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Home My WebLink About06082026 City Council MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes June 8, 2026 Volume 43, Page 229 CALL TO ORDER The Monday, June 8, 2026, regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Sue McClure. OPENING CEREMONY Acting Chief of Police Karl Schaefermeyer led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL There were present: Sue McClure, presiding, and John Osenga Robert Barnwell Julie Crites Casie Wafnef 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 — Warner Absent — None PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS The Flag Day Proclamation was read by Mike Calhoon. The Boat Rescue Life Saving Proclamation for Will Gentry and Nick Spurr was read by Sue McClure and accepted on their behalf by Rhonda Spurr The Historic Preservation Award for Kendra Warlow was read by Sue McClure and accepted by Kendra Warlow. The Historic Preservation Award for Michael Burmeister was read by John Osenga and accepted on his behalf by Kendra Warlow. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes June 8, 2026 Volume 43, Page 230 CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Jennifer Wells, inside city limits, spoke to the on -site consumption at the Tufted Puffin being a safe place to consume marijuana. Cannabis users wanted rules that can be followed and have access to a proper location. She felt cannabis has been discriminated against by the Planning & Zoning Commission and City Council. She requested that City Council carefully review the decisions that Planning & Zoning were making. Halee Jordan, inside city limits, spoke as the Director of Nursing at Providence Seward Mountain Haven and the medical center. She updated council on several healthcare initiatives underway. They were working on expanding local services so residents did not have to travel to Anchorage or Soldotna for the services. These services included MRI imaging, maternal and fetal health care, and wound care and infusion, and a broader support system. She spoke to how funding would be critical to support these services. Amanda Sweeting, outside city limits, spoke on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce. She described a project of re -doing the temporary fencing for Mt. Marathon Race and hoped to have it completed in the next couple years. She updated City Council on the Fourth of July parade and gave a general call out for floats and volunteers. Victoria Provenza, inside city limits, spoke about a business incubator idea in the Seward Middle School building. Karen Cooper McLoughlin, inside city limits, spoke as the Deputy Library Director and updated council on various library events, movies and activities. She thanked partners and sponsors for their support and making these activities possible. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Osenga/Calhoon) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda McClure requested Sue Ward's appointment to the Historic Preservation Commission be moved to the consent agenda. Motion as Amended Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the May 26, 2026, City Council Meeting Minutes Appoint Sue Ward to the Historic Preservation Commission for a term set to expire May 2029 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes June 8, 2026 Volume 43, Page 231 IN -PERSON REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS City Manager Report City Manager Kat Sorensen thanked everyone for attending the recent Electric Department Town Hall. There is a new webpage on the city website that contains a summary of all four town hall meetings and all related information. On another topic, the water storage tank in Lowell Canyon was being replaced. She encouraged runners to be mindful of the construction site as they train for the Mt. Marathon Race. Deputy City Manger Jason Bickling announced the Jesse Lee Home Site had finally been cleared for use by the Department of Environmental Conservation. He provided the DEC letter as a laydown and updated council on the playground equipment and future uses for the site. Council discussed the Dora Way Playground and a possible dog park. Sorensen provided more information about the dog park being constructed near the bike park. It was also a short distance from the Seward Animal Shelter which would be convenient for dog - walking volunteers. Barnwell clarified there was not an additional dog park planned at Jesse Lee Home site. City Clerk Report City Clerk Kris Peck provided an update on the student exchange group to Obihiro, Japan and announced the group would spend a couple days exploring Tokyo prior to flying north to Obihiro. On another topic he also noted the remaining vacancies on the Historic Preservation Commission. City Attorney Report The City Attorney was unable to attend tonight's meeting, but planned to attend the next regular meeting. PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinances for Enactment Ordinances 2026-005: Amending Seward City Code 2.10.071 Council Packet and 2.10.100 Decorum [Sponsored by the City Clerk] Motion (Osenga/Draper) Enact Ordinance 2026-005 Peck explained this ordinance would add explanations of "proclamations" and "laydowns" in the council packet section of city code. Both of these items were common at any given council meeting, but lacked any mention in city code. The other update was a general touch up of the decorum section. The current decorum signage in council chambers was essentially reverse engineered back into city code so they would be consistent. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes June 8, 2026 Volume 43, Page 232 Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. No one appeared and the public hearing was closed. Motion Passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None NEW BUSINESS Resolutions Resolution 2026-054: Authorizing the City Manager to Upgrade the Sewer Line in the South Harbor Uplands in the Amount of $280,042 and Appropriating Funds Motion (Osenga/Barnwell) Approve Resolution 2026-054 Bickling explained the current sewer line on the Harbor Uplands was only 2" and not adequate for harbor use. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2026-055: Approving Amendment #3 to the Employment Agreement with the City Clerk and Appropriated Funds Motion (Osenga/Calhoon) Approve Resolution 2026-055 Peck said the proposed amendment was based on the recent annual evaluation of the City Clerk. Motion Passed Unanimous Other New Business Discuss draft ordinance to set a time limit on vehicle engine idling [Sponsored by Draper] Draper described how this idea came to be with the citizen complaints regarding the local mail truck. She researched the issue and many cities have these types of ordinances to limit vehicle idling. She summarized the feedback she had received from the public on this issue. Council discussed the ordinance and asked if the Post Office could be contacted directly about the issue, rather than draft an ordinance for one specific situation. Barnwell noted an idling limit still had merit and the pollution factor was worth addressing. He would support an ordinance on that level if there was more community support. Council directed the City Manager to reach out to the Postmaster to discuss the mail truck engine idling issue. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes June 8, 2026 Volume 43, Page 233 INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Upcoming City Council Meeting on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. CITIZEN COMMENTS Amanda Sweeting, outside city limits, found it commendable that City Council would listen to one citizen's quality of life issue. She thanked council for caring and appreciated the small-town connection between citizens and council. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Sorensen said she was in current communication with the Kenai Peninsula Borough regarding the Seward Middle School and the Seward High School Pool. She hoped to bring forward an update at the next regular meeting. Draper thought the recent Electric Department Town Hall was fantastic. She also attended the ribbon cutting ceremony at the cruise ship terminal and liked the new name of Dale R. and Carol Ann Lindsey Alaska Railroad Terminal. On another topic, Draper was still looking for volunteers to help at the Mt. Marathon Race finish line. Calhoon gave additional kudos to Nick Spurr and Will Gentry for their heroic efforts. He was also very appreciative of Kendra Warlow and Michael Burmeister for their excellent work on WWII history in Seward. Calhoon looked forward to more discussion on the Jesse Lee Home property and potential for an additional dog park. He attended the recent Electric Department Town Hall and it was very informative. He encouraged community members to take the upcoming Electric Department surveys and provide feedback. He noted the importance of Flag Day coming up on Sunday and the American Flag is the one symbol that covers us all. Lastly, he wished the U.S. Army a 251 sc birthday Barnwell noted the math on the U.S. Army's 251s` birthday being one year older than the USA's 250th birthday. He echoed comments on the Historic Preservation Award recipients for their energy and hard work. He thanked Nick Spurr and Will Gentry for their heroic rescue efforts. Barnwell also thanked Providence and the Chamber of Commerce for their updates. McClure also attended the Electric Department Town Hall up to the point where she had to leave for a historical society meeting. She also attended the railroad terminal dedication ribbon cutting ceremony. McClure provided an update on the upcoming Solstice Cemetery Tour. She would be leading the tour in the same fashion as Lee Poleske. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes June 8, 2026 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:03 p.m. Volume 43, Page 234 Kris Peck Sue McClure City Clerk Mayor