HomeMy WebLinkAbout08222018 City Council Special Meeting Minutes1
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City of Seward, Alaska City Council Special Meeting Minutes
August 22, 2018 Volume 40, Page 503
CALL TO ORDER
The August 22, 2018 special meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at
7:00 p.m. by Mayor David Squires.
OPENING CEREMONY
Brad Snowden led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
David Squires presiding, and
Ristine Casagranda
Suzanne Towsley
Sharyl Seese
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Eddie Athey, Acting City Manager
Jackie Wilde, Acting City Clerk
Absent — Keil
Sue McClure
Jeremy Horn
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED
FOR PUBLIC HEARING
Brad Snowden suggested that sand be purchased from Metco and delivered to the
waterfront to create a sandy beach; he added that preliminary cruise ship dock designs for the
Seward waterfront were designed with openings for some public access to the beach. Snowden
suggested that an artificial island be constructed to the south of the airport to extend and expand
the airport runway. Snowden stated that he had a potential partner who was interested in meeting
with city officials regarding a new cruise ship dock.
Kris Erchinger wished to address comments made by Towsley at the last council
meeting. Erchinger wanted to go on record to say that there was bad blood between herself and
Towsley stemmed from when Towsley was a city employee and Erchinger had filed a complaint
against her for fraud. Erchinger said she had no familial relationship to the Hickoks. Erchinger
also stated that rumors about a cover-up of workplace violence recently posted on Facebook
were untrue, and she gave an account of the incident in question; there was no incident of
workplace violence. Erchinger stated that she would retain an attorney if defamatory remarks
from certain council members continued to be made in public forums. Erchinger stated that these
defamatory comments did a disservice to city council and the community, and may be opening
the city up to liability.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Special Meeting Minutes
August 22, 2018 Volume 40, Page 504
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Casagranda/1VIcClure) Approval of Agenda
Motion Passed Unanimous
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND REPORTS — None
NEW BUSINESS — None
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Towsley stated that she had just been accused of fraud, and wanted to state clearly
that she had never committed fraud. Towsley stated that there was no record of a fraud
complaint in her personnel file. Towsley stated that she did make a Facebook comment
earlier that day, but had not accused anybody of anything.
Casagranda, in reference to the workplace violence incident that was brought up
during citizen comments, stated that council had received a letter from the parent of a minor
related to that incident that was now a public record.
CITIZEN COMMENTS — None
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS — None
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion (Casagranda/McClure) Go into Executive Session to evaluate,
review, and discuss the candidates for the
Interim City Manager position.
Casagranda asked why it was necessary to discuss Interim City Manager candidates in
executive session rather than in public. Squires replied that it was necessary to go into executive
session to keep discussions relating to contracts and negotiating strategies within the legislative
body.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Council went into Executive Session at 6:35 p.m.
Council came out of Executive Session at 6:54 p.m.
Council suspended the rules in order to ask Finance Director Kris Erchinger some
questions.
In response to Squires, Erchinger stated that interim city manager contracts typically did
not include employee benefits, as the position was temporary. Erchinger stated that Social
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Special Meeting Minutes
August 22, 2018 Volume 40, Page 505
Security and Workers Compensation were two benefits that the city was required to contribute
to. Erchinger added that council had the option to negotiate a contribution to a deferred
compensation account as part of the compensation package, not to exceed 7.5%, but
recommended not including the interim in the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS).
Council went back on the rules.
Council went back into Executive Session at 7:07 p.m.
Council came out of Executive Session at 8:01 p.m.
Council appointed Squires, Casagranda, and Horn to negotiate with Jeff Bridges for the interim
city manager position.
Council directed the city clerk to schedule a conference call with Bridges on Friday, August 24,
2018 at 1:30 p.m. Alaska Time.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:03 p.m.
JacIde C. Wilde
Acting City Clerk
(City Seal)
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David Squires
Mayor