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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10192018 City Council Special Meeting Minutes Emergency Declaration City of Seward, Alaska City Council Special Meeting Minutes October 19, 2018 Volume 40, Page 547 CALL TO ORDER The October 19, 2018 Special Meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 12:35 p.m. by Mayor David Squires. OPENING CEREMONY Public Works Director Doug Schoessler led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: David Squires presiding and Sue McClure Suzanne Towsley Sharyl Seese comprising a quorum of the Council; and Jeff Bridges, Interim City Manager Brenda Ballou, City Clerk Absent—Keil, Casagranda, Horn CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Carol Griswold encouraged the city to reinstate the position of Shop Foreman in the Public Works Department, and to fill it as soon as possible. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (McClure/Towsley) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Approved Unanimous NEW BUSINESS Resolution 2018-083,Declaring A State Of Emergency Due To Flooding Damage In The City Of Seward And Requesting Assistance. Motion (McClure/Towsley) Approve Resolution 2018-083 Bridges said approximately one week ago, the Public Works Department had to initiate excavation of the Lowell Canyon tunnel output area due to heavy rains,flooding,and debris outfall. The response rapidly exceeded the city's resources, and required the city to call in local contractors to assist.After consultation with the borough,Bridges declared an emergency for the city.Due to the City of Seward, Alaska City Council Special Meeting Minutes October 19, 2018 Volume 40, Page 548 prediction of continued heavy rainfall, Bridges found it to be in the city's best interest to keep the declaration open for a while longer.Bridges thanked the borough for their support,the Public Works Department for their responsiveness, and the state for their attention. Public Works Director Doug Schoessler said the weather report this morning predicted an additional 2-4 inches of rain within the next day or so. The ground was already very saturated with rainfall, and what we needed was a break in the weather to allow the ground water to dissipate. At the Seward Marine Industrial Center (SMIC) sewage lagoon, the water level was so high, it was causing the lift station pumps to run 24 hours/day rather than the usual 5 hours/day. Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce said he had been in touch with state agencies, particularly as it related to the influx of gravel in Seward's rivers; they agreed to address the safety of the community as a top priority, and then discuss the disposition of the gravel. Pierce thought it would behoove the city, borough, and the Division of Natural Resources (DNR) to put some effort into crafting a long-term mitigation plan for flooding. Kenai Peninsula Borough Emergency Manager Dan Nelson reported that Dieckgraeff Road was currently closed to the public for safety reasons;Alaska Waste had placed dumpsters at the South Harbor Uplands for the public to use while the road to the transfer facility was closed. The borough crews were trying to channel the water in the Salmon Creek area in an effort to divert it and prevent further damage and flooding.The borough had mobilized twelve pieces of heavy equipment and 25 staff in response to this emergency. In response to Squires, Pierce said the DNR direction he was given related to excess gravel was for the community to utilize the gravel,as necessary,to best serve the public interest during this critical time.Pierce wanted to take a proactive approach to addressing the perennial flooding events in this area. Nikiski Fire Chief James Baisden was here with the borough's Incident Management Team; he announced that the borough had a briefing every morning at 8:00 a.m. and the phone number was (907) 262-2099. Motion Passed Unanimous COUNCIL COMMENTS Seese agreed with Griswold,and said she supported reinstating the Shop Foreman position. She would appreciate having some long-term solutions to preventing the flooding issues because the flooding would happen again. McClure had been through these flooding events many times,and looked forward to Pierce's long-term solutions. Towsley agreed with the sentiment of replacing the Public Works position. She thanked the borough representatives for coming to the meeting, as well as the crews that were out there responding to the flooding. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Special Meeting Minutes October 19, 2018 Volume 40, Page 549 Squires thanked administration and the city staff for doing a great job in responding to the flooding. He appreciated the borough mayor's attitude of being proactive rather than reactive regarding the flooding issues. Squires admonished the city crews to work safely. He thanked all the emergency responders throughout the community. CITIZEN COMMENTS Lynda Paquette loved the idea of being proactive, and using the gravel from the flood to shore up Lowell Point Road; raising the bed of the road would be great. She thanked everyone for working so hard to keep the bridge intact. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS—None ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m. Brenda J. Ballou, MMC David quires City Clerk �j , �t,-„, 9 C,~.� y C /e r Mayor (City Seal) • ee �•• `j` •GpKPRq„„ 0 Q� s (1¼ SEAL •• tie�rF OF* A p' S