Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout03232026 City Council MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes March 23, 2026 Volume 43, Page 193 CALL TO ORDER The March 23, 2026, regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Sue McClure. OPENING CEREMONY Chief of Police Louis Tiner led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL There were present: Sue McClure, presiding, and John Osenga Robert Barnwell Julie Crites Casie Warner Lori Draper Mike Calhoon 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 (telephonically) Excused — None Absent — None PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS — None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Sarah Tougas, inside city limits, was very proud of the Tsunami Swim Team and provided an update on their potential record -breaking fundraising efforts. Yana Taylor, outside city limits, spoke about her business and the services they provided. Bruce Jaffa, outside city limits, gave a shout out to the local Iditarod mushers. He also spoke about the South Harbor Uplands development project and ways to improve the commercial fishing industry. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes March 23, 2026 Volume 43, Page 194 Amanda Sweeting, outside city limits, spoke on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce and provided several updates on community events and the Mt. Marathon Race. Russ White, inside city limits, spoke on behalf of the Parks & Recreation Department and provided information on upcoming events. Bonnie Apperson, inside city limits, began speaking about Ordinance 2026-004 and was advised to wait until the public hearing. Bob Linville, inside city limits, spoke in support of the hydroelectric projects on Godwin Creek and Fourth of July Creek. Linville praised the Electric Department for their innovative work. On another topic, he spoke about the Harbor Uplands Development and providing access to the float. Ristine Casagranda, inside city limits, echoed the comments in support of the hydroelectric projects. She thanked Crites for sponsoring the Obihiro funding resolution as it opened the door for a lot more students to participate in the program. She was looking forward to the upcoming work session about the Developer Reimbursement Program. Lastly, she expressed gratitude for several city departments and noted it was a great lineup of city staff. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Osenga/Barnwell) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the March 9, 2026, City Council Meeting Minutes Resolution 2026-030: Authorizing the City Manager to Accept the 2026 Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant for the Seward Fire Department in the Amount of $8,200.95 Resolution 2026-031: Authorizing the City Manager to Accept Grant Funds from the Seward Community Foundation's Mini Grant Program in the Amount of $2,000 Resolution 2026-032: Authorizing the City Manager to Accept Grant Funds from the American Library Association's Libraries Transforming Communities Accessibility Program in the Amount of $10,000 Resolution 2026-033: Authorizing the City Manager to Accept a One -Time Payment of $38,399.50 from the 2020 Prince William Sound Pink and Coho Salmon Disaster Relief Through the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes March 23, 2026 Volume 43, Page 195 IN -PERSON REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS City Manager Report City Manager Kat Sorensen noted the all the resolutions on the consent agenda were accepting funds for the city. She also highlighted a note from the Public Works Director about the potential for wet and muddy weather conditions this spring. City Clerk Report — None Presentations R&M Engineering and KPB Architects on 35% design of new Harbormaster Building [Featuring Taryn Oleson-Yelle from R&M Engineering and Andrew Weiss from KPB Architects] Council recessed the meeting at 8:02 p.m. Council resumed the rneeting at 8:08 p.m. PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinances for Enactment Ordinance 2026-004: Amending the Seward City Code Chapter 8.25 and Section 15.10.226 by Providing Additional Marijuana Establishment Regulations Governing On -Site Outdoor Marijuana Consumption, Walk-Up/Drive-Thru Retail Marijuana Sales, and Limiting the Total Number of Marijuana Establishments within City Limits [Sponsored by Calhoon] Motion (Osenga/Calhoon) Enact Ordinance 2026-004 Sorensen summarized how the ordinance would affect marijuana regulations and explained the inclusion of the March 1, 2026 date. She noted this legislation was sponsored by Council Member Calhoon. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Colleen Collins, inside city limits, spoke to the increased potency in THC and the dangers of cannabis induced psychosis. Rhonda Hubbard, inside city limits, urged council to amend the ordinance by removing the March 1, 2026 date. The grandfathering date would make the ordinance nearly pointless. Hubbard also shared her concerns of high potency cannabis use and noted the differences in city code between Title 8 and Title 15. City' of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes March 23, 2026 Volume 43, Page /96 Maya Moriarity, outside city limits, wanted council to consider an amendment to protect Seward from high potency THC products. She thanked P&Z for their work on the marijuana code. Elle Zernia, outside city limits, was opposed to the date -based exemptions in the ordinance. The standard should apply to everyone without exceptions. The March 1, 2026 date would allow the current businesses to continue in a direction that the city no longer wants. This could expose the city to legal challenges, but that should not hinder the council from acting in their authority. John Wise!, outside city limits, recalled the turbulent history of the discussions on marijuana between City Council and P&Z. He felt the discussions had been mishandled and there were conflicts of interest that went unaddressed. He wanted an ordinance that represented what this community wanted. The only reason the grandfathering clause was incorporated into the ordinance was because this item was so delayed in being brought forward. Bruce Jaffa, outside city limits, spoke in opposition to a drive-thru for certain types of items such as alcohol, guns, and marijuana. He noted the strength of marijuana has greatly increased over the decades. Ristine Casagranda, inside city limits, addressed the difficulty of being the mom of a teenager. The marijuana potency being sold now is scary and out of control. She recalled when marijuana regulations were first adopted into city code and how things have changed considerably since then. She appreciated the city's attempts to regulate marijuana. Bonnie Apperson, inside city limits, did not want Seward to be known as a drug destination. Tourists would not want to see people in gift shops all strung out. Clare Sullivan, inside city limits, thanked council for taking on this important ordinance and noted it was tough to appease everyone on this issue. She recalled a recent P&Z work session regarding Title 8 and Title 15. She felt the current ordinance was good, but a bit premature. The land use table should be amended to require conditional use permits (CUP) instead of being allowed outright. She also felt that P&Z may not have given sufficient documentation for granting the drive-thru CUP back in December. The State of Alaska right-of-way permit should have been a major factor of the CUP. Sarah Tougas, inside city limits, shared a personal story of a family member whose life was completely derailed by psychosis that may have been caused by marijuana. Nate Smith, outside city limits, spoke about local government control on marijuana. He spoke about open container laws and driving under influence of marijuana. As a wrestling coach, he worked with kids at different stages progressing through high school. Marijuana psychosis and THC potency is a real problem. It was time for the local government to add more control and rules to marijuana regulations. No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes March 23, 2026 Volume 43, Page 197 Calhoon explained his perspective on sponsoring this ordinance and all the feedback he had heard from the community on marijuana. He noted other issues like THC potency could be tackled at a future date. The main scope of the ordinance was to limit the number of marijuana licenses allowed inside city limits. The ordinance would not take away any rights of an existing legal business. The city had done a similar type of legislation with limiting bed & breakfasts. Barnwell agreed with Calhoon. Extending the scope of this ordinance would overly complicate things. He thanked the public for their testimony. Calhoon asked the city attorney for a more in-depth explanation on the March 1, 2026 date that was written into the ordinance. City Attorney Sam Severin (telephonically) explained there are existing constitutional property rights. Governmental entities may be required to pay for financial damage if the property use is hindered. There was a real chance the city could be financially liable. The inclusion of the March 1, 2026 date would eliminate that risk. Council continued to discuss the ordinance and the purpose of the of March 1, 2026 date being included in the ordinance. Calhoon motioned to amend the ordinance in the Table 15.10.226 by requiring Conditional Use Permits instead of the use being permitted outright. The Ordinance was amended in bold: Zoning Districts Principally Residential Principally Commercial Principally Public Uses RR R I R2 R3 UR OR AC HC i CB I RM INS P Marijuana establishment, retail store l I C C C C Council continued to discuss the ordinance, including the definition of "substantial changes", the grandfather clause, liquor licenses in Seward, and the potency of marijuana. Motion Passed as Amended UNFINISHED BUSINESS — None Unanimous City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes March 23, 2026 Volume 43, Page 198 NEW BUSINESS Resolution 2026-025: Authorizing the City Manager to Execute a Change Order with AK Built Construction & Design, LLC for an Additional 275 Feet of Cable Railing from D Float to B Float Fish Weigh Station in the Amount of $119,000 Plus a 10% Contingency and Appropriating Funds Motion (Osenga/Draper) Approve Resolution 2026-025 Harbormaster Tony Siemienski explained the need for the additional cable railing. This change order would be funded through the use of Commercial Passenger Vessel (CPV) funds and tacked on to the existing project. Sorensen clarified the remaining budget of the CPV funds. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2026-026: Supporting the Development of Hydroelectric Projects on Godwin Creek and Fourth of July Creek to Provide Cost -Effective, Long -Term, Renewable Energy for the Seward Community Motion (Osenga/Calhoon) Approve Resolution 2026-026 Electric Operations Supervisor Taylor Crocker said this resolution was asking for a vote of support rather than money. He provided a history of hydro potential around Seward. He explained studies that had been done in the Godwin Creek area. Crocker said there was some competition on this particular project as Chugach Electric had also applied for a permit on Godwin Creek. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2026-027: Authorizing the City Manager to Accept the Proposal from RESPEC Company, LLC for Engineering Support for FERC Preliminary Permit Applications for the Godwin Creek and Fourth of July Creek Hydroelectric Projects in an Amount Not to Exceed $60,000 and Appropriating Funds Motion (Osenga/Draper) Approve Resolution 2026-027 Sorensen explained how this permit would give the City of Seward exclusive rights to study the Godwin Creek and Fourth of July Creek for up to 4 years. This would allow the city to figure out if the hydroelectric projects would work for the community. Sorensen also noted the competing application for the permit. Crocker shared some backstory on bringing the projects to completion. Council and Crocker discussed how the city's project was different than the competing project. Crocker also noted recreation in those areas was minimal compared to the public use of the Mt. Marathon hiking trails. Motion Passed Unanimous City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minu►es March 23, 2026 Volume 43, Page 199 Resolution 2026-028: Authorizing the City Manager to Support Funding of the Obihiro Exchange Program for a Group of Four Students to Travel to Japan by Providing $3,000 per Student for Roundtrip Airfare for a Total of $12,000 and Appropriating Funds [Sponsored by Crites] Motion (Osenga/Barnwell) Approve Resolution 2026-028 City Clerk Kris Peck explained the current process of the clerk's office staff booking the tickets on city credit cards and then the airfare would be reimbursed to the city at the front counter. Crites noted she was the sponsor of this resolution and her intention was to make the exchange program accessible for all students rather than only those who could afford it. Barnwell was a huge fan of the program, but felt it was a hefty cost. Council discussed the possibility of student fundraisers, scholarships, and the potential rising number of applicants. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2026-029: Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Contract with T Bailey, LLC for the Construction of a New 500,000-Gallon Water Storage Tank for an Amount Not to Exceed $2,853,300 Motion (Osenga/Barnwell) Approve Resolution 2026-029 Public Works Director Doug Schoessler explained the water tank replacement project on Lowell Canyon. This was the final step in awarding the construction project for the water tank. T Bailey submitted the lowest bid and was a very reputable company. Council discussed the overall project cost with Schoessler and it was clarified that the $2,853,300 project was already paid for. This resolution was simply to award the contract to T Bailey. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Upcoming City Council Meetings City Council Work Session on Reviewing Developer Reimbursement Applications on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. City Council Meeting on Monday, April 13, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. Other Items City of Seward GIS Report AMCO License Overview City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes March 23, 2026 Volume 43, Page 200 CITIZEN COMMENTS Phil Kaluza, inside city limits, gave a demonstration on heat pumps to show the efficiency of a heat pump system. Maya Moriarty, outside city limits, thanked council for passing the marijuana ordinance and looked forward to adding more marijuana regulations in the near future. She also disagreed with the City Attorney's input on the marijuana ordinance regarding liability to the city. Nathan Straubinger, inside city limits, shared his feedback on the proposed new Harbormaster building and Harbor Uplands development project. Taylor Crocker, outside city limits, provided an update on the Electric Department's Journeyman Lineman Apprentice position. He had reserved the meeting room at the library to host a workshop on the application process. Bruce Jaffa, outside city limits, mentioned the Seward Highway conditions were getting worse and worse. He wondered if the City of Seward could help encourage the State Department of Transportation (DOT) to improve the highway. On another topic, he was pleased about the Godwin Creek hydroelectric project. Jaffa recalled a recent road trip where he noticed marijuana shops on every street corner. He didn't want Seward to become the destination for marijuana in Alaska. Rhonda Hubbard, inside city limits, was disappointed with the grandfather clause not being removed from the marijuana ordinance. She also disagreed with the City Attorney about the liability to the city regarding the existing marijuana stores. Sarah Tougas, inside city limits, encouraged everyone to tune in to all the discussions on the Harbor Uplands development. On the topic of the marijuana drive-thru, she noted DOT does not grandfather in driveway permits. Tougas provided an update on the Seward Tsunami Swim Club record breaking fundraising effort. She hoped the community pool would still exist next year. Lastly, Tougas shared a Chuck Norris joke. Doug Schoessler, inside city limits, announced the city had scored on another grant opportunity for a water line replacement on Birch Street. There will be more information to follow. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Sorensen reiterated Doug Schoessler's comment about the grant funding. Draper thanked everyone who spoke tonight and thanked Providence for the work session. She thanked Taylor Crocker for explanation of city's utility bill that was included in their newsletter. The hydroelectric projects were really exciting. Lastly, Draper game a shout -out to the girls basketball team, the cheerleaders, and the local Iditarod mushers. Calhoon thanked everyone for exercising their first amendment rights tonight. City of Seward, Alaska Ciry Council Meeting Minutes March 23, 2026 Volume 43, Page 201 Warner echoed Calhoon's comments and the public for coming out to speak. She was looking forward to springtime. She gave a shout out to library for a cool workshop where they extracted DNA from a strawberry. McClure noted it was a full evening of agenda items. She appreciated the work session with Providence. Spring is just around the corner and be aware of bicycles and motorcycles. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:16 p.m. Kris Peck Sue McClure City Clerk Mayor