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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10092023 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes October 9, 2023 Volume 42,Page 407 CALL TO ORDER The October 9, 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 biz-BeMess Mike Calhoon Randy Wells Kevin Finch Robert Barnwell comprising a quorum of the Council; and Kat Sorensen,City Manager Jason Bickling, Assistant City Manager Sam Severin,City Attorney Jodi Kurtz, Acting City Clerk Karen Corrigan, Executive Assistant to the City Clerk Excused—DeMoss Absent—None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Megs Testarmata,inside city limits,had concerns about the electric utility and would like the Seward Electric Utility Ad Hoc Committee to sit down with council and discuss the utility issues to make the rates more affordable. She also encouraged the city to have a utility board. Brad Snowden, inside city limits, encouraged the City of Seward to reach out to other cities around Alaska and see what they do for their electric utility. Snowden also spoke about making a bright and healthy future for Seward and hoped that Seward would have opportunities for our younger generation so they would not have to look elsewhere. Tim McDonald, inside city limits, spoke to the formation of a utility co-op, the weakness of a volunteer government, the importance of Seward as a seaport, and annexing Mile 8 into city limits to get more voters. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes October 9, 2023 Volume 42,Page 408 Motion (Wells/Osenga) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the September 25, 2023, City Council Meeting Minutes. Resolution 2023-113: Accepting and Appropriating Community Assistance Program Funds in the Amount of$107,070.85 for the Purpose of Capital Projects Related to Fire,Public Safety and Road Maintenance Resolution 2023-114: Urging The Alaska Legislature and Governor to Fully Fund The Municipal Harbor Facility Grant Program In The FY 2025 State Capital Budget Certify the results of the October 3, 2023, Regular Municipal Election Appoint Melissa Schutter to the Port and Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB)with a term set to expire July 2026. SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS, AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards Proclamation for Fire Prevention Week October 8`h-14th was read by Mayor McClure and received by Deputy Fire Chief Kate McCoy. City Manager Report City Manager Kat Sorensen said the Seward Seahawks High School cross-country and football teams brought State trophies home this weekend. Sorensen informed everyone that she had joined the Alaska Sealife Center Board. On other topics, the heat loop project received the grant money to start the planning process for the data collection and modeling.The City's Touch- a-Truck event was held this past weekend, and the upcoming event was the Nerf War on Oct 21, 2023 at the library. Assistant City Manager Jason Bickling said was an exciting and busy weekend for the Seward Seahawks. City Attorney Report City Attorney Sam Severen shared with the council how he loved to solve problems that came up. Recently a Seward police vehicle was up in Anchorage for repair with an original quote of$7,000 but when the vehicle was finished the vendor wanted $12,000. Severin sent a demand letter and then showed up with a check for$7,000 and was able to leave with the vehicle. Other Reports and Announcements City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes October 9, 2023 Volume 42,Page 409 Presentations Presentation by Ristine Casagranda on the Brown &Hawkins Historic Building Update Presentation by Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor, Peter Micciche on the Proposed Eastern Peninsula Emergency Service Area Council recessed the meeting at 7:56pm Council resumed the meeting at 8:03pm UNFINISHED BUSINESS Resolution 2023-112: Scheduling a Special Election to Repeal Resolution 2023-88 and Resolution 2023-89 to be held Tuesday, November 28, 2023. (This resolution failed on September 25, 2023, and a reconsideration was submitted to the city clerk by Council Member Barnwell on September 26, 2023. A 2/3 vote is required to get the resolution back on the floor) Motion to Reconsider (Osenga/Barnwell) Reconsider Resolution 2023-112 Administration recommended that council reconsider this resolution. Sorensen explained how the timeline submissions and regulations and printing didn't allow for Resolution 2023-88 and Resolution 2023-89 to be on the same ballot. The results from the regular election would not be affected by this action. Motion to Reconsider Passed Unanimous Sorensen recommended repealing the original Resolutions 2023-088 and Resolution 2023- 089 and said this was the best way to move forward. It would avoid a special election in November and,per city code, there would be a two year wait time before these measures could come back. Severen stated the two options were: Council to repeal what was being sought by petition or put it on the ballot at a special election. Given the unique situation, Severen was satisfied with the solution of repealing the resolutions. Mayor McClure moved to amend the title of Resolution 2023-112 to read "To Repeal Resolution 2023-088 and Resolution 2023-089". Motion to Amend (McClure/Wells) Amend Resolution 2023-112 To Replace All Mention Of A Special Election With Repealing The Resolutions 2023-088 And 2023-089 Main Motion as Amended Passed Unanimous NEW BUSINESS `a, Other New Business City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes October 9,2023 Volume 42,Page 410 Discuss Travel to Anchorage for The Alaska Municipal League Conference in December Wells, McClure and Barwell expressed interest in attending the conference. Discuss Rescheduling Council Retreat from December 2,2023,To A Date in January 2024 McClure suggests everyone check their calendars for the month of January 2024 and directed Sorensen to send out a poll to council members to choose dates. Discussion on City Parking Lots Park & Recreation Deputy Director Tyler Mallory discussed different pricing for parking and how his findings compared to Homer and Whitter. Mallory provided information on parking permits, fine schedules, implementation, staffing, and how it would benefit the city. McClure suggested a council work session to talk about parking. City council directed administration to work with the Parks & Recreation Department to schedule a work session for this topic. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Boards and Commissions Minutes Planning&Zoning Commission P&Z July 11, 2023, Meeting Minutes P&Z August 1, 2023,Meeting Minutes Port&Commerce Advisory Board May 3, 2023, PACAB Meeting Minutes CITIZEN COMMENTS Albe Tatum,outside city limit,spoke in the opposition of the idea to the Eastern Peninsula Emergency Service Area. Tatum felt the local Seward Volunteer Ambulance Core (SVAC) met the needs of the Seward community. Tim McDonald, inside city limits, reiterated that Seward had issues with the volunteer government system. He felt there should be full-time council members who aren't working at their regular day jobs. McDonald Encouraged everyone to work together. Karen Corrigan,inside city limits, spoke in opposition to the proposed Eastern Peninsula Emergency Service Area. Corrigan felt the local SVAC knew the area and met the needs of the Seward community. Becky Dunn, inside city limits, thanked fire department personnel. She was hoping to get an answer on when the ladder truck would be working. Dunn noted that all volunteer organizations looked for more help and would provide the necessary training. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes October 9, 2023 Volume 42, Page 411 COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Sorensen thanked Severen and council for working through confusing resolutions and Melissa Schutter for her application for PACAB. Sorensen said Schutter would be a great addition to PACAB. Barnwell said he was excited to serve another three years on council and thanked the voters and the support.He felt the current system of city council was a good system for Seward. Barnwell didn't understand why there were so many negative comments and mistrust among the volunteer council members. He noted council members all tried hard to do their best. Barnwell noted the Eastern Peninsula Emergency Service Area was intriguing,and he was looking forward to learning more about it. Barnwell also looked forward to rebuilding Seward Electric. Finch congratulated the Seward Seahawk football players and coaches,and thanked S V AC for doing an amazing job and knew the community appreciated them. Calhoon congratulated the Seward Seahawk sport teams. He thanked the local emergency responder volunteers for their service. Calhoon said the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 5 had their 100th anniversary dinner where they raised money for Toys for Tots program. Calhoon noted there were still two vacancies on the Planning&Zoning Commission and noted the importance of the boards and commissions. He congratulated Bob Barnwell and Julie Crites for their election to council, and sent his farewell wishes to DeMoss. Osenga congratulated the Seward Seahawks football team and girls Cross-Country Running team. He thanked our local first responder volunteers for their service. He also agreed with Barnwell about the amount of negative citizen comments and how it wears down the council. No one on council had any hidden agendas, and it would be nice to feel more appreciated. Osenga congratulated Barnwell and Crites on the election and said farewell to DeMoss. McClure stated it was awesome to have the high school sports teams doing so well. McClure also congratulated Barnwell and Crites on the election results. McClure wished DeMoss was here tonight to say goodbye. McClure also emphasized the importance of being on the Planning & Zoning Commission. McClure noted that the citizens were passionate about issues, but it was nice to hear positive comments too. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:18 p.m. ����yi''GRPPO� ��,1: Jodi urtz11-4-{ EiLd °f c' Fp Sue McClure Acting City Clerk • ;1 SEAL ; • Svlayor (City Seal) i ? --� l