The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About03142011 City Council Minutes City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes 1 March 14, 2011 Volume 38, Page 542 CALL TO ORDER The March 14, 2011 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Willard E. Dunham. OPENING CEREMONY Police Chief Tom Clemons led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Willard E. Dunham presiding and Jean Bardarson Vanta Shafer Marianna Keil Bob Valdatta Ristine Casagranda Tom Smith 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 — None CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING - None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Keil /Bardarson) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Resolution 2011 -014 was removed from Consent Agenda by Casagranda. Bardarson added an award presentation to Teresa Thomason. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Resolution 2011 -015, Establishing An Annual Seward Historic Preservation Award. Resolution 2011 -016, Accepting A Grant To Provide Public Access To The Seward Cemetery Information, For $8,881, And Appropriating Funds. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes March 14, 2011 Volume 38, Page 543 pi Resolution 2011-017, Accept in g A Grant In The Amount Of $21,828 From The State Of Alaska Historic Preservation Office To Construct An Iditarod Trail Centennial Monument At Trailhead Park, Authorizing In -Kind Costs In The Amount Of $14,552, And Appropriating Funds. The February 28, 2011 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Were Approved. Scheduled a work session on energy efficiency funding for the Alaska Sealife Center on April 25 2011 at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers. Reappointed Cindy Ecklund to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a term to expire February 2014. Appointed Patricia Heim to the Historic Preservation Commission for a term to expire May 2012. Non - Objection to the Liquor License Renewals for Gene's Place, Tony's Bar, and Tony's Liquor Store. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards A Certificate of Appreciation was given to Charles McEldowney and Icicle Seafoods. Certificates of Congratulations were given to both the girls' and boys' Seward High School Basketball Teams at the Regional Tournament and Dan Krier on winning Region Coach of the Year. A Certificate of Appreciation was given to Teresa Thomason for her involvement with and contributions to the City of Seward. City Manager's Report, City Manager Phillip Oates stated that the Denali Commission's Transportation Advisory Committee met in January and chose the Seward Boat Harbor Replacement Project as one of their waterfront development project for Fiscal Year 2011 in the amount of $100,000 which would allow us to design the replacement A -D Floats. Chief Clemons brought forth to the City a scholarship for sexual abuse training through the State Association for Police Chiefs, funded through the Department of Justice. There had been no approved purchases between $10,000- 50,000 since the last Council Meeting. On March 11, 2011 Jill Simpson was advised that she would receive our "Intent to Award" for the Animal Control position. On March 10, 2011 the Alaska Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning for the Alaska coast after a large and devastating earthquake hit Japan. All tsunami zone sirens activated, although this was not a city- initiated warning and not controlled locally. There were no injuries reported locally and Seward's Sister City of Obihiro escaped major damage. Bristol Engineering began work on the North Forest Acres Levee Road on March 15, 2011. The City requested a quote from MacSwain Associates LLC, to perform appraisals for several parcels of City -owned land for $8,900, with completion expected 30 days out. There was a vacancy for the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission and the City of Seward seat City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes March 14, 2011 Volume 38, Page 544 (Seat B) on the Seward Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board. The William H. Seward Yacht Club presented the harbor with a plaque to thank the staff for their efforts during the January 29, 2011 fire in the harbor. There was no damage or erosion from the tsunami warning on March 11, 2011 at the Harbor or at SMIC. The Z float project continued to progress on schedule. Oates continued on with the Public Works report by stating the SMC Dolphin Project was completed to 65% design and they would target construction for the summer. The Lowell Creek Bridge Repair project was sent for asphalt work on bridge. The Tidal Surge Repair bid documents were 95% complete; the bid would be advertised on March 28, 2011. The USCG Relocation was coordinated to line up remaining foundation work. Harmon Construction continued to stabilize and brace the walls of the Jesse Lee Home. There was a pre - proposal elevator service agreement meeting held on March 11, 2011. The Street Department was concentrating on grading, scraping and sanding the roads. The Water and Wastewater Department developed a scope of work for hydrant installation this summer to utilize remaining hydrant grant funds. Shafer stated that one of the requirements for the Jesse Lee Home was to have an engineering study done to see if it was worthwhile to perform the stabilization work; Oates responded that Harmon Construction had a preliminary study done and would address that further at the work session. Oates responded to Casagranda with an explanation of the Dolphin project as it related to the R/V Sikuliaq. Oates responded to Bardarson's comment about having more consumer - friendly emergency communications for the citizens. Shafer commented that Seward probably wasn't the Lop only community to experience the "false alarm" for evacuation; Oates responded that Homer experienced a similar issue as Seward. Keil commented on the Goose Creek Prison legislative hearing; Oates was drafting a letter to the Governor and DOC disputing the State's statement that Seward was not supportive of the expansion of Spring Creek Correctional Center; Dunham also had discussions with the Governor's Deputy Chief of Staff to clarify Seward's position. City Attorney's Report, Cheryl Brooking attended the National Association of Bond Lawyers relating to tax and securities. Two main issues were highlighted, including the Dodd -Frank Act. This involved regulations regarding the registration of municipal financial advisors, including someone who sat on a Board and influenced the direction of funding. The result was a huge potential burden on local governments and commissions, including anyone who directed public funding. The other issue was the US Supreme Court (Snyder v. Phelps) — Snyder, a soldier killed in action in Iraq; Pastor Phelps staged public protests against military funerals. The Court upheld Phelps' Right to Free Speech, even though they found Phelps guilty of the tort. Mayoral Report, Mayor Willard E. Dunham communicated a detailed report relaying the activities of his recent trip to Washington, D.C. with Vice Mayor Bardarson and City Manager Oates. Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations - None UNFINISHED BUSINESS City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes March 14, 2011 Volume 38, Page 545 Ordinance 2010 -009, Amending Seward City Code Section 5.35.055 To Create A Revenue Source For Repayment Of The $3.73m General Obligation Bond For Construction Of The era Seward Community Library Museum By Establishing A Variable Seasonal Sales Tax That Increases The City Of Seward Rate To 5% During April Through September Of Each Year And Reduces The Rate To 3% In October Through March Of Each Year. Motion (Keil/Shafer) Enact Ordinance 2010 -009 (motion made previously at the January 24, 2011 meeting) Motion (Keil /Smith) Postpone to Ordinance 2010 -009 to the April 11, 2011 City Council Meeting. Motion to Postpone Passed Unanimous NEW BUSINESS Resolution 2011 -014, Authorizing Police Radio Upgrades To Meet New Encryption Standards And Approving A Sole Source Purchase From Procomm Alaska For An Amount Not To Exceed $11,000 And Appropriating Funds. Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Approve Resolution 2011 -014 Oates and Police hief Clemons x in C explained ed the intent and need for the radio upgrades as well as the reasoning for a sole source purchase. Procomm Alaska was Motorola's only authorized distributor, installer, and maintainer in Alaska, and would provide unquestioned compatibility throughout the Kenai Peninsula. Motion Passed Unanimous OTHER NEW BUSINESS INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No action required) Letter written to Representative Seaton and Senator Stevens, opposing HB 64 from the Mayor. COUNCILS' COMMENTS Casagranda spoke her congratulations to the Seward High School Basketball teams; they made Seward proud. Shafer stated Teresa Thomason would be missed, and her replacement welcomed. Congratulations to the basketball teams. The schools were doing great things with the kids, and the students seemed to be excited and happy to be there. Keil expressed her congratulations and thanks to Cindy Ecklund and Patricia Heim for their Commission work; there remained one opening for Planning and Zoning. She appreciated everyone City ofSeward, Alaska City Council Minutes March 14, 2011 Volume 38, Page 546 for giving their time to the community. There would be a Choose Respect rally at the Sealife Center on March 31, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. There would also be a garage sale to benefit Domestic Violence on March 26, 2011. She commended Councilmember Casagranda's daughter on her good behavior in the audience tonight. Bardarson gave her thanks to the 3` and 4 grade classes for their alternative energy letters. She said good luck to the high school basketball teams, and she said thank you to Seward Fisheries for their ongoing partnership with the City. Dunham conveyed his pleasure in offering recognition to the basketball teams. He also expressed congratulations to the organizers of the Spring Break -Up weekend for its success, and stated there would be a resolution brought forth at the next City Council meeting regarding domestic violence. CITIZENS' COMMENTS Keith Campbell asked the Council to look at how many times the laydowns had discussed financing the Library Museum Project over time. He said the committee was planning a Ground Breaking the week of May 5, 2011, and that time was of the essence for obtaining the funding because the world's disaster situations would be impacting the price of steel. Jim Herbert recalled the ramp -up for China when preparing for the Olympics; he said they monopolized much of the world's steel and rebar production and he would like to see action by the Council as soon as possible to order steel. Ron Long remarked his appreciation for the Council bringing forward the Caremark prescription program, and that the program was already in existence throughout the Kenai Peninsula Borough, including at Seward's Safeway pharmacy. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS Dunham noted his congratulations to the Chamber for hiring its new Director, Chuck Bowman. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Go Into Executive Session to discuss the City Attorney's Evaluation Motion Passed Unanimous Council went into Executive Session at 8:36 p.m. ,,,,, Council came out of Executive Session at 9:00 p.m. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minifies March 14, 2011 Volume 38, Page 547 Motion (Keil/Shafer) Go Into Executive Session to discuss the awi City Manager's Evaluation Motion Passed Unanimous Council went into Executive Session at 9:00 p.m. Council came out of Executive Session at 9:46 p.m. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:46 p.m. 6 a g 41e,i 0. /4.1.A4 AlO Jipanna Kinney, CMC Willard E. Dunham ity Clerk Mayor s f ' be • 1 ' t � s o°c e • �s �`' 0 1. ♦ OF AL la • • • •