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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03092020 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes March 9,2020 Volume 41,Page 120 CALL TO ORDER The March 9,2020 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m.by Mayor Christy Terry. OPENING CEREMONY Police Chief Tom Clemons led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Christy Terry presiding and Sue McClure Sharyl Seese John Osenga Tony Baclaan Dale Butts Julie Crites comprising a quorum of the Council; and Scott Meszaros, City Manager 111 Brenda Ballou, City Clerk Excused—None Absent—None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Brad Snowden had lived in Seward for over 50 years,and tonight he wished to speak about Seward's future. He wanted the long-range future of Seward to include imagination,research,and reality. He thought differences amongst people was healthy, whether a person was pro-growth or against growth; growth meant change, and some people wanted Seward to remain exactly how it was. But change in life happened. On another note, Snowden was encouraged that council was inquiring about developing the bench across the bay.He also intended to reach out to Congressman Don Young to ask if Young still supported Seward developing its airport for larger aircraft. Bruce Jaffa thought it was important for all the city's boards and commissions, and even groups that were non-city,to have a collective,unified vision.He appreciated the joint work sessions held earlier tonight and wanted to see more of them.He and his wife had just returned from traveling the west coast,and he made several observations along the way related to the benefits of planning. For example,in Seattle,they require developers to publicly post large,clear,and specific information about their project well in advance so the public is informed and has ample opportunity to comment. At one point, Jaffa said he would have thought that to be onerous on the developer, but now he thinks the purpose behind planning future development was critical to steering a community in the City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes March 9, 2020 Volume 41,Page 121 direction that people wanted to see.He encouraged council to consider requiring public exposure of proposed plans for development. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (McClure/Seese) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda McClure removed Resolution 20-019 from the consent agenda. Terry removed the February 24, 2020 Special Meeting Minutes from the consent agenda. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Ordinance 20-002, Amending The Land Use Plan And Zoning Designation Of Forest Acres Lots 00, PP, NN, BJ And XX From Single Family Residential (R1) To Multi-Family Residential(R3). This ordinance was introduced and will come for public hearing and enactment on March 23, 2020. Ordinance 20-003, Amending Seward City Code Sections 5.35.015 And 5.35.035 To Incorporate Kenai Peninsula Borough Code Chapter 5.19, Which Adopts The Uniform Remote Sellers Sales Tax Code. This ordinance was introduced and will come for public hearing and enactment on March 23, 2020. Resolution 20-018, Authorizing The City Manager To Purchase A Locking, Three-Body, Oversized Mortuary Cooler For Use By The Seward Volunteer Fire Department And The Seward Volunteer Ambulance Corps In An Amount Not To Exceed $8,875, And Appropriating Funds. Resolution 20-020,Supporting Alaska House Bill 198,An Act Relating To Aggravating Factors Considered At Sentencing. Approval of the February 24,2020 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Appoint Fred Woelkers to the Historic Preservation Commission with a term to expire May, 2021. SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations& Awards—None Borough Assembly Report.Kenn Carpenter reported the borough mayor was working on the budget;the borough budget was expected to be in the black this year,including full funding for111 City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes March 9, 2020 Volume 41,Page 122 the school district. The assembly had passed a support resolution for House Bill 198.The borough had matched the city's funds of$135,000 for the Japanese Creek Feasibility Study. McClure thanked Carpenter for his vote in support of House Bill 198.Carpenter said he had been on the fence,because in his personal beliefs he did not approve of homosexuality,but he also felt strongly about not passing judgements against people, so he voted to support the bill. Baclaan thanked Carpenter for his support, as well, and said it had made a difference. Terry said when she had been in Juneau, she had witnessed Assembly representatives there working on behalf of the borough and the cities,and she asked Carpenter to take her thanks back to all of them for their support. City Manager Report.Scott Meszaros reported the following purchase orders over$5,000 had been approved by the City Manager since the last council meeting: $5,400 for Online Catalog and Interlibrary Loan Access Subscription for the Library;and$15,000 for Accounting Services for Accounts Payable audit preparation. Meszaros said he had finalized the Memorandum of Understanding(MOU)for the Japanese Creek Feasibility Study project. Meszaros said he had hired a new Executive Liaison, Viana,but she was unable to attend tonight's meeting. He also said he hired a new field engineer, Pat, in the Electric Department. Fire Chief Clinton Crites introduced new Deputy Fire Chief Kate McCoy who moved to Seward from the Yellowstone area. Terry wondered if the search for the unfilled positions of Corrections Officer and Senior Administrative Assistant at the harbor could be broadened or enhanced in order to attract good candidates. In response to Terry's inquiry about what involvement the city would have in Wellness Week,Fire Chief Crites said on April 4,2020 the Fire and Police Departments would have a booth with resources for public education and information,and also sign up assistance for Nixle.Library Director Valarie Kingsland said the library was setting up a display for wellness,and was ramping up literature and resources. Meszaros added that he had contacted the city's health insurance provider, and that had resulted in employees receiving Teledoc information. Terry wanted to inform the community that the city had met with healthcare officials last week, and had issued a press release today regarding preparation and coordination to address the Coronavirus. Terry read the press release and reassured the public that all the healthcare and emergency response agencies in Seward were working in cooperation with the city on this issue,and information would continue to be shared as things progressed. Terry said the city had received news that Spenard Builders Supply would be going out of business at the end of March; she wondered if council wished to have a work session with the City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes March 9, 2020 Volume 41, Page 123 Chamber of Commerce,or preferred to wait to see if the market responded.Osenga preferred to wait to see what developed. Baclaan asked if council could speak with the Chamber of Commerce. Council suspended the rules to speak with Jason Bickling. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jason Bickling said the chamber was working with some people about how to turn this business closure into an opportunity for other businesses to come in and fill the gap, and possibly add in the marine industry component as well. Bickling said the chamber was monitoring the situation and would keep council informed of developments. Council went back on the rules. Other Reports and Announcements Travel report for the Alaska Municipal League(AML) Winter Conference by Mayor Terry and Council Member Baclaan. Seward Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board(SBCFSAB)report for February,2020. Presentations —None PUBLIC HEARINGS—None UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None NEW BUSINESS Resolution 2020-019, Adopting The Historic Preservation Commission Priorities from February 2020 To February 2021. Motion (McClure/Osenga) Approve Resolution 2020-019 Motion to Amend (McClure/Seese) Amend Resolution 2020-019 in the Seward Historic Structures & Sites section in the 6th bullet by striking the words, "promote the preservation of" and replacing it with the word "evaluate" so that it reads, "Track and evaluate the Jesse Lee Home." Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Main Motion Passed Unanimous Other New Business City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes March 9, 2020 Volume 41,Page 124 Approve the February 24,2020 Special Meeting Minutes. Motion (Terry/McClure) Approve the February 24, 2020 Special Meeting Minutes. Motion to Amend (Terry/McClure) Amend the minutes in the Jermain, Dunnagan&Owens,PC section in the first paragraph by striking the word"fired"and replacing it with the word"hired"so that it reads, "Meszaros said this firm was recently hired by the City of Homer..." Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS On-Going City Project and Goal List. Terry reminded everyone that there would be a meeting in the fall to review the city's Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) list, but wondered if there could be a meeting in May to review the short-term projects and goals. Council scheduled a work session on May 12,2020 at 6:00 p.m.to discuss the Ongoing Projects& Goals List, and to prioritize each item as Short-Term, Mid-Term, or Long-Term. City Clerk's Report on Public Records Request through March 2, 2020. CITIZEN COMMENTS Phil Kaluza wanted to share his experience with council on applying with the city for the installation of solar panels at his home. He recalled that council had unanimously passed the Interconnect Policy ordinance that had gone through PACAB in November,2019. Following that, Kaluza said he submitted his application to connect solar panels,and got them installed so he could start using them in the spring;the building inspector signed off on the installation. The only problem now,was that the switch was off.Kaluza said this was because the electric utility manager had not approved the interconnection, and tonight he was here to ask council how one city employee was allowed to dictate the energy policy for the entire city. Lynda Paquette was on the Port&Commerce Advisory Board(PACAB), and said at the last PACAB work session,it seemed like there was some misinformation provided about solar panel warranties and the relative payback on the investment, which had been provided by the Electric Utility Department. Paquette was concerned about conflicting information about the city's interconnect capabilities, and suggested the city bring in a consultant to clarify and smooth out the city's interconnect and alternative energy issues. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes March 9,2020 Volume 41,Page 125 Bruce Jaffa thanked council for the efficient meeting tonight. He wanted to reiterate the potential impact on Seward on the coronavirus and the cruise ship industry;the extent was unknown. He reminded everyone that Seward would not remain strong if it was a one industry town.Jaffa said the city's best place to put its energy relating to the airport would be to address the flood mitigation of the Resurrection River.Regarding capital projects,Jaffa thought development needed to be done under a unified vision;the sewage lagoons also needed to be addressed.He supported the concept of annexing the city all the way to Fourth of July Creek,and building out the utility infrastructure all the way out there. Faye Herold thought Seward was fortunate to be on the road system because 20%of Alaskan residents were not on the road system and had to rely on the ferry system. She thought Seward needed to stand up on behalf of the communities affected by the loss of the ferry system. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Baclaan said a community swap meet would be put on by the Parks&Recreation Department in cooperation with the Census on March 21,2020 at AVTEC;there would be census information available. In the census,children under 5 year olds were the least counted,as well as couch surfers; they all needed to be considered and included in the census count—every child needed to be counted. Wellness Week would start on March 27,2020 with a kick off by the Seward Pride Alliance(SPA) event called Alphabet Soup at the Rez Art coffeehouse. SPA was also hosting a training called Choosing Our Roots,which was designed to provide assistance and housing for LGTBQ youth who were displaced from their homes.Baclaan thanked the chamber for meeting with him today about all the sustainable-minded groups;pooling resources and working cooperatively together would benefit everyone.Baclaan thanked all the boards and commissions for their service.He appreciated council's support of House Bill 198. Crites thanked the boards and commissions for tonight's work sessions. She encouraged people to volunteer for the fire department and the ambulance corps. Osenga thanked the boards and commissions; the work session was very informative. He thanked Terry and Baclaan for the work they did in Juneau. Butts thanked all the boards and commissions.He wished the boys and girls basketball teams good luck next weekend at state. Butts reminded everyone that the governor's visit tomorrow had been cancelled. He thanked the city clerk's office for their diligence in managing public records requests. Wash your hands! Seese thanked all the boards and commissions for the information they shared tonight. She thanked Terry and Baclaan for the good report from Juneau. McClure echoed everyone's sentiments. She appreciated council's support on House Bill 198.McClure had signed up for Nixle,and recommended everyone sign up for it.McClure met with SOS Pets recently, and reported that the architectural drawings were in and things were moving City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes March 9, 2020 Volume 41, Page 126 towards the next phase—fundraising. She also met the new Museum Curator and was excited for the future of the museum. Terry thought the work session with the boards and commissions tonight was great;they had a lot of work on their plates. She cheered for the cheerleaders for their competitions at state next week, as well. Terry wondered if the new field engineer would be able to help smooth out the department's interconnect process. Meszaros said he would follow through with Phil Kaluza's interconnect application. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:04 p.m. Brenda J. Ballou, MC risty Terry City Clerk Mayor (City Sea1.1.4O .Eq G• RPO .`• �• r�• V. tE : O• • SEAL ® c. vey ,"*.'E OF�P�PS``