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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03272012 City Council Minutes City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes March 27, 2012 Volume 38, Page 798 CALL TO ORDER The March 27, 2012 g regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 g Y p.m. by Mayor David Seaward. OPENING CEREMONY Lieutenant Louis Tiner led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: David Seaward presiding and Jean Bardarson Christy Terry Vanta Shafer Marianna Keil Bob Valdatta Ristine Casagranda comprising a quorum of the Council; and Jim Hunt, City Manager Johanna Kinney, City Clerk Cheryl Brooking, City Attorney Absent — None CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING — None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Resolution 2012 -022 was pulled by administration. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: The February 27, 2012 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes and the February 27, 2012 City Council Special Meeting Minutes were approved. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS ... Proclamations and Awards A proclamation for the "Choose Respect" March for domestic violence and sexual assault awareness was read. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes March 27, 2012 Volume 38, Page 799 A proclamation was read to commemorate Earthquake and Tsunami Awareness Week. A certificate of appreciation was awarded to GCI. A proclamation was read honoring Women's History Month. A certificate of congratulations was awarded to Savannah Fackler for her gold and silver medals won at the 2012 Arctic Winter Games. Chamber of Commerce Report, Cindy Clock stated the Chamber had decided to wait until the legislative session ended in Juneau before scheduling a town hall meeting regarding Coastal Villages Region Fund. The joint Chamber /City annual trip to Seattle was scheduled for in April 12- 13, 2012 to meet with transportation and cruise industries. The first cruise ship of the season would arrive on April 11, 2012 and would carry 1,080 passengers. Regarding fish restoration efforts, last summer the Fish & Game Department released 240,000 Coho (Silver) and 120,000 Chinook (King) salmon smolt in the lagoon which acted as a natural net pen. Production had been an issue at two Anchorage hatcheries due to the lack of hot water on site. The new hatchery was online and would provide Seward with Chinook and Coho salmon smolt at a good survival rate, but the Chamber would still like the option to purchase net pens. The Annual Alaska Postmasters Conference would be held in Seward from April 27 -28, 2012; the Alaska Credit Union League Conference would be held from May 17 -19, 2012 at the Windsong Lodge; World Oceans Day would be held at the Alaska SeaLife Center on June 8, 2012. The Mat -Su Sportsman's Show had great attendance, they handed ,,, out 300 guides and sold 15 out of 25 halibut raffle tickets; there would be two more shows coming up at which they expected even greater attendance. City Manager's Report, Jim Hunt stated he had not approved any purchases for $10,000- 50,000 since the last Council Meeting. Tomorrow would be the statewide "Chill, It's a Drill!" between 9:45 AM and 10:15 a.m. and the Kenai Peninsula Borough would be participating in the exercise to test the tsunami alert systems. Last week's lobbying trip to Juneau went very well and it was recommended the city amend the Coastal Villages request to the sum of $21,100,000 in order to build the breakwater, finish the design engineering for current projects, and to fund a Phase 2 concept plan for dredging in the North Dock area within the SMIC boundary. The concept for a Phase 2 of the North Dock dredging was based on public meetings, Port and Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB) meetings, Representative input, and Coastal Village's expansion needs. Juneau Representatives were positive about the plan and the city should know if the breakwater would be funded within approximately three weeks. The application was hand - delivered to Representative Seaton's office by Kent Dawson yesterday. Administration had spoken with a local fish processor regarding the effects of proposed changes to J -1 Student Visa Program and subsequently sent a letter to the federal delegation asking them to oppose the changes that would have a negative effect on seafood processors and on the economy. Seward's 2012 Student Exchange Program with Obihiro, Japan would be accepting applications through April 13, 2012. On March 15, 2012 a Crowley tug grounded on a hard bottom outside of the SMIC basin and one of its propellers would need repair. The Coast Guard informed City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minuiee March 27, 2012 Volume 38, Page 800 the city today that they would be demolishing their existing building in order to build a new structure rather than move the building. In response to council, Hunt stated he would look into salvaging parts of the Coast Guard building. Hunt clarified that Phase 2 of the Coastal Villages Project was now a term used to reference the adjoining area, but not the construction of any new infrastructure than what was previously proposed and only further dredging. Hunt said they were looking into obtaining the `cold mix' for patching the roads. In response to Seaward, Hunt stated he had an obligation to bring the issue of the outstanding balance from the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home forward to council because it dealt with public funds and the public should be made aware of the situation and there was a concern that it would show up in the audit. Seaward wished the J -1 Visa Program letter that administration wrote to our state senators in support of keeping the program would have been brought to council before sending it out. Seaward suggested that the H -2 Program would be sufficient to supply workers to the processors. City Attorney's Report, Cheryl Brooking stated that for the period of February 21 through March 20, 2012, she provided advice and suggestions on certain resolutions and ordinances, certain personnel questions, contracts, grants, various administrative matters, land use platting subdivision matters, and continued efforts on the condemnation litigation for Tract B at Levee Road. The Master's Hearing for the Levee Road land taking was scheduled for April 19 -20, 2012. She also worked on harbor - related questions on contracts and represented the city on the Resurrection Bay Conservation Association (RBCA) litigation. She recently flew to Savannah, Georgia for the lam National Association of Bond Lawyers conference and it was interesting, helpful and informative, particularly regarding issues relating to tax exempt bonds and securities. Mayoral Report, David Seaward stated reminded the community, council and administration of his four priorities for the city: reducing the cost of energy, creating opportunities for private investment /outsourcing, cost of healthcare, and promoting Seward. He felt that Seward was an exceptional community. Vice Mayor's Travel Report, Jean Bardarson stated she traveled with Hunt and Long to Juneau last week and met with James Armstrong, the finance aide to Representative Stolz who was the co -chair of the Finance Committee. They discussed Seward's financial needs for Coastal Villages and stated the size and scope of the project had increased since Coastal Villages acquired five or six additional vessels since last year. The project could now include the areas south of Spring Creek and north of the breakwater and could include dredging towards the east in that area also. They also discussed Seward's cruise ship head tax project and the need for a new CT scanner. They met with Gary Stevens, President of the Senate, and gave him an update on the same issues. Senator Stevens was well - versed on Seward's priority list. Likewise, they met with Weston Ehler, financial aide to Senator Stedman; Karen Rehfeld, Director of Operation of Management & Budget; and Ted Leonard, Director of Alaska Industrial and Export Development Authority (AIEDA), to discuss the possibility of having AIEDA involved further as a point person for the project. Bardarson reported they also spoke with the Speaker of the House, Mike Chenault, who may be new representative for Seward if the redistricting went through. Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes March 27, 2012 Volume 38, Page 801 A presentation was given by Chugach Electric on the city's possible purchase of Fire Island wind power. (Rescheduled from the February 27, 2012 meeting) NEW BUSINESS Other New Business Council scheduled a Work Session to discuss the Animal Shelter for Monday, April 9, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Discussion of City Council term limits. (Casagranda) Casagranda wanted to bring up this discussion as some citizens were asking her about term limits. She would like to see them, but wanted to know what the council thought on the matter. She wanted to find a balance of power. Valdatta said the public set its own term limits by voting candidates in or out of office. Keil agreed in that the public determined who was in office and who was not. It took time to learn the role of a council member and they tended to burn out. Shafer said the community had the right to put this on the ballot by initiative if they wanted and it was not the role of the council to determine this. Terry said some had asked her about running for specific seats, similar to the Flood Board, ,.r and asked if that was possible. Brooking said that usually occurred where there was a large geographical area to insure there was proper representation of the voting area. In a city like Seward, although it didn't occur often, it was a possibility. One thing council could consider was to opt out of Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) financial disclosure statement form requirements and adopt their own. Because that vote failed previously, it resulted in difficulty attracting new candidates for council and the Planning & Zoning Commission. Seaward suggested the city adopt a strong mayor form of government, as well as addressing a change to the APOC rules. Discussion of Yeosu, Korea's invitation to attend the 2012 World Expo. (Clerk) An invitation was received by the clerk's office that extended to the council and administration for up to five adults from May 21 -24, 2012, as well as a youth performance group that might take part in their festivities. Approximate travel costs were furnished based on historical information, and there were funds available in the budget if council wanted to pursue this. Shafer wondered if the city could decline this event in lieu of visiting Obihiro, Japan. Seaward said he was aware that Willard Dunham was planning to attend at his own expense, and he would be interested in sending Dunham as the city's representative. He would also like to send several performers from the community, perhaps by having local businesses match city funds. Hunt asked council to consider financing Dunham's airfare. City Clerk Johanna Kinney said she was unable to speak with Dunham to confirm that he would still be interested in traveling at City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes March 27, 2012 Volume 38, Page 802 his own expense. Terry said Dunham would be a fantastic ambassador for Seward, and asked for ihrmo confirmation that in his former role as mayor, he would be an appropriate person to send as the city's representative. Keil added that perhaps an official proclamation stating he was the city's ambassador to Yeosu would help matters. Long relayed his own experience in attending this event in the mid - 1990s and how beneficial it was for the city. Vice Mayor Bardarson was asked if she would be interested in traveling for this event as well; she said she could go. Terry said she would like to reimburse Dunham for his airfare and it should go through council's travel budget. Motion (Terry /Bardarson) Select Willard Dunham as the city's ambassador to attend the 2012 World Expo in Yeosu, Korea and reimburse airfare costs should he be willing to attend and select Vice Mayor Bardarson as an alternate representative in the event Dunham cannot attend. Motion Passed Yes: Terry, Bardarson, Keil, Shafer, Valdatta No: Casagranda, Seaward r.. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No action required) Providence January and February Financial Statements. March 28, 2012 Tsunami "Chill, It's A Drill!" Notice. COUNCILS' COMMENTS Bardarson encouraged students to apply for the student exchange program with Obihiro, Japan. She asked citizens to please apply for the open seats on the city's boards and commissions because Seward needed help. On a positive note, it was supposed to be 51 degrees in Seward tomorrow. Keil asked the public to turn out for the Choose Respect Rally & March held at the Alaska SeaLife Center on March 29, 2012 starting at 12:00 p.m. Shafer thanked all for making the 2 " Annual Spring Break -Up Festival such a positive event. There was a good turnout to a lot of the activities. Casagranda drew council's attention to the laydown she provided which was a letter she wrote asking certified fluoridation companies for information. Terry announced that the Native Youth Olympics Invitational would be held this weekend at Seward High School; the opening ceremonies would be Friday, March 30, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at the City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes March 27, 2012 Volume 38, Page 803 high school. There would be work sessions tomorrow starting at 6:00 p.m. with the Planning & Zoning Commission followed at 7:00 p.m. with the Port And Commerce Advisory Board, and then at 8:00 p.m. with the Historic Preservation Committee. All of these boards and commissions needed people to attend in the audience as well as be representatives. She added that June 1, 2012 was the 100` year of the city's incorporation and there was a celebration committee that needed volunteers. She encouraged people to get involved with the Chamber of Commerce to help promote the city. CITIZENS' COMMENTS Sue McClure reiterated that the Choose Respect Rally & March would be held at the Alaska SeaLife Center on March 29, 2012 starting at 12:00 p.m. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS — None ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:22 p.m. 6�f. Gt.ti/tA . . l o anna Kinney, MC David Seaward ty Clerk Mayor (City Seal) so ot II t r OF ft ♦♦ .� gy m" `T v'e • • • • • ♦ 1,1.. c OF 1 0 aagaaea. a % rij