HomeMy WebLinkAbout07232012 City Council MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska
July 23, 2012 City Council Minutes
Volume 38 Page 861
CALL TO ORDER
The July 23, 2012 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00
p.m. by Mayor David Seaward.
OPENING CEREMONY
Sgt. Doreen Valadez led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
David Seaward presiding and
Jean Bardarson
Vanta Shafer
Ristine Casagranda
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Jim Hunt, City Manager
Cheryl Brooking, City Attorney
Johanna Kinney, City Clerk
Absent — Christy Terry, Bob Valdatta
Marianna Keil
Bob Valdatta
CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED
FOR PUBLIC HEARING
Darryl Schaefermeyer submitted an application to be reappointed to the Port And
Commerce Advisory Board ( PACAB).
Steve Fink was currently a member of PACAB and hoped council would consider him
for another term. He expressed support for the Coastal Villages project, and wanted to continue
working with PACAB and the city on this project.
Joe Fong was the new interim administrator for Seward Providence Medical Center and
introduced himself to the council and community. He had been in Anchorage for the last 11
years at Providence and was excited to be in Seward and looked forward to working with the
council.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Bardarson /Keil)
Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Motion Passed Unanimous
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
July 23 2 012 Volume 38, Page 862
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
The July 9, 2012 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes were approved.
Non -Code Ordinance 2012 -007, Appropriating Funds To Make Expenditures Which Could
Influence The Outcome Of An Election Concerning A Ballot Proposition Addressing
Exemption Of City Of Seward Municipal Elected And Appointed Officials From The
Requirements Of Chapter 39.50 Of The Alaska Statutes, (State Of Alaska Public Official
Financial Disclosure Law) In An Amount Not To Exceed $1,500. (Introduced and set for
public hearing and enactment for August 13, 2012)
Resolution 2012 -051, Accepting A State Of Alaska FY2013 Grant -In -Aid For $1,998.45 For
The Purpose Of Purchasing Archival -Grade Packing Materials For the Seward
Community Library Museum And Appropriating Funds.
Resolution 2012 -052, Supporting Kenai Peninsula Borough Ordinance 2012 -28, Amending
Borough Code To Provide That All Seats Of The Seward -Bear Creek Flood Service Area
Board Shall Be Filled By Residents Of The Service Area And Eliminating The
Requirement That Four Of The Seats Be Residents Of The City Of Seward And Three Be
Residents Of The Rest Of The Service Area.
Resolution 2012 -053, Accepting A State Of Alaska Designative Legislature Grant To
Renovate The Restrooms Located At The Harbormasters Building On 4 th Avenue, In The
Amount Of $130,000 And Appropriating Funds.
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations & Awards
The Obihiro Japan Exchange Students were introduced by Seward International
Friendship Association representative Phyllis Shoemaker.
A Proclamation was read for Sister Cities Appreciation Week.
Chamber of Commerce Report, Cindy Clock stated Seward Halibut Tournament
raised almost $5,000 more than last year. Out of the ten halibut that were tagged, one tagged
halibut was caught for $250. Although the auction for Mt. Marathon brought in less this year, the
entry fees for the race made up the difference. Clock had received many calls, emails and letters
from and for the LeMaitre family and those injured from the Mount Marathon Race expressing
their gratitude and support.
For the 57 Silver Salmon Derby, in addition to the tagged fish, Chevrolet was having a
tagged fish for a 2012 vehicle. To follow up on the 2010 Economic Development Assessment, a
work session was scheduled by the chamber for Monday, July 30, 2012. The Small Business
Development Center would be hosting a start-up business work shop in Seward with Bryan Zak.
Zak was also always available by appointment.
City of Seward, Alaska
July 23, 2012 City Council Minutes
Volume 38, Page 863
City Manager's Report, Ron Long stated the community lost Gene Skinner last night.
He was a former mayor and a known figure in the community. Long announced there would be
more announcements coming and asked the council to keep the family in the thoughts and
prayers.
The following expenditures between $10,000 and $50,000 were approved by the City
Manager since the last council meeting: 250 -ton slings and wire rope for $16,834.27, foundation
for silencer building for electric department for $14,570, and roof replacement on generator #
and #6 building for electric department for $18,500.
The annual welcome party for the Japanese Exchange students from Sister City in
Obihiro, Japan would be on Wednesday, July 25, 2012. The Division of Elections announced
they had moved the polling location for voters in the Seward City Limits to the KM Rae
Building at 125 3rd Avenue. In addition to this change, the polling location for Lowell Point
voters has changed to this location so voters do not have to bypass through Seward to vote out at
Bear Creek. Parks and Recreation was planning on utilizing the Hazard Waste day at the dump
on Saturday, July 21, 2012. Campgrounds had been busy and pretty much full since before the
4th of July. The Parking Department just got new radios for their department and upgraded and
installed new parking lot signs. The Teen and Youth Center had a successful Summer Splash
event, raising over $2,000 for their High School Scholarship Fund.
The Harbor was working on a proposed tariff change to offer the possibility of permanent
bum moorage for longer vessels including some of the Coastal Villages fleet. Deputy Harbormaster
Norm Regis recently completed an on -line course in Harbor Administration through University
of Alaska Southeast. The Coast Guard performed their annual security inspection on July 18,
2012. They found no deficiencies and they made only two very minor comments. The Corps of
Engineers awarded the Small Boat Harbor dredging work to West Construction. The city planned
to contract with Metco for $47,270 for the preparation of the dredged material site at SMIC. The
office staff was getting closer to having the new software system operational.
In Public Works, the Seward Marine Center Dolphin Project complete and they were now
just waiting for As- Builts. The L.P.W.W.T.P (Lowell Point Waste Water Treatment Plant) 1991
Sludge compost piles at SMIC should be removed by July of 2013. The department was looking
at 2012 budget numbers to prepare for modifications if necessary.
City Attorney's Report, Cheryl Brooking provided handouts related to the Open
Meetings Act (OMA) and state statutes. Brooking noted the few exceptions to the Open
Meetings Act, stated remedies for failure to comply, enforcement procedures, and selected cases
from the past. She defined what a public meeting was and the requirements for providing proper
notice to the public. There were no longer different rules for decision making bodies versus
advisory committees. Now, more than three or a majority, whichever is less, constituted a
meeting. Social occasions did not constitute an official meeting, unless there was discussion
related to official business. Meetings could be considered to be in person, on the telephone, and
through email. She elaborated on the rules and procedures for holding executive sessions and
stressed the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of attorney - client privilege.
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July 23 2012 Volume 38, Page 864
Mayoral Report, David Seaward gave condolences to the Skinner family. He read a
letter from Kushiro, Korea for the Silver Salmon Derby which honored the 30` Anniversary of
the Sister Port agreement. Seaward was contacted today by Department of Corrections (DOC)
Commissioner Schmidt regarding the staffing changes coming at Spring Creek Correction Center
(SSCC). Tomorrow the Deputy Commissioner for the DOC would be in Seward to meet with
Seaward, the Vice Mayor and city administration. He was just notified about this today.
Keil said she had read the mayor's posting on Seward City News regarding the changes
at Spring Creek Correctional Center (SSCC) and thought it implied that council discussed it and
that was the body's policy instead if Seaward's own personal opinion. Keil requested that
Seaward, when providing his personal opinion on a matter, explicitly state that for the record and
not sign it or imply that he was speaking in his role as mayor.
Shafer said she heard the Mayor speaking on the radio in Kenai and thought he did well.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 2012 -054, Allocating Funds For Dredging And Required Site Preparation Work
For Dredging The Small Boat Harbor Pursuant To The City's Agreement With The U.S.
Army Corps Of Engineers And Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into The
Required Contract In The Amount Of $465,618 And To Rescind Resolution 2012 -035.
Motion (Bardarson /Shafer)
Approve Resolution 2012 -054
Harbormaster Mack Funk said he had previously asked for funding for the dredging
removal project and was now asking council to approve this resolution and rescind the former
one. The result was there was more commercial passenger vessel funding through this resolution
and less total money involved here. He was recommending that the harbor dredge two of three
local responsibility areas within the harbor and set aside the third area for now that was
designated for smaller boats with shallower keels, and therefore was less of a priority.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2012 -055, Authorizing Construction Of A Seawall To Protect Underground
Utilities Located At SMIC, In An Amount Not To Exceed $40,000 And Appropriating
Funds.
Motion (Bardarson /Keil)
Approve Resolution 2012 -055
Long pointed out in the lay down picture how the wave erosion had undercut the area in
question by about 200' near the utility pedestal and the tower had been vacated because of the
erosion. There was sufficient rock and rip rap in reserve storage at the quarry for this type of
emergency and crews were ready to proceed as directed.
Motion Passed Yes: Bardarson, Shafer, Keil, Seaward
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
July 23, 2012 Volume 38, Page 865
No: Casagranda
Resolution 2012 -056 Stating An Intent To Fund $490,000 For The Lowell Point And SMIC
Lagoons Sludge Removal Project, Subject To Receiving A Loan In That Amount,
Authorizing A Loan Application With The Alaska Clean Water Fund And Authorizing
The City Manager To Accept A Loan Offer From The Alaska Clean Water Fund With
Payments Subject To Bi- Annual Appropriation.
Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Approve Resolution 2012 -056
Long said administration was still seeking grant funding for this project, but wanted to
have other options in place. He said if council authorized this application, it would strengthen the
city's position to apply for grants.
Motion to Amend (Bardarson /Keil)
Amend Resolution 2012 -056, changing
payment schedule from "Bi- Annual" to
"Annual" in the title.
Motion To Amend Passed
Unanimous
Main Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2012 -057, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Grant Agreement
.. With The Alaska Department Of Environmental Conservation Municipal Matching Grant
Program With A Total Award Of $2,508,000 For Phase II Of The North Seward Water
Storage Tank And Pumping Facility Project, And Appropriating Funds.
Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Approve Resolution 2012 -057
Motion to Amend (Seaward /Bardarson)
Amend Resolution 2012 -057, changing
the amount in the Eighth Whereas from
"$2,510,000" To "$2,508,000 ".
Motion To Amend Passed
Unanimous
Casagranda asked if there was grant paperwork available, including project completion
date. Long stated this would come back to council at a later time. Public Works Director W.C.
Casey stated that on page 88 of the packet was the formal letter to the city manager, but they had
not yet received formal grant paperwork.
Main Motion Passed
Unanimous
Resolution 2012 -058, Stating An Intent To Fund $400,000 For The Maple Street Sewer
Line Project Subject To Receiving A Loan In That Amount, Authorizing A Loan
Application With The Alaska Clean Water Fund And Authorizing The City Manager To
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July 23, 2012 Volume 38, Page 866
Enter Into A Loan Agreement With The Alaska Drinking Water Fund With Annual
Payments Not To Exceed $24,000, And Subject To Annual Appropriation.
Motion (Bardarson /Kell) Approve Resolution 2012 -058
Casey stated the intent was to use and leverage the approval of the loan to apply for a
70/30 matching grant, which would be a cost savings, in order to develop a redundant sewer in
the area of the senior care facility. The result of this grant would be instead of the city taking out
a loan in the amount of $400,000, the city could receive a grant for $300,000 and only have to
pay $100,000 for the project.
Bardarson was concerned about the city having the cash flow to pay for their portion of
the loan payment, and asked that council be informed prior to entering into a financial
commitment. Casey replied that in 2013 the city would be retiring some debt, and could enable
the city to handle making payments on a loan of $90,000- 100,000 at 1.5% interest.
Motion to Amend (Bardarson/Keil)
Motion to Amend Passed
Main Motion Passed
OTHER NEW BUSINESS
Amend Resolution 2012 -058, creating a
new section 4 that reads, "The City
Manager is directed to report to Council
a payment schedule and final loan
amount before execution."
Unanimous
Unanimous
Council unanimously voted to appoint Darryl Schaefermeyer, Bruce Jaffa and Steven Fink to the
Port and Commerce Advisory Board with terms expiring July 2015.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No action required)
Letter from Senator Mark Begich congratulating Seward on 100 years of incorporation.
Letter from the City of Kushiro acknowledging the 30 Anniversary of the signing of the Sister
Port Agreement with the City of Seward.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Bardarson welcomed the Japanese exchange students and remembered when she was an
exchange student herself many years ago. She offered condolences to the Gene Skinner family
and said he contributed a lot to our community and would be greatly missed. She thanked
Schaefermeyer, Fink and Jaffa and Ms. Bablinskas for applying for PACAB. She reminded
everyone that there were openings on the Planning & Zoning Commission as well as the Flood
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July 23, 2012 City Council Minutes
Volume 38, Pa�qe 86?
Board. She thanked the Finance Department for the work they did to get their records recaptured
and their system up and running again.
Keil thanked council for their support while she was out during her mother's recent
passing. She said mother was a special person who was an active community volunteer who
provided service and wished nothing in return, much like members of this council.
Shafer asked council and administration to consider creating a long -range a plan for
dealing with global environmental events, like the impact of global warming and coastal erosion
on our community. Mr. Skinner would be missed. Also, the sound system in council chambers
needed to be replaced badly. She requested administration provide a report to council about
sidewalk repairs. She was happy to see the Japanese students here, and said she made a trip to
Obihiro, Japan about ten years ago. She offered her condolences to Councilmember Keil.
Long gave his condolences to the Skinner family, and welcomed back Councilmember
Keil. He congratulated the Seward students who would be traveling to Japan, and welcomed
those who were visiting us now. He congratulated those appointed to PACAB. He committed
administration to bring council sidewalk and ADA access improvements in the very near future.
Seaward thanked the public for watching, and Martha Fleming and GCI for broadcasting
the meeting. He thanked the Fire Department and the volunteers for the Mount Marathon search
for Michael LeMaitre.
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CITIZENS' COMMENTS
Sue McClure thanked council for the support resolution for the Seward /Bear Creek
Flood Service Area Board. She encouraged people to apply for the seats. She said tomorrow
would be a permitting information day at Legend's and there would be people available to
answer a variety of questions. She hoped staff would bring forward a sidewalk status /plan soon.
Darryl Schaefermeyer thanked council for their vote of confidence for him and his
colleagues on PACAB. He thanked the city for their cooperation in working with the Alaska
SeaLife Center.
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS
Keil said she almost hit a bear when traveling to the meeting tonight.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
Volume 38, Page 868
July 23 2012
J .oha l � nn a a Kinney, CMC D eawar
y Clerk Mayor
(City Seal)
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