HomeMy WebLinkAbout07232007 City Council Minutes
City of Seward, Alaska
July 23,2007
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 386
CALL TO ORDER
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The July 23,2007 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:30
p.m. by Mayor Vanta Shafer.
OPENING CEREMONY
Police Chief Tom Clemons led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
Vanta Shafer presiding and
Willard Dunham
Bob Valdatta
Jean Bardarson
Linda Amberg
Steve Schafer
Robert Thomas
comprising a quorum ofthe Council; and
Phillip Oates, City Manager
Jean Lewis, City Clerk
Cheryl Brooking, City Attorney
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ABSENT - None
CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED
FOR PUBLIC HEARING - None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Thomas/Bardarson)
Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
The following were pulled from the agenda by the Administration to secure insurance and be added
as a public hearing on the August 13, 2007 city council meeting:
Resolution 2007-076. Authorizing The City Manager To Appropriate Funds For $5000 To The
Community Built Playgrounds Project And Authorizing The Use Of A Portion Of The Park
On Ballaine As A New Community Built Playground.
Resolution 2007-077. Authorizing The City Manager To Appropriate Funds For $5000 To The
Community Built Playgrounds Project And Authorizing The Use Of The Third Avenue
Playground As A New Community Built Playground.
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The following was removed from the consent agenda and placed on the regular agenda:
City of Seward, Alaska
July 23, 2007
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 387
Resolution 2007-072. Authorizing The City Manager To Re-Appropriate Funds To Provide
Site Closure At Fort Raymond Subdivision For Diesel Spill For An Amount Not To Exceed .....
$21,684.30.
Motion Passed
Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
Resolution 2007-069. Accepting The 2007 Volunteer Fire Assistant Grant (VFA) And
Authorizing The 10% Matching Funds From The Volunteer Budget 101-1221-5460.
Resolution 2007-070. Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Cooperative Fire
Management Between The Forest Service, United States Department Of Agriculture And The
City Of Seward.
Resolution 2007-071. Authorizing The City Manager To Amend The Contract With Dryden
And Larue Inc., For The Purpose Of Relocating Electrical Facilities In Conjunction With The
Mile 0-8 Seward Highway Project, Including Sub-Contracting A Portion Of The Services To
Be Reimbursed By The State Of Alaska Department Of Transportation.
Resolution 2007-073. Accepting Grant Funds From ALPAR, The Kenai Peninsula Borough
And Seaview Community Services And Appropriating Funds For A Parks And Recreation
Litter Patrol As Creating Opportunities For Youth (COFY). --
Resolution 2007-074. Supporting The Wildlife Conservation Community Program To Help
Prevent Negative Bear Encounters.
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations and Awards
A proclamation was presented to the U.S. Coast Guard for National Coast Guard Day
and local commendation.
100 Years of Chugach National Forest proclamation and presentation was given.
City Manager's Report. City Manager Phillip Oates stated the new hire for the DMV
office would start August 9, 2007. The Seward Risk Management/Safety Committee qualified for
the 2007 AMUJIA Loss Control Incentive Program and was awarded $9,209.00 for their ongoing
work to mitigate risk and enhance city safety. He noted Federal lobbyist Brad Gilman was having
problems getting revised language in the final conference agreement which would give the Army
Corps. of Engineers the authority to extend the breakwater. Other items of interest were:
. Ferry Service. The city and chamber both testified at the Marine Transportation
Advisory Board (MTAB) meeting on July 17, 2007 in support of restoring ferry
service in Seward.
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City of Seward, Alaska
July 23, 2007
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 388
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· The city manager agreed to construct a frame to hang a downtown association mural
in Kawabe Park.
· Fire Department. The vehicle exhaust system obtained from a Homeland Security
grant was installed and completed. The department had responded numerous times
to individuals setting bails of hay on fire at Phoenix Drive and was asking the public
for information. The city's automated external defibrillator (AED) was used to
resuscitate an 84 year old man, thus resulting in a great return for the initial
investment.
· Public Works. Fuel storage tanks were inspected at Providence and Wesley.
Deficiencies were found that require improvements. The #3 lift station grant project
was 75% complete, and handicap parking was under review at city hall.
· Parks & Recreation. Adult softball leagues were wrapping up the season and youth
soccer leagues beginning. The TYC summer day camp attendance was excellent, and
more vandalism was occurring in the paid parking lots.
· Librarv. The Harry Potter Book Party was a smashing success with 50 students and
25 adults in attendance with many staff and volunteers.
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Oates stated the Chamber of Commerce pays for additional garbage collection from vendors
at the 4th of July, and thought the city should charge them for the litter they generated. He stated the
city employee health insurance costs had increased and he would look into increasing deductibles to
reduce the city's costs at the next APUIT Board meeting.
In response to council questions, Council member Thomas commended Oates for his work on
the ASLC Board and for the continued effort to bring the ferry Tustumena back to Seward.
Chamber of Commerce Report. Chamber Director Laura Cloward stated updated
statistics were still growing for the year with 374 members, which was increasing by 2% each month.
She informed that website hits and visitor guide requests were also up. Cloward notified that a
Japanese crew would be in Seward, August 2 through 8, 2007 to shoot a film. She spoke of two
projects, the branding program, and the coffee with the branding logo that were being used as
promotional tools.
Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations
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The 2007 Japanese adult and student exchange program students from Obihiro gave speeches
and were introduced. The city council presented gifts. The four female exchange students
from Japan were: Yuka Kudo, Julia Kaneko, Shuli Omori and Asami Iritani. The two
female visiting adults were: Kiyomi Takahashi and Michiko Muneoka with her two children
Gouma (5) and Noiko (2).
City of Seward, Alaska
July 23, 2007
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 389
A presentation was given by John French on the oil discharge and prevention and tanker
contingency plan for Prince William Sound (PWS). He spoke of tethered escorts, double
hull requirements, the establishment of citizen advisory councils and response plans which
had all added a greater level of safety.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS
Ordinance Requiring a Public Hearing
Ordinance 2007-004. Amending The Land Use Plan And Rezoning Of Lots 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,
20, 21, CP1, CP2, CG1, CG2, BC1, BC2, BD1, And BD2, Forest Acres Subdivision From
Institutional (INS) To Rural Residential (RR) (24 Parcels); Tract A Forest Acres, Afognak
Addition And Lots CM, CL, CK, A W, And A V From Institutional (INS) To Resource
Management (RM) (6 Parcels).
Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public
hearing was opened. No one appeared to address the Council and the public hearing was closed.
Council member Schafer declared a conflict and Mayor Shafer ruled a conflict existed.
Council member Schafer abstained.
Motion (ThomaslDunham)
Enact Ordinance 2007-004
..,.j
Motion Passed
Yes: Amberg, Bardarson, Thomas,
Dunham, Valdatta, Mayor Shafer
Abstain: Schafer
NEW BUSINESS
Resolutions
Resolution 2007-072. Authorizing The City Manager To Re-Appropriate Funds To Provide
Site Closure At Fort Raymond Subdivision For Diesel Spill For An Amount Not To Exceed
$21,684.30.
Motion (Thomas/Amberg)
Approve Resolution 2007-072
Motion Passed
Unanimous
Resolution 2007-075. Approving The Access Route (s) For The New Long-Term Care Facility
Site. ...
City of Seward, Alaska
July 23, 2007
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 390
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Oates informed council that this resolution limited itselfto only the Oak Street right-of-way
extension at this time. This route goes from the Long-Term Care Facility, north to the OaklHemlock
Street intersection and establishes itself as the primary access route into the center. He limited the
route because it was essential to put utilities in this summer, and would allow finalization of the
layout ofthe buildings on the property. Additional information on the other route extensions were
needed.
Oates spoke that the further extension north up Oak to Ash Street, had 40 foot right-of-ways
(ROW) with some 45 and 50 foot ROW sections. Additional property would have to be purchased
from roughly 15 owners for this route to be chosen. This route would affect 38 residential parcels,
and it was not possible to have all the information provided for tonight's meeting.
Oates addressed the Hemlock extension route to the Seward highway. He felt this was the
best long term solution for the primary route. It appeared to be the most costly and had an adverse
impact on two property owners and the Army Recreation Center building, but the City had the
required 50 foot ROW on the entire route, it was the most direct, it separated the schools from the
Forest Acres area, and added additional foot routes. Water and sewer needed to be installed and it
would clean up problem intersections. This route affected 10 residential parcels vs. the 38 on the
above route.
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Oates reported the council could amend the resolution and finalize the route by adding the
entire route of their choice. He thought once it was known what funds would be available, then
council could consider developing multiple routes into the facility. He requested this resolution be
passed for that portion of Oak Street to begin needed design work on the facility. Oates would bring
another resolution to council seeking their guidance on the complete route.
Motion (SchaferlBardarson)
Approve Resolution 2007-075
Dunham was leaning toward extending up north through Ash Street. He thought the
Hemlock route would end up in litigation and was still galled the primary route could not be Sea
Lion Drive.
Valdatta noted you could go down an undeveloped road to the facility.
Schafer thought the undeveloped road had a 40 foot ROW which would require property
acquisition, and was in favor of passing the resolution tonight as is.
Motion Passed
Unanimous
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No action required)
City of Seward Monthly Budget Summary.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
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Bardarson welcomed the exchange students from Japan and thanked Debbie Bond and the
City Clerk's office for administering the program.
City of Seward. Alaska
July 23, 2007
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 391
Schafer thanked the city manager for the added items in the budget report.
....
Thomas also welcomed the exchange students and gave congratulations to the Coast Guard
for their commendations. He hoped some of the public would discontinue blasting council for things
they may not be totally informed about.
Dunham was delighted to see the exchange students, and suggested the city recognize the
Fletcher's on their 50 years in business. He wanted the 35 mph posting looked into. Dunham said
the city had more time to work on ferry verbiage for the Senate, and he wanted to look into
permitting of old buildings. With the added costs to upgrade older buildings, it would be nice to
enhance them and keep them on the tax roles.
Mayor Shafer thanked the Coast Guard for their continued service and also thanked the
Library staff ofTember Eliason and Maureen Callahan for their creativity with programs, and giving
the kids an alternate place to go.
Thomas pointed out he was perfectly happy with the speed limits as they are.
CITIZENS' COMMENTS - None
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS - None
.J
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
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