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Home My WebLink About07282025 City Council MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes July 28, 2025 Volume 43, Page 85 CALL TO ORDER The July 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 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 Excused — Wells, Warner Absent — None PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS Dedicating the 70th Seward Silver Salmon Derby to Dorothy Urbach was read by Sue McClure and accepted by Susie Urbach. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Sharyl Seese, inside city limits, spoke about the ongoing parking issues around the Mt. Marathon hiking trailhead. The area was very important for jeep access in the event of an emergency. On another topic, she noted the two sets of utility bills and was concerned if this dual system was increasing the cost. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes July 28, 2025 Volume 43, Page 86 APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Osenga/Barnwell) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda McClure requested a discussion item be added regarding Phil Zimmerman and the Developer Reimbursement Program funds. Motion as Amended Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the July 14, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes IN -PERSON REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS City Manager Report City Manager Kat Sorensen thanked the public for the reminder on the Mt. Marathon trailhead parking issues. She was currently looking into installing a new gate for the area. She also announced the first ever Dan Seavey Trailblazer 5k run coming up in August. Sorensen provided background information on a community wide -survey that was just sent out regarding the electric utility. Bickling updated council on progress of the Jesse Lee Home property and said there were long wait times with getting any fieldwork done during the busy summer season. City Clerk Report City Clerk Kris Peck summarized from the 3-page report in the packet. This included information on the city council filing period, the Obihiro student exchange, and a tribute to Ozzy Osbourne. Presentations Alaska Small Business Development Center Annual Report by Cliff Cochran and KellyAnn Cavaretta PUBLIC HEARINGS — None UNFINISHED BUSINESS — None 1 1 City of Seward, Alaska July 28, 2025 NEW BUSINESS Resolutions City Council Meeting Minutes Volume 43, Page 87 Resolution 2025-068: Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase a New Breathing Air Compressor from SeaWestern Fire Fighting Equipment for $59,067.67 with a 10% Contingency, for an Amount Not to Exceed $64,974.44 and Appropriating Funds Motion (Osenga/Crites) Approve Resolution 2025-068 Sorensen said the current compressor is 18 years old and the end of life came a little sooner than the 20-year anticipated lifespan. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2025-069: Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase a New Can -Am Side -by -Side 9SSA in the Amount of $40,909 and a QTAC EMS-R Patient Mover from MTECH, Inc in the Amount of $5,745 with a 10% Contingency, Not to Exceed $51,319.40 and Appropriating Funds Motion ( ) Approve Resolution 2025-069 Sorensen said that after recent incidents she wanted to bring this item forward for consideration. She clarified this purchase was a combination of the side -by -side with a patient mover accessory. Fire Chief Clinton Crites said there were seven incidents in the past year. The Fire Department's jeep was having trouble driving up and down the Mt. Marathon jeep trail. In addition, the jeep wasn't designed for transporting patients. The side -by -side with a patient mover would be ideal for Seward's rugged terrain. This vehicle also had a plow for snow removal in the winter. Council and Clinton Crites discussed storage, a trailer for towing the vehicle, the risks of driving in the mudflats, and the motor pool budget. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2025-070: Authorizing the City Manager to Accept a Proposal from Metco to Prep and Pave a Portion of Phoenix Road for an Amount Not to Exceed $165,000 and Appropriating Funds Motion (OsengaBarnwell) Approve Resolution 2025-070 Sorensen explained how Metco's current project in the Hilltop Subdivision resulted in this offer to pave 930 feet of gravel road. The economy of scale resulted in a very good deal for the city. McClure noted it was a reasonable amount of money for this type of project. VOW Council clarified the location of the project on a map. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes July 28, 2025 Volume 43, Page 88 Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2025-071: Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase a Backup Pump Replacement with DXP Alaska Pump & Supply, Inc for the Wastewater Lift Station #3 in the Amount of $102,793 with a 10% Contingency, Not to Exceed $113,072.30 and Appropriating Funds Motion (Osenga/Finch) Approve Resolution 2025-071 Sorensen recalled the incident with the lift station pump failing right before the big Fourth of July weekend. This resolution is for the purchase of a replacement pump. Public Works Director Doug Schoessler provided background information on the lift station. When one pump goes down the situation becomes critical. A backup pump is kept in stock for that reason. This was a very important lift station for Seward. Schoessler also provided information on maintenance and repair of the pumps. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2025-072: Approving the Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the City of Seward and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1547 Motion (Osenga/Crites) Approve Resolution 2025-072 Sorensen said this contract would be valid thru June 30, 2029 and reflected an increase in standby pay, clothing allowance, wage adjustments, and pension contributions. This new agreement would help retain and recruit a skilled workforce. Barnwell asked about what the increase would be for the city's budget. Sorensen said for FY26 there will be a $150,000 increase to the budget. These upgraded wages would enable the Electric Department to hire a fourth lineman. Electric Department Manager Brian Hickey explained the apprenticeship program and the pipeline of local involvement. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2025-073: Approving the 2025 Wholesale Power Contract and the Joint Use and Operations & Maintenance Agreement Between the City of Seward Electric System and Chugach Electric Association, Inc Motion (Osenga/Crites) Approve Resolution 2025-073 Sorensen summarized from the agenda statement and noted the five things that she was most excited about: 1 1 1 1 1 1 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes July 28, 2025 Volume 43, Page 89 1. Ensures Seward's electric power requirements will be met on a full -requirements basis 2. Excludes Seward from paying for Chugach's production reserves 3. Allows Seward the option to supply its own gas or generation resources 4. Permits Seward to provide energy and reserves to other Railbelt entities coordinated through Chugach dispatch 5. Includes a fair ratemaking structure that unbundles production and transmission rates in accordance with Commission requirements and Railbelt Transmission Organization (RTO) protocols Hickey explained how city would regain control of the expenditures instead of simply getting the bill. There was also language added that addressed service interruption in Seward, and a specific rate for cruise ships that would match Whittier. Council and administration further discussed the length of the agreement, hydropower, shore power batteries, generators, battery capacity, and the RTO. Motion Passed Other New Business Unanimous Discussion item added by McClure regarding Phil Zimmerman and the Developer Reimbursement Program funds McClure asked administration to clarify an email that council received from Phil Zimmerman about the DRP. Bickling said he had only received notice of the email a couple hours prior to this meeting. He explained the DRP process on the City of Seward side. He asked council for permission to bring forward some options at the next council meeting. Council directed administration to bring back more information regarding the Developer Reimbursement Program and Mr. Zimmerman's development project. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Other Items Alaska Small Business Development Center Q2 Report Providence Financials Q2 Report Upcoming City Council Meetings City Council Meeting Monday, August 11, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. CITIZEN COMMENTS — None City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes July 28, 2025 Volume 43, Page 90 COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Sorensen noted the sunny weather and encouraged everyone to wear sunscreen. Finch said the Mt. Marathon Jeep Trail parking issue was still floating around and he hoped to see it get resolved. He encouraged everyone to enjoy the sunny weather while it lasted, because Silver Salmon Derby was coming up and that guaranteed rain. Barnwell thanked the Electric Department for their complicated work. It was evident the City of Seward was in good hands. Osenga thanked the SBDC for their positive impact on community. He thanked the Electric Department for all their work. Lastly, he thanked City Administration for moving in the right direction with heavy business. McClure thanked the Electric Department and City Administration for putting everything together. She encouraged everyone to think about Dorothy Urbach during the Silver Salmon Derby. McClure was reminded that Seward must be in high fire danger right now due to the sunny weather. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m. W-C-0-AL Ire Kris Peck Sue McClure City Clerk Mayor (City Seal) 1