HomeMy WebLinkAbout04252016 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
Apri125, 2016 Volume 40, Page 47
CALL TO ORDER
The April 25, 2016 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00
p.m. by Mayor Jean Bardarson.
OPENING CEREMONY
Lieutenant Doreen Valadez led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
Jean Bardarson presiding and
Marianna Keil Ristine Casagranda
Dave Squires Dale Butts
Sue McClure Deborah Altermatt
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Jim Hunt, City Manager
Johanna Kinney, City Clerk
Absent—None
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR
PUBLIC HEARING
Christy Terry thanked retiring employees Shari Adelmann and W.C. Casey for all of their
hard work for the city and their support over the years with the Alaska Railroad Corporation. She
noted city employee Kari Atwood was also retiring and she had always been a great help to the
railroad as well.The first cruise ship of the season would be in port tomorrow.Terry introduced new
Assistant Port Manager Lynn Hettick to the council and stated she was happy to have Hettick with
the Alaska Railroad.
Jess Sweatt said he was applying for the City of Seward seat on the Board of Directors for
the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association (CIAA). He was born and raised in Seward and enjoyed
living here.He commercial fished most of his life and was now semi-retired so he had time to serve
on the board. Sweatt stated he would like to improve recreational fishing on this side of Cook Inlet,
such as enhancing the king salmon fisheries.
John French said he was the other applicant for the CIAA position.He'd previously served
13 years on this board and applied this time to ensure the city had a qualified candidate.French was
unaware Sweatt had also applied, so French requested his name be withdrawn or requested council
vote for Sweatt.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Casagranda/McClure) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
April25, 2016 Volume 40, Page 48
Bardarson moved item 6E1, Washington, D.C. and Seattle, Washington Travel Report by Mayor
Bardarson and Vice Mayor Keil, up to item 6B and re-ordered the agenda items accordingly.
Bardarson added the following item under Other Reports and Presentations: Presentation by the
Prince William Sound Regional Citizens'Advisory Council regarding changes to the Alaska Unified
Plan for Oil Spill Response.
Motion Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
Ordinance 2016-001, Amending The Land Use Plan And The Zoning Designation Of City
Owned Lot 11A-2, Fort Raymond Subdivision, Replat No. 4, (Replat Pending), Located At
Approximately 2200 Dimond Boulevard, From Park(P) To Multi-Family (R-3). (Introduced
and set for public hearing and enactment May 9, 2016)
Resolution 2016-032,Adopting The Planning And Zoning Commission Priorities From April
2016 To April 2017.
Approval of Restaurant Designation Permit Endorsement on Existing Liquor License#177 for
Breeze Inn.
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations & Awards
Seward Volunteer Fire Department Awards.
Recognition of retiring staff Shareen Adelmann and Steven Audette.
Recognition of retiring Public Works Director W.C. Casey.
Washington, D.C. and Seattle, Washington Travel Report by Mayor Bardarson and
Vice Mayor Keil.
Chamber of Commerce Report. Cindy Clock reported the last of the spring sports and
recreation shows were behind the chamber. The Seward Migration Festival last weekend was a
success. The chamber was ready and excited to greet the cruise ship passengers on the Crystal
Serenity tomorrow. The Seward Business Network Group had an idea of member volunteers
joining chamber staff to help greet the cruise ship passengers this year,which they were going to
try. The chamber was gearing up for the Mount Marathon Race this year. There was a record
number of lottery applicants this year,the race was growing and growing. It was the 89th year this
year. The Seattle partners visit was a critical piece in their marketing strategy and Clock stated
Seward should be proud of the group that represented the community each year.
Borough Assembly Report. Brandii Holmdahl was not present.
City Manager's Report. Jim Hunt reported there were no purchases authorized by him
between $10,000 and $50,000 since the last meeting. He attended the Alaska Department of
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
April25, 2016 Volume 40, Page 49
Transportation Seward Airport focus group meeting last week and was not pleased with most of the
solutions presented. He was primarily concerned that the river and mitigation weren't addressed at
all.
Hunt stated he had been working with Seward's lobbyists and legislators to secure unused
earmark federal funds to further assist with paving Seward's roads.Dedicating these funds to Seward
would be going before the state finance committee soon. It wasn't guaranteed, but Hunt said this
looked very promising for Seward.
Electric Utility Manager John Foutz informed the council that there was an erosion issue
near the transmission line by Snow River. Foutz passed out photographs showing the river had
changed directions and was undermining one of their structures and putting other structures at risk.
This was considered an emergency, so Foutz was planning to work with an engineer recommended
by the borough to do this work.Permits from Alaska Department of Transportation,Fish and Game,
and the borough would be needed, so Foutz would be utilizing a permitting specialist. There were
grant funding opportunities for this repair that the city would be seeking.
McClure said there was some confusion about the city's status of how they would be
allowing commercial marijuana operations in Seward. She said there was some miscommunication
that Planning and Zoning may be working on this issue and asked for clarification. Hunt believed
administration would be preparing legislation to bring forward to the council.
In response to Squires, Hunt elaborated on the borough dispatch consolidation meeting he
recently attended. The meeting addressed some of the issues that may occur if there were centrally
based dispatch offices in Soldotna for the entire peninsula. There were a lot of factors and reasons
why this wasn't a good idea for Seward,but Hunt said it was worth looking at figuring those reasons
out.The city submitted a list of Seward's concerns and added there were still a lot of unknowns out
there.
Acting Harbormaster Matt Chase reported the harbor's projects were going very well and
should be completed by the end of the month.He added it was exciting to see these projects all come
together.
Other Reports,Announcements and Presentations
Presentation by Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council
(PWSRCAC) regarding proposed changes to the Alaska Unified Plan for oil spill response.
City of Seward Representative Orson Smith gave a brief PWSRCAC report to the council,noting the
council had a new Executive Director and it had been a busy time for oil spill prevention.He stated
Alyeska put on the annual Ship Escort/Response Vessel System (SERVS) training last week in
Seward. He introduced PWSRCAC Outreach Coordinator Lisa Matlock to discuss the proposed
changes to the Alaska Unified Plan.Matlock stated the changes by the State of Alaska would likely
diminish the City of Seward's involvement in oil spill response. She handed out a fact sheet showing
the differences. The state also had a public comment period which would be ending April 29,2016;
Matlock opposed the short comment period and noted other communities had issued letters of
opposition to the plan and also requested a longer,more adequate comment period.Council directed
the City Manager to submit a letter by Friday opposing these proposed changes and also
requesting an extension to the public comment period beyond April 29,2016.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
April25, 2016 Volume 40, Page 50
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Resolutions Requiring Public Hearing
Resolution 2016-031, Amending The Wharfage Rate In The Port & Harbor Tariff And
Providing For Automatic Biennial Adjustments To Wharfage Rates By An Amount Equal To
The Five Previous Full Years'Average Increase In The Anchorage Consumer Price Index For
All Urban Consumers.
Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2016-031
Hunt said the city was recommending biennial adjustments on the wharfage rates based on
the Consumer Price Index(CPI).The wharfage rates had not changed since 2007.This incremental
increase was to avoid future large wharfage rate increases. Hunt listed the changes to the wharfage
rates as listed in the proposed tariff.
Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public
hearing was opened No appeared to address the Council and the public hearing was closed
Butts asked if this would have a detrimental effect to ports with lower fees. Hunt felt
wharfage wasn't a very competitive factor.
Altermatt wanted to know about the biennial increase,why every two years?Chase believed
it was intended to coincide with the budget. Altermatt stated all other rates increased on an annual
basis.
Motion to Amend (Casagranda/Squires) Amend Resolution 2016-031 by striking the
words "biennial" and "biennially" and
replace with "annual" and "annually"
respectively in the title, 6th Whereas, and
Section 2.
Motion to Amend Failed Yes: Casagranda,Butts,Altermatt
No: Squires, McClure,Keil,Bardarson
Main Motion Passed Unanimous
UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 2016-033, Authorizing Pursuit Of Grant Funds From the Alaska Department of
Fish and Game To Replace The South Harbor Launch Ramp, Authorizing $387,363.68
Toward The City's 25% Match,And Appropriating Funds.
Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2016-033
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April 25, 2016 Volume 40, Page 51
Hunt said this was a critical project in the harbor.The harbor previously depleted the Harbor
Major Repair and Replacement Fund(MRRF)in order to finish the almost-completed A,B,C,and S
Float Replacement Project. This project came under budget, and some funds were returned to the
MRRF.The South Harbor Launch Ramp was determined back in 2011 to be in need of replacement
and the grant was an opportunity the city wanted to pursue because it that would likely not be around
in the future. This committed the city to apply for a grant and, in the process, show the city's
commitment of matching funds.
In response to Butts,Hunt stated the entire South Harbor Launch Ramp area would be rebuilt,
as in a complete tear out and replacement.
Squires wanted to know the total cost of the project. Bardarson had been told they were
looking at possibly$1.4 million,but the city wouldn't know the exact cost until the engineering of
the project was completed and this approval needed to happen in order for the engineering to be
conducted.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2016-034,Contracting With First Student For Operation Of The Seasonal Seward
Shuttle Bus Service,In An Amount Not To Exceed $269,150,And Appropriating Funds.
Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2016-034
Hunt said the city had been contracting this service since 2010. It was funded by the state's
Commercial Passenger Vessel Excise Tax receipts,referred to as the cruise ship tax. Staff went out
for Request For Proposals for this service.First Student was the sole proposer and staff found them
to be responsive and recommended award of the contract.
Squires asked Police Lieutenant Doreen Valadez if busses were exempt from having seat
belts; she confirmed that to be the case.
Butts wondered if they could incorporate hiring local drivers in the contract. Hunt would
inquire about that.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Other New Business Items
Appoint Jess Sweatt or John French as the City of Seward Representative to the Cook Inlet
Aquaculture Association Board of Directors,with a term expiring May,2019.By a unanimous
ballot vote, council appointed Jess Sweatt.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS
Annual Financial Disclosure Statement Submission Report.
City of Seward and Seward Providence Medical and Care Center Financial Reports through
February, 2016.
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April 25, 2016 Volume 40, Page 52
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Keil thanked Adelmann,Audette, and Casey for their many years of service to the city. She
hoped they enjoyed their retirement. When they went to Seattle and Washington, D.C., she noted
they heard very positive things about Seward. She saw online that Smithsonian Magazine listed
Seward as the number one small town in America to visit. She hoped everyone would keep this
positivity moving forward.
Squires congratulated Adelmann, Audette, and Casey on their retirement. He also
congratulated the winners of the Fire Fighter awards acknowledged tonight. He attended the state
open house on the Seward Airport and was disappointed with Alaska Department of Transportation's
(ADOT) participation and answers to inquiries. He thought the city needed to be more concerned
about what happened to their airport. He disagreed with some of ADOT's proposed solutions to
repair the airport. He wished the Harbormaster a speedy recovery.
McClure went to the ADOT airport meeting as well and was struck that it was presented that
the amount of use an airport received determined the amount of funds it received. She thought that
was a catch-22 situation since the airport wasn't getting as much use because it needed repairs. The
public needed to be made aware of this issue. She congratulated the retirees and encouraged they
volunteer in the community. The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly met last week in Seward and
the assembly all praised The Cookery for a great dinner in their assembly comments, which aired
over the radio all over the peninsula. McClure invited everyone to attend the Community Choir
Concert on May 5, 2016.
Casagranda said it appeared the audit was completed and she was excited to see how it went
this year. The Seward City Flag Committee would be meeting on April 30, 2016 to judge the
submitted designs.The recent Peter Pan production was a raving success for the community.On May
6,2016 there would be a local talent show at the high school which was another way to support the
arts. Casagranda thanked the retirees for their long time commitment and also to Kari Atwood for her
time with the city.It was spring time and the children were out in the streets so she asked the public
to please be careful when driving.
Butts congratulated and thanked Adelmann,Audette,and Casey for their many years to the
city. He noted the next weekend was the annual Pink Cheeks Triathlon Race, so he encouraged the
public to please be careful when driving and also to consider volunteering for the event. It was nice
to see people walking around picking up trash around town.
Altermatt thanked and congratulated the three retirees recognized tonight as well as Kari
Atwood. She thanked the harbor for all their hard work in preparing the agenda items tonight.
Altermatt enjoyed having the assembly here last week and it was nice to sit with them and network a
bit. She thanked the Public Works Department for their culvert repair work on Second Avenue last
week. She was happy to have a full council tonight. It was good to have them all here and working
together. Altermatt asked Bardarson if council could please get a copy of the Washington, D.C.
report read tonight by Bardarson, as it contained good information.
Bardarson thanked Casey, Adelmann, Audette, and Atwood for their service to the city.
There were two vacant spots on the Planning and Zoning Commission. She thanked the Police
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
April 25, 2016 Volume 40, Page 53
Department on their recent successful, large drug arrest. Bardarson also thanked those who have
been cleaning up around town.
Hunt gave many thanks for the service given by Casey, Adelmann, Audette, and Atwood.
That was a lot of institutional knowledge leaving the city, and he was thankful they were staying in
Seward.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
John French commented on the discussion with the PWSRCAC tonight. The timing for
public comments to the proposed changes was critical.French felt the proposed changes by the state
were being justified by streamlining planning,but that it was taking away from the transparency of
the process and the stakeholders' place in the process. There was a perception that the incident
command system needed to be streamlined. This was being introduced as an amendment to the
unified plan,but the process in the interim had to allow for public comment as required by the state,
and they were choosing to use the minimum amount of time.
Sarah Aslam of the Seward Journal said she ran into several people at a recent conference
she attended who stated they really enjoyed Seward.
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS
Butts asked French if he planned to comment on the proposed changed to oil spill response.
French said he likely would.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
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