HomeMy WebLinkAbout08262013 City Council Minutes City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
August 26, 2013 Volume 39, Page 185
CALL TO ORDER
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irr The August 26,2013 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00
p.m. by Mayor David Seaward.
OPENING CEREMONY
Lt. Louis Tiner led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
David Seaward presiding and
Vanta Shafer Bob Valdatta
Jean Bardarson Christy Terry
Marianna Keil
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Jim Hunt, City Manager
Brenda Ballou, Acting City Clerk
Absent—Ristine Casagranda
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR
PUBLIC HEARING
Tim McDonald commented on how successful the salmon season has been so far this year.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Terry/Bardarson) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Motion Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
Resolution 2013-066, Accepting Funds For The Seward Historic Preservation Commission's
FY2013 Certified Local Government(CLG) Grant Award For Review And Revision Of The
Seward Historic Preservation Plan In The Amount Of$13,420,Including$8,052 Federal Share
And $5,368 Non-Federal In-Kind Contributions, And Appropriating Funds.
Resolution 2013-067, Authorizing The City Manager To Accept Grant Funds From The
Alaska Division Of Homeland Security And Emergency Management In The Amount Of
$8,160.00 For Travel Expenses In Connection With Preparation For The Alaska Shield 2014
Exercise, And Appropriating Funds.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
August 26, 2013 Volume 39, Page 186
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Formal Introductions of Delegates from Obihiro,Japan were made:
Honorable Mayor Norihisa Yonezawa
City Council President Katsunori Nohara
Mayor's Office Manager Toshihiko Sekiguchi
International & Domestic Relations Section Staff Takahiro Nishioka
International & Domestic Relations Section Interpreter Josh Neta
Proclamations & Awards
Seward's 110th Anniversary of Founder's Day is August 28, 2013
Recognizing Rowan Bean for representing Alaska in the National "Healthy
Lunchtime Challenge" at the Kid's State Dinner in Washington, D.C.
Heartbeat Alaska Proclamation
Chamber of Commerce Report, Cindy Clock stated the Alaska Department of Fish &
Game (ADFG) dumped over 200,000 Silver Salmon smolt into the lagoon in June, 2013. The 58th
Annual Silver Salmon Derby was a huge success, with 2,257 Silver Salmon turned in, totaling
21,164 pounds. The winner of the Derby was Taro Rich who had a 21.25 pound Silver Salmon.The
chamber would be developing a lagoon dredging plan later this fall to support salmon growth.
Clock would be traveling to Sitka in October,2013 for the state-wide Alaska Travel Industry
Association Conference.There would also be several conferences and events held in Seward this fall
that the chamber was helping with, including: Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians
Conference from September 4-9,2013;the Institute of the North—Alaska Dialogue from September
13-15, 2013; and, the Annual Marine Firefighting Symposium from October 7-10, 2013. The 10th
Annual Seward Music & Arts Festival would be at the Dale R. Lindsey Terminal from September
27-29, 2013. And, Meet The Candidates Night would be held Wednesday, September 25, 2013 in
council chambers at 7:00 p.m. and would also be broadcast through GCI.
City Manager's Report, City Manager Jim Hunt stated the following purchase orders
were approved by the City Manager since the last council meeting: $48,275 to Harmon Construction
for re-routing for the pedestrian pathway and drainage ditch on Sea Lion Avenue; and, $12,380 to
Bering Marine to purchase 65 tons of bulk salt to mix with our winter street sand.
Residents of Seward and the surrounding area are encouraged to register to vote, or update
their voter registration, at the City Clerk's office in preparation for the October 1, 2013 municipal
election. In the Electric Department, the earth work was progressing for the warehouse, and the
committed funds from the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) rant were reported.
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City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
August 26, 2013 Volume 39, Page 187
An operator/mechanic was hired at the beginning of 2011,not only to work on the generator
portion of the grant,but also to train with the current operators who are nearing retirement. Since the
generator portion of the project had not yet begun, the operators had not charged any time to it yet.
In the Harbor,rainy weather delayed the concrete pouring at the wash down pad until August
23,2013. D-Float work would begin after Labor Day and was scheduled for completion by April 15,
2014 paid for by a grant from the Denali Commission.An inspector found asbestos and lead paint in
the Harbormaster Building restrooms and staff was seeking prices from abatement contractors. On
August 20 & 21, 2013 an appraiser inspected the dry dock and marina in order to establish new
values for insurance purposes and reported that the Small Boat Harbor was currently valued at
$17,500,000.
At the Library Museum, the security camera system arrived for the museum. Tim Morrow
and Kate Rullman both received their Notary Public stamps,and Rullman became certified to accept
passport applications. Rullman would be attending the Alaska Historical Society/Museums Alaska
Joint Conference in Haines at the end of September. On Thursday,August 29,2013 there would be
an Internet safety video conference for parents conducted by Juneau Police Detective Shawn Phelps
on how parents could help keep their children safe online. The library use statistics were reported:
•
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
August 26, 2013 Volume 39, Page 188
July 2012 July 2013 J
Visits 7854 10488
Circulation 4223 4204
Computer Use 1 184 1571
Wireless (1 hour sessions) 886 1561
Museum visits 636 929
Community Use/Programs 10 491
In Public Works,the Alaska Rural Association visited and conducted a sanitary survey of the
city and Seward Marine Industrial Center(SMIC)water systems,and would be sending their report
in a week or two. Staff was working on renewing the wastewater discharge permit at SMIC. Public
Works submitted a Municipal 70/30 Matching Grant application for Maple Street Water/Sewer
Project. Dairy Hill has been bid and Metco was the successful bidder for the Dairy Hill project,but
may wait until April, 2014 to start.
Assistant City Manager Ron Long and Police Chief Tom Clemons added an update on the
safety concerns for the pedestrian tunnel that passes under the highway just south of Three Bears.
The Seward Police Department visited the tunnel at least once each day to keep the tunnel clear and
free of debris and loiterers. In response to Shafer, Clemons said the process the city would have to
work through the Department of Transportation(DOT)in order to block up the tunnel and construct
a pedestrian bridge over the highway. Terry was concerned that there were lights out in the tunnel
and the stairs needed to be fixed, and she thought the DOT was not maintaining the tunnel in a safe
manner. Hunt said he would work with the DOT and Clemons to find a solution.
In response to Shafer, Long said administration intended to have the City Annex Building
ready for the Electric/Utility Department and Community Development Department to move into by
January 1, 2014.
Mayoral Report, David Seaward thanked everyone for attending, and all the people who
helped welcome the delegation visiting from Obihiro, Japan. He said he would be attending the
Industrial Day event.
Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Ordinances for Public Hearing and Enactment
Non-Code Ordinance 2013-011,Authorizing A Replat Of Tract C-1,Gateway Subdivision Per
Plat Number 85-9,As Gateway Subdivision Addition No.2,Exempting The Transfer Of Tract
C-6 Of The Replat From The Subdivision Requirements Of Title 16 Of The Seward City Code
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
August 26, 2013 Volume 39, Page 189
Of Ordinances,And Authorizing The Landowner To Complete The Replat Subject To Certain
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Conditions.
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) Enact Non-Code Ordinance 2013-011
Motion Passed Unanimous
Non-Code Ordinance 2013-012,Authorizing The Completion Of The Tax Foreclosure Process
And The Disposal Of The Property Described As The West Of Lots 19 And 20, Block 30,
Original Townsite Of Seward; With Tax Parcel ID Number Of 14813010, Located At 408
Madison.
Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public
hearing was opened.
Tim McDonald reminisced that this property belonged to a special person, and he
remembered him fondly.He asked council to consider turning the property into a pedestrian rest area
or mini park.
r.. No one else appeared to address the Council and the public hearing was closed.
Motion (Bardarson/Keil) Enact Non-Code Ordinance 2013-012
Motion Passed Unanimous
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None
NEW BUSINESS
Other New Business
Council scheduled the following work sessions to discuss the 2014-2015 Biennial Budget
Planning: Monday,September 16,2013 at 6:00 p.m.for General Funds;Thursday,September
19,2013 at 6:00 p.m.for Enterprise Funds; and,Tuesday,September 24,2013 at 6:00 p.m.for
Departments.
Council scheduled a work session to discuss the Community Health Center's (CHC)
Employment Status on Thursday, September 12,2013 at 6:00 p.m.
Keil stated she had resigned from the CHC Board.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS -None
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
August 26, 2013 Volume 39, Page 190
COUNCIL COMMENTS
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Bardarson congratulated Margaret Anderson on receiving the Pioneer Woman For
Enhancing Economic Development award for the Kenai Peninsula. She sent her condolences to the
Mike and Mary Nelsen family.
Shafer said tomorrow was her 40th Wedding Anniversary.
Valdatta warned people about the road construction and tree cutting from Mile 18-24.
Terry expressed her condolences to the Nelsen family.
Acting City Clerk Brenda Ballou pointed out that council had been provided a laydown for
the city's June 2013 financials.
Seaward thanked Tim McDonald for sharing his memories,and sent his condolences to the
Nelsen family.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Tim McDonald thanked Mayor Seaward for his hard work during his tenure. He thanked
Cindy Clock for the work that the Chamber of Commerce was doing on salmon smolt. He
congratulated Terry for her diligence in watching the expenditures for the electric warehouse
building. He thought the insurance adjuster's appraisal of the Small Boat Harbor was way off and
should be more in the $250,000,000 range.
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS
In response to Valdatta,Long clarified that council authorized$50,000 to be put toward fish
enhancement, but that money could not be spent until a plan was brought forth and approved by
council.
Keil reminded everyone to come out for the public celebration for Seward's 100th
Anniversary of Founder's Day on Wednesday, August 28, 2013 at the Library Museum.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
August 26, 2013 Volume 39, Page 191
ADJOURNMENT
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The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 p.m.
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B enda J. Ba le David Seaward
Acting City Clerk Mayor
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