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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10092017 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes October 9, 2017 Volume 40, Page 278 CALL TO ORDER The October 9,2017 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Jean Bardarson. OPENING CEREMONY Police Chief Tom Clemons led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Jean Bardarson presiding and Marianna Keil Ristine Casagranda Dave Squires Sue McClure Erik Slater comprising a quorum of the Council; and Jim Hunt, City Manager Johanna Kinney, City Clerk Will Earnhart, City Attorney Absent—Altermatt CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING • Matthew Nelson said he had been a member of this community for 30 years.He had recently received news that his position was to be cut to help remedy the $1.3 million deficit. He wanted council to know that he did a lot more work than just custodial duties at city hall.He was responsible for city hall,the annex building,and the public works building;he said he wasn't the reason for the budget shortfall and he understood that times were hard, but his position shouldn't be sacrificed. Sharyl Seese said she was here to air her feelings,and she was sorry to hear that the custodial positions were to be gone; there were currently seven city jobs posted in the newspaper. She was upset that the Senior Center was cut by$10,000,and the Boys&Girls Club was cut by$10,000;the Parks&Recreation Department was getting an increase. She asked why the chamber was getting a 21.7% increase. Seese complained that it was difficult to see the whole Parks&Recreation budget because it wasn't all combined together. Maya Moriarty thanked Mayor Bardarson for her service,and thanked Johanna Kinney and wished her well at the SeaLife Center. The booster club still had 45 tickets left for the fundraiser. The sports calendar would soon be printed, and business card ads were still available for$200. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes October 9, 2017 Volume 40, Page 279 Mike Insalaco said this weekend would be the 4th annual Energy Fair;Friday there would be industry leaders speaking, and Saturday would focus on residential use. This year there was a high111 school challenge that involved the students identifying a problem at their school, coming up with a solution,and creating a plan.The contest has been extended to middle school and elementary school, and so far there had been 5,000 entries submitted.He said Jean Bardarson and Johanna Kinney were both top-notch professionals. Skip Reierson said he pulled himself off his recliner to come to the meeting tonight to honor a mayor who had evolved from a freshman councilmember to a respected mayor. He said Bardarson had represented Seward well in Seward, Juneau and in Washington, DC. On behalf of the Gin Sisters, he wished her well. Tim McDonald said he loved Seward and the people in it, but felt council needed to run a tighter budget. Glenda Martin wanted to know what was up with her electric bill. She had just received a $333 electric bill,and last year at this time it was$180. She wanted to know why she was paying so much. Dave Nelson said he was the other face of the custodial positions being cut. He said this situation was very rough, and if his job got cut he would probably have to move to the lower 48. Christy Everett Jordan was from Lowell Point,and thanked the community for receiving her disabled son so well. The sidewalks with the ramps she appreciated. She said the doors of the post office were very heavy, and maybe something could be done to make them easier to access. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda McClure postponed the United Fisherman of Alaska presentation to the October 23,2017 meeting. Squires added an item to New Business to discuss who would be attending the AML Conference in November, 2017. Squires added an item to New Business to discuss directing all council members to turn in their iPads to IT for cleaning and updates. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the September 22,2017 Special City Council Meeting Minutes and the September 25, 2017 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes. Certification of the October 3,2017 City of Seward Election. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes October 9, 2017 Volume 40, Page 280 THREE (3) CITY COUNCIL SEATS AVAILABLE (TWO-YEAR TERMS) Election Day Votes After Canvass Votes Total Votes Suzanne Towsley 214 29 243 Sue McClure 291 61 352 Katie Cornwell 207 28 235 Deborah Altermatt 191 36 227 Jeremy Horn 230 37 267 Write-Ins 9 3 12 ONE (1) MAYOR SEAT AVAILABLE (TWO-YEAR TERM) Election Day Votes After Canvass Votes Total Votes Tim McDonald 72 11 83 David Squires 362 66 428 Write-Ins 9 1 10 SEWARD PROPOSITION NO. 1 Shall the Seward City Charter 3.1 and 3.2 be amended to elect council members and the mayor to three year terms rather than two year terms? Yes No A "YES" vote approves the proposed amendments to Seward City Charter 3.1. - Composition; powers and duties generally; term of office and Seward City Charter 3.2. - Expiration of terms; qualification of appointees to fill vacancies,electing the council and mayor to three year terms,and would be implemented as follows: in 2017 all seats would be elected for two years; in 2018 there would be one two-year council seat and two three-year council seats elected,and in 2019 there would be one one-year council seat and two three-year council seats elected, as well as a mayor seat for a three year term. A"NO"vote rejects the proposed amendments to Charter Section 3.1 and Section 3.2,and maintains the current two year terms of office. Election Day Votes Canvass Votes Total Votes YES 226 44 270 NO 218 36 254 SUMMARY City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes October 9, 2017 Volume 40, Page 281 A total of 458 people voted at this election. There were 82 absentee in-person, by-mail, and special needs ballots. There were 0 questioned ballots. Therefore, 540 voters turned out. Appoint Nathaniel Charbonneau to the Planning and Zoning Commission with a term to expire February, 2018. SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations & Awards Proclamation for the Bicentenary of the Baha'ii Faith Recognizing Mayor Bardarson for service on the Seward City Council Proclamation recognizing almost 13 years of service to City Clerk Johanna Kinney, MMC Borough Assembly Report. Kenn Carpenter reported on the borough election results; Seward and Lowell Point had a 50%turnout.None of the borough's propositions had passed.There would be a runoff election on October 24, 2017 for borough mayor between Linda Hutchins and Charlie Pierce. Carpenter congratulated everyone who won. City Manager Report.Jim Hunt stated there had been no purchases made between$10,000 and$50,000 since the last council meeting. He had received a request from the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers for an additional $400,000 for the Lowell Canyon Tunnel. Also,he was visited today by Kent Dawson, one of the city's lobbyists; he credited Dawson for the city receiving$64 million in appropriations in the last three years. In response to Keil, Assistant City Manager Ron Long explained that the chamber of commerce funding was based on 50%of bed tax,and so it fluctuated year over year.Long added that there had been no change to the electric rate in the last year;a portion of the rates were not generated by the city,but came directly from Chugach which was overseen by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. Administration had spoken to the post office about the doors in the past,but pointed out that it was a federal building. Hunt suggested people contact the maintenance person in Anchorage to complain. Council requested the post office contact information be put on the city's website. Casagranda said she was willing to speak with any citizen about the electric rates. City Attorney Report. Will Earnhart said Mayor Bardarson and City Clerk Johanna City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes October 9, 2017 Volume 40, Page 282 Kinney had always been two of the most pleasant people to work with. He didn't have a written report this month, but reported that his activity had been slow. He said there had been a lot of attention in the press about the recent incident at Safeway, and wanted to explain that the investigation was with the state troopers and we wouldn't know the full story for a while. Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations Report by Tim Dillon of Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District. . . . •. . . . Lake.Pulled by administration. . . . • . • .. . . . • . • ' .. • , . • . . - . . . . . • • Postponed to October 23, 2017 meeting. PUBLIC HEARINGS Non-Code Ordinance 2017-003,Rescinding Section 4 Of Non-Code Ordinance 2013-012 Which Authorized Sole Source Negotiation For Disposal Of The Property Described As The West'/ Of Lots 19 And 20, Block 30, Original Townsite Of Seward; With Tax Parcel Id Number 14813010, Located At 408 Madison, And Instead Authorize Disposal By Sealed Bid At A Minimum Bid Of$36,700. Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Enact Non-Code Ordinance 2017-003 Long said this was one of the properties that came back to the city from a tax foreclosure. This property was a 50 x 60 lot, and at the original time, the thought was to give it to the adjacent landowner in exchange for assuming responsibility of the property. That hadn't worked out, and since this lot was now developable, administration wanted to put it out for public bid. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Bill Mans said he was the adjacent landowner and had not been notified of this ordinance.He said the land value and building value had fluctuated over the years. He had tried to get contractor quotes for remediation of lead and asbestos,but was unsuccessful in getting a response.There were a number of issues he had encountered, including identifying where the sewer lines were, a concern about low electric wires, and property setbacks. He requested that council postpone enacting this ordinance to allow him more time to address the problems. Tim McDonald said he believed the sewer line ran across the property. No one else appeared to address the Council and the public hearing was closed. Long said the city did not control how the borough assessed properties. The city was not trying to sell this property for its assessed value,but rather what the city had paid in hard costs. The City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes October 9, 2017 Volume 40, Page 283 question before council tonight was whether the lot should be made available to anyone to buy rather than one person, and was not about how to develop the lot itself. In response to McClure, Electric Utility Manager John Foutz said he would have to examine the lines at the property to determine if they were too low or in a potentially dangerous location. Public Works Director Doug Schoessler said he had inspected the property.He was unable to determine exactly where the sewer lines ran, and would potentially have to dig to find them. Casagranda checked the map and said it was zoned urban residential. In response to Casagranda,Long said before the city offered this property,it would behoove administration to run tests on the sewer lines and identify exactly where they were. Motion Passed Yes: Keil, Slater, McClure, Squires, Bardarson No: Casagranda Resolution 2017-055, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Five-Year Special Electric Rate Contract With The Seward Association For The Advancement Of Marine Science (SAAMS), Establishing A Transition To Large General Service Rate Class By 2025. Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2017-055 Long said this was very similar to the special rate contract for the SeaLife Center from a few years ago. Foutz said the intent was to bring the SeaLife Center to a large general rate over the course of ten years, and they were currently two years into the process. Foutz requested this resolution be amended to a 3-year term to get them half way to the goal. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Carol Griswold thanked Foutz for the explanation. She appreciated the SeaLife Center and they made an incredible contribution to the community.The SeaLife Center had taken big steps to be energy efficient.She was concerned that the transmission lines were impaired and leaking electricity, yet we were still required to pay for the full amount. She worried that if the SeaLife Center had to move to large general, it would put them out of business. Tara Reimer was the President and CEO of the Alaska SeaLife Center. She wanted to congratulate Mayor Bardarson. Reimer asked council to please approve this resolution. The new strategic plan for the SeaLife Center included growing the partnership with the city. The costs compounded year over year,and grew rapidly after the half way point.She wished that over the next two to three years council would be willing to have more conversations about this glide plan. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes October 9, 2017 Volume 40, Page 284 No one else appeared to address the Council and the public hearing was closed. Motion to Amend (McClure/Casagranda) Amend Resolution 2017-055 by changing the term from five years to two years. Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Main Motion Passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None NEW BUSINESS Other New Business Items Discuss who would be attending the AML Conference in November,2017.Council agreed to pay for the incoming mayor to attend the Mayor's Conference,and the two incoming council members to attend the Newly Elected Officials training. Discuss directing all council members to turn in their iPads to IT for cleaning and updates. Council requested administration coordinate with the clerk's office to identify a date that IT could take in the iPads. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS On-going City Project and Goal List. Appointment of Brenda Ballou as Acting City Clerk. (Kinney) Memorandum on 2017 Records Destruction. COUNCIL COMMENTS McClure wished Johanna Kinney well and thanked Jean Bardarson for her service as mayor; she congratulated incoming mayor Dave Squires. McClure congratulated the two new council members,as well as Kenn Carpenter.McClure would attend the energy fair this weekend and looked forward to seeing the student contest submissions. Saturday, October 14, 2017 there would be free flu shots at the clinic, and an Open House at the Fire Department. Squires congratulated McClure for being re-elected, as well as Horn and Towsley. He thanked all the other candidates for running,and congratulated Carpenter.Squires thanked the public for voting for him. He was proud of community for turning out to vote. He added that the Open House at the Fire Department would be from 12:00-3:00 p.m. Keil said the Domestic Violence Program would be holding a bake sale at Safeway on Saturday. She thanked Deborah Alterman for running, and for serving on council. Keil thanked City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes October 9, 2017 Volume 40, Page 285 Nathaniel Charbonneau for joining the Planning&Zoning Commission and Jean Bardarson for her service as mayor. Keil reminded the public that on October 23,2017 there would be the first public hearing on the 2018/20/9 budget, and pointed out that the $10,000 for the Senior Center would be put back into the budget. Casagranda congratulated everyone who ran for the election. Her phone number was 362- 2299; she invited anyone from the public to call her. She thanked everyone who stood up to speak before council; she appreciated it. Mayor Bardarson read a statement from Altermatt thanking everyone for their support. Slater said good luck to Johanna Kinney and Dave Squires. He thanked Matt and Dave Nelson for having the courage to stand up and speak to council. Long said citizen comments were very important. Hunt invited the newly elected officials to come speak to him if they wanted any background or information about the budget or other topics. Kinney thanked everyone for their support and said she had enjoyed her time with the city. Bardarson congratulated everyone for being elected, and said it had been her honor and privilege to be mayor. She thanked the citizens for their support and encouraged them to keep talking to the council. CITIZEN COMMENTS Tim McDonald congratulated Squires on becoming mayor. He said the city's budget was large, and he didn't think the residents of Seward had proper representation; he thought that annexation to mile 8 would help solve the situation. Matthew Nelson wanted to finish his comments from earlier, and said he didn't think that cutting two of the lowest paying jobs would help solve the city's budget problem.He had been with the city for 16 years and enjoyed working here. Glenda Martin said she wanted someone to come read her meter and make sure her bill was accurate. She didn't understand how her bill could go from $180 to $333 in one year. She said the Regulatory Commission told her that they didn't regulate our electricity. She was baffled by this huge increase. Carol Griswold wanted to speak about the airport.She had been following the issue,and she thought it was cheap of the Department of Transportation to abandon the long runway. If the river wasn't addressed, it may eventually erode the shorter (extended) runway. Extending the shorter runway would potentially create an issue because the bird wetlands would be more directly in the path, and this would create a dangerous situation for airplanes sucking up birds in landing and takeoff, as well as disturb the birds in their habitat. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes October 9, 2017 Volume 40, Page 286 COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Keil appreciated citizens speaking out, but would also appreciate them having facts. Long said Chugach Electric Association was regulated by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. Squires agreed with the airport concerns mentioned,and thought the city needed to be more vocal with the state. He wanted to look at the budget and see what could be done about saving the custodial jobs. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:39 p.m. Brenda J. Ballou, MMC can Bardarson Acting City Clerk Mayor (City Seal) 4. cs. <.. 5:1" •.- `sow 1:'� +'y t:, • S i • � • SEAL J . �� ; ti11 S $ 1104. 411.1'r,,-,11,-.a 7!•••••to 1$y s 4'4; OF P4%,"-.:61'