The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About10272025 City Council MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes October 27, 2025 Volume 43, Page 127 CALL TO ORDER The Monday, October 27, 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. Newly elected officials were sworn in by the City Clerk: Sue McClure, Mayor Mike Calhoon, Council Member Lori Draper, Council Member [Draper was unable to attend the meeting] ROLL CALL There were present: Sue McClure, presiding, and John Osenga Robert Barnwell Julie Crites Casie Warner Leri-Draper Mike Calhoon comprising a quorum of the Council; and Jason Bickling, Acting City Manager Kris Peck, City Clerk Jodi Kurtz, Deputy City Clerk Excused — Crites, Warner, Draper Absent — None PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS Veterans Day Proclamation read by Mike Calhoon and accepted by the Commander of the American Legion Post 5 Clare Sullivan. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Evelyn Bukac, outside city limits, spoke in support of the community theatre and the arts in general. Opportunities in a small town were limited, and the theatre was essential in Seward. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes October 27, 2025 Volume 43, Page 128 Benjamin Dixon, outside city limits, spoke in support of keeping the theatre open for the community. The theatre is very important to youth and brings so much joy. Tom Tougas, inside city limits, spoke to the $10 million in electric utility costs that were on the agenda. He felt Seward made a mistake by not selling the utility to a bigger operator. The decisions made by the council in executive session were not communicated very well to the community. Tougas also did not think a local co-op would work due to lack of expertise in engineering and management. Tim McDonald, inside city limits, recalled the abundance of salmon in Resurrection Bay in the 1980s. The numbers of salmon had declined significantly due to the sewage plume into the bay. He spoke in support of a company called Sedron Technologies that could take care of the sewage in a more environmentally friendly manner. Rhonda Hubbard, inside city limits, addressed Resolution 2025-103 and Resolution 2025-104 on tonight's agenda. She was frustrated with the process and was concerned about burdening the residents with these huge costs. She wanted the public to receive a comprehensive overview on these big electric projects. It was good that the power lines were being upgraded, but she remained concerned about the price tag. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Osenga/Calhoon) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Acting City Manager Jason Bickling recommended the presentation order be switched, and requested Resolution 2025-103 be deleted from this agenda. There was some additional work needed to be done and a revised version would come back in the future. Bickling also asked council to consider postponing Resolution 2025-014 during the approval process. McClure switched the order of the two presentations. McClure deleted Resolution 2025-103 from the agenda. McClure postponed Resolution 2024-104 postponed to the next council meeting. Osenga added Resolution 2025-102 to the consent agenda. There were no objections from council to any of the changes. Motion as Amended Passed Unanimous 1 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes October 27, 2025 Volume 43, Page 129 The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the October 13, 2025, City Council Meeting Minutes Introduction of Ordinances 2025-017: Approving the Land Use Amendment to Rezone 2500 Laurel Street from a Resource Management (RM) Zoning District to an Auto Commercial (AC) Zoning District and 1000 Hemlock Avenue from an Institutional (Ins) Zoning District to an Auto Commercial (AC) Zoning District Resolution 2025-102: Authorizing the City Manager to Accept the Estimate from Grooms LLC to Fabricate 26 Ladder Extensions for I and T Dock in the Amount of $2,165 Per Ladder for a Total of $56,290 and Appropriating Funds Resolution 2025-105: Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase a New Pickup Truck for the Harbor Department in the Amount of $48,408 Resolution 2025-106: Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase 300 MCM Copper Service Conductors from General Pacific, Inc in the Amount Of $34,461 for the Customer -Driven Project at the New Railroad Terminal IN -PERSON REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS City Manager Report Acting City Manager Jason Bickling noted that Kat Sorensen was currently attending the International City Management Association conference in Florida. Bickling noted an upcoming Seward Community Library closure for training purposes. There was a recent Planning & Zoning Work Session on the Comprehensive Plan and it garnered a great community turnout. He encouraged people to watch the video stream on the city's YouTube channel. Lastly, Bickling said drilling and sampling at the Jesse Lee property had been done, and the results would be coming back in the next few weeks. City Clerk Report City Clerk Kris Peck said the report in the packet was from the archives, and it contained a list of all the Mayors for the City of Seward from 1912 to the present day. The list would be of interest to local history buffs. City Attorney Report — None Other Reports and Announcements — None City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes October 27, 2025 Volume 43, Page 130 Presentations Seward Theatre Collective & Seward Arts Council by Meegan Miller and Tara Swanson Public Works Department Update by Director Doug Schoessler PUBLIC HEARINGS — None UNFINISHED BUSINESS — None NEW BUSINESS Resolutions Resolution 2025-100: Authorizing the Allocation of $240,680 from the General Fund for the City's Cost Share of Water and Sewer Infrastructure Improvements on Hemlock Avenue and Appropriating Funds Motion (Osenga/Barnwell) Approve Resolution 2025-100 Community Development Director Daniel Meuninck explained how this resolution pertained to the land swap resolutions and ordinances. He summarized the land swap between the City of Seward and the private owners. This resolution was the financial piece of the puzzle to share the cost of utilities. He viewed this resolution as a win -win scenario. Barnwell wanted to clarify the advantage for the City of Seward. Meuninck said this deal would take care of the city's future need to install the utilities in the area for the new fire station. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2025-101: Recommending Kenai Peninsula Borough Approval of the Preliminary Plat of 1000 Hemlock Avenue, 2500 Laurel Street, 2405 Seward Highway, and 2413 Seward Highway Exchanging an Equal Portion of City -Owned Land with Privately -Owned Land and Vacating Interior Lot Lines to Create Two New Parcels to be Known as Tracts 5B-1 and 5B-2, Forest Acres Subdivision, Seward Gateway Properties Motion (Osenga/Calhoon) Approve Resolution 2025-101 Meuninck explained how this replat also pertained to the land swap agreement. McClure clarified with administration why the plat had to go through the KPB approval process. Barnwell asked about flood risk in these lots, as well as the proposed lot for the new fire station. In response, Bickling summarized the flooding issues in the area. Motion Passed Unanimous 1 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes October 27, 2025 Volume 43, Page 131 Constructors (EPC) for the Rebuild of the Lawing Substation in an Amount Not to Exceed 00,000 [Resolution 2025-013 was deleted from the agenda] Resolution-4025-14W-Autherizing-the--Eit---ManageF-t-e--Aeeept—the—Prepesal—frOill—SEL Db bST rn, n NortheDewerline !` D b il.1 D t ' ,+ A r„o,,.+t Not to Exceed $5 38 A 52 38 [Resolution 2025-104 was postponed until November 17, 2025] Other New Business Nominate and Select a Vice Mayor for a One -Year Term John Osenga was nominated, selected, and sworn -in as Vice Mayor for a one-year term. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Alaska Small Business Development Center Quarterly Report Upcoming City Council Meetings Upcoming City Council Meetings - Regular Meeting on Monday, November 17, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. [This will be the only City Council Meeting held in November] CITIZEN COMMENTS Tara Swanson, outside city limits, spoke to the benefits of the Seward Arts Council and the potential for art in the community. Swanson shared information on upcoming Seward Arts Council events. Tim McDonald, inside city limits, continued with the benefits of using Sedron Technologies for processing human waste. For the sake of the salmon and cod in Resurrection Bay it was important to have improved technology for sewage. He was concerned about future generations having a polluted Resurrection Bay. He wanted to see more studies done about chemicals in the bay. Cali Mau, inside city limits, spoke in support of having a community theatre space. It was important to maintain access to the arts in Seward. She wanted art to continue to flourish in this community. Tom Tougas, inside city limits, noted that both the theatre and pool were under attack from the school district. The district deliberately picked on the things that were important to the community. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes October 27, 2025 Volume 43, Page 132 Marley Dixon, outside city limits, spoke in support of the local theatre and explained how it had enhanced his life as a young person. Aurora Bukac, outside city limits, spoke in support of the local theatre. She had learned so many things she had never thought possible, such as set design and public speaking. The arts are very important for everyone. Briley Appel, inside city limits, spoke in support of the local theatre. It would be a shame if the theatre was lost. She was homeschooled and the theatre helped her reach out and be part of the whole community. Benjamin Dixon, outside city limits, said the weight is lighter when lifted together. He noted how the kids gave each other the confidence to come up and speak tonight. Jan Bukac, outside city limits, echoed previous comments about supporting the theatre. He was a set builder for the theatre. He noted how every play has sold out, and the theatre provided entertainment and brought the community together. Meegan Miller, outside city limits, spoke as the Artistic Director of the Seward Theatre Collective. She expressed some concerns about the aging infrastructure, curtains, and equipment at the theatre. The theatre space was gorgeous, but it was in need of maintenance work and updated equipment. Danny Meuninck, outside city limits, encouraged people to watch the Planning & Zoning Work Session from last Tuesday regarding the Comprehensive Plan. He pointed out there were several comments in the Comprehensive Plan that were in support of the arts. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Bickling welcomed newly elected officials McClure, Calhoon and Draper. Calhoon said it was good to be back and he appreciated the support for another term. He appreciated the information tonight about things he wasn't aware of. He congratulated McClure for her re-election, and Osenga for being selected as Vice Mayor. He thanked City Administration and the Finance Director for answering his questions prior to this meeting. There will be more discussion on the big electrical infrastructure projects at the coming meetings. Barnwell welcomed Calhoon back to City Council. Barnwell said that he had attended the P&Z Work Session last Tuesday and it was excellent. Community Development had done an exceptional job with the Comprehensive Plan. Barnwell noted the theatre and arts group had provided testimony tonight and it was clear this community valued the arts. He recalled his own experience as a teacher both in Alaska and abroad. Barnwell had reached the conclusion that arts were the strongest indicator of quality schools. 1 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes October 27, 2025 Volume 43, Page 133 Osenga thanked Doug Schoessler for the presentation on Public Works. He welcomed Draper and Calhoon to council and congratulated McClure on her re-election. Osenga appreciated being selected to serve as the Vice Mayor. Osenga announced a Seward Community Band mini -concert tomorrow night. He wished everyone a happy and safe Halloween! McClure said it was remarkable to hear from all the theatre folks. McClure provided updates on a business lunch with a delegation about Greenland tourism, Mondays with the Mayor at the Senior Center, and various Halloween events. McClure extended a warm welcome to Calhoon and Draper and hoped for more council members to be present at next meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 p.m. Kris Peck Sue McClure City Clerk Mayor unun (City Seal) ,%%, `9 SEij7 .,. • • :` ...ow-,L ew SEAL • —4— p - NE 1, ,r.�... .'',,�q PE OF A� Pss. f±11111