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Home My WebLink About01282019 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes January 28,2019 Volume 40,Page 601 CALL TO ORDER The January 28,2019 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor David Squires. OPENING CEREMONY Lieutenant Alan Nickell led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: David Squires presiding and Sue McClure Suzanne Towsley Jeremy Horn Sharyl Seese John Osenga Kelley Lane comprising a quorum of the Council; and Jeff Bridges,Interim City Manager Brenda Ballou, City Clerk Absent—None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Phil Kaluza wished to see 2,000 mini split heat pumps in Seward and the surrounding area. The greatest advantage was cost savings;mini splits were super-efficient electric heaters that could save on the order of 500 gallons of heating oil each year, which equated to 1 million gallons of heating oil each year,representing approximately 35%savings or$1 per gallon per individual.It took 11 kW of electricity to drive the heat pump to save one gallon of oil; so doing the math, 1 million gallons of oil times 11 kW was 11 million kW power sales per year,which equated to approximately $800,000 per year that the city could benefit from as additional revenue. From an environmental standpoint,every gallon of oil saved equated to 10 pounds of carbon dioxide(CO2)emissions;all in all, Seward could prevent 10 million pounds of CO2 from going into the environment. Jim Hunt requested that council enforce the code that life safety inspections be conducted on all lodging businesses.He commended Marianna Keil for her years of leadership in the community and challenged all of council to follow in her stead. Carol Griswold hoped that in the near future she wouldn't feel compelled to speak on this issue: another employee had left employment with the city. Griswold was concerned with staff turnover at the city. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes January 28, 2019 Volume 40, Page 602 APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (McClure/Towsley) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Squires removed the presentation by Angela Schwertfeger from the agenda. McClure added Resolution 2019-007 to the consent agenda. Towsley added Resolution 2019-006 to the consent agenda. McClure added Resolution 2019-011 to the consent agenda. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Resolution 2019-006, Adopting An Alternative Allocation Method For The FY2019 Shared Fisheries Business Tax Program, And Certifying That This Allocation Method Fairly Represents The Distribution Of Significant Effects Of Fisheries Business Activity In The Cook Inlet Fisheries Management Area. Resolution 2019-007,Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A 48-Month Fair Market Value Lease Agreement With OfficeTECH/Xerox For Ten Copiers For A Base Amount Of $1,072 Per Month. Resolution 2019-011, Adopting The Port And Commerce Advisory Board Priorities From February 2019 To February 2020. Approval of January 14, 2019 Regular Meeting Minutes. Non-objection for the renewal of the Beverage Dispensary liquor license#1245 for the Yukon Bar. Non-objection for the renewal of the Restaurant/Eating Place liquor license#3230 for Apollo Restaurant. Non-objection for the renewal of the Beverage Dispensary liquor license#1153 for Tony's Bar. Non-objection for the renewal of the Package Store liquor license #1154 for Tony's Liquor Store. Non-objection for the renewal of the Restaurant/Eating Place liquor license #5400 for The Cookery. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations & Awards City of Seward Alaska City Council Minutes January 28,2019 Volume 40, Page 603 Recognizing Marianna Keil for 23 years of service to the Seward Planning&Zoning Commission and the Seward City Council. Chamber of Commerce Report.Cindy Clock thanked Phil Kaluza for speaking tonight, and said the air-to-air heat pump system at the chamber office would be coming up on its one year anniversary in April,2019 and was a beautiful system to have.There were currently 389 chamber members. The new 2019 Seward Destination Guides were on their way from the printer. Many groups would be having their events in Seward this year, including the Region 3 Basketball Tournament in March,the Active American China Fam in March,the Alaska Nurses in April,a Seabird Festival on June 22,2019,CHARR Convention in the fall,and AVTEC's 50th Anniversary in September.Starting in April,the chamber membership lunches would be moving to Thursdays. 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:$8,500 to ITRON for meter reading hardware and software maintenance;and,$27,584 to Anchorage Chrysler Dodge for a 2019 RAM Y2 ton 4x4 crew cab pickup truck for the harbor. Bridges drew attention to the city manager report for a rate survey of Railbelt utilities as compared to Seward.Bridges added that the Planning&Zoning Commission had three vacant seats, and the Historic Preservation Commission had two vacant seats if anyone was interested in getting involved.The recruiting firm,GovHR USA,had provided a draft advertisement for the city manager position, and the brochure would be coming soon. Bridges requested that if anyone had a concern about any particular employee,please contact him directly to discuss. Lane referenced the city manager report where there had been reported 43 attendees at the Teen Rec Room over a two week period; based on that report, Lane requested to have the daily operational cost for that facility. Further, Lane wondered if the mission of the Teen Rec Room included serving 18-21 year olds. In response to Towsley,Bridges said the city was in the process of ordering more meters for the meter exchange project because the previous estimate of needing an additional 150 was short. When the order came in,this would be the final stage in the exchange. In response to Lane,Bridges would be happy to have a work session to educate everyone on the relationship between the city,Mountain Haven,Providence,and the Community Health Center. Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations . ! • ' . . . . . . . • , . . . . , • . . . .. • . _ • • . . . . . . This presentation will be rescheduled at a future date. PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinances for Public Hearing& Enactment City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes January 28, 2019 Volume 40, Page 604 Ordinance 2019-001,Amending City Code Title 2 To Update Sufficient Notice Of Meeting And City Council Voting Procedure. This ordinance was amended and introduced on January 14, 2019 and is coming tonight for a public hearing and enactment. Motion (McClure/Towsley) Enact Ordinance 2019-001 City Clerk Brenda Ballou said this ordinance would update code, as a result of the December, 2018 work session that council had to review and update the City Council Rules of Procedures.There would be additional updates coming via resolution in the near future to complete the update process. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Lynda Paquette noted a typo in the agenda statement. Kyle Walker wondered where the three public places were that public notices were posted. No one else appeared to address the Council and the public hearing was closed. In response to Lane,the city clerk stated that the three public places were the bulletin board in City Hall, the Post Office showcase, and the Harbormaster's Building bulletin board. Motion Passed Unanimous Ordinance 2019-002, Amending Various Portions Of Title 15.20 Signs Of The Seward City Code. This ordinance was introduced on January 14, 2019 and is coming tonight for a public hearing and enactment. Motion (McClure/Osenga) Enact Ordinance 2019-002 Planning Technician Andy Bacon said this ordinance was an outcome of the 2018 Planning &Zoning priorities list.Changes included clarifying definitions of certain signs,intended to protect free speech, particularly for non-commercial signs. There was also a new section added relating to sign measurements. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. No one appeared to address the Council and the public hearing was closed. McClure said there was a good discussion about this at last Friday's work session. In regards to temporary signs,Seese wondered about the impact this ordinance would have on real estate signs; her concern related to the limit of 30 days being allowed for temporary signs. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes January 28, 2019 Volume 40, Page 605 Council requested administration include a diagram to accompany this ordinance in the future that would demonstrate clearly how signs were measured,particularly as it related to odd-shaped signs. Motion Passed Yes:Horn,McClure,Towsley,Seese,Osenga, Squires No: Lane Ordinance 2019-003,Amending The Time Of Adjournment Of City Council Meetings. This ordinance was introduced on January 14, 2019 and is coming tonight for a public hearing and enactment. Motion (McClure/Towsley) Enact Ordinance 2019-003 Bridges said this ordinance would extend the time limit for city council meetings from 10:30 p.m.to 11:00 p.m.,with the option for council to vote for an additional extension from 11:00 p.m.to 12:00 a.m. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Kyle Walker said he didn't think allowing more time made anyone work more efficiently. Patrick Messmer thought it was a good idea because he wasn't always available to come back on another day to finish a meeting. Lynda Paquette thought it sounded like a good idea, and she had heard support for this concept in the community. No one else appeared to address the Council and the public hearing was closed. McClure thought it was a good idea to allow citizens who waited to make comments the ability to not have to come back. Seese would prefer to stay a little bit later the same night rather than come back for a recessed meeting on another day. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolutions Requiring Public Hearing Resolution 2019-004,Recommending Kenai Peninsula Borough Approval Of The City Owned Fourth Of July Creek Subdivision, Seward Marine Industrial Center, Raibow Replat #2, Creating Two New Lots To Be Known As Lots 4A-2 And Lot 5,Block 7; Located Within The Industrial Zoning District. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes January 28, 2019 Volume 40, Page 606 Motion (McClure/Osenga) Approve Resolution 2019-004 City Planner Jackie Wilde said this would take existing Lot 4A-1 and divide it into Lot 4A- 2 and Lot 5. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. No one appeared to address the Council and the public hearing was closed. In response to Lane, Wilde said the land was intended to be used for boat storage. Squires was concerned about fire protection access for this property.The nearest fire hydrant was inside the JAG yard, and the next closest exceeded the 200 foot requirement. In response, Bridges said solving for a fire hydrant access could be handled between the city and the lease. Squires was concerned that the city was not following its own rules for subdivision requirements.To clarify, Wilde said SMIC was in Zone 2 which did not obligate the city to provide water, sewer, or fire protection services. Squires worried that this action was in direct conflict with code as respects subdivision. Motion Passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS Items Postponed from Previous Agenda Schedule a work session to review the 2019 budget. (Towsley) Council scheduled a work session on February 11,2019 at 5:30 p.m.to review and discuss mid-cycle budget amendments. Discuss updating the Strategic Plan. (Towsley) Bridges would bring forward a general survey of communities for council to consider.Bridges would also look at how much other communities spent on it for time and money. NEW BUSINESS Resolution 2019-005,Authorizing The City Manager To Waive Lease Payment Requirements For The He Will Provide Incorporated Food Pantry. Motion (McClure/Seese) Approve Resolution 2019-005 Bridges said this resolution would alleviate the food bank of paying rent to the city, and would enable them to focus on buying and providing more food for the community. Bridges said the city would see less revenue, but that trade off might outweigh the cost for the greater good of the community. In response to Seese, Bridges said administration did not have the electric cost for the food City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes January 28, 2019 Volume 40, Page 607 pantry. Lane thought this action should be delayed and included in the discussion for the mid-cycle budget amendment session instead. Towsley noted the location of the food bank would not be regarded as the most desirable location for most other types of businesses. McClure added that there was other space being used by other community groups for which no rent was being charged. Squires was concerned about the electricity usage, and thought perhaps cutting their rent in half would be appropriate. Motion to Amend (Squires/Lane) Amend Resolution 2019-005 in Section 1 by changing it to read, "The City Manager is authorized to change the lease payment requirements for the He Will Provide Inc. Food Pantry to $300 per month." Motion to Amend Approved Yes: Horn, Lane, Osenga, Squires No: Towsley, Seese, McClure Main Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2019-008, Authorizing $72,009 For A Contract For Janitor Services For The Seward Community Library And Museum To The Dependable Janitor And Gardener And Appropriating Funds. A laydown of the updated signed contract was provided. Motion (McClure/Towsley) Approve Resolution 2019-008 Bridges said there had been two respondents to the Request for Proposals, and one was not qualified.The cost of this contract had increased because it contained additional services,including carpet cleaning. In response to Lane,Community Library&Museum Director Valarie Kingsland said the previous custodial contract that had been in place since 2013, but did not include carpet and upholstery cleaning; those services had been paid for separately. Motion Passed Unanimous Council recessed at 8:55 p.m. Council resumed at 9:03 p.m. Resolution 2019-009,Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Contract Between The City Of Seward Alaska And The State Of Alaska Department Of Administration,Division Of Motor Vehicles To Operate The Seward Office Of The Division Of Motor Vehicles. Motion (McClure/Osenga) Approve Resolution 2019-009 Assistant City Manager Brennan Hickok said this was a three year contract,and the state City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes January 28, 2019 Volume 40, Page 608 was not amenable to changing the term of the contract down to one year,but the contract could be revised if the city wished to contract it out to a private business. Towsley said her research indicated that a private contractor would charge increased fees to citizens. Hickok said there was a person hired for the DMV,and they would be attending training at the end of February. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2019-010,Authorizing Annual Funding To The Seward Volunteer Fire Department In The Amount Of$38,000.00 To Assist With Fire Department Stipends For Fire Response. Motion (McClure/Lane) Approve Resolution 2019-010 Squires declared a potential conflict of interest because he was a volunteer firefighter,but he was not receiving a stipend while on council, and passed the gavel to Vice Mayor McClure. McClure ruled that a conflict did not exist,and with no objection from council, returned the gavel to Squires. Bridges said the stipends were used for volunteers to respond to calls,as well as for training and equipment.In response to McClure,Bridges said he brought this resolution forward because the city manager's spending limit had been decreased to$30,000 and he thought it prudent that council was aware. Squires said the fire department had had a stipend in the budget since the 1980s; he did not understand why this resolution was brought tonight because council had already approved this in the budget. Towsley appreciated the extra steps taken to bring this resolution to council. Motion Passed Unanimous Other New Business Discuss the Port & Commerce Advisory Board's recommendation to conduct a water and sewer rate study. Bridges said the last time this study was conducted was 1993.He thought there should be an audit for each account conducted to ensure everyone was in the right category. Upon direction from council, administration would put together a request for proposals. Bridges wished to ensure that every account would be touched and reviewed and confirmed that it was correct.In response to Lane, Bridges said this study would most likely be conducted in the fall. By unanimous vote, council directed the city manager to draft a Request for Proposals (RFP) for council's review and consideration. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS On-going City Project and Goal List. City of Seward Alaska City Council Minutes January 28, 2019 Volume 40, Page 609 November, 2018 Financial Reports for the City of Seward and Providence Seward Medical and Care Center. COUNCIL COMMENTS McClure thanked everyone for coming out. She was glad to reduce the rent for the food pantry. McClure had attended the SOS Pets animal shelter meeting, and was pleased they were moving towards releasing an RFP for the new animal shelter design. Towsley thanked Carol Griswold for her input on the ordinance. She wondered if council could share travel information in advance. Towsley congratulated all the chamber award winners, and thanked Marianna Keil for her service. Horn said there would be a 3"d annual puppy bowl as a fund raiser for the animal shelter on Superbowl Sunday at Tony's; if anyone was interested please contact him. Seese thanked Griswold for her input, and Keil for her service. She was happy to hear the animal shelter was progressing,and reminded everyone that they could use Amazon Smile to donate funds to the shelter. Osenga congratulated Marianna Keil and thanked her for her service.He was sorry he missed the Polar Bear Jump last Saturday. Lane congratulated Lynda Paquette on her Seward Civic Engagement group.She thanked the unions for helping improve the community.Lane expressed concern over employee departures.She thanked AVTEC for a great construction program. Squires traveled to Anchorage last week with the city manager to meet with the Alaska Railroad,as well as cruise ship representatives about cruise ship head tax funds and the recent court ruling in Juneau. He wished to applaud the Parks&Recreation Department for the 18-21 years old program; he hoped it would curb underage drinking by providing alternative opportunities. On February 17,2019 he would be traveling to Juneau for AML legislative meetings with Vice Mayor McClure. CITIZEN COMMENTS Kyle Walker thought that council members should have full reign to speak freely without being overruled by the chair. He wished council travel would be discussed in advance of travel. Walker was concerned about the topic for tonight's executive session because it did not pertain to anything specific, and he thought the public deserved to know the reason for having an executive session. Lynda Paquette thanked the Chamber of Commerce for the award she received;she thanked Rissie Casagranda for her support and encouragement for Paquette to start Seward Civic Engagement and to have the focus be on education.Paquette celebrated that the energy in town had changed and was less divisive. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes January 28, 2019 Volume 40, Page 610 COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Bridges requested to remove the executive session in order to improve the topic. Lane agreed with Kyle Walker and thought she was shut down by the mayor. She thought it was wrong. Towsley recognized that an important part of the public process was to allow council members to speak freely. She encouraged everyone to be professional. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion (McClure/Towsley) Go into Executive Session, per SCC 2.10.030(b)(5),for the purpose of discussing the negotiation of labor and other contracts. Motion Failed Unanimous ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 p.m. 4111 Brenda J. Ball, , MMC Davi uires City Clerk Mayor �.NOFSFS ••• (City Seal)�A .•o....... 4 O. .• ttP o •. 7 . • ( SE .• s, EOFP S'',