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City Council Minutes
December 8, 2014 Volume 39,Page
CALL TO ORDER
The December 8, 2014 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at
7:00 p.m.by Mayor Jean Bardarson.
OPENING CEREMONY
Lieutenant Doreen Valadez led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
Jean Bardarson presiding and
Marianna Keil Ristine Casagranda
David Squires Iris Darling
Dale Butts
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Jim Hunt, City Manager
Johanna Kinney, City Clerk
Brenda Ballou, Deputy City Clerk
Absent—Christy Terry
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR
PUBLIC HEARING
Tim McDonald reminded council about the baseline trail and encouraged them to preserve it
into the future.
Sara McDonald was representing the Save Our Seward("SOS")Pets and was appreciative
of the support the group received at the Holiday Craft Fair this weekend.They had accumulated over
130 letters of support from the public for a new animal shelter.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Darling put Resolutions 2014-097, 2014-098, 2014-099, and 2014-100 onto the consent agenda.
Keil requested to postpone council's AML Reports to the January 12, 2015 meeting.
Motion Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
December 8, 2014 Volume 39,Page
Resolution 2014-093, Amending The 2014 Budget To Record Expenditures Of$372,955.97
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,2014.
Resolution 2014-096,Electing To Participate In The Alaska Municipal League/Joint Insurance
Association Loss Control Incentive Program For The City Of Seward For The 2015-2016
Policy Year.
Resolution 2014-097,Authorizing Purchase Of A Bobcat Toolcat 5600 Utilizing The State Of
Alaska Contract In The Amount Of$53,755.00.
Resolution 2014-098, Rescinding Resolution 2014-079 And Authorizing The Purchase Of A
Replacement Vehicle For The Public Works Department,Unit#120,In An Amount Not-To-
Exceed$30,643.
Resolution 2014-099, Rescinding Resolution 2014-078 And Authorizing The Purchase Of A
Replacement Vehicle For The Public Works Department,Unit#131,In An Amount Not-To-
Exceed $32,929.
Resolution 2014-100, Accepting A Grant In The Amount Of $1,100.85 From The Alaska
Highway Safety Office For The DUI High Visibility Enforcement Campaign During The 2014
Enforcement Period Of December 10—December 31,2014 And Appropriating Funds.
Approval of the September 22, 2014 and October 13, 2014 Regular City Council Meeting
Minutes,the September 22,2014 and October 13,2014 Special City Council Meeting Minutes.
Cancel the December 22,2014 City Council Meeting.
Reschedule the City Manager's Evaluation to the January 12, 2015 meeting.
Direct staff to send a letter requesting the State of Alaska maintain the job service office in
Seward.
SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations & Awards
Certificate of Recognition to Tom Kain for service to the Seward Area Alaska State
Parks.
Borough Assembly Report. Sue McClure said the assembly met on November 25,2014
and was successful in their first live web streaming broadcast of the meeting. Future broadcasts
would also include committee meetings. One of the enhancements would include having assembly
members vote via iPads during the meeting. The next assembly meeting would be tomorrow night
and the agenda was very brief.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
December 8, 2014 Volume 39,Page
City Manager's Report.Jim Hunt stated the following purchase orders between$10,000
and $50,000 had been approved by the City Manager since the last council meeting: $20,020 to
CRW Engineering Group, LLC to complete the site survey for the location of the North Seward
Water Storage Tank & Pumping Facility; $25,740 to CRW Engineering Group, LLC to begin the
geotechnical investigation, sampling, testing, etc. on the site of the new storage tank; $12,537 to
Univar for calcium chloride; $15,235 to CGR Tires and Service for loader tires and repairs;
$10,749.40 to Different Strokes of Alaska for repairs of an auction-purchased Ford for the Parks and
Recreation Department; and$34,000 to MacSwain and Associates for city land appraisals.
In the Harbor Department,lessees had been notified that appraisals were coming and the draft
report would be due February 20,2015. The Harbormaster attended the Fish Expo in Seattle from
November 19-21,2014 with Cindy Clock and Andy Mezirow.The harbor was accepting slip renewal
contracts this month. This year the contracts that were mailed included as much information as
possible already completed in order to be as efficient as possible.A new harbor employee,Kaylene
Nuss, started working at the harbor on December 3, 2014.
The construction season for the Electric Department finished for the season; the last
underground service was installed last week.The downtown holiday lights were ordered but,delayed
by the shipper;they were due to arrive in town on December 10,2014 and would be put up as soon
as they arrived.
Public Works staff met with CRW Engineering to begin surveying and soil testing at the site
of the new North Seward Water Storage Tank&Pumping Facility.The grant was extended through
December 2015 and the department was on schedule for making the completion deadline.The close
out of the Dairy Hill Drainage Mitigation Project was completed,and$29,659.68 was returned to the
Seward/Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board(SBCFSAB)to be used for other projects.The project
came in at budget and no contingency was needed. Thank you to the SBCFSAB and the Kenai
Peninsula Borough for their additional contribution to this project. Full funding of this project was
made possible from the Department of Homeland Security(DHS)and SBCFSAB.Results were back
from the sludge testing at the Lowell Point and SMIC sewage lagoons; all of the results were
acceptable to both the Central Peninsula Landfill and the Alaska Department of Environmental
Conservation(ADEC).Merrill Bros.was in the process of getting approval from ADEC for required
permits.Dissolved Oxygen Levels at the Lowell Point Lagoon returned to normal and the additional
float aerators would soon be removed due to icy conditions on the lagoon. Public Works employee
Rex Davis retired last week and the department was seeking an Operator Mechanic to replace him.
The Police Department was hosting a Citizen's Police Academy starting in January, 2015.
Classes would be held one evening per week for approximately 10 weeks and was free of charge.
This was a highly informative and interesting learning experience which offered insight into the law
enforcement profession. Prospective applicants must be at least 18 years old and were subject to a
criminal background check. Applications would be accepted until December 21, 2014.
The Sports and Recreation Department was preparing for fall adult sport leagues end-of-
season tournaments,as well as the start of the 2015 winter leagues in mid-January.At the Teen and
Youth Center,vacation break day camps would start December 22,2014 through January 2,2015 for
elementary ages.The annual Breakfast with Santa was scheduled on Saturday,December 20,2014 at
the Senior Center; the first seating was at 9:00 a.m. and the second seating was at 10:30 a.m.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
December 8, 2014 Volume 39,Page
Assistant City Manager Ron Long said Orion Marine Contractors terminated the rock
production contract when they concluded their base bid deliverable, per their contract option
provision.At the airport stakeholder planning meeting,Long was frustrated with the State of Alaska
representatives' recalcitrance for discussing flood mitigation as part of the project. Long thanked
Dano Michaud for repairing the lighted Christmas tree on the hillside.
In response to Casagranda,Hunt clarified that Merrill Bros.was seeking permitting from the
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) to secure an appropriate back-up
disposal location for the Lowell Point sludge.
In response to Bardarson, Parks and Recreation staff Brennan Hickok did not have the
documentation about the new Plexiglas shelter at Kawabe Park with him,but he would provide it to
council. Long confirmed that the RV dump station pay station would be installed and operational in
time for the next tourist season.
Other Reports,Announcements and Presentations
Council Travel Report by Alaska Municipal League Conference Attendees. This item
was postponed to the January 12, 2015 meeting.
Update on the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Resolution 2014-091,Approving The Seward Small Boat Harbor Plan.
Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2014-091
Long said the Port and Commerce Advisory Board(PACAB)had been working on updating
this plan since council assigned them the task in 2013, and the plan had been expanded to be more
comprehensive and would include the uplands and parking areas.
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 To Amend (Squires/Casagranda) Amend Resolution 2014-091,Seward Small
Boat Harbor Plan,section 4.5 Float System
Utilities, Fire Protection by striking the
words "Uniform Fire Code (UFC)" and
replacing it with "International Fire Code
(IFC)" and anywhere else "UFC" was
referred to in the plan.
Motion To Amend Passed Unanimous Consent
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
December 8, 2014 Volume 39,Page
Squires requested that administration provide documentation to reflect council's concern that all
leases get reviewed for emergency accessibility/easements.
Motion to Amend (Casagranda/Darling) Amend Resolution 2014-091,Seward Small
Boat Harbor Plan, by creating a new
section: "5.5 Leased Properties-all harbor
leases, upon renewal and/or change of
lease, shall be brought before city council
for evaluation of accessibility issues."
Secondary Motion To Amend Amend Resolution 2014-091,Seward Small
(Casagranda/Darling) Boat Harbor Plan, by changing the
location of the amendment to section 4.3
Development Criteria:"Leased Properties-
all harbor leases, upon renewal and/or
change of lease, should be brought before
city council for accessibility issues."
Secondary Motion To Amend Passed Unanimous
Secondary Motion To Amend Amend Resolution 2014-091,Seward Small
(Casagranda/Keil) Boat Harbor Plan, under section 4.3
Development Criteria:"Leased Properties-
all harbor leases, upon renewal and/or
change of lease, should be considered by
administration for easement and right-of-
way access."
Secondary Motion To Amend Passed Unanimous
Primary Motion To Amend Passed Unanimous
Main Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2014-092,Revising Sections 200 And 205 Of The Harbor Tariff In Order To Revise
Billing Practices To Meet Internal Revenue Service Compliance For Tax-Exempt Revenue
Bonds.
Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2014-092
Long said the bond bank had alerted administration to a disparity in the city's tariff. The
Internal Revenue Service viewed annual moorage contracts in a different light — they did not
consider them appropriate for tax-free bonds,and suggested the city modify the tariff to more closely
align with billing practice regulations.
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.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
December 8, 2014 Volume 39,Page
Darling requested council have a discussion item in February to accommodate more fishing vessels
at the harbor. Hunt suggested including members of the Seward Economic Growth Plan group as
well.
Motion Passed Unanimous
UNFINISHED BUSINESS -None
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 2014-094,Amending The 2015 Budget To Reflect Mid-Cycle Budget Changes,And
Appropriating Funds.
Motion (Casagranda/Squires) Approve Resolution 2014-094
Long said this resolution would"clean up"adjustments that had become necessary over the
course of the last year.
Casagranda wanted to see an effort made by the city to reduce expenses and bring new
revenue opportunities brought forward. She was concerned that expenses were creeping up
consistently.
Keil added that,although she had seen budget cuts in expenses,in the near future the federal
and state dollars that the city used to count on would not be available, so she also thought it was
important for the city to find new revenue sources.
Motion To Amend (Casagranda/) Amend Resolution 2014-094 by removing the
$25,000 for nuisance abatement.
Motion died for lack of second.
Main Motion Passed Yes:Squires,Butts,Darling,Keil,Bardarson
No: Casagranda
Resolution 2014-095,Adopting The Municipal Lands Inventory And Management Plan—2014
Update.
Motion (Casagranda/Darling) Approve Resolution 2014-095
Long said the Planning and Zoning Commission had been working on this plan for the past
18 months. Administration recommended council adopt the amendments presented in a laydown.
Motion To Amend (Keil/Darling) Amend Resolution 2014-095 by adopting the
following amendments: under Public
Facility Lands—Small Boat Harbor,South
Harbor Uplands,strike the sentence under
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
December 8, 2014 Volume 39,Page
Description, "Currently governed by
navigational servitude."; under Public
Facility Lands —Water and Watershed,
strike the word under Description,"levee."
And under Recommendation, add the
sentence, "Continue working with our
congressional delegation toward the Army
Corps of Engineers accepting transfer of
ownership and maintenance responsibility
of the diversion wall, tunnel and flume.";
under Leased Lands—Small Boat Harbor
Area, Kenai Fjords National Park Visitor
Center (L85-045), strike the following
sentence under Recommendation,
"Evaluate future use of building when lease
expires."; and,Leased Lands—Small Boat
Harbor Area,Marina's Restaurant,change
the title by striking "Marina's Restaurant
(Scott Bald&Carol Lallatin)and replacing
it with Seward Lodging III (Elliott
Jackson)".
Motion To Amend Passed Unanimous
Main Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2014-101,Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Purchase Agreement
With Meyer's Power Products To Provide 5KV Electrical Switchgear In Support Of The
Movement Of Two(2)Electro-Motive Diesel(EMD)Generators From Arctic Pack Enclosures
Into The New Generator Building For An Amount Not To Exceed $182,270.
Motion (Casagranda/Squires) Approve Resolution 2014-101
Electric Utility Manager John Foutz said this was the final piece of the electric warehouse
project.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2014-102,Approving An Engineering Contract With R& M Consultants In The
Amount Of$151,102 For The Design Of The Replacement Of B, C, S, And A Portion Of G
Floats At The Seward Small Boat Harbor,And Appropriating Funds.
Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2014-102
Harbormaster Mack Funk said half of the funding for this project should be coming from
the state. Long added that Project Manager Rick Wise would be working on this project, so that
would be a cost savings to the city.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
December 8, 2014 Volume 39,Page
In response to Butts,Funk said I Float and T Dock were renovated about seven years ago,and
were not contemplated in this new project.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2014-103,Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Agreement With Your
Clean Energy,LLC To Complete An Economic Evaluation Of Starter District Heat System In
The Library And City Hall Annex,And Appropriating Funds.
Motion (Casagranda/Keil) Approve Resolution 2014-103
Long said this was a professional services contract that was brought to council with the
intention of raising awareness and lowering energy costs. The original hope was to include the
Library,Annex,City Hall and Fire Department buildings,but due to poor insulative qualities of the
City Hall and Fire Department buildings,there would be no appreciable cost savings to pursue this
project for those buildings.
In response to Darling, Long said the Alaska Energy Authority would be involved in this
project.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2014-104,Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Agreement With CRW
Engineering Group, LLC For Professional Services For The North Seward Water Storage
Tank& Pumping Facility Project,And Appropriating Funds.
Motion (Casagranda/Squires) Approve Resolution 2014-104
Public Works Director W.C. Casey said this endeavor began in 1999 when the city first
recognized there would eventually be a shortage of water for the community.
Bardarson requested that administration provide council with a budget for this entire project.
Motion To Amend (Squires/Casagranda) Amend Resolution 2014-104 by adopting the
following laydown version changes: under
section 1.0 Defmitions, 1.5 Project,replace
the defmition with " "Project" shall mean
tank design,developing bid documents,bid
support services for construction of the
North Seward Water Storage Tank &
Pumping Facility, as further described in
Exhibit A."; and, under section 5.0
Schedule For Completion,extend the Final
Completion date from February 15,2015 to
March 15,2015.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
December 8, 2014 Volume 39,Page
Motion To Amend Passed Unanimous
Main Motion Passed Unanimous
Other New Business Items
Continue the term of the Seward Recreation Committee, a Special Ad Hoc Citizen Advisory
Committee, through 2015 and direct the City Clerk to solicit interest for one seat on the
committee.There was no objection to extending the term of the committee for one additional year,
to sunset on December 31, 2015.
Discussion and direction on downtown decorative lights.Darling would survey the Downtown
Merchants Association about their opinion on having a single-globe light fixture versus a five-prong
light fixture downtown. Foutz was directed to obtain photographs of both types of lights.
Administration was directed to prepare a resolution for council.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS
Providence Seward Medical Center Financial Reports through September, 2014.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Keil thanked the animal shelter representation and advised those working on fundraising to
send all the letters of support sent to their legislators in one big batch.Keil thanked Rex Davis for his
service,and thanked everyone who helped prepare the Municipal Lands Plan and Small Boat Harbor
Plan on the agenda tonight.
Butts thanked everyone for their contributions.Angel Tree gifts were due by Friday and the
wrapping party would be held on Saturday at the fire hall at noon. Butts asked administration to
assist in council going more paperless.
Casagranda said downtown business she encouraged everyone to support small businesses.
Some business owners had complained to her that they were paying the highest utility rates,and felt
they were getting the short end of the stick; she suggested administration reach out more to the
business owners so they felt they were being heard.
Squires congratulated Rex Davis on his retirement.He thanked everyone for donating to the
"Movember" fundraising effort. He and Fire Chief Eddie Athey attended a memorial service for
Seward Volunteer Fire Fighter Clif Simons in New York.
Darling thanked City Planner Donna Glenz for her work on the plans.
Hunt thanked everyone for working hard this year and accomplishing a lot.
Bardarson said thanked everyone for their accomplishments this year.She wished everyone
happy holidays.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
December 8, 2014 Volume 39,Page
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Jane Belevarick thanked council for supporting the animal shelter and requested that city
land be designated for the project.
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS
Bardarson said the city would be looking for the appropriate location for the new animal
shelter.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:04 p.m.
Johanna Kinney, CMC Jean Bardarson
City Clerk Mayor
(City Seal)