HomeMy WebLinkAbout01142019 City Council Minutes City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
January 14, 2019 Volume 39, Page 590
CALL TO ORDER
The January 14,2019 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:04
p.m. by Mayor David Squires.
OPENING CEREMONY
Police Chief Tom Clemons led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
David Squires presiding and
Sue McClure Suzanne Towsley
Jeremy Horn John Osenga
Kelley Lane
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Jeff Bridges, Interim City Manager
Brenda Ballou, City Clerk
Will Earnhart, City Attorney
Absent—Seese
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR
PUBLIC HEARING
Tim Sezawinski asked council to consider tsunami preparedness, and wondered what
happened during the tsunami event in early December, 2018. He was concerned with the level of
confusion he and the community experienced through messages through the radio and elsewhere,
particularly because the warning was called off initially, and then reinstated.
Justin Roberts was the general counsel for IBEW. Regarding the referendum, he thought
there were advantages to opting back into the Public Employment Relations Act(PERA). Roberts
provided handouts from the Alaska Labor Relations Board, which were the same items provided as a
laydown at the January 11, 2019 city council work session.
Brannon Nichols was the IBEW representative for the Seward Electric Department. He
thought PERA was important,that a large numbers of employees felt the protection it provided was
essential, and the standards applied across the state.
Tim Sezawinski said in the last three years there had been four tsunami warnings. He
suggested the city get together with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to mark the tsunami zones,
and also to have buoys in the bay to indicate extreme wave activity.
City ofSeward,Alaska City Council Minutes
January 14, 2019 Volume 39, Page 591
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (McClure/Towsley) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
McClure moved Resolution 2019-002 and Resolution 2019-003 to the consent agenda.
Squires removed the introduction of Ordinance 2019-001 from the consent agenda.
Motion Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
Ordinance 2019-002, Amending Various Portions Of Title 15.20 Signs Of The Seward City
Code. This ordinance was introduced tonight, and will come for public hearing and enactment on
January 28, 2019.
Ordinance 2019-003,Amending The Time Of Adjournment Of City Council Meetings. This
ordinance was introduced tonight, and will come for public hearing and enactment on January 28,
2019.
Resolution 2019-002, Instructing The City Manager To Exercise His Authority Under SCC
5.01.040(A) To Cancel Certain Accounts Receivable Owed By Federally Funded Entities To
The City Of Seward.
Resolution 2019-003, Authorizing The Interim City Manager To Purchase Of A 2019 Dodge
1500 4x4 Truck From Anchorage Chrysler In The Amount Of$27,584 To Replace A 2004
Dodge 4x4 Truck.
Approval of the November 26,2018 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes.
Approval of the December 10,2018 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes.
Approval of the December 11, 2018 City Council Special Meeting Minutes.
Continue the Port and Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB) for 2019.
Approval of the Retail Marijuana License#17758 for The Tufted Puffin, LLC.
Non-objection for the renewal of the Club liquor license#53 for the American Legion Post#5.
Protest of the renewal of the Beverage Dispensary liquor license#822 for Seasalt Alaskan Grill
& Bar.
SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
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Proclamations & Awards
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
January 14,2019 Volume 39, Page 592
Polar Bear Jump-Off Festival
Borough Assembly Report.Kenn Carpenter stated borough representatives would be in
Seward on February 8, 2019 to work with the flood board on flood mitigation. Borough Mayor
Pierce had been working on scheduling a meeting with the feds,state,borough,and city to talk about
creative solutions to mitigate repetitive flood issues,including using reservoirs,holding ponds,etc.
The borough would be installing a full-time position for the Office of Emergency Management
(OEM)at the Bear Creek Fire Department to work with Dan Nelson;this would be a relocation of an
employee in the budget, not the creation of a new position. Carpenter was working with Electric
Utility Manager John Foutz to coordinate burrowing an electric line under Grouse Creek in order to
furnish power to Lost Creek. The assembly was planning a resolution to be proactive in removing
abandoned vehicles from the highway;if successful,the borough would take care of the towing and
then would be reimbursed by the state.The assembly budget was coming soon,and was anticipated
to have a$1 million deficit.
City Manager Report. Jeff Bridges reported the following purchase orders over$5,000
have been approved by the City Manager since the last council meeting: $306,453.45 to R&M
Consultants for coastal marine engineering and related harbor improvements;$5,091.93 to Quality
Equipment Sales and Service for a Fisher truck plow;and,$8,280 to S&H Enterprises,Inc.for new
safety doors at the Senior Center/Teen Rec Room building.
Bridges reported the scoring criteria for a Request for Proposals for on-call engineering
services:
Technical Understanding of Scope of Services 10%
Background&Experience 15%
Effectiveness of Delivery System 10%
Education&Qualifications of Personnel 15%
State of Alaska Professional License 5%
References 10%
Competitive Fees&Costs 15%
Proximity to the City 10%
Employment Practices 10%
Total 100%
Police Chief Tom Clemons said there would be a term officer in Seward in about one week,
and another by the end of February.The newest police officer hire for Seward would be leaving to
attend the police academy in February. In response to Lane, Clemons said in April the department
would be one officer short due to the retirement of the lieutenant. Towsley wondered if a term
employee could be hired to cover the DMV.Clemons said the issue was with the state because they
were in complete control of the training schedule.
Lane requested the city manager provide a general report regarding city staffing, including
new employees,employees who quit,etc.to be included in the City Manager Report.Bridges agreed
and council concurred.
In response to Lane,Bridges said administration would be bringing forward information on
the topic of conducting a wage and salary study soon.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
January 14, 2019 Volume 39, Page 593
City Attorney Report. Will Earnhart reported that December was a slow month, as was
typical.Although his report stated December fees were$3,400,there would be an additional$3,000
added due to Holly Wells' involvement with the sinking of the F/V Nordik Viking.
Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations
Annual Port and Commerce Advisory Board Report(Terry)
Planning and Zoning Commission Quarterly Report(Fleming)
PUBLIC HEARINGS—None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Items Postponed from Previous Agenda
Discuss conducting the city attorney evaluation in February,2019 and/or discuss scheduling an
executive session with the city attorney. This discussion was postponed from the December 10,
2018 meeting.
Earnhart requested that he receive council comments in advance of the meeting,by Thursday
the week before if possible. Council scheduled the city attorney's evaluation on February 25,2019.
The tabulation team would be Towsley, McClure, and Horn.
NEW BUSINESS
Ordinances for Introduction
Ordinance 2019-001,Amending City Code Title 2 To Update Sufficient Notice Of Meeting And
City Council Voting Procedure.
Motion to Introduce(McClure/Towsley) Introduce Ordinance 2019-001
Motion to Amend (Squires/McClure) Amend Ordinance 2019-001 under Notice of
Meeting so the new sentence reads,"Notice
delivered via e-mail and/or telephonically
to media, each Council member, and the
city manager, and posted in three public
places at least 24 hours prior to the
meeting,shall suffice as proper notice."
Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous
Motion to Introduce Passed Unanimous
This ordinance will come for public hearing and enactment on January 28, 2019.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
January 14, 2019 Volume 39, Page 594
L Resolution 2019-001, Awarding A Contract For City Manager Recruitment Services To
GovHR USA And Appropriating Funds.
Motion (McClure/Towsley) Approve Resolution 2019-001
Motion to Amend (Squires/McClure) Amend Resolution 2019-001 in the contract
by adding the following sentence to the end
of Total Project Cost: "Any additional
services will be requested by City Council
and will be negotiated and agreed to as an
addendum to this contract."
Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous
Main Motion Passed Unanimous
Other New Business
Schedule a Special Election for the Referendum of Ordinance 1975-412,An Ordinance Of The
City Council Of The City Of Seward, Alaska, Rejecting The Application Of The Public
L Employment Relations Act To The City Of Seward.
Lane spoke in support of opting back into PERA.McClure wished for the citizens of Seward
to be able to vote and own the decision.Osenga agreed the public should vote,and there was time for
more education. Horn agreed that the public should be able to vote. Towsley thought a special
election would be healthy for the community,although she supported council taking action. Squires
wished to have the community decide for themselves.
Council scheduled a Special Election on Tuesday,March 19,2019.
Council scheduled an informational work session on Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 6:00
p.m. for the Public Employment Relations Act (PERA).
Approve the city's participation in a borough-wide Election Stakeholders Group,appoint one
member of council to be on the board, direct the city manager to be on the board,and direct
the city clerk to participate as staff support for the group.
Council appointed McClure to represent council, directed the city manager to participate, and
directed the city clerk to provide staff support.
Discuss reserving time on the 2"d and 4th Mondays of each month as a pre-designated work
L session slot. (Lane)
Council agreed to strive for scheduling work sessions on the second and fourth Mondays at 5:30 p.m.
whenever possible.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
January 14, 2019 Volume 39, Page 595
Discuss improvements to public access through audio investments. (Lane)
Bridges stated that administration and the city clerk were working together to create a
solution. Bridges would bring options forward to council soon.
Schedule a work session to review the 2019 budget. (Towsley)
Council postponed this item to January 28, 2019.
Discuss eliminating the rent for the He Will Provide Food Bank. (Towsley)
Towsley supported either reducing or eliminating the rent for the food bank. McClure
concurred.
Council directed administration to evaluate the costs associated with the food bank being in the
Annex Building and bring that information back to council for consideration.
Discuss updating the Strategic Plan. (Towsley)
Council postponed this item to January 28, 2019.
Discuss attending the Alaska SeaLife Center Gala on February 16, 2019. (Squires)
Towsley and Lane wished to attend. Seese would be contacted to ask if she wished to attend.
Discuss supporting Robert Ruffner's nomination to the Alaska Board of Fisheries.(McClure)
Council unanimously supported sending the letter.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS
On-going City Project and Goal List.
Clerk's Report on Public Records Requests through January 4, 2019.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Osenga stated he would be on vacation from February 7-23, 2019.
McClure thanked everyone for coming to the meeting tonight. The Seward Community
Choir would start soon,and they needed singers;they would rehearse on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. at
the Methodist Church.
Towsley thanked everyone who spoke tonight. She appreciated the work the citizens had put
in to bring forward the referendum petition. Towsley reminded everyone that the Polar Bear Jump
Off Festival would take place the weekend of January 25, 2019.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
January 14, 2019 Volume 39, Page 596
Lane appreciated the resolution for supporting federal employees. She would continue to
hold office hours on council meeting Mondays at Resurrect Art from 3:30-5:00 p.m.Lane announced
she has started school in the AVTEC construction program and would be attending classes
weekdays.
Squires gave condolences to the families of people who had passed recently,and thanked the
community for supporting the victim of a recent house fire.The boat fire at the harbor was responded
to quickly and successfully. Squires said the city did not have control over the tsunami alert sirens in
the city; the city was working with the borough to improve the process.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Norm Regis said there were tsunami buoys in the bay,but the alerts from the buoys were first
sent to the center in Palmer, and then the alerts came back down to Seward.
Tim Sezawinski was frustrated with the current emergency alert system.Telling people to go
to the radio was not effective because many people did not have a radio.
Will Earnhart said February 6, 2019 would work for himself and/or Jennifer Alexander to
attend the work session regarding PERA,and he would like to invite Justin Roberts,the counsel for
IBEW, to also attend.
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS
Towsley supported having a community-wide tsunami evacuation drill.
Hickok said on March 6-7, 2019 there would be a city-only disaster exercise with the U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers Silver Jackets;following that,the city would use that exercise as a model
to conduct a community-wide exercise.
Hickok reported that the rent for the He Will Provide food shelter was negotiated by the city
manager. Bridges said administration would locate the document itself. Squires wished to have a
council discussion about this topic at the next council meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:06 p.m.
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