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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09112023 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 11, 2023 Volume 42,Page 390 CALL TO ORDER The September 11, 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 Kat Sorensen, City Manager Jason Bickling, Assistant City Manager Norm Regis, Harbormaster Kris Peck, City Clerk Jodi Kurtz, Deputy City Clerk Brooks Chandler, City Attorney Sam Severin, City Attorney Excused—Barnwell Absent—None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Brad Snowden, inside city limits, said his electricity had been turned off. He hoped to work out a payment plan with the city to get his electricity turned back on. Rissie Casagranda,inside city limits,said the Seward Electric Utility Ad Hoc Committee had delivered their mission goals to the best of their ability and she handed a packet of information to the clerk and council members. Phil Kaluza, inside city limits, said the SEUAHC recommended charging customers for the power factor fee. He felt there was a loss of revenue and encouraged an investigation. Kaluza also spoke to automation of backup generators, a utility board to oversee operations, restoring a meter reader position, and cyber security issues. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 11,2023 Volume 42,Page 391 Lori Draper,inside city limits,said she was honored to serve on the SEUAHC.As a group they wanted to go beyond the limited scope of deliverable as requested by city council. Draper provided a handout of information to council. Jonah Swiderski, outside city limits, spoke to a public hearing item and was told to wait until the public hearing. Megs Testarmata,inside city limits, spoke to the SEUAHC findings for office space,cost of new equipment & vehicles, and repair & maintenance. She hoped to avoid a substantial rate increase. Kelli Hatfield, inside city limits, wanted to share few things she had learned as a member of the SEUAHC. She noted Chugach Electric owned the lines that Homer Electric would be using. The lost revenue from the electric department would result in huge budget cuts around Seward. After a rate freeze of three years, HEA would have total control of the rates. Hatfield also spoke to the cruise ships plugging in to electricity while docked in Seward. Bruce Jaffa, city limits, provided an update on the PACAB Ad Hoc Committee's heat loop grant. Jaffa noted the community recreation center was on PACAB's list of legislative priorities. Jaffa spoke to a previous council meeting where a lineman was heavily questioned by a council member. Lastly, Jaffa spoke to the ballot measure that changed the Charter approval requirement on the same ballot would be confusing to voters. Becky Dunn, inside city limits, said there had been some progress made on getting help for sexual assault victims in Seward. She encouraged city administration to reach out and see what could be done to help. Lynda Paquette, outside city limits, said she wished there were community meetings to discuss the upcoming ballot measures. A lack of official information from city administration and council would lead to lies and mistruths being spread. Paquette felt there was an element of bullying and terrorism involved in sabotaging the upcoming election. Paquette hoped that Alaska Energy Authority Director Curtis Thayer would finally be given an opportunity to speak at a public meeting. Paquette said there was a toxic level of discontent and unhealed trauma among the community. The referendum petition and special election was going to be costly to the taxpayers. Jason Ebberson, outside city limits, clarified the linemen in the City of Seward Electric Department were trained at the exact same high standard as any other linemen in larger utilities or cities. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (DeMoss/Wells) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Mayor McClure removed Resolution 2023-103 removed from the consent agenda. Resolution 2023-105 was deleted from the agenda altogether due to the vehicle no longer being City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 11, 2023 Volume 42,Page 392 available from the dealership. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the August 28, 2023, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Resolution 2023-102: Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Contract With HDR Engineering, Inc., In An Amount Not To Exceed $56,300 To Complete and Submit The Application And Related Materials Needed To Renew The U.S. Forestry Service's 50-year, Special-Use Permit,And Appropriating Funds Action Memorandum 2023-014: Accepting A 2009 Ford Econoline Passenger Van Donation To The City Of Seward From The Boys And Girls Club Non-objection to the renewal of liquor license for Woody's Thai Kitchen #5239, Restaurant /Eating Place SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS, AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards Proclamation for Patriots Day was read by McClure and accepted by Mike Calhoon Proclamation for POW & MIA Recognition Day was read by Osenga and accepted by Mike Calhoon Proclamation for American Legion Day was read by McClure and accepted by Mike Calhoon City Manager Report City Manager Kat Sorensen said her first day of being the City Manager had gone very well so far. She said there were some grateful citizens for the fixed water main in Forest Acres. Sorensen invited Police Chief Alan Nickell to provide an update on the availability of rape kits. Police Chief Alan Nickell said he was meeting with local clinics to come up with solutions for the availability of rape kits in Seward. He was optimistic that a team of experts would be compiled and come up with a solution. Wells asked for details about a cancelled SEUAHC presentation by Alaska Energy Authority Director Curtis Thayer. Acting Utility General Manager Rob Montgomery said he had received an email from the chair of the SEUAHC to cancel the presentation. Montgomery felt Thayer would have been an ideal speaker due to his high level of expertise in the energy field. Wells requested Thayer present at a city council meeting if Thayer was still willing. Finch concurred. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 11, 2023 Volume 42,Page 393 City Clerk Report Deputy City Clerk Jodi Kurtz summarized from her clerk's report regarding the recent exchange visit from Obihiro,Japan. This group included both Obihiro citizens and city officials. City Attorney Report City Attorney Brooks Chandler said he was retiring soon and this was potentially his last appearance at a council meeting here in Seward. In terms of the past month,the city attorneys had worked on a variety on topics. Chandler noted Title 12 was extremely complicated and Chief Clinton Crites had done an amazing job of piecing all the building code requirements together. On another topic, Chandler had advised the City Clerk on the two referendum petitions to repeal resolutions 2023-088 and 2023-089. Lastly, there was an ongoing lawsuit with an abandoned vessel that Chandler hoped would be resolved soon. DeMoss asked for an update on the drug and alcohol testing policy. Chandler said in general the policy would be compared to the federal guidelines. DeMoss asked if there were different drug policies for different departments or job titles. Chandler said there could be unique requirements for safety sensitive positions. McClure thanked Chandler for his service as City Attorney. Other Reports and Announcements - None Presentations - None PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinances for Enactment Ordinance 2023-020:Amending Seward City Code Title 12—Building And Construction As Part Of The City's Recodification Project Motion (Osenga/DeMoss) Enact Ordinance 2023-020 Fire Chief Clinton Crites said this ordinance would bring the city up to all modern State of Alaska building codes and standards. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Phil Kaluza,inside city limits,said he greatly appreciated the work that went into updating the building codes. However,he encouraged council to look into Alaska Housing Financing code requirements,because the city code standards would not be eligible for financing. No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 11, 2023 Volume 42,Page 394 Wells asked city administration to respond to the comment about the Alaska Housing Financing code requirements. Crites said the requirements in city code were minimal, and it was up to the owner to invest more money into their project. Wells asked about construction loans. Crites said the city code would still allow for construction loans. Crites thanked City Attorney Brooks Chandler and Building Inspector Jeremy Rogers for their hard work on updating Title 12. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolutions Requiring Public Hearing Resolution 2023-099: Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into And Execute The Purchase And Sale Agreement And Related Documents With Seward City Tours For The Sale Of 1.40 Acres Of Land And The Related Improvements And Fixtures, Physical Address 905 Sea Lion Avenue, Parcel 1452608, In The Amount Of$290,000 Motion (DeMoss/Wells) Approve Resolution 2023-099 Assistant City Manager Jason Bidding said the discussion at the August 14, 2023 council meeting had resulted in city council directing administration to draft a resolution for the purchase and sale agreement. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Jonah Swiderski, outside city limits, was the owner of Seward City Tours. He thanked council for the discussion and all the public comments about this potential land sale. Swiderski wanted to mention the future developments and additional units that he would be building. This land was valuable for the community and Swiderski felt this was a good use of resources. Dough Schoessler, inside city limits, was supportive of Seward City Tours and the sale. Schessler reminded council of an issue with Dimond Boulevard driveway access to Sea Lion Avenue. No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed. Wells asked administration to speak to Schoessler's concern about the driveway. Bickling responded there were possible solutions in mind for the driveway access issue that would meet the city's needs. Finch noted Dimond Boulevard was already nightmare during busy school hours. Regis said most of Seward City Tours traffic would be during the summer when school was not in session. Public Works Director Doug Schoessler spoke to concerns about school traffic, turning angles, and driveway access. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 11,2023 Volume 42,Page 395 Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2023-104: Approving Amendment NO. 1 To The Asset Purchase Agreement Between the City of Seward and Homer Electric Association for the Sale of the City Electrical System, Subject to Voter Approval Motion (Osenga/DeMoss) Approve Resolution 2023-104 Chandler said there was very little that needed to be changed from the original contract. It updated the date of the election and the approval rating of the vote if the Charter was changed. 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 Action Memorandum 2023-013: Approving the City of Seward 2024 Legislative Priorities and Congressionally Designated Spending List (Postponed from August 28, 2023 meeting) Motion (already on the floor) Approve Action Memorandum 2023-013 Bickling provided a summary of the legislative priority guide. DeMoss said the guide was well received in Juneau,but the constructive criticism she had received was for the guide to feature less text and more upfront dollar amounts. Bickling noted the new items on the list included a harbormaster office, the heat loop project, and public safety buildings and some items did not yet have a dollar amount. McClure wanted to mention the numbered items were not listed in order of priority. Osenga wanted to remove item #9 regarding the airport because the maintenance was already being done and taken care of. DeMoss did not want to see the recreation center on the list at this time due to higher priorities. Finch asked if the Police Chief could give a status update on the community jail. Nickell said he foresaw the jail being shut down for other reasons such as short staffing. With only two current employees they could not operate a 24-hour-365-day facility.The Deputy Police Chief was working overtime to keep the jail open. McClure suggested items #3, #7 and #11 as key priorities. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 11, 2023 Volume 42, Page 396 Osenga suggested items #1, #4, #6, #7 as key priorities. Council gave direction to administration to remove item #9 completely and denote items #1, #3, #6, #7 and #11 and key priorities. The final list of would look like this with the top five key priorities in bold: • Continued Full Funding For The Construction And Maintenance Of The United States Army Corp Of Engineers Lowell Tunnel Outfall Diversion Structure. • Funding for the Construction Of A New Public Safety Facility, Including The Fire Department And Police Department. • Expansion Of Water/Sewer And Access Infrastructure Which Will Increase Construction Of New Residential Development Throughout City Limits. • Replacement Of Old Piping With New Ductile Iron Piping Throughout Seward. • Funding For The Construction Of A New Public Works Facility • Funding for the Construction Of A New Wastewater Treatment Facility. • Full Funding Of The Alaska Department Of Corrections To Return To 100% Funding Of The Operational Costs Associated With Operating The Seward Community Jail. • Seward Marine Industrial Center Infrastructure • Float Extension Project In The Harbor For Z Float. • Funding for the Construction Of A New Harbormaster Office. • Funding for the Completion Of The Heat Loop Project. • Sidewalk Replacement and Refurbishment Throughout The City of Seward Motion Passed Unanimous NEW BUSINESS Resolutions Long Bed Truck From Anchorage Chrysler Center Under The City Of Seward Procurement Process, With Associated Upfitting From Trailercraft Alaska In The Amount Not To Exceed $61 766 n na n ppropriat;ng T.unds Resolution 2023-106: Authorizing The City Manager To Purchase A New HV513 International Plow Truck Chassis From RWC International, LTD. And Sander Up-Build Package From Bob's Services, LLC, Plus 10% Contingency For A Total Amount Of$394,887.90 Utilizing The State Of Alaska Contract #CA2324-23 And Appropriating Funds Motion (DeMoss/Wells) Approve Resolution 2023-016 Schoessler said their current sander was near the end of its useful life. This was long overdue to get a new vehicle. The city would be lucky to receive it by 2025 and it was important to lock into the current prices. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 11,2023 Volume 42,Page 397 Regis noted the trucks had to be ordered in advance or the vehicles would be sold by the time the resolution was passed. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2023-103: Authorizing Signatures For All City Bank Accounts And Rescinding All Previous Resolutions In Conflict Herewith Motion (Osenga/Wells) Approve Resolution 2023-103 Sorensen explained the situation of recent personnel changes Motion to Amend Delete Stephen Sowell and Add Jason Bickling as Assistant City Manager Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Main Motion as Amended Unanimous OTHER NEW BUSINESS Recommend an applicant for the Seward City Seat on the Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB) Planning Commission Bickling said Troy Staggs had recently resigned from Planning&Zoning Commission due to attendance issues. However, Robert Ruffner from the KPB said Staggs had been a positive member of KPB Planning Commission with a great attendance record. McClure noted that someone serving on both planning commissions would have to choose when to vote either locally or at the borough. There was no objection from council to recommend Troy Staggs for the city seat on the borough Planning Commission. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Historic Preservation Meeting Minutes from May 11,2023 HYPER Financials Seward Electric Utility Ad Hoc Committee Minutes from August 21,2023 CITIZEN COMMENTS Phil Kaluza, inside city limits, wanted to speak to the cancelled presentation from Curtis Thayer.Kaluza said that guest presentations were not part of the SEUAHC mission statement from City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 11, 2023 Volume 42,Page 398 council.On another topic,Kaluza felt it was inappropriate for a council member to question a local lineman about the importance of a seat on the HEA board. Kaluza went through the HEA contract and could not find a guarantee about a Seward seat on the board. He also noted there was nothing in the contract for HEA to maintain the backup generators. Suzi Towsley, outside city limits, said she was the manager for Seward's Safe Harbor Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Program. They offered services in Seward and surrounding areas. She noted domestic violence awareness month was coming up in October and they would be doing training with the Seward Police Department. Towsley distributed a pamphlet of information for council to review. Doug Schoessler, inside city limits, said the Mile 0-8 construction project was moving along. Timing wise, the city Public Works Department also had big projects going on Ballaine Boulevard. He just wanted the public to remember that both Third Avenue and Ballaine were experiencing closures. Lynda Paquette, outside city limits, said the sale of an asset should not become personal or emotional. She noted a negative experience of serving on the SEUAHC.She felt that community members and ad hoc committee members alike had treated Rob Montgomery very poorly.Paquette recalled the challenges of pioneering live streaming council meetings which was now commonplace. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Sorensen thanked everyone for a great first day on the job. She thanked the community for the patience with all the road construction this summer. She thanked Chief Nickell for the updates on the staffing in the jail. Bickling thanked council for all their hard work and looked forward to working with them. Regis noted there were a lot of big changes in the city.He emphasized that everyone needed to be a team and work together. On another topic, Regis announced that American Legion Post 3 in Ketchikan had burned down. Finch thanked the Chief Nickell for the update on the jail. He thanked Suzi Towsley for her comments about sexual assault and domestic violence. Finch thanked the Police Department for working with local clinics and doctors to find a solution for the local issues with rape kits. Lastly, Finch questioned the power factor addition that was proposed by the SEUAHC. Wells welcomed Sorensen and Bickling to city administration. He thanked all the citizens for their comments. Calhoon spoke to the situation at the community jail. He said there were some untruths circulating,but he was confident that it would all be worked out. Calhoon said 100th anniversary of American legion was coming up. He thanked Brooks Chandler for all the work he had done as City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 11,2023 Volume 42,Page 399 City Attorney.Calhoon welcomed Sorensen and Bickling to city administration.He thanked Norm Regis for his service as Acting City Manager. Lastly, Calhoon thanked the Mayor for the proclamations tonight. DeMoss thanked Chandler for his service as City Attorney and congratulated him on his retirement. She thanked Towsley for her collaboration with the police department and hospitals. DeMoss thanked Rob Montgomery for all his work. DeMoss felt Sorensen and Bickling were a good team and would set a positive tone for city administration. Lastly, DeMoss was excited for the Seward City Tours land sale. Osenga welcomed Sorensen and Bickling to city administration and thanked Regis for his service as Acting City Manager. He wished Stephen Sowell luck on his future endeavors. He thanked everyone involved with the Obihiro exchange planning. Lastly,Osenga thanked Chandler for his work and thanked Towsley for her efforts. McClure thanked Sorensen, Bickling, Regis and Chandler. She noted the plastic grinding tour across the bay was very interesting. Seward was also hosting two conventions this month for State Realtors and a Pioneers of Alaska. McClure said there was a celebration of life for Lee Poleske in the library community room on September 14, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:27 p.m. Sim-"NriraL Kris Peck Sue McClure City Clerk Mayor (City Seal) ►•sss O f S E 181 jti''% v c° ro 3 E . SEAL ''•, r�OF A\-toss 11,,./11