HomeMy WebLinkAbout01272014 City Council Minutes City of Seward, Alaska Cite Council Minutes
January 27, 2014 Volume 39, Page 267
} CALL TO ORDER
Imo
The January 27,2014 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00
p.m. by Mayor Jean Bardarson.
OPENING CEREMONY
Police Chief Tom Clemons led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
Jean Bardarson presiding and
Marianna Keil Ristine Casagranda
Christy Terry David Squires
Dale Butts
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Jim Hunt, City Manager
Johanna Kinney, City Clerk
Nanci Richey, Administrative Assistant
Absent—None
Vacant— One
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR
PUBLIC HEARING
Russ Maddox spoke of an illegal burn that had happened near his property years ago on
Nash Road. He never thought he would see such a burn again but a few weeks ago another one
occurred. Maddox stated the burn would not have been allowed if it had been disclosed what the
matter to be burned was. He felt this was an illegal burn and no one was acknowledging fault.
Sue Lang was a business owner in the Lowell Point community who expressed continued
concern on the odor that had grown worse because of the problems at the sewage lagoon.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Keil/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
January 27, 2014 Volume 39, Page 268
Approval of the January 13, 2014 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes.
Non-objection to the liquor license renewals for Three Bears #20 and Marina Restaurant.
9
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations & Awards
In Memoriam Proclamation for Vanta Shafer.
Chamber of Commerce Report,Cindy Clock stated the Chamber had an economic growth
plan work shop planned for January 28, 2014. She thanked the Holiday Inn for hosting the event.
The Silver Salmon Derby Committee met with the Seward Fish and Game Advisory Council to
discuss enhancement of shore fishery. The recent Community Awards Dinner at Chinook's was a
sold out event. Maya Moriarty won the Person of the Year Award, Joe Tougas won the Business
Person of the Year Award, and Woody's Thai Kitchen won the Business Site Improvement Award.
Marie Fletcher of the Liberty Theater received a plaque for doing business for over 50 years and
Hugh and Iris Darling of Brown and Hawkins received recognition for doing business in Seward for
of over 100 years. Clock stated she would be attending the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development
District's Industry Outlook Forum in Kenai this week. The next Chamber luncheon was February 7,
2014. Joe Fong would be speaking at a later luncheon about Mountain Haven.
City Manager's Report, City Manager Jim Hunt stated there had been two purchases
between $10,000 and $50,000 approved by the City Manager since the last council meeting:
$31,946.00 to Digital Payment Technologies for the purchase of three automated pay stations for the
Parking, Campground, and Harbor Departments, and $27,917.00 to JWC Environmental for the
purchase of a new solid sewage grinder.
In Public Works,personnel assisted with an erosion issue at the north dock area.A fire hydrant
was losing protection due to tidal action. Chris Hansen was hired as the new equipment
operator/mechanic,bringing the crew to full staff A Notice of Violation was received from the State
of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation on Monday, January 20, 2014 regarding
odors at the Lowell Point Waste Water Treatment Plant and permit non-compliance with several
Discharge Monitoring Reports during last summer.Violations included Dissolved Oxygen(being too
low), Fecal Coliform (being too high), and one instance of Percent Reduction(being low).
The Electric Department had one outage since the last council meeting. There was a
scheduled outage in the downtown area on January 30, 2014 to repair a damaged pole. The
department was starting the process of moving their office to the City's East Annex Building.As of
January 1, 2014, Homer Electric started producing power. The city has not monitored any system
disturbances to the Seward Electric System so far. All Railbelt Utilities were continuing to work
together on new operating procedures.
In the Harbor,the Polar Bear Jump Off Festival was a success and the harbor staff would like
to thank all of the volunteers that helped with this event. On January 16,2014,diesel fuel seeped out
of the 50-ton boat lift and trickled down into the harbor. Staff put out absorbent pads and recovered
most of the fuel. The spill was reported promptly to the proper authorities. The Port and Commerce
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
January 27, 2014 Volume 39, Page 269
Advisory Board was researching various forms of natural gas. The Harbor staff sent one certified
letter to a customer that failed to advise the harbor if they wanted to continue or relinquish their slip.
This represented a big improvement compared to 2013 when there were approximately 10 letters
required. A January newsletter was sent out to harbor customers and the February newsletter had
also been prepared for distribution.
In Parks and Recreation,the department was planning a referee class for teens,reviewing job
descriptions, and making improvements to the Teen and Youth Center, Rec Room and the Park
Maintenance Shop. Some upcoming events were the Harmon Construction Poker Tournament on
February 22, 2014 at Tony's and the Archery League every Tuesday at the Railroad Terminal.
Hunt stated he received the final version of Dr. Reid's second opinion inspection of the
Lowell Point Sewage Lagoon and anticipated he would provide it to council and the public
tomorrow. He asked for a council consensus to bring forward a resolution to request $500,000 for
this issue. Council gave no objection to this request. Hunt stated administration needed to
evaluate and come up with the best plan of action on the sewage lagoon and then create a Request
For Proposal. He reiterated that the disposal of the lagoon material was the biggest obstacle.
In response to questions, Hunt stated he had not received a letter from DEC on burning.
Terry thanked Foutz for updating the costs for the Electrical Warehouse Building. Electric
Utility Manager John Foutz stated electrical engineering Request For Proposal costs were not
known yet and,therefore, not included in the costs provided to council. Foutz also stated they were
still waiting for the projected revenue sources to be redirected. Terry requested to see a total for the
project when the resolution to approve the electrical engineering contract came before the council for
approval.
Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations
Presentation by the Seward Mural Society on the 2013 Friendship Mural created in
Obihiro, Japan.
PUBLIC HEARINGS—None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 2014-012,, Prioritizing The City Of Seward's Calendar Year 2014 Federal
Legislative Priorities.
Motion (Terry/Keil) Approve Resolution 2014-012
Assistant City Manager Ron Long stated this was at the request of the city's Federal
lobbyist in consultation with our Federal congressional delegation to select the top three Federal
priorities. The three presented tonight were administration's recommendation based on the Federal
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
January 27, 2014 Volume 39, Page 270
priorities previously approved for 2014.
In response to Terry,Long said there were some cost savings with the Phase 1 development m i
for SMIC expansion but they were unknown. Administration wanted to stay consistent with the
previously approved resolution as well, so they recommended keeping the figure at$7.9 million.
Motion to Amend (Casagranda/Squires) Amend Resolution 2014-012, Moving
Priority Number 1 To The Number 3 Slot,
Moving Priority Number 2 To The Number
1 Slot, And Moving Priority Number 3 To
The Number 2 Slot.
Casagranda felt the city should take care of their existing infrastructure first.
Squires asked where the$2 million amount for mitigation for flood risk reduction at Lowell
Creek came from, and Long stated it was recommended by the Army Corps of Engineers and Hunt
added that figure was just to pay for the city's share of the study. Since there was a proposed federal
budget this year, this might be Seward's best opportunity to advocate for funding assistance
federally.
Terry agreed with Casagranda's reasoning,but she thought it was their best chance to get the
funds for the SMIC Expansion Project at the state level, and it needed to be the top priority at all
levels. Butts stated he also understood Casagranda's intention,but the project was moving forward,
and this next step was extremely important to show as the city's most important priority.
Motion to Amend Failed Yes: Casagranda
No: Terry, Keil, Squires,Butts,Bardarson
Main Motion Passed Yes: Butts,Squires,Terry,Keil,Bardarson
No: Casagranda
Other New Business
Discussion on upcoming council travel, including selecting the mayor to attend the Alaska
Municipal League Conference of Mayors Winter Legislative Session February 17-19,2014 in
Juneau and selecting the mayor and/or a council member to travel with administration for
upcoming legislative trips to Juneau, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.
It was decided Mayor Bardarson would travel for these legislative trips and when the dates of
the Seattle,Washington D.C.,and any additional Juneau trips were known,council may send
additional members. Council also requested the City Clerk give them an update on their travel
fund to be certain the budget could allow for this travel.
Declare the council seat of Vanta Shafer vacant and instruct the City Clerk to advertise a
notice of vacancy on the City Council with a term to expire October 2014.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
January 27, 2014 Volume 39, Page 271
The seat was declared vacant by council and the City Clerk was directed to advertise a notice
of vacancy with a deadline of Tuesday, February 18, 2014. Council would appoint a new
member at their February 24, 2014 City Council Meeting.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS—None
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Keil congratulated Maya Moriarty, Joe Tougas, Woody's Thai Kitchen, and Marie and the
late Skip Fletcher for their community awards and recognition received at the Chamber Awards
Dinner. She attended this event and there was a nice tribute to Council Member Shafer. Keil stated
she was going to miss her colleague. She brought a smile to her face, she would never forget her.
Casagranda thanked everyone for speaking at the meetings and those who stayed involved.
She thanked the Seward Arts Council for representing Seward in Obihiro. She stated Council
Member Shafer would be missed in many ways.
Squires sent condolences to the Hamilton and Shafer family. Council Member Shafer would
be missed throughout the community. He thanked everyone for being involved in the community,
even if they disagreed.
Terry said Russ Maddox was not telling the truth in his comments tonight. The burn in
question was not an Alaska Railroad burn and Orion Contractors was the responsible party. Council
Member Shafer was an outstanding community servant and an amazing mentor. Terry was sorry for
the loss of a beloved high school student and expressed condolences especially to his family.
Butts offered his condolences to all the families with losses these last few months, and
specifically to the Shafer family and the Hamilton family. He attended a Kenai Peninsula Economic
Development District meeting last Thursday, and spoke with the organization on hopefully being
more involved in Seward. Butts would be attending the Economic Outlook Forum in Kenai. He
would be reporting how Seward was doing economically and hoped to speak with some legislators
and the Governor. As a response to anyone who spoke during citizen comments,he asked that they
please make sure they have all of the facts first.
Long stated he would be in Anchorage for an Anchorage Economic Forecast meeting and
then with Butts in Kenai. He thanked Butts for attending these meetings and extended his
condolences to the many families experiencing loss.
Hunt said he was disappointed in Maddox's comments tonight. He was working on an
investigation on what occurred with the burn and would present his findings to the council. Casting
allegations was unproductive.
Bardarson congratulated the winners of the Chamber awards. She conveyed her
condolences to all of the families suffering right now.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
January 27, 2014 Volume 39, Page 272
Russ Maddox spoke on the Environmental Protection Agency notifying the city and Seward
oni
Ship's DryDock they were reopening the investigation on environmental practices at the shiplift
facility. He felt council really needed to hear what was going on. Investigations were very serious
and the city needed to clean up Seward Ship's DryDock.
Lynda Paquette said she would miss Council Member Shafer. Shafer was very supportive
of the Lowell Point Sewage Lagoon Treatment Facility. Paquette clarified some statements earlier
that Dr. Reid was providing consulting work at the lagoon,and not SMIC. She noted the report that
referenced the Notice of Violation at the Lowell Point Sewage Lagoon was a dual notice for
wastewater and air. Paquette didn't understand how government worked,but to not publicly admit
that the city had a deadline to respond to this dual notice of violation seemed to be lacking in
transparency. She asked everyone to make 2014 honest, truthful, and transparent and to do less
talking and more doing.
In response to Paquette, Hunt clarified he meant Lowell Point, not SMIC.
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS
Casagranda clarified the second opinion by Dr. Reid and the request for$500,000 was all
for the Sewage Lagoon at Lowell Point.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion (Terry/Keil) Go into Executive Session to discuss City
Manager's Annual Evaluation.
Council requested that City Manager Hunt attend the executive session.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Council went into executive session at 8:12 p.m.
Council came out of executive session at 8:59 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:59 p.m.
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