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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04272015 City Council Minutes City ofSeward,Alaska City Council Minutes April 27, 2015 Volume 39, Page 521 CALL TO ORDER The April 27, 2015 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 Marianna Keil Ristine Casagranda Christy Terry David Squires Dale Butts Iris Darling 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 Tim McDonald said he was a second generation mariner and was concerned that the new 330-Ton Travelift was already out of service. He would have liked to see the city get a 500-Ton Travelift instead. • • APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Keil/Terry) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Terry added Resolution 2015-035 and Resolution 2015-036 to the consent agenda. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Ordinances For Introduction Ordinance 2015-002, Amending The Land Use Plan And The Rezoning Of Lot 4, Fort Raymond Subdivision, From Institutional (INS) To Auto Commercial (AC)._ City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes April 27, 2015 Volume 39, Page 522 Resolutions Resolution 2015-035,Authorizing Additional Funding To The Seward Chamber Of Commerce In The Amount Of$14,128,And Appropriating Funds. Resolution 2015-036,Officially Renaming The North/South Right Of Way Currently Known As Hemlock Street To Crabapple Street Located Within The Southwest Corner Of The Forest Acres Subdivision. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations & Awards Police Memorial Week May 10-16,2015 Certificate of Appreciation for Dr. Matthew Hall Chamber of Commerce Report.Cindy Clock reported on the Annual Seattle Partners trip, which she attended with Port and Commerce Advisory Board Chair Deborah Altermatt, Assistant City Manager Ron Long and Mayor Jean Bardarson. The group made contact with the Deep Sea Fisherman's Union and the Fishing Vessel Owner's Association at Fisherman's Terminal. The Energy Group would meet on April 29, 2015 at noon at the library, and the Seward Marine Industrial Center Group would meet on April 30, 2015 at 9:15 a.m. at the library. As part of the Seward Economic Growth Plan (SEGP), the Chamber of Commerce was hosting an introduction to the Business Retention&Expansion Program on April 30,2015 at 12:00 p.m. at the library. This was an opportunity for business owners and community members alike to learn about economic development strategy of the program. The next Chamber Luncheon would be Friday,May 1,2015 at the Breeze Inn,and the guest speaker would be Arni Thomson from the Alaska Salmon Alliance. There would be two customer service seminars on Thursday,May 14,2015 at the Breeze Inn featuring nationally-acclaimed speaker, David Aaker. These lively, two-hour workshops were designed to motivate people to improve customer service and to help employees make positive changes. Lots of great events would be happening the weekend of May 15-17, 2015, including: Chamber Open House, Military Appreciation Day, Seward Harbor Opening Weekend, and the Alaska SeaLife Center's Summer of Sharks Grand Opening&Festival. City Manager's Report.Jim Hunt reported the following purchase orders between$10,000 and $50,000 since his last report: $29,261.48 to Valley Power Systems for Ft. Raymond EMD Generator#4. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes Apri127, 2015 Volume 39, Page 523 In response to Terry, Hunt said there had been a multiagency fire department exercise conducted last week where they practiced biohazard, radiation, and bomb squad drills. Butts requested that administration ensure the sidewalks would be cleaned and free of hazard in time for the Pink Cheeks Triathlon this weekend. In response to Keil,Hunt said there was a minor repair being done on the 330-Ton Travelift and was covered by the warranty.Hunt added that a 500-Ton Travelift would not work in Seward as it would collapse the dock. Terry suggested that the electric utility bills include a general reminder for citizens to obtain a dig permit since it was springtime and people would be wanting to work in their yards. Loren Leman reported an update on the Lowell Point Sewage Lagoon Project. The project was running slightly under budget and ahead of schedule. Other Reports,Announcements and Presentations Seward Community Health Center Annual Report by Executive Director Pat Linton. Rescheduled to the May 11, 2015 meeting. Council Travel Reports from Washington, D.C./Seattle, WA trip (Bardarson) and Kenai Peninsula Climate Conference(Casagranda). The report on the Kenai Peninsula Climate Conference was rescheduled to the May 11, 2015 meeting. PUBLIC HEARINGS—None UNFINISHED BUSINESS Items for Reconsideration Resolution 2015-028, Revising The Port And Harbor Tariff Regulations To Increase The Charge For Dishonored Checks, To Revise The Charges For Re-Blocking Vessels And For Boat Lift Work That Extends Beyond One Hour, And To Revise The Wharfage Rates For Boat Fuel To Conform To The Charges In The Annual Contract With The Fuel Dock Operator. (Motion to Reconsider filed by Vice Mayor Keil) Motion (Keil/Terry) Reconsider Approval of Resolution 2015-028 Motion to Reconsider Passed Yes: Keil,Butts,Darling,Terry,Bardarson No: Squires, Casagranda Original motion was back on the floor and open for discussion. Original Motion (Terry/Squires) Approve Resolution 2015-028 (Motion made on April 13, 2015) City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes April 27, 2015 Volume 39, Page 524 Hunt passed out a laydown of Travelift rates for other communities. Harbormaster Mack Funk reiterated the intent of the resolution. Funk said the proposed rates in Seward were competitive with other communities. Casagranda asked for a clarification on the rates and Funk said the rates quoted represented the first hour. She thought this rate comparison didn't hold up because the other communities quoted had other alternatives to offer, like a grid, which provided more affordable options. In response to Terry, Funk said these proposed rates had not gone through the Port And Commerce Advisory Board(PACAB) for review. Darling reconfirmed that her discussions with vessel owners reflected their desire for Seward to have a grid. Terry supported this resolution because it fairly and competitively charged users for this service. She echoed Casagranda's remarks that the city should continue to seek a grid.In the future she would appreciate PACAB having the opportunity to review. Main Motion Passed Yes:Butts,Darling,Terry,Keil,Bardarson No: Squires, Casagranda NEW BUSINESS Resolution 2015-037,Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Construction Contract With Harmon Construction Inc.For The Purpose Of Constructing A New Northeast Harbor Fish Cleaning Station In The Amount Of $549,139, Authorizing A Contingency, And Appropriating Funds. Motion (Terry/Keil) Approve Resolution 2015-037 Motion to Amend (Darling/Casagranda) Amend Resolution 2015-037 by striking Section 2 in its entirety, striking "authorizing a contingency" in the title, and replacing the amount of "$103,006" with "$49,006" and striking "as follows: $54,000 to contingency account no. 11391- 0000-7807, and $49,006" in Section 3. Following council discussion of the pros and cons of having contingencies in contracts,Terry requested that council schedule a work session to discuss the topic of contingencies in general. Motion to Amend Failed Yes: Darling, Casagranda No: Keil,Terry,Butts,Squires,Bardarson City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes April27, 2015 Volume 39, Page 525 Funk said this project would enable the gut barge to be utilized more efficiently and cleanly. This project had gone out to bid previously, but was scaled back to make it more cost effective. There would be grant funds used to cover almost all of the costs related to this project. The project would take approximately one year to complete. Main Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2015-038, Authorizing The City Manager To Amend The Contract With CRW Engineering Group,LLC.,For The North Seward Water Storage Tank&Pumping Facility, Phase II, To Add Building Modifications And An Exploratory Well, And Increasing The Contract By An Amount Not To Exceed $99,984,And Appropriating Funds. Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2015-038 Public Works Director W.C. Casey said the modifications included adding a small bathroom with a shower and an eye wash station,a stand-by generator, a higher security fence, and modified sewer lines, all as a result from feedback from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation(ADEC). In response to Squires, the toilet facility, generator and chemicals would all be housed separately and would be ventilated. Motion Passed Yes: Darling, Terry, Butts, Squires,Keil, Bardarson No: Casagranda Resolution 2015-039, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Contract With Southcentral Construction Inc. For An Amount Not To Exceed $4,658,210 For Construction Of The North Seward Water Storage Tank& Pumping Facility And Appropriating Funds. Motion (Terry/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2015-039 In response to Casagranda, Casey said he structured the approach to this project to purposefully include Added Alternates. These Added Alternates included the restroom and the generator storage and were addressed in the bid package,but were not outlined in the contract itself. Casey projected this project would start in the first week of May. In response to Terry,Casey confirmed that all the changes presented in the design amendment for Resolution 2015-038 had already been included and were reflected in this resolution for construction. In response to Squires, Casey said the as-builts would be done by the engineers. In response to Darling,Casey said the only other aspect of this project that had yet to come to council for approval was engineering services in the form of construction support services. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes April 27, 2015 Volume 39,Page 526 In response to Butts,Casey said he had not been specifically instructed by the City Manager to not have legal review this contract,he did not seek legal review because he thought it was a fairly straightforward contract. Motion Passed Yes: Butts,Darlings, Terry, Keil, Squires, Bardarson No: Casagranda Resolution 2015-040,Amending The Legal Services Agreement Between The City Of Seward And The Law Firm Wohlforth,Brecht& Cartledge. Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2015-040 Hunt said the attorney fees had only been increased twice since the contract's inception in 1993, and this increase represented approximately a 2.5% increase. Terry requested the following comments be documented verbatim: "And then, again, anything in our policies and procedures,I believe contracts or amendments brought to council should be signed,and the City Attorney should know that better than anybody. So,you know,we need to see these signed in our packet. So you can remind him of that by having it in the minutes verbatim and you can send him those minutes." Motion Passed Unanimous Other New Business Items—None INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS 2015 City of Seward Financial Disclosure Forms Update. COUNCIL COMMENTS Terry welcomed Jackie Wilde as the new Executive Liaison. She clarified that the grant application for the Seward Community Health Center would come back to council for approval to submit. Council scheduled a work session to review the city policy on contract contingencies on May 12,2015 at 12:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. Butts thanked and congratulated Dr.Matt Hall.He reminded everyone about the Pink Cheeks Triathlon this weekend. He cautioned citizens to watch out for bicyclists and runners. Casagranda said she had already noticed an influx of visitors in town. Squires requested a work session on infrastructure, including sewer, water lines, etc. He agreed to include the discussions starting in August with the budget sessions.He thanked everyone who came out for the American Legion convention last week. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes April27, 2015 Volume 39, Page 527 Darling thanked everyone who worked hard to host the American Legion convention. She thanked Matt Hall.And she reminded everyone that the Crystal Symphony would be the first cruise ship here on May 7, 2015. Bardarson thanked the American Legion,and the City Clerk for sending out a reminder for meeting protocol. Keil said she would be out of state for the May 26, 2015 council meeting, and would be returning to Seward on June 7, 2015. CITIZEN COMMENTS Larry Harmon said contingencies didn't necessarily benefit the contractor,but they helped with project efficiencies because when a contingency was in place,it allowed more flexibility and a timelier response for the contractor. Tim McDonald mentioned the City Attorney contract,and suggested perhaps council should consider requiring the City Attorney to live in Seward. He thought the vessel wash down pad rates were based incorrectly on foot length of boats; rather, he thought it should be charged by time. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Hunt requested that Lila Hurst be recognized for her efforts with the animal shelter. He thanked Jackie and Scott Wilde for the work they did with the American Legion this weekend, and welcomed Jackie to City Hall. He added that administration was looking into some Outer Continental Shelf(OCS)opportunities for across the bay,as well as meeting with someone who was interested in buying and selling Seward water to freighters. In response to McDonald's comments, Hunt said the city charged moorage in the harbor by the foot,and was not aware if that was unfair or illegal, but it's what they did. Butts said he had over 25 years of experience in the maritime industry and that gave him the expertise to consider harbor rates and issues from a mariner's perspective even while he made decisions as a council member. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion (Terry/Casagranda) Go Into Executive Session To Discuss Strategy For The Negotiations Of Contracts Regarding Power Purchase Agreements. Motion Passed Unanimous City Manager Jim Hunt, Electric Utilities Manager John Foutz, Administrative Assistant Rebekah Ivy and Contracting Officer Kevin Dunham from Power Systems Coordination and City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes April27, 2015 Volume 39, Page 528 Switching Specialties were invited to stay for the executive session. Council recessed at 9:21 p.m. Council resumed at 9:26 p.m. Council went into executive session at 9:26 p.m. Council came out of executive session at 10:26 p.m. Motion (Keil/Terry) Direct staff to go out for Request For Proposals for electrical power. Motion Passed Unanimous ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:28 p.m. / - //,,, 1, o anna Ki 11111,, MC Xan Bardarson Ci' Clerk Mayor (City Seal) Seel" 0 40 iNto) NSEAL / J • II�.I E OF p ''y���