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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06082020 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes June 8, 2020 Volume 41,Page 183 CALL TO ORDER The June 8,2020 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Christy Terry. OPENING CEREMONY Lt. Alan Nickell 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 Brenda Ballou, City Clerk Jessica Stallard, Deputy City Clerk Excused—None Absent—None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING The City of Seward is currently experiencing a declared public health emergency due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), so alternate methods for providing Citizen Comments were created. Unless otherwise noted, the following Citizen Comments were submitted in advance and read into the record by the Deputy City Clerk: Virginia Randazzo thanked council for responding to the pandemic with quick action and leadership. She encouraged everyone to wear masks in shared public spaces. Pat Domitrovich spoke(in person)about his recent separation from the City of Seward.He had never been written up or reprimanded in his 30 years working for the electric utility until he began working for the City of Seward. During his time with the city, he had been written up and verbally reprimanded several times. He asked council to pay special attention to the city's electric department. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes June 8,2020 Volume 41,Page 184 Rissie Casagranda spoke (in person) about the rezoning application she submitted to the Planning and Zoning Commission(P&Z).She said P&Z added lots onto her rezoning application, and she felt that she should no longer have to incur the application fee. She said the pandemic was hurting small businesses. Max Pfeiffenberger spoke(in person)about Seward's need for an outdoor basketball court. He encouraged council to provide more activities for Seward's youth.He asked council to renovate the basketball court in Forest Acres.He was interested in leading this project and fundraising for it. He requested that council bring forward a resolution to renovate the Forest Acres basketball court through community fundraising. Maya Moriarty supported the renovation of the Forest Acres basketball court. Norm Regis spoke (in person) about the JAG Lease resolution that was coming before council for public hearing and enactment. He asked council to remove this resolution from the agenda. Dorene Lorenz was upset that the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home was not notified that R& M Consulting had completed their survey of the Jesse Lee Home. She encouraged council to refrain from making any decisions regarding the Jesse Lee Home until a city attorney firm was hired. Connor Spanos supported the renovation of the Forest Acres basketball court. Liz DeMoss encouraged council and administration to support small businesses and the local economy. Brad Snowden spoke (telephonically) about the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security(CARES)Act funding.He encouraged council to use this money to help small businesses. Peter Spanos supported the renovation of the Forest Acres basketball court. Dana Paperman spoke (telephonically) about senior services. The Senior Center started serving meals to seniors on March 13,2020.The closure of senior centers was extended on June 5, 2020 by the governor. She thanked council for their service. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (McClure/Osenga) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Terry removed Resolution 2020-044 from the agenda. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes June 8,2020 Volume 41,Page 185 Resolution 2020-046,Extending The City's Current State Of Emergency In Response To The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak,And Requesting State And Federal Relief Assistance. Resolution 2020-047, Authorizing The City Manager To Approve An Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreement Between The State Of Alaska Department Of Natural Resources (DNR) Division Of Forestry And The City Of Seward For Fire Protection. Approval of the May 26,2020 City Council Special Meeting Minutes. Approval of the May 26,2020 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Approval of the new liquor license#5872 and Restaurant Designation Permit for The Lone Chicharron Taqueria. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations & Awards—None Borough Assembly Report—None City Manager Report. Scott Meszaros reported the following purchase orders between $5,000 and$30,000 had been approved by the City Manager since the last council meeting:$7,000 to SMIC for overhead door for SMIC shop; $5,100 to Public Works for calcium chloride for streets; and$5,700 to Public Works for clutch replacement—Streets sweeper truck. Meszaros thanked the harbor staff for saving a sinking vessel and commended them for their hard work.He thanked Tim Dillon for his assistance working on the applications and processes for the CARES Act funds. June 12,2020 would be Electric Utility Manager John Foutz's last day with the City of Seward. In response to Baclaan,Meszaros said the water and sewer rate studies were almost complete and a work session would be scheduled to review these studies. Seese wanted to talk about the ads for the Finance Director and Accounting Technician II positions. She wanted to know why the Finance Director position was not advertised in the city newspaper. Meszaros said the Finance Director position was advertised online. In response to Baclaan,Community Development Director Jackie Wilde said planning for the Fort Raymond Subdivision would resume after the Capital Improvement Plan was approved. Terry requested that an agenda statement showing work sessions postponed due to COVID- 19 be brought before council at the June 22, 2020 meeting. Terry wanted to talk about the Senior Center, the trash on the road at the new city access pullout on Nash Road, and the Forest Acres basketball court. She suggested a community event to City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes June 8, 2020 Volume 41, Page 186 clean up Nash Road. Harbormaster Norm Regis said he would place a dumpster on Nash Road. She requested that Meszaros reach out to Dana Paperman about the Senior Center's needs. She also requested that Parks and Recreation Director Tyler Florence reach out to Max Pfeiffenberger about renovating the Forest Acres basketball court. Meszaros said the Forest Acres basketball court project was budgeted for, but not funded, at this time. Seese wanted to talk about the fees for reserved camping spots; she wanted to know if individuals were charged for placing a tent on their reserved camping spot. Meszaros said it cost an additional $10 to have a tent on a reserved RN spot. Meszaros said campers were required to print camping permits and place them in their camper windows. Baclaan and Seese were concerned that not everyone had access to printers. Meszaros said the Parks and Recreation Department regularly verified that owners of camping spots had paid for camping permits. Crites said she had seen the Parks and Recreation Director verifying camping permits and parking permits. In response to Butts, Meszaros said Public Works would be paving streets this summer. In response to Butts, Regis said the harbor was expecting new dumpsters this month. Butts said the corner of Fourth and Port Avenue needed some attention, and he asked if someone could fix the electrical box on the sidewalk in front of the fire station. Crites said the electrical box was being worked on. Seese asked that the pothole at the end of the driveway at the post office be fixed. Crites wanted to talk about wearing masks in public spaces. She said the City of Anchorage was now mandating that masks be worn in public spaces,and she wanted Seward to adopt a similar resolution. Baclaan wanted to talk about when city services would be open at full capacity. Meszaros said most of the city offices were open, some by appointment only, and the library plan was on the city website. The city was trying to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Seese wanted to talk about the Fourth of July. Chamber Director Jason Bickling (telephonically) said the streets would be shut down and used for Fourth of July vendors. The chamber was working on putting together a parade and fireworks display. Other Reports and Announcements—None Presentations Jesse Lee Home Presentation by R & M Consultants Alaska SeaLife Center Presentation by Tara Reimer PUBLIC HEARINGS City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes June 8, 2020 Volume 41,Page 187 Resolutions for Public Hearing and Enactment A I I i F i t 4C Bl I l i TI. F rth O f i I ! e1, Subdivision Of The Seward f 9 • District, . This resolution was removed from the agenda. Resolution 20-045, Amending The Port And Harbor Tariff To Provide Automatic Change From Transient Daily Rate To A Rate Equal To 15 Days Transient Moorage For A 30 Day Period. Motion (McClure/Seese) Enact Resolution 20-045 Harbormaster Norm Regis said he worked with the Port and Commerce Advisory Board on this resolution. There would be an automatic switch from daily rates to monthly rates,and it would save boat owners up to $600. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. No one appeared and the public hearing was closed. Motion Passed Unanimous NEW BUSINESS Vote on the recommendation for representative to KPB Planning Commission. Letters of Interest and applicant information will be provided as a laydown because the deadline for submission is June 8, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. City Clerk Brenda Ballou said the terms for the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning(KPB) Planning Commission were three years and Seward's current seat would expire in July 2020.A letter of interest had been received from Cindy Ecklund and provided as a laydown. Motion (McClure/Baclaan) Recommend Cindy Ecklund as the city's representative for the KPB Planning Commission. Motion Passed Unanimous Review and approve the city's letter to Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Charlie Pierce for maintaining Seward's seat on the KPB Planning Commission. Meszaros said Community Development Director Jackie Wilde would be drafting a letter to the borough mayor. Wilde said the borough was considering removing Seward's seat on the KPB Planning Commission for this year. Seese encouraged Seward citizens to write letters to the KPB Borough Assembly encouraging them to maintain Seward's seat on the KPB Planning Commission. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes June 8,2020 Volume 41,Page 188 Review and discuss options for alternate meeting locations for City Council, Planning & Zoning Commission, Port & Commerce Advisory Board, and the Historic Preservation Commission. Ballou said options for alternate meeting locations were the Seward Library's Community Room and the high school auditorium. In response to Osenga, Ballou said no microphones were available for use in the Library Community Room. In response to Crites, Terry said the Alaska Railroad Terminal could be an option for an alternate meeting location,but there was no heat in the building. In response to Osenga, Ballou said she was not sure if the Library Community Room had call-in capability. Ballou said the current meetings did not infringe on the public's rights to access the business of council. Baclaan said the public's rights had not been infringed on,but processes changing had caused stress in the community. The city clerk was directed to hold the June 12, 2020 special meeting in the Library Community Room at the Seward Community Library and Museum. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS On-Going City Project and Goal List City Clerk's Report on Public Records Requests through June 2, 2020 April, 2020 City and Providence Financials Prince William Sound Regional Citizens Advisory Council(PWSRCAC)Board ofDirectors Meeting Highlights from May, 2020 Update on Seward's Summer Cruise Ship Schedule Alaska Department of Transportation Notice of Seward Highway Mile 0-8 Pavement Resurfacing Project CITIZEN COMMENTS The City of Seward is currently experiencing a declared public health emergency due to Coronavirus Disease 2019(COVID-19), so alternate methods for providing Citizen Comments were created. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes June 8,2020 Volume 41,Page 189 Unless otherwise noted, the following Citizen Comments were submitted in advance and read into the record by the City Clerk: Rissie Casagranda spoke (in person) about council changing meeting locations and the CARES Act funding. She thanked council for considering ways to allow more public access to the meetings. She was in favor of keeping meetings at the council chambers with proper social distancing measures. She said there was little appreciation in Seward for small businesses,and she encouraged council to use the CARES Act funding for small businesses.The COVID-19 pandemic had caused her to lose business and revenue this summer. She thanked Terry, McClure, and Meszaros for holding a meeting on the CARES Act funding. Jackie Wilde spoke(in person)about council meeting locations and renovating the Forest Acres basketball court. She encouraged council to move forward with renovating the Forest Acres basketball court. The Planning and Zoning Commission had a meeting in Council Chambers last week and allowed citizens to attend the meeting in small groups while wearing masks. She wanted presentations to be presented electronically. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Meszaros said he supported small businesses and he hoped the CARES Act funding helped them. He thanked council for their service. He said citizens sending in emails to be read aloud and being allowed to call in to the meeting during citizen comments allowed more individuals to participate in the council meeting. Crites wanted masks to be mandatory when attending public meetings. Osenga thanked the citizens and presenters for their comments.He asked everyone to wear masks. Butts thanked the citizens for their comments.He congratulated Carlyn Nichols for receiving the Alaska Society for Technology in Education(ASTE)Teacher of the Year award.He encouraged everyone to be careful when burning fires. He thanked Cindy Ecklund for volunteering to be Seward's representative on the KPB Planning Commission. He thanked Max Pfeiffenberger for speaking on the renovation of the Forest Acres basketball court; Butts supported this project. He thanked Electric Utility Manager John Foutz for his service. He thanked the Seward Police Department for their professionalism. Baclaan thanked the Seward Police Department for participating in Seward's peaceful rally and protest. He thanked the clerk for her hard work. He believed that adding the new Building Inspector position should have waited until the budget review.Baclaan wanted to reassess the permit fee structure for next year. He thanked everyone for participating in tonight's meeting. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes June 8,2020 Volume 41,Page 190 Seese thanked the citizens for their comments. She supported renovating the Forest Acres basketball court.She wanted everyone to wear masks.She encouraged council to rewatch the council meetings. She thanked the harbor staff for assisting the sinking vessel. She thanked the Seward Police Department for participating in the peaceful march and rally. She was excited to start reviewing the budget. McClure was glad that Cindy Ecklund would be Seward's representative on the KPB Planning Commission. She encouraged everyone to write letters to the KPB mayor in favor of keeping Seward's seat on the KPB Planning Commission.She was excited for the renovation of the Forest Acres basketball court. She encouraged everyone to participate in the June 12,2020 special meeting and give council feedback on the new meeting location.She encouraged everyone to call the Chamber of Commerce if they had questions about the Fourth of July.June 21,2020 was the Solstice and the annual cemetery tour put on by Lee Poleske would start at 10:30 p.m.McClure said June 21, 2020 was her mom's 90th birthday and her mom might be the oldest Seward resident who had been born and raised in Seward. Terry thanked Seward and the Seward Police Department for participating in the peaceful rally and march. She said Norm Regis was now a Marine Port Executive. She thanked Tim Dillon and Jason Bickling for working with small businesses to obtain CARES Act funding. She encouraged everyone to attend the June 12,2020 special meeting at the Library Community Room. Attorney interviews were scheduled for June 16,2020 at 11:00 a.m.and 1:00 p.m.She welcomed the new planner, Eric Kozielski. She encouraged citizens to utilize the Alaska Housing Relief. Terry suggested having an agenda item to schedule a budget committee meeting at the June 22, 2020 council meeting. She encouraged everyone to fill out the U.S. Census online. She encouraged Seward's youth to participate in sports. She said her son's college career had been funded by a basketball scholarship. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m. 9-e/14'73c-9- -g,tplect,-Lvi Jessica Stallard C ty Terry Deputy City Clerk Mayor (City Seal) ••` OF SF`y'.. •;'• ��GpRPOI�9 0;0) • • a SEAL • ,..FOp ,rrrrrrer e e e♦