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Home My WebLink About03262024 City Council MinutesCity Council Meeting Minutes Volume 42, Page 474 City of Seward, Alaska March 26, 2024 CALL TO ORDER I The March 26, 2024, regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Sue McClure. OPENING CEREMONY Deputy Police Chief Karl Schaefermeyer led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Sue McClure, presiding, and John Osenga Randy Wells Robert Barnwell Mike Calhoon Kevin Finch Julie Crites comprising a quorum of the Council; and Kat Sorensen, City Manager Jason Bickling, Deputy City Manager Kris Peck, City Clerk I Excused - Finch, Wells Absent - None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Dan Seavey, outside city limits, provided an update on the Lee Poleske memorial statue that was in progress through the Iditarod Trailblazers. He encouraged people to spread the word and help with the fundraising campaign. Joe Tougas, inside city limits, gave an update on the Hilltop Subdivision development project. He said the individual properties were now for sale. Tougas provided a breakdown of the Rl, R2, and R3 zoning for all the newly created lots. Rhonda Hubbard, inside city limits, introduced herself as the applicant for the Planning & Zoning Commission. She had recently attended Community Development’s open house for potential P&Z applicants. Hubbard said she was interested in studying plats and delving into the Comprehensive Plan. On another note, Hubbard gave a shout out to Shell! McDowell and Animal Control for the recent spay and neuter clinic. Hubbard said the clinic provided service to 406 cats and dogs from Thursday through Saturday. I Tim McDonald, inside city limits, read from a prepared statement regarding the lack of a hydropower in the proposed Lowell Canyon Diversion Tunnel. McDonald distributed a written City Council Meeting Minutes Volume 42, Page 475 City of Seward, Alaska March 26, 2024 copy of his letter to the clerk and council members. He felt this was a missed opportunity for Seward to benefit from hydropower.I APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Agenda and Consent AgendaMotion (Osenga/Calhoon) Cal boon removed Resolution 2024-024 from the consent agenda. UnanimousMotion Passed The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the March 11, 2024, City Council Meeting Minutes Resolution 2024-022: Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Agreement With Alaska Harbor Consulting For The Security Z Float Expansion Project In The Amount Of $14,842.00 And Appropriating Funds Resolution 2024-023: Allowing Ocean Beauty Icicle (OBI) Seafoods To Occupy Their Employee Campground From April 1, 2024 Through October 1, 2024 I No Grounds For Protest To The Transfer Of Ownership From Juris Mindenbergs To Colby Lawrence For The Breeze Inn Liquor License #177, And Approval Of The Restaurant Endorsement For Breeze Inn, LLC Appoint Rhonda Hubbard To The Planning & Zoning Commission With A Term Set To Expire February 2025 SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards Seward’s Day Proclamation was read by Vice Mayor Osenga. Dallas Seavey Iditarod Winner Proclamation was read by Mayor McClure and accepted by Dan Seavey. City Manager Report City Manager Kat Sorensen said Matanuska Electric Association (MEA) would be starting next week with their contract in Seward. Sorensen also provided an update on the Clean Ports projeet and bringing shore power to the planned cruise ship doek. IDeputy City Manager Jason Bidding thanked Joe Tougas for the update on Hilltop Subdivision. City Council Meeting Minutes Volume 42, Page 476 City of Seward, Alaska March 26, 2024 City Clerk Report I City Clerk Kris Peck described a glitch with the columns on the Legislative History website. This clerk’s report provided a work-around to help navigate the website and expand the column width to make the document names readable. City Attorney Report - None Other Reports and Announcements Presentations - None PUBLIC HEARINGS - None UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None NEW BUSINESS Resolution 2024-024: Amending The 2024 Fee Schedule For Parking Fees And Seasonal Parking Permits Motion (Osenga/Caihoon)Approve 2024-024 I Sorensen said the recent changes made to the parking fee schedule had created some challenges for enforcement and she hoped to revert to the prices from last year. The constant variables would make it easier to compare the effectiveness of the enforcement capabilities this summer. In addition to the prices being reverted, there would be a new seasonal parking pass offered for Seward residents at the same $50 rate as Slip Holder Permits and Harbor Area Employee Permits. Calhoon noted that the Seward Resident Parking Permit was for designed for residents inside city limits, and he wanted to open that up to residents in the Seward area. City Council discussed what would define a Seward resident and how people would prove their residency when applying for the parking permit. Resolution 2024-024 was amended in Section 5. To be eligible for this discounted resident permit, the applicant must provide proof of residence inside Seward city limits, in the Seward area. Motion As Amended Passed Unanimous Other New Business -None INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS I February 7, 2024, Port & Commerce Advisory Board Minutes City Council Meeting Minutes Volume 42, Page 477 City of Seward, Alaska March 26, 2024 IUpcoming City Council Meetings - Monday, April 15, 2024, Regular Meeting (Rescheduled from April 8, 2024) CITIZEN COMMENTS Becky Dunn, inside city limits, read a portion of Resolution 2018-019 which designated KIBH 91.7 as the designated official City of Seward radio channel. She wanted to offer the services of the radio station and said they made public service announcements. Norm Regis, outside city limits, spoke to the executive session being held tonight. Regis said the City Clerk and the City Manager were both doing a great job. Tim McDonald, inside city limits, spoke to PACAB tackling alternative energy topics. McDonald addressed wind generators and the difficulties of hooking them up to the electric grid. He wanted Seward to be prepared for emergencies by utilizing alternative energy. Rhonda Hubbard, inside city limits, spoke to the seafood processing plant near the proposed Lowell Creek tunnel project. She was concerned about the fate of the plant with the big tunnel project going in so close to the facility. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS ISorensen said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would be visiting Seward this week. She said the Lowell Point Community Council had more information on the visit. Barnwell said everyone should have an interest in this Lowell Creek tunnel project. If the current diversion tunnel failed, the river would go right by the hospital and into the center of town. Barnwell agreed with Mr. McDonald about the future of alternative energy and hoped to see more specific data. Barnwell congratulated Rhonda Hubbard for being appointed to P&Z. Barnwell thanked Joe Tougas for the update on Hilltop Subdivision. Lastly, Barnwell congratulated the Seward High School boys basketball team for a great season. Calboon thanked the citizens for the comments and thanked Rhonda for stepping up to P&Z. He thanked Joe Tougas for his report on Hilltop Subdivision. Calhoon wished everyone a blessed Easter week. Crites said she had been researching alternative energy. She said Anchorage and the Mat- Su Borough had passed ordinances for commercial businesses to be part of an alternative energy program. Crites thanked Mr. Seavey for his comments and congratulated Dallas Seavey for the Iditarod win. Crites thanked Tougas for the update on Hilltop Subdivision. She also congratulated Rhonda Hubbard on being appointed to P&Z. Lastly, Crites said the new tsunami signs featured 91.7 as the designated radio station. IOsenga echoed previous comments. City Council Meeting Minutes Volume 42, Page 478 City of Seward, Alaska March 26, 2024 I Mayor McClure echoed all previous congratulations. McClure said tomorrow would be the 60“’ anniversary of the earthquake. Tomorrow night at the library there was going to be a story sharing event about the 1964 earthquake. McClure also provided updates on the upcoming Community Choir concert, Good Friday events, and various Easter egg hunts. Calhoon asked if there was a cutoff time for making donations to the Lee Poleske statue. McClure said donations were always welcome at any time and the statue was going up no-matter- what. 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 Manager Initial Evaluation and City Clerk Annual Evaluation Go into Executive Session City Manager Initial Evaluation and City Clerk Annual Evaluation Motion (McClure/Calhoon) UnanimousMotion Passed I City Clerk Kris Peck invited City Manager Kat Sorensen to stay. City Manager Kat Sorensen invited City Clerk Kris Peck to stay. Council went into Executive Session at 8:00 p.m. Council came out of Executive Session at 9:22 p.m. McClure said they held an executive session and were now giving direction to the City Clerk to bring a resolution to amend the city clerk contract to reflect a $90,000 annual salary. There was no objection from council. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:22 p.m. Sue McClure Mayor Kris Peck City Clerk .(^SEAL )• (City Seal) I