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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10272008 City Council MinutesCity of ~Serovard, Alaska October 27, 2008 CALL TO ORDER Cary Councr! Minutes Volume 37. Pai>e 648 ..~. The October 27, 2008 regular meeting ofthe Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Clark Corbridge. OPENING CEREMONY Police Chief Clemons led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Clark Corbridge presiding and Willard Dunham Betsy Kellar Tom Smith comprising a quorum of the Council; and Phillip Oates, City Manager Jean Lewis, City Clerk Johanna Dollerhide, Assistant City Clerk Cheryl Brooking, City Attorney ABSENT -None Linda Amberg Bob Valdatta Jean Bardarson Newly elected council members Dunham, Bardarson, and Keil were sworn in by City Clerk Jean Lewis. CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Beth Klein, spoke to the council regarding the Big Brothers/Big Sistcrs Program and asked for help continuing the program through financial support of the city. Doreen Valadez, also spoke in support of Big Brothers/Big Sisters. She hoped the City of Seward would consider helping this program with monetary support as well. Deb Bond spoke on behalf of the Boys and Girls Club, asking for continued support from the council. Wendy Allik, spoke from Big Brothers/Big Sisters. She fclt the program was very important for Seward and for its youth. Jordan Hargraves, spoke as a little sister from Big Brothers/Big Sisters. The best part was being able to go out and do things outside. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes October 27. 2008 volume 37. Paee 649 Duane Chase, also in the Big BrothersBig Sisters program, spoke in support of the program. ..... He felt the more interaction with Seward's youth the better and any support would be very appreciated. Lynn Hohl, gave a brief school board update. There were some vacant scats on the board. There were very many new members and Hohl was elected as Treasurer. The PARKS group received the Golden Apple Award from the School Board. By unanimous consent, council suspended the rules to allow Hohl to complete her report. Ron Long, spoke on the capital project developments list before the council tonight. The PACAB Board was asked to review these before they went to council Long reported PACAB's suggestions to the council. Kathy Byars, spoke in support of the Boys and Girls Club and expressed frustration because she did not have cell phone coverage in places in town. She wondered what was going on with the cell phone tower and if there were access issues. She was hoping the city could do whatever they could to make this happen. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Bardarson/Keil) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Ordinance 2008-O18 was pulled from the consent agenda by Kellar. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: The October 13, 2008 regular city council meeting minutes were approved. Ordinance 2008-019, Amending Title 3, Chapter 15, Salary Administration, Allowing The City Manager To Review And Adjust Salaries For External Equity. (Introduced and set for public hearing November- 24, 2008) Resolution 2008-108. Authorizing The City IVlanager To Make The Following Personnel Adjustments: Reclassify The Engineering Tech From A Range (15-17) To A Range (20.5-22.5) And Change The Title To Operations Supervisor. Resolution 2008-109, Accepting Grant Funds In The Amount Of $2500.00 From The American Library Association And The Fetzer Institute And Appropriating Funds. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards City o(Setivard, Alaska City Council Minutes October 27 2008 Volume 37, Page 650 The TYC Teen and Youth Council were presented. A memoriam was read for the family of Herb Shaindlin. Council suspended the rules to allow Council Member Dunham to announce that it was Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Borough Assembly Report. Borough Assembly Representative Ron Long stated the Assembly was going through quite a process to build their capital priority lists. There were several submissions icom various service areas and they would be seeking all of the cities' priorities as well. The Assembly had a ne~v mayor and some new members. They had a passed sales tax exemption to work with. There was a reconsidered motion to allow cities to make their own determination on non-prepared food items tax exemption. That reconsideration failed, so cities were not allowed to make their own determinations. Seward, as a home rule city, could make this determination regardless of the Borough's rulings. City Manager's Report. City Manager Phillip Oates stated he felt there was a positive feeling in the community during this budget season. He congratulated the new council members on their appointments, as well as those who ran and did not win. He was disappointed to see that the financial disclosure statement exemption proposition did not pass, but was enthusiastic that the ballot proposition to adopt a biennial budget passed at the recent election. Karin Sturdy was back in Seward and was recovering well. Oates was happy to have her back. There were some recent bear shooting incidents in the community. Police Chief Tom Clemons reported there were 170+ incidents reported in the last year. Two recent bear killings were under investigation. The SPD have used all of their laws in their jurisdiction to stop this type of hunting in residential areas. They hoped to have this never happen again. h~ response to Dunham, Clemons noted that trapping would be included in the ordinance that would come to council In response to Smith, this was by far the biggest year for complaints of bears in Seward. The ASLC had a board meeting, and the ASLC pledged support of the pavilion initiative. Oates would be looking for council guidance on how to proceed. With public support, he felt they had a chance to get both pavilions. The plat of Washington Street: The Kenai Peninsula Borough staff says it was up to the National Park Service to finalize the plat and unless told differently, Oates would state the city has no objection to remove the plat. He would soon be sponsoring language to use the Legend's building as a conference center for both private and public use. Long Term Care Facility: Crews were now one third of the way through construction and would be able to work inside during the winter. Change orders were minimal and administration has ~.. great conununication with the companies involved. November 2009 was the project completion date. City of Seward, Alaska City Cnuneil Mim~tes October 27, 2008 _ Volume 37, PnQe 651 The Community Emergency Preparedness Drill was moving forward as scheduled. They .r. were still looking for volunteers, as it would be a sizeable exercise. The Seward Fire Department received a life safety achievement award. The Harbor was awaiting results from the contamination removal tests. Staff was working on did documents to purchase floats for Z floats and were conducting an economic feasibility studies on SMIC. In other areas, the Japanese Creek Levee road project was moving forward on receiving pernlits. Josh Mize was back on the police force and Karl Schaefenneyer accepted a patrol recruit position. Public Works was busy preparing for winter. The Parks and Recreation Annual Halloween Carnival was coming up and Clerk's office held a mock presidential election for the 3~d and 4`h grade classes of Seward Elementary. In response to council, Oates stated administration was still working on land use issues regarding the prison lease, but felt they were still on track. Their greatest concern was inflation.. He didn't have a Jesse I,ee Home update, but a meeting was scheduled this Wednesday to give a complete report of the project. City Attorney's Report. Cheryl Brooking gave a brief report on the arbitration filed by Seward Ship's Drydock. Nothing was scheduled yet due to conflicting schedules. The brief was due for the Tnistees of Alaska suit. The city had filed a cross appeal on whether a permit was required in -~ the small boat harbor. They were not sure if the Trustees were going to object to the latest appeal, but she would keep the council apprised. Chamber of Commerce Report. Laura Cloward congratulated Dunham, Bardarson, and Keil and thanked former Council Member Amberg for her service to the council. Many communities were looking at projects similar to Seward's priorities. The chamber would like to focus on small business resources. The Pacific Marine Expo was coming up in November, where Seward reached out to the commercial harbor users. The Chamber was working with the harbor to put together a marine service provider list to promote the community. The State Chamber would be deciding on their priorities soon. Planning and 7,oning Report. Council Member Marianna Keil gave abriefPlanning and 7,oning update. There were currently two openings on P&Z and may be losing another member. Keil put out a plea for more involvement. The commission had a work session on the P&Z rules of procedure. It was a time consuming project, but would be worth it in the long run. Smith noted his concern with the low numbers of the commission. He thought the issue needed review and maybe council should consider reducing the number to five, if need be. Council recessed at 8:20 p.m. Council resumed at 8:28 p.m. Other Reports, Special Presentations City of Seward, Alaska City Council MAn~tes October 27. 2008 Volume 37, Page 652 The 2009 Budget was introduced by City Manager Phillip Oates and Finance Director Kristin Erchinger. NEW BUSINESS Ordinances For Introduction Ordinance 2008-018, Amending Seward City Code, Title 6, Purchasing Contracts And Professional Services, [ncreasing The Limit For Minor Purchases From $10,000.00 To $50,000.00 Making Certain Changes To Clarify Purchasing Policies, And Increase Efficiency, And Making Other Changes To Avoid Conflicts Within The Seward City Code. Motion (Bardarson/Kellar) Introduce Ordinance 2008-018 In response to Keil, Cily Attorney Cheryl Brooking noted an error in the language and that this was not doing away with local preference, but that if local preference was to be given, it would be specifically noticed in the bid or proposal language. It would be allowed, but not automatically. Dunham was unsure why the local preference language was being changed. Oates stated the staff perspective was to maintain flexibility to meet changing circumstances. Dunham understood both sides, but felt this would be an issue of concern with the community. Valdatta didn't think that always picking the lowest bid was the best practice of the city. Kellar was concerned with the language in 6.10.230 and wanted it stated a little friendlier. Brooking noted the concept was the preference would not be automatic and the language could most certainly be re-worded. Kcil had discomfort with the SSOk limit when it came from the motor pool. She wondered if they could make a reference to exempt the motor pool from this ordinance. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2008-105, Approving The City Of Seward's Calendar Year 2009 Federal Legislative Priorities. Motion (Bardarson/Smith) Approve Resolution 2008-105 Oates noted a laydown version of the resolution before the council tonight and listed the priorities listed for federal Iunding. Motion to Amend (Corbridge/Bardarson) Add "Arctic" to Alaska Region Research Vessel in Beneficial Legislation #1 Approved City of Seward, Alaska City Council Mimrtes Oclober 27, 2008 Volume 37 Page 653 Motion to Amend (Keil) Add language supporting any and all legislation benefiting Seward's healthcare Motion withdrawn after discussion. Keil was informed that more carefully crafted language could be amended at a later time. In response to Valdatta, Oates said the city would have better funding from the state than federal on road concerns. Main Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2008-106. Approving The City Of Seward's Calendar Year 2009 State Legislative Priorities. Motion (Bardarson/Keil) Approve Resolution 2008-106 Oates advised council there was a laydown version of this resolution. He noted the new format that would help presenting priorities to the legislature and stated PACAB's recommendations to council. Bardarson thought there should he more language on alternative energy. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2008-107, Approving The City Of Seward's Calendar Year 2009 City Priorities. Motion (Kell/Bardarson) Approve Resolution 2008-107 In response to Dunham, Kellar wanted to approve a net metering policy where smaller systems were encouraged. Dunham said RCA had not approved this policy yet, so he felt this would not be the time to add it. Motion to Amend (Smith/Keil) Under Studies and Plans, add items #4, "$200,000 for development of a net metering policy compliant with RCA policies." Motion to Amend Passed Main Motion Passed OTHER NEW BUSINESS Unanimous Unanimous Council nominated, appointed and swore in Willard Dunham as Vice Mayor by unanimous consent. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes October 27, 2008 Volume 37, Page 654 By unanimous consent, council appointed Tom Smith as the KPB EDD representative and .~ directed individual Boards & Commissions to file periodic reports to the city council. By unanimous consent, council removed scheduling a special meeting to approve the prison lease, bond sale and trustee agreement from the agenda. Council discussed the City of Seward Financials for the months of July and August 2008. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Jim Lewis vas awarded Harbor Employee of the Year by the Alaska Association of Harbormasters and Port Administration. COUNCIL COMMENTS Kellar, thanked the TYC for the pizza party given to the council tonight. They did a great job at the TYC. Kellar thanked Laura Cloward for her passion and commitment to Seward. Dunham, hoped people participated in Breast Cancer Awareness Month. AML was happening in a few weeks and Dunham felt council and administration needed to decide what issues to discuss there. He concerned about the changes taking place in the finances of retirement and $401 k. Dunham hoped to bring this issue up at AML as well at DOT issues. Arts were important to ,~. build up a community and the city should help build its arts foundations. Smith went to the KPB EDD meeting. tt was announced that the development district was supporting to build a vocational training center in Kenai, which came as a shock to Smith. The initial feeling was to initially develop welding, but when he reviewed the agenda, it basically mirrored AVTEC'S programs. Smith felt Seward needed to be aware of this and agreed with Cloward's statement earlier that Homer's projects were very similar to Seward's. He congratulated Keil on her election as well as Dunham and Bardarson. Keil reminded the public budget work sessions started tomorrow and it was a pleasure to be on the council. Corbridge commented about the budget, he was unable to attend the work sessions and expressed his support for the budget as proposed by administration. CITIZENS' COMMENTS -None COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMEN'T'S - Nonc EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion (Bardarson/Smith) Went into executive session to conduct the city attorney evaluations. City of Seward, Alaska Octoher 27, 2008 Motion Passed Unanimous Council went into executive session at 10:04 p.m. Council came out of executive session at 10:29 p.m. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:29 p.m. ,_~ ~ /.% ~ Jean ' ewis, CMS City Jerk City Council Minutes Volume 37. Paee 655 Clark Corbridge Mayor (City Seal) ~~ ~F~'~"~°~~ ~ ~~ ,..no.,., pie n ~ f, ~ .. ,..P s __ ~ ~ r S ~ r p '+s I ~•3~ .1 O ~s~asera^ ~ ~