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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11232020 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 23, 2020 Volume 41,Page 314 CALL TO ORDER The November 23,2020 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 Tony Baclaan Sue McClure Sharyl Seese John Osenga(telephonically at 7:05 p.m) Liz DeMoss(telephonically) Ristine Casagranda(telephonically) comprising a quorum of the Council; and Norm Regis, Acting City Manager Brenda Ballou, City Clerk II 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: Charles McEldowney(telephonically)wanted to make council aware that the North Pacific Fisheries Management Council(NPFMC)would be voting on December 4,2020 on the Cook Inlet Fisheries Management Plan;there had been a lot of controversy over the four alternative plans they proposed.McEldowney said Alternative 4 would effectively close Cook Inlet to commercial fishing, and he wished to have that alternative eliminated from being a possibility.He encouraged council to provide comments to the NPFMC prior to the November 27, 2020 deadline. Lynda Paquette (telephonically) was concerned about the condition of the Lowell Point sewage lagoon; it appeared that at least one side of the lagoon had been drained. She wondered if citizens should be informed and perhaps be asked to modify their habits while the lagoon was in a compromised state. She had,once again,been experiencing strong odors from the lagoon,and was upset that the residents of Lowell Point had not been notified that repairs were being made. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 23,2020 Volume 41,Page 315 Robert Ruffner (telephonically)was concerned about the NPFMC plans;much of the fish processing that took place in Seward was from commercial fishing that took place in Cook Inlet. Ruffner encouraged all communities on the Kenai Peninsula to weigh in on the proposed alternatives. Carol Griswold supported the higher proposed camping fees in Alternative 2 of the laydown for tonight's meeting. Briana Murphy was one of the kelp farmers who had applied to have a kelp farm between Lowell Point and Tonsina Point. She was hoping to have support from the community;the farming took place between October and April,when recreational boating was out of season.Murphy said the kelp farm would be using 8.3 acres out of a 28.9 designated plot,and the farm area would be clearly identified with buoys. Rhonda Hubbard(telephonically)concurred with the comments provided by McEldowney and Ruffner. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Baclaan/McClure) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Terry moved the approval of the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home vs.City of Seward settlement to the consent agenda with no objection from council. Terry noted that the October, 2020 City and Providence financials had not been included in the packet, and would appear in the next council meeting packet. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the November 4, 2020 City, Council Special Meeting Minutes. Approval of the November 9, 2020 City, Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Non-objection to the renewal of the following liquor license: #2790 Beverage Dispensary— Seasonal for Ray's Waterfront Bar& Grill. Cancel the December 28, 2020 City Council meeting. Approve the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home vs.City of Seward settlement. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 23,2020 Volume 41,Page 316 Proclamations & Awards Recognizing Retiring Police Chief Tom Clemons City Manager Report.Acting City Manager Norm Regis reported the following purchase orders between$5,000 and$50,000 had been approved by the City Manager since the last council meeting: $10,380 to Electric for warehouse restock; $5,418 to SMIC for pressure washer for the washdown pad to replace worn out pressure washer; $11,530 to Police for new police radios for vehicles purchased in 2020 (F-150 and Expedition); $12,000 to City Clerk for online business license,permit,and inspection portal per Resolution 2020-067;$27,740 to MIS for Barracuda email and Office 365 security and backup site; $14,226 to MIS for Microsoft Office 365 yearly license; $14,000 to MIS for email migration services; $5,800 to Fire for Nixle 360 contract payments per Resolution 2020-008;$8,462 to Electric for welder and plasma;$9,966 for Water for new Chevrolet truck topper; and$35,057 to Water for new Chevrolet truck. In response to Seese, Acting Police Chief Alan Nickell said he wanted the Police Department to have a pick-up truck for those times when they needed to haul items;the truck would be used for daily transportation by the lieutenant or sergeant,and by patrol officers when they needed it for hauling. In response to Baclaan,Nickell said the purchase of a truck had been included in the 2020/2021 budget. Casagranda wondered if the Library was available for students to use for studying.Assistant City Manager Stephen Sowell said he would look into that and see if something could be worked out. Interim Electric Utility Manager Cory Borgeson reported that Seward's winter electric rates that went into effect in November,2020 made Seward's rate the lowest in the Railbelt. Due to concerns about potential staffing shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic, Borgeson engaged Chugach Electric about the possibility of creating a mutual aid agreement to help each other out if need be during an emergency. He was also speaking with EPS about having them furnish back up staff for the Ft. Raymond power plant in an emergency. Borgeson continued to work on addressing safety for the linemen; he was hoping to get truck-mounted radios in the future, but for now had hand-held radios for the linemen to stay in touch with dispatch.As well,he was researching vehicle tracking systems for crew safety.The CARES Act funding for utility credits had been applied to city resident bills. Terry requested to have a report on the Lowell Point sewage lagoon at the next council meeting. Council scheduled a special meeting on December 3,2020 at 12:00 p.m. to address concerns about the North Pacific Fisheries Management Plan. City Attorney Report. City Attorney Brooks Chandler(telephonically) said things had been busy lately,and he appreciated the assistance from Community Development Director Jackie Wilde who worked with his firm to bring the settlement with the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home to City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 23, 2020 Volume 41,Page 317 fruition. This month, Chandler had provided an opinion on the city's charter versus code, had assisted with the development of a Request for Proposals for an FCC license project, and was working with the city clerk on the recodification project. Other Reports and Announcements Chamber of Commerce Report. Chamber Director Jason Bickling (telephonically) reported that Small Business Saturday had gone well last weekend,and he thanked Tony Baclaan for helping as a facilitator and Jessica Stallard for participating. Bickling reminded everyone that next weekend would be Shop Small Safely followed by Cyber Monday to help promote local business. Terry congratulated the Chamber on moving from a 9-member Board of Directors to a 12- member board. Bickling was excited to expand the voice of the community with addition representation. Presentations Budget Presentation by Acting Finance Director Sam Hickok. PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinances for Public Hearing and Enactment Emergency Ordinance 2020-013,Temporarily Adopting City Council Emergency Regulations Requiring Facial Coverings Inside Buildings Open To The Public In Response To The Rapid Increase In COVID-19 Cases Within the City of Seward. Motion(Baclaan/Seese) Enact Ordinance 2(120-013 Regis said the previous council regulations had expired in October. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. All comments were submitted in writing, unless otherwise noted. Jennifer Appel did not believe it was the government's place to mandate personal health choices. Lori Landstrom wholeheartedly supported having a mask mandate. Virginia Allen implored council to pass a mask mandate. Rhonda Hubbard suggested council's efforts would be better served by ensuring citizens could be provided with proper treatments and remedies, coupled with better immune health education. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 23,2020 Volume 41,Page 318 No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed. Motion to Amend (Casagranda/Terry) Amend Emergency Ordinance 2020-013 in the title by adding the words, "...when six feet of distance from other individuals cannot be maintained..." after the words, "...inside buildings open to the public..." Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Motion to Amend (TerryBaclaan) Amend Emergency Ordinance 2020-013 in Section 4 by clarifying that this ordinance goes into effect on Wednesday, November 25,2020 at midnight. Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Main Motion Passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS Items Postponed from Previous Agenda Resolution 2020-083, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Contract With Harmon Construction To Replace The Retaining Wall At The Little League Field At Fourth Avenue And C Street In The Amount Of $45,850, And Appropriating Funds. This item was postponed from November 9, 2020. Motion to Amend (Terry/Baclaan) Amend Resolution 2020-083 by adopting the Substitute Resolution. Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous In response to Terry, Regis confirmed that this project would start next spring. Main Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2020-086, Revising Municipal Camping Fees. This item was postponedfrom October26, 2020. Regis said council had requested some additional pricing options, and drew attention to the laydown provided. Motion to Amend (Baclaan/Seese) Amend Resolution 2020-086 by adopting Camping Fee Schedule Alternative#2 which is: Premium RV $65, Partial Hook-Up City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 23, 2020 Volume 41, Page 319 (Water/Electric) $55, RV Dry $40, and Tent $20. Casagranda declared a potential conflict of interest because she was in the lodging business and thought this may have an impact on her business. Mayor Terry declared no conflict existed and there was no objection from council. DeMoss declared a potential conflict of interest because she was in the lodging and bar business and thought this may have an impact on her businesses. Mayor Terry declared that no conflict existed and there was no objection from council. Osenga wondered if a more incremental fee increase would be more amenable to the public. DeMoss thought the city had been undercharging for a long time, and thought it was better to make the change all at once. She supported Alternative#2; she worried that an incremental approach might lead the public to believe fees would increase year after year without knowing when they would stabilize. Casagranda thought the proposed prices in Alternative#2 were still not high enough,based on the premium location of the campgrounds. Seese thought Alternative#2 was acceptable and would not harm business. McClure initially thought these proposed fees were too high, but has since reconsidered and would support this amendment. Terry concurred with McClure and would support the amendment,but admonished administration to keep a watchful eye on the impact on campground reservations so that council could revisit the fee schedule to make adjustments, if necessary. Motion to Amend Passed Yes: McClure, Casagranda, DeMoss, Seese, Baclaan, Terry No: Osenga Motion to Amend (Casagranda/Seese) Amend Resolution 2020-086 by increasing the winter rate Partial Hook-Up from$25 to$55. Parks & Recreation Director Tyler Florence stated the services provided for winter campgrounds electric, port-a-potties, and snow plowing; no water service was provided. In response to Casagranda, Florence said Wi-Fi was provided year-round and the cost was modest. In response to Terry, Florence said his research indicated that revenues exceeded expenses at the current winter rates. Motion to Amend Failed Yes: Casagranda No: Baclaan, McClure, Osenga, Seese, DeMoss,Terry •jBaclaan notes that the current winter rates were Partial Hook-Up $20 and RV Dry$5, and this resolution would bring those rates up to $25 and $15, respectively. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 23, 2020 Volume 41,Page 320 Motion to Amend (Seese/Casagranda) Amend Resolution 2020-086 by increasing ,., the winter rate for Partial Hook-Up to$40. Motion to Amend Failed Yes: Seese,Casagranda No: Baclaan, DeMoss, McClure, Osenga, Terry Main Motion Passed Unanimous NEW BUSINESS Other New Business Items Discuss recruiting a permanent city manager, and approve updates to GovHR's recruitment documents. Council adjusted the starting salary to$130,000 and directed the city clerk to work with the vendor to start advertising the position. Discuss the wage study. Council directed the city manager to use the 50t percentile as a starting point,with a target start date of April 1, 2021. Reschedule the City Council tour with department heads. Council requested this item to come back at the January 11, 2021 council meeting. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS CITIZEN COMMENTS Lynda Paquette said the lagoon smell was very unpleasant, and she thought it might be related to the biodomes. She encouraged council to consider expanding the footprint of the lagoons to accommodate the increased population in Seward. She thanked council for passing the mask mandate to protect the citizens; she thought this was a global medical issue and should not be politicized. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Regis said the work at the lagoon had been stopped due to COVID issues. Cityof Seward,Alaska CityCouncil Cou cilMeetingMinutes November 23, 2020 Volume 41,Page 321 Sowell said Nixle was a good service and he encouraged everyone to sign up. COVID brought very complicated issues to everyday life challenges. Casagranda thanked retiring Police Chief Tom Clemons for his service and wished him well in his retirement. DeMoss looked forward to getting meetings on Zoom. She thanked Chief Clemons for his service and congratulated him on his retirement. Osenga congratulated Chief Clemons on his retirement, and thanked city attorney Brooks Chandler for the training session. Be kind to each other and take care of yourselves. Seese wished Chief Clemons well in Montana. She thanked Cory Borgeson for his work in the Electric Utility Department. McClure wished Chief Clemons well and was pleased to see him tonight. This was the season of giving,and she encouraged everyone to find someone to give to others,even extravagantly, if you could.There would be an Angel Tree this year held by the Fire Department.McClure wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Baclaan reminded everyone that this weekend was Shop Small, and Monday was Cyber Monday; over 50 local vendors and retailers would participate. He thanked Chief Clemons for his service to Seward, and thanked Deputy City Clerk Jessica Stallard for her good work. Terry thanked Chief Clemons for his work and service. She expressed condolences to the family of Joe Bond, and the family of Jeffrey O'Dell. COVID brought with it a serious economic crisis;please be mindful of exposure to the virus over the Thanksgiving holiday. School sports and in-school classes were all impacted by the local COVID numbers,and college scholarships were in jeopardy for some athletes. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:58 p.m. Brenda J. B ou, MC hri y erry City Clerk yor (City Seal) .• of SEW**, ,4 N.NN���� • SEAL .Tot ...._. A, r til VP••,. *. F OFA.