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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02102025 City Council MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes February 10, 2025 Volume 43, Page 14 CALL TO ORDER The February 10, 2025, 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 Randy Wells Kevin Finch 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 Wei Ying Wong, inside city limits, introduced herself as new President and CEO of the Alaska SeaLife Center. Brad Ryan, outside city limits, introduced himself as the new Deputy Director of the Alaska Sealife Center. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes February 10, 2025 Volume 43, Page 15 APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Osenga/Wells) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Warner requested Resolution 2025-018 and Resolution 2025-019 be removed from the consent agenda. Motion as Amended Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the January 27, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes. Introduction of Ordinance 2025-001: Amending Seward City Code Title 2 Agenda and Council Packet Introduction of Ordinance 2025-002: Amending Seward City Code Title 2 Chapter 2.30, Article 3 Port and Commerce Advisory Board Introduction of Ordinance 2025-003: Amending Seward City Code Title 2 Chapter 2.30, Article 4 Historic Preservation Commission Resolution 2025-020: Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase a New Toolcat UW56 from Craig Taylor Equipment Utilizing Sourcewell Cooperative Purchasing in the Amount of $74,789 with a 10% Contingency SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND REPORTS City Manager Report City Manager Kat Sorensen reported on her attendance at a cruise line industry conference in Vancouver, Canada. She also had discussion about the pause that was impacting federal funding. At this point the EPA funding for the $45 million dollar shore power grant was moving forward as expected. Sorensen noted upcoming Valentine's Day events with the Parks & Recreation Department. Lastly, she invited the new Library Director to introduce herself to council. Community Library & Museum Director Jolanta Ryan introduced herself. She moved from Skagway and was excited to be in Seward. The library was now going to be open six days a week including Monday. This schedule change was the result of a community survey about the library. Ryan also updated council on upcoming library events. McClure asked administration about current status of Jesse Lee property. Deputy City Manager Jason Bickling responded with an update about the contaminated soil. There would be restrictions on what could be done with the property. McClure suggested a work session on the topic. 1 1 1 1 1 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes February 10, 2025 Volume 43, Page 16 Sorensen added an update about a recent power outage and the total cost was $377,000 to the City of Seward which included damage, repairs, and generators. There would be an upcoming resolution to appropriate funds. City Attorney Report City Attorney Sam Severin summarized from his written report in the packet. He noted fellow city attorney Rob Palmer had been doing a lot of work with both the Planning & Zoning Commission and Community Development Department. Severin provided an update on the abandoned vessel lawsuit. Barnwell had follow-up questions regarding the costs of removing the vessel. Presentations Fire Department 2024 Year in Review by Fire Chief Clinton Crites PUBLIC HEARINGS — None UNFINISHED BUSINESS Resolutions Resolution 2025-007: Recommending Kenai Peninsula Borough Approval of the Preliminary Plat of the Property Located at 3207 Sorrel Road, Creating the Spring Creek Park Replat [This resolution had a public hearing and was postponed on January 27, 2025] Motion (already on the floor) Approve Resolution 2025-007 A substitute version of Resolution 2025-007 was presented as a laydown that featured a more concise Whereas section. Council motioned to approve Substitute Resolution 2025-007. City Planner Courtney Bringhurst explained that P&Z recommended the pedestrian public access easement, but city staff could not find a suitable place for the easement. She recommended council strike Section 2 of the substitute resolution. Council amended Substitute Resolution 2025-007 by striking: Motion as Amended Passed Unanimous City of Seward, Alaska February 10, 2025 NEW BUSINESS Resolutions City Council Meeting Minutes Volume 43, Page 17 Resolution 2025-017: Authorizing the City Manager to Fund the Vacant Full -Time Teen and Youth Center Program Assistant Position in Parks and Recreation for Oversight of the Teen Rec Room in the Amount of $75,000 and Appropriating Funds Motion (Osenga/Warner) Approve Resolution 2025-017 Sorensen said this resolution would fund the position at the newly redesigned Teen & Youth Center (TYC). She explained how some years ago, this particular position was meant to be terminated, but thankfully never actually happened. The $75,000 would cover both salary and benefits. She invited the Parks & Recreation Director to speak. Parks & Recreation Director Melanie Hauze described the positive impacts the new teen room would have on the community. Funding this full-time position ensured consistency and long-term sustainability for the program. Wells asked if this position was budgeted. Sorensen responded the position was not budgeted for and the funds had to be appropriated. However, she noted it was lucky that the position was vacant, rather than terminated. The city had avoided all the hurdles of the termination fees. Barnwell said he was a big supporter of Parks & Recreation. He thought they were doing an awesome job, but wanted to caution against overextending themselves with too many employees. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2025-018: Authorizing the City Manager to Apply for a Loan with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Clean Water Fund for $547,500 with Loan Forgiveness of $250,000, Leaving a Balance of $297,500 and Appropriating Funds, to be Funded by the City of Seward for Lowell Point Lagoon Blower Improvements Motion (Wells/Osenga) Approve Resolution 2025-018 Sorensen explained the loan and recommended council make an amendment to the update the forgiveness amount to be $500,000 instead of $250,000. Sorensen invited the Public Works Director to speak. Public Works Director Doug Schoessler said it worked out really well to be able to bump up the loan forgiveness to $500,000. He explained how the blowers aeriated the sewage lagoon at Lowell Point. He wanted to apply for this loan to upgrade to better, more efficient blowers. Council amended Resolution 2025-018 by updating the loan forgiveness to $500,000 and to make the according calculations throughout the document. 1 1 7 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes February 10, 2025 Volume 43, Page 18 Motion as Amended Passed Unanimous Resolution 2025-019: Authorizing the City Manager to Apply for a Loan with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Drinking Water Fund for $432,000 with Loan Forgiveness of $432,000 to Fund the New Water Meter Project Motion (Wells/Osenga) Approve Resolution 2025-019 Schoessler explained with a new water meter project for commercial buildings. It was one of the requirements of the loan process to have council approval. Ideally, the goal was to fund the meters and a portion of the installation. McClure clarified this water meter project was strictly for commercial properties and their water usage. Motion Passed Unanimous INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Boards and Commissions Minutes Planning & Zoning Minutes from January 7, 2025 Historic Preservation Commission Minutes from November 14, 2025 Other Items Upcoming City Council Meetings Work Session: Monday, February 24, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. to discuss: Electric Utility Regular meeting: Monday, February 24, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. Regular Meeting CITIZEN COMMENTS Doug Schoessler, inside city limits, gave a big shout out to the Finance Department for doing quite a bit of work on his loan projects. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Sorensen thanked council for funding the position at the TYC. She wished she was still eligible to hang out at the TYC because it looked so fun. Sorensen also thanked council for sending her to Vancouver for the cruise line conference. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes February 10, 2025 Volume 43, Page 19 Warner announced the upcoming Kenai Peninsula Borough school closure dates. She thanked Parks & Recreation for having the teen room open early during the school closures. Finch said it was nice to see the improvements at the TYC. He encouraged Doug Schoessler to keep finding those great loan opportunities for big projects. Crites thanked the TYC, Doug Schoessler, and the Fire Department presenters. She noted the Fire Department building was 50 years old. Barnwell thanked the Fire Department for all the information and updates. He noted the need for a new Police building and a new City Hall. He was concerned about how to pay for these much - needed new buildings. Barnwell hoped for some updates on Chugach electric rates and generator maintenance issues. Wells gave a huge shout -out to the architects and engineers for their work on the new fire station. He thanked the Library Director, SeaLife Center President, Doug Schoessler, and the Finance Department. Osenga noted it was a good work session on the future fire station. He appreciated the efforts to improve the City of Seward. McClure enjoyed the presentation on the future fire station and thanked former Fire Chief Squires for attending the work session. She encouraged residents to apply for the Planning & Zoning Commission. She thanked the library for being open on Mondays. She announced a Resurrection Bay Historical Society event that would feature stories of growing up in Seward. Sorensen noted the Presidents' Day Holiday on Monday and the library would be open on Tuesday like a regular city office. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m. c C-64 Pt - Kris Peck Sue McClure City Clerk Mayor (City Seal) tos OF SE117*,, .: 0 00 Rare, 0