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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05142012 City Council Minutes City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes May 14, 2012 volume 38, Page 818 CALL TO ORDER The May 14, 2012 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor David Seaward. OPENING CEREMONY Lt. 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 Brenda Ballou, Deputy City Clerk Absent — None CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Beverly Dunham announced that the kick -off celebration for the Seward Incorporation Centennial would start on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers with a cake and beverages for the public. On June 1, 2012 there would be an evening gathering for all past mayors, council members and the public at 6:00 p.m. at the Seward Library/Museum. There would be several more events to be announced that would be held throughout the year. Tim McDonald reminded council to consider the foreclosure property on the agenda from a multi -use perspective. Henry Krokoff asked for a status on the possibility of bringing in Liquid Natural Gas to Seward. Tom Tougas spoke regarding the Alaska Energy Authority grant on the agenda. He was concerned that the project had escalated in costs and wanted council to look into the accuracy and breadth of the information they had been given to work with. He requested that council not pass the resolution on the agenda tonight until they had a long -range plan. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes May 14, 2012 Volume 38, Page 819 APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Bardarson pulled the Resolution 2012 -028 from the consent agenda. Terry pulled Ordinance 2012 -002 from the consent agenda in order to discuss the laydown version substitution. Casagranda pulled Non -Code Ordinance 2012 -005 from the consent agenda. Bardarson asked to put Resolution 2012 -029 onto the consent agenda. Casagranda objected because she had some questions. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: The April 23, 2012 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes were approved. There was a non - objection to the Brewpub Liquor License #5123 and approval of the Restaurant Eating Place with a Restaurant Designation Permit #5152 for Seward Brewing Co. wegil Council scheduled a work session to discuss the audit results on Monday, June 11, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. Ordinance 2011 -004, Amending Portions Of Seward City Code 15.10.140 Definitions To Change, Update And Accommodate The Wishes Of The Public (Referred To The Planning And Zoning Commission). (Introduced and set for Public Hearing and Enactment on May 29, 2012). Ordinance 2012 -003, Rezoning Lots 15 And 16, Block 8, Original Townsite Of Seward From Auto Commercial (AC) To Central Business District (CBD); And Lots 26, 27 And 28, Block 8, Original Townsite, From Multi Family (R3) To Central Business District (CBD)). (Introduced and set for Public Hearing and Enactment on May 29, 2012). Non -Code Ordinance 2012 -004, Authorizing The Completion Of The Tax Foreclosure Process And Obtaining A Deed To Retain For Public Floodplain Conservation Protection The Property Described As The West 200 Feet Of South 440 Feet Of Government Lot 5, With Tax Parcel ID Number 14509201, Located In The Crawford Subdivision, Lying East Of The Seward Airport And Having Portions Within The Resurrection River, And Appropriating Funds). (Introduced and set for Public Hearing and Enactment on May 29, 2012). SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations & Awards City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes May 14, 2012 Volume 38, Page 820 A Seward Harbor Opening Weekend and Blessing Of The Fleet Proclamation was accepted by Deborah Altermatt. A Military Appreciation Month and Armed Services Combat Fishing Tournament proclamation was accepted by Harbormaster Mack Funk. Spring Creek Correctional Center's Employee of the Year was Joe Roman. Retirement of Spring Creek Correctional Center's Assistant Superintendent Thomas Reimer. A proclamation was received by Lt. Louis Tiner for the Torch Run and Terry Pollard Memorial Exit Glacier Run on May 19, 2012. A Peace Officers' Memorial Day and National Police Week proclamation was presented. Borough Assembly Report, Sue McClure stated the Borough Mayor presented the budget at the May 1, 2012 Assembly Meeting. The schools would receive additional state funding, and the budget would be $43,500,000 from local sources. There would be a public hearing on the budget on May 15, 2012 and a vote on June 5, 2012. As of July 1, 2012, the Lowell Point emergency services would be abolished; all assets they currently owned would be transferred to the Lowell Point Volunteer Fire Department. On June 5, 2012, the Assembly would vote to accept a $433,000 grant from the Department of Homeland Security to develop a catch basin and culvert system on Beach Drive. Light poles and fixtures would be upgraded for the Seward High School parking lot. McClure requested that council change all seven (7) seats of the Seward Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board (SBCFSAB) to at -large seats to encourage more people to apply. If the council and SBCFSAB agreed to this, then McClure would bring forward an ordinance to the Assembly. City Manager's Report, Jim Hunt stated there had been no expenditures approved by the City Manager for between $10,000 and $50,000 since the last council meeting. He had given the go- ahead for Providence to modify an existing room in the hospital as a temporary psychiatric holding room for patients awaiting transport. The hospital room would be upgraded to provide safe accommodations including tamper -proof walls, lighting fixtures, sprinkler heads, etc., to ensure the safety of patients, a project made possible through a grant. On Tuesday, May 8, 2012, a fatal accident took place on T -dock when a boom truck rolled onto the bull rail while loading gear onto a fishing boat. The operator, Felix Morales, a long -time Seward Fisheries employee, fell to his death. The incident was under investigation by OSHA. The City Manager, Assistant City Manager, Harbormaster, and consulting engineer met with Coastal Villages on May 3, 2012 to review the SMIC Improvement Plans. Assistant City Manager Ron Long spoke of seeing a proposed layout for the docks for this project and expected to meet next on May 25, 2012. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes May 14, 2012 Volume 38, Page 821 Council asked Hunt for a report on the $4,000,000 allocated for street repair. In response to NJ Valdatta, Hunt said he had been exploring bringing Liquid Natural Gas to Seward, but the challenge was the small size of our community didn't outweigh the cost of installing it at that point in time. Mayoral Report, David Seaward stated he had met with Senator Murkowski and had pitched the first pitch at Seward's Little League opening day. Vice Mayor Travel Report, Jean Bardarson stated she traveled to Seattle and Washington, D.C. During these travels, she was pleased to learn that TOTE had designated Seward as their official back -up port. Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations — None PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolution 2012 -027, Adopting The Revision Of The 2012 And 2013 Harbor Tariffs To Correct Errors, To Eliminate The Attachment Of Standard Forms, To Establish A Basis For Pro - Rating Charges For New Tenants, And To Establish A Basis For Late Renewing Customers. 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. Harbormaster Mack Funk described seven addressed in the resolution, c u desc bed sev changes cages add essed t e eso , three of which were clerical errors and gas and diesel rate charges were increased. Three customer requests had been responded to, including converting from transient moorage to permanent slip moorage. Renewal deadlines added a two -week grace period. Motion (Bardarson /Keil) Approve Resolution 2012 -027 Terry praised administration for getting the customer issue addressed by bringing it to the Port and Commerce Advisory Board so quickly. Shafer had been hearing compliments about improved customer service at the harbor. Motion Passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS Resolution 2012 -003, Naming The Newly Constructed North Forest Acres Levee Drive Surface, As Dieckgraeff Road; Located Within The Public Access Easement On Tract B, Dieckgraeff- Gillespie Replat; Located At 2501 Seward Highway (Referred To The Planning And Zoning Com mission) Motion (Bardarson/Valdatta) Approve Resolution 2012 -003 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes May 14, 2012 Volume 38, Page 822 Valdatta supported the resolution. Mayor Seaward agreed and said the Dieckgraeff family had been strong supporters of the community. Keil said although the new name did not meet the recommended naming conventions for the city, she supported it as well. Motion Passed Yes: Bardarson, Valdatta, Shafer, Terry, Keil, Seaward No: Casagranda NEW BUSINESS Ordinance for Introduction Ordinance 2012 -002, Amending Portions Of Seward City Code 15.10.220 Development Requirements Table; 15.10.225 Land Uses Allowed And 15.10.225 Land Uses Allowed Table To Change, Update And Accommodate The Wishes Of The Public. Motion (Terry/Bardarson) Introduce The Laydown Version Of Ordinance 2012 -002 Long outlined the changes identified in the laydown version as being: Childcare /Daycare changed to outright use, and Brewpub included under Restaurant. irav Motion Passed Unanimous Non -Code Ordinance 2012 -005, Authorizing The Completion Of The Tax Foreclosure Process And The Sale Of The Property Described As Lots 29, 30, 31 And 32, Block 27, Original Townsite Of Seward; With Tax Parcel ID Numbers Of 14805003 And 14805004, Located At 516 Through 522 First Avenue, And Appropriating Funds. Motion (Bardarson /Keil) Introduce Non -Code Ordinance 2012 -005 City Planner Donna Glenz had been in contact with the person living on the property and they were willing to move. The city was willing to provide an extension to allow the individual to relocate. The property had been derelict and property taxes had not been paid since 2008. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2012 -028, Accepting A Grant From Alaska Energy Authority To Upgrade And Update Generation Facilities At Fort Raymond Generation Plant For $3,960,000 And Appropriating Funds. Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Approve Resolution 2012 -028 fir.. Hunt requested the resolution be postponed to a date certain. Terry requested a work session to address questions. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes May 14, 2012 Volume 38, Page 823 Council scheduled a work session for May 21, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers to mai discuss the Alaska Energy Authority Grant. Motion to Postpone (Terry /Casagranda) Postpone Resolution 2012 -028 to the June 11, 2012 Meeting Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2012 -029 Authorizing A $138,500 Increase To The Snow And Ice Department Budget, And Appropriating Funds. Motion (Terry /Keil) Approve Resolution 2012 -029 Hunt said record snow and unexpected overtime hours forced these expenditures for an exceptional year. Casagranda asked for clarification as to where the funds would be coming from and Finance Director Kris Erchinger said the funds would come from the General Fund Reserves. In response to Seaward, Public Works Director W.C. Casey said the city had tried using private snow removal businesses in the past and it ended up costing the city $80,000 in guardrail repairs. Public Works had also tried contracted drivers and that resulted in extra necessary repairs to the trucks. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2012 -030 Approving Teen And Youth Center Day Camp Fee Subsidies, And veld Reducing The 2012/2013 TYC Revenue Budget. Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Approve Resolution 2012 -030 Parks and Recreation Director Karin Sturdy said the Teen and Youth Center (TYC) was trying to reduce subsidies from the city, but the additional burden of administering a sliding fee scale created a competing mandate. Terry reminded council of her potential conflict of interest which she had previously stated as her children attended the Teen and Youth Center. Mayor Seaward reaffirmed there was no conflict of interest. Shafer said she supported this resolution, appreciated the work that went into developing the sliding fee scale and said if administering a sliding fee scale became too onerous, it should be brought back to council to be addressed. Casagranda did not support this resolution because she didn't agree with the qualifications required for Tier I and Tier II. Valdatta did not feel an obligation to keep the rates down. Keil disagreed with the reference that the rates were not approved by city council because fees were part of the budgeting process. Seaward asked if Sturdy worked with private enterprises to furnish services, or did it compete with day care services. Sturdy said it did not compete because TYC's primary goal was recreation, not day care. Motion to Amend (Terry /Keil) Reduce amount in Section 2 from $10,000 to $5,000. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Aiinutes May 14, 2012 volume 38, Page 824 M otion to Amend Passed ,,., Unanimous Bardarson asked for a review of the TYC program in the Fall of 2012 to examine the effectiveness of the sliding fee scale. Motion to Amend (Terry/Keil) Strike First `Whereas' In Its Entirety Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Main Motion Passed As Amended Yes: Bardarson, Valdatta, Casagranda, Shafer, Keil, Terry No: Seaward Resolution 2012 -031, Approving The Purchase Of One Pumper Fire Apparatus From Spencer Manufacturing Inc. In The Amount Of $406,167.00 And From Procomm Alaska One Motorola Mobile Radio And Adapter In The Amount Of $4,246.00 Subject To Obtaining Financing And Appropriating These Funds From The Motor Pool Internal Service Fund. Shafer declared a potential conflict of interest because she knew the family who would be building this pumper truck. Mayor Seaward ruled there was no conflict. hom Motion (Bardarson/Keil) Approve Resolution 2012 -031 Motion to Amend (Terry /Bardarson) Delete Section 7 Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Motion to Amend (Terry/Keil) Strike The Words "Subject To Obtaining Financing" From The Resolution Title Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Main Motion Passed As Amended Unanimous OTHER NEW BUSINESS Council discussion on if the city should purchase power from the Fire Island Wind Generation Project and direct the City Manager to send a response to Chugach Electric Association. Hunt recommended council decline purchasing wind power at this time, which was supported by the online poll results, but in the future the city may opt in. Foutz said there was no financial benefit to the city at this time, nor would the city receive green credits. Hunt said utility customers would potentially suffer a two to three -fold increase in their electric rates, and the risk of the exact impact was unknown. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes May 14, 2012 Volume 38, Page 825 Council directed Hunt to not respond to Chugach Electric Association's invitation. owl INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No action required) Letter to Congressional Delegation on the Alaska Railroad Corporation and Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill. Providence Seward Financial Report for March 2012. Harbor Accounts Receivable Write -Off Of McKee Moorage. COUNCIL COMMENTS Bardarson thanked the staff and the Port and Commerce Advisory Board for the work done on the Harbor tariff changes, and encouraged everyone to participate in the Harbor Opening and the Mariners' Memorial dedication. Keil was looking forward to the work session on Alaska Energy Authority grant and would send forward her questions to Foutz in advance so he could prepare. Shafer said today's cruise ship resulted in lots of visitors all over town. Terry thanked Sturdy and the Parks & Recreation Department for the work on the TYC +wr sliding fees and for being responsive to public suggestions. She said it created more options for the children of Seward. Seaward thanked the public for attending and said it was great to see the season's activities picking up for businesses. CITIZENS' COMMENTS Tom Tougas requested an on -site open house at the generator building for the public and emphasized that council should remain diligent in their research in this matter. If the city improved efficiencies, they wouldn't need to rely on generators as much, or at least it wouldn't cost as much. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS - None EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Go into Executive Session to discuss and review City Manager's evaluations after a five minute recess. Council stated the City Manager was invited to attend this Executive Session. ousil Motion Passed Unanimous City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes May 14, 2012 Volume 38, Page 826 1 r. Council recessed at 9:37 p.m. Council went into executive session at 9:42 p.m. Council came out of executive session at 10:23 p.m. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:23 p.m. Johanna Kinney, CMC David Seaward City Clerk Mayor (City Seal)