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Home My WebLink About05222023 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes May 22, 2023 Volume 42,Page 321 CALL TO ORDER The May 22, 2023 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Sue McClure. OPENING CEREMONY Police Chief Alan Nickell led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Sue McClure, presiding, and John Osenga Liz DeMoss Mike Calhoon Randy Wells Kevin Finch Robert Barnwell comprising a quorum of the Council; and Norm Regis, Acting City Manager Kris Peck, Deputy City Clerk Excused—None Absent—None Mayor McClure stated she wished to extend the 36-minute time limit for citizen comments in order to allow all members of the public to speak There was no objection from council. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Bailey Sayler,outside city limits,asked the public to please be kind.As the Library Museum Director,she noted there had been several mean comments directed towards library staff due to the upcoming Drag Story Hour event. Bruce Jaffa,outside city limits,said he was concerned by the number of executive sessions that were being held at city council meetings.He felt the precise need and use of executive sessions was being exceeded. Diane Clark,inside city limits,was opposed to the Drag Story Hour event at the library.She felt program was for an adult crowd not appropriate for children. Sherry Clark,outside city limits,was opposed to the Drag Story Hour event at the library. She wondered if background checks had been done on the adults involved in this event. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes May 22,2023 Volume 42,Page 322 Ali Willhite, outside city limits, said Resolution 2023-058 should be reconsidered. City employees should have the right to record their conversations with co-workers and supervisors. Willhite said the Resolution 2023-058 took away an employee's protection from toxic work environments and bullying. Mike Brittain, inside city limits, said he recently attended a meeting in Valdez and took a tour of their marine terminal.He encouraged council to read the safety report that was recently in the Anchorage Daily News about the Valdez Marine Terminal. Lavina Dickinson,outside city limits,spoke in support of the Drag Story Hour event. She wanted youth to be able to lead their best life and not experience discrimination or harm. Events such as Drag Story Hour made the community feel safe and more inclusive. Chad Dickinson,outside city limits,spoke in support of Drag Story Hour.The library was a community space and to deny access would be a blatant act of discrimination. Christiana Smith,outside city limits,spoke in support of the Drag Story Hour. She wanted the community to feel safe and be able to express themselves. Tara Miller,outside city limits, spoke in support of the Drag Story Hour event. Norma Shillgren,outside city limits, was opposed to the Drag Story Hour event. Tim McDonald, inside city limits, said he was one of the few people across the bay who could legally vote in City of Seward elections. He felt the city limits sign had become an illegal voting boundary. Brittany Stallings,outside city limits, spoke in support of the Drag Story Hour event. She was excited for this inclusive event to be held in Seward. Brianna Hutchison,inside city limits,spoke in support of the Drag Story Hour event. She appreciated the diversity that comes with being a human. Tyler Pelo,inside city limits, spoke in support of the Drag Story Hour event. Bonnie Apperson,inside city limits,was opposed to the Drag Story Hour event. She felt it was an adult event and not suitable for children. Tony Baclaan,inside city limits,provided a summary of the two books that would be read at the Drag Story Hour. He asked all in support of the event to please stand up. Lynda Paquette,outside city limits,read a 2017 proclamation for Seward as a We Love Us City. She supported the Drag Story Hour event at the library. Dimitri Apergis,inside city limits, spoke in support the Drag Story Hour event. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes May 22,2023 Volume 42,Page 323 Hannah Pike,outside city limits, was opposed to the Drag Story Hour event. She did not want adult content being used in a children's library room. Amanda Sanchez,inside city limits,was in support of the Drag Story Hour event.This type of event inspired children to embrace their own creativity and self-expression. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (DeMoss/Wells) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Calhoon removed Resolution 2023-066 from the consent agenda. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the May 8, 2023 City Council Special Meeting Minutes. Approval of the May 8, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Introduction of Ordinance 2023-015,Amending Seward City Code Title 6 Purchasing Contracts and Professional Services.(This ordinance was introduced tonight and will come for public hearing and enactment on June 12, 2023) Resolution 2023-063, Authorizing Signatures For All City Bank Accounts And Rescinding All Previous Resolutions In Conflict Herewith. Resolution 2023-064,Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Contract With The Financial Engineering Company In An Amount Not-To-Exceed$55,350 To Conduct An Electric Rate Study So That Customer Rates Can Be Set Appropriately To Recover Expenses And Generate A Reasonable Financial Return To The City's General Fund. Resolution 2023-065, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter A Financial Advisory Agreement With PFM Financial Advisors LLC, And Appropriating Funds. Resolution 2023-067, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Professional Services Agreement With Altman, Rogers, &Co For External Audit Services, And Appropriating Funds. Action Memorandum 2023-005,Authorizing the City Manager to Approve Placement of a Memorial on the Jesse Lee Home Parcel By the Seward Community Library Association. Appoint Art LeMaster,Tanguy Libbrecht,and Sue Ward to the Historic Preservation Commission with terms to expire May, 2026. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes May 22,2023 Volume 42,Page 324 SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards 2023 Historic Preservation Award to Tiffany & Al Siller National Historic Preservation Month Seward Pride Weekend City Manager Report Acting City Manager Norm Regis read a statement from the Seward Community Library and Seward Pride Alliance. He reiterated the message of being kind and respectful to the library staff. The library policy allowed for the community rooms to be rented out for private events. DeMoss inquired about the city finance director job posting as well as the current salary offered. Sowell responded the salary was $139,000. DeMoss wanted to know if that salary was competitive,because the job posting had not been filled. Council gave direction to see the position rescored by GovHR.Deputy Finance Director Sully Jusino added she would like to see the wages for the entire finance department rescored by GovHR. Calhoon asked if a central treasury report could be added to the council packets.This report would help with council know what amount of funding was available. Carmen Jackson Accountant M.C.Pehle(telephonically)said the central treasury report could be included as part of the City Manager Report for each council meeting. City Clerk Report—None City Attorney Report—None Other Reports and Announcements—None Council recessed the meeting at 8:14 p.m. Council resumed the meeting at 8:20 p.m. Presentations Seward CommunityFoundation Presentation byDavid Paperman. p Electric Infrastructure Update by Bryan Thrall and James Unrein. PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinances for Enactment—None City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes May 22, 2023 Volume 42,Page 325 Resolutions Requiring Public Hearing Resolution 2023-062,Recommending Kenai Peninsula Borough Approval of the Preliminary Replat of Fourth of July Creek Subdivision, Seward Marine Industrial Center (SMIC), Unsubdivided Remainder of Block 6,Located at 110 Olga Street;Creating Two Lots,Lots 4&5,Block 6,Fourth of July Creek Subdivision SMIC, Duchess Replat. Motion (Osenga/DeMoss) Approve Resolution 2023-062 Community Development Director Jason Bickling said that Planning & Zoning Commission voted to approve that preliminary replat. 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 Passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS —None NEW BUSINESS Resolutions Resolution 2023-066,Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Contract With Seward City Tours For The Operation Of The Seasonal Shuttle Transportation Services For The 2024,2025,And 2026 Seasons, In A Total Amount Not To Exceed $827, 280 And Appropriating Funds. Motion(DeMoss/Osenga) Approve 2023-066 Calhoon said he removed this resolution from the consent agenda only because he questioned the payment schedule. Mayor McClure asked the Seward City Tours Operator Jonah Swiderski to speak to the contract payment schedule. Swiderski said the payment schedule would allow him to operate at full strength at the beginning of the contract as well as the end of the contract. DeMoss thanked Swiderski for his effort and thought Seward City Tours was doing a great job. Seward was lucky to have such a professional service. Motion Passed Unanimous Other New Business INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS .�. Other Items City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes May 22, 2023 Volume 42,Page 326 Small Business Development Center(SBDC) 1St Quarter 2023 Report. Happy Youth Programs & Educational Resources (HYPER) Financial Report through March 31, 2023. CITIZEN COMMENTS Tim McDonald,inside city limits, felt the approval for a three-year contract with Seward City Tours was highly irregular. He was concerned that council was playing favorites for business owners. Tony Baclaan, inside city limits, thanked outgoing City Clerk Brenda Ballou for her 13 years of service with the city.On another topic,Baclaan spoke in support of the Drag Story Hour at the library.Baclaan noted the library staff had received just a small sample of the type of hatred that Baclaan has had to deal with his entire life. Christiane Smith, outside city limits, said she was frustrated to not be able to vote in the recent Special Municipal Election due to her residence outside the city limits. However, she appreciated the opportunities to speak to council and still be involved in the community.Smith also provided some constructive feedback on her recent experience using the city website. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Regis reminded everyone to be kind to library staff.He thanked David Paperman and Bryan Thrall for their presentations. Regis encouraged everyone to drive down Nash Road and see the electric poles. Sowell thanked the boards&commissions for attending the joint work session.He noted the June 12,2023 council meeting would contain a discussion item on the future of the electric utility. Finch thanked Tiffany and Al Siller for the efforts in preserving Seward history. He reminded everyone Memorial Day was approaching. Calhoon thanked the presenters, as well as the boards & commissions for the joint work session.He hoped the city could provide notice about upcoming power outages to all residents along Nash Road. Calhoon noted the month of May also contained Peace Officers Memorial Day,Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial Day, and Memorial Day. In the future, he would like to see more proclamations to honor those days in May. DeMoss thanked outgoing city clerk Brenda Ballou for her service and wished her well. DeMoss was pleasantly surprised how many positive emails council had received in regard to the Drag Story Hour. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes May 22, 2023 Volume 42,Page 327 Wells agreed that proclamations should be carefully selected. On another topic,Wells was looking forward to attending his first Drag Story Hour. In regard to the question of annexation, Wells noted the city council does not have the authority to extend the city limits boundary. Barnwell appreciated the joint work session with the boards&commissions.He thanked Mr. Thrall and Mr. Paperman for their presentations. Osenga thanked outgoing city clerk Brenda Ballou for her service with the city. McClure thanked Brenda Ballou for her service as city clerk. McClure announced the new animal shelter would have a grand opening on Saturday, June 10, 2023. McClure noted the free shuttle busses were funded by cruise ship head tax rather than citizen.tax. Lastly,McClure said she would look into the website issues that were brought up by a citizen. Calhoon also wanted to remind everyone that Wednesday, May 24,2023 was the Combat Fishing Tournament. Afterward, there would be a banquet in the heavy diesel equipment shop in AVTEC. EXECUTIVE SESSION Go into executive session to receive legal advice from the city attorney on the following topics: 1) The impact of election results on the Homer Electric Association (HEA) purchase agreement; 2) Potential Alaska public Offices Commission(APOC)claims of the City against Chugach Electric Association(CEA); and, 3)City-CEA wholesale power contract termination provisions. Motion(McClure/Finch) Go into executive session to receive legal advice from the city attorney on the following topics: 1) The impact of election results on the Homer Electric Association (HEA) purchase agreement; 2) Potential Alaska public Offices Commission(APOC) claims of the City against Chugach Electric Association (CEA); and, 3) City-CEA wholesale power contract termination provisions. Motion Passed Unanimous The Acting City Manager Norm Regis and Assistant City Manager Stephen Sowell were invited to stay. Utility Director Rob Montgomery and City Attorney Brooks Chandler were invited to join telephonically. Council recessed the meeting at 9:37 p.m. Council resumed the meeting at 9:45 p.m. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes May 22, 2023 Volume 42, Page 328 Council went into executive session at 9:45 p.m. Council came out of executive session at 10:39 p.m. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:40 p.m. &ttAlne Kris Peck Sue McClure Deputy City Clerk Mayor (City Seal) G `"'Pr, oyp•• `�G �4>F� • SEAL • • •��'9TFOF ALP--;•t•s%