HomeMy WebLinkAbout08132012 City Council Minutes City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
August 13, 2012 volume 38, Page 869
L " CALL TO ORDER
The August 13, 2012 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00
p.m. by Mayor David Seaward.
OPENING CEREMONY
Police Chief Tom Clemons led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
David Seaward presiding and
Jean Bardarson Christy Terry
Vanta Shafer Bob Valdatta
Ristine Casagranda Marianna Keil
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Jim Hunt, City Manager
Johanna Kinney, City Clerk
Absent — None
CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED
FOR PUBLIC HEARING
Deborah Altermatt encouraged the approval of the resolution for the boat show being held
the weekend after Labor Day weekend. The Alaska Marine Dealers Association was a non - profit
organization interested in coming to Seward and making the boat show an even bigger one. There
would be 7 -8 dealers coming to Seward and she hoped council would support this event.
Sarah Fink introduced herself to council as an applicant for the Historic Preservation
Commission. She has been in Seward over nine years and she was a full -time mom. She was
interested in contributing her time to the commission.
Glenn Schiff had a question with what was going to be happening with some of the camping
areas in Seward. It had appeared there was a shortage of camping in Seward with units and space.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Keil/Terry) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Motion Passed Unanimous
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
August 13, 2012 Volume 38, Page 870
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
Sarah Fink was appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission with a term to expire May
2015.
Resolution 2012 -062, Accepting Funds From Seaview Community Services Received Through
A State Of Alaska Department Of Health And Social Services Comprehensive Behavioral
Health Prevention And Early Intervention Services Grant In The Amount Of $1,805.00 For
The Purposes Of Assisting The Seward Prevention Coalition In Planning And Implementing A
Town Hall Meeting And Appropriating Funds.
Resolution 2012 -063, Authorizing The City Manager To Accept State Of Alaska Certified
Local Government Grant "Historic Preservation Fund FFY 12 Travel And Training Grant" A
Federal Grant That Provides Training For Local Government Historic Preservation Board
Members Requesting $6,732.00, Including $4,039.00 Federal Share And $2,693.00 Applicant
Share In The Form Of In -Kind Volunteer Labor And Appropriating Funds.
Resolution 2012 -064, Authorizing A Boat Show Sponsored By The Alaskan Marine Dealers
Association And Establishing Rates For Use Of A Portion Of The City Parking Lot, Guest
Moorage And Boat Launch Fees.
Resolution 2012 -065, Accepting Grant Funds In The Amount Of $100,000.00 From The Denali a. d i
Commission For Engineering Design Services For A New Dock System To Replace D- Float,
And Appropriating Funds.
Resolution 2012 -066, Appropriating $50,000 For The Future Purchase Of A New Recording
And Sound System In The City Council Chambers.
Resolution 2012 -067, Authorizing An Amendment To The Vessel Wash Down And Wastewater
Recycling Facility Design Contract With PND Engineers And Appropriating Funds.
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations & Awards
A Lost Lake Run "Breath of Life" Proclamation was presented to Patrick Simpson and
founder Marsha Vincent.
A Memoriam for Earl Gene Skinner was read.
Borough Assembly Report, Sue McClure stated the Assembly passed an ordinance to make
the seats for the Seward Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board (SBCFSAB) at- large, so now city
residency wasn't an issue and anyone within the flood service area could apply. The other ordinance
that passed approved the acquisition of 150.44 acres in the Salmon Creek area that would be
preserved for flood plan mitigation and wetland preservation. The borough was still in the process of
accepting and appropriating $8,000,000+ in state funds for various capital improvement projects,
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
August 13, 2012 Volume 38, Page 871
including road service, KPB school district and security cameras in borough -owned facilities. At the
lbw next meeting on September 4, 2012 the assembly would be accepting and appropriating a $3,976,000
state grant on behalf of the Bear Creek Fire Service Area for a new multi -use building. There would
also be an ordinance accepting $772,000 from the state for community revenue sharing wherein each
community received a portion. She encouraged people to get involved with the Seward Bear Creek
Flood Service Area Board, and reminded everyone to vote on August 28, 2012 for the state primary.
City Manager's Report, Jim Hunt stated the following expenditures between $10,000 and
$50,000 were approved by the City Manager since the last council meeting:
• $47,270 for site preparation at SMIC for disposal of dredged materials with Metco, Inc.
• $16,090 for four 25 kVa transformers and a 300 kv transformer with HD Supply
• $14,513 for one 500 KVa transformer
He reminded the public that the polling location for City of Seward residents and Lowell
Point residents for the August 28, 2012 Primary Election, the October 2, 2012 City and Borough
Election, and the November 6, 2012 General Election would be in a new location at the KM Rae
Marine Education Building located at 125 3 Avenue.
Coastal Villages Region Fund brought their 107 -foot vessel Wasillie B to Seward for the first
time on August 2, 2012 and it stayed here for about three weeks. The power scow Otter sank on July
30, 2012. The harbor crew was able to contain the oil and the vessel owner's insurance hired Storm
`•.. Chasers to re -float the vessel on August 3, 2012. Merkes Construction from Kenai removed the
wrecked vessel Daring from the north beach at SMIC. The work was funded with a grant through the
Kenai Peninsula Borough. Metco, Inc. built up the protective seawall at the southwest corner of
SMIC. The harbor office staff was using the new software system and on the last few days of
running parallel with the old system. R &M Consultants was selected as the best qualified firm to
design the D -Float Replacement Dock. The vessel Incentive was scrapped after fires due to safety
concerns after catching fire multiple times.
Valdatta said the U.S. Air Force Recreation Camp would become vacant later this year and
suggested the city keep the camp intact and use it as is. Terry reminded everyone that the city was
approaching its mid - budget cycle and was wondering when a work session would be scheduled.
Seaward had spoken to a worker from the animal shelter two weeks prior and was told that
the ventilation system had not been fixed yet. Hunt said the animal shelter manager had been
informed that they had the authorization to contact the Chief so he could issue a purchase order and
have AVTEC perform the installation.
Assistant City Manager Ron Long spoke to the conditions of sidewalks and cross walks in
the city: there was 438 linear feet of sidewalk that had been identified in need of repair (4,380 square
feet), including upgraded handicap ramps (1,700 square feet). A general estimate for those
improvements would be in the range of $250,000- 300,000. Hunt added he was not neglecting 3rd
Avenue at the Senior Center, but was treating that as a separate issue because that was state owned.
Valdatta suggested administration look into some of the state's methods for chipping and patching
problem areas. Terry requested they call a work session when administration gathered more
information, and asked if the estimate was based on outsourcing the work or having city employees
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August 13, 2012
do the work. Long said his estimate was based on outside contractor pricing. Keil thought that the
$3,000,000
state fund was earmarked included streets and sidewalks. Hunt said if they included
sidewalks, it would delay the project for years.
In response to Keil, Electric Utility Manager John Foutz said they were trying to
incorporate the painting of the transformers at Fort Raymond into the generation project, as it could
likely be the same company doing both elements of the project. Keil said she thought they had
discussed having city workers paint the outside of the transformers. Foutz said he could have that
painting done internally, but would have to hire out to have the transformers drained and painted on
the inside. Shafer asked if they had the funds to complete that, and Foutz said he had the funds in his
budget and they were trying to complete it this year.
Mayoral Report, David Seaward stated on July 24, 2012 he and Vice Mayor Bardarson met
with the Deputy Commissioner from the Department of Corrections, Sam Edwards, to discuss
changes at Spring Creek Correctional Center and potential job opportunities for Seward residents. He
thanked the Seward International Friendship Association for inviting council to the Japanese
exchange events, and he enjoyed the hike and dinner with the kids. On July 20, 2012, the Friends of
the Jesse Lee Home hosted a Balto Film Festival to promote Seward and hoped it would become an
annual event. He was interviewed by CBS and was asked to comment on the event. On August 10,
2012 he was a featured speaker on the Big Alaska Show that aired on KFQD radio. He had been
interviewed on television and radio with his main goal being to promote Seward. He thanked the
seniors for welcoming him every time he visited the Senior Center.
Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations - None
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Non -Code Ordinance 2012 -007, Appropriating Funds To Make Expenditures Which Could
Influence The Outcome Of An Election Concerning A Ballot Proposition Addressing
Exemption Of City Of Seward Municipal Elected And Appointed Officials From The
Requirements Of Chapter 39.50 Of The Alaska Statutes, (State Of Alaska Public Official
Financial Disclosure Law) In An Amount Not To Exceed $1,500. 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 /Shafer) Enact Non -Code Ordinance 2012 -007
Keil clarified that council was not opting out of all financial information reporting
requirements, just the state' s forms because they were too onerous. Council fully intended to
continue to practice financial disclosure, but with a city form rather than a state form. Shafer said
council was reverting back to an older version of the Alaska Public Official Commission (APOC)
forms. Casagranda' s concern was that the new form asked for a lot of information about a person' s
family, including children. Shafer said over a hundred Alaskan communities had already opted out of
this. sij
Motion Enacted Unanimous
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August 13, 2012 Volume 38, Page 873
.. Resolution 2012 -059, Accepting A Donation Of The Real Property Described As Lots 34 And
35, Block 16, Original Townsite Of Seward, Alaska According To The Official Plat Thereof,
Filed Under Plat No. S -1, In The Seward Recording District, Third Judicial District, State Of
Alaska, From Ameri -Can Construction, Ltd. Located At 328 Fourth Avenue. 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 (Keil/Terry) Approve Resolution 2012 -059
Hunt had been contacted by Mr. Woods with this generous offer of two lots of land adjacent
to the fire station as a gift to the city, and he recommended that council approve this resolution. He
added that the assessed value of the two lots was $85,400.
Keil agreed that the gift was very generous, and potentially would provide an opportunity to
expand the existing fire station. Casagranda thanked the Woods family for the donation.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2012 -060, Recommending The Revision Of The 2012 And 2013 Harbor Tariffs To
Correct Errors, Establish New Wait List Categories And To Extend The Months When
Permanent Slip Assignments Are Made. 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 /Shafer) Approve Resolution 2012 -060
Harbormaster Mack Funk stated the purpose of this resolution was to allow the harbor to
offer permanent moorage slips for larger vessels at the harbor. Currently, guest moorage customers
could apply for permanent or reserve moorage through a waitlist process. They determined some of
the sizes of vessels were not included in the tariff, and they also wanted to add parameters for vessels
105 feet or longer. The purpose of this would be to establish a wait list category for larger vessels on
the stronger docks, and could potentially accommodate Coastal Villages vessels until the Seward
Marine Industrial Area (SMIC) could be enclosed. This resolution also extended the time period for
assignments to a permanent slip from the wait list as they were recommending it become a year -
round process.
Terry said the Port and Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB) discussed this at their last
meeting and was in support of this, and she recommended that PACAB share that valuable
information with council. In response to Terry, Funk said he would like to establish a policy that
would provide a means for assigning boats that may fall into the "in between" categories of length.
Shafer thanked PACAB and Funk for the work they did to create a wait list concept.
Motion to Amend (Terry /Casagranda) Amend Resolution 2012 -060 By Changing
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes Volume 38, Page 874
August 13, 2012
The Language In Section B, Section 1 From
"January Through December Each Year"
To "Year Round ".
Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous
Main Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2012 -061, Entering Into An Additional Two Month Lease Extension With The
United States Coast Guard To Accommodate The Relocation From 1320 Fourth Avenue, A
Portion Of Block 6 Small Boat Harbor Replat To 1507 X -Float Road, Lot 4A -2, Block 2
Marina Subdivision, Coast Guard Replat. 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.
Terry declared that she had a potential conflict of interest as she was employed by the Alaska
Railroad and asked for a ruling, as part of the property described was on Railroad property.
Seaward ruled that a conflict did not exist.
Motion (Valdatta/Keil) Approve Resolution 2012 -061
Hunt said the U.S. Coast Guard had incurred some unexpected delays on this project and had
requested a two -month extension. Administration recommended granting the extension. Valdatta
mori
noticed that the perimeter of the area had been fenced in, presumably for security reasons. Seaward
said at the current location there was a white container and several businesses in the area had
complained that it was an eye sore. Seaward asked if there was any way that a more attractive
covering could be placed over the container or perhaps it could be removed. Hunt said they could
explore that.
Motion Passed Unanimous
NEW BUSINESS
Other New Business
Council discussed the delegation trip to Obihiro, Japan this fall and council gave direction if
they intend to invite a delegation from Obihiro to Seward the following year.
Shafer suggested council open the delegation invitation to the public. Both Keil and Shafer
stressed that the mayor should attend. Shafer and Bardarson said they had already been to Obihiro. In
determining that a delegation would be sent from Seward, council would then be obliged to invite a
delegation from Obihiro to visit Seward in 2013.
Council scheduled a work session to discuss all upcoming travel, including sending a
delegation to Obihiro, Japan and attending the R/V Sikuliaq launch in Wisconsin for August
27, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
August 13, 2012 Volume 38, Page 875
Council directed the City Clerk to solicit the public for anyone interested in traveling as part
of the city's delegation.
Council discussed the adoption of the 2012 International Codes.
Fire Chief Dave Squires requested direction from council to move forward with the review
and adoption of the 2012 International Building Codes (IBC), which would put Seward ahead of the
state since the state was only just now adopting the 2009 codes. Seaward said he heard several
complaints about the city having too many building code requirements. Squires said these codes were
what the state chose and the city was required to comply with that as a minimum standard. If the city
chose not to use the state - adopted codes, then the state would take over managing the city's codes.
Bardarson asked what the advantage was to adopting the IBC now ahead of the state. Squires
said the state was still working on the 2006 codes, and they had yet to complete the adoption of the
2009 codes. The impact for the city, if they followed the state's timeline, would be that the city
would be six years behind in the code adoption process, and Seward businesses could see increases
in their insurance rates. Squires anticipated the 2012 codes would be adopted by the state in the fall
of 2013.
Casagranda asked if the 2012 codes would make things safer for residents and businesses.
Squires said he thought it would because new codes encompassed new building and safety
techniques and requirements. Casagranda followed up by asking if the new codes would make it
easier or more challenging for new businesses to get started. Hunt said adopting these codes was
inevitable and it would behoove the council to act sooner rather than later.
Shafer wondered what concerns council should have in adopting these codes before the state
did. Squires said even if the city did not adopt the newest code, they would still be required to
enforce it if they city wanted to keep their deferred status. He highly recommended the city not give
up their deferred status. He added that since the city had been more diligent in their building code
enforcement, the city's fire loss rate had gone down to 2 -3 %. The city was now enjoying a 98% save
rate on structure fires, which meant businesses were back in business much faster in the event of a
fire.
Terry asked for clarification on the 2012 adoption process: if the city adopted the 2012 codes
before the state, would the city then have to verify that their codes were not less restrictive than the
state's upon the state completing their adoption. Squires confirmed that the city would be obligated
to ensure that the 2012 codes adopted by the city were not less restrictive than the state's, and council
would potentially have to approve a revision in the future. Terry followed up with a concern about
Squires' plan for communicating local amendments. She asked if it was his plan to solicit public
feedback and inform contractors of potential changes. Squires said they intended to follow the same
process as before.
Bardarson asked if the city adopted 2012 codes and then the state adopted less restrictive
codes, would Squires bring that before council again. Squires said he would, and at that time it
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
August 13, 2012 Volume 38, Page 876
would be up to council to decide if they wanted to amend the city's codes to be less restrictive or
remain the same.
Squires clarified that he would be bringing forward the International Building Code,
International Fire Code, International Mechanical Code, International Residential Code, National
Electric Code and the Uniform Plumbing Code.
Council directed Squires to review the 2012 International Codes.
Council set a Work Session to continue discussing the Audit Results (Comprehensive Annual
Financial Report) on Monday, September 17, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No action required)
A Seward Community Library Museum Project Update was given.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Bardarson thanked the harbor for the photos of the improvements of the seawall at Seward
Marine Industrial Center (SMIC) and hoped it sustained through the winter. She encouraged
everyone to enjoy the Silver Salmon Derby.
Keil extended condolences to Regina Paul family. Keil attended the memorial service and
said Regina had been a well- respected and well liked member of this community. The Silver Salmon
Derby was going well, but there was plenty of room for more people to join because the current
leader had a 15- pounder.
Shafer thanked everyone participating in the derby, and hoped there were more participants
joining. She said it was the first time there was a tagged fish for the truck and she hoped someone
caught it.
Valdatta said he thought the wash down pad at SMIC was going to be heated. He thought it
was common sense that the floor would need to be heated and he saw now that was an engineering
oversight.
Casagranda said she was excited to see Noah Diamond back in the audience and looked
forward to reading his articles. She encouraged people to pick up candidate packets at the clerk's
office. She reminded council of a notice they received in their box regarding fluoridation of water
and that she had sent out a letter asking questions to companies, but had not received a single
response from any company. She strongly opposed community fluoridation and encouraged everyone
to perform their own due diligence and research on the facts. She believed that council needed to
take accountability for what was put in Seward's water. She again thanked the Woods family for the
land they gifted to the city.
Terry thanked administration and PACAB for responding to citizen concerns. The emphasis
on customer service in the harbor was evident by the positive feedback she received. She thanked
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
August 13, 2012 Volume 38, Page 877
everyone for their work on Coastal Villages. She asked people to use caution since school would be
6.0 starting soon. She had a great tour of the library. She encouraged people to get involved with the
SBCFSAB.
Hunt thanked Funk for inviting him and Long to tour the Coast Guard Cutter with Louis
Bencardino, and encouraged everyone to take a tour if they could. He represented the city at the
Akita, Japan prefecture's recent visit to Seward (Kenai Peninsula Borough's sister city) at a
reception. Visitors from Akita included their mayor and council president.
Seaward thanked everyone for attending the meeting, and on behalf of the seniors he thanked
the Coast Guard Cutter for coming to Seward. He thanked Martha Fleming and GCI for televising
the meeting tonight.
Keil thanked Sarah Fink for volunteering on Historic Preservation Commission.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Sue McClure spoke as a citizen and a member of the Resurrection Bay Historical Society,
and encouraged people to come by while the museum was still in the Senior Center, which was kept
open with volunteers this summer. Election Day was on August 28, 2012, which was also Founders
Day in Seward, and there would be a celebration with cake at the museum.
i" "' COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS
Terry thanked Hunt for making a point about controlling Seward's narrative and
emphasizing positive things. She also encouraged the public to please talk to council members and
know the open door policy of the administration, clerk, and council.
Shafer, who used to work for Providence, she said they had a very dedicated staff there. They
cared about our community and it was difficult for them to hear negative comments. She challenged
nay- sayers that Providence had a level four trauma designation, which most communities of a similar
size in Alaska did not have, and she thought that spoke volumes.
Casagranda reminded everyone that council candidate packets were due no later than
Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. She said this was a great time to pick up a council packet
and for people to get involved.
Long asked council to look at the update in their packet of the new Library Museum and
hoped at the next meeting to bring forward some more information on the project happenings.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
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City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes Volume 38, Page 878
August 13, 2012
Johanna Kinney, CMC David Seaward
City Clerk Mayor
(City Seal)
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