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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11242008 City Council MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska City Coui~icil Minutes Nove~rtber 24, 2008 Volume 37, Pale 656 CALL TO ORDER The November 24, 2008 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Clark Corbridge. OPENING CEREMONY Police Chief Tom 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 ABSENT -None Marianna Keil Bob Valdatta Jean Bardarson CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Christina Nyholm thanked the council for supporting the Boys & Girls Club. Trish Hart supported the safe protection Boys & Girls Club brought after school and stated safe places were needed. The Club instilled confidence, usefulness, belonging and influence and showed the value of hard work and reliability. Boys & Girls Club had a great mission statement that she read aloud. Stacey and Braden Lane supported the Boys & Girls Club. Her family used these programs and she was thankful for the safe place for her children after school. This program provided a safe place and was a needed program. Her son Braden thanked the council for supporting the Club. Tia and Shelby, participants from the Boys & Girls Club, also thanked the city council for supporting the program. Benjamin Miranda stated this was a great program for the youth of the community and Borough. He was happy to get his homework done right after school. Elizabeth Grace supported Boys & Girls Club. She thought the town was blessed for the safe options it had for children. She stated the program was invaluable financially and she could Crry of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes November 24, 2008 _ Volume 37, Page 657 enjoy her time with the children because homework was completed. Grace stated there was no price tag on how important this program was and it made lives better. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Bardarson/Keil) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda The following was added to the agenda: ^ AML Report by Vice-Mayor Willard Dunham. ^ Discussion of budget items. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: The October 27, 2008 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Were Approved. Resolution 2008-121, Adopting An Alternative Allocation Method For The FY2009 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 2008-122, Approving Amendment No. 13 To The Contract With Robertson, Monagle & Eastaugh And Zane & Associates Now, Hoffman Silver Gilman And Blasco, PC, And 7.ane & Associates Extend The Term For Federal Lobbying Representation Through December 31, 2009 For A Total Of $77,000. Resolution 2008-123, Approving Amendment No. 20 To The Contract With Kent Dawson Company, Inc. For State Lobbying Services Through December 31, 2009 For A Total Of $70,000. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards A Proclamation Was Read For Adoption Awareness Month. An Appreciation Certificate Was Read For Agencies involved With The Mass Dispensing Exercise Held On November 8, 2008. A Gold Pan Was Awarded To Linda Amberg For 4 Years Of Leadership And Service On The Seward City Council. A Gold Pan And Certificate By P&Z Was Awarded To Marianna Keil For 11 Years Of Leadership And Service On The Seward Planning & Zoning Commission. City of Seward, Alaska Crry Council Minutes November 24, 2008 volume 37, Page 658 Borough Assembly Report. None ... City Manager's Report. City Manager Phillip Oates stated Fodor's Travel had named the Alaska Sealife Center a 2008 Fodor's Choice Selection. Police Chief Tom Clemons was recently voted Chairman for the Mountain Pacific Region of the Alaska Association of Chiefs of Police (SALOP). Alaska would be represented on SACOP's Board of Officers for the first time, and afforded the opportunity for the city and state to bring problems and concerns directly to the association's leadership. Because of cancellations due to a lack of a quorum, Oates pleaded to the community for volunteers to join the Planning and Zoning Commission. He notified that a coal ship would arrive November 30, 2008 for immediate loading. He also stated September and October revenues for Sports & Rec. were up $1,835.76 from the previous year and thanked Ergo in Demand, Inc. and Safeway for their donations to the TYC. Electric Utility Manager Tim Barnum resigned effective December 9, 2008 and the police department was fully staffed. ^ Community Development. Oates facilitated meetings and staff reviews of the Siemens Energy Study Proposal and decided with 2009 budget conservation the staff would implement energy saving measures in-house. He worked with the Borough to make sure the City's interests were protected within KPB Ordinance 2008-36, issuing a 12-month moratorium on development in the floodplain in the Seward/Bear Creek Flood Service Area. ^ Public Works. The M.L. Foster Water Compliance Study was being completed. Snow blower parts had been shipped and the snow blower should be operational before Christmas. ~. Oates stated energy efficiency items were being installed to conserve energy, ^ Harbor. Wind blades on the Tsunami Warning System atop the Harbormaster's building were removed. Harbormaster Kari Anderson and Laura Cloward represented Seward at the Pacific Marine Expo in Seattle. Police Chief Tom Clemons addressed questions by the council on recent crimes. School Board Report. School Board Member Lynn Hohl had emailed council the website that showed the summary of the Statewide Education Summit held in Anchorage November 2008. The purpose was to provide the foundation for Alaska's statewide education plan, and she was anxious to see the forty four goals that would be developed from the Summit. She noted there were still some job openings within the school for Seward such at; cheerleading coach, temporary physics lab instructor for one class, and a couple part time school nurse positions. A contract was approved with the new Spanish teacher at the High school. Hohl stated the after-school welding school had begun, and the District's six-year enrollment projections were in, showing losses of students for Seward. The budget process was underway and staffing was a challenge with declining enrollments. AML Report by Vice-Mayor Willard Dunham. Dunham was astounded that Resolution „~, 2009-14 which urged the governor and Legislature to expand the power cost equalization program to include Municipal facilities not eligible under existing law, had failed. Dunham was impressed with the size of the Ketchikan ship repair facility and how they educate school children and the City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minaates November 24 2008 Volume 37, Page 659 community college in the shipbuilding business. Some topics discussed were: APOC issues, energy delivery systems, high fuel costs, shortage of tax base, deferred road maintenance, lower revenues, disappearing jobs and alternate energy. Council Member Betsy Kellar also went to AML and enjoyed their motivational speaker. She met with persons from the Rasmussen Foundation and the Denali Commission, and spoke about their programs. She met briefly with Attorney General Talis Colberg and asked for support in dredging our harbor for the cntise ships. Resolutions Requiring a Public Hearing Resolutions 2008-110 through 2008-118 and Resolution 2008-126, Adoption Of Fiscal Year 2009 City Budget, Consisting Of General Funds, Enterprise Funds, Motor Pool Fund And The Capital Budget. (This was a public hearif~g item onl}~. The br~dget will come before the council for udoption at the 12/8/08 city council meeting) Oates stated there had been three budget work sessions along with efficiency study work sessions, and topics of concern were addressed and incorporated within the budget. He was presenting a balanced budget. The notice of public hearing was posted and pa~blished as required by law, and the public hearing was opened. Rhonda Hubbard was glad to see the business tax money split between the general fund, SMIC and harbor fund. Fish prices had dropped with sablefish being fairly strong. Seward was the 7`'' largest port for fish value in America and there was no sablefish on the menus in any of the local restaurants. She thought Seward was losing boats. She thought having a crane installed would be great infrastructure to lure commercial fisherman to town. She wanted to reinforce that commercial fisherman do contribute to the budget each year as the fish tax in the budget showed. Brenda Ahlberg, from Kenai Boys & Girls Club wanted to recognize how much this club was valued and needed in this community. As federal support waned, the club needed further financial support from the City. All youth programs were sound programs that the city should invest in. Ahlberg was thankful in the support already given, but asked for additional support of $50,000. Margaret Anderson, thanked the council for passing a resolution to open the doors for the Boys & Girls Club. They were asking for continued support of $50,000. She understood the economic challenges with the budget, but more children would need the extra help and she was requesting continued support. Chellie Skoog, was chairing the board for the Seward Community Foundation and understood some pass through funds may be going through this foundation from the city. She explained that the starting endowment was $125,000 to enhance local needs. When non-profits needed assistance, it would be beneficial to pass to the Foundation. Skoog mentioned they had an ""'' eleven member board, and a fornlal grant application would be put in place. Thcy were in the Ciry ojSeK~ard, Alaska City Council Minutes November 24, 2008 Volume 37, Pa >e 660 developmental stage, but should have a plan in place by February 2009. Funds would be disbursed in the same fiscal year as requested. She stressed the focus was to create local endowments. The Rules Were Suspended By Unanimous Consent To Ask Questions Of Chellie Skoog. Oates thought the endowment could be funded this year. He stated the 2009 budget increased non-profit funding over 100 percent from last year. Skoog stated a separate unrestricted fund would be set up and awards would be made from that fund so the public would know where the funds came from. Resolution 2008-119, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Extension Of The Lease With The Women's Division Of The Board Of Global Ministries Of The United Methodist Church For Lots 19, 20 And 21 Of The Marathon Addition, To The City Of Seward. Motion (Bardarson/Dunham) Approve Resolution 2008-119 Oates stated this was an extension of an existing lease that had expired. It would be extended until December 31, 2009 when the Long-Term Care Facility would hope to be occupied. The notice of public hearing was posted and published as required by law, and the public hearing was opened. No one appeared to address the Council and the public hearing was closed. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2008-120, Authorizing Participation In The Community Development Block Grant Program For A Total Of $252,925 For An ADA Accessible Boardwalk Along The Southern Edge Of The Small Boat Harbor Connecting The New South Float System (Q,M,N,O,P) With S Float And The South Launch Ramp Areas, While Creating ADA Accessibility Throughout The Harbor. Motion (Bardarson/Dunham) Approve Resolution 2008-120 Oates stated this was the first grant request that resulted from the efficiency study. This grant mission was to enhance the quality of life for low and moderate income residents in rural Alaska, and could be used for community, special, planning or economic development projects. This project would improve the South harbor uplands and install an ADA compliant boardwalk. The Port and Commerce Advisory Board supported this project. Oates explained the criteria needed to meet the application requirements, the project itself, and the types of projects that could be funded, needed to be stated in the minutes as shown below: • It would be an 825 linear foot boardwalk that would be ADA compliant, com~ecting ,,,,_ Q float with S float and extending to the South Launch Ramp Area (A Map was shown in the council packet). City of Seward, Alaska November 24, 2008 City Council Minutes Volume 37, Page 66/ • The Community Block Grant was defined and targeted low income communities, which we may or may not qualify for, or ADA compliant projects. • This grant was one of the few that were available for construction projects. • The project must be ready (engineering, plans, community support) which Seward's was. • The Port & Commerce Advisory Board supported and endorsed the project. • The city had received letters of support from the Senior Center, Chamber, and members of the community. • The project had been discussed at City Project Planning Meetings. Oates also reported that residents had the opportunity to suggest a variety of possible projects for which to apply, and there were no viable alternative proposals. • Project ideas were solicited from the Senior Center, Chamber, and members of the community. • This was one of the few projects in town that would be ADA compliant and was considered appropriate for this grant in terns of engineering and planning. Oates named other projects considered: • ADA entrances for City Hall (plans not fiilly developed) • Community Pavilions (already slated to receive funding from State and Alaska SeaLife Center) The notice of public hearing was posted and published as regi~ired by law, and the public hearing was opened. Lynn Hohl commended the city for moving forward with plans for this project and was excited the city was going after grants of this type. She was hopeful the city hall building would some day be more ADA accessible. She also stated it was good to see city employees at the ADA re- training at AVTEC recently. Harbormaster Kari Anderson stated the boardwalk would be 8 to 12 feet wide so both fish carts and wheelchairs could utilize it City employees would be building the boardwalk instead of paying Davis-Bacon wages. She answered that the concrete sauna tube design and preliminary engineering drawings had been approved. Motion Passed Unanimous Ciry of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes November Z4, 2008 volume 37, Page 662 Council recessed at 8:40 p.m. Council reconvened at 8:45 p.m. Ordinances Requiring A Public Hearing Ordinance 2008-018, Amending Seward City Code, Title 6, Purchasing, Contracts And Professional Services, Increasing The Limit For Minor Purchases From $10,000 To $50,000, Making Certain Changes To Avoid Conflicts Within The Seward City Code. Motion (Bardarson/Kellar) Enact Ordinance 2008-018 Oates had laid down some proposed amendments that the council mentioned they wished to see at introduction. The notice of public hearing was posted and published as required by law, and the public hearing was opened. Lynn Hohl did not think it was in the city's best interest to raise this amount to $50,000. She thought with atwo-year budget it removed the citizens and council from knowing the expenditures of the city. Valdatta stressed this subject had been discussed, was discretionary, and there would be a purpose behind all purchases. He thought the city was being held hostage by the minor purchase ordinance as is, or the city would have had a snowblower ready by now if this had been adopted earlier. Motion to Amend #1 (Smith/Bardarson) To Adopt The Laydown Version Provided With Amendments That Excluded Vehicles From Minor Purchases And Cleaned Up Local Bid Language And Other Minor Wording. Kellar had taken the time to go through all resolutions that were passed in 2007 and 2008 and she stated most minor purchases were under $25,000 anyway. She noticed most contracts, bids and change orders were over $25,000. She wanted to increase the amount, but not as high as $50,000. Motion to Amend #2 (Keil/Kellar) Amend The Dollar Amount To $25,000 Everywhere $50,000 Occurred In The Laydown. Oates stated he needed enough spending authority to do urgent spending when it was needed. Amendment #2 Failed (2-5) Yes: Kellar, Keil No: Bardarson, Valdatta, Smith, Dunham, Corbridge Ciry of Sewm•d, Alaska Ciry Council Minutes November 24 2008 Volume 37, Page 663 Amendment #1 Passed (5-2) Yes: Bardarson, Smith, Dunham, Valdatta, Corbridge No: Keil, Kellar Kellar announced she was cautious with the taxpayers money, and stated decisions of today affected the future. Keil could not support this ordinance because she thought $25,000 was a more appropriate amount to approve than $50,000. Smith iterated that council was an oversight body and should not be micro-managing city departments. Main Motion to Enact as Amended Passed (5-2) Yes: Valdatta, Dunham, Smith, Bardarson, Corbridge No: Keil, Kellar Ordinance 2008-019, Amending Title 3, Chapter l5, Salary Administration, Allowing The City Manager To Review And Adjust Salaries For External Equity. Motion (Bardarson/Dunham) Enact Ordinance 2008-019 Oates stated many governmental agencies were affected by the fact that they could not keep pace with what individuals could make in the private sector. He mentioned Utility Manager Tim Barnum just got a job with less responsibility for much more money. This ordinance would not change the process or the pay scale, but would allow the manager some leeway to keep employees. The notice of public hearing was posted and published as required by law, and the public hearing was opened. Lynn Hohl thought the pay scales needed to be changed and wondered why the city didn't just do that. Oates factored three external equity salaries into the 2009 budget. Motion To Enact Passed (5-2) Yes: Smith, Dunham, Valdatta, Bardarson, Corbridge No: Kellar, Keil Resolution 2008-124, Establishing Council Guidance And Decisions Relating To The Efficiency Study For The City Of Seward Dated August 22, 2008. Motion (Kellar/Keil) Approve Resolution 2008-124 Oates stated as a result of guidance in work sessions, this was the resolution to establish a record of that guidance and to implement areas of the efficiency study. Caty of Sei~~~u-d. Alaska City Council Minutes Novemhe~° 14, 2008 volume 37, Pa ~e 664 Motion To Amend (Kellar) To Remove The Words "Councils Guidance And Decisions Relating To" And Add "Bird" Before the words "Efficiency Study" in the 6`~ Whereas Amendment Dies For Lack Of A Second. Motion To Amend (Dunham/Bardarson) On Item 42 Flat Rate Harbor Electricity Fees: Exchange The Word "Explore" With The Word "Support" Amendment Passed Motion To Amend (Dunham/Keil) Amendment Passed Motion To Amend (Dunham/Bardarson) Amendment Passed Motion To Amend (Kellar/Bardarson) Amendment Passed (5-2) Motion To Amend (Dunham/Bardarson) Amendment Passed Main Motion Passed As Amended Unanimous On Item 39(b) Take Home Vehicles: Remove "Do Not Support" and add "Explore" Unanimous On Item 40 a & e Contract Vehicle Services: Remove "Do Not Support" and add "Explore" Unanimous On Item 9Non-Profit Funding: Add the words "Boys & Girls Club" in the first sentence after "Senior Center" Yes: Keil, Kellar, Dunham, Bardarson, Valdatta No: Smith, Corbridge On Item 9Non-Profit Funding: Add the sentence, "This does not prevent the council from considering exceptional or out of cycle requests" Unanimous Unanimous Resolution 2008-125, Amending The 2008 Budget To Account For Mid-Year Unanticipated Revenues From The State Of Alaska. Ciry of Sewarr~, Alaska November 24, 2008 Motion (Kell/Smith) City Council Minutes Volume 37, Page 665 Approve Resolution 2008-125 Oates stated this was funding that occurred as a result of the State's 2008 passing of their budget. The budget must be amended to include these revenues that were not anticipated in the preparation of the 2008 city budget. The revenues would be deposited in the General Fund and since they would not be appropriated for expenditure, the undesignated fund balance account would be increased. Finance Director Kristin Erchinger stated it was not required by the State to use this money for any particular purpose. The legislature allocated funds and were hesitant to call them revenue sharing while they had another program in the works, so called this energy assistance and passed it along to municipalities. She stated this money would go into the General Fund Undesignated Fund balance account. Motion Passed Unanimous OTHER NEW BUSINESS The City Of Seward Financials For The Month Of September 2008 were provided but not discussed because of time restraints. Discussion ensued on the budget with questions arising about the'/~ time DMV position, a decrease in repair and maintenance figures for Public Works, and the funding for the Library/Museum project. Council Set A Final Budget Work Session For Monday, December 1, 2008 At 7:00 P.M. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Hospital Financials for September 2008. The 2008 Vocational Service Award to City of Seward employee Christy Terry by the Rotary Club of Seward. COUNCIL COMMENTS Keil hoped people would support the angel tree for Christmas. Valdatta said after talking with DOT, it would be nice for everyone on 3~`~ Avernie to park on one side so highway plowing could occur, and then move to the other side so both sides of the highway could be plowed. Dunham thanked Utility Manager Tim Barnum for straightening up past problems in the electrical department. He reminded the community that the food bank drive was on and the load was heavy this year. He complimented Christy Terry on the Rotary Service Award and wished everyone a great Thanksgiving. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes Novernber 24, 2008 volume 37, Pa =e 666 Bardarson thanked the administration for attorney review being put on the agenda .. statements and thanked Christy Terry on her award. She wanted someone to come to Seward to speak about event insurance. Kellar also wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. CITIZENS' COMMENTS -None COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS -None ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 p.m. -~ ~ / }, '~' X14 f. ~ Li'%.-~ Jea ~ Lewis, CMC Cit Clerk ~~~ . Clark Corbridge Mayor (City Seal) ~omec~taQ,~~Aa ~~~ ~!~ ~~~ ®~ s,q~ e~ ~ r ww ,: w ., F is np. r P j~ v q'