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Home My WebLink About09262022 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 26, 2022 Volume 42,Page 119 CALL TO ORDER The September 26,2022 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vice Mayor Sue McClure. 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 (presiding) John Osenga Liz DeMoss Ristine Casagranda Mike Calhoon Randy Wells comprising a quorum of the Council; and Janette Bower, City Manager Kris Peck, Acting City Clerk Excused—Terry Absent—None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Lori Landstrom,outside city limits,spoke in regard to the proposed electric utility sale;she hoped for a fair price and no loss of local jobs. Landstrom wanted a board of directors to represent the customers outside of city limits. As a solar customer, she hoped the rates would either stay the same or improve. Landstrom encouraged the city to carefully and thoroughly review any contract from the purchaser. Tim McDonald,inside city limits,said Alaska electric rates were very high.It was crucial to get more progressive with renewable energy. McDonald felt a co-op among the users would be the best platform for innovation. The electric utility had always been a money maker for the city. Mica Van Buskirk,inside city limits,asked that the 2023 legislative priorities be postponed or amended to include the proposed recreation facility. Unlike the Mt. Alice subdivision idea, the community would be supportive of the recreation facility. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Osenga/Casagranda) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 26, 2022 Volume 42,Page 120 Casagranda removed Resolution 2022-103 from the consent agenda. McClure added the approvals of the Election Board and Canvass Board to the consent agenda. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Resolution 2022-104, Authorizing The City Manager To Purchase 10 Pad-Mounted Transformers Of Varying Voltage Capacities From Anixter To Replace Inventory Used In Earlier Projects During The 2022 Construction Season In A Not-To-Exceed Amount Of $145,801 And Appropriating Funds. Approval of the September 12,2022 City Council Special Meeting Minutes. Approval of the September 12,2022 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Approve the Appointment of the Election Board for the 2022 Regular Municipal Election. Approve the Appointment of the Canvass Board for the 2022 Regular Municipal Election. City Manager Report. City Manager Janette Bower said the Seward Community Jail contract meeting was held on September 13, 2022. There were a number of concerns listed in her report and she did not plan to sign the contract until these issues were resolved with the Department of Corrections. Other Reports and Announcements Presentations Happy Youth Programs & Educational Resources (HYPER) presentation by Casie Warner. PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinances for Public Hearing and Enactment Ordinance 2022-014, Amending The Land Use Plan And Rezoning Lots 21-23, Block 10 Of Original Townsite Of Seward Laubner Addition,With The Physical Address Of 1104&1100 Second Ave,From Urban Residential(UR)Zoning District To Auto Commercial(AC)Zoning District. This ordinance was introduced on September 12, 2022 and is coming tonight for public hearing and enactment. Motion (Casagranda/DeMoss) Enact Ordinance 2022-014 City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 26, 2022 Volume 42,Page 121 Community Development Director Jason Bickling said this rezone would give the Exit Glacier Guides more development opportunities for the property. The current parking lot was not working out for the company due to abuse from non-patrons. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Karen Corrigan,inside city limits,said she was concerned that losing the parking lot would increase street parking in the neighborhood. Parking was not a problem exclusive to Exit Glacier Guides,as patrons visiting the nearby pavilion and restaurants would also park on the street.The city should review parking needs for public areas and consider how to lessen the impact on residential areas. That being said, Corrigan supported the ordinance. No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed. DeMoss supported this ordinance. There were a lot of people abusing the private parking there and she understood why Exit Glacier Guides would rather create something new and more beneficial to their business. Casagranda wondered where all the Exit Glacier Guides vehicles would park if it was no 111 longer a parking lot. Bickling responded the summer season was over now and all their equipment visible there today was in winter storage. Motion Passed Unanimous NEW BUSINESS Resolution 2022-103,Approving The Calendar Year 2023 Legislative Priorities. Motion (Casagranda/DeMoss) Approve Resolution 2022-103 Bower said the city had a legislative priorities brochure last year which was very effective and she would be producing another one for 2023.It would be possible to make updates later on,but she wanted the bulk of it done so the city could begin the lobbying process next month. Motion to Amend (McClure/Casagranda) Amend Resolution 2022-103 by striking the words,"...in the Forest Ares Subdivision," so that it reads, "Expansion of water and sewer infrastructure which will increase construction of new residential development throughout City limits." McClure said removing the line about the Forest Acres Subdivision would allow for broader expansion and not be limited to that one specific area. Bower concurred. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 26,2022 Volume 42,Page 122 Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Motion to Amend (McClure/Casagranda) Amend Resolution 2022-103 by deleting the third bullet point, "Expansion of infrastructure which will increase construction of new residential development on the Seward Marine Industrial Center Bench." in its entirety. McClure said that based on the discussion at the special meeting earlier tonight,there wasn't enough interest to move forward with this project. Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Nlotion to Amend (DeMoss/Casagranda) Amend Resolution 2022-103 by creating a new bullet point which reads,"Full funding of the Alaska Department of Corrections in order to return to 100% funding of the operational costs associated with operating the Seward Community Jail." Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Motion to Amend (DeMoss/McClure) Amend Resolution 2022-103 by creating a new bullet point which reads, "Continued full funding for the construction and maintenance of the United States Army Corp of Engineers Lowell Tunnel Outfall diversion structure." Bower clarified that the city would retain ownership of the tunnel and wanted continued funding and maintenance. Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Primary Motion to Amend (DeMoss/Casagranda)Amend Resolution 2022-103 by creating a new bullet point which reads,"Full funding and support for the Seward Airport, operated by the State of Alaska." Bower asked if this amendment addressed the long runway. DeMoss said she mainly just wanted to see the airport remain on the list of legislative priorities. Bower explained that maintenance was addressed in last year's legislative priorities and perhaps should be included again this year. McClure agreed the word"maintenance"was important. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 26, 2022 Volume 42,Page 123 Secondary Motion to Amend (DeMoss/Casagranda) Amend the bullet point to read, "Full funding and ongoing maintenance for the Seward Airport, operated by the State of Alaska." Secondary Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Primary Motion to Amend Passed Yes: Wells, Osenga, Calhoon, DeMoss, McClure No: Casagranda Motion to Amend (Casagranda/DeMoss) Amend Resolution 2022-103 by creating a new bullet point which reads,"Full funding and support of the proposed Seward Recreation Center." Motion to Amend Failed Yes: Casagranda No: Wells, Osenga, Calhoon, DeMoss, McClure Main Motion Passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS—None CITIZEN COMMENTS—None COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Calhoon said the possible sale of the electric utility was being done the way of law and code; in the end there would be a choice made by the citizens of Seward. Wells thanked Calhoon for his comment and thanked everyone who came out tonight. DeMoss thanked Casie Warner for her presentation.She encouraged further discussion about the parking situations in the downtown and harbor areas. Casagranda agreed the parking was worth looking into and thanked the Deputy City Clerk for clerking this evening. Osenga thanked everyone for their thoughtful discussion. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 26, 2022 Volume 42,Page 124 McClure emphasized that the city was approaching the proposed electric sale in the proper way. She cautioned folks in town to look out for some rowdy moose that had kept her awake last night. McClure thanked the Deputy City Clerk for clerking tonight's meeting. EXECUTIVE SESSION Go into executive session to discuss matters,the immediate knowledge of which,would clearly have an adverse effect upon the finances of the public entity — Electric Utility Sale Negotiations,per Seward City Code 2.10.033(E)(1). Motion (Casagranda/Wells) Go into executive session to discuss matters, the immediate knowledge of which,would clearly have an adverse effect upon the fmances of the public entity — Electric Utility Sale Negotiations, per Seward City Code 2.10.033(E)(1). The city manager and the electric utility director were invited to stay. Motion Passed Unanimous Council recessed the meeting at 8:11 p.m. Council resumed the meeting at 8:19 p.m. Council went into executive session at 8:19 p.m. Council came out of executive session at 9:06 p.m. Go into executive session to discuss subjects that tend to prejudice the reputation and character of any person,provided the person may request a public discussion—City Manager Evaluation,per Seward City Code 2.10.033(E)(2). Motion (Osenga/Casagranda) Go into executive session to discuss subjects that tend to prejudice the reputation and character of any person, provided the person may request a public discussion — City Manager Evaluation,per Seward City Code 2.10.033(E)(2): The city manager was invited to stay. Motion Passed Unanimous Council went into executive session at 9:07 p.m. Council came out of executive session at 9:40 p.m. (Wells left the meeting at 9:17 p.m) City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 26, 2022 Volume 42, Page 125 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 p.m. (1/ //L eYVIk C6. Kris Peck Sue McClure Acting City Clerk Vice Mayor tom"I,,,,,• (City Seal) ,. 0F SE{ti,4•�''. (..) v O•. • - SEAL • 0 � s • ry t ciAE 1 1g\/Alit III Int"•