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Home My WebLink About04142025 City Council MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2025 Volume 43, Page 42 CALL TO ORDER The April 14, 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 Proclamations and Awards Seward Seahawks Girls Basketball State Champions was read by Mayor McClure and presented to the team. National Ocean Science Bowl - Tsunami Bowl Teams was read by Mayor McClure and presented to the teams. Jeremy Horn In Memoriam was read by Mayor McClure and presented to Kale Tippet. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2025 Volume 43, Page 43 CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Amanda Sweeting, outside city limits, introduced herself as the new Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce. Kevin Dunham, outside city limits, said the American system of government had been envious up until the last few months. He was very concerned about the methods and allies of the nation's current president. Wolf Kurtz, outside city limits, updated council on the KBBI radio station and an upcoming advisory meeting about the radio. Russ White, inside city limits, spoke as a city employee and provided updates on upcoming Parks & Recreation events such as: The Kite Festival, Pink Cheeks Triathlon, Exit Glacier Race, Bike Rodeo, and Super Saturday Clean Up. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Osenga/Warner) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of March 24, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes Resolution 2025-034: Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase Engineered Wood Fiber Playground Surfacing from Northwest Playgrounds in the Amount of $56,000 with a 10% Contingency Resolution 2025-035: Approving the Second Amendment to the Amended and Restated Lease Agreement Between OBI Seafoods, LLC as Assignee of Icicle Seafoods, Inc. and the City of Seward Resolution 2025-036: Authorizing the Seward Historic Preservation Commission and City Manager to Apply for a Certified Local Government Grant from State of Alaska's Office of Archaeology and History in Order to Restore and Preserve Hoben Park No grounds for protest to the renewal of liquor license for the Yukon Bar IN -PERSON REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS City Manager Report 1 1 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2025 Volume 43, Page 44 City Manager Kat Sorensen announced Kenai Aviation was selected by the federal government to offer commercial flights between Seward and Anchorage. There will be two flights a day starting on May 1, 2025. Tomorrow will be the Coast Guard Cutter Mustang decommissioning ceremony. It was sad to see the Mustang go, but it was exciting that Seward will be getting the Fast Response Cutter Frederick Mann. She noted her upcoming meetings in Washington, D.C. will mostly revolve around the Coast Guard presence in Seward. Regarding personnel updates, Sorensen said the city was currently interviewing for the next Police Chief. She hoped to have a final decision made by the next council meeting before Chief Nickell retires. Sorensen also noted that Human Resources Manager Tammy Nickell was retiring, and Executive Assistant Ashleigh Lipsey had been promoted to be her successor. McClure wanted to mention parking enforcement will be starting May 1, 2025 and she asked the City Manager to clarify how the new seasonal parking permits worked. Sorensen said the 2025 seasonal permits were all digital and based on license plates. These digital permits are now available on the city website. Finch hoped to see enforcement for illegal overnight camping in the downtown business district. City Clerk Report — None City Attorney Report City Attorney Sam Severin noted his report was fairly boring which was a good sign that things were going well. He explained how slow the process can be to resolve legal issues. He commented that the OBI Seafoods lease was a blip on the consent agenda, yet required a huge amount of tedious legal work behind the scenes to make sure the city was protected. The personnel section had also been really quiet lately, which reflected well on the current city management. Other Reports and Announcements — None Presentations Community Development Department Update by Daniel Meuninck PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinances for Enactment Ordinance 2025-005: Approving the Land Use Amendment to Rezone Spring Creek Park and the Tidelands to The North; Located at 403 Nash Road and 3007 Bette Cato Avenue, from an Industrial (I) Zoning District to a Park (P) Zoning District Motion (Osenga/Barnwell) Enact Ordinance 2025-005 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2025 Volume 43, Page 45 Sorensen said this rezone was recommended by the Municipal Lands Inventory and Management Plan. She had received feedback from neighboring property owners who had expressed apprehension with rezoning the tidelands into a park. Administration's recommendation was now to fail this ordinance and direct administration to bring back a replat to separate the park from the tidelands. 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, disclosed that he had joined with two other partners Kurt Lindsey, Carol Ann Lindsey, to develop the neighboring property the way it was designated. He wanted to develop this land adjacent to the rezone, and he wanted the tidelands removed from this rezone. This area was the logical area for ships to access the north dock. The sewage lagoon from the prison outflows thru this area to drain into the bay. He wanted to have opportunities to develop this land as industrial. No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed. Warner wanted to clarify the benefit to the general public to have the tidelands continue to be zoned industrial. Sorensen said a dock that could fit an icebreaker would be a benefit. Anything that is zoned, could be rezoned again. It had always been zoned industrial so that was the status quo. Barnwell said it was zoned industrial, and a park mixed in seemed counter -intuitive. He wouldn't want to discourage development that may help the economy diversify. Wells questioned why bother with changing the zoning to park if public access could be maintained with the current industrial zoning. Motion Failed Unanimous Rather than direct administration to bring back a replat that separated the park from the tidelands, Wells made a motion to leave the zoning the way it is. This motion passed unanimously. Ordinance 2025-006: Approving the Land Use Amendment to Rezone Fourth of July Beach Park, Located at 3311 Sorrel Road, from an Industrial (I) Zoning District to a Park (P) Zoning District Motion (Osenga/Barnwell) Enact Ordinance 2025-006 City Planner Courtney Bringhurst referenced the agenda statement. 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 about re -doing the parking for Fourth of July Beach. Bringhurst explained the rezone and the parking situation with Sorrel Road. 1 1 1 1 1 1 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2025 Volume 43, Page 46 Motion Passed Unanimous Ordinance 2025-007: Amending Seward City Code § 15.10.140 Definition of an Efficiency Apartment; §15.10.226 Land Uses Allowed Table, Adding Attached and Detached Accessory Dwelling Units; and Updating § 15.10.215 Parking for Accessory Dwelling Units Motion (Osenga/Wells) Enact Ordinance 2025-007 Meuninck summarized from the agenda statement. He added that Community Development had received a variance application last year that involved two separate structures and a connecting breezeway. The city building inspector had also informed him that the connecting breezeway could actually be detrimental during an earthquake. Meuninck went over the definitions that would be changed, the updated land use table, and information on attached and detached ADUs. Based on council's conversation upon the introduction of this ordinance, he had continued to look into the detached ADUs. He agreed with Wells comments about being more developmentally friendly. He described the Community Development laydowns 1 and 2 regarding possible amendments. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. David Squires, inside city limits, applauded the efforts to change Title 15 and said it was long overdue. As a former Fire Chief, he said accessory apartments were always a headache. He felt that detached accessory dwellings should have their own utilities. In the event of a sale, the new owner wouldn't have to go through the whole process of adding water, sewer, and electric. Attempting to hook up an ADU to an existing dwelling would result in tearing up a lot of stuff to get all the lines through. He hoped council would strike that portion of the ordinance, but keep the rest intact. No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed. Council discussed the impact this ordinance would have on short-term rentals and housing. Wells referenced his laydown and motioned to remove Whereas #9, Whereas #13, and Whereas #14 from the ordinance. The motion was seconded, discussed and then failed. Council continued to discuss the ordinance with Meuninck about topics like parking requirements, parking spot shoveling/plowing, development, the ability to provide housing for aging parents. Motion (Wells/Finch) Postpone Ordinance 2025-007 The postponement date was yet to be determined. City administration would like to have further discussion on the item in order to craft a substitute Ordinance 2025-007. Motion to Postpone Passed Unanimous City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2025 Volume 43, Page 47 Council recessed the meeting at 8:49 p.m. Council resumed the meeting 8:56 p.m. Ordinance 2025-008: Amending Seward City Code, Title 2, Electric Utility Department — Powers and Duties, to Include the Provision of Cashier and Utilities Billing Services Motion (Osenga/Wells) Enact Ordinance 2025-008 Sorensen explained the powers and duties of the Electric Department did not include the utility billing services. This addition of one line would add that service to the Electric Department. 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. McClure said this ordinance sounded like bookkeeping. Motion Passed NEW BUSINESS Resolutions Unanimous Resolution 2025-031: Authorizing the City Manager to Accept the Proposal from Utility Accounting & Rates Specialists, LLC for the Conversion of the Electric Department's Accounting Method from the Governmental Accounting Standards Board Framework to the Rural Utility Services Uniform System of Accounts, in the Amount $44,860 with a 20% Contingency Motion (Osenga/Wells) Approve Resolution 2025-031 Sorensen said this conversion project was included in the budget and the Electric Department initiated a request for proposals (RFP) for this project. Electric Operations Supervisor Taylor Crocker explained the uniform system of accounts and how this conversion would be a huge improvement for Seward. He said this style of accounting was used across America, and there were great improvements in transparency and accounting. Sorensen noted that among the statewide Railbelt Transmission Organization (RTO), Seward is the only organization using the GASB system of accounting. This conversion to a widely accepted system would be a huge help for streamlining accounting services. Motion Passed Unanimous 1 1 1 1 1 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2025 Volume 43, Page 48 Resolution 2025-032: Authorizing the City Manager to Continue the Overstory Vegetation Management Software Subscription, Beginning in 2024, for an Additional Two Years in the Amount of $107,625 Motion (Wells/Barnwell) Approve Resolution 2025-032 Sorensen said that continuing this Overstory software subscription was included the budget. Crocker said the Overstory software was really helpful for identifying problem trees on the electric grid. The other function was the ability to leave notes on the iPad for AK Tree Service and keep track of tree clearing progress in real time. Council discussed power outages, record keeping and clearing a lot of trees and vegetation that was long overdue. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2025-033: Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase Streetlight Poles and Hardware from General Pacific for Replacement and Installation Throughout the City in the Amount of $81,285.25 and Appropriating Funds Motion (Osenga/Wells) Approve Resolution 2025-033 Crocker said he recently found triangle base for the poles outside of City Hall. If this resolution was approved, he could proceed with ordering the replacement poles. He also described the galvanized steel poles that would go into neighborhoods like the Hilltop Subdivision. Council and Crocker discussed the Developer Reimbursement Program as it pertained to streetlight poles. Crocker said the poles were not included in the agreement. Motion Passed Unanimous INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Alaska Small Business Development Center [SBDC] Quarterly Report Comprehensive Plan Community Workshops Flyer from Community Development Upcoming City Council Meetings - City Council Meeting Monday, April 28, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. CITIZEN COMMENTS David Squires, inside city limits, thanked council for postponing Ordinance 2025-007. It was important to put into code what can be easily understood by public and city staff. On another topic, Squires addressed some road maintenance and traffic issues on Hemlock Avenue in Forest Acres. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2025 Volume 43, Page 49 COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Sorensen said she took an interesting 30-minute drive all around Seward last Friday night and checked all out the new developments. She reminded everyone about the Comprehensive Plan meeting next week. Crites congratulated the girls basketball team, NOSB teams, welcomed Amanda Sweeting, thanked Daniel Meuninck for the presentation, and thanked Taylor Crocker from the Electric Department. Crites appreciated discussion on the ADU ordinance and looked forward to working on it in more detail. Warner said the Seward Community Library had been doing some amazing events lately. She reminded everyone that the Kenai Peninsula Borough assembling meeting was tomorrow night at the library. Lastly, she congratulated Ashleigh Lipsey on her new position. Finch congratulated the girls basketball team and NOSB teams. He also wanted to thank Wolf Kurtz for his commitment to the local radio station. Barnwell thanked Tammy and Alan Nickell for being a huge asset to the community and they will be missed. He congratulated the high school teams, thanked Community Development for a really good presentation, thanked Taylor Crocker for his clear explanations. He joked that City Attorney Sam Severin would be dealt with here in a few minutes. Wells said he would regrettably not be able to attend the KPB Assembly meeting tomorrow. He encouraged attendance to show appreciation for the meeting being held here in Seward. Osenga congratulated the girls basketball team and NOSB teams, congratulated Ashleigh Lipsey on her promotion, and said Daniel Meuninck's presentation was great. Crites also wanted to add that the Willy Wonka and Chocolate.' Factory play at the high school was awesome. McClure echoed the comment about the high school play and all the congratulations. The NOSB was dear to her heart as she was a moderator for over 10 years. She noted the upcoming Kite Festival and Super Saturday Cleanup. She cautioned drivers to watch out for kids on bikes. McClure was looking forward to the KPB Assembly meeting tomorrow and encouraged attendance. Lasty, she said this was an important week in some religious circle,s and to have a Happy Easter. 1 1 1 1 1 sig City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 14, 2025 Volume 43, Page 50 EXECUTIVE SESSION City Attorney Annual Evaluation Motion (McClure/Wells) Go into Executive Session for the City Attorney Annual Evaluation Motion Passed Unanimous City Attorney Sam Severin, City Manager Kat Sorensen, Deputy City Manager Jason Bickling, and City Clerk Kris Peck were invited to stay. Council went into Executive Session at 9:23 p.m. Council came out of Executive Session at 9:39 p.m. McClure stated that an Executive Session was held to evaluate the City Attorney, and it was time to adjourn the meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:39 p.m. Kris Peck Sue McClure City Clerk Mayor (City Seal) � h O � �.,,xitE OF P\-;,`'s Ov SE•{b''% .�; SEAL • 0 •