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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04252022 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes Apri125, 2022 Volume 42,Page 16 CALL TO ORDER The April 25,2022 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 Cagagr-,.,a., Mike Calhoon Randy Wells comprising a quorum of the Council; and Janette Bower, City Manager Brenda Ballou, City Clerk Excused—Casagranda Absent—None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Patrick Messmer, outside the city, introduced Donnie Lane as the new president of the Seward Public Employees Association(SPEA),and thanked council for their support.Donnie Lane said he had been working closely with the union for the past year, and would be continuing on the path of making improvements for the employees, and he looked forward to working with council. Tim McDonald, inside the city, had heard the forensic audit was still underway. He suggested the city expand the audit to include the leases and contracts. He thought the city was spending big dollars,and wanted to make sure that the costs were necessary.Regarding the housing problem, he thought over 50%of the houses were owned by people who lived outside of Seward; therefore, he saw it as a people problem. McDonald wanted to have all people in the community included in the business of the city,regardless of whether they lived inside or outside city limits. Carol Griswold,inside the city,was opposed to the Hemlock subdivision; she wished the campground would remain intact. The Planning& Zoning Commission would be having a public hearing next week on this matter. Griswold had provided information to the city regarding the ownership of the property at Resurrection Bay Seafoods;the borough records showed the property was owned by the city. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 25, 2022 Volume 42, Page 17 • Kelly Ann Cavaretta, inside the city, was the new owner of the Flamingo Lounge and she requested council's support for approving the liquor license transfer. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (McClure/Osenga) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Terry removed Resolution 2022-055 from the consent agenda. Terry moved Resolution 2022-060 onto the consent agenda with no objection from council. McClure moved Resolution 2022-059 onto the consent agenda with no objection from council. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Resolution 2022-056,Accepting And Appropriating A Humane Society Of The United States Travel Scholarship In The Amount Of$1,500. Resolution 2022-057, Accepting And Appropriating Grant Funds From The Girls Steam Ahead With The NASA Implementation Stipend In The Amount Of$400. eurJ Resolution 2022-058, Repealing Resolution 2021-101 And Authorizing The City Manager To Purchase From Virginia Transformer Corporation Three High-Voltage Transformers In A Not-To-Exceed Amount Of$2,664,716,Including Freight Charges Of$298,000 For Installation In The Fort Raymond (2) And Lawing(1) Substations, And Appropriating Funds. Resolution 2022-059,Authorizing The City Manager To Purchase A 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Crew Cab From Chevrolet Of South Anchorage To Replace The Truck Of The Electric Line Foreman, Using The State Procurement Process In The Not-To-Exceed Amount Of $65,899 And Appropriating Funds. Resolution 2022-060,Repealing Resolution 2021-135 And Authorizing The City Manager To Purchase To Purchase Three (3) 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Package Vehicles From Swickard Auto Group Under The State Of Alaska Fleet Vehicle Contract, With Associated Upfitting And Police Specific Equipment From Alaska Safety And The Printer,In An Amount Not To Exceed $59,033.34 Per Vehicle For A Total Cost Of $177,100, And Appropriating Funds. Approval of the March 29, 2022 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Approval of the March 29, 2022 City Council Special Meeting(#2) Minutes. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 25, 2022 Volume 42, Page 18 Approval of the April 11, 2022 City Council Special Meeting Minutes. Approval of the April 11, 2022 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Recommending Planning & Zoning Commissioner Troy Staggs to the Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor for appointment to the KPB Planning Commission with a term to expire July, 2023. Non-objection to the Transfer of Ownership for liquor license #1130 Beverage Dispensary from Thorn's Showcase Lounge, LLC to Flamingo Cocktail Lounge, LLC. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations & Awards National Historic Preservation Month Proclamation Recognizing the US Army Corps of Engineers, Pacific Ocean Division Recognizing the Retirement of Deputy Harbormaster Matt Chase City Manager Report.City Manager Janette Bower wanted to follow up on the status of the jail budget; there was a proposed budget increase with the state,and it was yet to be determined what the outcome would be. The Department of Corrections would be creating a new position to have an employee designated to work directly with municipalities on the contracts for operating jails on behalf of the state. The city's legislators were supportive of this action. Bower said she was watching the progress on the railroad bond bill;legislators appeared to be supporting that initiative fully. The city's financial audit team was in Seward last week, and would return for a second on-site visit next month. The city's financial reports had not been provided to council for the last couple of months, but the city's CPA contractor was working hard on bringing them to council. The electric bond closed and had been funded to the city. Terry understood that the HYPER group was providing monthly reports to administration, and wondered if the city manager could include updates in the City Manager Reports.Terry knew the 2021 final sales tax revenues had been received, and asked if there would be a mid-cycle budget amendment brought to council. In response, Bower said there would be a resolution for council to appropriate funds. Terry requested that the lease for Resurrection Bay Seafoods be double checked regarding the property ownership. Other Reports and Announcements Travel report for Washington, DC legislative meetings from Mayor Terry and Council Members Osenga and Casagranda. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes Apri125, 2022 Volume 42,Page 19 Terry said they met with Senator Lisa Murkowski and talked about infrastructure,the Lowell Creek Diversion Tunnel,and Murkowski's infrastructure symposium. They had meetings with the US Coast Guard(USCG)regarding the Fast Response Cutter(FRC)coming to Seward, as well as Seward's desire to have an ice breaker.Terry said they also had a meeting with Senator Dan Sullivan regarding USCG ice breaker;there appeared to be potential for one to come to Seward.The USCG had concerns about housing availability in Seward for the FRC,and talked about the possibility of deploying the FRC to Kodiak initially. US Army Corps of Engineers(USACE)meeting regarding the Lowell Canyon Diversion Tunnel went well, and they thanked the USACE for permitting and funding the project.At a meeting with the Department of Energy they discussed the city's heat loop project. Osenga added that these legislative meetings were very important and Seward had been very well represented.The city's priorities were well communicated,and council members had gleaned a lot of valuable information. Bower said having the meeting with Murkowski was fruitful, and Seward was asked by Murkowski's office to provide priorities for several additional projects.Regarding the meeting with Sullivan regarding housing,Bower said she was trying to work in cooperation with the feds to obtain infrastructure funding. Bower wanted the FRC to come to Seward on day one and stay in Seward. Terry appreciated the citizens' confidence in sending her to Washington, DC. First Quarter 2022 reports from:Planning&Zoning Commission,Port&Commerce Advisory Board, and Historic Preservation Commission. Planning & Zoning Commission Chair Clare Sullivan reported the commission had already had seven meetings year to date,and there were three new commissioners who had recently been appointed. She appreciated all the support the commission received from the Community Development Department. Some of the items P&Z had worked on were the replat of the Fort Raymond property in preparation for the Chugachmiut facility,replat for the new animal shelter,and replat for the Dairy Hill subdivision.Two Conditional Use Permits had been approved,including a housing component for a local business and a four plex. Four work sessions had addressed topics including housing, the municipal land plan, and commissioner training. P&Z would continue to collaborate with the Seward Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board.P&Z was starting to review the city's 2030 Comprehensive Plan, and would continue to work on the short term rentals topic. Port&Commerce Advisory Board Chair Brandii O'Reagan stated she joined PACAB at the beginning of the year, and another new board member had since joined. Preparing the board's priorities and had resulted in reviewing the board's mission,and she was seeking some clarification and focus on their mission. PACAB continued to review the SMIC Development Plan,the harbor wash down pad, and the city's heat loop project which had resulted in the creation of an ad hoc committee. The housing issue in Seward had been a consistent discussion item, and several presenters had provided input at meetings;there may be a community meeting to pull together all the information that had been gathered. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes Apri125,2022 Volume 42,Page 20 Historic Preservation Commission Chair Cheryl Seese reported that HP had developed their priorities and council had made improvements to them. The commission had worked on developing a historic zone,but council did not support creating a new zone.The commission would continue to work on a historic guidelines and best practices resource document.Work at Hoben Park would be picking up soon with the installation of new plantings to re-establish the historic plants that once lived there. The final three signs for the walking tour would be installed this week. The commission hoped that council would allow HP to retain the public funds that had been solicited for reprinting walking tour maps. Presentations—None PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolutions Requiring Public Hearing Resolution 2022-031,Authorizing The Sale Of Parcel#14502419 Containing 25.395 Acres To The State Of Alaska Department Of Transportation And Public Facilities For The Improvement Project NO. Z548570000 In Improving The Seward Airport For The Fair Market Value(FMV)That Has Been Determined To Be$2,000.00. This resolution had public hearings and was postponed on March 14, 2022 and March 29, 2022,and is coming back tonight for a third public hearing and approval. Bower said the Department of Transportation (DOT) had requested to attend to a council meeting so they could explain why they wanted to purchase the property at the airport, how the purchase price was derived, and to answer council's questions. The DOT would be available to attend the June 13, 2022 council meeting. In light of the DOT's request, Bower asked council to postpone this resolution until June 13, 2022. 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 to Postpone (Terry/McClure) Postpone Resolution 2022-031 to June 13, 2022. Terry requested that answers be provided by the DOT and furnished to council in writing prior to the June 13,2022 meeting. She stated a privately-owned parcel had been sold recently,and for a larger amount;she thought that information should be provided for the discussion and included as a factor in the real estate comparables. Motion to Postpone Passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS Resolution 2022-052, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A 3 Year Sole Source Agreement With T2 Systems To Provide Parking Enforcement & Permit Management City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 25, 2022 Volume 42, Page 21 Software In An Amount Not To Exceed$31,297 And Appropriating Funds. This resolution was postponed from April 11, 2022. Bower requested that council postpone this resolution to May 9,2022 to allow for more time to get answers to outstanding questions. Motion to Postpone (Terry/McClure) Postpone Resolution 2022-052 to May 9, 2022. Motion to Postpone Passed Unanimous NEW BUSINESS Resolutions Resolution 2022-055, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into Port Agreements With Cruise Line Corporations For The Purpose Of Satisfying Requirements Of The Centers For Disease Control And Prevention To Allow Cruise Ships That Have Opted In To The Program For Cruise Lines Operating In U.S. Waters To Visit The Port Of Seward In Calendar Year 2022. Terry passed the gavel to Vice Mayor McClure and declared a potential conflict of interest because she worked for the Alaska Railroad.McClure ruled that no conflict of interest existed. There was no objection from council.Terry stated, although she may not have a"substantial ,.d financial"conflict of interest,the charter compelled council members to vote,unless there was a vote by council to allow her to abstain;she requested council vote on allowing her to abstain because she did not want any shadow of doubt related to her involvement on this resolution. Council unanimously voted to allow Terry to abstain from voting on this resolution. Terry removed herself from the dais. Motion (Osenga/Wells) Approve Resolution 2022-055 Bower stated the resolution would be authorizing her to sign documents related to this topic. In response to McClure,Bower said all Alaskan coastal communities that receive cruise ships would be completing this paperwork due to COVID protocols. Motion Passed Yes: Wells, Osenga, Calhoon, DeMoss, McClure Abstain: Terry Mayor Terry returned to the dais and Vice Mayor McClure returned the gavel. Other New Business Items City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 25,2022 Volume 42,Page 22 Provide direction regarding Historic Preservation Commission, CLG Grant #200005 — CWalking Tour Project. Bower stated the Historic Preservation Commission(HP)solicited donations from the public for the walking tour project and collected$7,200.If council authorized the commission to retain the funds, a resolution would come forward to appropriate the funds. McClure believed the commission acted in good faith,and said she would support allowing the commission to retain the funds. Terry thought the walking tour was a great project, and she was pleased to have the opportunity to correct the misstep. Motion(Terry/McClure) Direct administration to bring forward a resolution authorizing the funds to be retained. Motion Passed Unanimous INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Deputy City Clerk's Memo Verifying Timely Receipt of Annual Financial Disclosure Forms. City Clerk's travel report for attending the City Clerks Association of California annual conference. CITIZEN COMMENTS—None COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Calhoon thanked the public works employees who helped install a new freezer in the Food Bank in a very tight space.He appreciated the first quarter reports from the boards and commissions. He congratulated Matt Chase on his retirement,and thanked Troy Staggs for putting his name in the hat for the KPB Planning Commission. Calhoon wanted to clarify that council had not approved spending$20 million in the Electric Department; rather,council had approved a$10 bond. Osenga congratulated Matt Chase on his retirement. He appreciated the reports from the boards and commissions. Be safe. McClure congratulated Matt Chase,and thanked Troy Staggs for stepping up.May 7,2022 would be Super Saturday Clean Up Day and she hoped the yellow trash bag pick up spots would be clearly identified.The Bike Rodeo would also be held on May 7,2022.One of her uncles had taken care of Hoben Park for many years back in the 1950s or earlier.Tomorrow would be Permitting Day, and all kinds of information would be available. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 25, 2022 Volume 42, Page 23 Terry appreciated the work that the boards and commissions were doing. She thanked everyone for working hard to bring conferences into Seward; it was great for the local economy. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m. B enda Ballow, C Christy Terry City Clerk Mayor (City Seal) OF SE`y •., • • • G FC /Oit ••ti • • i�' Q • • r • i SEAL • = M • ............. OF�AN•P.•`"