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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2016-057 Sponsored by: Hunt CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2016-057 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, AUTHORIZING ADVERTISING EXPENDITURES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $750 TO PROVIDE PUBLIC EDUCATION WHICH COULD INFLUENCE THE OUTCOME OF AN ELECTION CONCERNING A BALLOT MEASURE ADDRESSING THE ISSUANCE OF $3 MILLION GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO PLAN, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT ROAD IMPROVEMENTS WHEREAS, the Seward City Council approved Resolution 2016-045 on July 25, 2016 providing for the submission to the qualified voters of Seward the question of authorizing General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed$3 Million for the purpose of planning,designing and constructing road improvements; and WHEREAS, the City will provide information regarding the proposed bond issue in newspapers of local circulation prior to the election of October 4, 2016, aimed at educating the public as to the scope of the project and the potential increase in taxes needed to repay a$3 Million bond; and WHEREAS,in order to provide public education in accordance with 2AAC 50.360(b),the City Council must authorize and appropriate funds since the education process may be considered to have an influence on the outcome of an election. NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA that: Section 1. The City Council hereby authorizes expenditures in an amount not to exceed$750 for the purpose of educating the public as to the scope and impact of the road improvements project and the potential increase in taxes needed to repay the general obligation bonds to be issued for the project. Section 2. The City Council further directs and authorizes the city manager and other City officers, officials and employees, as may be appropriate, to register and to complete and file all necessary reports,forms and notices relating to election-related expenditures under AS 15.13,or as may otherwise be required by law. Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption. PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 12th day of September, 2016. CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2016-057 THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA A1/1-da4101K) an Bardarson, Mayor AYES: Casagranda, Keil, Butts, Squires, McClure, Altermatt, Bardarson NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ATTEST: 41041 111 renda J. Ba o , C Acting City Cleo) (City *4 •�•f ..... •%, • G oG F•• 1 • SEAL ° • ,...- 0 tf��••••.. ..vve1.1�'•'••�Q.` N:aft OF AN-P;° ,•••.........�• Council Agenda Statement * of Se Cu` ;, o Meeting Date: September 12, 2016 To: City Council it44(1 qL SSP Through: Jim Hunt, City Manager From: Kristin Erchinger, Finance Director Agenda Item: Authorizing Advertising to Influence the Election RE: Road Bonds BACKGROUND &JUSTIFICATION: The Seward City Council approved Resolution 2016-045 on July 25, 2016. This resolution provides for Proposition 1 to be placed on the ballot at the election on October 4, 2016, seeking voter approval to issue up to $3 Million in general obligation bonds of the City for the purpose of planning, designing and constructing road improvements. The City is required to provide information to voters regarding the status of the City's indebtedness prior to placing a bond issue before the voters. The administration desires to provide this information, as well as a description of the scope of the work to be performed and the potential increase in taxes necessary to cover the costs of a$3 Million bond, prior to the election. The desire is to inform the public rather than to convince them to vote in favor of the bond issue. Nonetheless, 2AAC 50.360(b) requires that the City Council must authorize and appropriate funds if an education process could be considered to have an influence on the outcome of an election. Alaska Statute 15.13.145 requires that"a municipality may not use money to influence the outcome of an election concerning a ballot proposition unless the funds have been specifically appropriated for that purpose by the elected body." Since the budget has adequate funds to pay the cost of this advertisement, it is not necessary to request an additional appropriation. The administration will disclose any expenditures related to the dissemination of educational information on a report to the Alaska Public Offices Commission, as required by AS 15.13.040 and AS 15.13.050. INTENT: To inform the public about the scope of work contemplated by the proposed $3 million general obligation bond to be used to plan, design and construct local roads in Seward, and to explain the amount of tax increase needed to generate sufficient funds to cover annual debt service costs, as well as the potential equivalent impact to either sales or property taxes, as possible sources of repayment. CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Yes No N/A 1. Comprehensive Plan: X 2. Strategic Plan: X 3. Other: X FISCAL NOTE: There is no impact to the budget to pv for the cost of advertising,as no additional appropriation is requested. Approved by Finance Department: J u 4 ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes X No RECOMMENDATION: G Approve City Council Resolution 2016-n G authorizing advertising expenditures to provide public education which could influence the outcome of an election.