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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11272023 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 27, 2023 Volume 42, Page 425 CALL TO ORDER The November 27,2023 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 Randy Wells 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 Excused—Finch Absent—None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Skip Reierson, inside city limits, spoke to the cash flow loses of the electric utility prior to the May 2023 Special Election. He felt the sale would have been approved if the voters were made aware of these issues prior to the May election. Christiana Smith, outside city limits, spoke to the classes and opportunities available in regard to tonight's Work Session with Youth 360. Currently, students in high school would have to take additional classes in order to graduate. Tim McDonald, inside city limits, spoke in support of Resolution 2024-124 regarding the Brown & Hawkins CLG grant. Lynda Paquette, outside city limits, spoke to some complexities regarding the Brown & Hawkins CLG grant. On another topic,she said she was available for questions regarding PACAB list of work session topics. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 27, 2023 Volume 42,Page 426 Motion(Osenga/Wells) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the November 13, 2023, City Council Regular Meeting Minutes The Introduction of Ordinance 2023-021: An Ordinance Of The City Council Of The City Of Seward, Alaska, Amending Seward City Code Section 11.15.130— Paid Parking To Establish A Fine Resolution 2023-127: Accepting And Appropriating Funds From The State Of Alaska, Public Library Assistance Grant Program,In The Amount Of$7,000 To Provide Materials And Programs At The Seward Community Library And Matching Funds Resolution 2023-128: Expressing Support For Seward Community Health Center Building A New Clinic At 431-501 First Avenue, Seward, Alaska Resolution 2023-129: Authorizing The City Manager To Purchase From Southern States, LLC, A Three-Phase Horizontal Circuit Switch In The Not-To-Exceed Amount Of$155,550, Including Shipping, For Installation In Seward's Lawing Substation Near Moose Pass Resolution 2023-130: Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Purchase Agreement With SHI For The Purchase Of Scale Computing Systems Servers For The Police Department, In The Amount Of$41,250.82 Resolution 2023-131: A Resolution Of The Seward Port And Commerce Advisory Board Recommending City Council Approval Of The 2023 Seward Boat Harbor Plan Non-objection to the new liquor license for Stoney Creek Tap House#6167, Brewery Non-objection to the new liquor license for Stoney Creek Cider House#6168, Winery SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS,AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards- None City Manager Report City Manager Kat Sorensen noted the report in the packet was a previous report and the correction had been provided as a laydown. Sorensen provided an update on the city job openings being posted on the website. She addressed the library's closures due to sever staffing shortage. Sorensen emphasized it was a top priority to get the library open again.On another topic, Sorensen thanked city staff members Shannon Thorn, Tammy Nickell, and Alan Nickell for the holiday decorations in city hall. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 27, 2023 Volume 42,Page 427 Calhoon asked for an update on the electric infrastructure project. McClure asked about the cost of the fuel it took to run the generators during the recent power outage. Sorensen responded it cost roughly$250,000 to$300,000 for three days of running the generators. McClure asked if that cost of running the generators would be eligible for emergency funding. Sorensen said she had contacted the Kenai Peninsula Borough and found out it was not eligible for emergency funding. Other Reports and Announcements Presentations Presentation on the Trip Highlights of the Seward Delegation to Obihiro, Japan PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolutions Requiring Public Hearing Resolution 2023-125: Recommending Kenai Peninsula Borough Approval of the Preliminary Plat of Fort Raymond Subdivision,Replat Number 1,Lot 10A; Located at 905 Sea Lion Ave;Creating Fort Raymond Subdivision, Replat Number 7, Lots 10A-1 and 10A-2 Motion (Osenga/Calhoon) Approve Resolution 2023-125 Bickling said this replat was in regard to the land sale to Seward City Tours. This replat had been approved by Planning &Zoning and was brought before council tonight. 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 Resolution 2023-126: Recommending Kenai Peninsula Borough Approval of the Preliminary Plat of Fort Raymond Subdivision,Replat Number 5,Lot 6A-4;Located at 605 Sea Lion Ave;Creating Fort Raymond Subdivision, Replat Number 6, Lots 6A-5 and 6A-6 Motion (Calhoon/Osenga) Approve Resolution 2023-126 Acting Community Development Director Courtney Bringhurst said the replat would divide the two uses that were currently sharing a parcel. The use of the electric building and the baseball field would remain the same and the property ownership would remain the same. 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. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 27,2023 Volume 42,Page 428 Motion Passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS Resolutions Resolution 2023-124: Supporting The Brown & Hawkins Fire Suppression System Project For The Historical Building Located At 205,207&209 Fourth Avenue And Recommending The City Manager Accept And Administer Federal Funding Provided By The Alaska Department Of Natural Resources (This resolution failed on November 13, 2023. The next day Council Member Barnwell filed a reconsideration with the City Clerk. This resolution will require a 2/3 vote to get back on the floor.) Motion to Reconsider(Barnwell/Wells) Reconsider Resolution 2023-124 Barnwell said he immediately regretted his vote from the previous meeting. He felt the topic was worth a deeper discussion. Motion Passed Unanimous Motion (Already on the Floor) Approve Resolution 2023-124 Osenga said the sprinkler system was a good idea overall,however he didn't feel this CLG grant was the proper channel.The city did not have any involvement with the building and Osenga felt the improvements should be entirely up to the owner. He did not support the resolution or the precedent it would set. Wells asked for clarification from the city administrative perspective.Sorensen said Brown & Hawkins was on the historic register along with 12 other buildings that were also privately owned. Approving this resolution would set a precedent moving forward. Wells asked for clarification on the CLG grant. Sorensen said the CLG grant was typically applied for by the city rather than a private individual. Osenga noted the pass through would be given to a private business that was completely out of the city's hand. He felt it would be a bad precedent. Crites said other states had CLG grants that allowed pass-through grants to a private entity. However, there were many protocols and guidelines in place. She wanted a detailed policy to be set in place in the future. Barnwell said the project was supported by many agencies and professionals and he trusted their advice. He felt there would be very little work involved for the city.Barnwell suggested some possible guidelines in place for future CLG grant opportunities. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 27, 2023 Volume 42,Page 429 Wells confirmed that the city would only be issuing funds based on receipts of the work being completed. Osenga was concerned about a lack of policies and procedures in place. He wanted more regulations in place before the city would approve such a resolution. McClure noted the previous CLG grant for the historic walking tour signs. She asked how much work it was for the city to manage that grant. Wells asked City Administration about the deadline for this grant. Sorensen said the October deadline had already passed,but permission had been granted to extend the deadline based on the council's decision. Crites noted CLG grants went back to the 1960s on Seward's legislative history site and provided examples. Calhoon noted if the project was never finished,then the money would never be disbursed. The city would not even have the money. Sorensen confirmed it was done on a reimbursement basis. Motion Passed Yes: Barnwell, Crites, Calhoon, Wells, McClure No: Osenga Council recessed the meeting at 8:01 p.m. Council resumed the meeting at 8:07 p.m. NEW BUSINESS Resolutions Resolution 2023-132: Adopting the Municipal Lands Inventory and Management Plan — 2023 Update Motion (Osenga/Calhoon) Approve Resolution 2023-132 Bringhurst provided a summary of the minor updates that had been incorporated into this version of the management plan. The map boundaries had been updated and minor details to the parcels had been changed. Calhoon asked about Map#4 in regard to the city hall annex. He noted the retention status and the statement didn't seem to match. Aside from that, he was supportive of the plan. Administration confirmed that typo could be fixed with a simple housekeeping measure. Motion Passed Unanimous City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 27, 2023 Volume 42, Page 430 OTHER NEW BUSINESS Discussion PACAB Work Session Topic Priorities Bickling summarized the possible work session topics and addressed how PACAB would potentially be involved. Council discussed the topics and prioritized the following topics: • Alternative Energy Sources: Hydro and Tidal • Comprehensive Plan& Strategic Plan • South Harbor Uplands Development including Harbormaster Building • Wastewater Treatment Options Cancel the December 27, 2023 Regular Council Meeting McClure said council generally cancelled the second meeting in December. Motion (Calhoon/Wells) Cancel the December 27, 2023 Regular Council Meeting Motion Passed Unanimous Discuss postponing the December 11,2023 Regular Council Meeting to December 18, 2023 Motion (Osenga/Calhoon) Postpone the December 11, 2023 Regular Council Meeting to December 18,2023 Sorensen explained that the Alaska Municipal League conference in Anchorage next week would make it difficult to prepare for a council meeting on December 11, 2023. Motion Passed Unanimous Appoint a city representative on the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association (CIAA) Board of Directors with a term to expire May 2024 Motion (Barnwell/Osenga) Appoint Chance Miller As City Representative On The Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association (CIAA) Board Of Directors With A Term To Expire May 2024 McClure noted that Barnwell was the previous CIAA representative. Barnwell recommended Chance Miller and said he would be a great fit. Motion Passed Unanimous City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 27, 2023 Volume 42,Page 431 CITIZEN COMMENTS Lynda Paquette, outside city limits, spoke as the PACAB vice chair. She explained that PACAB would be willing to look at the electric billing rates to see why they were so complicated. On another topic, Paquette suggested council create an ad hoc committee to help unite Seward between inside and outside city limits. Tim McDonald, inside city limits, compared the CLG grant to the Developer Reimbursement Program. McDonald also addressed the confusing city limit lines along Nash Road. He hoped a bike path could be implemented along Nash Road because riding alongside traffic was scary. Lastly, McDonald spoke to the city electric utility and the future of alternative energy. Alan Nickell, outside city limits, wanted to thank city employees Jessica Saur and Misha Simpson for also helping with the holiday decorations around city hall. Becky Dunn, inside city limits, thanked the city manager for the new link on the city website to the city job openings. Dunn encouraged the city to post their job openings on other websites as well.Dunn wanted to see the salaries increased for certain electric department positions by at least 20%. Dunn noted that she felt welcome at council meetings whether she happened to be residing inside or outside the city limits. Norm Regis, outside city limits, gave kudos to his harbor crew for saving a boat that was drifting helplessly out the bay. In regard to tonight's executive session, Regis spoke highly of Kris Peck as the new City Clerk. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Sorensen thanked the police chief for the additional shout outs for holiday decorations. She provided an update on the invasive choke cherry tree removals that had been taking place around town. Bickling appreciated the American Legion and the food bank for their efforts during Thanksgiving. Bickling noted food scarcity was a real thing in Seward. Crites thanked everyone for their comments tonight. She appreciated the discussion on the reconsideration of Resolution 2023-124. Barnwell thanked Mike Calhoon and the American Legion for all the meals they served over Thanksgiving. Barnwell thanked Andrew Scrivo for the Youth 360 presentation at the work session earlier tonight.Barnwell mentioned he had traveled to Obihiro with the delegation and was floored by his experience in Japan. He thanked everyone who contributed to the Obihiro presentation tonight. In regard to the Seward Journal's final issue,Barnwell would miss the single source for news in Seward. Lastly Barnwell said appreciated the city crews for all holiday lights and decorations. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 27, 2023 Volume 42, Page 432 Calhoon echoed previous comments and kudos.He announced the American Legion Santa 16, 2023 and was open to everyone. On Christmas Day, the Claus event would be on Decemberp ry American Legion would host a community meal and deliver meals as well.Calhoon spoke to other opportunities and organizations that helped provide Christmas dinners. Calhoon wished everyone a safe holiday season. Wells read a prepared statement regarding the proposed sale of the electric utility. In his statement, Wells said the Seward Electric Utility Ad Hoc Committee spread disinformation, as well as vilified Rob Montgomery, City Council and City Administration. Wells also spoke to recent correspondence and testimony from private citizens regarding the sale. In closing, Wells hoped to bring the Seward Electric Utility up to a high standard in 2024. Osenga appreciated the holiday lights around town. He thanked the Obihiro delegation for their presentation tonight. He recalled visiting Obihiro while in high school and it was the most mystical,awe-inspiring trip. He encouraged Seward High School students to apply for the Obihiro exchange in 2024. On another topic,Osenga said the Shop Small Saturday event was a big success. McClure echoed previous comments and thank-yous.She noted there were several holiday events and musical events coming up. The Seward Museum was currently decorated for the holidays, although it was not open to the public. EXECUTIVE SESSION Per Seward City Code 2.10.033(E)(2): Subjects that tend to prejudice the reputation and character of any person, provided the person may request a public discussion— City Clerk Initial Evaluation after 180 days Motion (McClure/Calhoon) Go into Executive Session for City Clerk Initial Evaluation Motion Passed Unanimous The City Clerk invited the City Manager and Assistant City Manager to stay. Council went into Executive Session at 9:03 p.m. Council came out of Executive Session 9:22 p.m. McClure said they had a discussion and provided the City Clerk with an initial evaluation. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:22 p.m. �.••'pf S E{v''% au-r ir�, .r� Kris Peck ,����• Oq .4% Sue McClure City Clerk j ••'c' FO°• S Mayor (City Seal) : • i SEAL . - '11, ri- OFP\-