Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout04122021 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 12, 2021 CALL TO ORDER Volume 41,Page 410 The April 12,2021 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Christy Terry. OPENING CEREMONY Police Chief Alan Nickell led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Christy Terry presiding and Tony-Baelaan Sue McClure Sidtcyl-Seese John Osenga Liz DeMoss Ristine Casagranda(arrived 7:01 p.m.) comprising a quorum of the Council; and Norm Regis,Acting City Manager Brenda Ba11ou, City Clerk Excused—Baclaan, Seese Absent—None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING—None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion(McClure/DeMoss) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Terry added a Mayor's Report to the agenda. Casagranda removed Resolutions 2021-041, 2021-042, and 2021-043 from the consent agenda. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Resolution 2021-039, Accepting The 2021 Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant (VFA) In The Amount Of $4,979 And Authorizing The Matching Funds Of $1,131, And Appropriating Funds. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 12, 2021 Volume 41,Page 411 Resolution 2021-040, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Purchase Agreement With Westek Marketing For The Purchase Of The Stancil Multimedia Logging Recorder System, To Include The Necessary Hardware And Technician Travel Accommodations For Installation, For The Police Department In An Amount Not To Exceed $22,416.80, And Appropriating Funds. Resolution 2021-044,Updating The Mobile Vendor And Roving Vendor Policy For Permitting Vendors On City-Owned Property. Resolution 2021-045,Retroactively Amending The 2020 Budget To Record Expenditures Of $395,755.48 Paid By The State Of Alaska On Behalf Of The City Toward The City's Public Employees Retirement System(PERS)Liability For The Period January Through December, 2020,And Appropriating Funds. Resolution 2021-046, Supporting Legislature Funding To The Alaska Vocational Technical Center(AVTEC)And Other Alaska Educational Institutions Through House Bill 100. Approval of the March 22, 2021 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Approval of the March 17, 2021 City Council Special Meeting Minutes. Approval of April 1,2021 City Council Special Meeting Minutes. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations & Awards National Library Week Recognizing Seward Middle School Students for winning the 2021 State of Alaska Battle of the Books Recognizing Dallas Seavey for winning his 5th Iditarod Championship Recognizing and commending Corrections Officer Jordan Pletsch for saving a life Recognizing and commending Police Officer Morgan Woodard for saving a life Mayors Report.Mayor Christy Terry had an in-person meeting with Representative Don Young last Friday;she delivered the city's federal priorities to representative young.Terry continued by reading the Seward Firefighters Awards as presented last Saturday. Borough Assembly Report.Assemble Representative Kenn Carpenter was not present. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 12,2021 Volume 41,Page 412 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: $17,990 for an alarm auto dialer addition at the Fort Raymond power plant. Casagranda thanked the Electric Department for providing a tour of the power plant.She was impressed by the work being done by the crew at the generator plant. She was excited to have the opportunity to learn more about electric,and looked forward to future opportunities to learn more. Terry wondered when the audit would be completed;in response,Assistant City Manager Stephen Sowell said he would provide continual updates going forward in the City Manager Report. Terry thanked Public Works Director Doug Schoessler for providing an update from the Department of Environmental Conservation(DEC) regarding the Lowell Point Sewage Lagoon inspection. McClure wished to pass along that she had received three unsolicited compliments about the Public Works Department last week praising their responsiveness to citizens. In response to Casagranda,Regis confirmed that the new finance director was working full- time for the city,and that the city was no longer paying a contracted vendor for support to the finance department. City Attorney Report.Brooks Chandler said he had submitted a request for reimbursement of$25,000 from the Bering Sea Fisherman's Association (BSFA), per council direction, and had received an emphatic declination in response.Chandler said he was poised and ready to help the city with the potential sale of city property. DeMoss wondered what the follow up plan would be for the Ocean Cluster funds from BSFA. Chandler said BSFA informed him that they had applied the city's funds towards the first year of operations, and because BSFA didn't stop operations until they were into the second year, they owed the city nothing. Chandler had not heard of any follow up about the State of Alaska seeking local funding for processing misdemeanors,but would inform council if he did. Other Reports and Announcements—None Presentations Chugachmiut Involvement in Seward for the Future presentation by Kelley Baker. PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolution Requiring Public Hearing Resolution 2021-038,Authorizing The City Manager To Negotiate The Terms For The Sale, At Appraised Market Value,Of 3.31 Acres Of City-Owned Land Located At Fort Raymond City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 12, 2021 Volume 41,Page 413 Sub, Replat No 1 Lot 7A, With The Physical Address Of 2101 Dimond Boulevard, To Chugachmiut. Motion (McClure/Osenga) Approve Resolution 2021-038 Community Development Director Jackie Wilde stated the city a request from Chugachmiut in January,2021 to purchase 3.31 acres of property at Fort Raymond to build a health clinic.This resolution would authorize the city manager to begin negotiations with Chugachmiut for the potential sale of this property. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Stephen Wahl,MD supported Chugachmiut's request and the proposed development of a health clinic.He thought this was a special opportunity for Seward,and that the facility would be an important source of healthcare for a number of villages in the area. Arne Hatch(telephonically)thought this opportunity for Chugachmiut was very special and would be of great benefit to Seward. This facility would serve Seward, as well as four neighboring villages.Chugachmiut was one of only five recipients of this award from the Indian Health Services, from over 40 applications submitted nationwide. Jonathan Gage supported this resolution because he knew first-hand how important and positive Chugachmiut's services were for the community. Susan Swiderski(in person)supported this sale,and thought it would have a great economic impact on the city. She also thought it would have a positive cultural impact on the community,as well.She grew up in Seward,but had not learned a lot about the Alaska native population,something she was remedying as an adult. She hoped the community would increase the opportunities for cultural tourism. She believed the proposal from Chugachmiut was high-quality and would be professionally executed. No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed. McClure pointed out that,in her understanding,the map in the packet indicating the proposed property lines for the sales were correct. Wilde said it was an estimate,but would be more clearly defined through the sale negotiation. McClure wanted to ensure that the public works shop would have highway access,were the shop to be relocated in that area. Osenga declared that he had previously sat on the board of Chugachmiut,but that was almost two years ago, and he was no longer affiliated with Chugachmiut in any way. Casagranda wondered who would pay for the survey and the replat.Wilde said that would be negotiated.In response to Casagranda,Regis said the purchase and sale agreement in the packet was City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 12, 2021 Volume 41,Page 414 a draft,and was not up for approval tonight,but the final version would be brought back to council for approval. Casagranda supported this project,but she also thought it was a large parcel. She suggested the cost of the survey and replat should be borne by Chugachmiut. She wondered if this sale would allow the parks&recreation warehouse adequate access for emergency vehicles. Wilde said there would be an emergency access created at the back of the property. Casagranda wondered if the property on which the parks&recreation warehouse sat could be included as part of the 3.31 acres,rather than being kept separate. Wilde said she would bring that idea forward during negotiations with Chugachmiut.Casagranda was concerned that not including the parks&recreation warehouse property into the sale might result in that parcel being landlocked with no adequate access. Casagranda wished to see the entirety of the property replatted before approving the sale of just a portion of it. She wondered what the approach would be for having the appraisal done. Regis said the appraisal would be for the 3.31 acres,and the rest of the land would be appraised separately at another time. DeMoss wondered what the plan was for the remainder of the property.Wilde said when the Capital Improvement Plan was discussed, there would be more discussion on the rest of the Fort Raymond property. Chandler said platting would follow after the agreement was signed; this was done intentionally in order to protect the city's interests.Casagranda asked if it was possible to include a reversionary clause the sale agreement so that the city had the first right of refusal to buy back the property. Chandler said if the city was selling the property at fair market value,it would be highly unusual to include a reversionary clause to that effect. Motion Passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None Council recessed at 8:28 p.m. Council resumed at 8:35 p.m. NEW BUSINESS Resolutions Resolution 2021-041, Supporting Congressional Funding For The Lowell Creek Flood Diversion Feasibility Project. Motion (McClure/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2(121-041 City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 12, 2021 Volume 41,Page 415 Regis said this was a letter of support for the federal government to fund the Lowell Creek diversion project. Casagranda wondered where the feasibility study could be found;she wished to have it on the city website. Public Works Director Doug Schoessler said it would be uploaded to the public works page on the city website. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2021-042, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Contract With Resurrection Rental To Provide Portable Toilet Rental&Service In The Amount Of$41,477. Motion (McClure/Osenga) Approve Resolution 2021-042 Casagranda was concerned about sewer being dumped into manholes by this vendor. She wanted some assurance that all vendors who bid on this project had the information about local dumping options. Parks & Recreation Director Tyler Florence said dumping waste must be done in accordance with federal state and local laws. Motion Passed Yes: DeMoss, Osenga, McClure, Terry No: Casagranda Resolution 2021-043,Amending The 2021 Budget To Reflect Mid-Cycle Budget Adjustments, And Appropriating Funds. Motion(McClure/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2021-043 Deputy Finance Director Sam Hickok reminded council about the work session held recently to review the proposed budget adjustments and the impacts that COVID-19 would have on this year's budget. He said the revenues would be decreased in the bed tax and sales tax areas,but increased with the new campground rates and the federal SALT grant. The net effect was an estimated$752,000 would be withdrawn from reserves. Casagranda stated, based on her own business, she was already at 75% booked for this summer, and she believed the estimated deficit was exaggerated. She wondered if there were additional items that could be cut from the budget to save on expenses;she believed taking$750,000 from reserves was unnecessary. In response to DeMoss,Hickok said for these estimates,he used 2019 camping nights and the new rate schedule to project an additional $800,000 in campground revenues this year. DeMoss wondered why the sales tax projections for 2021 weren't being forecast using 2019 as a model. Hickok thought that was a good idea.He added that he understood Casagranda's concerns,but that these were conservative projections and not meant to be predictive. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 12, 2021 Volume 41, Page 416 L McClure stated as the year wore on,the true numbers would become clear;even if funds were appropriated from reserves, it didn't mean they would be used. Casagranda preferred to wait to see how much, if any, from reserves would be necessary before appropriating any funds. Osenga preferred to take a more conservative approach.Terry wasn't concerned about using a small amount from reserves if it meant providing citizens with the same quality of services as ever;this was a rainy day and that was what reserves were meant to be used for. DeMoss thought the numbers projected for revenues were unrealistically low and wished to have more realistic numbers before approving the resolution. In response to Terry, Regis said this resolution could come back with sales tax revenues projected based on 2019 numbers. Hickok concurred. Motion to Postpone (Casagranda/DeMoss) Postpone Resolution 2021-043 to April 26, 2021. Terry said the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District (KPEDD) estimated that sales tax revenue would be down 68%; instead of going by anecdotal summations, she preferred to reach out to hotels and the Chamber of Commerce on what they're seeing for reservations in order to see if 2019 numbers would be realistic to model with. Casagranda said she was receiving reports 111 from business owners that the first quarter of 2021 was already record-breaking for revenues; she En was confident this year would be strong. Motion to Postpone Passed Unanimous Other New Business Items Mayor appoint Special Ad Hoc Council Study Committee of up to three members for the purpose of Updating the Annual Evaluation Forms and Procedures for the City Manager,City Clerk, and City Attorney. McClure said she and Casagranda were on the evaluation committee the last time.The mayor appointed herself and council members Osenga and DeMoss to the committee. Schedule a work session to learn more about the Public Employees Retirement System(PERS). Terry wished to have a clear understanding of the impact of adding or removing employees from PERS.Casagranda wanted to understand the impact of creating new positions going into PERS. Council scheduled a work session on May 24, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Considerations for resuming pre-COVID/"normal" operations. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 12, 2021 Volume 41,Page 417 Osenga supported reopening the meetings,but wanted to do it safely.DeMoss also wanted to open and also be cautious. McClure concurred, and believed it would be wise to provide some guidance or signage for safe measures,including how many people could be in chambers at one time. In response to Terry,Osenga and McClure both stated they would be comfortable having all council members back in their normal seats at the dais,and both would prefer that masks be worn. Casagranda preferred not to wear a mask, and would be happy to sit apart from everyone. Terry stated she would be fine with council members choosing to mask or not,and asked if there were any objections;there were none. Terry stated she would like to request that members of the public wear masks,but if someone had a medical or ethical issue with wearing one, they would still be allowed in. She asked if there were any objections to that suggestion; there were none. Terry preferred to engage with the public rather than continuing to use Zoom. Casagranda knew of someone who was still not comfortable attending in person.Terry said people could furnish written comments or sign up to be contacted by telephone, so those options would continue to be available as they had been since COVID started. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Letter from Mitch Associates,Inc. recommending the refinancing of the Seward Community Library Museum's 2011 General Obligation (GO)Bonds. CITIZEN COMMENTS Lynda Paquette (in person) speculated on what might happen this summer: some visitors may have been provided rainchecks from last year, so not every business would see a full boost in their revenue stream if the visitor had paid last year and,if the true revenue stream that came from cruise ship passengers could somehow be identified, that would be a helpful number to know. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Regis congratulated and thanked all the proclamation recipients. Casagranda echoed that sentiment,and thought tonight's proclamations were heartfelt and showed how special Seward was. She requested that administration start working on a replat for the remaining property at Fort Raymond and bring it forward as soon as possible. DeMoss congratulated everyone who received proclamations tonight. Osenga wondered if the request for administration to work on a replat was to be taken as an individual request,or as direction from the body.He thought the topic should have been discussed as a body when the resolution was on the floor. He was concerned that one council member,by that City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 12,2021 Volume 41,Page 418 request, would be taking up staff time and effort to work on something that was not directed with council's consent.Terry suggested there were two ways to potentially deal with the request:the first would be for an agenda statement to be drafted and brought to council for discussion and direction, and the second would be for the individual council member to have a one-on-one conversation with administration about her wishes,and then administration could provide feedback or redirection to the council member as they saw fit. DeMoss concurred. Osenga congratulated all the proclamation recipients. Be safe. McClure congratulated all the proclamation recipients.She had watched Lydia Jacoby swim online and was very proud. She was pleased that things were moving ahead with a new animal shelter; she jokingly suggested that everyone who attended the grand opening should receive a free kitten. Terry thought tonight's meeting was a great start to re-opening meetings;she welcomed back citizens to the meetings. She announced that Seward teens could receive training from Kenai Peninsula Driving Instruction to prepare them for taking their drivers license test. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:23 p.m. Brenda Ballou, MMC Christy Terry City Clerk c T' . y -.,.y C 1 Mayor (City Seal) ioo V�.,.•aaPo,? ;4�p'� •• : • SEAL • w • f . . z, .F OF ......O/\\\Mat