HomeMy WebLinkAbout09262016 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
September 26, 2016 Volume 40, Page 120
CALL TO ORDER
The September 26,2016 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at
7:00 p.m. by Mayor Jean Bardarson.
OPENING CEREMONY
Corporal Patrick Messmer led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
Jean Bardarson presiding and
Marianna Keil Ristine Casagranda *Arrived at 7:05 p.m.
Deborah Altermatt Dale Butts
Sue McClure
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Eddie Athey, Fire Chief
Brenda Ballou, Acting City Clerk
Absent—Squires
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR
PUBLIC HEARING
Bob Valdatta had lived on the alley side of 528 Fifth Avenue for 35 years. There was a
continual problem with that alley and pooling water. The alley desperately needed to be graded,or
even upgraded to better material. Pedestrians and AVTEC students had a difficult time walking
through that alleyway. Also,the road to Lowell Point was in rough shape too.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Keil/McClure) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Motion Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
Resolution 2016-059, Officially Correcting The Misspelling Of The Right Of Way Currently
Known As Chamberlain Road To Chamberlin Road Located On The West Side Of The
Seward Lagoon.
Resolution 2016-060, Authorizing A 90-Day Extension To The Lease With The U.S.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
September 26, 2016 Volume 40, Page 121
Department Of Army For Lot 9A, Fort Raymond Subdivision Replat No. 1 (U.S. Army Rec
Camp).
Appoint Colby Lawrence to the Port And Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB).
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations & Awards—None
Chamber of Commerce Report.Cindy Clock thanked all the candidates for coming to the
Meet The Candidates Night, and she encouraged everyone to come out and vote. She said reports
indicated that 2016 has been a banner year for tourism. Year to date, there had been over 15,000
visitors stop by the chamber to get information.Nearly every one of the 90,000 Seward Destination
Guides had been distributed. On October 7, 2016, Cliff Cochran from the Small Business
Development Center would speak at the chamber luncheon. Kris Harris, Shelly Shank and Cindy
Clock were going to the Alaska Travel Industry Association(ATIA) conference in Anchorage the
first week in October. The chamber's draft marketing budget would come to council in October for .
review. The Seward Energy Forum&Fair would be held for two days in mid-October at AVTEC.
There would be a new science contest added,and they would once again have the art contest.Clock
thanked Harbormaster Norm Regis,his staff,and the Electric Utilities Department for installing five
new electric pedestals at the Seward Marine Industrial Center(SMIC). Seward was currently vying
for a school superintendent conference next fall,and Clock was working hard to get the conference
which would bring about 100 visitors.In 2018,there would be a big Rotary International Conference
in the spring the weekend after Mother's Day, bringing about 220 attendees.
In response to Casagranda,Clock recited the names of the chamber's board.There were three
seats open on the board this fall, and Clock encouraged people to put in.
Borough Assembly Report. Brandii Holmdahl the assembly had two assembly meetings
since her last report. She participated in one telephonically; the Seward Bear Creek Flood Service
Area Board (SBCFSAB) made a $30,000 appropriation to address sediment management on the
forest road bridge over Lost Creek.The invocation procedures at the assembly remained unchanged.
Last Tuesday the assembly meeting was held in Homer. One ordinance on that agenda was the
mayor's proposal to reduce the Planning Commission;that was reconsidered and would be addressed
again at the next meeting.The other item was adopting the most recent FEMA flood insurance study,
and that was approved.
In response to Butts, there was no reason provided for the reconsideration, and it was not
required.
City Manager Report. Fire Chief Eddie Athey said there had been no purchase orders
made by the City Manager between$10,000 and$50,000 since the last meeting.
Keil said she had spoken with both City Manager Jim Hunt and Assistant City Manager Ron
Long about the AVTEC gym,and they said administration was currently waiting for a response from
AVTEC. Bardarson added that travel schedules on both sides were delaying negotiations.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
September 26, 2016 Volume 40, Page 122
111 McClure called attention to a reference in the City Manager Report about the Waterfront Park
beach erosion issue; she had not noticed any work being done.
In response to Casagranda,Bardarson and Keil said the city manager was at the International
City Manager Association Conference and the Assistant City Manager was at a harbor training in
Portland, Maine. Casagranda expressed her concern that there was not at least one member of the
management team present.
Other Reports,Announcements and Presentations
Student Exchange Presentation from Obihiro,Japan by Students Meghan Mullaly and
Megan Koster.
Kenai Peninsula Borough Ballot Propositions Presentation by
Navarre-and-Larry Persily.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Ordinance 2016-007,Approving The Removal Of The Word Small From The Phrases Seward
Small Boat Harbor Or Small Boat Harbor Within The Seward City Code Title 7 Chapter 7.10.
Harbor And Port Facilities.
Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Enact Ordinance 2016-007
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.
McClure reiterated for the public that this ordinance had been thoroughly explained at the last
meeting, and it was very straightforward.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2016-058,Approving The Removal Of The Word Small From The Phrases Seward
Small Boat Harbor Or Small Boat Harbor Within The 2016 Harbor Tariff.
Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2016-058
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 Passed Unanimous
UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None
NEW BUSINESS
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
September 26, 2016 Volume 40, Page 123
Ordinances For Introduction
Ordinance 2016-008,Amending And Revising Title 10,Public Peace,Morals And Welfare,To
Conform With Modern Practice And Law.
Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Introduce Ordinance 2016-008
Athey said Police Chief Tom Clemons and City Attorney Will Earnhart had been working
together to update this language.
Casagranda did not support the introduction of this ordinance because she had questions for
administration and the City Attorney.
Motion Passed Yes: Keil, Altermatt, McClure, Butts,
Bardarson
No: Casagranda
Other New Business Items
Schedule a work session to discuss the AVTEC gym/contract.(Casagranda)Casagranda wanted
to ask for a work session to enable the public to have an input opportunity. The public wanted to be
heard and she wanted to insure they had ample opportunity. Bardarson said administration sent a
proposal to AVTEC on September 13,2016 and AVTEC was due to respond on September 23,2016
but it hadn't been received yet. Bardarson,like Casagranda,said she also expected to see a contract
tonight from administration. By Unanimous Consent, council agreed to postpone this item to the
October 10, 2016 agenda.
Schedule a work session to discuss the evaluation forms,procedures,and policies for the City
Attorney, City Manager, and City Clerk. Altermatt was concerned about the absence of
administration and suggested this be a discussion item in the future.By Unanimous Consent, council
agreed to postpone this item to the October 10, 2016 agenda.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS
July 2016 Financials for Providence Seward Medical Center.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Casagranda said the Seward Music&Arts Festival was phenomenal. She appreciated the
dedicated core group of volunteers who put in many,many hours to make that happen. She wished
everyone a happy equinox.
Butts congratulated awardees Austin Chapman for State Firefighter Of The Year, Jillian
Chapman for Dell Moffett Award,and Eddie Athey for the Ken Akerley Leadership Award.As well,
Wendy Bryden from Moose Pass won the fastest time in full gear competition.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
September 26, 2016 Volume 40, Page 124
Altermatt thanked Colby Lawrence for joining the Port and Commerce Advisory Board
(PACAB). She noted the"No Wake"signs had been installed at the harbor and people seemed to be
adhering. She had recently spoken with Charles McEldowney at Icicle Fisheries about the new
ownership of the company by the Cook family who were from New Brunswick. The new owners
were excited about their new endeavor, but were also concerned about employee housing
availability.
McClure said Sunday there would be the annual dessert extravaganza by the Episcopal
Church held at the library. In reading the Parks and Recreation Department report, McClure noted
that they were applying for grants to replace the interpretive signs along the bike path.
Keil attended the Jujiro Wada statue unveiling and there had been a large contingency from
Japan in attendance. She had attended the Planning and Zoning Commission's work session about
30' x 100' lots. The Seward Music & Arts Festival was a great success. Keil thanked Colby
Lawrence for stepping forward on PACAB,and she congratulated the Fire Department on all their
awards.
Bardarson congratulated the Fire Department and its volunteers. She also had attended the
Jujiro Wada statue unveiling and said the children did a great job singing.There were approximately
15 delegates from Japan in attendance. Gail Phillips from Senator Lisa Murkowski's office had
contacted Bardarson and requested her public endorsement; Bardarson would endorse Murkowski
privately, and not as the mayor. Bardarson thanked all the community volunteers for all the work
they did throughout the year.
Keil added,in response to Bob Valdatta's comments,the concerns about the alleyway would
be passed along to the city's new Public Works Director.
CITIZEN COMMENTS—None
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS—None
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.
ea)1449,6111 /&/Ada48.akti
Brenda Ballou, CMC an Bardarson
Acting City ... Mayor
� S.::7/A;;:74,..
(City f eal)P ;s
70, R
v4f Gtfi 4.