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Home My WebLink About04292024 City Council MinutesCity Council Meeting Minutes Volume 42, Page 485 City of Seward, Alaska April 29, 2024 CALL TO ORDER I The April 29, 2024, regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7;00 p.m. by Mayor Sue McClure. (Rescheduled from April 22, 2024) 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 Kevin Finch Randy Wells Robert Barnwell Julie Crites comprising a quorum of the Council; and I Kat Sorensen, City Manager Jason Bickling, Deputy City Manager Kris Peck, City Clerk Jodi Kurtz, Deputy City Clerk Excused - Osenga Absent - None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Sheryl Seese, inside city limits, spoke to the parking at the trailhead of Mt. Marathon and the need for emergency access. She provided a brief history of the parking signs in the area and issues with enforcement. On another topic, Seese thanked Nort Adelmann and Norm Regis for their service to the City of Seward. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Agenda and Consent AgendaMotion (CalhoonAVells) Motion Passed Unanimous I The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: City of Seward, Alaska April 29, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Volume 42, Page 486 Approve the April 15, 2024, City Council Meeting Minutes IIntroduction of Ordinance 2024-008: Amending Seward City Code 2.30.225 And 16.01, Responsibilities of the Planning and Zoning Commission No Grounds for Protest to the Liquor License Renewal for Zudy’s Cafe #5356 SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards Recognition of Norm Regis’ Service to the City of Seward Recognition of Nort Adelmann’s Service to the City of Seward City Manager Report City Manager Kat Sorensen noted that two very remarkable city workers were retiring and she was grateful for Norm Regis and Nort Adelmann’s service to the city. Sorensen reminded everyone that harbor parking enforcement was starting on May 1 and seasonal parking passes could be purchased from the Parks & Recreation Department. Lastly, Sorensen also provided an update on the recent economic development meeting in Kenai. ICalhoon asked for an update on the Jesee Lee Home property. Bickling responded that this issue had been dragging on, but he was hopeful there would be an update soon. Calhoon noted it was great that Bickling recently attended the Government Finance Officers training in Minnesota. City Clerk Report City Clerk Kris Peck said the clerk’s office had selected four students for the high school exchange with Obihiro, Japan. This would be the first time since 2019 that Seward had participated in the exchange. Other Reports and Announcements Chamber of Commerce Report from Executive Director Sam Allen (Clerk’s Note - Allen was unable to attend. Her written report was in the council packet) Presentations - None PUBLIC HEARINGS IOrdinances for Enactment City Council Meeting Minutes Volume 42, Page 487 City of Seward, Alaska April 29, 2024 Ordinance 2024-005: Approving The Land Use Amendment to Rezone Fort Raymond Subdivision, Replat Number 7, Lot lOA-2, Located At 905 Sea Lion Ave, From an Institutional (Ins) Zoning District to An Auto Commercial (AC) Zoning DistrictI Enact Ordinance 2024-005Motion (Wells/Calhoon) Community Development Director Danny Meuninck said this ordinance involved the recent land sale with Seward City Tours. The Planning & Zoning Commission had approved the rezone. 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. UnanimousMotion Passed Ordinance 2024-006: Approving the Land Use Amendment to Rezone Seward Townsite Marathon Addition, Lot 29, Located At 537 First Ave, From A Single-Family Residential (Rl) Zoning District to A Park (P) Zoning District, As Recommended In The Municipal Lands Inventory And Management Plan Enact Ordinance 2024-006Motion (CalhoonAVells) I Community Development Director Danny Meuninck said he had been working his way through the recommendations in the Municipal Lands Plan and wanted to make the changes official. This ordinance would preserve the area as a park for future use. 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. UnanimousMotion Passed Ordinance 2024-007: Approving The Land Use Amendment to Rezone Gateway Subdivision Addition No. 2 Tracts C4, C5, C6 & C7, Tract C-6, Located At 2301 Crabapple Street, From A Single-Family Residential (Rl) Zoning District to An Institutional (Ins) Zoning District, As Recommended in The Municipal Lands Inventory and Management Plan Enact Ordinance 2024-007Motion (CalhoonAVells) Community Development Director Danny Meuninck said this rezone would allow the water tank facility to be there outright without requiring a Conditional Use Permit. 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. I UnanimousMotion Passed City of Seward, Alaska April 29, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Volume 42, Page 488 NEW BUSINESS IOther New Business Discuss Parking Signs At The Mount Marathon Hiking Trailhead Sorensen said the rezone at the Planning & Zoning meeting involved a heavy discussion about the parking situation at the trailhead. She said this discussion tonight was to explore options for parking. Finch said barricades could be used to block off certain sections of the area. He would like to see fines and towing for violators. The barricades could be pushed back in the winter for snow removal. Police Chief Alan Nickell said there were limited options for towing in town. Sorensen added that a towing notice on the signs could be a deterrent of its own. McClure asked about what dollar amount could be posted for a parking fine. Nickell recommended having the fine amount vetted through the city attorney to help ensure the State of Alaska court system would accept the dollar amount. Nickell wondered if it would be possible to make the area officially a fire lane and enforce it as such. A fire lane would have built-in fees and towing rules. IMcClure asked for the discussion to come back for the next meeting along with recommendations from the Fire Chief. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS January 11, 2024, Historic Preservation Commission Minutes Other Items Upcoming City Council Meetings: Regular Meeting on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. City Clerk’s Memo Verifying Timely Receipt of Financial Disclosure Forms CITIZEN COMMENTS -None COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Barnwell thanked city administration and the clerk for the short meeting. Barnwell summarized his recent lobbying trip to Washington D.C. along with the Sorensen and Regis. Overall, Barnwell was very impressed with the group’s professional performance in D.C.I City Council Meeting Minutes Volume 42, Page 489 City of Seward, Alaska April 29, 2024 Crites congratulated Norm Regis and Nort Adelmann for their 30 years of service to the City of Seward.I Weils gave a massive thank you to Regis and Adelmann for their service. Wells said Regis was the first city employee he ever had any business dealings with that Regis was an inspiration. Finch said Regis and Adelmann both gone above and beyond in their duties and thanked them both for their service. Finch noted that was a lot of experience that just retired. Calhoon said tonight’s work session had started some conversation with Providence and he looked forward to more conversations down the road. Calhoon thanked Regis and Adelmann for their three decades of service and wished them well in their retirement. Calhoon noted he would not be at the next council meeting. Lastly, Calhoon provided a summary of upcoming events in May including: Mother’s Day, Armed Forces Day, Combat Fishing Tournament, and Memorial Day Weekend. McClure also wanted to congratulate Regis and Adelmann on their retirement and hoped they would still volunteer with the community. On another topic, McClure noted it was the time of year that kids were suddenly out on bikes and cautioned drivers to watch out. Lastly, McClure shared some sad news that her good friend Marianna Keil has Just passed away. She noted Keil had served many years on the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council. I Finch confirmed the Bike Rodeo was being held on Saturday, May 11, 2024 and encouraged people to attend with their kids. Calhoon also wanted to add that the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 5 would be putting out poppy cans throughout the month of May. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m. rc Sue McClure Mayor Kris Peck City Clerk (City Seal) .<OF S6*v>, {'seal ]• /I