The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About09142026 City Council MinutesCity o(Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 14, 2026 Volume 43, Page 269 CALL TO ORDER The September 14, 2026, regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Sue McClure. OPENING CEREMONY Acting Police Chief Karl Schaefermeyer led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL There were present: Sue McClure, presiding, and John Osenga Robert Barnwell J-uI+e Crites Casie Warner Lori 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 Absent: None PROCLAMATIONS AND AWARDS Patriot Day Proclamation was read by Mike Calhoon and accepted on behalf of the American Legion Post 5. POW/MIA Recognition Day Proclamation read by Mike Calhoon accepted on behalf of the American Legion Post 5. National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Proclamation read by John Osenga and accepted by Christiana Smith. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 14, 2026 Volume 43, Page 270 Becky Dunn, inside city limits, thanked the City Council candidates for applying and provided info on the upcoming Meet the Candidates night hosted by Seward Public Radio. On another topic, Dunn was sending thoughts and prayers to Whittier in regard to their new cruise ship dock catching on fire. Lastly, she wanted to spread the word about a missing Seward woman Abigail Pruitt and a reward for any leads. 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 the August 24, 2026, City Council Meeting Minutes Introduction of Ordinance 2026-008: Amending Seward City Code 2.30.410 Historic Preservation Commission to Waive the Residency Requirement for Two Seats on the Commission Resolution 2026-075: Authorizing the City Manager to Accept and Appropriate Community Assistance Program Funds in the Amount of $109,972.43 for the Purpose of Capital Projects Related to Fire, Public Safety, and Road Maintenance Resolution 2026-076: Authorizing the City Manager to Accept and Appropriate $10,000 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services' Inspire! Grant Program for the Seward Museum WWII Exhibit Project Confirm Election Board for 2026 Regular Municipal Election No grounds for protest for the AMCO liquor license renewal for Chinooks Waterfront Restaurant IN -PERSON REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS City Manager Report Acting City Manager Jason Bickling reported on a recent Environmental Protection Agency site visit for the Shore Power Project. McClure noted the Mexican Navy tall ship Cuauhtemoc had visited Seward and she held up a plaque received from the crew during a gift exchange. The plaque will be displayed in the hallway outside of Council Chambers. McClure asked for an update on the Jesse Lee Playground. Bickling responded with a summary of the project and plans for this fall and winter. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 14, 2026 Volume 43, Page 271 Osenga asked for an update on the new dog park in Forest Acres. Bickling confirmed there will be a grand opening on Saturday, Sept 26, 2026 City Clerk Report City Clerk Kris Peck reported on the voter information guide for the Regular Municipal Election and provided information on how to apply for an absentee ballot by mail. Calhoon asked about absentee voting options for the elections in November. City Attorney Report — None [Sam Severin's written report is in the packet] Presentations Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District [KPEDD] Update from Cassidi Cameron Seward Student Exchange Visit to Obihiro, Japan by the four students: Kirra DesErmia, Atlin Ryan, Chloe Lyon, Kaia Gunter PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolutions Requiring Public Hearing Resolution 2026-074: Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a New Lease Agreement with He Will Provide Inc. For the Area in the Lower Level of the Senior Center Facility Motion (Osenga/Barnwell) Approve Resolution 2026-074 Bickling summarized this importance of having a food pantry for the community for those dealing with food insecurity. Currently, the food pantry was operating out of the basement of the City Hall Annex. This new location in the lower level of the Senior Center became available as a byproduct of the City leasing the Seward Middle School. The new lease agreement for the food pantry offered a better location and better parking for customers. Bickling also provided information on the five- year lease with options to extend. There would also be some electrical upgrades needed in the Senior Center to accommodate the freezers. 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. Draper noted the dominoes that fell into place in order for this opportunity to lease the Senior Center. She wondered about what would happen with this lease should the Middle School re -open as a school. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes September 14, 2026 Volume 43, Page 272 Bickling said the lease would be 5 years at a time, but there were clauses included for either party to end the lease. The Middle School situation was taken into account, but in the meantime the new location was a much better fit for the food pantry. Motion Passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS — None NEW BUSINESS — None INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Other Items Letter of Support for crosswalks on the Seward Highway near Port Avenue Upcoming City Council Meetings Work Session on Monday, September 28, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Topic: Providence Regular Meeting on Monday, September 28, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. CITIZEN COMMENTS — None COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Bickling thanked Cassidi Cameron for coming over to present on KPEDD. He encouraged people to check out the KPEDD presentation slides and website as a great resource. Draper enjoyed both of the presentations and thought the exchange students were great. Draper shared her experience of going onboard the Mexican Navy ship Cuauhternoc. Lastly, she noted a news article on childcare featuring Casie Warner. Calhoon thanked KPEDD for the presentation and was glad that the students had a great time in Obihiro. He recalled going to different countries overseas while serving in the military. Calhoon announced the Toys for Tots auction at the American Legion was huge success and was grateful for all the donations. He also noted this week included American Legion Day and Constitution & Citizenship Day. Calhoon wanted to remind everyone that the United States of America is the greatest, freest, most open country in the world. Patriotism is on the rise again. Warner thanked Cassidi Cameron for the KPEDD presentation and it was great to hear about the exchange students experience in Japan. She reiterated Becky Dunn's announcement about the Meet the Candidates forum coming up on Wednesday. Warner thanked all the candidates who applied for the two open seats on City Council. Warner was excited for the new location of food pantry. Lastly, school is well underway with students participating in a variety of field trips. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes SeNember /4. 2026 Volume 43, Page 273 Barnwell appreciated the KPEDD presentation and hearing about the students' experience in Japan. He commended Jodi Kurtz for her excellent job as chaperone on the visits to Japan. Osenga thanked Cassidi Cameron for KPEDD update. Seeing the presentation of visiting Japan brought back a lot of memories. The exchange was a really good program for local kids. The picture of the Obihiro City Council Chambers looked quite nice and Seward was due for an upgrade. McClure noted there wasn't an exchange program when she was in high school and perhaps this is why she is not fond of traveling. She thanked Cassidi Cameron for the KPEDD presentation. McClure was happy about the food pantry moving to a new location. McClure announced the Resurrection Bay Historical Society will be doing a presentation about the 1986 flood on Thursday night at the library. Also happening on Thursday night was Community Choir rehearsals for the fall and winter seasons. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:07 p.m. u..13-m'cQa44.< Kris Peck Sue McClure City Clerk Mayor