HomeMy WebLinkAbout07252016 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
July 25, 2016 Volume 40, Page 85
CALL TO ORDER
The July 25, 2016 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
Dave Squires Sue McClure
Deborah Altermatt
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Jim Hunt, City Manager
Ron Long,Assistant City Manager
Brenda Ballou, Acting City Clerk
Absent—Dale Butts
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR
PUBLIC HEARING
George Goen said Obihiro Park was a very nice space to enjoy.The flowers all over the city
looked very nice, especially at Mariners Memorial Park. He was not sure where to bring plastic
bottles for recycling and was thankful for the picnic table at the campground being installed. Goen
thought the city should consider electricity hookups,a charging station,or a WiFi hotspot for better
internet accessibility for visitors at Branson Pavilion.He also suggested that Seward should consider
having a Sister City within the United States, and thought like Hana or Lahaina would be good
choices since there were similarities in industries between the cities.
Sharyl Seese came to speak about the potholes on the roads. She had a large pothole in front
of her house on First Avenue that measured 30"x 18"x 7"and had counted 18 potholes on her street
alone. There were more all over town and she felt something should be done to patch them. Seese
lived by the jeep trail which had lots of activity and parking and said it was difficult to avoid the
potholes in that area.
Katelyn Correa said her flag design had been chosen as the new city flag, and she thanked
council for the opportunity.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
July 25, 2016 Volume 40, Page 86
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Bardarson removed the Chamber of Commerce report and the Borough Assembly report from the
agenda.
Keil moved Resolution 2016-048 to the#1 position under New Business/Resolutions.
Motion Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
Appoint Christy Terry to the Port and Commerce Advisory Board with a term expiring July,
2019.
SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations &Awards
City Manager Report. Jim Hunt said there were no purchase orders made by the City
Manager between$10,000 and$50,000 since the last council meeting.
Hunt was beginning to have meetings with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources and
the Alaska Department of Transportation to address gravel fill in the rivers.
In response to Casagranda,Hunt stated an offer was made and tentatively accepted today for
the Public Works Director position. Long added the Project Manager position was still on a hiring
freeze until council released it.
Other Reports,Announcements and Presentations
Seward Community Health Center Report by Patrick Linton. (Keil)
Presentation by District Ranger Francisco Sanchez for the Chugach National Forest.
(McClure)
PUBLIC HEARINGS—None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 2016-048,Adopting A Design For An Official Seward City Flag. (Casagranda)
City ofSeward,Alaska City Council Minutes
July 25, 2016 Volume 40, Page 87
Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2016-048
Casagranda said a small group of citizens had formed a committee because they were
concerned there was no official flag design for Seward. Council supported the idea of having a flag
design contest. A design was selected and sent to a graphic designer; the contest winner Katelyn
Correa was in the audience.Her symbolism came from Seward surrounded by mountains being the
triangle,the white is Alaska snow, and the blue is for the sky and the Alaska flag.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2016-044,Authorizing A Sole Source Contract In The Amount Of$270,000 Plus A
25% Contingency To Harmon Construction For Asbestos Abatement And Flooring
Replacement For The City Hall Building,And Appropriating Funds.
Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2016-044
Long said there had been two claims of trips and falls from the bad carpet in City Hall. In
order to replace the carpet, there would be a disturbance of the asbestos laden tiles beneath, so
asbestos abatement was part of the project. Originally administration thought this project would be
less than$100,000,but asbestos abatement added to the cost.Long stated the project would be done
incrementally so that only one portion of the building was done at a time, and business within City
Hall would continue as usual.Administration was recommending a sole source contract because this
project required flexibility with scheduling and this company had recent experience with this
building and its issues. A 25% contingency was added to this remodel project, not knowing what
would be discovered or encountered throughout the process.All downstairs hallways and the upstairs
MIS office would be done, and possibly a couple more offices as budget allowed.
In response to Squires,Long explained which hard surfaces would be replaced.In response to
Casagranda, Long stated the flooring would be removed in order to abate the asbestos to prevent
future hardships. Long was hoping to start this project in the fall.
Motion to Amend (Bardarson/Keil) Amend Resolution 2016-044 by striking the
words "Excluding The Restrooms And
Council Chambers" in the last Whereas.
Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous
Keil had done some research on asbestos abatement by square footage, and found this
replacement estimate to be very reasonable.
Main Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2016-045,Providing For The Submission To The Qualified Voters Of The City Of
Seward The Question Of Authorizing The Issuance Of Not To Exceed$3,000,000 In General
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
July 25, 2016 Volume 40, Page 88
Obligation Bonds Of The City To Finance All Or A Portion Of The Planning, Design And
Construction Of Road Improvement Projects,At An Election In And For The City Of Seward
On October 4,2016.
Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2016-045
Long stated the city had been chasing money to repair the roads for decades, and about a
decade ago the city received a substantial amount of money and were now about to put it to use.A
Memorandum of Agreement with the state was authorized by the council March 2015, which
outlined the attached list of road repair. Tonight's decision would be whether to go to the voters to
finish the road projects on the laydown list. If voters said yes, they would pave Forest Acres,
including the road to the Long Term Care Facility and Dieckgraeff Road via a separate sole source
contract to begin at the end of the state's contract. Right of way work had already been completed.
In response to Casagranda, Long stated the list was created years ago and the need for
Dieckgraeff Road wasn't originally contemplated at that time.He said the Long Term Care Facility
road would be paved in its entirety.
In response to Squires,Long gave an anticipated timeline of voter approval in October,state
preparation for bid release in February,2017, and bond issuance by late 2017 with work beginning
after that.
Long answered Altermatt by saying the bond language going to the voters did not necessarily
mean an increase to property or sales taxes,but the general obligation bonds did obligate the city for
repayment.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2016-046,Restoring Employee Merit Increases And A One Percent Bonus For Non-
Union Regular Employees,And Appropriating Funds.
Motion (Keil/Squires) Approve Resolution 2016-046
Long reminded everyone that council had met in a work session in June for the purpose of
discussing whether to reinstate employee pay increases, following receipt of the City's year end
financial performance results for 2015. It was suggested any excess would be split with employee
merit increases and the needs of the city,and council had made recommendations.He said there was
an additional$321,000 from sales tax revenue,and after paying for healthcare,that left$241,000 to
split.
Squires would not support this resolution because he didn't know what the state would be
doing budget wise. He would like to wait until January,2017 and then put back the merit increases
plus COLA.
Motion Passed Yes: McClure,Altermatt,Keil,Bardarson
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
July 25, 2016 Volume 40, Page 89
No: Squires, Casagranda
Resolution 2016-047,Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Revised Contract With
The International Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Effective July 1, 2016 And
Ending June 30,2019.
Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2016-047
Electric Utilities Manager John Foutz said this contract negotiation went well and he felt
the result was about average for the state.Foutz stated both lineman and operators are supplied meals
at the generation facility. The city either bought the meal or the workers were compensated for a
meal allowance. After conferring with the Finance Department, Foutz said the bottom line result
would be an increase of$1,853 per month for this contract.
Bardarson asked what would be required to modify the generation plant operation to have
only one person. Foutz said for safety reasons with backup generation, there could be unforeseen
circumstances, and so two qualified people were required to be on site to operate it.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Other New Business Items—None
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS
City of Seward and Providence Medical and Care Center Financial Reports through May, 2016.
Letter to Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commissioners and Assembly RE: Ordinance 2016-25,
Amending KPB 2.40.010 to Reduce Planning Commission Membership.
Seward Community Health Center Coordinating Committee Meeting Minutes from April 6, 2016.
(Keil)
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Altermatt had been hearing good comments about the Wi-Fi in the campground, but was
looking forward to harbor internet upgrades soon. She thanked George Goen for his positive
remarks,and especially his garden appreciation at the Mariners Memorial.Altermatt recognized Nici
Murawsky, Susan Ernst and Carol Souza for their helpful work at the Mariners Memorial.
Casagranda thanked council for the flag design support. She was thankful the McHugh
Creek fires didn't hurt travel to and from Seward.
Bardarson reminded council that the welcome pot luck for the Japanese exchange students
would be Monday, August 1, 2016 at the library from 5:00-7:00 p.m. She thanked the Obihiro
Mayor,the President of the Obihiro committee and their citizens for the annual Mt.Marathon Race
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
July 25, 2016 Volume 40, Page 90
trophies and Silver Salmon Derby awards.Bardarson stated that her and Long went to the change of
command ceremony for the USCG Cutter Mustang, and thanked them for the lovely gift.Lt. Jamie
C.Greendyke was installed as the new commander.Bardarson reminded the public that the Port and
Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB) and the Historic Preservation Commission(HP)were both
short one member, and that City Council candidate packets were now available for pick up in the
clerk's office through August 15, 2016.
Keil thanked Christy Terry for applying for PACAB, and she looked forward to seeing the
new flag and a ceremony.
Squires would not be present at the next council meeting on August 8,2016,but encouraged
the public to get involved with the bond issue by asking questions to administration.
McClure thanked District Ranger Francisco Sanchez for his presentation tonight. She
encouraged people to see the progress of the senior housing project, and congratulated Katelyn
Correa on her flag design. McClure advised the public of an important Borough Assembly meeting
which was scheduled for tomorrow night.
Long congratulated both Christy Terry and Katelyn Correa.He also thanked George Goen for
his comments but clarified that #1 and #2 plastic recyclables were collected in Seward, with the
landfill taking them as well.
Hunt mentioned that on July 15,2017 Seward would host a three day extreme triathlon event
called Alaska Man.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Becky Dunn said there was a borough proposition to raise the sales tax limit from$500 to
$1,000. She opposed this tax increase and feared this would drive people to spend out of town.
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS
Long said the city had no position on the sales tax increase.The voters would have to adopt
the borough's proposed measure before the city would take a position.
Casagranda,said that on B&B/hotel tax,there was no cap.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
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