Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout06122023 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes June 12, 2023 Volume 42,Page 333 CALL TO ORDER The June 12, 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 Stephen Sowell, Assistant City Manager Jason Bickling,Community Development Director Sully Jusino, Deputy Finance Director Tammy Nickell, Human Resources Manager Brooks Chandler, City Attorney Karen Corrigan,Acting Deputy City Clerk Excused—None Absent—None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Alan Nickell, outside city limits, stated he was the Police Chief and announced the grand opening for the animal shelter was held and they received an additional $818.11 for donations, thanked the citizens and appreciated the support. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Osenga/DeMoss) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Mayor McClure requested Action Memorandum 2023-006 to be removed from the consent agenda. Motion Passed Unanimous City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes June 12,2023 Volume 42,Page 334 The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the May 22, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes. Introduction of Ordinance 2023-016, Amending Seward City Code Chapter 5.20 Improvement Districts. Introduction of Ordinance 2023-017, Amending Seward City Code Chapter 2.15 Ordinances and Resolutions. Resolution 2023-070, Accepting The State Of Alaska, Healthy & Equitable Communities Grant In The Amount Of $49,162.00, Acting As A Pass-Through Agency For Seward Prevention Coalition And Appropriating Funds Proclamations and Awards-None City Manager Report Acting City Manager Norm Regis advised that the harbor had a second vessel sink in the harbor due to unknown causes and there was no fuel spill from it. Community Development Director Jason Bickling advised that preparation for a planning and zoning meeting required four staff members'time to prepare the materials and attend. He added there was an inconvenience when commissioners do not attend with no previous notice. Agenda items for the commission were delayed due to the cancellation of the meeting when a quorum cannot be met. Deputy Finance Director Sully Jusino said that the net billing is planned to be in use in July with the help of the company Utility Assist. Bickling stated that there were three short term rental businesses not currently licensed and his department was working with the owners to resolve the issue. Regis advised that the road construction on Third Avenue would be an inconvenience for the businesses during the day, but citizens complained that they cannot sleep at night due to construction noise. Electric Lineman Brian Thrall, said the generators leased for the Seward Industrial Marine Center project required additional workers to maintain them, thus overtime hours should be expected. Utility Manager Rob Montgomery said that he believed the rate increase for electricity might be as high as 15%. City Clerk Report was in the packet. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes June 12, 2023 Volume 42,Page 335 City Attorney Report City Attorney Brooks Chandler clarified that executive sessions were appropriate for the city council to receive legal advice from the city attorney. Chandler added that actions by the city council would always be made in public and not in an executive session. Other Reports and Announcements Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Report was not presented. Presentations Presentation on updates from the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinances for Enactment Ordinance 2023-015,Amending Seward City Code Title 6 Purchasing,Contracts and Professional Services (This ordinance was introduced on May 22, 2023, and was coming tonight for public hearing and enactment) Motion (DeMossBarnwell) Enact Ordinance 2023-015 Regis requested the ordinance to be postponed, due to corrections required, until the city council meeting on July 10,2023. 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 (Osenga/Wells ) Postpone Ordinance 2023-015 until July 10, 2023 Motion Passed Unanimous Resolutions Requiring Public Hearing Resolution 2023-068, Updating the Municipal Lands Inventory and Management Plan to Include Recommendations to Improve and Designate Parking and Access at the Fourth of July Beach and Plat the Area into One Parcel and Rezone to Park. Motion (Osenga/DeMoss) Approve Resolution 2023-068 Bickling stated that funding would be required for the replating and rezoning costs. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes June 12,2023 Volume 42,Page 336 Carol Griswold, inside city limits, spoke in support of the ordinance and stressed the importance to protect the area as a park and to provide increased parking for the public. No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed. Finch stated his support for this resolution. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2023-069, Updating The Municipal Lands Inventory And Management Plan To Include Recommendations To Increase Day Use Parking At The Spring Creek Campground, Request An Easement To Maintain Beach Access To The North Of The Campground, And Plat The Area Into One Parcel And Rezone To Park Motion(DeMoss/Wells) Approve Resolution 2023-069 Bickling spoke on the point that access the area to the north was actually trespassing on private land and this resolution allowed for a conversation with the owners and to provide for better signage in the area. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Carol Griswold, inside city limits, spoke in favor of the resolution and recommended a change to include the city owned beach in the language. No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed. McClure suspended the rules to allow discussion with Griswold on a graphical correction on a property line she suggested. The city council concluded that the graphical representation on property lines was correct. McClure went back on the rules. Motion Passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS Resolutions Resolution 2023-046, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Recruitment Services Contract With GovHR In The Amount Of$30,000.00, And Appropriating Funds (This resolution was postponed on April 24, 2023) Regis requested to postpone until the July 10, 2023 city council meeting. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes June 12, 2023 Volume 42,Page 337 Motion (Osenga/DeMoss) Postpone Resolution 2023-046 until July tar 10, 2023 Motion Passed Unanimous NEW BUSINESS Action Memorandum 2023-006,Opposing KPB Ordinance 2023-11. Motion (DeMoss/Finch) Approve Action Memorandum 2023-006 McClure advised that the memorandum was created due to possible borough legislation that would have eliminated the city's position on the borough's planning and zoning commission. However, the borough had revised their legislation and the city's seat on the commission was secured. McClure advised that the city council did not need to oppose this ordinance. Motion Failed Unanimous Other New Business Future Of The City of Seward Electric Utility Montgomery presented to the city council four options to consider for the electric utility: Option 1 —Do Nothing, Option 2 - Rebuild the Utility, Option 3 —Services Contract, Option 4— Place Sale on Future Ballot. At Barnwell's request, Montgomery elborated further on Option 2 — Rebuild the Utility. The additional six positions were required to properly operate the electric utility and perform the upgrades. Salaries needed to be increased to be competitive in the industry. Montgomery spoke on the aging infrastructure and replacement. He advised that another seven to eight million dollar bond would be needed to upgrade the system. Barnwell asked why Seward had difficulty being self reliant with electricity compared to other small Alaskan towns. Montgomery replied that because Seward's electricity was tied into other electrical systems which have special requirements and specifications that must be met. He added that Seward had a seat on several railbelt power projects and had to compete with other electric utility providers in the area. The city council discussed the requirements and timelines required to place the sale of the electric utility back on the ballot. Chandler advised there were no restrictions on when an item could be brought back to an election ballot, only that a 60 day notice was required for a special City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes June 12,2023 Volume 42,Page 338 election. Regis advised a 53 day notice was required for a proposal to be placed on the ballot for a regular municipal election. DeMoss noted that Option 2—Rebuild the Utility would require a large amount of time to research the funding and budget required to move forward in rebuilding the utility and adding staff. Calhoon recommended an ad hoc committee could perform research for Option 2 and Option 4. Council determined that the administration could bring forward Option 4,to place the sale of the electric utility on the ballot for the regular municipal election in October this year, leaving the ad hoc committee to handle researching Option 2 Motion (DeMoss/Osenga) Direct the clerk to advertise for a seven member ad hoc committee, consisting of four from inside city limits, three from outside city limits within the utility service area, to discuss the current status of the Seward Utility Motion Passed Unanimous Council recessed the meeting at 9:21 p.m. Council resumed the meeting at 9:27 p.m. Sixth Avenue Public Works Facility Location Determinations Sowell mentioned the location on Sixth Avenue was to be prepared for sale and rezoned to Urban Residential. Administration requested direction from the city council as to what lot sizes they wanted the property replated. Administration's recommendation were for 30 feet by 100 feet and 60 feet by 100 feet lots. Administration suggested that the lot could be sold to a developer as another choice. Wells stated that the lots should be saved for individual purchases. Motion (Wells/DeMoss) Direct Administration to exclude a developer from purchasing the property and leave to purchase by the individual. Motion Passed Unanimous Motion (McClure/Wells) Direct Administration to create 60 feet by 100 feet lots on Ballaine Blvd. and 30 feet by 100 feet lots on Sixth Avenue. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes June 12,2023 Volume 42,Page 339 Calhoon stated that creating lots of 45 feet by 100 feet on Ballaine Blvd would add additional lots. Wells stated that having a plat drawing with different layouts would assist the city council in a decision. The motion was withdrawn by McClure with no objections from the city council. Council directed administration to bring forward two plat designs: 30 feet by 100 feet on Sixth Avenue,60 feet by 100 feet on Ballaine Blvd,30 feet by 100 feet on Sixth Avenue,45 feet by 100 feet on Ballaine Blvd. for the city council to give direction at the June 24, 2023 city council meeting. Council Member Finch Requests Appointed Officials To Draft A Resolution To Repeal Personnel Policy #2023-01 Phone Use and Recording Policy Motion (Finch/DeMoss ) To Draft A Resolution Repeal Personnel Policy #2023-01 Phone Use and Recording Policy. Osenga clarified if policy 2023-01 was repealed in its entirety, that the city would default to following state law. Brooks stated the city council could create more restrictive policies than the state law required. The difference he added would be if the violator could be charged with a crime or with a condition suitable for discipline. Finch stressed the state had a one person consent for recording and that the current approved policy took that legal right away from staff. Wells pointed out that the policy did not stop the person from recording, nor did it require their permission. The employee just needed to advise the other party of being recorded. Motion Passed Yes: Wells, DeMoss, Calhoon, Finch, Osenga No: Barnwell,McClure CITIZEN COMMENTS Skip Rierson, inside city limits, hoped that the utility could be sold, yet agreed that we have a utility to run. He suggested that Seward may need to create a board of directors to help with the utility. Skip emphasized that the finance department would need help researching the information for the utility. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes June 12, 2023 Volume 42,Page 340 Cindy Ecklund,inside city limits,verified that the City of Seward did meet the minimum population requirement to have a seat on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning & Zoning Commission,and that the city's seat on the commission would remain in place. Beck Dunn, inside city limits, thanked the city council for the work on adding more residential space. She recommended that some of the 30 feet lots be expanded to 40 feet. She thanked the city council for moving to create an ad hoc committee and for including those out of city limits to participate. Bob Valdetta, inside city limits, wanted someone like Norm Regis as city manager. He advised the city council to not cut parts out of projects to save money because past projects have proven the shortfalls of this action. Alan Nickell, outside city limits, stated he was a city department head and that pay wage was a problem for all of the departments. Employees under pay scale grade 6 could not live here on their city wages. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Regis noted that the finance director position was $20,000 less than the normal average pay for this position. Sowell appreciated the city council review of board and commissioner attendance and the direction on the municipal land plan. He thanked Tim Dillon for his dedication to his position on KPEDD and would miss the base of knowledge that he provided. Barnwell thanked Tim Dillon for his presentation.He believed the ad hoc committee would be a good start to our resolution of the electric utility issue. He thanked Montgomery for his presentation. He mentioned that the Obihiro planning committee had met three times and stated they would need to request more funds at a future city council meeting for the adult delegation traveling to Obihiro. Finch thanked community development for what they are doing at the Spring Creek and Fourth of July Creek recreational areas. In regard to the public works property, Finch was interested in what the selling price of the individual lots would be. Wells thanked everyone who helped with the animal shelter opening. Thanked the Seward Pride Alliance for hosting a well-organized, positive event. He thanked the administration for creating clear reports and answering questions. Wells thanked the city attorney for the detailed explanation on executive sessions. Calhoon reminded everyone that Wednesday was Flag Day, and patriotic proclamations will be coming forward in the future. Calhoon stated that our nation's flag represents all of us and that flag allows all other flags to fly without issue. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes June 12, 2023 Volume 42,Page 341 DeMoss stated that the city needed to look at employee housing. Businesses have built their own housing for employees, and the city should consider the same. DeMoss stated there should be another wage study due to the large increase in wages that resulted from the recent COVID crisis. She congratulated Nickell on the animal shelter opening. She thanked Seward Pride Alliance for their event. Osenga thanked Tim Dillon for everything he had helped Seward with. Mayor McClure stated she enjoyed swearing in the new City Clerk Kris Peck. She met with several other mayors who spoke highly of the work our city council was doing in Seward. McClure attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Chugachmuit Clinic and the animal shelter opening. She mentioned the solstice cemetery tour would be held at the city cemetery at 10:30 pm on June 21,2023. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 p.m. cgtAAIVCIA10 Karen Corrigan Sue McClure Acting Deputy City Clerk Mayor (City Seal) s OF otatil F. G\ p RP O '9,fj, �� 1F QS. SE A • N:,(, .o • • � �•..F 1, 191..E •��