HomeMy WebLinkAbout01272011 City Council Minutes City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
January 27, 2011 — Special Meeting Volume 38, Page 525
CALL TO ORDER
The January 27, 2011 special meeting of the Special Seward City Council was called to order
at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Willard E. Dunham.
OPENING CEREMONY
City Manager Phillip Oates led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
Willard E. Dunham presiding and Jean Bardarson
Marianna Keil Vanta Shafer
Bob Valdatta Ristine Casagranda
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Phillip Oates, City Manager
Cheryl Brooking, City Attorney
Johanna Kinney, City Clerk
Brenda Ballou, Deputy City Clerk
ABSENT — Tom Smith
CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED
FOR PUBLIC HEARING - None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Approve the Agenda
Motion Passed Unanimous
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Go Into Executive Session to discuss with
the City Attorney potential litigation
regarding the maintenance and operation
of the City's shiplift facility and factors
relating to agreements between the City
and Seward Ship's Drydock, Inc.
Motion Passed Unanimous
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
January 27, 2011 — Special Meeting Volume 38, Page 526
Council went into executive session at 6:05 p.m.
Council came out of executive session at 7:55 p.m.
Motion (Shafer /Bardarson) Discuss possible changes to the 8"'
amendment of the Seward Ship's Drydock
Maintenance and Operating Agreement
Motion Passed By Unanimous Consent
City Attorney Cheryl Brooking noted for record that these were discussions before the
council and not decisions made in executive session by the council.
Keil listed two possible amendments to the 8 amendment.
By unanimous consent, council suspended rules to allow Seward Ship's Drydock owner
James Pruitt to speak. Pruitt wanted to know what the trouble was and explained they have had
inspections already. He explained the facility's work to come into compliance. They were prepared
to do more work when the weather complied. He noted most docks were non - coated and they had
finished the cathotic replacement system, was inspected by Norton. Pruitt stated there was a gray
area with the coatings.
Dunham wanted mutual agreement. He understood past disagreements and acknowledged
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that Pruitt took over a messy facility. Now they needed an agreement that was satisfactory to his
business and to the City of Seward.
To allow time for the City Manager and the City Attorney to make the suggested changes
discussed, Council recessed the meeting until 12:00 p.m. on January 28, 2011.
The January 27, 2011 special meeting resumed at 12:05 p.m. in the council chambers on
January 28, 2011.
There were present:
Willard E. Dunham presiding and Marianna Keil
Jean Bardarson Vanta Shafer
Tom Smith Ristine Casagranda
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Phillip Oates, City Manager
Johanna Kinney, City Clerk
Brenda Ballou, Deputy Clerk
Cheryl Brooking, City Attorney
ABSENT — Bob Valdatta
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
,; January 27, 2011 — Special Meeting Volume 38, Page 527
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Resolution 2011 -005, Authorizing The City Manager To Extend The Maintenance And
Operating Agreement With Seward Ship's Drydock, Inc. Through August 31, 2011.
Motion (Keil /Shafer) Approve Resolution 2011 -005
(Made al the January 24 -25, 2011 Council Meeting)
Dunham noted the laydown version of the amendment before the council. This was modified
from the original packet due to the discussion held the day before.
Oates stated the changes before the council on the revised agreement. There were changes to
the third whereas, the first section and the fourth section of the agreement. He noted both parties did
not want to go into litigation. He spoke with Pruitt about how they could change the maintenance
and operating agreement, discussing about inspecting agencies, ongoing maintenance, and having a
quantifiable measure of standards to be met. They both agreed they want to have the lowest level
possible for the coating, but it was debatable between the two parties what that level was.
By unanimous consent, council allowed Pruitt to speak. Pruitt said the mean -low water
levels were not always seen. The two foot tide would be almost impossible to do. He couldn't agree
to something that was too difficult to accomplish. Pruitt noted the opportunities of mean tides in the
coining months from this year's tide book. He described some of the work they had already done to
put the coatings on.
Shafer stated she didn't feel qualified to make that decision; and she didn't want to demand
something Pruitt couldn't do. Casagranda wanted to know how much time they would have when
the tide went down, Dunham and others approximated probably twenty minutes at the most.
Pruitt said they need something practical to work with. If they can get lower, they would.
Smith he thought two feet was a reasonable way to go.
Shafer and Keil agreed to revise their motion to approve Resolution 2011 -005 to include
adoption of the laydown version of the maintenance and operating agreement before the
council.
Casagranda wanted to know why a professional was not in attendance to verify this
information. Smith said basically if the metal wasn't protected, it deteriorated. Shafer said but the
cathotic protection system should protect when it's under water. Casagranda thought it would be
worth having additional staff to avoid these potentially large costs in damages. In her opinion, she
didn't know why they didn't spend more money and time to do it right.
Oates said it was partly a function of cost and realism. His question was what can they do as
a city to provide the best protection that was cost effective?
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
January 27, 2011— Special Meeting Volume 38, Page 528
Dunham said their charge was to make the best decision they could for the city. Bardarson
said it was to each side's benefit to get this taken care of. Dunham was in agreement with Pruitt
about the mean low water levels. Pruitt said this had been a two year project already.
Motion to Amend (Keil /Shafer) Amend the laydown maintenance and
operating agreement, section one to read as
follows: "...of this Amendment to no less
than two feet above mean low tide—level
water, and to a lower level when tides and
weather permit, to the manufacturer's
recommendations, as set forth...."
Casagranda said this was basically saying he didn't have to go any lower than two feet above
mean low water.
Bardarson said they would be doing it likely in the summer, Pruitt said when the time
permitted — it could be in any point. Smith said there were some low tides in April, Pruitt said also
in June. He said it would have to occur during more than one, and probably several, low tides.
Bardarson wondered how other entities handled this. Pruitt said this stipulation was not
required.
Motion to Amend Passed Yes: Keil, Shafer, Smith, Bardarson,
Dunham
No: Casagranda
Motion to Amend (Shafer /Keil) Amend the maintenance and operating
agreement extension to Sept. 30, 2011
Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous
Main Motion Passed Unanimous
COUNCILS' COMMENTS - None
CITIZENS' COMMENTS — None
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS - None
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C'ity of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
January 27, 2011 — Special Meeting Volume 38, Page 529
ADJOURNMENT
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The meeting was adjourned at 12:56 p.m. -1.4) ,.. /. --- ..,' 1...
ohanna Kinney, CMC
Willard E. Dunham
City Clerk Mayor
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