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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11252024 City Council MInutes1 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 25, 2024 Volume 42, Page 569 CALL TO ORDER The November 25, 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 Kevin Finch Randy Wells Robert Barnwell Julie Crites Casie Warner 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 Sam Severin, City Attorney Excused — None Absent — None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Bruce Jaffa, outside city limits, spoke as the Chair of the Port and Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB). He hoped council could provide feedback on PACAB topics and priorities. Jaffa noted all the hard work of the PACAB Heat Loop Committee. Jaffa gave a shout out to Cindy Ecklund for representing Seward at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly. Lastly, Jaffa hoped to strike a good balance with the budget. Pat Messmer, outside city limits, read from a prepared statement. He spoke as a city employee and police officer. His current workload and overtime had increased due to staff shortages. The low staffing had made his job more dangerous. Messmer spoke in support of increased wages to help recruit and retain police officers. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 25, 2024 Volume 42, Page 570 Shane Hand, inside city limits, spoke as the President of the Seward Public Employees Association (SPEA) and as well as a Public Works employee. He spoke in support of Resolution 2024-060 to increase the wages for city employees. Hand referenced his letter that the clerk's office had forwarded to council. SPEA asked the council to vote and approve Resolution 2024- 060. Eva Ballard, outside city limits, spoke in support of city workers who make sure the city is functioning and thriving. Ballard also spoke in support of the police officers and the proposed wage increase. Mark Adams, inside city limits, spoke as a city employee and police officer. He was in support of the wage increase and the bed tax increase. He addressed the average home prices in Seward being around $400,000. Adams said he was thinking of leaving Seward due to the wages not matching the cost of living. Lastly, Adams addressed the shortage of police officers in Seward. Lori Draper, inside city limits, spoke in favor of the wage increase. She was concerned about the lack of comprehensive wages and benefit study. Draper said that city employees had good health benefits, but a bad retirement plan. In the old days, getting a job with the city meant stability and camaraderie. She questioned if the wage increase would make enough of a difference to correct the issues. Josh Ballard, outside city limits, addressed the current roster of the police department. He wanted to retain police officers and noted that Seward police officers would be looking for other jobs. Nancy Hulbert, inside city limits, spoke to the city's 401(k) plan and said the plan didn't actually help a city employee until they retired. The health insurance was the one really good benefit for working for the city. Hulbert also spoke to the rising costs of living in Seward. Lastly, she really appreciated the local police officers. Rhonda Spurr, outside city limits, spoke on behalf of the Seward Senior Center and read a prepared statement. She thanked administration and council for the financial support. Spurr summarized the activities and programs that were offered by the senior center. Pat Guilfoyle, inside city limits, echoed previous comments about the Seward Senior Center. Morgan Woodard, outside city limits, spoke in favor of approving Resolution 2024-065 to add another paid position at the Seward Fire Department. Woodard described the challenges of having a short-staffed fire department. Russ White, inside city limits, spoke in support of the wage increase for city employees. White also provided an update on sports and recreation events and programs. Phil Kaluza, inside city limits, spoke in opposition to the purchase of the Ford Bronco for the Electric Department. He would like to see the city buy an electric vehicle instead. Kaluza had calculated that an electric vehicle would save the city money in the long run. Lastly, he encouraged funding for the health system. 1 1 1 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 25, 2024 Volume 42, Page 571 Jesse Pike, inside city limits, spoke in support of adding the third fire fighter position. It was important for a community of this size. Pike spoke about the benefits of having a robust professional fire department. Lastly, Pike jokingly disclosed that he was married to the Deputy Fire Chief. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Osenga/Wells) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Warner requested Resolution 2024-067 be pulled from consent agenda. Motion as Amended Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the November 12, 2024, City Council Meeting Minutes Resolution 2024-066: Approving the Agreement with Robertson, Monagle & Eastaugh LLC, for Federal Lobbying Services from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026, for $96,000 Annually Resolution 2024-068: Authorizing the City Manager to Accept the Proposal from Marine Systems, Inc to Perform an Inspection and Make Recommendations for Maintenance on the City's Six Diesel Generators for $37,218.50 and Appropriating Funds No grounds for protest to the renewal of the liquor license for Chinooks Waterfront SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards Proclamation for the Seward High School Girls Cross Country Team was read by Mayor McClure and accepted by the team and coaches. [Clerk's note — McClure moved this agenda item to take place immediately after the roll call] City Manager Report City Manager Kat Sorensen humbly noted she was the previous champion of the Turkey Trot running event and she would be looking to defend her title on Thanksgiving morning. Sorensen spoke to other upcoming events to get into the holiday spirit. City Clerk Report City Clerk Kris Peck said he included a scanned copy of the council vote sheets if anyone was curious to see the paperwork that the clerk used alongside the minutes laptop. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 25, 2024 Volume 42, Page 572 McClure noted how each roll call vote was randomized, and the mayor would always vote last. Council recessed the meeting at 7:49 p.m. Council resumed the meeting at 7:54 p.m. PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolutions Requiring Public Hearing Resolution 2024-059: Adopting the City of Seward 2025 and 2026 Operating Budget and Setting the Mill Rate. This resolution had its first public hearing on November 12, 2024. The second public hearing will be held tonight. The final approval is scheduled for December 16, 2024. Sorensen noted the Substitute Resolution 2024-059 which increased the forecasted revenue. The bed tax would remain at 4%. She recommended city council adopt the substitute resolution moving forward. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Tom Tougas, inside city limits, spoke to the 1 % safety net for Seward health care. He addressed the importance of a 24-hour emergency room. Tougas was concerned about the responsibility to repay bonds for the long-term care facility. He said there was a need for a strategic plan for maintaining health care in Seward. No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed. Sorensen explained the changes in Substitute Resolution 2024-059 and noted the increases and decreases throughout the budget document. The end result was a balanced budget that still covered the proposed wage increase. Council discussed the changes in the substitute resolution and McClure motioned to approve Substitute Resolution 2024-059. Resolution 2024-059 was amended to reflect all the changes presented in Substitute Resolution 2024-059. This would be the version moving forward for final approval on December 16, 2024. 1 1 1 1 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 25, 2024 Volume 42, Page 573 UNFINISHED BUSINESS Introduction of Ordinance 2024-014: Revising Seward City Code Section 5.45.015(A) Hotel/Motel Room Tax — Levy of Tax, to Increase the Hotel/Motel Tax Rate from Four Percent to Eight Percent, Effective January 1, 2025 This item was reconsidered by Vice Mayor Osenga and will require at least a 2/3 vote to get back on the floor. Introduction of Ordinance 2024-014 failed due to lack of a motion to be reconsidered. Resolution 2024-060: Accepting the Proposed Classification and Compensation Study This item was postponed at the November 12, 2024 meeting. Crites reminded council that she had a conflict of interest. Motion (already on the floor) Approve Resolution 2024-060 Sorensen said she had requested this resolution be postponed so the budget could be revised to fund the wage increase. Sorensen referenced all the comments from city staff in support of the wage increase. Motion Passed Yes: Wells, Finch, Barnwell, Warner, Osenga, McClure No: None Abstain: Crites [Clerk's note — Council received a round of applause from the audience] NEW BUSINESS Resolutions Resolution 2024-065: Authorizing the City Manager to Establish an Additional Full -Time Paid Firefighter/EMT Position Fire Chief Clinton Crites said the fire department was in need of the third paid position for complete 24-hour coverage 365 days a year. Crites said a full-time professional firefighting staff had been a council discussion item since 1960 and had yet to actually happen. Motion (Osenga/Wells) Approve Resolution 2024-065 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 25, 2024 Volume 42, Page 574 Finch drew attention to other Alaskan cities and wanted to see accurate comparisons regarding population sizes. He referenced his laydown of Alaskan cities ranked by population. Chief Crites said he had reached out to several other fire departments around Alaska and most had full-time paid fire departments with at least two paid staff on duty at all times. Council discussed whether the budget could sustain the additional position. Sorensen responded that she was confident that the budget could support the three paid firefighters. McClure asked if there were any interested applicants for these new firefighter positions. Chief Crites said there were applicants waiting in the wings. He noted the budget was very conservative and would like to see more money spent for public safety in general. Council Member Crites explained how the trained volunteers would eventually leave Seward to take full-time positions in other cities since there not were paid positions here. Motion Passed Unanimous [Clerk's note — Council received a round of applause from the audience] Resolution 2024-067: Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase a 2024 Ford Bronco Sport for the Electric Department for Meter Reading and Customer Support Functions in the Amount of $30,710 Motion (Osenga/Warner) Approve Resolution 2024-067 Electric Operations Supervisor Taylor Crocker said he had a lengthy discussion with a concerned citizen about purchasing an electric vehicle (EV) instead. Crocker explained that the Electric Department had taken over the meter reading duties from the Finance Department. This vehicle would be used to drive around and collect the reads. The Bronco Sport was inexpensive, reliable and easy to maintain. He also researched a Chevy Equinox EV that was around $49,000. He said the Electric Department fully supported EVs and he was not opposed to purchasing one. Warner said she was an advocate for EVs. She wasn't opposed to the Bronco, but rather hoped for a discussion on purchasing an EV instead. Council discussed the usage and miles to be driven on the Bronco. Crocker noted the vehicle would be driving to Lawing and back. He wanted to scale back from all the big pickup trucks and get something more economical. Crites asked if the Electric Department was qualified to service and repair an EV. Crocker responded that the department would need to be trained on EV repair, however a selling point of the EV was the lack of required maintenance. Council discussed emissions, mining, batteries, and charging stations for EVs. 1 1 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 25, 2024 Volume 42, Page 575 Sorensen said the city tried to go for the most cost-effective vehicle purchase. She hoped the Electric Department could get a vehicle as soon as possible. Adding EVs would be more of a policy driven discussion, rather than a one-off purchase. Motion Passed Unanimous Council directed administration to look into creating a policy for the City of Seward to purchase electric vehicles. Other New Business Discuss the Heat Loop Project and Ad Hoc Heat Loop Committee Bickling said the city had invested time and money in the heat loop project. He summarized possible next steps and grant funds that were available. Bickling said the committee was a requirement for receiving grant funding. Council discussed the committee and noted they had done a great job. When the opportunity arose in the future, the committee could be re-established with wider mission parameters. Council directed administration to pursue grant opportunities for the Heat Loop Project to finalize a design with an economic evaluation so that council can make a decision on the future of the project. Council directed the PACAB Heat Loop Committee to sunset at the end of 2024 and could be recommissioned at a later date with expanded mission parameters. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Boards and Commissions Minutes Historic Preservation Commission Meeting Minutes from September 12, 2024 Other Items Upcoming City Council Meetings Monday, December 16, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. CITIZEN COMMENTS Jeremy Rogers, inside city limits, thanked council for everything tonight, especially the wage increase and the additional paid firefighter position. Shane Hand, inside city limits, enjoyed the brainstorming aspect of the council meetings. He echoed the idea that Tom Tougas had regarding housing for the hospital and emergency workers. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 25, 2024 Volume 42, Page 576 Hand spoke to the challenges of a family moving to Seward as opposed to a single individual. He hoped the City of Seward could develop housing that would be more family friendly. Morgan Woodard, outside city limits, thanked council for approving the wage increase and the additional fire fighter position. Shane Hand, inside city limits, wanted to speak again to thank administration and council for all their hard work and thanked council for approving the wage increase. Sully Jusino, outside city limits, was pleased to see so much community involvement with the City Council. She was very proud to be working for the City of Seward. She supported the additional firefighter position and public safety in general. Alan Nickell, outside city limits, thanked council for passing the wage increase. He also thanked Sorensen and Jusino for their work on the wage increase. Nickell spoke in favor of city land being developed to create more housing. On the EV discussion, Nickell noted that one of the police cars was a hybrid vehicle. However, this hybrid was the bane of his existence, and he could not wait to get rid of it. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Sorensen thanked council for their support of the city employees. She wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Bickling also thanked council for the support of the city employees and noted what an asset these employees were to the community. Regarding the ongoing housing issues, he said that administration had some new ideas that would be brought forward in a work session. Warner thanked all the city employees and citizens for coming to the meetings: Warner felt there was a lot of potential for EVs in the Electric Department and Parks & Recreation. On the topic of housing, she noted there were only 24 kids in the current Kindergarten class. She felt the lack of housing would affect the year-round community. Lastly, she mentioned the Kenai Mountain Turnagain Arm Association had great programming for youth. Crites congratulated the girls running team. She thanked administration for the budget revisions and noted the competitive wages would be great for the city employees. Crites wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. Barnwell said it was great to see the community coming out to testify on all these issues. He thanked administration for garnering so much community involvement. It was democracy in action, and he was proud to be a part of it. Barnwell also congratulated the girls cross country team. He thanked the Heat Loop Committee for all their hard work. Barnwell thought it was great to add another paid firefighter position. He wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. 1 1 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes November 25, 2024 Volume 42, Page 577 Finch said there had always been a housing shortage and was concerned that Seward would end up like ski resort towns such as Aspen and Girdwood. He was glad the wage increase was approved. He was still a little concerned about being able to maintain the third paid firefighter position. Finch congratulated all the Seward High School sports teams for being on such a winning streak. Lastly, Finch noted the roads were slippery and wished everyone a safe Thanksgiving. Wells was overcome with emotion. Osenga thanked administration for all their work. He congratulated the girls cross country team. He noted upcoming community holiday events and wished everyone a wonderful and joyous Thanksgiving. McClure said this was a very good meeting and good example of how the system works. She noted it was a good discussion on EVs. McClure summarized the upcoming holiday events for the community. Wells said he was proud to be a council member today. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:09 p.m. I Sulikthcct4, re_ Kris Peck Sue McClure City Clerk Mayor osiii „sfk OF SElifq (City Seal) 1 ; r• . 3 SEAL : • = "'— 4. do . 'ff` Z. '�r•MM E OF A -ris ff'Jlftttt01'