HomeMy WebLinkAbout01232012 City Council Minutes City ofSeward, Alaska City Council Minutes
January 23, 2012 Volume 38, Page 753
lam CALL TO ORDER
The January 23, 2012 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00
p.m. by Mayor David Seaward.
OPENING CEREMONY
Lieutenant Louis Tiner led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
David Seaward presiding and
Jean Bardarson Christy Terry
Vanta Shafer Marianna Keil
Bob Valdatta Ristine Casagranda
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Jim Hunt, City Manager
Johanna Kinney, City Clerk
how
Absent — None
CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED
FOR PUBLIC HEARING
John Lang spoke to the council about the proposed Alaskan Wet Dog Race. They were close
to getting it put together and had filed a permit with Department of Natural Resources to bring all
concerns to the table. He was excited to be before the council this evening and was available to
answer any questions.
Rob Buck spoke in favor of Resolution 2012 -007. A fuel delivery driver and a former
PACAB member, Buck felt there was a lot of support from individuals and businesses. He thanked
Utility Manager John Foutz and Administration for bringing this forward encouraged council to
approve this resolution.
Tim McDonald said there was a lot of talk of economic development at the last work
session, but pointed out the citizen's that lived outside the city limits had no voting rights. This
skewed property tax rates. He was not suggesting annexation, but Seward should not operate in a
cocoon. They had a moral responsibility to those people outside the city limits.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Keil/Bardarson) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
January 23, 2012 Volume 38, Page 754
Councilmember Valdatta requested two discussion items be placed on the agenda: discussion on
capping the fish tax and discussion on contacting Alaska Interstate Gas for a proposal to bring
natural gas to Seward. After much discussion, Councilmember Valdatta agreed these could be placed
on the next regular meeting agenda.
Motion Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
The January 9, 2012 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Were Approved.
Resolution 2012 -006, Authorizing The City Manager To Sign An Agreement For Mutual Aid
For The Provision Of Emergency Services With Emergency Service Providers On The Kenai
Peninsula.
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Chamber of Commerce Report, Cindy Clock stated last Friday was the Chamber's annual
meeting and she provided the presentation she gave at the meeting. Clock felt the Chamber had the
tourism piece of Seward's economy figured out. The chamber's focus was going to be more
concentrated in implementing the 2010 Economic Development Assessment to bring more people to
Seward, create more year round jobs, and expand port development. She also handed out notes from magi
the last economic development meeting to reference and build on. Clock stated the Turnagain Times
was on their list to advertise in. She was confident that the Chamber and the city working together
could achieve a healthy year round strong economy.
City Manager's Report, City Manager Jim Hunt stated there had been no purchases
approved by the City Manager between $10,000- 50,000 since the last Council Meeting. In the
Harbor Department, request for proposals for the Vessel Wash -Down and Wastewater Recycling
Facility project at SMIC were being solicited. Matt Chase was the city's designated `Clean Harbors
Officer.' The Coast Guard contracted with Ahtna Engineering Services for the relocation of their
building currently along 4 Avenue to the new foundation at the northeasterly corner of the harbor.
The tentative date to move the building was mid -April and that should result in minimal conflicts
with other customers. The Facility Security Plan for SMIC was finalized and submitted to the Coast
Guard Sector office in Anchorage.
The Fire Department conducted an Emergency Vehicle Operator course on January 13 —14,
2012. Participants had to pass an academic and practical driving course for certification. Out of this
class, six members received certifications as instructors. The department responded to numerous
structure fires in our community in the past week. The department was asking residents to clean and
check their heating appliances, keep combustibles away from hot objects, and to dispose of hot
embers and smoking material in proper containers. The Building Department had several
construction projects started without building permits and Hunt reminded the public to see the
Building Department before starting projects. Hunt urged residents to shovel the snow off their
buildings due to the heavy snowfall experienced in the last weeks and anticipated weather changes to
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
January 23, 2012 Volume 38, Page 755
come.
The City Manager and Assistant City Manager attended the World Trade Center Alaska
Statewide Economic Outlook Forum in Anchorage January 18, 2012. Northern Economics, the city's
finance strategy firm for the CVRF project, gave the review and outlook for the state economy by
sector. Following up with Council direction at a recent work session, the Assistant City Manager and
the Electric Utility Director met with Chugach Electric representatives Friday morning to begin
looking at options for electric utility. The Parking area at Founder's Monument would be used as a
laydown yard for the Seward Community Library Museum project this summer, and the National
Park Service lot at the former Harbor Dinner Club location was planned for siting construction utility
offices. The Assistant Manager would be accompanying Councilmember Casagranda to Soldotna
Thursday and Friday for the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District Economic Outlook
Forum, co- hosted hosted by the Alliance (oil industry support businesses), with presentations by each
of the cities on the Peninsula and the Borough, and with speakers from the State legislature,
Departments of Labor, Revenue, Transportation and Natural Resources, industry leaders, gas line
project players, and utilities.
The Electric Department was interviewing for a new operator /mechanic. Projects for the
electric crew were starting to line up for the upcoming construction season. Those planning to have
new service or a service upgrade for construction this year should get their job order started sooner
rather than later. Job orders get completed in the order in which they were received.
In Public Works, staff was working with the Alaska SeaLife Center to recruit a marine
observer required for pile driving activities for the Seward Marine Center Dolphin Project. The
USCG Relocation project was slated for the last part of April. Staff was coordinating with the
Electric Department and an engineering firm regarding the remaining work and building move.
Public Works had finalized all pending submittals and other documents for the 3` Avenue waterline
loan. Repayment would begin March 1, 2012. The department was working with ADEC to complete
the Maple Street Sewer Line Loan application for FY2012. Council could expect the resolution to
enter into a loan agreement with ADEC for the Maple Street Sewer Line at the next meeting. Street
and Shop crews have worked hard to keep up with snow removal, sanding and mitigating other
hazards caused by adverse weather conditions. The department was busy preparing streets, sidewalks
and parking lots for the upcoming polar bear jump. Parts had been ordered to fix the snow blower
and were slated to arrive soon; repairs would take approximately one day once the parts arrived.
Hunt stated administration may be coming to council for an appropriation for gravel as they were
running low due to the extreme weather. Water and Wastewater Departments were working with
administration and an engineering firm on remaining permitting issues and sludge disposal for
Lowell Point Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Mayoral Report, David Seaward stated his report was for the last two weeks. He noted the
last two work sessions, one joint work session with the Planning and Zoning Commission and one
reviewing city services. Seaward reminded the public of the three seats available on the Planning and
Zoning Commission and encouraged people to apply. He stated he would be going to Juneau to meet
r..► with the lobbyist in February.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
January 23, 2012 Volume 38, Page 756
Resolution 2012 -001 : Approving Exchange rovin A Land Exchan e A 0.56 Acre +/- Portion Of Lot 8A -1 for An rrr
0.56 Acre +/- Portion Of Lot 6A -1, Fort Raymond Subdivision Replat No. 2, With The Kenai
Peninsula Borough And Appropriating Funds.
Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Approve Resolution 2012 -001
(motion was originally made at the January 9, 2012 meeting)
Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public
hearing was opened.
Lee Ray, a second grade teacher at Seward Elementary and member of the Seward Schools
Site Based Council, came tonight to bring to attention the Site Based Council's view point on the
land exchange proposal between the city and the Kenai Peninsula Borough. Ray read a letter from
SSSBC President Julie Lindquist stating some of the wishes of the council should this land exchange
occur.
Lynn Hohl, Seward's School Board Representative, thanked administration for listening to
the concerns of the school and the site council and for postponing this action. She hoped the school
board would be providing a recommendation at the next meeting. There may be some differences of
ownership /management from the borough and the school district, and the school board was not asked
about this exchange, so she hoped they would be addressing this on the board. awl
The public hearing was closed.
Shafer said she didn't know the $4 million from ARCTEC included an office for the Electric
Department and was under the assumption that it was to upgrade the generator project. She didn't
think the city should be stating that these funds were coming from ARCTEC. She thought the funds
were received to do something else.
Assistant City Manager Ron Long said one of the things administration would like to do
was to further refine this land exchange and then come back to council with how to prioritize the
funds for this project. Electric Utility Manager John Foutz said last year while in Juneau, he asked
from the ARCTEC grant two million dollars to move the generators into the generator building and
two million dollars to create an office for the Electric Department. He could bring that information
forward at the next meeting.
Bardarson said she also thought it was to upgrade the mechanisms to cut down on man time
and the time to bring the generators up. Foutz said that was upgrading the switchgear which involved
moving the generators into the building and fixing generators three and six.
Keil said in the budget work sessions they discussed moving the electrical offices into the
library. She wasn't supportive of creating more buildings /infrastructure to maintain.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
January 23, 2012 Volume 38, Page 757
Motion to Postpone (Shafer /Bardarson) Postpone Resolution 2012 -001 to the
ism
February 13, 2012 Council Meeting.
Council also directed the City Clerk to bring this resolution back as a public hearing item once more.
Motion to Postpone Passed Unanimous
Ordinance 2012 -001, Amending Seward City Code 2.30.220 And 2.30.221 (a) And (c) To
Change The Planning And Zoning Meet Times To 7:00 P.M. And Set Adjournment No Later
Than 10:30 P.M. And Further Clarify The Meeting Adjournment Requirements.
Hunt said this was requested by the Planning and Zoning Commission to be consistent with
City Council and for the public.
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.
Motion (Terry /Casagranda) Enact Ordinance 2012 -001
Motion Passed Unanimous
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 2012 -007, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into Amendment No. 2 To The
Sale And Purchase Agreement With Chugach Electric Association To Facilitate Allowing The
City To Purchase Electric Output Of Certain Small Renewable Power Production Facilities.
Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Approve Resolution 2012 -007
Hunt said they recommended approval to address small renewable power production facilities
who may wish to sell power to the city.
Shafer stated a 25 kilowatt windmill was significant and smaller ones were 1 -3 kilowatts.
Shafer wanted to know if the smaller ones were included. Foutz said windmills less than 25 kilowatts
were reliant on the RCA's ruling; however the city was not regulated by the RCA. According to the
proposed amended contract with Chugach, the city could allow anything less than 25 kilowatts to go
forward.
Terry asked once this was approved by the RCA, was this the last step to interconnect? Foutz
said it was not, the next step was the interconnect policy needed to be revised by staff. This included
technical specifications and applications. Foutz stated the city needed to finish up plans for rates and
repayments for purchasing power from others before this happened. The RCA had their
recommended rate, and while they city was not regulated by the RCA, it would probably be the best
option to use. Hunt followed up it was quite a detailed process but it was progressing and that this
was a big step.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
January 23, 2012 Volume 38, Page 758
Valdatta asked about the hydro proposal across the bay at the 4 of July Creek. Foutz
understood that the Planning and Zoning Commission did not give the proposer a recommendation
and the grant funds were not received because of it.
Casagranda asked if the billing /purchasing details within the contract were on a monthly
basis, Foutz responded that it was aggregate. Foutz stated Chugach would not reimburse Seward for
fuel costs. If Seward wished to do the same, which Foutz said was the logical thing to do, they could
do so. Hunt said no matter what came in, the city would have to stick to the fuel rate. Foutz said the
fuel rate from Chugach was based on what the City of Seward consumed.
Bardarson asked if there was any way for smaller windmills to speed up the ability to connect
a small home. Foutz said there was something in place in the code currently but no technical
specifications, which would tell the city what they needed to look for when allowing someone to
connect. When those were done, it would still be a long process to get people connected. What was
needed after the interconnect policy was an application process that would require review, an
engineering study, then authorization to move forward. It was possible other pieces may occur, such
as building permit requirements and so forth.
Terry wondered if the city could use what other Railbelt communities did that currently
interconnected. Foutz said that was what they did; the documents they were pulling together were a
combination of several utilities' policies.
In response to the timeliness of this policy going into effect, Foutz said the agreement was „r
pre - signed so Chugach Electric could submit it earlier to RCA. Generally it was a 45 day approval
period.
Seaward said this was good progress for Seward.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2012 -008, Authorizing The City Manager To Purchase An All -Wheel Drive Or
Four Wheel Drive Vehicle In The Amount Not To Exceed $30,000.
Motion (Bardarson/Valdatta) Approve Resolution 2012 -008
Hunt said this purchase was budgeted for a replacement vehicle that had been
decommissioned and re- commissioned many times. The amount before council was $10,000 less
than what was budgeted.
Valdatta wanted to know if there was a sun roof and flood lights on the vehicle. Foutz said he
had wanted to add those accessories. It also needed to be an emergency vehicle with a light on top.
Valdatta recommended seasonal tires rather than studs.
(
Keil didn't support purchasing a new vehicle at this time as they just authorized a vehicle
mid
purchase for the Electric Department last month. She wanted to keep that money in the utility for
infrastructure improvements. She wondered if there was another vehicle within the city that could be
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minartes
January 23, 2012 Volume 38, Page 759
used. Foutz said the vehicle being replaced was the field engineer's primary vehicle. The field
engineer needed to travel out in far areas on an everyday basis. The intent of this purchase was to
transfer Foutz' truck to the field engineer and the new vehicle go to Foutz for travel to and from
Anchorage, which would be more cost effective than the truck Foutz currently used. Valdatta said a
2011 new vehicle on the lot would be cost effective. Foutz stated he looked for those, but had not
found any yet.
Casagranda asked the city manager if he was driving the Crown Victoria the previous city
manager drove. Hunt stated he was not and that vehicle was being decommissioned. Casagranda
wanted to know if they could swap vehicles and share. Hunt said purchasing one vehicle for all
departments to use was not efficient but would be problematic instead.
Terry was not going to support this. She did not think the vehicle purchase met code
requirements and it should have gone out to bid. She would like to see quotes in place, and staff
should look at local outlets like Hertz and look at used vehicles. Terry stated more due diligence
should be shown before such a purchase was made.
Valdatta said they should look at the warranty. Foutz said this was a twenty year old vehicle
they wanted to replace. Every other vehicle was an 8 cylinder work truck, and Foutz clarified this
would be used more as a commuter vehicle.
Terry said getting quotes off the internet was not concrete enough; she wanted to know
exactly what they were buying. Keil agreed with Terry. Hunt reminded council they needed to retro
fit. Bardarson would rather see a vehicle that different department heads could use.
Motion Failed Yes: Valdatta, Seaward
No: Keil, Shafer, Terry, Casagranda,
Bardarson
Resolution 2012 -009, Authorizing A Delay In Remittance Of Capital Add -On Payments From
Providence Seward Medical Center (PSMC) To The City Of Seward In The Amount Of
$2,071,323.96 To Cover Cash Flow.
Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Approve Resolution 2012 -009
Finance Director Kris Erchinger gave some background information on this resolution. In
July, administration came to council for an appropriation for $750,000, to cover two specific items
for the hospital. One was to purchase an electronic records program in advance which would qualify
the hospital to get reimbursed and Erchinger confirmed Providence would be getting reimbursed for
this expense. The second item was for $450,000 to cover shortfalls resulting from a State of Alaska
dispute over facility reimbursement costs. There were many disputes with the state and the state had
agreed to reimburse the $450,000.
.... Erchinger stated there was a large item in dispute with the state. The state was looking at base
year costs and establishing reimbursement rate costs to go into effect two years later, which was the
year Providence moved into Seward Mountain Haven. The state took costs from 2009 and revenues
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
January 23, 2012 Volume 38, Page 760
would be $2.6 million higher this year than what they were going to be based on the state's
interpretation. The state implemented something called a lower of cost charges approach, where they goal
could take the 2009 costs and reimburse or cut cost by reducing charges, which was what the state
did when Providence went from Wesley to the Long Term Care Facility. Providence was appealing
this issue. They were not the only facility experiencing this problem, Providence Valdez was as well.
Regarding the role the city played in this issue, Erchinger stated they normally do not get involved.
Providence's next step was to appeal again and if they lost they may consider litigation and approach
the council with that option. This rate would determine rates for the next three years, up to $12
million dollars, which Erchinger felt was pretty significant.
Erchinger stated Providence had money in the bank from Mountain Haven to cover this
shortfall. They were asking to be able to hold that money until this issue was resolved, but had
assured the city they would make sufficient bond payments. Also, the hospital bonds matured in
April of 2013.
In response to Bardarson, the appeal deadline was January 30, 2012. Providence Anchorage,
Seward, and Valdez had been meeting to craft appeal response and arguments. She did not know
how long the state had after that, but suspected it would be awhile.
Terry asked if the funds coming in for grant reimbursement and the Medicaid reimbursements
for 2010 were already covered. Erchinger said that helped cover $750,000 losses through December
of this year. The cash would come in 2012.
Valdatta asked how cost effective Providence was. Erchinger said the greenhouse model was
a challenge. Since there was not a lot of competition in fuel in Seward, she suspected that service
was not bid on. They do attempt to save on utilities and fuel, but they had fairly large fixed costs.
In response to Keil, Erchinger reiterated Seward and Valdez were facing this challenge, but
Valdez was not as severe as Seward. She did not suspect that the city would be part of the lawsuit,
but perhaps the city may need to decide if they supported it. Keil wondered if there was some
legislation that could be brought forward to prevent this. Erchinger said there had been a lot of
discussions on how to handle this politically, in which the city may be involved.
Shafer felt this was an interpretation of regulations so the state could reimburse at a lesser
account. Erchinger didn't know if they were treating Seward differently. It was such a unique
situation because of the timing and the transition of the long term care facility. Shafer said the
legislators in the past had been consistent in the message regarding Providence Seward and its
unique challenges. She thought they may need to have conversations with our legislators about this
situation. They should bring it to their attention that they were one small element for Providence.
Terry wondered if the city needed to amend their state legislative priority lists. Hunt felt at
this point the city should let Providence take the lead on this. Terry said Providence needed to work
on getting their numbers up at the long term care facility, which was part of this problem. rrr
Motion Passed Unanimous
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Mirnrtes
January 23, 2012 Volume 38, Page 761
Other New Business
irom
Discussed providing comments to the Department of Natural Resources for the land use permit
application for the proposed "The Alaskan Wet Dog Race." Clerk's Note: Comment period ends
January 26, 2012 at 5:00 p.m.
By unanimous consent, the rules were suspended to allow program organizer John Lang to
speak to the council.
John Lang gave an overview on what his group was trying to put together. The Alaska We
Dog Race was a 2,000 mile personal watercraft event starting in Whittier, and the third check point
in Seward, racing all along different port cities throughout Alaska. He had been working on this race
for 10 years. It was close enough to apply for a permit to address concerns and work out Logistics. In
2009, they did a dry run, about 800 miles.
Terry thanked Lang for coming and asked what kind of impact it would have on Seward.
Lang said the marketing had been amazing. Teams would come from all over the globe; so far they
had interest from 37 countries. The plan was to begin the race on May 1, 2013 and riders would start
in waves. Riders could reach Seward on the first day, possibly late evening. Seward would be a
significant checkpoint in that most would be spending the night. Approximately 200 riders would
arrive in Seward needing lodging, fuel, supplies, food, etc. In addition, it would attract visitors such
as media personnel and pit crews. The organizers would need trailers for maintenance and repair that
they would be buying and paying for. There would be a four day training class before the race began.
Safety support boats and systems would be in place throughout the entire race. Lang said there would
be wildlife awareness and a harassment policy that fish and wildlife would assist with teaching. They
would also address culture and awareness though a class. Lang said they would have boat
inspections. He wanted to put on a world class operational event. He anticipated a lot of people
coming through town and lots of dollars being spent in Alaska.
Lang said the priority right now was getting the permit. He would appreciate council's
support of their permit with the Department of Natural Resources.
By unanimous consent, the City Council directed the City Manager to write a letter of support
to the Department of Natural Resources for the race's land use permit application.
Council gave direction to seek volunteers for Community Schools Open Gym. (Hunt)
Hunt said this came up following the mayor's request for information. The Open Gym
program was a service provided by the city's Community Schools Program, which was cut this last
year during the budget process. Keil said the council approved the budget where the Parks and
Recreation Department chose to cut the Community Schools Program. She didn't see why they
would put money back in for a program they cut. She thought it was redundant.
Shafer said the department decided what to cut. If parents wanted to go to the schools and
volunteer for an open gym program, they could, but she didn't think the city should. Seaward said
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
January 23, 2012 Volume 38, Page 762
that was his conversation with the Director of Parks and Recreation, to have volunteers so it would
have no financial impact. It still took personnel and training time, Keil said.
Shafer said if parents wanted the gym open and Community Schools was no longer providing
that service, the parents should go to the principal and establish their own program. This was part of
cutting and the privatization of services. $1.4 million for the Parks and Recreation budget was a lot.
To her, this was an experiment of if something that could be privatized. Perhaps parents could take
the responsibility in this instance and not the City of Seward.
Seaward said that should be the direction moving forward — he thought this was another way
to have another gym open. The principal had agreed, but Parks and Recreation would need to train
volunteers. Valdatta asked who would do the clean -up.
Seaward said the town needed a second gym. Keil said when a budget was cut, services were
cut. Even on a volunteer basis, it would have associated costs. It took staff time to train and manage
the program. Hunt said it would be nice to know the numbers of those interested. Administration
didn't have a grasp with what they were dealing with, such as how many volunteers were needed.
Council said this was the department head's and administration's choice if they wanted to
provide this program. If they wanted to cut somewhere else, they could. Seaward emphasized the
importance of having a place for our youth to go.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS No action required)
�
November 2011 Providence Financial Report.
Harbor Accounts Receivable Write Offs for 2011.
COUNCILS' COMMENTS
Bardarson thanked Public Works for keeping Seward's streets clean and all the Fire
Department's hard work this week.
Keil congratulated the harbor crew and those who contributed for the successful polar bear
jump and Marilyn Sutherland for her work with the event. She congratulated Christy Terry on being
named one of the top 40 people in Alaska under 40.
Shafer said vehicle purchases had to come to council. She wished the city could get their
fleet more streamlined when they were being shared interdepartmentally.
Valdatta said for natural gas, the city needed to show interest and hoped the deadline wasn't
soon.
Casagranda said it was important g porta t for residents to know where their meters were and to make
sure they were accessible. She enjoying seeing the small town spirit with the heavy snowfall. The
community was helping each other and she encouraged others to help. She gave compliments to the
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
January 23, 2012 Volume 38, Page 763
Public Works Department for their hard, tireless work.
Terry thanked the Street, Harbor, and Fire crews as well as private businesses for taking care
of their areas for the polar bear jump. Tomorrow there were high school basketball games vs.
Nikiski. She thanked the Planning and Zoning Commission for their work on the commission and
encouraged people to apply. There were still city vacancies on the Seward Bear Creek Flood Service
Area Board, she asked the public to please help take control of the property tax that went to the board
and to consider volunteering to serve on this board.
Seaward thanked the public for coming and watching. He thanked Mr. Lang for the
opportunity to share the details of the race. The next Planning and Zoning meeting was next
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 and reiterated the three open seats on the commission and encouraged
people to get involved.
Hunt reminded people to be extra careful driving with the high snow berms in the streets.
CITIZENS' COMMENTS
Tim McDonald, gave a Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association report for the city. The Fish and
Game Advisory council would meet this Friday and would advise on commercial fisheries. The first
board meeting was Saturday. The smolt release this year for sockeye in Bear Lake was 1,417,000 and
the target release was 1.6 million. For eyed fish, there was 5.5 million released with a target release
of 2.4 million, and 1.6 million of that going in the bay. They were really pushing the reds for cost
recovery and using Bear Lake to do it. They were experiencing problems with Coho's, about half
were lost and the target release would not be met. McDonald hoped they would get help from Fish
and Game, and it would likely take another year or two to get the Salmon Derby pumped back up.
The association was trying to correct cash flow and obtain grants. They accepted grants from the
state and were starting a program to eradicate big mouth pike. The CIAA was trying to work with
Port Graham to take over their fishery. The association was aggressively trying to increase salmon
production from Seward to upper Cook Inlet.
Becky Dunn found out about this meeting after it began so she apologized for being late. She
was interested in the net metering. Her friend hooked up in Nikiski five years ago, and they also
bought power from Chugach. Her friend paid exactly for electricity for what she sold it for, and it
was subtracted directly from her electric bill. Her friend had a 3 kilowatt windmill, which Dunn
thought was large. To her, it seemed like the resolution passed tonight was set up just for the large
windmill at AVTEC, which was about 10 times as large as any individual would want. She would
like to hook her windmill up on the city's grid. The city should look at potential lawsuits to allow
industrial size and not allow smaller ones. She encouraged people to hook up off grid, which was
more expensive. Also, Dunn said she blew a breaker and her outhouse heater came unplugged, which
made her wonder if the animal shelter had a heater for their outhouse. She found out they did not so
she bought one as well as heated water bowls, but then realized they didn't have outdoor outlets.
John Lang addressed some concerns he had seen and heard about the proposed Alaska Wet
Dog Race. To clarify, thousands of people would not be converging on the town at once, or camping
on top of each other. That was not the plan. He did not foresee people stopping and spending extra
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
January 23, 2012 Volume 38, Page 764
time in town because it was a race. A big concern was the trash and messes that could be left behind.
It was in their plan at the end of the day to send a clean -up barge to the checkpoint towns and dispose iusi
of everything so nothing was left behind. Regarding evasive species, boats would be subject to
inspection and cleaned before putting into Alaskan waters.
Lee Ray found the Seward Schools Site Based Council interesting. She complimented the
mayor on his comment on needing things for our youth to do, and was sorry to hear community
schools was cut. She was thinking economically down the road, and it seemed a lot of youth don't
want to come back to Seward. Maybe if there were more things for them to do, they could grow their
economic base.
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS
Shafer said that smaller windmills and generators would be allowed per Resolution 2012-
007.
Terry agreed with Valdatta's request to discuss natural gas on the next agenda and hoped
there were informational items for them to review.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Go into Executive Session to discuss and
review City Clerk evaluations.
The City Clerk was asked to be present for this executive session.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Council recessed at 9:29 p.m.
Council resumed at 9:32 p.m.
Council went into executive session at 9:32 p.m.
Council came out of executive session at 10:08 p.m
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:08 p.m.
Jo anna Kinne MC • .'�' fi �.� ° R V° 4. . David Seaward Mayor
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