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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12102012 City Council Minutes City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes December 10, 2012 Volume 39, Page 44 CALL TO ORDER The December 10, 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 Bob Valdatta Vanta Shafer Marianna Keil Christy Terry Ristine Casagranda comprising a quorum of the Council; and Jim Hunt, City Manager Johanna Kinney, City Clerk Brenda Ballou, Deputy City Clerk Absent — None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Matt Hershock said one of the windows in his coffee shop was vandalized recently, and he wanted to thank Seward Police Officer James Rouleau for apprehending the suspect and working out an amenable arrangement for the culprit to remedy the damage. Cindy Clock made a brief report on behalf of the Seward Chamber of Commerce regarding the Silver Salmon Derby Fish Restoration Committee was pleased with council's support of utilizing 10% of fish tax for salmon enhancement. Patty Linville read the nomination letter that had been submitted that resulted in Amy Carney and Lee Poleske receiving the State Archival Certificate of Excellence for their work on Bits of History. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Bardarson/Keil) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda The Certificate of Appreciation for Phyllis Baker was pulled from the consent agenda and would be brought forth on the January 14, 2013 agenda. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes December 10, 2012 Volume 39, Page 45 Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Ordinances for Introduction Ordinance 2012 -012, Amending Seward City Code 2.30.221. (a) To Correct The Planning And Zoning Meeting Adjournment Time From No Later Than 11:00 P.M. To No Later Than 10:30 P.M. (This ordinance was set for public hearing and enactment at the January 14, 2013 meeting.) Resolutions Resolution 2012 -093, Electing To Participate In The Alaska Municipal League Joint Insurance Association (AML /JIA) Loss Control Incentive Program For The City Of Seward. Resolution 2012 -094, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Cooperative Fire Management Agreement Between The Forest Service, United States Department Of Agriculture And The City Of Seward. Resolution 2012 -095, Awarding A Six -Month Contract Extension To Judy Merritt, D.B.A. Merritt Enterprises In An Amount Not To Exceed $19,140.00. Council approved the November 7, 2012 City Council Special Meeting Minutes. Council cancelled the December 26, 2012 City Council Regular Meeting. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations & Awards Lois Daubney was recognized for her career as Seward's Public Health Nurse for over 30 years. Borough Assembly Report, Sue McClure stated that Linda Murphy had been elected as the President for the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly. The borough had recently purchased $400,000 worth of excess gravel from the city that was extracted from the Old Mill subdivision following the September 19, 2012 flooding in the Seward/Bear Creek area. Mayor Navarre had approved a request for a $5,000,000 flood mitigation fund from the state. This endeavor would be coupled with a 25% matching fund and could potentially result in a .025% mill rate increase for everyone living within the flood service area. The borough's project to build a new borough annex office building would be moving forward in the spring of 2013 as the borough had accumulated approximately $4,000,000 toward the project. There would be a series of planning meetings between the borough and residents in Zone 6, including Seward and the surrounding area, at which residents could provide their input on the borough/state's potential sale of land. In response to Valdatta, McClure said she would check City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes December 10, 2012 Volume 39, Page 46 on the status of the borough reimbursement to the city for the repair work done on Nash Road during the flooding. Ir..i City Manager's Report, City Manager Jim Hunt stated he had approved the following purchases between $10,000 - $50,000: CRW Engineers for $17,440 for the Ft. Raymond sidewalk and crosswalk design; Electric Power Constructors for $26,536 for substation transformer testing services; Shannon and Wilson, Inc. for $13,000 for geotechnical site work for the electric generator project; $12,700 to Alaska Boat & Chain for heavy equipment tire chains; $100,000 to Big Mike's (in addition to previously authorized $50,000) for flood debris removal and repairs; $20,000 for Lowell Creek waterline parts and repairs; and emergency purchase orders related to the September flood that included M.L. Foster for $10,000 for Spruce Creek sewer line repairs and HD Waterworks for $20,000 for materials to repair the Lowell Creek bridge waterline. The Providence Health and Services Board selected Doug Capra to represent Seward on the board beginning in 2013. The finance department was configuring the new accounting software. Administration decided to postpone the go -live date until May 1, 2013. There had been incidents of two discharges at the Seward Ship's Drydock (SSDD). The first discharge was fresh water from the Coast Guard Cutter Hickory. The second discharge was ballast water from the Tustumena. The ballast water was sampled and then cleaned up. Both discharges were reported to state regulators. The Seward Community Library closed on Saturday, December 8, 2012 in preparation for the move into the new facility. The library had been at that location for the past 50 years. On January 12, 2013 there would be a Grand Opening and on January 14, 2013 the new Seward Community Library Museum would open to the public for service. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) requested through the Electric Department that the City of Seward vacate a 1' by 10' section of the Public Utility Easement in the Crown Point subdivision to allow for the sale of their property. Administration would handle releasing this portion of the easement through Hunt's office per City Code Section 2.05.510(d). Council raised no objection. There was a meeting today between administration and representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) to review damages resulting from the September 19, 2012 flooding. He thanked Kim Kowalski- Rogers and W.C. Casey for the time and effort they expended documenting the flood. Assistant City Manager Ron Long would be in Fairbanks later this month for a Standalone Pipelines Community Advisory Council meeting and would report on that at the January 14, 2013 meeting. Long signed a change order today for the new Seward Library Museum in the amount of $23,645 which would come from the project's contingency budget. The final price would not exceed $7,923,000 which was approximately $40,000 under budget. Final electrical and architectural walk - throughs were completed today and the punch lists would be expected by early next week. Seaward asked Hunt when he received word about the ballast water being released from the Tustemena. Hunt said he had responded within 24 hours of notification. Seaward asked administration to inform council of any issues relating to Seward Marine Industrial Center (SMIC) and Seward Ship's Dry Dock (SSDD) in a more timely manner since Seaward had learned of it through a local newspaper. Long said the harbor personnel had responded immediately and had sought direction from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes December 10, 2012 Volume 39, Page 47 Mayoral Report, David Seaward stated he had attended the Japanese Consulate's birthday party last weekend and he would like to see the Wada musical come to Seward from Japan. He encouraged residents to approach council with any ideas they may have for community growth. He said 2013 would bring many opportunities for growth. Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations A presentation was given by Duane Chase about the Seward Nordic Ski Club. Council directed administration to draft a letter to the City Council of the City of Valdez requesting information about Valdez's sale of a Snow Cat machine on behalf of the Seward Nordic Ski Club. An update was given by the Seward Mural Society about the 2013 Obihiro, Japan Mural Project. PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinance 2012 -011, Revising The City Code To Eliminate The Requirement For Electrical Deposits For Reserved Moorage (Tenant) Customers At The Small Boat Harbor And To Eliminate The Requirement That Reserved Moorage Vessels Must Be Connected To Electric Service. 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 said this ordinance would eliminate the requirement for electrical deposits for reserved moorage tenants. He said this was supported by PACAB. Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Enact Ordinance 2012 - 011 Keil fully supported this ordinance. In response to Seaward's concerns about Seward's harbor potentially losing business to other more transient - friendly harbors, Long said this only impacted reserved moorage customers and not transient vessels. Shafer was pleased with this ordinance and thought it would be a good thing. Terry expressed her support. Motion Enacted Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS Items for Reconsideration Resolution 2012 -091, Appropriating $208,150.00 Of Commercial Passenger Vessel (CPV) Tax Funds To Provide Pavement Repairs And Striping At The Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) Cruise Ship Terminal In Support Of Cruise Ships And Their Passengers. Clerk's Note: A motion to reconsider was filed by Council Member Keil. Because it was filed timely and Keil voted on the prevailing side, this motion is appropriate. Keil will need to make a verbal motion to City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes December 10, 2012 Volume 39, Page 48 reconsider, a second is needed, debate is allowed, and if the motion to reconsider passes by a 2/3 vote, the main motion to approve Resolution 2012 -091 is back on the floor for discussion. If the motion to reconsider does not pass by a 2/3 vote, the resolution stands as it did at the November 26, 2012 council meeting `failed]. Council Member Terry left the dais in accordance with the previous Conflict of Interest ruling declared by the mayor at the November 26, 2012 meeting. Motion (Keil/Bardarson) Reconsider Resolution 2012 -091 Keil said she thought it was important to reconsider this resolution to enable council to have full discussion. Motion to Reconsider Passed Unanimous Motion to Amend (Valdatta /Casagranda) Amend Resolution 2012 -091 by the following: In the Title and in Section 1, Delete "And Replacement Of Depleted Passive Anodes On The ARRC Cruise Ship Dock ", In the Second Whereas, Delete "remove an old gantry crane rail ", Strike the Entire Third Whereas, and Replace "Two- Project Total" with "Project Total" in the Last Whereas. Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Vice Mayor Bardarson stated her daughter worked for the Alaska Railroad in Anchorage, but was not a dependent and was not declared on Bardarson's APOC Financial Disclosure form. Motion to Amend (Bardarson/Keil) Amend Resolution 2012 -091 by the following: Add a New Third Whereas Stating, "This signage to include, but not limited to, a sign that directs guests to the railroad depot, Seward Small Boat Harbor, and downtown Seward. These signs should be placed outside the terminal for pedestrians and vehicle traffic to clearly direct guests; and" and add a new section two stating, "Section 2. Signage shall include clear direction to the Railroad Depot, Seward Downtown, and Small Boat Harbor, a sign to direct guests to baggage drop off, a larger sign to direct guests to restrooms inside the tr. terminal, and any other sign that the terminal deems necessary." City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes December 10, 2012 Volume 39, Page 49 Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous INJ Motion to Amend (Seaward /Casagranda) Amend Resolution 2012 -091 by the following: Remove $50,000 From All Dollar Amount References. Motion to Amend Failed Yes: Valdatta, Casagranda, Seaward No: Bardarson, Shafer, Keil Main Motion Passed as Amended Unanimous NEW BUSINESS Resolution 2012 -096, Authorizing The City Manager To Sign A Contract With C.A.P. Construction, LLC In The Amount Of $71,373.00 For The Work Described In The 2012 Fire Station Renovation Project And Authorizing The Re- Appropriation Of The Remaining 2012 Capital Funds For The Fire Department Into The 2013 Capital Fund. Motion (Terry /Shafer) Approve Resolution 2012 -096 Fire Chief Dave Squires said this project would start within thirty (30) days of the contract approval and must be completed within 90 days. In response to Casagranda, Squires said the funds for this project were, in part, coming from the forfeiture of the fire hall siding project otherwise slated for 2013. In response to Valdatta, Squires said no exterior walls would be opened up for this proj ect. The laydown version of the contract revised it in two areas: in the "Contract Price" section the dollar amount of $71,373.00 was added, and in the "Release, Indemnification and Insurance" section the requirement for Professional Liability was removed. Motion to Amend (Terry /Shafer) Amend Resolution 2012 -096 by the following: Adopt Laydown Version of the Contract Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Consent Main Motion Passed as Amended Unanimous Resolution 2012 -097, Amending The 2012 General Fund Budget For Raw Fish Tax Proceeds, And Appropriating Funds. Motion (Terry /Shafer) Approve Resolution 2012 -097 Long said if there were overages from the previously budgeted allotments, they would like to see 10% of the overages go towards fish restoration projects and the remainder go into capital fund ,,, projects. Shafer said she was very happy with this resolution because it meant more smolt in the bay. Valdatta agreed and was pleased to see an effort being made to get more salmon in the area. In City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes December 10, 2012 Volume 39, Page 50 response to Casagranda's concerns about future raw fish tax proceeds, Long said this resolution was iwr a look back budget and was not committing future unearned funds. Motion Passed Unanimous INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS October Financial Reports for Providence Seward Medical Center and the City of Seward Seward Library Museum Designated as a Star Library Sister City Correspondence with Obihiro, Japan COUNCIL COMMENTS Vice Mayor Bardarson welcomed Shell and its subcontractors to Seward. She thanked Lois Daubney for her decades of service to the community and welcomed the new public health nurse. She wished everyone a happy holiday and a prosperous new year. Keil wished everyone a happy holiday and a Merry Christmas, and may 2013 be prosperous and peaceful. Shafer was excited about what could happen in Seward in 2013 that would benefit the community, and she reminded council to continue working together as a team. She wished everyone a healthy and Happy New Year and a very Merry Christmas. Valdatta wished everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. He said he was on the road five days a week and he would be happy to give road reports to anyone who called him at 362 -9090. Casagranda was getting involved in a new group in Seward called Y.E.S. which stood for Young Entrepreneurs of Seward. She encouraged everyone who had any interest to get involved because their goal was to promote small business in Seward. She looked forward to having results on the winter recreation committee survey results, and she was happy that the Seward Nordic Ski Club came tonight. She wished everyone happy holidays. Terry informed the public and encouraged them to attend the flood board meeting being held on January 7, 2013 and/or the city council work session on wind energy conversion systems at 6:00 p.m. that same night. She thanked Lois Daubney for her years of service. She thanked administration for their hard work and the public for their involvement throughout 2012, and wished everyone a prosperous new year. Hunt thanked council for their guidance and leadership throughout 2012. He wished everyone a happy holiday and was looking forward to a fascinating and fun new year. Long echoed everyone's wished for a happy holiday and Happy New Year. He thanked City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes December 10, 2012 Volume 39, Page 51 everyone who attended the meeting in person. Seaward thanked everyone for coming to the meeting or watching on television. He wished everyone a happy holiday and a Happy New Year. He encouraged citizens to get involved. j J City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes December 10, 2012 Volume 39, Page 52 CITIZEN COMMENTS Willard Dunham said he had been involved in previous borough planning relating to land usage. Although that was many years ago, they had encouraged the city and borough to consider expanding the lands to include Mount Alice and Tiehacker, as that represented the most potential for the community's growth. He appreciated the concerns expressed by Shafer about the condition of the sidewalks. He cautioned everyone driving the highway, particularly at Mile 39, and to use extreme care. He was concerned that Highway 9 was not being appropriately maintained by the state and requested that council address the situation. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Responding to Dunham, Valdatta recalled asking the borough to get that land from the federal government. He cautioned people to drive very carefully on the highway and not to tailgate, as that often led to accidents. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m. J hanna Kinne , C Davi l Seawa ity Clerk Mayor (City S e4,J).. ■.. s QF SZ.°••• e • SEAL • • A . tigTF OF `� •••...... .•�`• �r.