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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05132024 City Council MinutesCity Council Meeting Minutes Volume 42, Page 490 City of Seward, Alaska May 13, 2024 CALL TO ORDER I The May 13, 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 Mike Cal boon 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 Sam Severin, City Attorney Excused - Calhoon Absent - None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING - None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Agenda and Consent AgendaMotion (OsengaAVells) McClure removed Resolution 2024-028 from the consent agenda. UnanimousMotion Passed The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the April 29, 2024, City Council Minutes I City of Seward, Alaska May 13, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Volume 42, Page 491 SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND REPORTS IProclamations and Awards Proclamation for Building Safety Month was read by Vice Mayor Osenga and accepted by Fire Chief Clinton Crites. Proclamation for Sobina Clendaniel for becoming Seward’s first All-American wrestler was read by Mayor McClure and accepted by Sobina Clendaniel. In Memoriam of Marianna Keil was read by Mayor McClure and accepted by Duane Keil. City Manager Report City Manager Kat Sorensen referred to her written report in the packet. She provided an additional update on monthly contract negotiations with Chugach Electric. The city would no longer be automatically renewing the power supply contract after December 31, 2024. This would provide an opportunity to negotiate the best rate for the ratepayers. On another topic, the DMV had an unforeseen closure and there would be an abbreviated schedule until further notice. Lastly, Sorensen announced the seasonal parking permits were available for sale at the AVTEC Sports & Recreation front desk. Deputy Police Chief Karl Schaefermeyer said that Saturday’s Bike Rodeo event drew a good crowd despite the rainy weather.I City Clerk Report City Clerk Kris Peck provided a summary of the city logo contest that was held in the 1980s. City Attorney Report City Attorney Sam Severin provided an update on current litigation against the city that stemmed from an issue with the city jail. Presentations Rural Cap Mutual Self Help Housing Program by Mi’shell French [telephonic] PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinances for Enactment Ordinance 2024-008: Amending Seward City Code 2.30.225 And 16.01, Responsibilities of the Planning and Zoning Commission I City Council Meeting Minutes Volume 42, Page 492 City of Seward, Alaska Max 13, 2024 Enact Ordinance 2024-008Motion (OsengaAVeils) Bidding said there were subdivisions of varying quality in Seward. Subdivision agreements were complicated, and this ordinance would give Planning & Zoning oversight over the utilities. Currently the decisions were being made by whichever city staff person happened to be sitting in the office at the time. This ordinance would give P&Z the powers to ensure responsible development. 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. Barnwell asked what the basis was for P&Z involvement with the utilities. Bickling provided scenarios where P&Z could help in advisory role to the community development director or the public works director. McClure proposed a housekeeping amendment on Section C 6. Telephone and Communication to change the word “telephone” to “communication” in that section. There was no objection from the council. I UnanimousMain Motion Passed As Amended UNFINISHED BUSINESS I Other Unfinished Business Discussion Continued on Parking Signs at the Mount Marathon Hiking Trailhead McClure said this discussion item was being continued from the previous meeting. Sorensen said that administration’s recommendation was to make the emergency access lane into an official fire lane. She said the fire lane status would include immediate towing. Council discussed penalties and fine amounts and came to the consensus that a $150 dollar ticket plus towing was fair. Council directed administration to designate the Mt. Marathon hiking trailhead emergency access as a fire lane which would include towing and a parking fine amount of $150. NEW BUSINESS Resolutions Resolution 2024-028: Adopting The Seward Marine Industrial Center Development Plan as Updated in November 2022 I Approve Resolution 2024-028Motion (OsengaAVeils) City of Seward, Alaska May 13, 2024 City Council Meeting Minutes Volume 42, Page 493 Bickling said this SMIC development plan was overdue for council approval. He recommended this plan be adopted now to help advance the project. There were still numerous issues and aspects of the plan that needed to be updated. All the feedback and citizen comments would be taken to PACAB (Port and Commerce Advisory Board) for review. This plan was a living document, and it would be getting a modern facelift with maps and photos. I McClure said she removed it from consent because she wanted that explanation from administration. Bickling noted PACAB was on hiatus until September. Administration could work on it over the summer and present it to PACAB in the fall. Main Motion Passed Unanimous Other New Business Discuss Fingerprint Machine Sorensen said the Spring Creek Correctional Center (SCCC) was in dire need of a fingerprinting machine and they made the city an offer to take over the fingerprinting service completely. The city’s current fingerprinting service fee was $35 dollars. Correctional Superintendent James Milburn said that SCCC having the machine would make their fingerprinting tasks a lot easier. Milburn said their staff was currently using an ink roller that was then processed by a lab. The ink prints were often not clean and had to be re-done. This particular machine provided much better results with fingerprints. To accommodate the public, SCCC would post a schedule of when the fingerprinting service would be available and offer the service at no charge. I Council supported Spring Creek Correctional Facility taking over the city’s fingerprint machine. Spring Creek would post hours of availability to the public and offer the service free of charge. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Boards and Commissions Minutes April 2, 2024, Planning & Zoning Commission Minutes April 3, 2024, Port & Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Other Items Upcoming City Council Meetings Tuesday, May 28, 2024 [Monday is Memorial Day Holiday] I City Council Meeting Minutes Volume 42, Page 494 City of Seward, Alaska Max 13. 2024 CITIZEN COMMENTS - None I COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Sorensen said on June 10, 2024 there would be a council work session on electric infrastructure. June was going to be a busy training month as she would be attending ICS 300, ICS 400, and governmental financial training. Due to all the training programs, Sorensen would miss both council meetings in June. Barnwell said he was still working on his Super Saturday litter cleanup project. It was inspiring how many bags of trash had been cleaned up. On another note, he liked that council was tackling all of the various plans such as the SMIC Development Plan. Crites appreciated the Rural Cap presentation. Einch gave a shout-out to the Seward Wrestling Team and Nate Smith’s dedication as coach. He thanked Spring Creek Correctional Center for their efforts to provide the fingerprinting service. He liked tackling the parking issue at Mt. Marathon trailhead and looked forward to discussing downtown parking issues. Osenga congratulated Seward’s first All-American wrestler. McClure reminded everyone that this Saturday was the Mermaid Festival and the annual Harbor Opening Weekend. There was going to be a dedication of new plaques at the Mariners’ Memorial as well as the Blessing of the Fleet and boat parade. Lastly, she had promised Council Member Calhoon that she would announce the annual Memorial Day service at the American Legion Cemetery. Sorensen added the Exit Glacier Race and the Torch Run were also taking place this I Saturday. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. Sue McClure Mayor Kris Peck City Clerk .Lseal )• .4^(City Seal) I