HomeMy WebLinkAbout08102020 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
August 10,2020 Volume 41,Page 250
CALL TO ORDER
The August 10,2020 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00
p.m. by Mayor Christy Terry.
OPENING CEREMONY
Lieutenant 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(telephonically at 7:03 p.m.)
Dale Butts Julie Crites (telephonically)
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Norm Regis, Acting City Manager
Brenda Ballou, 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 City Clerk:
Lori Landstrom fully supported the proposed amendments for Resolution 2020-057 Hoops
for Seward. She thought a refurbished basketball court,even possibly a multi-use court,was a great
idea for Seward. The fact that this was a project driven by young people was fabulous. She
encouraged the city to support this project in concept, as well as with a $30,000 funding
contribution.
Kim Reierson put herself forward as a volunteer for the CARES Act non-profit review
committee. She was currently president of the Seward Community Foundation, and thought her
experience with that would provide value to the committee.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
August 10, 2020 Volume 41, Page 251
Tara Reimer(telephonically)was president and CEO of the Alaska SeaLife Center(ASLC),
and was pleased to report that they had already raised$1.3 million of unrestricted donations towards
their commitment; this was the commitment the ASLC had made to the city in order to receive a
contribution from the CARES Act funding of$500,000 from the city. The ASLC would continue
fundraising until they met their stated goal of$2 million. Reimer said the Seward Community
Foundation was sponsoring a special match program in which they would donate$25 for each of the
next 100 new memberships from Seward and Moose Pass residents;as well,those 100 memberships
would be eligible for some prize drawings.
Cindy Ecklund supported Hoops for Seward and wanted the city to provide financial
support,as well as equipment and staff,as much as possible. She thought it was remarkable that the
young people in town had already raised so much money toward the project on their own.
Christiana Smith was cautiously in favor of supporting the basketball court project, and
wished there was more documentation provided to clarify the costs and project.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (McClure/Seese) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
McClure removed the letter of resignation from Council Member Dale Butts from the consent
agenda.
Motion Passed Unanimousmei
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
Resolution 2020-062, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Agreement With
Harmon Construction Not To Exceed $145,500 For The Purpose Of Sidewalk Repairs, And
Appropriating Funds.
Resolution 2020-063, Approving The City Of Seward's Participation In A Proposed
Refinancing By The Alaska Municipal Bond Bank Of Its General Obligation Bonds That
Provided Funds To Purchase The General Obligation Library/Museum Bonds,2011 Series A
Of The City Of Seward, Under A Loan Agreement Between The City Of Seward And The
Alaska Municipal Bond Bank; And Authorizing The City Of Seward City Manager, Or
Designee, To Approve A Revised Schedule Of Principal And Interest Payments On The City
Of Seward's 2011A Bonds, In Accordance With The Loan Agreement, If The Bond Bank
Successfully Refinances Its Bonds.
Approval of the July 27, 2020 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes.
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations & Awards
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
August 10, 2020 Volume 41,Page 252
Recognizing Hugh & Iris Darling for Lifetime Achievement Stewardship
Recognizing Iris Darling for Seward Historic Preservation Award
Recognizing Iris Darling for her service on the Historic Preservation Commission
Gary Knopp In Memorium
Borough Assembly Report. Kenn Carpenter did not provide a report.
McClure said there would be a referendum on the borough ballot in October for the vote by
mail hybrid proposition.She recalled that the Borough Assembly had passed the resolution to adopt a
vote by mail hybrid,the Borough Mayor vetoed it,then the assembly overturned the mayor's veto;
now there was a referendum.She cautioned everyone to pay attention to the way the proposition was
worded,because it could be confusing.
City Manager Report.Acting City Manager Norm Regis reported the following purchase
orders between$5,000 and$30,000 had been approved by the City Manager since the last council
meeting: $26,000 for upgrade automatic transfer switch between the generator,fire station,and city
hall for Fire;$24,500 for transformers for Electric;and$74,000 for the city-wide server upgrade per
Resolution 2020-060 for MIS.
Butts asked for an update on the Silver Salmon Derby.Regis said the fish were reportedly a
little slow coming in, and the current leader was 11.51 pounds.
Butts asked for an update on the G,K,and L Floats timeline. Regis said he had applied for
the facility grant program with the state,but the awards would not be announced until October.
Regis said the dumpsters were being offloaded from the barge today. He encouraged
everyone to please complete the census.
Terry wanted to see some ideas generated to fill some of the positions that had been vacant
for so long. Regis said the Harbor Administrative Assistant position had been offered to someone,
but was suspended until possibly September to allow the individual to complete some pre-planned
travel. Police Lieutenant Alan Nickell said there were some recruit possibilities for the Police
Department,but to hire now would not be ideal because the recruit would have to wait to attend the
police academy in the spring. At the start of the new year,Nickell would pursue hiring. Regarding
the open positions in the jail,Nickell said he had had some applicants,but they were put off by the
amount of paperwork required for hiring. Nickell said there was also a conditional offer out right
now for the dispatch position. Regis said the new Building/Fire Inspector position had been filled
with an employee from the harbor, so now the harbor would have an opening.
Regarding the Seward CARES Act Relief Fund,Terry reminded everyone that applications
would be due by Monday,August 17, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
August 10, 2020 Volume 41, Page 253
Terry said the Heat Loop Project was at a point where a work session would be helpful, and
scheduled it on August 19, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. with a consensus from council.
Other Reports and Announcements —None
Presentations —None
PUBLIC HEARINGS—None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Items Postponed from Previous Agenda
Resolution 2020-057. Authorizing Support For Hoops For Seward To Pursue Private, State,
And Federal Funding For Remodeling Forest Acres Basketball Court. This item was postponed
from July 27, 2020.
Parks & Recreation Director Tyler Florence said the total project cost would be
approximately$60,000 and would include an asphalt repave,painted lines,backboards with hoops,
and some benches.
1
Primary Motion to Amend (Baclaan/Terry) Amend Resolution 2020-057 by adding the
words, "providing a contribution of
$30,000 from the city, and appropriating
funds" to the end of the title, striking the
words, "and is not a commitment to
provide any financial or other support"
from the last Whereas, and adding a new
Section 3 that reads, "Funding in the
amount of $30,000 is hereby transferred
from the Parking Fund unassigned fund
balance account no. 13000-0-3710-0-01000
and appropriated to Mayor and Council
contingency account no.01000-1110-7807."
and moving all other Sections down.
Regis said there was a concern from administration over moving Enterprise Funds into the
General Fund,and suggested that the funds come instead from the TYC Council Fund.Regis said the
TYC Council had raised that money for their own use,and because the basketball court served that
population of youth, the funds could be put to that use.
Secondary Motion to Amend (Butts/McClure) Amend Resolution 2020-057 in Section 3 by
striking the words "Parking Fund
unassigned fund balance" and replacing it
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
August 10, 2020 Volume 41,Page 254
with"TYC Council Fund",and adding the
words,"towards Hoops for Seward."at the
end of the sentence.
Terry said it would be nice to have a small plaque installed at the basketball court to
recognize the TYC Council for their financial contribution.
Secondary Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous
Baclaan thanked Max Pfeiffenberger for his initiative to start this project,and all the people
who have supported him and contributed funds towards the project.
Primary Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous
Florence thanked Max Pfeiffenberger, Hoops for Seward, and the Parks & Recreation
Department staff for all their work.
Terry said the future of Seward was bright when there were so many young people who were
motivated to initiate projects like this for the good of everyone.
Main Motion Passed Unanimous
NEW BUSINESS
Resolutions
Resolution 2020-061,Appointing a CARES Act Grant Review Committee For The Purpose Of
Awarding Authorized Disbursements To Qualifying Seward Area Non-Profit Organizations.
Motion (McClure/Seese) Approve Resolution 2020-061
Regis said he wanted to move this process along, and had reached out to some community
members last week to see if they were interested;he asked some people to send an email to the clerk
if they wanted to be appointed.
Motion to Amend (Terry/McClure) Amend Resolution 2020-061 in the 6th
Whereas by striking the words "Chamber
of Commerce Director" and change the
number of Community Members from one
to two.
Terry explained that Chamber of Commerce Director Jason Bickling had reached out to her
and requested to be removed from the committee to avoid even the appearance of a potential conflict
of interest.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
August 10, 2020 Volume 41,Page 255
Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous
Terry nominated Vice Mayor McClure to be on the committee with no objection from
council. McClure accepted the appointment.
Terry said there had been three people form the community who sent an email:Hillary Bean,
Kim Reierson, and Clare Sullivan. Baclaan supported all three of those candidates, as did Seese.
McClure wanted to make sure that if any representative on the committee was involved with
a non-profit, they should recuse themselves from reviewing or voting on that organization's
application. All members of council agreed with that expectation.
Motion to Amend (Terry/Seese) Amend Resolution 2020-061 in the 6th
Whereas by adding the names of the
committee members so it reads,
"...comprised of Business Owner Hillary
Bean, Kenai Peninsula Economic
Development District Director Tim Dillon,
Vice Mayor Sue McClure,and Community
Members Kim Reierson and Clare
Sullivan."
Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous
Main Motion Passed Unanimous
Accept the letter of resignation from Council Member Dale Butts, and direct the city clerk to
solicit interest from qualified residents for appointment to fill the vacancy with a deadline of
October 16,2020 at 5:00 p.m.
In response to Terry,City Clerk Brenda Ballou explained that the vacancy left from Butts'
resignation would be filled by council appointment at the October 26,2020 meeting;once filled,the
organization of council would continue.
Motion to Approve(Terry/Seese) Accept the letter of resignation from Council
Member Dale Butts, and direct the city
clerk to solicit interest from qualified
residents for appointment to fill the
vacancy with a deadline of October 16,
2020 at 5:00 p.m.
Baclaan wondered when the appointment of vice mayor would be done in relation to filling
the vacancy.In response,Ballou said the vacancy would be filled first and then the vice mayor would
be selected.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
August 10, 2020 Volume 41,Page 256
Motion Passed Unanimous
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS
City Clerk's Report on Public Records Requests through August 4, 2020.
Proclamation for American Wind Week
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.
Unless otherwise noted, the following Citizen Comments were submitted in advance and read into
the record by the City Clerk:
Dale Butts thanked Max Pfeiffenberger for his work on Hoops for Seward,and was happy to
have remained on council long enough to be able to vote in support of that resolution.He was sorry
to Hugh and Iris Darling for not being able to have more fanfare for their recognition tonight because
their contributions deserved more.Take the census. He wanted to thank so many people in Seward
who had touched his life, and said the difference between an ordeal and an adventure was your
attitude.
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN
COMMENTS
Regis thanked everyone for volunteering for the CARES Act Review Committee.He thanked
finance for finding a good solution to fund the basketball court. He was proud of everyone who
stepped up to help the ASLC.
Crites was excited to hear the ASLC fundraising results. To Butts,she said the community
and council would miss him.
Baclaan thanked Max Pfeiffenberger for his hard work; Max put together a budget and
organized the project, and it was very inspiring to see a young person to take such an active role in
the community.He thanked everyone for the CARES Act Review Committee,as well as the chamber
staff for their work.He appreciated administration for working with Hoops for Seward.Baclaan said
Butts would be missed, and he thanked him for his service.
Osenga thanked the volunteers for CARES Act Review Committee.He was happy to see the
Darlings be recognized for their contributions. He congratulated the ASLC and Hoops for Seward.
Osenga was excited for Butts and his family, and wished him the best of luck. Take the census.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
August 10,2020 Volume 41,Page 257
Seese thanked the CARES Act Review Committee volunteers.Take the census.She had been
working on registering people to vote and had gotten eight individuals to register. She wished Butts
and his family the best of luck.
McClure was sad to see Butts go.She congratulated the Darlings for their achievements.She
was very pleased with the basketball court resolution,and was overwhelmed with excitement for the
AS LC.
Terry encouraged everyone to fish the Silver Salmon Derby,and thanked the chamber staff,
all the charter boats,and the volunteers. She said great job to Hoops for Seward. Terry encouraged
everyone to submit applications for CARES Act funding. She announced the USCG Cutter Healy
was in town,but due to COVID restrictions,there would be no tours provided.Terry thanked Butts
for his service and said this had been the second time they had served together;it had been an honor
to serve with him. Take the census by calling 1-800-330-2020 or www.2020census.gov; it was
important for federal funding and school funding.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:18 p.m.
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Brenda J. Ballou, MC C 'sty Terry
City Clerk Mayor
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