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Home My WebLink About01082024 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes January 8, 2024 Volume 42, Page 443 CALL TO ORDER The January 8, 2024, 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 Kris Peck, City Clerk Jodi Kurtz, Deputy City Clerk Sam Severin, City Attorney Excused—None Absent—None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Russ White,outside city limits,spoke as an employee for Parks&Recreation.He provided updates on upcoming city events, sports leagues, and activities. Brad Snowden, inside city limits, spoke to his recent experience of his electricity being turned off. He encouraged everyone to do all things with love. On another topic, Snowden spoke to a bear being killed by police outside his house. He encouraged all city residents to use bear- proof trash containers. Mica Van Buskirk, inside city limits, spoke to the 2024 fee schedule. She hoped the increased campground fees could go towards the future community recreation center. Van Buskirk also suggested this money go into a Parks& Recreation fund rather than the general fund. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Osenga/Calhoon) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes January 8,2024 Volume 42,Page 444 Motion Passed Unanimous111 The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the December 18, 2023 City Council Meeting Minutes Resolution 2024-002: Adopting An Alternative Allocation Method For The FY2024 Shared Fisheries Business Tax Program, And Certifying That This Allocation Method Fairly Represents The Distribution Of Significant Effects Of Fisheries Business Activity In The Cook Inlet Fisheries Management Area And Authorizing The City Manager To Apply For Funds From The Shared Fisheries Business Tax Program Non-Objection to the Transfer of the Controlling Interest from James Pruitt to Tracie Williams for the Liquor License for Gateway Liquor& Food Mart SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS,AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards Proclamation for Seward High School Seahawks Wrestling Team was read by Vice Mayor Osenga City Manager Report City Manager Kat Sorensen provided an update on the 2024 legislative priorities and said the brand new 2024 guides had just been printed. She provided an update on the Matanuska Electric Association operating contract and said a housing issue for MEA had been solved. Sorensen announced the Finance Department had implemented net metering billing. There would be a new and detailed finance report featured in the second council meeting of each month.Lastly, Sorensen recently enjoyed participating in a Parks &Recreation indoor soccer game. Calhoon asked if a specific city position was in charge of the meter reading. Sorensen responded that the meter reading duties had been transferred to the Electric Department. Wells asked for more information on the Seward rate case listed in the City Manager Report. City Attorney Sam Severin explained that his law office was looking into Chugach Electric Association's rate request on Seward and whether it was reasonable. The issue involved wholesale power and there would be a more comprehensive update in the coming months. City Clerks Report City Clerk Kris Peck said the Clerk's Office annual statistics for public record requests and city business licenses were bolstered by some colorful pie-charts and graphs. There was also a commemorative poster of all the 2023 council packets. City Attorney Report City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes January 8, 2024 Volume 42,Page 445 City Attorney Sam Severin provided information on public record requests pertaining to personal cellphones. He enjoyed working with the Clerk's Office on a variety of issues. Severin cautioned against poorly written contracts and provided examples of specific wording to be aware of. Other Reports and Announcements Presentations -None PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolutions Requiring Public Hearing Resolution 2024-001: Adopting The Calendar Year 2024 City of Seward Tariff for Electric, Water, & Sewer Motion (Osenga/Calhoon) Approve Resolution 2024-001 Sorensen introduced the resolution and noted the Finance Director was in attendance tonight if there were any additional questions. 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 asked about water metering.Finance Director Sully Jusino said the city was still working on a water rates study. Finch asked about the deadlines for billing. He felt the current schedule was an inconvenient date for fixed income residents to pay their bills. He wanted to add 15 days beyond the due date to accept payments. Osenga felt that extending the billing cycle would create a snowball effect of late payments.Jusino said the city had payment plans in place and was working with citizens on a case-by-case basis. Motion Passed Yes: Osenga, Calhoon, Barnwell, Crites, Wells, McClure No: Finch UNFINISHED BUSINESS Resolutions Resolution 2023-139: Authorizing the City Manager to Enter Into a Contract With T2 Upsafety For The Purchase of Parking Enforcement Software and Equipment for 3 Years For A Total Cost Of$37,021.00 And Partnering With Upsafety For Collections Services and Appropriating Funds City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes January 8,2024 Volume 42,Page 446 (This resolution was postponed on December 18, 2023) Motion (Already on the Floor) Approve Resolution 2023-139 Sorensen noted the Parks & Recreation Department had researched the use of automated parking gates. She recommended the approval of this resolution now and then work on a larger plan later down the road. Wells thanked administration and the departments for doing the research on automated gates. Motion Passed Unanimous Council recessed the meeting at 7:40 p.m. Council resumed the meeting at 7:45 p.m. Resolution 2023-134: Adopting the Calendar Year 2024 City of Seward Fee Schedule (This resolution was postponed on December 18, 2023) Motion (Already on the Floor) Approve Resolution 2023-134 Sorensen said there were several city department heads in attendance tonight to introduce their particular section of the fee schedule. Police Chief Alan Nickell said his staff had done a deep dive into animal shelter fees and applied what they had learned into the city of Seward fee schedule.He said the city was not making a profit,but rather trying to keep up with the expenses. City Clerk Kris Peck said the mobile vending fees were based on the suggestions from a Planning& Zoning Work Session. Acting Community Development Director Courtney Bringhurst addressed the fee increases for Community Development. Fire Chief Clinton Crites said the fees were being adjusted to reflect the true time spent by staff. He was trying to cover the costs of the inspections. Crites addressed the false alarm systems and how they were handled. Lastly, Crites felt the explosive permit fees were spot on. Parks & Recreation Director Melanie Hauze addressed the fees for seasonal parking in the harbor. She said the revenue would go towards paving the South Harbor Uplands parking lot. Bringhurst also addressed the City Cemetery fee schedule and explained the costs of the columbaria. Bringhurst explained the fees would help cover the costs of cemetery surveys,ground penetrating radar and general maintenance. The cost of the permit was essential for funding the maintenance of the cemetery. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes January 8, 2024 Volume 42,Page 447 After discussion among council, the following amendments were made to the 2024 fee schedule: Parking: Seasonal Permits for Harbor Employees $60 Parking: 0-2 hours in the North and South Lots is free Parking: After 2 hours in the North and South Lots the fee is $10 per 24 hours Cemetery: Burial Permits Full Size Plot (casket) $250 Main Motion as Amended Passed Yes: Osenga, Calhoon, Barnwell, Crites, Wells,McClure No: Finch Council recessed the meeting at 9:15 p.m. Council resumed the meeting 9:19 p.m. NEW BUSINESS Resolutions Resolution 2024-003: Authorizing The City Manager To Purchase Motorola Radios And Related Equipment From Procomm Alaska, With Associated Installation, Equipment And Programming To Include A 10% Contingency In An Amount Not To Exceed$393,356.99 Motion (Calhoon/Osenga) Approve Resolution 2024-003 Substitute Version Sorensen spoke to the substitute version of the resolution and clarified the funds would be coming from the General Fund, rather than the Motor Pool fund. This resolution would be purchasing radios for various city personnel rather than being strictly for vehicles. Fire Chief Clinton Crites spoke to the necessity of getting new radios and buying them all at once to get it taken care of. Police Chief Alan Nickell estimated there were a lot of old radios in use that were simply not working properly due to their age. Radios were a vital lifeline, and this was a very important purchase. Motion Passed Unanimous Other New Business Set The Timing For The 2024 Annual Evaluations For The City Attorney, City Clerk, And City Manager L.... Council made the following determinations: The City Attorney would be evaluated on Monday,February 12, 2024. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes January 8, 2024 Volume 42, Page 448 The Tabulation Team would consist of Osenga and Barnwell. The City Manager would have her initial evaluation on Tuesday, March 26, 2024. There would be no tabulation team for the initial evaluation. The City Clerk would be evaluated on for Tuesday, March 26, 2024 The Tabulation Team would consist of Wells and Crites Select A Council Member To Join The Mayor And Administration For A Lobbying Trip To Juneau From March 5 To 8,2024 Vice Mayor Osenga expressed interest in joining the lobbying trip. There was no objection from council. CITIZEN COMMENTS —None COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Sorensen thanked council for a collaborative evening on the 2024 fee schedule. Barnwell, Crites, Wells, Osenga and Finch all congratulated the Seward Seahawks wrestling team. Calhoun echoed congrats to Seward Seahawks wrestling team. He asked for a council Work Session to discuss the Motor Pool. He encouraged everyone to be safe and have fun during the Polar Bear Jump Off Festival. Mayor McClure congratulated the Seward Seahawks wrestlers. She recalled the limited sports options when she was in high school. She mentioned the Seward Museum would be open on Saturdays again. McClure was excited for the Polar Bear Jump Off Festival this week. Lastly, McClure encouraged everyone to adopt a cat from the Seward Animal Shelter. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:39 p.m. Kris eck Sue McClure City Clerk el 1SEiv,�••• Mayor • (City Seal) • SJ%).051047. TO`• Zs +r" SEAL ...�— i ,..� •• '.,. Oa S �iV �...5��