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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09232024 City Council MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 23, 2024 Volume 42, Page 540 CALL TO ORDER The September 23, 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 Jason Bickling, Acting 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 Jaz Odhner, inside city limits, said he owned property in Forest Acres, and he appreciated the effort to find solutions to a unique situation. He remained hopeful about developing his property by being allowed to use wells and septic systems. The struggle to find housing in Seward was increasingly difficult. Odhner wanted to focus on the locals who kept the town running year-round. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Osenga/Calhoon) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Calhoon requested Resolution 2024-054 be moved from consent agenda. Motion as Amended Passed Unanimous City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 23, 2024 Volume 42, Page 541 The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the September 9, 2024, City Council Meeting Minutes Resolution 2024-052: Authorizing the City Manager to Extend the Contract with R&M Consultants Inc. for On -Call Engineering and Grant Assistance Services through December 31, 2026 Resolution 2024-053: Approving Amendment #1 to the Employment Agreement with the City Manager No grounds for protest to the renewal of the liquor license for the Seward Brewing Company - Restaurant Eating Place #5287 No grounds for protest to the renewal of the liquor license for the Seward Brewing Company - Brewery Manufacturer Seasonal #5288 Approve the appointment of a Canvass Board for the 2024 Regular Municipal Election SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards Proclamation for Patriot Day read by Mayor McClure and accepted by Mike Calhoon on behalf of the American Legion. Proclamation for Fire Prevention Month read by Vice Mayor John Osenga and accepted by Fire Marshal Tyler Mallory. City Manager Report Acting City Manager Jason Bickling clarified that the utility counter would not be closed during an upcoming transition with utility billing and the Electric Department. Bickling noted there was a recent Planning & Zoning work session on the topic of housing and there was a lot of good information presented. Bickling also reported on Parks and Recreation sport leagues, Lowell Canyon Diversion Tunnel Project, and Police Department statistics. City Clerk Report City Clerk Kris Peck provided information on the absentee in -person voting available in City Council Chambers for the Regular Municipal Election. Peck reminded everyone that Election Day was coming up on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. City Attorney Report - None 1 1 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 23, 2024 Volume 42, Page 542 Other Reports and Announcements Chamber of Commerce Report Executive Director Sam Allen provided an update on Chamber of Commerce activities and events. The written report was provided a laydown for council. She reiterated the need for a work session with council to discuss the marketing contract with the chamber. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Other Unfinished Business Discuss wells and septic tanks within city limits [This item first appeared on the August 12, 2024, agenda] McClure noted there was a work session held earlier. This item being on the meeting agenda gave council the opportunity to provide direction to administration. Council evaluated the four options provided in the packet as well as incorporated some new ideas that were discussed during the work session. Council directed administration to bring back updated costs and multiple payment options for the whole Forest Acres Afognak Subdivision as well as the cost of a smaller utility loop that could go down Cottonwood Street. Council directed administration to research a plan for wells for those who aren't involved in the utility extensions including code changes and affected areas. Council directed administration to research the fire hydrant code and distance requirements regarding wells and septic systems. NEW BUSINESS Resolutions Resolution 2024-049: Authorizing the City Manager to Execute Task Order 2734.31 with R&M Engineering for the 15% Design and Engineering of the Fire Station Facility in an Amount Not to Exceed $318,330 and Appropriating Funds Motion (Osenga/Wells) Approve Resolution 2024-049 Bickling noted missed opportunities for funding a new fire station due to lack of a 15% design and engineering in place. The 15% status would make the city eligible for funding. The $318,330 was not a lot in the grand scheme of the project. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 23, 2024 Volume 42, Page 543 Fire Chief Clinton Crites explained how the city had been approached before with funding opportunities and unfortunately had to turn down the money. Crites wanted to be in a ready state for funding. Bickling clarified this fire station facility was featured on page 82 in the council packet. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2024-050: Authorizing the City Manager to Accept a Proposal from Kasteler Consulting Inc. (KCI) for Additional Investigation and Mitigation Work on the Jesse Lee Home Property in an Amount Not to Exceed $48,946.55 and Appropriating Funds Motion (Osenga/Calhoon) Approve Resolution 2024-050 Bickling said a recent survey of the Jesse Lee Home property went down deeper by a couple feet and there was significant oil contamination found. This resolution would approve drilling holes and implement institutional controls on the area. Calhoon asked for possible alternatives such as a deed restriction that the land could never be developed. Then the contamination at such depths would never be an issue. Bickling said Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) wanted these core samples. Wells clarified that this was required to do anything with the property. Bickling confirmed this resolution being approved was required to move forward. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2024-051: Authorizing the City Manager to Use Grant Funds for Professional Design and Engineering Services from PND Engineers, Inc, in the Amount of $117,673 for the Design of the Second Ave Fish Passage Culvert Motion (OsengaBarnwell) Approve Resolution 2024-051 Public Works Director Doug Schoessler explained this specific type of fish passage culvert was needed for Second Avenue. The amount of the grant funds would roughly cover the engineering for this special culvert. The funds would expire in March 2025 and this fish passage culvert would be a great use of the funds. Barnwell asked about the total cost of project. Schoessler estimated the total cost would be another $200,000. Motion Passed Unanimous 1 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 23, 2024 Volume 42, Page 544 Resolution 2024-054: Authorizing the City Manager to Transfer $1,183,355 to the Capital Acquisition Fund Representing 50% of the General Fund Annual Surplus for 2023 and Appropriating Funds Motion (Osenga/Calhoon) Approve Resolution 2024-054 Finance Director Sully Jusino said the current policy would maintain the fund balance of the general fund. This was a capital acquisition fund policy designed to maintain the funding for different types of projects. Calhoon said he removed the resolution from the consent agenda for the sake of a public discussion. Calhoon and Jusino continued to discuss the funding and clarified that this transfer was a city code requirement. Motion Passed Unanimous INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Boards and Commissions Minutes Historic Preservation Commission Minutes from April 11, 2024 Other Items Upcoming City Council Meetings Monday, October 14, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. Work Session. Topic: Budget Kick Off Monday, October 14, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. City Council Meeting CITIZEN COMMENTS Rhonda Hubbard, inside city limits, wanted to follow up on the wells and septic discussion. She wanted council to know what property owners were up against. Hubbard spoke to the rising costs of building a house and the property tax for dwellings. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & " RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Bickling thanked everyone for problem solving on the housing and utilities. He enjoyed when people tried to stay positive and work together. Crites said it was a good work session and meeting. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 23, 2024 Volume 42, Page 545 Barnwell noted the work session on wells and septic systems was a very tough topic. He echoed Bickling's comments that it was great to work together to solve problems. He thanked Sam Allen for the Chamber of Commerce update. Finch thanked the public for coming out to discuss wells and septic systems. He hoped property owners would volunteer more information that could be beneficial. He hoped the funds moved tonight would help with the Developer Reimbursement Program and also help fund senior and ADA fishing access. Wells echoed previous comments. He thanked Sam Allen and the Chamber of Commerce. Wells fully supported the chamber and looked forward to having a work session with the chamber. Calhoon thanked the Finance Director for the good information tonight. On the topic of wells inside city limits, Calhoon would not forget people outside of Forest Acres who were in the same situation. He wanted to work hard and solve the issues so people could build homes and live in Seward. Osenga thanked everyone for their comments on wells and septic systems. He said there were a lot of interesting and innovative ideas presented tonight. He thanked administration for their efforts on the topic. McClure echoed previous comments. McClure wanted to help make it possible for people to build their homes. However, she wanted to do it right and not just piecemeal and haphazard. On another topic, McClure noted the Seward Seahawks High School Football team was undefeated. She predicted a proclamation for the Seahawks in the near future. McClure encouraged everyone to check out the brand new football field. Also, McClure wanted to remind people there was an election coming up on October 1, 2024. Lastly, McClure cautioned everyone to watch out for children or moose who tend to jump out in the darkness. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:14 p.m. /".14 Kris Peck City Clerk (City Seal) Sue McClure Mayor 1 1