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Home My WebLink About01222024 City Council MinutesCity of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes January 22, 2024 Volume 42,Page 449 CALL TO ORDER The January 22, 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 Mike Calhoon Randy Wells Kevin-Fineh Robert Barnwell Julie Crites comprising a quorum of the Council; and Kat Sorensen, City Manager Jason Bickling, Deputy City Manager Kris Peck, City Clerk Jodi Kurtz, Deputy City Clerk Excused—Kevin Finch Absent—None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Nathan Smith, outside city limits, expressed concerns about the onsite consumption of marijuana on Port Avenue. He wanted more information and perhaps a different location to be considered. Smith was considered for the safety of the people. Robert Shafer,inside city limits,spoke in support of the Seward Senior Center.The senior center was a warm, welcoming atmosphere and provided tasty meals and fun events. Shafer also thanked the American Legion. Marlane Broughton, inside city limits, spoke in support of the Seward Senior Center. There were a lot of fun activities and meals for seniors to enjoy. She also thanked the American Legion Miranda Nelson, inside city limits, spoke in support of the Seward Senior Center. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes January 22,2024 Volume 42,Page 450 Rhonda Hubbard, inside city limits,wanted more information on the onsite consumption of marijuana on Port Avenue. She felt this onsite consumption was not a good fit for this community. Tara Swanson, outside city limits, spoke in support of Resolution 2024-006 to make a meaningful increase to the Base Student Allocation (BSA) for public schools. Meegan Miller,outside city limits, spoke in support of the BSA Resolution 2024-006. Shannon Ryan, outside city limits, spoke in support of the BSA Resolution 2024-006. A permanent increase to the BSA would be very helpful. Mary Beth Koster and Delaney Lunardi, inside city limits, spoke in support of Resolution 2024-006 to increase the BSA. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Osenga/Calhoon) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the January 8, 2024, City Council Meeting Minutes Introduction of Ordinance 2024-001: Approving the Land Use Amendment To Rezone Fort Raymond Subdivision, Replat Number 7, Lot 10A-1, Located At 905 Sea Lion Avenue, From Institutional (INS)Zoning District To An Auto Commercial (AC)Zoning District Introduction of Ordinance 2024-002: Approving The Land Use Amendment To Rezone Mount Alice Estates Planned Unit Development, Phase 1, Lots 1-11 And Tracts B-D, Located At 1303 Nash Road, From A Resource Management(RM)Zoning District To A Multi-Family Residential R3)Zoning District Introduction of Ordinance 2024-003: Amending Seward City Code 15.10.226(C) (7)- Requirements For Mobile Vendors Introduction of Ordinance 2024-004: Amending Seward City Code 7.20-Cemeteries and Burials Resolution 2024-004: Authorizing The City Manager To Apply For A Loan With The Alaska Department Of Environmental Conservation-Drinking Water Fund For $1,905,000.00 With A Forgiveness Of$1,500,000.00 Leaving A Balance Of$405,000.00 To Be Funded By The City Of Seward For The Lowell Canyon Water Tank Replacement And Appropriating Funds Resolution 2024-005: Amending Resolution 2023-140 To Correct Section 2. Funding City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes January 22, 2024 Volume 42,Page 451 Resolution 2024-006: Requesting The State Of Alaska Legislators Make A Meaningful Increase To The Base Student Allocation (BSA) For Public Schools Resolution 2024-007: Approving The Planning And Zoning Commission Priorities For January 2024 To January 2025 SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards Mayor Mclure recognized Liz DeMoss for her service on City Council from October 2020 to October 2023. Clerk's Note- DeMoss was unable to attend. City Manager Report City Manager Kat Sorensen said Resolution 2024-004 was a great opportunity to replace the second Lowell Canyon Water Tank. Sorensen highlighted some notes from her written report in the packet. She said the library was averaging 378 visitors a day this month and there was now a last call for entries 15 minutes prior to closing time. Lastly, Sorensen said the city's water metering was on track to be implemented in 2025. McClure noted she had been receiving many compliments about the Public Works Department for their snow removal efforts this winter. Calhoon asked if the contract services with Carmen Jackson was coming to a close in 2024. Sorensen responded that the city was gradually weaning off the Carmen Jackson services because that the city had an adequately staffed Finance Department. City Clerk Report City Clerk Kris Peck spoke to the Seward photo collage that the 2023 Obihiro exchange students had shared with the clerk's office. City Attorney Report - None Other Reports and Announcements Seward Chamber of Commerce Report by Executive Director Samantha Allen Seward Senior Center Report by Director Dana Paperman Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Report by Borrough Assembly Representative Cindy Ecklund Presentations - None City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes January 22, 2024 Volume 42,Page 452 PUBLIC HEARINGS - None UNFINISHED BUSINESS -None Other Unfinished Business NEW BUSINESS Other New Business Non-Objection to the renewal of the marijuana license for the Tufted Puffin LI,C Retail Marijuana Store#17758 Motion (Calhoon/Osenga) Non-Objection To The Renewal Of The Marijuana License For The Tufted Puffin LLC Retail Marijuana Store#17758 Wells declared a financial conflict of interest for this marijuana license. Mayor McClure ruled that a conflict did exist and excused Wells from discussion and voting. Peck provided a summary of the process with the State of Alaska's Alcohol & Marijuana Control Office(AMCO). The City of Seward did their internal compliance checks with the Police Chief,Fire Chief,Utilities,and Leases review of the application. AMCO was the entity that issued the permit, and they were looking to see if there were any objections or protest from the local government. Motion Passed Yes: Osenga, Calhoon, Barnwell, Crites, McClure No: None Abstain: Wells Non-Objection to the new application for Onsite Consumption Endorsement for the Tufted Puffin LLC Retail Marijuana Store#36580 Motion (Osenga/Calhoon) Non-Objection To The New Application For Onsite Consumption Endorsement For The Tufted Puffin LLC Retail Marijuana Store#36580 Wells declared a financial conflict of interest for this marijuana license and endorsement. Mayor McClure ruled that a conflict did exist and excused Wells from discussion and voting. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes January 22,2024 Volume 42,Page 453 Council suspended the rules at 8:07 p.m. to allow the applicant Randy Wells to speak to the onsite consumption endorsement. Wells provided information about the onsite consumption endorsement requirements and the State of Alaska's permitting process. Wells said the State of Alaska was extremely strict in the amount of marijuana that was consumed onsite.The maximum daily amount consumed onsite was 1 gram. Council went back on the rules at 8:14 p.m. Motion Passed Yes: Crites, Barnwell, Calhoon, Osenga, McClure No: None Abstain: Wells INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Boards and Commissions Minutes 1) Planning & Zoning Commission a. November 7, 2023, Approved Meeting Minutes 2) Port&Commerce Advisory Board a. November 1, 2023, Approved Meeting Minutes 3) Historic Preservation Commission a. August 24, 2023, Approved Meeting Minutes b. October 19,2023, Approved Special Meeting Minutes CITIZEN COMMENTS Nathan Smith, outside city limits, expressed concern about people driving under the influence of marijuana due to the onsite consumption. He thought the nearby train depot and local restaurants would be negatively impacted. Dana Paperman,inside city limits,spoke in support of the BSA resolution.She said public education was vital to Seward. Rhonda Hubbard, inside city limits, expected more notice and involvement from the businesses in close proximity to the onsite marijuana consumption. She wished there was more time to discuss this endorsement. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Sorensen thanked everyone for a great meeting and announced she would be attending a budget management training course in February. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes January 22, 2024 Volume 42, Page 454 Barnwell thanked the city administration for their reports during the work session. He hoped the Police and Fire Departments would be able to get a modern facility. He thanked the Chamber of Commerce and Seward Senior Center for their reports. Barnwell thanked everyone who turned out in support of Resolution 2024-006 for the BSA increase. Crites asked if the application for the 2024 student exchange to Obihiro, Japan was released to the public.She thanked all the presenters tonight and thanked the Seward Senior Center for helping the community with Medicare and Medicaid paperwork. Wells thanked the presenters for their reports and thanked the citizens for their comments tonight. Calhoon appreciated the reports and presentations tonight as well as the community input. He looked forward to more discussions on the motor pool and other budget items. Calhoon lamented the Green Bay Packers loss in the playoffs and extended his support to the Detroit Lions. Osenga echoed previous comments and appreciated all the reports and presentations. He announced the community band concert coming up on February 6, 2024 at Seward High School. Lastly, Osenga also lamented the Green Bay Packers loss in the playoffs. Calhoon also wanted to address the two upcoming vacancies on the Planning & Zoning Commission. He encouraged citizens to apply to the commission because it was very important for the community. Calhoon also noted there would be two vacancies on City Council in October. McClure addressed some issues she had been having with her city email spam filter. She spoke to co-sponsoring the BSA resolution along with Council Member Barnwell. McClure was a strong supporter of the schools and the Seward Senior Center. McClure referenced the Chamber of Commerce event calendar as a great resource for the community. Lastly, McClure cautioned everyone to watch out for moose because they tended to jump out into the road. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:31 p.m. Kris Peck Sue McClure City Clerk Mayor City Seal) s•OF gE IV •gee So° RarFa6• SEAL _ 4 gt&OFP\-7, o' s