggested they appoint a council member to attend instead. The Planning & Zoning
Commission and Historic Preservation Commission both also had vacancies.
Bardarson thanked Kari Anderson, and the Chamber for the Derby.
Casagranda thanked the Chantaqua Circus Fair, Gail Bernard and the Seward Arts Council;
she wished everyone good luck for school starting tomorrow.
Valdatta was concerned about PND as a vendor.
Dunham sent his condolences to Karen Swartz's family; she was a council member for eight
years; she helped found SAAMS for the Alaska SeaLife Center and helped found the native clinic.
He congratulated the Chamber on a well -run Derby. The Obihiro mural project by the Seward Mural
Society may be a project that the council would have to get involved in.
CITIZENS' COMMENTS - None
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS - None
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:52 p.m.
a
Johanna Ki ► ney NBC / illard E. Dunh
City Clerk l � 4 '� ��'�
Mayor
i pso it (City 0 OF S E , q ' � , � i •
t #:% ••••: 0
•
• • SEAL
• • i EAL i�
• 1 *
-.4, O r 5 O s