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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05262026 City Council Minutes1 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes May 26, 2026 Volume 43, Page 223 CALL TO ORDER The Tuesday, May 26, 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 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 Excused — Barnwell Absent — None PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS — None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Amanda Sweeting, outside city limits, spoke on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce. She provided an update on the delays with the new cruise ship dock project and the logistics involved with transporting passengers. Next, she shared updates on regular Chamber of Commerce events and activities. Andy Mezirow, outside city limits, spoke about a marine accident where a charter boat hull breached and capsized. Thankfully, two charter boat captains, Will Gentry and Nick Spurr, responded and saved the lives of all the passengers. He hoped these two captains could be recognized by council for their heroic actions. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes May 26, 2026 Volume 43, Page 224 Peter Frank, inside city limits, proposed an ordinance to impose a time limit on vehicles idling their engines inside city limits. He spoke to the negative and wasteful aspects of engine idling. He described his experience living next to a mail delivery truck that idled constantly. Elle Zernia, outside city limits, spoke about the recent Mermaid Festival. It was the coldest festival yet and she thanked everyone involved, including several City of Seward departments. On another topic she thanked the local heroes for the boat rescue. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Osenga/Calhoon) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of May 11, 2026, City Council Meeting Minutes Introduction of Ordinance 2026-005: Amending Seward City Code 2.10.071 Council Packet and 2.10.100 Decorum [Sponsored by the City Clerk] No Grounds for protest for the AMCO Beverage Dispensary liquor license renewal for the Gateway Hotel No Grounds for protest for the AMCO Restaurant/Eating Place liquor license renewal for the Highliner Restaurant IN -PERSON REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS City Manager Report City Manager Kat Sorensen recapped her recent trip to Washington, D.C. along with Vice Mayor Osenga She noted the Coast Guard interactions were really beneficial in regard to Seward being an ideal home port for ice breakers. She also provided updates on conversations regarding Seward's Legislative Priorities and the Congressionally Designated Spending List. Sorensen also provided local updates on a modular pod at the hospital, and announced a need for volunteers for youth soccer. Sorensen also updated council on the opioid overdose stations, and noted Executive Assistant Kristin Wise was presented a Distinguished Service Award for her efforts at a Pathways to Recovery conference in Anchorage. McClure thanked Jason Bickling for serving as Acting City Manager while Sorensen was traveling. 1 City of Seward, Alaska May 26, 2026 City Clerk Report City Council Meeting Minutes Volume 43, Page 225 City Clerk Kris Peck noted the report in the packet was a re -post for the Kenai Peninsula Borough Planning Commission seeking an applicant for their Seward Seat on the commission. City Attorney Report — None Other Reports and Announcements — None Presentations Boys & Girls Club Presentation by CEO Shanette Wik Seward Salmon Partnership with Andy Mezirow and Katie Zernia PUBLIC HEARINGS — None NEW BUSINESS Resolutions Resolution 2026-053: Authorizing the City Manager to Accept the Proposal from CRW Engineering for Professional Design, Engineering, and Surveying Necessary to Expand Electrical and Water in Resurrection, Resurrection South and Iditarod Area Campgrounds in the Amount of $119,454 Plus 10% Contingency and Appropriating Funds Motion (Osenga/Calhoon) Approve Resolution 2026-053 Parks & Recreation Director Melanie Hauze explained how this campground utility expansion has remained on the city's priority list for over a decade. She summarized the scope of what the proposal included. She also noted the firm costs of the project have not been established, but she provided a laydown that detailed the project cost in 2021 to be around $400,000. She provided a summary of the campground season and a revenue forecast of the utility sites. Sorensen added further details of the estimated project costs which could be in the range of $600,000 to $800,000. She noted the plans made from this resolution would remain useful, even if the project gets tabled. Calhoon noted this project does create its own revenue, but very gradually. He wondered what the plan was for actually improving this infrastructure. Hauze noted the Capital Improvement Funds and the paid campground revenue could become an enterprise fund to cover the rest of the project. Council further discussed the premium camping spots along the waterfront, the long payback period, and adjusting the camping fees accordingly. Motion Passed Unanimous City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes May 26, 2026 Volume 43, Page 226 Other New Business Discuss any action items based on the work session on the Seward Middle School Sorensen summarized some options from the work session and was looking for official direction from council before too much time and effort is invested in the project. Council directed administration to proceed with a lease agreement with the borough to utilize the Seward Middle School, as well as bring back a detailed overview of how the city would be using the building with information on potential revenue and sub -leasing within the building. Recap of electric utility community engagement effort Electric Utility Director Brian Hickey provided a slideshow summarizing the community feedback that had been received with town hall meetings, focus groups, and community surveys. Hickey was joined by Schawna Thoma of the Northern Compass Group. Calhoon noted the city kept investing money in the electric utility despite the uncertain future of the utility. He relayed that the community was a little skeptical on the whole issue of selling the utility. He was looking for factual numbers and unbiased opinions. He noted each option has pros and cons and wanted the honest truth of each option. Hickey said he was very neutral on the topic and was going to present the information as unbiased as possible. He monitored netbook value of the utility for the city's investments. He recalled his experience with mergers, assets, and conversions. It was a very important decision for this community. Clerk's Note — During the slideshow Council Member Warner had to leave the meeting and did not return. Appoint up to four applicants to the Historic Preservation Commission Peck explained the vacancies on the Commission and noted the Clerk's Office has received no applications yet. This will result in only three members remaining on the Commission and they will not be able to meet until they have at least four members. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Upcoming City Council Meetings Regular Meeting on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. Other Items City of Seward Financials Q1 Report 1 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes May 26, 2026 Volume 43, Page 227 CITIZEN COMMENTS — None COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Sorensen noted it was an interesting and engaging meeting. Calhoon thanked everyone who presented information tonight. He noted the charter boat captains would be recognized for their heroic actions. He commented on the proposed ordinance for limiting vehicle idling would be an interesting one. Lastly, Calhoon asked about the Q1 financials report and sales tax. Sorensen explained the sales tax numbers and noted the information came in after the packet was printed. The financials will be re -printed with the new numbers and it looked to be around a 5% decrease. She would keep it on the radar and report back. Calhoon continued with a summary of all the activities the American Legion took part in during the busy month of May. He reminded everyone Flag Day was coming up on June 14 and noted some flag etiquette to be aware of. Draper felt a sense of urgency for the fate of the electric utility. She had researched the cruise ship open loop systems that had been mentioned at recent citizen comments. The vast majority of cruise ships that visit Seward have internal scrubbers. She was interested in the proposed ordinance on vehicle idling. Draped expressed interest in having city department heads coming to the meeting to comment on the quarterly financial statements. Lastly, she noted her distinct honor of being in charge of the finish line for the Mt. Marathon Race and she was looking for volunteers. Osenga thanked everyone for presenting good information at meeting. He recapped his trip to Washington D.C. and gave kudos to the City Manager for doing a wonderful job and perfectly answering tough questions. McClure noted she was planning a proclamation for honoring the charter boat captains as well as Flag Day. She shared her experience at the American Legion Memorial Day Ceremony. McClure offered a general word of caution that tourists are driving erratically and misbehaving while on vacation. 1 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes May 26, 2026 Volume 43, Page 228 EXECUTIVE SESSION Annual Evaluation of the City Clerk Motion (Osenga/Calhoon) Go into Executive Session for the Annual Motion Passed City Manager Kat Sorensen joined City Council following a 5-minute recess. Council went into Executive Session at 8:33 p.m. Council came out of Executive Session at 8:55 p.m. McClure stated that the annual evaluation of the City Clerk had taken place. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:56 p.m. Evaluation of the City Clerk Yes: Draper, Calhoon, Crites, Osenga, McClure Absent: Barnwell, Warner y2 Kris Peck City Clerk 001111 Wise • _ _ E.�▪ ` SEAL • = r' SP*, S OF P1p• %ss and the City Clerk for the Executive Session SuA-A-rn°CEO. Sue McClure Mayor 1