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Home My WebLink About10132008 City Council MinutesCr~t}~ of Seward. Alaska October 13. 2008 CALI, TO ORDER City Council Minutes 6~olume 37, Paue640 The October 13, 2008 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Clark Corbridge. OPENING CEREMONY Lieutenant Louis Tiner led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Clark Corbridge presiding and Bob Valdatta Betsy Kellar comprising a quorum of the Council; and Kirsten Vescl, Acting City Manager Jean Lewis, City Clerk Cheryl Brooking, City Attorney ABSENT -Willard Dunham Linda Amberg Tom Smith Jean Bardarson CITIZENS' COMMF,NTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Derald School, from UNIT Company was present and interested in the Jesse Lee Homc project. He knew Benny Benson in Kodiak in the 1960's. School stated the Jesse Lee Homc structure was sound but it was becoming a big challenge. He would not be charging for his time, but wanted the contract to dry out the structure. Bernie Jarriel, was the new Community Director at Seaview Community Services and wanted to address the council and introduce himself. Jim Jager, a representative for Friends of the Jesse Lee Home, was excited with the offer from UNIT Company to dry out the structure. He noted they were almost completed with documents of corporation that would make them a legal entity by the end of the month. They hoped to turn the liability of Jesse Lce Home into an asset for the city. Jager stated they were making excellent progress with a funding plan to get the project completed. Their funding plan should open the Leadership school by the fall of 2010, and debt free, if they could keep the plan on track. They hoped the income would pay for the operation of the school If that didn't work, plan B was for an interest free loan to finish the project. Jager informed that the Friends of Jesse Lee Homc had spoke with Seward school officials and others about bringing urban area children and children from the lower 48 for a year round component possibly by the year 2013. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGF,NDA City of Seward, Alaska City Cou~icil Minretes October l3 2008 Volume 37, Page641 Motion (Bardarson/Valdatta) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Resolution 2008-104 was pulled from the consent agenda. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: The September 22, 2008 regular city council meeting minutes were approved. Ad-Hoc Committee Members; Mary Huss, Arlene Carpenter, Duane Chase, Kim Kowalski- Rogersand Barbara Shea were appointed to assist with naming the Long Term Care Facility. Resolution 2008-098, Approving Amendment #6 To The Employment Agreement With The City Clerk. Resolution 2008-99, Electing To Participate In The AML/JIA Loss Control Incentive Program For The City Of Seward. Resolution 2008-100, Authorizing The City Manager To Submit The Historic Preservation Commission FY'09 "Hoben Park Restoration Phase TIT-Planters" Grant Application To The Office Of History And Archaeology, Alaska Division Of Parks And Outdoor Recreation. Resolution 2008-101, Accepting A Grant In The Amount Of $1,787.40 From The Alaska Highway Safety Office For 2009 First Quarter ASTEP Driving Under The Influence (DUI) Enforcement Campaign And Appropriating Funds. Resolution 2008-102, Accepting A Grant In The Amount Of $1,429.92 From The Alaska Highway Safety Office For 2009 First Quarter ASTEP Seatbelt Enforcement Campaign And Appropriating Funds. Resolution 2008-103, Authorizing A Contract Through December 31, 2009, With Alaska Newspapers, inc. For Display Advertising In The Seward Phoenix Log At A Rate Of $410.00 Per Week And Establish Other City Advertising Rates. The laydown version of the October 7, 2008 regular municipal election results were declared final and are attached below. FINAL CERTIFICATE OF RESULTS FOR THE REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION HELD OC'T'OBER 7, 2008 Crty of Setivard, Alaska October 13, ?008 City Cowzcil Minutes Volume 37. Pa~eh42 The City Canvass Board has completed their review of all absentee and questioned ballots of the Regular Municipal Election held October 7, 2008. Their totals are: ~ Note: Total Counted plus Total Rejected =Total Voted} Report of Absentee and Questioned Ballots Absentee ballots voted 60 Questioned ballots voted 8 Special Needs ballots voted 3 'Total Voted 71 Rejected Not registered, registered too late or registered out of City Fonn not completed properly Signed/witnessed after election day Total Rejected 7 Counted Absentee 60 Questioned 1 Special Needs 3 Total Counted 64 The Election Day results, after canvassing are as follows: Three Two-vear Council Seats 7 F1CCr1(111 I lijV VnteC Qftrr (~anva cc VnTac Tntol V.~t(.o Jean Bardarson 270 48^ 318 v Willard Dunham 198 39 _ 237 John French 150 _ 33 183 Marianna Kcil 247 43 290 ___ Write hts 24 1 25 PROPOSITION NO. 1 EXEMPTING MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS FROM THE REQUIREMENT OF THE ,._ STATE FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE LAWS, AND ESTABLISH OWN FORM AND GUIDELINES Shall the City of Seward exempt its municipal officers from the State Financial Disclosure Laws, Ciry of Seward, Alaska City Coasr~cil Minutes Oc~oher 13 2008 Volume 37, Page643 (AS 39.50), and adopt a form of its own to reflect locally adopted guidelines related to financial disclosure and conflicts of interest'? Election Da Votes After Canvass Votes Total Votes YES 151 34 185 NO 203 29 232 PROPOSITION NO. 2 IMPLEMENTING A BIENNIAL BUDGET IN PLACE OF AN ANNUAL BUDGET Shall the Seward City Charter 5.4 (d), 6.2 and 6.3 be amended to require a biennial City budget rather than an annual City budget? Election Dav Voles After Canvass Votes Total Votes YES 180 28 208 NO 169 I 35 I 204 A total of 362 people voted at this election plus 64_ counted absentee votes = _426_ Total. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards A Proclamation Was Presented For Domestic Violence Month. A Proclamation Of Thanks Was Given To Harmon Construction For Hoben Park. A Proclamation Was Read For Fire Prevention Month. National Physician Assistants Week of October 6-12 Was Recognized. City Manager's Report. Acting City Manager Kirsten Vesel stepped in for City Manager Oates who was on vacation. Shc stated Fire Chief Dave Squires was awarded the Ken Akerly Leadership Award by the State Fire Marshal Office which recognized people that stood out as leaders in their organization. The community preparedness drill would be November 8, 2008, which was a community exercise organized in case of an influenza breakout. Flu shots would be given while supplies lasted and volunteers were needed. Harbor. A letter received by the EPA alter their inspection on May 8, 2008, concluded stormwater discharges were not currently being needed in the Seward Small Boat Harbor. They did say if activities changed, the city would have to re-evaluate. The Nash Road site was cleaned and 77,500 pounds of contaminated soil was removed. Paid parking was closed for the season. City nfSeward, Alaska City Council tYfinutes Octobe~~ 13, 20x8 volume 37, Pa e644 City Attorney's Report. Cheryl Brooking stated their firm continued working with ongoing matters such as; land use issues on proposed levee project, extension of leases, SAAMS ~~ lease, and flood management issues. She said that after receiving the letter from the EPA on the harbor environmental issues, they would ask the court to remove the lower portion of the courts judgment. Brooking recently attended the Lawyer Association Conference in I,as Vegas to learn about land use development. Shc thought the municipal issues were fascinating and re-capped a few of them for the council, such as; the big push to permanently store all nuclear waste at the Yucca Flats area, making money and new ground covers with municipal landfills, economics, foreclosures, homelessness issues, and how telecommunications were colliding with local zoning around the country. Other Reports, Special Presentations A Powerpoint Presentation VVas Given By Sarah Sanderlin Of Department Of Health & Social Services About The Mass Dispensing Exercise Scheduled For Saturday, November 8, 2008. The whole community was invited to attend and theyhoped to dispense 500 people per hour. NEW BUSINESS Ordinances for Introduction .,... ' ~ ~ , °-- -.., ......... ~oa~ r""~'"~° "7°.= ~''~' ~ '' (Re-scheduled fog' 10/27) ~ Resolution 2008-097, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Contract With Statewide Clearing, Inc. For Professional Services To Clear Eight Miles Of Transmission Line Right-Of- Way For An Amount Not-To-Exceed $495,000.00 And Appropriating Funds. Motion (Bardarson/Smith) Approve Resolution 2008-097 Acting City Manager Kirsten Vesel stated $283,300 would be saved by Statewide Clearing Inc.'s proposal not utilizing union wages. Electric Utility Manager Tim Barnum brought this proposal forward because this company was in the area right now working on a project for TelAlaska, and he wanted to take advantage of them for being on site. He stated 97 acres would be cleared from Mile 9 to 17, which was one fourth of the city's transmission line. '1'hcre was no road access to this area and work would be done by hand in many of the areas. Barnum stated it had been 15-20 years since this was last done and he thought it should speed up the time to restore power during outages and would ultimately save money because of how much it costs to run the generators. In response to questions, Barnum stated the generator project would be held up because of ... cost. He noted all ground material would be pulled and ground up into mulch. A 5-7 year cycle was sufficient and standard. Barnum felt this was a competitive rate and the work would be completed in three to four weeks. City of Sex~urd, Alaska City Council Minutes October l3, 2008 !/olume 37, Page645 Barnum felt the budget could handle this cost, but maintenance had to be conducted. He answered the longer this went the higher the dollar amount would go. Price would quadruple within the next three years. Amendment (Bardarson/Corbridge) Add Section 3 stating; We find the public interest would not be served by requiring competitive bids or proposals because the services can be provided at a lower cost without competitive bidding. The original Section 3 would then turn into Section 4. Amberg and Smith were concerned with not going out to a competitive bid and were not sure if this was in the public's best interest because no basis to compare was ever shown. Amendment Passed Yes: Kellar, Valdatta, Bardarson, Mayor Corbridge No: Smith, Amberg Council recessed for 2 minutes at 8:03 p.m. Council resumed at 8:05 p.m. Finance Director Kristin Erchinger verified this project was listed in the capital budget and there was 5900,000 in electric replacement fund. She stated the generator project was well over budget and that this would leave 53.4 million in reserves. Barnum reiterated if this brush clearing did not get done now, it wouldn't get done this year and would cost more later, and the city would lose the mobilization and demobilization bid portion. Motion (Amberg/Smith) Postpone Indefinitely Motion Failed Yes: Smith, Amberg, Kellar No: Bardarson, Valdatta, Corbridge IVlain Motion Failed Yes: Bardarson, Valdatta, Mayor Corbridge No: Smith, Kellar, Amberg Resolution 2008-104, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Contract With UNIT Company To Provide 1(mmediate Stabilization For The Jesse Lee Home For An Amount Not- To-Exceed $39,710.39 And Appropriating Grant Funds. Motion (Bardarson/Amberg) Approve Resolution 2008-0104 Vesel stated there was an urgency to get tarps established on the roof. The next step would be for the city manager to pass off the projects management oversight as soon as the LLC was secured. She thought this was a gracious offer from UNIT. City ofSewarrl, Alaska Crn~ Council Minutes October !3, 2008 Volteme 37, Pa >e646 Amberg did not support sole sourcing and not going out for a bid. Shc had conversations with a local contractor who was not aware of this opportunity. She thought it should wait for once ~' the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home received their LLC, then they could appoint UN1T easier. Council suspended the rules To speak with Jim Jager and Derald School of Friends of the Jesse Lee Home. Approved by unanimous conseut Vesel stated there was a timing issue and the funds wcre held with the Dept of Natural Resources. Amberg wanted local contractors given the same consideration as UNIT. Kellar stated the reason administration could sole-source this was because it was being referred as an "emergency'' therefore, was exempt from the bid process. She did not Teel comfortable because of the prior litigation insinuated with the last contract the city tried to approve. Jager and School stated the building must be dried out in hopes to start work next spring. They would be using volunteer time and purchasing materials locally. They cautioned to inquire local contractors to make sure they had the correct equipment. Council suspended the Rules To allow local contractor Larry Harmon of Harmon Construction to speak. Approved by unanimous consent Although Larry Harmon wanted to make sure local contractors had the opportunity to bid on local projects, had he known more about the project he may or may not have bid on it. He did not want the council to base their decision on the fact he was present. Vesel agreed that sole sourcing should be done sparingly, but the city manager felt this was an emergency to accomplish before the snow fell. She thought it was an opportunity for the project to move forward. Motion Passed Yes: Valdatta, Smith, Bardarson, Corbridge No: Kellar, Amberg COUNCIL COMMENTS Kellar thanked the staff for the Hoben Park resolution which she thought was nicely done. Shc supported the mass dispensing exercise scheduled for November 8, 2008. Bardarson met with the 3r`~ grade class and they presented papers with ideas and thoughts on what they loved about Seward. Their main theme was the shidents wanted a skating rink. They were concerned that the ice at Second Lake cracked or broke and stated it was scary. Valdatta stated the Jesse Lee Home patching had been mentioned for years. He appreciated Harmon and his approach to the council. City o~Sewm•d, Alaska City Council Minutes October 13, 2008 Valume 37, Page647 Amberg thanked UNIT but just wanted the administration to follow the bid process. She always wanted to see quotes and comparisons. She wished Karin Sturdy a speedy recovery and congratulated Jean Bardarson, Willard Dunham and Marianna Keil on their election to council seats and appreciated their service. It was her last meeting and stated it was a pleasure working with everyone. Smith thought sole sourcing happened too often. He thanked Linda Amberg for her service. Corbridge wished Amberg the best of luck. CITIZENS' COMMENTS - Nonc COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS -None Council recessed at 8:40 pm Council resumed at 8:45 pm No objection to reverse the order of the executive sessions. Since Vice-Mayor Dunham had the city attorney evaluations, this item was postponed to another time. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion (Amberg/Bardarson) Go Into Executive Session Ta Discuss Arbitration Filed By Seward Ships Drydock With Regards To Their Lease. Motion Passed Went into executive session at 8:47 pm Came out of executive session at 9:10 pm Unanimous Direction was given to the City Attorney in Executive Session. ADJOURNMENT ~hc meeting was adjourned at 9:10 pm .lean ewis, CMC •.•'~ QF SFyv+., City lerk „o V~ o.~~~`~°_.~s "~ ,~*, ++ • .. ~a~, '°~~ (City Seal) o ~ ~ ~- ~ M 1 1.1'-._. '.J 1~ i + r i~ • y `i f}, f• lF aF A~-a ••' + aaabaalu ~ ~~'• Clark Corbridge Mayor