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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11282011 City Council Minutes City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes November 28, 2011 Volume 38, Page 719 CALL TO ORDER The November 28, 2011 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor David Seaward. OPENING CEREMONY Police Chief Tom Clemons led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: David Seaward presiding and Ristine Casagranda Christy Terry Jean Bardarson Bob Valdatta Vanta Shafer Marianna Keil comprising a quorum of the Council; and Jim Hunt, City Manager Johanna Kinney, City Clerk Absent — None CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Daniel Barth with the Seward Community Foundation stated they were an affiliate with the Alaska Community Foundation and gave council an update of the endowment. Currently the endowment was up to $2.1 million and growing. Barth listed the grants awarded in 2011 and encouraged the community to utilize the "Pick, Click and Give" program with the Alaska Permanent Fund. Carl Norman supported the home porting project of Coastal Villages. He did not support the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home project. He felt it should be left to the state to build it. Mark Kulstad felt it was inappropriate for the council to endorse any entity in competition with city projects. He did not support the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home on the state priority list. Tim McDonald gave a brief report as the City's Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association's representative. He stated one problem the association was looking at was they only had 1000 of wild fish that went to Bear Lake. They released 175 pairs into the lake and stripped the rest for eggs. There was a question of using fry to stock other lakes. It was the city's responsibility and he felt they should have a strategy and if they wanted the salmon derby to continue, they should do something this year to get stocking in the next cycle. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes November 28, 2011 Volume 38, Page 720 Rhonda Hubbard suggested to the council it was premature for the Friends of the Jesse Lee ,,,,, Horne to be a legislative priority at this point. Seward needed to develop its marine infrastructure more. This was a public, non - revenue producing project. Hubbard questioned the concept of even salvaging the building itself. The plan was not completely flushed out and it needed to be planned out more first. Hubbard handed out information on the commercial fishing industry and what it did for Seward. Steve Schafer said in regards to Jesse Lee Home building, he stated a report funded by Dale Lindsey in 1999 on the building. It was not suggested to rehabilitate the home. He did not support the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home on the state priority list and did not think it should be part of the pie for state funding with such an important project as Coastal Villages on the city's horizon. They should ask for full disclosure of expenditures for the project. Mary Kulstad she had done a lot of research on the Jesse Lee Home project. She supported history, but she did not want this to be on the state list and asked for it to be only on the city list. Back in 2006, a resolution was approved establishing the city's support for the project, but acknowledging it as an independent entity. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda wadi Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Resolution 2011 -108 Electing To Participate In The Alaska Municipal League Joint Insurance Association (AML /JIA) Loss Control Incentive Program For The City Of Seward For 2012. Non Objection for a liquor license renewal for Gateway Liquor and Food Mart. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards The Seward Library was designated a Star Library by Library Journal. John Foutz was recognized on his recent designation as Certified Utility Manager. Dwayne Atwood was recognized on his recent designation as Flood Plain Manager. 3 A plaque was presented to Tom Smith in recognition for service on the Seward City Council. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes November 28, 2011 Volume 38, Page 721 A plaque was announced for Willard Dunham's service as Mayor on the Seward City Council. Chamber of Commerce Report, Cindy Clock stated she traveled to the Marine Expo with Funk and Long. The expo was the largest on the west coast. It was a great show and there was lots of talk about the Coastal Villages project. A Sno Cat was coming to Seward for tours beginning January, 2012. This should help increase visitation in the winter. The 2012 destination guide would go to print this week. Seward.com was under construction and would debut soon. The Chamber was expecting a proposal from Christi Bell with the Center for Economic Development at UAA. She encouraged the community to shop local. A membership meeting was this Friday, with guest speaker and new Assistant City Manager /Community Development Director Ron Long. City Manager's Report, City Manager Jim Hunt stated there were no purchases approved by the City Manager for between $10,000- 50,000 since the last Council Meeting. In the harbor, the storm's earlier this month caused some damage in the harbor. They lost a piling on C -float, had to take two slips out of service and move the two boats that had been moored there. The harbor was in the process of getting a quote to replace this piling. A few boats broke some lines but no damage was observed to any vessel. There was a small amount of damage to the harbor building but it had been repaired. Harbor personnel did a great job of mitigating possible damage. Thanks went out to the electric crew in getting the power restored as soon as they could. In Public Works, the signed contract from Pacific Pile and Marine was received and issued a Ulm purchase order not -to- exceed $1.4 million for the SMC Dolphin Project. Work was slated to start this season and be finished no later than June 1, 2012. The City would issue a PO for construction management to PND Engineers Inc. not to exceed $48,000. GIS system setup for mobile units was completed November 22, 2011. Staff was working with M.L. Foster Associates to complete the necessary update of the Lowell Point Wastewater Plant Operations and Maintenance manual and permit renewal requirements. Work continued with ADEC to finalize the Third Ave. Waterline submittals. A resolution would come forward soon to complete the North Seward Water Storage Tank Loan application FY2012 with ADEC. The street and shop crews were focused on snow removal, sanding and mitigating other hazards caused by adverse weather conditions, including rock slides on Lowell Point Road. Water and wastewater were working with administration to mitigate water loss from leaks and working on introducing a leak detection system to prevent future water loss. Staff was also working on a water meter survey to ensure meters were in compliance. Winter bleeders for freeze protection were turned on and staff was working to mitigate issues with freezing waterlines. They were also mitigating issues with Spring Creek Correctional Facility high water pressure. In Parks and Recreation, Community Schools continued classes, Park Maintenance and Campgrounds continued ongoing maintenance, Sports and Recreation continued sports leagues and tournaments and opened the shelter on November 17, 2011, and the Teen and Youth Center was planning holiday events. In the Electric Department, a major outage was reported at about 2:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2011. Multiple areas were affected, including Salmon Creek, Camelot, Old Exit City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes November 28, 2011 Volume 38, Page 722 Glacier Road, Old Nash Road, Lowell Point, Sea View (1 of 3 phases was down) and the Sea Life Center. Strong winds and damage caused by trees were the major contributing factors to the outages. Due to reduced crews in Seward, a 4 -man contract crew was called down from Chugach to assist with the repairs. Electric crews and linemen worked in extreme weather conditions to restore service and should be commended for their efforts. The City Manager also thanked the TelAlaska crew for their assistance with tree removal. Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations A presentation was given by the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home. PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolution 2011 -104 Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Special Contract With Icicle Seafoods, Inc. For Discounted Electrical Rates For Seward Fisheries. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Rhonda Hubbard didn't know the details of this resolution. She felt it was something to consider if they were doing something for one company, they should do it for all companies. She knew the electric bills were horrendous. Motion (Shafer /Keil) Approve Resolution 2011 -104 waif Electric Utility Manager Foutz noted for the public the history of the special contracts. Special contracts were in the tariff two years ago for the 2010 and 2011 budget. Originally, the city had three customers in the industrial rate class. In 2009, the industrial rate was abolished but it was considered too severe to move those three customers into the normal rate. These contracts were temporary intended to step them into large general service over a two year status. The contract before the council was for two years. One of the three, the Alaska Railroad, was intended to move from a special contract into large general service at the end of this year. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2011 -105 Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Special Contract With The Seward Association For The Advancement Of Marine Science (SAAMS) For Adjusted Rates. Hunt noted this was a similar resolution. SAAMS had a large monthly excess and general service would have a huge impact on their expenses. 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. Motion ) Approve A rove Resolution 2011 -105 ( City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes November 28, 2011 Volume 38, Page 723 Motion Passed Unanimous L ot Ordinance 2011 -006, Revising Seward City code Section 5.45.015 (Hotel /Motel Room Tax — Levy Of Tax), Eliminating All Exemptions From The Hotel /Motel Room Tax, Effective January 1, 2012. 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. Motion (Terry /Keil) Enact Ordinance 2011 -006 City Clerk Johanna Kinney noted a suggested amendment that was laid down before council tonight. After further attorney review, it was noted to clarify that rent paid by the United States of the State was exempt from the tax levied by the hotel /motel tax if they were immune from taxation. Motion (Keil /Seaward) Postpone Ordinance 2011 -006 to the December 12, 2011 Council Meeting. Motion to Postpone Passed By Unanimous Consent NEW BUSINESS Resolution 2011 -106, Approving The City Of Seward's Calendar Year 2012 City Priorities. Motion (Shafer /Bardarson) Approve Resolution 2011 -106 Shafer pointed out Resolution 2006 -119 which put the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home on the city priority list and also discussed that it was a statewide interest group and it was a statewide project. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2011 -107, Amending The City Of Seward's Calendar Year 2012 State Legislative Priorities. Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Approve Resolution 2011 -107 Shafer stated she, Mayor Seaward, Vice Mayor Bardarson, and City Manager Hunt met in Anchorage with state lobbyist Kent Dawson and they discussed the Jesse Lee Home project. The lobbyist recommended that Seward not put this on the state priority list. Legislators did look at how many projects they had and he felt it would conflict with the Coastal Villages project. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minuses November 28, 2011 Volume 38, Page 724 Seaward also attended this meeting and said the Mr. Dawson said to put it on the city priority list, but did not give a specific answer for the state list. He stated this was another economic development opportunity. Keil noted in the video shown tonight during the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home presentation the people who spoke in support were all from one party. She did not think council should typically make partisan statements, but it was important to note with redistricting that could be problematic and she didn't know if they could depend on those statements. Keil thought they should go with what the lobbyist said. She noted house bill 96 where the state was supposed to acquire the Jesse Lee Home and the Department of Natural Resources was supposed to put out a report including feasibility and cost analysis of the project. Keil did not know if that ever happened. She did not support adding it at this time as there were too many competing projects. Terry said on the city priorities, the council supported the Jesse Lee Home twice on the list. She felt they had clear direction from the public on this issue to not include the Jesse Lee Horne on the state priority list. Bardarson said she recollected that Dawson stated his opinion that it should not be on the state, but left on the city. Shafer agreed with Bardarson. Valdatta said this issue had been on the priority lists for many years, and did not see why it shouldn't be on the state list again. sari Motion Failed Yes: Valdatta, Seaward No: Casagranda, Bardarson, Shafer, Keil, Terry Resolution 2011 -109, Authorizing A Contract Through December 31, 2012, With All Alaska News Unlimited, LLC For Display Advertising In The Seward Phoenix Log At A Reduced Rate Of $275.50 Per Week. Councilmember Shafer declared a conflict of interest as she owned a newspaper business in town and submitted a quote for this contract. Mayor Seaward agreed a conflict existed. The remaining council did not appeal the decision and Shafer left the dais for this agenda item. Motion (Bardarson /Terry) Approve Resolution 2011 -109 Motion Passed Unanimous OTHER NEW BUSINESS Discussed and gave direction on filing an objection to the liquor license renewal for Thorn's Showcase Lounge. Motion (Keil /Bardarson) Postpone this discussion item to the City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes November 28, 2011 Volume 38, Page 725 December 12, 2011 Council Meeting to irme allow applicant time to come into compliance. Motion Passed By Unanimous Consent Discussed and gave direction on changing Council's Order of Business to change the agenda item of "Citizens' Comments On Any Subject Except Those Items Scheduled For Public Hearing" from two minutes to three minutes. Council directed the Clerk's Office to bring forward a resolution amending the City Council Rules of Procedure to change the citizen comment period from two minutes to three minutes and change the total time from 30 minutes to 36 minutes. Discussed and gave direction on purchasing wind energy from the Fire Island Wind Project from Chugach Electric Association Inc. Council directed staff to invite a representative from Chugach Electric Association for either a presentation or work session before the council at a date to be determined. COUNCILS' COMMENTS Bardarson wished the new Sno Cat business good luck. She expressed the need for the public to step forward for vacancies on boards in the city. Bardarson sent her condolences to the Sieminski family. Keil commended former Council Member Linda Amberg for her Christmas Lights at Seward Insurance. Shafer wished the wrestling team good luck this weekend. This Thursday at 5:30 p.m., the Hoben Park Christmas tree would be lit and the Alaska SeaLife Center would have its community Christmas party. On December 2 and 3, 2011, the downtown businesses were offering a discount and raffle prizes for those who shopped in the area. She hoped to see people out this weekend. Valdatta was concerned of Kodiak seeking to acquire Coastal Villages and the Sikuliaq. They needed to do some research. Casagranda said she appreciated the community's involvement and seeing the room full tonight. Terry reminded citizen's to shop locally. She thanked the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home for coming down tonight and working on this community project. Terry also thanked the community for their input and involvement. Seaward promoted the December 5, 2011 budget work session and thanked the community for their passion. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes November 28, 2011 Volume 38, Page 726 Hunt reassured the council and community that the Chancellor of the University of Alaska Fairbanks has recently reaffirmed twice that the Sikuliaq was coming to Seward and he also confirmed support for Coastal Villages also coming to Seward. He thanked staff for their work from the disaster two weeks ago and especially Parks and Recreation for opening the shelter. CITIZENS' COMMENTS Carl Norman said Kodiak had the same draw backs at Dutch Harbor which was no railroad, no highway, and no real estate. Norman stated CIRI could fund the Jesse Lee Home all by themselves. The home had served a good cause back in the day, but he felt this home was gone forever and Seward needed to move on. All that remained were derelict buildings. It would be tremendously expensive to rebuild. Seward needed an economic jolt at this time. If anyone did it, the state should build and maintain this home. Seward had excellent schools and the Jesse Lee Home could be a wonderful museum. He urged council to support the Coastal Villages project as the number one priority for Seward. Tim McDonald echoed Norman's points. McDonald also spoke about finances and fish genetics. The salmon derby was an economic engine Seward needed to look after. Salmon genetics were similar to wheat farms or crop genetics. It was not an abstract idea and when they were gone they were gone. The saving grace was the majority of the silver salmon run do not go into Bear Lake, but the actuaries of Resurrection Valley. The salmon derby depended on the early run fish that the hatcheries released. There were a lot of financial economics to keeping the silver salmon derby healthy. He wanted council to think about fish genetics and he would do his best to educate council mod and the public on it as well as promoting the fish habitat. Rhonda Hubbard said Chugach should also come speak to council about buying our utility, since Seward's rates were high. In response to the chamber report and Christi Bell coming down, Hubbard hoped she would be using some information from the SWAT Team (Seward Wants Action Today). She also encouraged people to shop local and participate in the Angel Tree Program. Hubbard asked staff to keep the snow out of the middle of the road in the downtown business district. She handed out a fishing report that reported Seward get 25% of the raw fish tax revenues and that it was a processor tax. Hubbard felt it was a bad policy. She stated Seward needed to treat property tax on marine vessels as a flat tax rather than on length. It should be on value. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS Keil said Seward needed to reevaluate their thinking on Coastal Villages as they already had a presence in Seward. They wanted to be in Seward. It was a matter of getting infrastructure in place. Valdatta said the snow berms in the middle of the road were a safety factor because of the sidewalks. was this Man su Seaward said the Jesse Lee Home presence as also in th s y pp orted this project and many did not. He encouraged people not to give up. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes November 28, 2011 Volume 38, Page 727 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:53 p.m. anna Kinney, C David Seawa A---(\ C y Clerk Mayor (City Seal) ' _. ss i IIlrj> S +. • V t �s�7 �`;3. b I SE ; c,,0 Po � 0 .,�q OF �►� t : N LOW i IMMO