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Home My WebLink About04282025 City Council MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 28, 2025 Volume 43, Page 51 CALL TO ORDER The April 28, 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 Louis Tiner led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Sue McClure, presiding, and John Osenga Randy Wells Kevin Finch Reber 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 Excused — Barnwell Absent — None PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS Recognition of Service for HR Manager Tammy Nickell was read by Mayor McClure. Recognition of Service for Police Chief Alan Nickell was read by Mayor McClure. Recognition of Service for Sgt. Patrick Messmer was read by Vice Mayor Osenga. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING — None City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 28, 2025 Volume 43, Page 52 APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Osenga/Wells) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Finch requested Resolution 2025-039 be removed from the consent agenda. Motion as Amended Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the April 14, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes Resolution 2025-038: Requesting the State of Alaska Legislators Make a Meaningful Increase to the Base Student Allocation (BSA) for Public Schools Resolution 2025-040: Recommending Kenai Peninsula Borough Approval of the Preliminary Plat of 1312 Vista Avenue, 1305 First Avenue, 1303 First Avenue, 104 Mill Street, 112 Mill Street, and 1303 Chamberlin Road, Vacating a Portion of First Avenue Right -of -Way and Alleyway Rights -of -Way and Combining the Six Lots and Vacated Rights -of -Way into One Tract of Land Resolution 2025-041: Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase Electric Utility Materials from Anixter and General Pacific for the Electric Department's Annual Material Restocking in the Amount of $138,676.94 with a 10% Contingency on Each Order Not to Exceed $152,544.63 Total Resolution 2025-042: Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Contract with Ingersoll Enterprises for Custodial Services at the Harbormaster's Office and Restrooms in the Harbor Area, in the Amount of $45,345 Annually for a Term of Three Years Resolution 2025-043: Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Contract for Custodial Services with Ravenquest Housing & Maintenance for the Seward Community Library & Museum in the Amount of $72,000 Annually for a Term of Two Years Resolution 2025-044: Authorizing the City Manager to Accept the Proposal from KPFF Consulting Engineers to Provide Project Management for the Shore Power Project at the Port of Seward in the Amount of $398,039 with a 5% Contingency with Funding Provided Entirely through the Environmental Protection Agency Grant IN -PERSON REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS City Manager Report City Manager Kat Sorensen said that city staff had recently attended training on effective communication and emotional intelligence. In addition to the training, Sorensen noted it had been a whirlwind week with lots of events including the Chugachmiut open house and the US Coast Guard Mustang decommissioning ceremony. In between all the events and training, the city conducted interviews for the Chief of Police and she introduced Louis Tiner to council. 1 1 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 28, 2025 Volume 43, Page 53 Deputy City Manager Jason Bickling updated council on the Jesee Lee Home site. There would be more core samples required. There will be a work session in the near future for council input on the site. Electric Operations Supervisor Taylor Crocker updated council on the recent power outage that was caused by falling trees during a windstorm. This was a continual hazard because the trees kept blowing down in the Kenai Lake area. The city was back on backup generators in 40 minutes. Sorensen added that it was one of the windiest, scariest drives back from Anchorage that day. City Clerk Report - None City Attorney Report - None Other Reports and Announcements- None Presentations - None PUBLIC HEARINGS - None UNFINISHED BUSINESS Ordinances for Enactment 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 [This item had a public hearing on April 14, 2025, and was postponed] Motion (already on the floor) Approve Ordinance 2025-007 Sorensen explained the two laydowns provided by Community Development that were labeled as Substitute Ordinance 2025-007 Version 1 and Substitute Ordinance 2025-007 Version 2. McClure motioned to amend Ordinance 2025-007 by adopting the changes in Substitute Ordinance 2025-007 Version 2. This amendment passed. Main Motion as Amended Passed Unanimous City of Seward, Alaska April 28, 2025 NEW BUSINESS Resolutions City Council Meeting Minutes Volume 43, Page 54 Resolution 2025-037: Authorizing the City Manager to Create the Full -Time Position of Utility Billing Specialist in the Electric Department to Provide Services Currently Outsourced to the Util- Assist Contractor Motion (Osenga/Wells) Approve Resolution 2025-037 Crocker explained how the city was outsourcing billing services to Util-Assist in Canada and how customers had to call a 1-800 number for billing questions. He would rather see this money spent towards hiring a local to fill this position. This newly hired billing specialist could also provide backup support to the front desk staff at the Electric Department. Wells recalled being on council in 2023 when the billing services was outsourced to Util-Assist. He said it was mainly done out of desperation because the job posting was vacant for such a long time. He wondering what the current odds were of being able to fill this position. Sorensen said she was confident the city would be able to fill the position this time around due to the wage increase. Crocker added with a smile that people also knew how great the Electric Department was now. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2025-039: Recommending Kenai Peninsula Borough Approval of the Preliminary Plat of 204 Lowell Canyon Road and 206 Lowell Court, Vacating the Eastern Portion of the Lowell Court Right -of -Way and Vacating the Southern 10' of the Property Located at 204 Lowell Canyon Road Motion (Osenga/Wells) Approve Resolution 2025-039 City Planner Courtney Bringhurst stated this was a recommendation in the 2023 Muni Lands Plan. She summarized from the agenda statement in the packet. Finch declared a potential conflict of interest due to being one of the affected property owners. McClure ruled a conflict of interest did exist and she excused Finch from discussion and voting. Motion Passed Yes: Osenga, Warner, Wells, Crites, McClure No: None Abstain: Finch 1 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 28, 2025 Volume 43, Page 55 Other New Business Initiate by Council a Special Improvement District for Forest Acres Afognak Subdivision [City Administration] Bickling described the Special Improvement District by petition that had been done twice already and failed. He said per code for council to initiate an improvement district there needed to be an official motion made by council. This would save time compared to the property owners doing another petition. Motion (McClure/Osenga) Initiate by Council a Special Improvement District for Forest Acres Afognak Subdivision Motion Passed Unanimous INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Other Items Timely Receipt of Annual Financial Disclosure Forms [City Clerk] Upcoming City Council Meetings - City Council Meeting Monday, May 12, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. CITIZEN COMMENTS — None COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Bickling said he had already been working on the Special Improvement District and just needed this official go ahead. Sorensen thanked all the retirees tonight for their service. This weekend she will be heading to Washington, D.C. with Vice Mayor Osenga, and they had lots of good meetings lined up. Crites congratulated the retirees and said welcome to Police Chief Tiner. Warner echoed the previous comments from Crites. Finch thanked the US Coast Guard Mustang for years of service to Seward. He congratulated the retirees and welcomed Police Chief Tiner. Wells said he also drove on the Seward Highway during that windstorm and saw the electric crews on site working to restore the power. He was impressed with their scary job and was grateful for their work. He attended the town hall meeting at bear creek and gave a shout out to comm dev. The presentations were incredible and community participation. The first cruise ship has come and City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes April 28, 2025 Volume 43, Page 56 gone and it was a great couple days for local businesses. It was very busy and he was looking forward to a busy summer season. Osenga echoed previous comments and thanked the retirees and wished them the best in future endeavors. He appreciated the Mustang for the years of service in Seward. Lastly, he extended a warm welcome to Police Chief Tiner. McClure echoed previous comments and congratulated the retirees and welcomed Police Chief Tiner. She attended several events lately such as: the decommissioning of the Mustang, the Chugachmiut open house, and the Comprehensive Plan town hall meetings. She noted the town halls were very well run, and May 3, 2025 was last chance for comments on the surveys. McClure was already looking ahead to the Solstice Cemetery Tour in June, and she has a great lineup planned out for the tour. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 7:46 p.m. `z/ &444- Kris Peck Sue McClure City Clerk Mayor (City Seal) 1 1 1