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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09112017 City Council Minutes City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes September 11, 2017 Volume 40, Page 266 CALL TO ORDER The September 11, 2017 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Jean Bardarson. OPENING CEREMONY City Manager Jim Hunt led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. A moment of silence was given for those lives lost on September 11, 2001. ROLL CALL There were present: Jean Bardarson presiding and Marianna Keil Ristine Casagranda Sue McClure Erik Slater Deborah Altermatt comprising a quorum of the Council; and Jim Hunt, City Manager Johanna Kinney, City Clerk Absent—Dave Squires CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Susan Porter stated she had been a resident of Seward for the last 25 years. She appreciated the explanation given in tonight's work session on the seasonal electric utility rates,and it seemed to her that the escalation on her utility bill was largely because of the other charged associated with the rates,such as the fuel surcharge. She implored council to think about the residents who lived here in the winter time and year round, stating these seasonal rates felt like a punishment. Porter said she would just like to pay what she owed. She understood overhead and things like that,but she hoped council could look at going back to a flat rate. Tim McDonald agreed with Porter.The direct raw power costs left expenses and overhead at too high of a rate. If the city could not make a profit, they should sell the utility. Tom Tougas recommended Brenda Ballou for the soon to be open City Clerk position. He had worked with her on many projects such as the Sister City Program and felt she was very qualified to be the next City Clerk. She was professional and represented the city well. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes September 11, 2017 Volume 40, Page 267 Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Bardarson removed the City Attorney Report from the agenda. Bardarson added an item under Other New Business:Discussion on directing administration to bring forward a preliminary budget with a Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase on electric rates, and a preliminary budget without one. Casagranda added an item under Other New Business: Discussion on directing administration to bring forward a preliminary budget with the seasonal electric utility rates,and a preliminary budget without one. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the August 14,2017 and August 28,2017 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Appoint Mark Kansteiner, Patty Linville, Sue Faust, Gary Seese, and Kerry Martin to the Election Board for the October 3,2017 Municipal Election. Appoint Dorothy Osenga, Quentin Carr, Jennifer Carr, and Kristi Larson to the Canvass Board for the October 3, 2017 Municipal Election. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations & Awards—None Borough Assembly Report.Kenn Carpenter said the last assembly meeting went until 7:30 p.m.One thing they moved forward was the consideration to appropriate$232,000 to the emergency corridor on the Eastern Peninsula. This would come to the assembly as a public hearing item at the September 19, 2017 in Homer. City Manager Report. Jim Hunt announced the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were in town last week and were able to tour the Lowell Creek Tunnel and Waterfall. It was a heavy rainfall and the waterfall was very active. City crews were working on the waterfall outfall in heavy equipment as well. City and Corps staff discussed the tunnel study.Hunt expressed gratitude for the energy expended on this by the Army and continued to emphasize the city not wanting to take ownership of the tunnel. Hunt noted Dieckgraeff Road received some flooding last week and he was able to clarify with the Kenai Peninsula Borough which portion of the road belonged to the borough. He would continue to work with the borough to preserve the infrastructure out there. In response to McClure,Hunt stated he had been approached for city support to pursue more funding for the Jesse Lee Home project. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes September 11, 2017 Volume 40, Page 268 In response to Casagranda, Hunt stated they ordered a new backstop for the Little League Field and it was possible staff may come back to council with ideas and recommendations to possibly move the ballfield to another location. Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations—None PUBLIC HEARINGS—None UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None NEW BUSINESS—None Other New Business Discussion on directing administration to bring forward a preliminary budget with a Consumer Price Index(CPI)increase on electric rates,and a preliminary budget without one. Council directed administration to prepare the proposed budgets with and without a CPI increase for the 2018-2019 Biennial Budget. Discussion on directing administration to bring forward a preliminary budget with the seasonal electric utility rates,and a preliminary budget without one.Electric Utility Manager John Foutz reported on tonight's work session;the figures in the budget would not be any different — whether the city had a seasonal or flat rate would not affect the bottom line when it came to looking at budget figures.Foutz added if the council wanted to consider going back to a flat rate,the Electric Utility Tariff would be the document council would need to amend. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS On-going City Project and Goal List. COUNCIL COMMENTS McClure said paving continued and things seemed to be going well. The dump road (Dieckgraeff Road) was in excellent condition after the washout repairs. Casagranda thanked everyone that was going to volunteer on the election and canvass boards. She reminded the public that the Chamber of Commerce's"Meet the Candidates Night"was coming up on September 18, 2017. Altermatt thanked the Seward Ministerial Association,who recently hosted an appreciation picnic for first responders in the community. She stated it was a nice turnout and a wonderful event for the association to put on. Slater reminded everyone to be bear aware right now. They seemed to be everywhere. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes September 11, 2017 Volume 40, Page 269 Bardarson agreed with Slater, noting she had a black bear come to her house recently. She urged the community to please be aware and put your garbage away. She thanked Hunt for his diligence with the Army Corps of Engineers, as it was an important project with a huge impact on Seward. CITIZEN COMMENTS Tim McDonald echoed Tougas' comments in support of Brenda Ballou for City Clerk. She was professional and had earned the position, he stated. He felt the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home didn't deserve another chance or more funding. McDonald stated the long term answer to high utility costs was to do implement a sewage burner. The burner reduced matter into feed stock; Seward could get rid of sewage and garbage and could even produce electricity this way. People in Washington were doing it and he thought it would lower the utility costs.If they city couldn't reduce electric rates they should give it up to a co-op. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Hunt thanked Knik Construction for working yesterday and today on Phoenix Drive and Dora Way. He thanked Public Works Director Doug Schoessler for his great work in managing the road improvement contract, and congratulated Seward Marketplace for their parking lot improvements. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion (Bardarson/Keil) Go into executive session to review applications for the City Clerk position, select finalists for interviews, and confirm interview questions. Motion Passed Unanimous Council went into Executive Session at 7:43 p.m. Council came out of Executive Session at 8:17 p.m. Council directed the City Clerk to arrange interviews with Brenda Ballou and James Toth, preferably in the coming week. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m. ' /Ciat,(44, -1---/ dCkrk �%