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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11082021 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 8,2021 Volume 41,Page 539 CALL TO ORDER The November 8, 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 Sue McClure John Osenga Liz DeMoss Ristine Casagranda Mike Calhoon comprising a quorum of the Council; and Janette Bower, City Manager Brenda Ballou,City Clerk Brooks Chandler,City Attorney(telephonic) Excused—Osenga Absent—None Vacant—One CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Bayleigh Smith was six years old. She picked up trash at the dinosaur park to save the environment.She said it was very messy and littered because there was no trash bun or recycling bin at the park. She asked that there be trash and recycling bins at every park because she loved the environment. Shaun McFarlane was with Moffat & Nichol and was here to provide information on the resolution if council wished. Tony Baclaan wished to speak about the resolution for reconsideration;he wondered if the new online business license portal could handle the work instead of having a separate portal. He said the borough was using the same program, and perhaps the city could share it with them. Baclaan endorsed Randy Wells for the council vacancy; he said Wells was an awesome business member who was involved with the community.Baclaan didn't agree with Wells every time,but said Wells was able to have a healthy discussion and debate. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 8, 2021 Volume 41, Page 540 Skip Reierson was not sure why the resolution was coming back for reconsideration; he thought the vendor provided an excellent tool that the city could use to audit lodging businesses. Reierson understood that in the past three years,the vendor had been able to identify 120 businesses that had been out of compliance. He didn't think this contract was very much different from the forensic audit that was being performed. He wanted the resolution passed to make a statement that all businesses should be in compliance. Lynda Paquette stated that earlier today the lagoon was flat as glass, and she thought that meant perhaps no air was being pumped into it.On another note,she was pleased that the resolution was back up for reconsideration tonight; she had watched the advent of this vendor some years ago, and said the climate and attitude of city administration had sprung from a"We're going to get you" attitude. The city did not have to continue with that path; obviously, people who were properly licensed for lodging were better off and safer than non-licensed businesses. She said education for business owners would be more effective than trying to catch people cheating. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (McClure/Casagranda) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Terry removed Resolutions 2021-122, 2021-125, and 2021-126 from the consent agenda. McClure moved the Other New Business Item to "vote and appoint a qualified candidate to fill the council vacancy with a term to expire October,2022"up on the agenda to follow immediately after the presentations. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Resolution 2021-123, Supporting Kenai Peninsula Borough Ordinance 2021-40: Amending KPB 2.40.015 Regarding Planning Commission Membership And Apportionment. Resolution 2021-124,Authorizing The City Manager To Spend An Amount Up To$24,950 For The Purchase Of A Rock Bucket Attachment From Construction Machinery Industrial,LLC (CM I) For The City Loaders Working At The Rock Quarry And Appropriating Funds. Approval of the October 25, 2021 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations & Awards Veterans Day Proclamation City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 8, 2021 Volume 41, Page 541 City Manager Report. City Manager Janette Bower reported the Infrastructure Bill appeared to have passed,she was reviewing the document,and was in contact with both the state and federal lobbyists.She welcomed Jason Bickling as the city's new Community Development Director. Community Development Director Jason Bickling was looking forward to working with businesses and the community;he was hoping to improve processes and customer service. Bower said the Community Development Department offices were now located on the second floor of City Hall,and the Parks&Recreation Department offices were located at the Annex Building across the street. Assistant City Manager Stephen Sowell stated the legislative priorities would be coming forward in a different format this year; they would be more condensed. He asked that council members participate in the survey he had sent to solicit feedback. Casagranda thanked HYPER for providing an update on the purchase of the childcare center. She appreciated that they were being transparent about the funds provided to them by the city. In response to Casagranda,Bower said she wished to start using a special meeting,combined with a committee of the whole,as a substitute for work sessions;it would essentially allow council to have a work session in the middle of a special meeting. No action could be taken while in a committee of the whole,but after council came out of committee and resumed the special meeting, then they could take action. In response to Casagranda, Bower confirmed that citizens would have the opportunity to make comments. Terry also appreciated receiving the update from HYPER. Terry stated that she and Bower had discussed that HYPER would be providing quarterly reports going forward. Regarding the proposed redistricting for Seward,Terry said council needed to weigh in on that item;currently,the proposal was for Seward to be grouped with Kodiak. Senator Micciche and Representative Carpenter had been very supportive and responsive to Seward; she wondered if council should have a work session or some other discussion to keep in tune with this issue. Terry also wished to receive updates on the federal Infrastructure Bill. Casagranda reminded everyone of the parking ban in effect now,due to the snow.Casagranda appreciated the transparent and thorough city manager reports. City Attorney Report. City Attorney Brooks Chandler (telephonically) reviewed his firm's activities.He would be working on the new OSHA rule that President Biden put in place;he would be helping the city navigate that issue. Other Reports and Announcements —None bRIMPIN Presentations City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 8, 2021 Volume 41, Page 542 Community Recreation and Ice Rink Facility Presentation by Gregory Haas. Public Works Oil&Hazardous Substances Spill Presentation by Chris Fell from R&M Engineering. Vote and appoint a qualified candidate to fill the council vacancy with a term to expire October, 2022. Applications were received from three candidates, and the city clerk verified that all three were registered voters in the City of Seward and had been residents for at least the past year. The candidates were: Randy C. Wells, Arthur Robert Thomas, and Brad Snowden. None of the candidates submitted a letter of interest. The city clerk passed out Ballot #1 and instructed council to vote for no more than one name. The results of the first vote were: Wells • 2 Thomas 3 Snowden 0 Motion (Terry/McClure) Appoint Arthur Robert Thomas to fill the council vacancy with a term to expire October, 2022. Motion Failed Yes: Calhoon, McClure, Terry No: Casagranda, DeMoss The city clerk passed out Ballot #2 and instructed council to vote for no more than one name. The results of the first vote were: Wells 2 Thomas 3 Snowden 0 Motion (Terry/McClure) Appoint Arthur Robert Thomas to fill the council vacancy with a term to expire October, 2022. Motion Failed Yes: McClure, Calhoon, Terry No: DeMoss, Casagranda The city clerk passed out Ballot#3 and instructed council to vote for no more than one name. The results of the first vote were: City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 8, 2021 Volume 41,Page 543 Wells 2 Thomas 3 Snowden 0 Motion (Terry/McClure) Appoint Arthur Robert Thomas to fill the council vacancy with a term to expire October, 2022. Motion Failed Yes: Calhoon, McClure, Terry No: Casagranda, DeMoss Casagranda stated she was voting for the candidate who had reached out to her and communicated his interest. Council suspended the rules to speak with the candidates. Brad Snowden didn't think it would be fair for him to speak because he didn't get one vote. Snowden said he cared about Seward,and thought that this item should be postponed to allow for all candidates to be present. Arthur Robert Thomas had not contacted council members because he was not politicking for the position, and he didn't have an agenda. He knew there was a vacancy,had been on council before,and was willing to fill the role. Jennifer Wells,on behalf of Randy Wells,said his interest in serving on council came from his commitment to the community;Seward was their home. She said he enjoyed the engagement of debate, could weigh and consider varying viewpoints, and was well spoken and diplomatic. Council went back on the rules. The city clerk passed out Ballot#4 and instructed council to vote for no more than one name. The results of the first vote were: Wells 3 Thomas 2 Snowden 0 Motion(Terry/DeMoss) Appoint Randy Wells to fill the council vacancy with a term to expire October, 2022. Motion Failed Yes: Casagranda, DeMoss, Terry No: Calhoon, McClure Council recessed at 8:12 p.m. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 8, 2021 Volume 41, Page 544 Council resumed at 8:19 p.m. The city clerk passed out Ballot #5 and instructed council to vote for no more than one name. The results of the first vote were: Wells 4 Thomas 1 Snowden 0 Motion (Terry/McClure) Appoint Randy Wells to fill the council vacancy with a term to expire October, 2022. Motion Passed Yes: McClure,Casagranda,DeMoss,Terry No: Calhoon Swear in and seat the new council member. Randy Wells was not present and could not be sworn in. PUBLIC HEARINGS—None UNFINISHED BUSINESS Items for Reconsideration Resolution 2021-117,Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into The Contract With LTAS Technologies Inc.For Short Term Rental Registration And Compliance Services Through December 31, 2024, For A Total Of$6,500 Annually, And Appropriating Funds. Motion to Reconsider(Casagranda/DeMoss) Reconsider Resolution 2021-117 Casagranda wanted to make sure lodging businesses were compliant, but was not sure this software helped to identify revenue sources; she thought this software was more for tracking purposes. Casagranda had asked questions since the last council meeting,but still had questions and wanted a more in-depth conversation about the software. Motion to Reconsider Failed Yes: Casagranda, DeMoss No: McClure, Calhoon, Terry NEW BUSINESS Resolutions Resolution 2021-122,Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Engineering Contract City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 8, 2021 Volume 41, Page 545 With Moffat& Nichol To Engineer, Design, Permit, Bid Support And Construction Services For The Placement Of A 5-Ton Public Crane On I-Dock In Amount Not To Exceed hig.r $102,234.00 Which Includes A 10% Contingency And Appropriating Funds. Motion (McClure/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2021-122 Harbormaster Norm Regis brought this resolution forward as a shovel ready project, in anticipation of Infrastructure Bill funding.Terry stated the funding source in the resolution pointed towards the harbor undesignated reserves account. Bower stated that, in a previous resolution, the harbor undesignated reserves account had been reported to have a balance of$5.8 million. Bower said the unrestricted fund balance was actually$1.8 million. She said that the year-end projected balance would be$585,000 in the red,not including this resolution. Bower agreed with Regis that the city's goal was to get the project shovel ready, and having engineering done would help prepare the project. Bower anticipated that future revenues were expected to offset at least a portion of this deficit. Regis added that he had contingency funds from the G, K& L Float project that could be put towards this project, if it went unused. Casagranda asked if there were any reserves in the Seward Marine Industrial Center(SMIC) account. Bower said there was approximately $78,000 in SMIC reserves. Casagranda suggested SMIC reserves should be considered for this harbor project. Terry asked where the funding would come from to make up for the deficit. Acting Finance Director Sam Hickok said the revenues would be replenished in the following year through moorage and wharfage; in the past, the general fund reserves had been used to cover deficits in the SMIC fund, so that remained an option. Terry said the revenue gap of$682,000 would not be made up with revenues; she wondered if an enterprise fund could run in the red. Hickok said enterprise funds could run in the red, but the general fund would make up for it at some point. Casagranda wondered why an interdepartmental loan was not being considered. Terry was very torn,because PACAB had worked on this project for many years. She knew the citizens wanted it, but she was also concerned about the fiscal portion of the project. In response to Casagranda,Regis stated in anticipation of receiving Infrastructure Bill funds, he wanted to get this project shovel ready so that it was poised for completion. Motion to Amend (Terry/McClure) Amend Resolution 2021-122 in the 2"d Whereas by striking the word"small" so it reads "Seward Boat Harbor." Motion Passed Unanimous City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 8, 2021 Volume 41, Page 546 Terry stated that,moving forward,she wished to have the fiscal note on the agenda statement contain a fund balance for reserves. Calhoon wondered what would happen if the Infrastructure Bill funding didn't come through the way the city hoped. Bower said that was a possibility;she said only shovel ready projects would be considered for infrastructure funding. Bower said she would also be searching for grant funding for this project. Motion to Postpone (Casagranda/DeMoss) Postpone Resolution 2021-122 to November 22, 2021. McClure wondered what the advantage of postponement would be; there would be no new revenue sources identified. Hickok said the general fund reserves would ultimately be the funding source, if other sources of funding were not realized. The motion to postpone was withdrawn with no objection from council. Main Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2021-125, Approving The Optional One-Year Extension To The Operating Contract As Amended By Amendment #2 Between The City Of Seward And Seward City Tours, And Appropriating Funds. Terry passed the gavel to Vice Mayor McClure and stated the shuttle bus served the cruise ship terminal and dock; she did not benefit financially. McClure ruled a conflict did not exist and returned the gavel. There was no objection from council. Motion (McClure/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2021-125 Sowell stated this shuttle bus service was valuable to Seward businesses and visitors. This contract amendment would provide the base level of service as was provided in 2021; if necessary, based on actual cruise ship visits in 2022,this contract would come back to council for adjustment. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2021-126,Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Engineering Contract With PND Engineers, Inc. To Engineer, Design, Permit With Bid Support Services For A Wash-Down Pad Located By The 50-Ton Travelift In The Seward Harbor In Amount Not To Exceed $129,926.50 Which Includes A 10% Contingency And Appropriating Funds. Motion (McClure/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2021-126 Regis stated he tried to get a grant for this project,but was unsuccessful. Having controlled wash down areas for vessels enabled the containment of potential hazardous materials entering the ground water source. This was another project that would be shovel ready. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 8, 2021 Volume 41, Page 547 Motion Passed Yes:Casagranda,DeMoss,McClure,Terry No: Calhoon Resolution 2021-127, Repealing Resolution 2021-110 And Authorizing The City Manager To Purchase(1)2021 Ford Explorer Police Package Vehicle From Kendall Ford Under The State Of Alaska Fleet Vehicle Contract,With Associated Upfitting And Police Specific Equipment From Alaska Safety, Dell Technologies, ProComm Alaska, And The Printer, In An Amount Not To Exceed $63,305.97, And Appropriating Funds. Motion (McClure/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2021-127 Bower stated the resolution that council previously approved was for four vehicles; subsequent to that approval,the city learned that those vehicles would not be produced and could not be ordered.The police department had located one vehicle that was available in state,so that was the reason for this resolution. Casagranda asked if this Ford Explorer was more expensive than the Chevrolet Tahoe. In response, Police Chief Alan Nickell stated this vehicle was approximately$1,000 less expensive. Terry wondered what the motor pool balance was. Bower said the total projected balance at year end was $2 million, after the police vehicles were deducted. Casagranda said Anchorage Police Department appeared to be driving Impalas;she wondered why Seward needed larger vehicles than Anchorage and Kenai.Nickell said having a larger vehicle helped mitigate prisoner escalation, and also allowed for more gear storage. Nickell said he heard that some vehicles may not even be produced in 2022 at all;he was concerned with the condition of some vehicles in the department's current fleet and thought the fleet was in dire need. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2021-128,Authorizing The City Manager To Purchase Three(3)Chevrolet Tahoe Police Package Vehicles From Alaska Sales And Service Under The State Of Alaska Fleet Vehicle Contract, With Associated Upfitting And Police Specific Equipment From Alaska Safety, Dell Technologies, ProComm Alaska, And "The Printer", In An Amount Not To Exceed $193,629.30, And Appropriating Funds. Motion (McClure/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2021-128 Bower stated this resolution would authorize the city to pursue three police vehicles, if they became available. In response to Terry,Nickell confirmed that the equipment and the vehicles would be ordered as a package, not separately. Motion Passed Unanimous City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 8, 2021 Volume 41,Page 548 INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS—None CITIZEN COMMENTS Skip Reierson recalled speaking to council recently about his concerns to upgrade the electric transmission lines, as well as creating a harbor electric substation. He believed the Alaska Railroad should pay for electric upgrades at the cruise ship terminal. He said the citizens had not seen a bond repayment plan or a plan for electric rate changes. He also suggested that grant funding should be pursued for the electric projects.He hoped that the citizens of the community could see the actual costs that went into the city running its own utility; he thought it was time to refresh the conversation about the potential sale of the city's electric utility. Employees were the greatest asset of any business, and ratepayers needed to have low cost and stable rates and services they could count on. Tony Baclaan was concerned about the possibility of doing a committee of the whole; he understood why it was being suggested, but he thought it was very important that the public be allowed to be actively involved in work sessions. He did not want the public cut out of the process. He thought if council was going to be making a decision to vote on something, the public should have adequate access and notice. Lynda Paquette said the committee of the whole that was suggested appeared to cut the citizens out of providing comments,and she was concerned about that.The proposed agenda in the city manager report did not include one of the citizen comment opportunities. Paquette thought the public might be confused about the voting process for the council vacancy that was held tonight;she thought the vacancy would go to the candidate that ran in the election.She asked council to consider allowing the Port & Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB) and the Historic Preservation Commission(HP) the authority to conduct virtual meetings. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Bower said the blowers at the Lowell Point Sewer Lagoon had been turned off for four hours today to allow for sludge to settle in order to conduct annual sludge testing.Regarding the committee of the whole, as many citizen comment periods could be included as desired. Calhoon appreciated everyone's comments.He recalled the last time a council vacancy was filled it did not go to the next highest vote getter. He congratulated Wells on his appointment. Casagranda said the Seward High School girls volleyball team was going to state this weekend.She wished everyone a Happy Veterans Day to all veterans;she thought veterans were the last people to ask for help, and encouraged people to reach out and do an act of kindness for a veteran. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 8, 2021 Volume 41, Page 549 L DeMoss thanked Haas has for the presentation on a recreation facility. She thanked Seward City Tours for their vital community service. DeMoss welcomed Bickling to the city and congratulated Wells on his appointment. McClure congratulated Wells and welcomed him to council. She thanked all veterans. McClure congratulated Lydia Jacoby for performing so well at the state swim meet. She said Halloween had been wet, but there were so many activities that were arranged. Terry congratulated the volleyball team and their coaches Jodi Kurtz and Stephanie Schilling. She said city offices would be closed on Veterans Day, and thanked all veterans. There would be a standing status report in the city manager report going forward that addressed the Lowell Point Sewer Lagoon. Terry announced that the Planning & Zoning Commission would hold a meeting on December 4, 2021. She thanked everyone for applying for the council vacancy, and congratulated Wells. EXECUTIVE SESSION Go into executive session per SCC 2.10.030 (2)to provide a verbal,informal evaluation to the city manager. Motion (Terry/) Go into executive session to provide a verbal, informal evaluation to the city manager,to L. include the city manager, following a five minute recess. Motion Passed Unanimous Consent Council recessed at 9:23 p.m. Council resumed at 9:30 p.m. Council went into executive session at 9:30 p.m. Council came out of executive session at 10:04 p.m. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:04 p.m. y,,,c,...-- Brenda J. 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