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Home My WebLink About10232023 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes October 23, 2023 Volume 42,Page 412 CALL TO ORDER The October 23, 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 Mike Calhoon Robert Barnwell Kevin Finch Julie Crites comprising a quorum of the Council; and Kat Sorensen, City Manager Jason Bickling, Assistant City Manager Kris Peck, City Clerk Sam Severin, City Attorney(telephonically) Excused—Wells Absent—None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Bob Linville, inside city limits, provided an update on the PACAB heat loop committee and their upcoming meeting schedule. The general goal was to heat city buildings with heat generated from the ocean. Tim McDonald, inside city limits, spoke to the importance of quality of life for all Seward residents and the surrounding area. He wanted Seward to take advantage of alternative energy opportunities. McDonald was concerned the Lowell Point Sewage Lagoon had a negative impact on the fish in Resurrection Bay. Bruce Jaffa, outside city limits, spoke in support of Resolution 2023-116 regarding the grant for the heat pump project. He also spoke to the poor organization of the Seward Highway construction projects this summer. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA r•• Motion (Calhoon/Osenga) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes October 23, 2023 Volume 42,Page 413 Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the October 9, 2023 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Resolution 2023-116:Authorizing the City Manager to accept the Seward Geothermal Heat Pump Project Grant #DE-EE0010668 in the amount of $192,150.00 from the Office of Energy and Efficiency& Renewable Energy of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)for Federal Renewable Energy Research & Development and Authorizing a City In-Kind and Cost Share of$20,760.00 for a Total Project Cost of$212,910.00 and Appropriating Funds Resolution 2023-117: Adopting Personnel Policy#2023-07: City Drug And Alcohol Policy Resolution 2023-118: Authorizing the City Manager to Enter Into An Agreement With Premier Construction, LLC to Resurface Alice, Marathon, and Harborside Campgrounds in the Amount Of$44,340.13 SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATION,AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards Proclamation for Seward Seahawks Football Team was read by Mayor McClure and accepted by Coach Tyler Mallory. City Manager Report City Manager Kat Sorensen said she had been on some interesting facility tours over the past two weeks.Last week Sorensen met with other Alaskan city managers and discussed a variety of issues in an informal, yet informative way. Sorensen confirmed that Saturday, January 6, 2024 would be the date for the city council retreat. Sorensen noted she would be flying out to Obihiro, Japan tomorrow night as part of the Seward delegation. Police Chief Alan Nickell said a veterinarian from Anchor Point would be at the Seward Animal Shelter next Saturday to provide immunization and wellness checks.Nickell wanted a sign at the shelter to honor Alice Pickett in the same format as the historic walking tour signs. Nickell spoke to the staff shortage at the community jail. Nickell said they had received one applicant, but two were needed in order to re-open the jail. Presentations—None PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolutions Requiring Public Hearing City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes October 23, 2023 Volume 42,Page 414 Resolution 2023-115: Determining it is in the Public's Interest, and Necessary,to Proceed with the Formation of an Assessment District for Lots 15-18, Block 8 of the Gateway Subdivision 2022 Lindquist Addition Motion (Osenga/Calhoon) Approve Resolution 2023-115 Assistant City Manager Jason Bickling said the agreement needed to be set up so potential buyers would know the approximate amount of money required for improvements. 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. Calhoon noted this would have been a good idea for the Afognak neighborhood that was the recent subject of an improvement district petition. Motion Passed Unanimous NEW BUSINESS Other New Business Discuss Heat Loop Ad-Hoc Committee with update from Bruce Jaffa and Mary Tougas PACAB Heat Loop Ad Hoc Committee Chair Bruce Jaffa provided an update on the heat loop project. He noted the Seward community had one of the strongest advocacy groups for heat loop technology. Jaffa advocated for the continuation of the heat loop committee beyond 2023. Motion (McClure/Osenga) Extend Heat Loop Ad Hoc Committee thru February 2025 Barnwell supported the heat loop committee. Motion Passed Unanimous • Organization of City Council: Nominate,elect,and swear in a council member as Vice Mayor with a term to expire October 2024 Motion (Calhoon/Barnwell) Nominate John Osenga as Vice Mayor with a term to expire October 2024 Motion Passed Non-Objection from Council City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes October 23, 2023 Volume 42,Page 415 Appoint a liaison to the Seward Community Health Center with a term to expire October 2024 No appointment was made for liaison to the Seward Community Health Center. Appoint a liaison to the Planning& Zoning Commission with a term to expire October 2024 No appointment was made for liaison to the Planning&Zoning Commission. CITIZEN COMMENTS Bruce Jaffa,outside city limits,was grateful that was Seward was such a nice community. As the current chair of PACAB,Jaffa noted the their agenda packets used to be much larger in size with heavier topics. He hoped to re-energize PACAB work sessions and topics and encouraged city council to direct PACAB to delve into topics. Kari Boulden, outside city limits, noted the board and commission attendance tracking sheets included in the city manager report. She hoped a similar tracking sheet could be included for city council member attendance. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Sorensen thanked the heat loop committee for their hard work. She clarified some details on the drug and alcohol policy that was passed tonight. Sorensen said the Seward Highway construction would be wrapping up next week. Bickling thanked the heat loop ad hoc committee for their efforts. The Department of Energy was very interested in the heat loop project. Bickling said there would be very little cash contribution at the end due to in-kind donations. Barnwell was excited about the heat loop committee's progress.He thanked Tyler Mallory for his work on parking enforcement. Barnwell was grateful to have been selected for the Obihiro trip and was excited to fly to Japan tomorrow. Crites was very proud of Tyler Mallory for his coaching of the Seahawks football team. She thanked the police chief for recruiting a veterinarian for the animal shelter. Finch gave a shout out to the Seahawks football team for their winning season. He thanked the police chief for bringing in a veterinarian to the animal shelter. Finch thought the heat loop project was interesting. Calhoon congratulated the Seahawks Football team and thanked the heat loop committee. Calhoon noted that large sections of land across the bay were potentially open for development. He wondered if Nash Road could be upgraded to accommodate future development. Lastly, he noted an upcoming Veterans Program at the Elementary School. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes October 23, 2023 Volume 42,Page 416 Osenga congratulated the Seahawk football team on their season. Osenga congratulated Crites and Barnwell on their election to council. He said it was truly an honor to be vice-mayor of city council. McClure congratulated the Seahawk football team. Last Thursday, Resurrection Bay Historical Society (RBHS) had an exciting time opening a time capsule. RBHS was currently accepting new items for the next time capsule. McClure noted Vic Fischer had passed away at 99 years old and he was the last surviving signer of Alaska's constitution. Lastly, McClure was looking forward to the Christmas lights to brighten up the winter darkness. Calhoon wished everyone a safe Halloween on Tuesday. Council recessed the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Council resumed the meeting at 8:11 p.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION A. Per Seward City Code 2.10.033E(1): Matters,the immediate knowledge of which would clearly have an adverse effect upon the finances of the public entity; (3): Matters which by law, municipal Charter, or ordinances are required to be confidential- Provide direction to City Attorney on handling of Case No. 3SW-23-00046CI Motion (Osenga/Calhoon) Go Into Executive Session To Provide Direction To City Attorney On Handling Of Case No.3SW-23-00046CI Motion Passed Unanimous City Attorney Sam Severin was invited to join telephonically. The City Manager and Assistant City Manager were invited to stay. Council went into executive session at 8:14 p.m. Council came out of executive session at 8:32 p.m. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m. Kris Peck Sue McClure City Clerk %�•.�`S E' ••,,� Mayor • :Q o qR00,0 (City Seal) *•o`0 TFG�o - S L • ,�STg7'E OF P\'.s`ss jr�418aelittO ♦