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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09282022 City Council Special Meeting Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Special Meeting Minutes September 28, 2022 Volume 42,Page 126 CALL TO ORDER The September 28, 2022 special meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Vice Mayor Sue McClure. OPENING CEREMONY Assistant City Manager Steven Sowell led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Christy Teny presiding and Sue McClure (presiding) John Osenga Liz DeMoss Ristine Casagranda Mike Calhoon comprising a quorum of the Council; and Janette Bower, City Manager Kris Peck, Acting City Clerk Excused—Wells, DeMoss, Terry Absent—None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Devananda Day,outside city limits,was not convinced the proposed recreation center was feasible. Christy Jordan,outside city limits, was in support of the recreation center. The chance to recreate and exercise would improve both physical and mental health among our community.Seward needed a place outside of work and home that was inclusive to everybody. Gregory Haas,outside city limits,was in support of the recreation center.This idea had been talked about for decades and he would love to see it finally happen. Jodi Kurtz,outside city limits,was in support of the recreation center.She read aloud a letter on behalf of Linda Corbin, inside city limits,which was also supportive of the proposed recreation center. Demitra Apergis,inside city limits,was in support of the recreation center. She said having an indoor space for walking was very important to maintain mobility for older people,as well as for younger people to play. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Special Meeting Minutes September 28, 2022 Volume 42,Page 127 Leslie Jacoby,outside city limits,said she supported the recreation center whole-heartedly. She would love to see a new pool and indoor track for Seward. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Casagranda/Osenga) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: There were no consent agenda items. NEW BUSINESS Other New Business Items Committee of the Whole: Recreation Center Feasibility Study Presentation by Victus Advisors. Motion (Osenga/Casagranda) Move into Committee of the Whole for the Recreation Center Feasibility Study Presentation by Victus Advisors. Motion Passed Unanimous Council went into Committee of the Whole at 5:45 p.m. Council came out of Committee of the Whole at 7:18 p.m. McClure reported that there had been a presentation and discussion. CITIZEN COMMENTS Mica Van Buskirk, inside city limits, would like to see one consolidated location for all recreational activities. She would like to see the recreation center added to the legislative priority list for 2023. She felt the current site at Fort Raymond was the perfect location. Devananda Day,outside city limits,wanted to raise a caution flag about the financial costs of the recreation center.The Alaska Railroad terminal would be an adequate community center if it was refurbished instead of demolished. Grace Williams, inside city limits, was in support of the recreation center. She said it was difficult for kids to use the school gym unless they were part of a sports team. As a professional construction consultant, she felt$18 million dollars was a good deal. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Special Meeting Minutes September 28, 2022 Volume 42,Page 128 Gregory Haas,outside city limits,was in support of the recreation center.He felt this would be an opportunity to jump on something that should have been done decades ago.Hass urged the city to hold the land at Fort Raymond because there would be no better location. Heather Lindquist,outside city limits, said having more gym space to play basketball and volleyball would be wonderful. The school districts had strict policies about using their gyms and even basic functions like open gym night were not open to kids or the public. Greer Ethridge,inside city limits,wanted to point out that the pool at the high school was closed to the public during the spring break, summer break and winter break. Ethridge fully supported the recreation center and year-round facilities open to the public:,. Julie Lindquist,outside city limits,wondered if there would be anything new and different this proposed facility would offer the community. The idea of charging tourits'or everything was unfair and the locals should step up to help pay for this recreation center. Trey Johnson, inside city limits, fully supported the proposed recreation center. He felt it would be a great place for kids to get together and play. • Demitra Apergis,inside city limits,said school sports were very dependent on parents being able to drive the kids around. The proposed facility would allow kids to be more independent. Leslie Jacoby,outside city limits,would like to see this recreation center utilized by lower income families, as well and kids who didn't have a lot of support from their parents. Joe Tougas,inside city limits, said the community had been fortunate thus far to use other facilities around town like the Alaska SeaLife Center and Alaska Railroad terminal for indoor recreation. He was in support of the proposed recreation center. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Calhoon said it was a great presentation and wanted to thank everyone for showing up. He felt a private enterprise would be the one to step up and provide amenities like a bowling alley. Casagranda said a movie theater and bowling alley would be opportunities for the private sector and outside of the scope of government. She reminded the audience that the city could not control what privately-owned establishments decided to do with their buildings. Osenga said it was a great presentation and thanked everyone for coming. He wanted to emphasize the importance of being patient to make sure this would be done correctly. McClure said they would have a full council again in a few weeks and she looked forward to a more in-depth discussion. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Special Meeting Minutes September 28, 2022 Volume 42, Page 129 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:54 p.m. Kris Peck Sue McClure Acting City Clerk Vice Mayor (City Seal) .�'ofr SE iv, 40 V •'0 . : f%. -- : • _ SEAL I --�-' r