HomeMy WebLinkAbout05282024 City Council MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes
May 28, 2024 Volume 42, Page 495
CALL TO ORDER
The May 28, 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
Kevin Finch
Randy Wells
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 — None
Absent — None
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED
FOR PUBLIC HEARING — None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Osenga/Wells) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Wells requested the Introduction of Ordinance 2024-009 be removed from the consent agenda.
Motion Passed
Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
Approval of the May 13, 2024, City Council Meeting Minutes
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes
May 28, 2024 Volume 42, Page 496
Resolution 2024-029: Approving The Work For Yukon Fire Systems On The Utility Generation
Facilities and Appropriating Funds
Resolution 2024-030: Accept Grant Funds to Attend the Alaska Animal Control Association 2024
Training Conference with the National Animal Control Association (NACA) in Anchorage,
Alaska, in the Amount of $500.00 and Appropriating Funds
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND REPORTS
Proclamations and Awards
Memorial Day Proclamation was read by Council Member Calhoon and accepted by Clare
Sullivan.
City Manager Report
City Manager Kat Sorensen said she was in Anchorage last week for Incident Command
System (ICS) training and learned more about the emergency response aspects of the city manager
position. Sorensen noted that several city employees were able to attend Verbal Judo training today
which focused on de-escalation strategies to resolve tense situations. Sorensen provided an update
on the grant for providing shore power to the cruise ship terminal. Sorensen also reported that the
Seward Fire Department successfully used pet oxygen masks last week during an emergency. She
thanked Parks and Recreation for putting on the Exit Glacier Run and thanked the law enforcement
officers for doing the Torch Run. Sorensen announced she would miss next council meeting due
to attending government financial training in Orlando, Florida.
City Clerk Report
City Clerk Kris Peck referred to his written report in the packet. Peck provided some tips
and tricks for navigating the City of Seward YouTube page with all the live streamed meetings.
Other Reports and Announcements
Chamber of Commerce Report by Executive Director Sam Allen
[Clerk's note -Allen's written report was provided as a laydown]
Presentation on AK Fentanyl Response Project by Sandy Snodgrass
NEW BUSINESS
Introduction of Ordinance 2024-009: Amending Seward City Code 15.10.226 — Land Uses
Allowed Table, Prohibiting Cluster Subdivisions in all Zoning Districts
Motion (Osenga/Wells) Approve the introduction of Ordinance
2024-009
L
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes
May 28, 2024 Volume 42, Page 497
Sorensen said this ordinance was coming through from Planning & Zoning Commission.
The ordinance would prohibit cluster subdivisions, which were density -determined rather than lot -
determined. There were currently no cluster subdivisions in Seward community.
Wells said he attended the Planning & Zoning meeting regarding cluster subdivisions and
felt there was confusion about what cluster subdivisions actually were. Wells said there were a lot
of single professionals without families who wanted to live in this community. The cluster houses
would be smaller, and the lot sizes were also smaller and more affordable. He felt the ordinance
would be detrimental to solutions to the housing crisis. Wells encouraged everyone to research the
topic before the public hearing on June 10, 2024.
Motion Passed
Other New Business
Unanimous
Discuss cancelling the June 24, 2024, City Council Meeting
Peck referred to the written memo in the packet. The City Manager and City Clerk would
be attending training in June which would leave their respective offices short staffed for the
meeting. Plus, several other city departments would be busy prepping for the massive 41h of July
festivities.
Motion (Calhoon/Wells)
Cancel the June 24, 2024 City Council
Meeting
McClure confirmed there would be no adverse effect to city business by cancelling this
meeting.
Motion Passed
Unanimous
Discuss PACAB's request to form an Alternative Energy Committee
Peck referred to the written memo in the packet and summarized PACAB's request to form
an Alternative Energy Committee over the summer hiatus.
Council discussed the request to form a committee. Council concluded the best option was
to direct the City Manager to call for monthly work sessions during PACAB's summer hiatus.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS
Other Items
Upcoming City Council Meetings
Monday, June 10, 2024, Work Session at 5:30 p.m. Topic: Seward.Electric Utility Infrastructure
Update
Monday, June 10, 2024, Regular Meeting at 7:00 'p.m.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes
May 28, 2024 Volume 42, Page 498
Report from AK Small Business Development Center Quarterly Update
CITIZEN COMMENTS - None
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN
COMMENTS
Sorensen said she appreciated everyone.
Barnwell said he was a huge supporter of alternative energy. He wanted to acknowledge
the fatal boat accident in the bay last week and expressed his condolences to the family.
Crites thanked Samantha Allen and Sandy Snodgrass for their presentations.
Wells thanked both the presenters. He announced his new phone number and said it would
be updated on the city website. He expressed his condolences to those in the tragic boat accident.
Finch offered his condolences to the family of the boating accident. He thanked Allen and
Snodgrass for their presentations.
Calhoon thanked both presenters for the good information. He offered condolences to the
families involved in the boating tragedy. Calhoon said the Combat Fishing Tournament was a
success. The Memorial Day event at the American Legion Cemetery was well attended. Seward
had always been a very patriotic town and he hoped to keep it that way. He said Flag Day Events
were coming up in June. Lastly, Calhoon said summer was here and cautioned all the drivers to
be mindful for kids on bikes.
Osenga thanked the American Legion. He thanked Allen and Snodgrass for their reports.
Osenga encouraged everyone to be safe out there and take care of each other.
McClure thanked the American Legion for providing food for so many people. She
expressed condolences to the family of the boating accident. McClure thanked Allen and
Snodgrass for their presentations. McClure explained that Seward was in consideration as the site
for the commissioning of the USS Ted Stevens in 2026. Lastly, McClure cautioned drivers to keep
an eye out for bikes and motorcycles.
Calhoon also wanted to acknowledge that June 4, 2024 would be Father Tero's 50`h
anniversary of being a priest.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:06 p.m.
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Kris Peck
City Clerk r ;L _ •
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Sue McClure
Mayor