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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09092013 City Council Minutes City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes September 9, 2013 Volume 39, Page 192 CALL TO ORDER L The September 9, 2013 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor David Seaward. OPENING CEREMONY Police Chief Tom Clemons led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: David Seaward presiding and Vanta Shafer Bob Valdatta Ristine Casagranda Jean Bardarson Christy Terry* Marianna Keil comprising a quorum of the Council; and Ron Long, Assistant City Manager Cheryl Brooking, City Attorney Brenda Ballou, Acting City Clerk Absent—None * Christy Terry arrived at 7:11 p.m. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Susan Lang said she lived in Lowell Point and was concerned about the sewage lagoon. Her concern was that there was a tremendous odor coming from the lagoon that was negatively impacting both her bed and breakfast business and her campground business,and was causing guests to leave. She wanted the city to provide information about the maintenance of the lagoon,as well as to pay for the residents of Lowell Point who had abutting and adjacent wells to have their well water tested for contamination prior to the start of the 2014 tourist season. Lynda Paquette was concerned about the sewage lagoon at Lowell Point, and urgently requested that council hire a consultant to assess the situation and make recommendations. She said the stench was worsening as the summer progressed,and didn't believe it was related to the weather temperature. She beseeched council to do whatever they needed to in order to "stop the stench." Teri Arnold thanked city council for their service and said she was a full-time resident of Lowell Point. She,too,was concerned with the sewage treatment plant,and had originally suspected that the stench was caused by the warm summer weather. She said even now the smell was getting worse and not better. She supported the city in hiring a consultant. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes September 9, 2013 Volume 39, Page 193 Paul Paquette had several suggestions, including having grinders in the toilet lines and having organic materials available to mix in.He said the sludge would be compostable and would be potentially available to sell. He also suggested the alternative of covering the lagoon to contain the odor. Jim Herbert said invited everyone to the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens Advisory Council(PWSRCAC)annual board meeting in Seward on September 19&20,2013 at AVTEC.He said there would also be an incident command system test on October 2, 2013 by the PWSRCAC, and everyone was invited to sign up for that free emergency-preparedness workshop. Tim McDonald said the sewage problem at Lowell Point was concerning and should be dealt with soon. He was considering the Sister City program that Seward had with Obihiro, Japan and suggested that Seward reach out to a bush community in Alaska to develop relationships, perhaps inviting AVTEC students from various Alaskan communities to come and speak. He was also concerned, on behalf of Kodiak,that the state ferry Tustumena was still unavailable and suggested the ferry Susitna be called upon and be put into service. Ben Pazdernik said he was concerned with coal smoke in his Forest Acres neighborhood for both the smell and health-related issues. He asked council to perform more research on alternative heating sources for the community. Jim Doe ken said he was new to Seward,but had already noticed the smell of burning coal p � Y g and was concerned about the health protection for his family. He asked council to actively pursue alternatives. Mica Van Buskirk was representing the Seward Site-Based Council and said the group was concerned about the potential industrial traffic that may be created on Sea Lion Avenue as a result of the new electric warehouse. She encouraged council to seek an alternate traffic pattern for the electric vehicles. She added that on the Lowell Point issue, she was concerned about the sewer smell, and was also concerned about the waterfall and its maintenance. Brad Snowden thanked the council and city staff for their work. He wanted to see the city explore options for airport expansion, and requested that a letter be sent to Representative Don Young asking for his support. He also wanted to purchase the Lowell Creek diversion tunnel property and take over the maintenance and responsibility for that property.He expressed his concern that the city had unfairly and selectively enforced property clean-up ordinances against him. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Bardarson/Terry) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes September 9, 2013 Volume 39, Page 194 Resolution 2013-068, Amending The 2013 Budget To Record Expenditures Of $363,319.84 Paid By The State Of Alaska On Behalf Of The City Toward The City's Public Employees Retirement System Liability For The Period January Through June, 2013. Resolution 2013-069, Authorizing The City Manager To Accept Grant Funds From The Alaska Division Of Homeland Security And Emergency Management In The Amount Of $7,031.00 For Purchase Of Communications Equipment For An Alternate Emergency Operations Center At Providence Seward Mountain Haven, And Appropriating Funds. Resolution 2013-070, Authorizing The City Manager To Apply For An Alaska Energy Authority ("AEA") Round VII Renewable Energy Fund Grant For Installation Of Heat Recovery System At The Alaska Sea life Center. Resolution 2013-071,Amending The 2013 Budget To Record Depreciation Expenses Related To The Hospital And Long-Term Care Facilities. Council approved the July 22, 2013 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Borough Assembly Report,Sue McClure stated the borough had recorded$2,770,000 for Public Employees' Retirement System(PERS)liability expenditures. There was also$85,000 being dedicated to the Seward High School welding shop. Her annual meeting was on September 28,2013 when she would be visiting with each community in her district,along with Representative Chenault and Senator Giessel. She pointed out that absentee in-person voting would start on Monday, September 16,2013,and reminded everyone of the four propositions on the ballot.The borough was having two sealed bid auctions for properties and offered booklets to anyone interested, and on Tuesday, September 17, 2013 the borough would have their annual meeting in Homer. City Manager's Report,Assistant City Manager Ron Long stated the following purchase order had been approved since the last meeting: $22,895.64 for Alaska Bolt&Chain to purchase tire chains for the Public Works fleet. The Public Works Department was looking for an Equipment Operator,and had also notified the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation(ADEC)that the city would not be executing the $490,000 loan agreement for sludge removal. In the Finance Department, the Kenai Peninsula Borough reported that taxable sales for Seward for the second quarter of 2013 were up by 3.91%over the prior year. (First quarter taxable sales were down by 0.06%.) Overall through June 2013, taxable sales were up 2.74% from prior year. The Providence Seward Medical Center (PSMC) booked a receivable of approximately $3,900,000 to account for a portion of the estimated settlement from the State of Alaska for the period 2011 through July 2013 for Medicaid expenses. The actual receipt of cash from the State of Alaska for these reprocessed claims was not expected until later this year or early next year,at which time the city could expect to be reimbursed by PSMC for the$2,300,000 loan the city authorized due to the delay in payments from the state, plus $300,000 the city fronted to cover the cost of medical City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes September 9, 2013 Volume 39, Page 195 records implementation. When these monies were reimbursed, $300,000 would be returned to the General Fund,and$2,300,000 would be placed in the Seward Mountain Haven Fund to pay for debt service costs on the facility. In the Parks and Recreation Department, an Invitation to Bid was released for washing and sealing parking lots,and the deadline was 1:00 p.m. on Monday, September 23,2013. Preparations continued for paving the northeast parking and boat launch area,and August campground revenues were $142,320 (up $14,955 from 2012). Long reported that there had been a leak in the roof of City Hall since at least June this year, and it had been impacting the records room,intake area,radio room and the finance area.The Public Works Department had tried to address the situation,but could not complete the project due to other demands, so administration hired a contractor over this last weekend. The cost just to stop the leaking was $5,000, and did not include any repair or remediation work. In response to Seaward,Long said regular testing was performed at the facility.Public Works Director W.C. Casey agreed that the sewage lagoon was the worst smelling it had ever been.He said they were having a difficult time maintaining the appropriate levels of chemicals,the warm days had caused algae bloom, there had not been enough bugs in the environment to eat the algae, and the blowers were 30 years old and were not blowing as strongly. Although last year they had had difficulty maintaining the appropriate levels of dissolved oxygen in order to allow the bugs to thrive, this year had been even worse.In response to Shafer,Casey said covering the lagoon was possible if the city was willing to pay for it. Casey said they were aware of some of the issues,but were unsure that they had discovered all of the issues. He said they were continuing to work with the ADEC and Michael L. Foster& Associates, Inc. to find a solution. In response to Terry,Long said he would have Casey,Clemons,Foutz and engineers perform an on-site analysis of the new Sea Lion Avenue traffic pattern in order to put it to a real-world test, and potentially make adjustments for safety's sake. Long added that the traffic coming and going from the new electric warehouse would not be increased, as there would be no additional staff working from that location than there were currently. Shafer said she agreed that she personally found the smell of coal disagreeable, but understood how cost-effective it was for people to use. She asked if there were any regulations or requirements available that could monitor afterburners. Long said there were no standardized tests for smell,but there were for particulates, and he suggested that defining particulate levels may be a good foundation upon which to perform research and devise regulations for the city. In response to Keil, Long said there was a plan drafted for the boat movement that would allow for the D Float replacement project. The plan allowed for free haul-outs and/or alternate slip assignments for regular tenants. It was necessary for the harbor and tenants to remain flexible to accommodate the situation. City Clerk's Report,Acting Clerk Brenda Ballou reported on the extent of water damage in the Transient Vault. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes September 9, 2013 Volume 39, Page 196 City Attorney's Report, Cheryl Brooking reported on the wide variety of activities and issues she had been assisting the city with for the last month. She said she would be attending the Annual Lawyers Association Conference in San Francisco later this month. Mayoral Report, David Seaward thanked everyone for supporting the Sister City relationship with Obihiro,Japan and for coming out for the 110th Anniversary of Seward's Founder's Day on August 28, 2013. Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations - None PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinances for Public Hearing and Enactment Ordinance 2013-007, Amending The City Of Seward Code, Section 12.05.021, Adopting The 2012 Edition Of The International Residential Code(IRC),Including Revisions. (Clerk's Note: In order to satisfy Alaska Statute 29.35.144, this ordinance is required to have a minimum of three public hearings. The first public hearing was held on May 28, 2013, the second was held on August 12, 2013, and tonight was the third public hearing and possible enactment of this ordinance.) In response to Terry, Building Inspector Stefan Nilsson said specifications for heating systems were addressed in the International Mechanical Code (IMC). 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. Shafer was hesitant to include the sprinkler provision until or unless the State of Alaska decided to adopt it first. Motion to Amend (Shafer/Bardarson) Amend Ordinance 2013-007 to remove Section R313.2 in its entirety. Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Motion to Amend (Terry/Bardarson) Amend Ordinance 2013-007 to strike Section 17 in the body of the Ordinance. Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Motion to Amend (Bardarson/Keil) Amend Ordinance 2013-007 by adopting the laydown language in its entirety as follows: 1) In Section R401.2 Requirements, add a new exception#1,"Wood foundations shall have a minimum 16-inch x 10-inch reinforced concrete footing." City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes September 9, 2013 Volume 39, Page 197 2) In Section R402.1 Wood foundations, add a new subsection to read: "R402.1.3 Restraint for wood foundations. Basement. A 4-inch thick concrete slab poured against the studs.If a wooden screed is used, it shall be pressure treated Douglas for or hem fir. Crawlspace. Option 1. A minimum 5-inch wide by 4-inch deep concrete curb poured against the inside face of the studs. The kicker shall be reinforced with a continuous horizontal No. 3 reinforcing bar. If the kicker is not poured with the continuous concrete footing, it may be poured later provided vertical #3 reinforcing bars x 10 inches long shall be cast into the footing at 2 feet on center. They shall extend 2 inches above the top of the footing. The continuous bar #3 shall be secured to the vertical #3 bars. Option 2. Installation of preservative treated 4"x 4"s with a minimum %"x 12" galvanized anchor bolts at 24"O.C.installed in footing against the inside face of the studs along the entire perimeter. Exception. The above need not apply if a suitable alternative design is prepared by an engineer registered in the State of Alaska and is approved by the Building Official." 3) In Section R403.2 Footings for wood foundations, strike the entire paragraph and replace it with, "Footings for wood foundations shall be in accordance with Section R401.2 Requirements." Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Motion to Amend (Casagranda/Keil) Amend Ordinance 2013-007 by adding the sentence, "See Section R105.2 for Work Exempt from Permit"to Section 1,Letter C. Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Consent Main Motion Back On The Floor Enact Ordinance 2013-007 Main Motion Passed Unanimous City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes September 9, 2013 Volume 39, Page 198 NEW BUSINESS Resolution 2013-072,,Authorizing The City Manager To Purchase A 2013 International Dump Truck For An Amount Not To Exceed $116,000. Motion (Keil/Terry) Approve Resolution 2013-072 Motion to Amend (Terry/Keil) Amend Resolution 2013-072 by adding a new Section 2 to read: "The City Council hereby finds that it is in the public interest to waive the competitive procurement requirements, in accordance with the provisions of Seward City Code Section 6.10.120(B) Exemptions from Competitive Procurement Procedures, which expressly authorizes the city to utilize competitive bids obtained by other governmental units. This purchase utilizes State Contract Award no. CA1793-13, Bid no. 1793." and shift the remaining section down to #3. Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Consent Main Motion Passed Unanimous INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Report on Japanese Delegation Visit from Temporary Deputy City Clerk Jean Lewis. Mural Society Schedule for upcoming trip to Obihiro, Japan to paint and install "Friendship Across Water" Mural at Obihiro Zoo. COUNCIL COMMENTS Keil thanked everyone for a successful Founder's Day celebration. Valdatta thanked the city staff for getting Channel 3 back on the air. Terry thanked Public Works for their work on the sewage lagoon,and the Fire Department and Building Inspector for their work on the International Residential Code. Seaward thanked the community and encouraged everyone to reach out and ask for help if they needed assistance during the rainy season. L CITIZEN COMMENTS ..........■ City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes September 9, 2013 Volume 39, Page 199 Tim McDonald sympathized with the residents of Lowell Point and said the sewage in the lagoon was not entirely organic because it included disinfectants and deodorizers. He was also ...i concerned about the condition of the public boat launch ramps at the harbor because they were filled with pot holes. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Casagranda thanked everyone for coming to the meeting tonight. Valdatta supported the suggestion to send a letter to Representative Don Young regarding the airport. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion (Bardarson/Shafer) Go into Executive Session to discuss reaching a potential agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local #1547 (IBEW). Motion Passed Unanimous Council directed City Attorney Cheryl Brooking, Assistant City Manager Ron Long, and Utilities Director John Foutz to stay for the Executive Session. Council recessed at 8:56 p.m. Council went into executive session at 9:00 p.m. Came came out of executive session at 9:29 p.m. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:29 p.m. 411 orrit / ; I _. .. 11 1 rens a J. Bal ou Davi. eawa • Acting City Cler Mayor 4400 it toot. (C i t x.,fite OF 6E7/7% '''RP aiii•110 411. 0 0 .. ... • .4, AG ,■•.. ici .. . •-: 0•. 0, .. :•••• -...-. 0; %. :-.: • 1 SEAL 1 . 1 ., . , . . i \I