HomeMy WebLinkAbout10192018 City Council Special Meeting Minutes Conservation Fund Grant City of Seward,Alaska City Council Special Meeting Minutes
October 19, 2018 Volume 40, Page 550
CALL TO ORDER
The October 19,2018 Special Meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 1:04
p.m. by Mayor David Squires.
OPENING CEREMONY
Carol Griswold 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 was a member of the Seward Iditarod Trail Blazers; she passed out a
brochure featuring the Iditarod National Historic Trail entitled Walk The First Mile. Regarding
Resolution 2018-085, Griswold clarified that the title should be corrected to be, "Iditarod National
Historic Trail and Bike Path."Also,Griswold submitted a letter to council opposing the downtown
cruise ship dock concept.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (McClure/Towsley) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Motion Approved Unanimous
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 2018-085, Authorizing The City Manager To Apply For A Land And Water
Conservation Fund Grant To Refurbish The National Historic Iditarod Trail Bikepath.
Motion (McClure/Towsley) Approve Resolution 2018-085
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Special Meeting Minutes
October 19, 2018 Volume 40, Page 551
Assistant City Manager Brennan Hickok requested that council make the amendment
suggested by Griswold.Hickok added that this resolution would demonstrate community support for
this project. The hope was the path would be repaved, and drainage issues solved.
Motion to Amend (McClure/Towsley) Amend Resolution 2018-085 by striking the
words, "National Historic Iditarod Trail
Bikepath" and replacing them with,
"Iditarod National Historic Trail and Bike
Path."
Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous
Seese wondered if there was a particular problem with the trail and bike path currently that
required the urgency of passing this resolution. In response, Hickok said the deadline for the grant
application was coming soon.
In response to Towsley,Hickok said the city would be matching 50%of the grant,but there
were no estimates at this time how much that would be.
In response to Squires,Hickok said the repairs would be confined to that portion of the trail
and bike path that were inside city limits; Bridges said it would be Mile Zero to the Seward
Highway. Although the specific measurements would be included in the grant application,Bridges
estimated a$5 per foot cost. Because the path crossed some roads,Squires wished this project would
also include pedestrian crossing signs across Fourth Avenue and Port Avenue.
McClure said she had witnessed the deterioration of the bike path over the years, and had
heard from campers that they had problems with the path, so she was pleased with this resolution.
Towsley supported this resolution,and would have liked to see this come forward at a regular
meeting.
Main Motion Passed Unanimous
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Towsley thanked everyone for coming to the meeting.
Squires thanked the Parks & Recreation Director for going after these grant funds.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Carol Griswold said the bike path was now 26 years old.The Seward Iditarod Trail Blazers
had discussed providing more education and information to visitors about the trail,and suggested the
city partner with the U.S.Forest Service and the Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm National Heritage
Area(KMTA) to develop an interpretive kiosk for visitors at Mile Zero.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Special Meeting Minutes
October 19, 2018 Volume 40, Page 552
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS
Towsley thanked Griswold for her interest and passion; she hoped the city staff would
include Griswold's suggestions.
Squires echoed those sentiments and thanked Griswold.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 1:21 p.m.
Brenda J. Ballou, MMC David Squires
City Clerk /3 c 4 9 c % Y c /e r k Mayor
(City Seal)
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