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Home My WebLink About06232014 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes June 23, 2014 Volume 39, Page 345 CALL TO ORDER The June 23, 2014 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Jean Bardarson. OPENING CEREMONY Lieutenant Doreen Valadez led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Jean Bardarson presiding and Ristine Casagranda Marianna Keil David Squires Dale Butts Iris Darling Christy Terry comprising a quorum of the Council; and Kristin Erchinger, Finance Director Johanna Kinney, City Clerk hoe Absent—None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING—None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Keil/Terry) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Resolution 2014-053,Authorizing An Amendment To The Five Year Contract For$670,821.00 With The State Of Alaska,Department Of Corrections,To Provide For Operating The Seward Community Jail And Housing Prisoners Charged And/Or Sentenced Under Alaska Statutes. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations & Awards -None Chamber of Commerce Report,Cindy Clock stated the halibut tournament would continue for one more week. The current leader was Mark Callister with a 260 pound halibut which was caught on the One Day, Hill Norvell Alaskan Fishing Charters. The chamber was preparing for City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes June 23, 2014 Volume 39, Page 346 Fourth of July festival and vendor spots were sold out. Securitas was contracted to provide traffic control, Skinny Raven Sports would time the Mount Marathon Races, and more volunteers were needed. The parade had 20 entries so far. The next chamber luncheon was July 18, 2014 with eat Shanon Hamrick of the Kenai Peninsula Tourism Marketing Council,who would be addressing the proposed bed tax issue under consideration by the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly to put before the voters. There would be extra television coverage this year for the Mount Marathon Race,both KTUU and KTVA stations would be in Seward covering the event. City Manager's Report,Finance Director Kris Erchinger stated the City Manager could not be present this evening due to illness. She stated the following purchase orders between$10,000 and $50,000 had been approved by the City Manager since the last council meeting: $21,500 to Peninsula Paving to repair various sections of asphalt throughout the city; and, $15,749 to Cascadia International for parts to repair for Bucket Truck Unit 522. In the Public Works Department,the ADA Sidewalk Improvement Project was complete and the sidewalk railing at City Hall was installed last week. A letter was sent to the residents of Lowell Point advising of the upcoming sludge removal at the Lowell Point Wastewater Treatment Facility. This was published in the Seward Journal on June 19,2014. Staff was working with M.L. Foster to complete the Invitation To Bid. The aerators for the sewage lagoon were being delivered and staff anticipated installation soon. The department had contacted the State and hoped to have Third Avenue cleaned of all rocks and debris prior to July 4, 2014. In the Library, Kate Rullman accepted the Library Museum Technician position and was currently in training. The Collections Coordinator position was open for applications from interested and qualified candidates. The city looked forward to Valerie Kingsland coming on board as the new Library Museum Director in August. In the Harbor,an expert on the 250-Ton Travelift assisted the crew repair the travelift so the equipment was back in operation. R & M Consultants' proposal scored highest to design the new fish cleaning station. The contract was now being reviewed by the grant agency. The Harbormaster appreciated the opportunity he was given to participate in a three day professional grant writing workshop June 10 — 12, 2014. While in Anchorage, Harbormaster Funk met with the D float contractor on the subject of the missing plugs. The engineer and the Harbormaster would diligently pursue resolution of the issue. The city held a significant amount of retainage and the contractor's bond. The Harbor was preparing a grant application for matching funds to replace B, C, S and a portion of G floats. Casagranda noted now that the aerators were coming, she hoped they create an odor when there wasn't one currently,as it was the busy summer season. Erchinger would ask Hunt and Casey to respond to this concern. Bardarson noted federal funding jeopardizing highway funds was a headline in the paper today. She hoped that wouldn't affect the city's attempt to improve the roads in Seward. Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes June 23, 2014 Volume 39, Page 347 Annual audit presentation for the year ending December 31,2013. Michelle Drew from the city's auditing firm, BDO USA, presented the 2013 audit results to the City ,.. Council. PUBLIC HEARINGS - None UNFINISHED BUSINESS -None NEW BUSINESS Other New Business Items Discussion on sending a letter of support for Kenai Peninsula Borough Ordinance 2014-25, establishing an area-wide transient accommodations tax (bed tax) with exemptions within cities which levy a similar tax, subject to voter approval. Motion (Darling/Terry) Direct staff to prepare and send a letter in support of Kenai Peninsula Borough Ordinance 2014-25. Motion Passed Unanimous Discussion and direction on selling land currently leased to Harmon Properties, LLC in the Seward Marine Industrial Center. Motion (Keil/Terry) Postpone this discussion item to the July 14, 2014 City Council Meeting. Casagranda requested more information on this issue at the next meeting. Motion Passed Unanimous INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS -None COUNCIL COMMENTS Keil wished everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July and wished the runners good luck. She thanked the staff for their excellent participation in the audit. Keil appreciated their hard work and was glad the city was in a better financial situation. Terry had an opportunity to present to the People To People student group that came to Seward to learn about government and Seward's economy. There were 12 events throughout the summer and the city greeted them and visitors toured the museum. She hoped council would help him greet them on these new dates. Terry wished a happy first birthday to Jack Kinney and gave her congratulations to Keil's daughter who married this weekend. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes June 23, 2014 Volume 39, Page 348 Butts welcomed the new AVTEC director. He had been listening to concerns of the lack of qualified people to work in Seward and thought council should start to look at this issue. Butts wished a Happy Fourth of July to everyone. Squires was able to present at a People To People event and thanked the Clerk's Office for their assistance. In addition to Butts' comments about qualified workers, he also felt an issue in town was affordable housing. They needed to work on that sooner than later. He hoped everyone had a safe Fourth of July. There was a recent rescue on Mount Benson and Squires hoped the volunteers working the race were prepared to stay there the entire time and that the runners were also prepared. Darling encouraged the people of Seward to get back involved on boards and commissions. She hoped people would stop and think about how to make Seward the best town possible. Erchinger noted the unavailability of workers and stated Seward was at an all-time low unemployment rate in 25 years. There were a lot of jobs and not as many people. Bardarson wished everyone a happy and safe Fourth of July. She thanked the city, the Finance Department, and BDO for their work and presentation on the audit this evening and in preparation prior. Casagranda said the Seward Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board also had a seat open. Terry asked if the council would agree to send a welcome letter to the new director of AVTEC. CITIZEN COMMENTS—None COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS—None ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m. o Jo anna - MC can Bardarson C y Clerk Mayor 4%* OF SEh,'•., (City Seal) V�•�•��o....... ...q apo • a SEAL • ti. j ' 4