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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09082025 City Council MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 8, 2025 Volume 43, Page 105 CALL TO ORDER The September 8, 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. ROLL CALL There were present: Sue McClure, presiding, and John Osenga Kevin Finch Randy Wells 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 Kody George, City Attorney Excused — Barnwell Absent — None PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS Patriot Day was read by John Osenga and accepted by Taylor Crocker. American Legion Day was read by Sue McClure and accepted by Taylor Crocker. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Virgina Allen, inside city limits, spoke in hopes of the city paving Afognak Avenue. She described the trucks and heavy equipment that used the road and kicked up a huge amount of dust in the summer. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 8, 2025 Volume 43, Page 106 Bruce Jaffa, outside city limits, appreciated the meaningful proclamations. He noted the Port and Commerce Advisory Board [PACAB] has two open seats and encouraged applicants. Jaffa also reminded everyone of the upcoming local election, the candidate events, and Electric Department town hall meetings. Jaffa spoke in support of a city code enforcement officer as described in the packet. Lastly, Jaffa noted a lack of communication with Department of Transportation about big projects along the Seward Highway. Becky Dunn, inside city limits, echoed the comments about the two vacant seats on PACAB and added that the Historic Preservation Commission has one vacant seat. She also noted the Seward - Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board has three seats open. Dunn provided information on the upcoming candidate forum, and the Electric Department town hall meetings. Ristine Casagranda, inside city limits, said the current city administration was the best she had ever seen. She noted positive experiences and high moral with several city departments including: City Clerk's Office, City Manager's Office, Human Resources, and Parks & Recreation. Casagranda mentioned her new consulting firm and her involvement with the Mt. Alice Estates Subdivision. Before the lots can go on the market, however, she needed more information about the Developer Reimbursement Program [DRP]. She supported the city's recent efforts to improve and more clearly define the application process for the DRP. She hoped for a clear definition of when funds were available. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Osenga/Wells) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the August 25, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes Resolution 2025-088: Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase Two Can -Am Four Wheelers on Tracks for the Electric Department in the Amount of $38,840.71 Resolution 2025-089: Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase the Remaining Components for the Nash Road Transmission Line Rebuild Project from General Pacific in the Amount of $130,123.30 Plus a 10% Contingency Resolution 2025-090: Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Service Agreement with LiftOff LLC for a One -Year Renewal of the City's Microsoft 365 Licensing Subscription in the Amount of $47,829.60 1 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 8, 2025 Volume 43, Page 107 Resolution 2025-091: Approving Membership in the Railbelt Transmission Organization and Authorizing the City Manager to Execute All Necessary Documents and Pay Associated Fees as Invoiced No grounds for protest for the Liquor License Renewal for the Seasalt, Alaskan Bar & Grill IN -PERSON REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS City Manager Report City Manager Kat Sorensen thanked the Public Works Department for their efforts at the waterfall over Labor Day Weekend. Also in the realm of Public Works, there was new type of sidewalk near Kawabe Park being tested for durability over the winter. Meanwhile, the Parks & Recreation Maintenance Department was moving to the vacant U.S. Coast Guard building in the northeast harbor. Lastly, Sorensen announced the upcoming town hall meeting regarding the electric utility. City Clerk Report City Clerk Kris Peck provided an update on the absentee in -person voting opportunities at City Hall for the Regular Municipal Election. He also noted the sample ballot was included in the packet. City Attorney Report City Attorney Kody George reported on the successful negotiation of a derelict vessel. George also highlighted a couple utility updates regarding the Regulatory Commission of Alaska and the Railbelt Transmission Organization. Lastly, the wholesale power supply contract with Chugach Electric was moving along without any controversy. Other Reports and Announcements - None Presentations - None PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolutions Requiring Public Hearing Resolution 2025-084: Authorizing the City Manager to Negotiate the Purchase of Parcel 14502302 (Legal Description: T 1S R 1W SEC 4 SEWARD MERIDIAN SW 0830032 JESSE LEE HEIGHTS SUB ADDN NO 2 LOT 2) Motion (Wells/Warner) Approve Resolution 2025-084 Osenga declared a potential conflict of interest due to a family member being the seller. McClure ruled that a conflict did exist and excused Osenga from the discussion. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 8, 2025 Volume 43, Page 108 Bickling explained how this resolution would authorize the City Manager to begin negotiations. If an agreement was reached, there would be another resolution brought back to council with the purchase and sale agreement. Sorensen said the property was located near the high school and it had been previously identified as a prime location for the future police station. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Becky Dunn, inside city limits, spoke in favor of purchasing the parcel. It was a great location for the police department. No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed. Finch said Seward was short of housing, and that prime real estate could provide 12-18 houses near the school. He expressed concern about a police station in the middle of a residential area. Instead, the police could move into the downtown fire station once the building becomes available. The city already owned enough land and should not look at purchasing new land. Warner asked if police officers typically responded from City Hall. Bickling said that police respond from out in the field, whereas firefighters respond from the Fire Station. Warner hoped to see a list of pros and cons for a police station in that area. McClure summarized that the resolution would be giving the green light to negotiate. It would come back again for final approval. Motion Passed 4-1 Yes: Warner, Crites, Wells, McClure No: Finch Abstain: Osenga Resolution 2025-085: Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a New Lease with Pacific Seafood — Seward, LLC for a Seafood Processing Facility on Three Parcels Near 3201 Sorrel Road: Lot 2 Block 7 of Plat 1997-27; and Lot 2A-2 Block 9 and Lot 1A-2 Block 9 of Plat 2021- 19 Motion (Osenga/Wells) Approve Resolution 2025-085 Sorensen explained this was the next step after council had previously approved the master agreement. This resolution would authorize Pacific Seafood to lease the area across the bay. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. i City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 8, 2025 Volume 43, Page 109 Bruce Jaffa, outside city limits, said this resolution was a no-brainer. He spoke in support of the resolution and the seafood industry. No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed. Motion Passed UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None NEW BUSINESS Ordinances - None Resolutions Unanimous Resolution 2025-086: Authorizing the City Manager to Accept a Proposal from McKenna Brothers Paving to Pave Bette Cato Avenue in the Amount of $94,450 Plus a 10% Contingency and Appropriating Funds Motion (Osenga/Wells) Approve Resolution 2025-086 Sorensen explained that Bette Cato Avenue was already paved, but the road was in very poor condition. This asphalt cap would greatly improve the road conditions. The current road was taking a heavy toll on city vehicles and equipment. Finch recalled the road was paved in 1989 and had steadily deteriorated and cracked over the years. This paving opportunity was a great idea. Warner noted the recent public comment about requesting paving for small sections of roads in residential neighborhoods. She wanted to see a priority list of paving projects for the community. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2025-087: Approving Amendment #2 to the Employment Agreement with the City Manager and Appropriating Funds [This resolution is to be discussed and voted on after the annual evaluation has taken place] Other New Business Council Feedback on Developer Reimbursement Program Application and Project Criteria Bickling summarized the previous discussion on the DRP and how he was incorporating council feedback into the program. He noted that the topic of paving was a new item that was being added to the list of criteria. There was a question on the application about previous participation in the DRP. Bickling said a new developer would be given priority if the projects were equal. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 8, 2025 Volume 43, Page 110 Bickling also addressed items such as: bikeability, walkability, pathways to schools, greenspace and parks, street lighting, and various types of housing, Council and administration discussed the DRP application process, scoring process and criteria, paving requirements, and frequency of evaluating applicants. Bickling said he would bring back a revised application form and thanked council for their feedback. Discuss P&Z Recommendation for Enforcement Officer [sponsored by McClure] McClure said this memo originated from the Planning & Zoning Commission and she wanted to address it. There was a lack of enforcement for city code. She recalled a code enforcement officer in the past upset a lot of citizens. However, there was the possibility of looking into creating a new position. Sorensen said a position could be created if directed by council. City administration could put together a draft of what that new position might look like. Finch asked about legal fees dealing with code compliance and a potential cost savings of having a dedicated code enforcement officer. Bickling said he ended up being the de facto compliance officer and it was a huge drain on his time. It was hard to quantify how much time various city staff were currently spending on code enforcement. Osenga asked what powers the compliance officer would have. Sorensen said their process would be similar to what city staff do currently with sending letters. Anything beyond that, and the police or legal team would be involved. The main benefit of this position would be to make one person the dedicated point of contact. Wells was 100% against the code compliance officer. He was concerned about strained community relations, selective enforcement, and negative impact on vulnerable residents. He felt the current system was working. Council requested more information to be brought back on the cost of a creating a new position for a city code enforcement officer. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Upcoming City Council Meetings: Monday, September 22, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. 1 1 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 8, 2025 Volume 43, Page 111 CITIZEN COMMENTS Mike Taylor, inside city limits, spoke about code enforcement. He had lived in a community that had code enforcement officer and it did not pertain to things like mowing the lawn. In his experience code enforcement had been related to fire code and fire hazards in neighborhoods. This angle should be taken seriously. Bruce Jaffa, outside city limits, said it was an interesting meeting and appreciated the cordial and proper way of solving problems in a public forum. He spoke in support of the City Manager and praised City Council for a great job in selecting a manager. Jaffa recommended a 5-star evaluation for Sorensen. Jaffa also praised Taylor Crocker and Brian Hickey for their excellent management of the Electric Department. Jaffa spoke as the Chair of PACAB and asked for more projects to help the community. He was enthusiastic about what an advisory board has to offer. Lastly, Jaffa spoke in support of Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Member Cindy Ecklund. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Sorensen appreciated the kind words from the public. She thanked R&M and the Harbormaster for their presentations during the work session. Crites also thanked the Harbormaster and R&M for presentations. She appreciated the Patriot Day proclamation and shared her experience of recently visiting the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York. Finch thanked Harbormaster for the presentation. He thanked the American Legion for all their efforts in helping local veterans in need. Finch noted that residents should brace themselves for a lot of rain coming. Warner read from a prepared statement that encouraged kindness and respect among neighbors in this tight -knit community. Wells echoed previous comments. He noticed the sound quality of the YouTube live stream last week was perfect and he sent his compliments to the city's IT Department. Osenga thanked the Harbormaster and R&M for their presentation and hoped the Harbor Uplands development would come to fruition. He encouraged voters to get well informed for the upcoming election. McClure echoed all the thanks to everyone. It was nice to see Kody George at the meeting. She agreed with Wells that the sound quality of the recent Planning & Zoning meeting was good. McClure explained the procedures for the two Executive Sessions that were next on the agenda. At the very end will be Resolution 2025-087 regarding the City Manager contract amendments. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 8, 2025 Volume 43, Page 112 Council recessed the meeting: 8:30 p.m. Council resumed the meeting: 8:35 p.m. EXECUTIVE SESSION #1 Council Direction on Land Purchase Negotiation for Parcel 14502302 Motion (Wells/MClure) Go into Executive Session to Discuss Direction on Land Purchase Negotiation for Parcel 14502302 Osenga declared a potential conflict of interest due to a family member being the seller. McClure ruled that a conflict did exist and excused Osenga. The City Manager, Deputy City Manager, and City Clerk were invited to stay. Motion Passed Unanimous Abstain: Osenga Council went into Executive Session: 8: 37 p.m. Council came out of Executive Session: 8:56 p.m. McClure stated that an Executive Session had been held. EXECUTIVE SESSION #2 Annual Evaluation of City Manager Motion (Wells/Osenga) Go into Executive Session to Discuss the Annual Evaluation of the City Manager The City Manager and City Clerk were invited to stay. Motion Passed Unanimous Council went into Executive Session: 8:57 p.m. Council came out of Executive Session: 9:27 p.m. McClure stated that an Executive Session had been held and Resolution 2025-087 was next on the agenda. 1 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 8, 2025 Volume 43, Page 113 Resolution 2025-087: Approving Amendment #2 to the Employment Agreement with the City Manager and Appropriating Funds Motion (Osenga/Wells) Approve Resolution 2025-087 Motion Passed 5-1 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:28 p.m. Yes: Wells, Osenga, Warner, Crites, McClure No: Finch Absent: Barnwell aakmc Kris Peck Sue McClure City Clerk Mayor (City Seal) L