HomeMy WebLinkAbout10102016 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
October 10, 2016 Volume 40, Page 125
CALL TO ORDER
The October 10, 2016 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00
p.m. by Mayor Jean Bardarson.
OPENING CEREMONY
Fire Chief Eddie Athey led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
Jean Bardarson presiding and
Marianna Keil Ristine Casagranda
Deborah Altermatt Dale Butts
Sue McClure Dave Squires
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Jim Hunt, City Manager
Brenda Ballou, Acting City Clerk
Will Earnhart, City Attorney
Absent—None
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR
PUBLIC HEARING—None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
McClure placed Resolution 2016-055 on the consent agenda.
Bardarson added an item to Other New Business to discuss scheduling a special meeting for the
organization of council.
Motion Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
Resolution 2016-055,Approving The Removal Of The Word Small From The Phrases Seward
Small Boat Harbor Or Small Boat Harbor Within The Seward Small Boat Harbor Plan.
Postponed from the September 12, 2016 meeting.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
October 10, 2016 Volume 40, Page 126
Approval of the September 12,2016 City Council Meeting Minutes and the September 16,2016
City Council Special Meeting Minutes.
Certification of the October 4,2016 Municipal Election.
THREE(3) CITY COUNCIL SEATS AVAILABLE(TWO-YEAR TERMS)
Election Day Votes After Canvass Votes Total Votes
Ristine Casagranda 169 39 208
Suzanne Towsley 159 25 184
John D. Hull, Jr. 44 6 50
Dale R. Butts 168 33 201
Erik R. Slater 165 41 206
Marianna Keil 161 42 203
Write-Ins 6 0 6
SEWARD PROPOSITION NO. 1
GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR SEWARD ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
Shall the City of Seward incur debt and issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed
three million dollars ($3,000,000) to finance the planning, design and construction of road
improvements in the City?
The bonds shall be secured by a pledge of the full faith and credit of the City. It is expected that
annual payments ofprincipal and interest on the Bonds will be Two Hundred Thirty Thousand
dollars($230,000), or a 0.72 increase in the mill rate(from 3.12 mills to 3.84 mills, equal to an
increase of$72 per$100,000 in property value) or the approximate equivalent ofa one-fifth of
one percent(0.005) sales tax (from 4.0%to 4.2%).
Election Day Votes Canvass Votes Total Votes
YES 240 57 297
NO 90 18 108
SUMMARY
A total of 333 people voted at this election.
There were 65 absentee in-person and by-mail ballots.
There were 3 special needs ballots.
There were 9 questioned ballots.
Therefore, 410 voters turned out.
SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
October 10, 2016 Volume 40, Page 127
Proclamations & Awards —None
City Manager's Report. Jim Hunt there were no purchase orders between $10,000 and
$50,000 approved by the City Manager since the last meeting.
Hunt had attended the International City Manager Association Conference,and Assistant City
Manager Ron Long attended the International Association of Maritime and Port Executives training.
Long received the designation of Certified Marine Port Executive.The City Hall asbestos abatement
and carpet replacement project was moving along with Jackie Wilde acting as the in-house project
manager. On October 25 and 26, 2016 there would be a charrette with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers regarding the Lowell Canyon Diversion Tunnel.Responding to citizen complaints,Hunt
was working on some nuisance issues in town.
In response to McClure, Assistant City Manager Ron Long said the Waterfront Park
erosion abatement project was gearing up. Long said there was a stockpiling of rock and the
engineers were considering using two rock sizes;the city was awaiting sign off from the engineers
for substituting two classes of rock.
Hunt provided an update on the U.S.Air Force Recreation Camp,saying administration was
negotiating an acceptable exit strategy. Hunt then distributed laydown photos provided by the
Electric Department showing bird diverters being installed on Nash Road and Preacher's Pond.
Long provided an update on the AVTEC gym contract. He had received a response from
AVTEC and thought their proposal had the bones for making a good foundation for an agreement.
In response to Casagranda,Long said he had sent two requests for information regarding the
Jesse Lee Home, and had received no response. Long said the next step would be to check on the
status of their licenses and permits to see if they were being kept current. The Friends of the Jesse
Lee Home were in good standing this year,but the renewals for 2017 would be happening soon so it
was something to watch.
In response to Butts,Electric Utility Manager John Foutz said he had submitted a contract
to the contractor last Friday regarding the Snow River Repair Project, which would come back to
council for approval.All permits the city was responsible for obtaining completed and in place.The
contractor's permits for lane closure and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan(SWPPP)had been
filed.The contractor was proactive and should be ready to start in two weeks,and the project should
take two weeks to complete.In response to Butts,Foutz said there were scenarios already considered
within this contract for weather conditions, ice dam release, etc.
McClure noticed that Two Lakes Park was now closing at 6:00 p.m. and wondered how that
came about. Hunt said it was in response to public request to limit late night hours and mitigate
alcohol consumption on site.
Bardarson pointed out some confusing data reported on the Parks and Recreation
Department's report where varying revenues were reported. Hunt said he would get clarification.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
October 10, 2016 Volume 40, Page 128
In response to Butts,Long said the Requests For Proposals for the road repairs would go out
in February, 2017.
City Attorney's Report,Will Earnhart said Orion had requested a reconsideration from the
court;that was anticipated to be denied.His firm helped with the Snow River construction contract.
In January or February,2017 the Bradley Lake agreements would be coming up for review.Earnhart
was pleased to be here for the borough's dispatch consolidation work session,and had concern that
Seward's potential exposure to liabilities be thoroughly vetted.
Squires was concerned about the cameras the city received through grants, and what the
impact would be if they were no longer monitored through the Seward dispatch. Earnhart said he
would have to review the grant requirements. Further, Earnhart had concerns about monitoring the
jail remotely because once the city took someone into custody, liabilities attached.
In response to Casagranda on what the options for the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home were,
Long said the contract was performance-based within a certain timeline,and said it was important to
consider how quickly the city wanted to act on taking back a property that was a liability. Long
added that some of the state funds had already been suspended until or unless they came into
compliance.Council directed administration to review the contract and provide council with a
status, considering the performance of the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home specifically as it
related to abatement, utilities, and security and in relation to timeframe.
Other Reports,Announcements and Presentations
Quarterly Report from the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Ordinance 2016-008,Amending And Revising Title 10,Public Peace,Morals And Welfare,To
Conform With Modern Practice And Law.
Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Enact Ordinance 2016-008
Earnhart said this title had been out of date for some time, and he had worked with Police
Chief Tom Clemons to review and update it. Some of the provisions contained in Title 10 were
already covered in Title 9,and others were already covered under state or federal statute,so in both
cases there was no need to duplicate it.
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.
Butts asked regarding loitering on school grounds,which was a portion of the code left intact,
Earnhart said there was no state statute for loitering in general, except if on school grounds. This
would be up to the city to enforce,and was an arrestable offense. Police Chief Tom Clemons said
the Seward Police Department would respond to a school complaint; the perpetrator would be
requested to leave, then trespassed, then arrested on a state charge of trespassing.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
October 10, 2016 Volume 40, Page 129
Motion to Amend (Altermatt/Keil) Amend Ordinance 2016-008 by deleting
Section 10.10.020.
Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous
Main Motion Passed Unanimous
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Schedule a work session to discuss the AVTEC gym/contract.(Casagranda)Postponed from the
September 26, 2016 meeting. Council decided to cancel this item.
Schedule a work session to discuss the evaluation forms,procedures,and policies for the City
Attorney, City Manager, and City Clerk. Postponed from the September 26, 2016 meeting.
Council suspended this discussion to later in the agenda.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 2016-061,Authorizing The City Manager To Sign The Automatic Aid Agreement
And Operational Plan Between The City Of Seward Fire Department And The Bear Creek
Fire And Emergency Services Area.
Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2016-061
Athey said the borough had requested council postpone approving this resolution and the next
one in order to allow their attorneys an opportunity to review them.
Motion to Postpone(Keil/Casagranda) Postpone Resolution 2016-061 to the
October 24,2016 agenda.
Motion to Postpone Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2016-062,Authorizing The City Manager To Sign The Mutual Aid Agreement And
Operational Plan Between The City Of Seward Fire Department And The Bear Creek Fire
And Emergency Services Area.
Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2016-062
Motion to Postpone (Keil/Casagranda) Postpone Resolution 2016-062 to the
October 24,2016 agenda.
Motion to Postpone Passed Unanimous
Other New Business Items
Discuss canceling the November 14 and 28,2016 City Council meetings,and scheduling a City
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
October 10, 2016 Volume 40, Page 130
Council meeting for November 21,2016.
Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Cancel the November 14 and 28,2016 City
Council meetings, and schedule a City
Council meeting on November 21,2016.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Discuss scheduling a special meeting for the organization of council. After some discussion,
council decided they did not need to schedule a special meeting.
Schedule a work session to discuss the evaluation forms,procedures,and policies for the City
Attorney, City Manager, and City Clerk. Postponed from the September 26, 2016 meeting.
Council scheduled a work session on November 21, 2016 at 5:30 p.m.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS
Quarterly Report from the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Casagranda announced that she would miss the next council meeting.She congratulated the
Seward High School football team for winning the conference championships,and for demonstrating
great sportsmanship. She congratulated everyone who ran for this election; she felt everyone was a
winner.
Butts said the football team did great.He said Saturday,October 15,2016 there would be an
Open House at 11:00 a.m.at the Seward Fire Department.Butts thanked council for having him;he
said it had been fun and a great learning experience.
Altermatt said she would miss Council Member Butts. She congratulated Casagranda,Keil
and Slater. In reference to a letter distributed recently from a recreational boater, there were "No
Wake"signs installed in the harbor and they looked great.Altermatt announced she would be absent
for the next meeting.
Bardarson thanked Butts for his contributions to council. She congratulated Keil and
Casagranda, and welcomed Slater. Bardarson welcomed Maddi McGraw as a new employee at the
museum,and thanked the Resurrection Bay Historical Society(RBHS)for having the museum open
on Sundays this summer. She congratulated the high school football and cross country teams.
Bardarson gave a big congratulation to the three state firefighter award winners from Seward.
Bardarson announced she would be absent for the next meeting. Bardarson mentioned that she had
received a flyer about eliminating single-use plastic bags, and said council could consider it.
Keil said this election showed that every vote counted. She thanked Butts for his warm and
generous spirit. Keil was looking forward to remaining on council for the next two years.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
October 10, 2016 Volume 40, Page 131
Squires would miss Council Member Butts. He congratulated Casagranda and Keil, and
welcomed Slater as a new team member. He challenged the community to improve the election
turnout. Squires congratulated Austin Chapman for State Firefighter of the Year,Jillian Chapman for
Del Moffitt Award, and Fire Chief Eddie Athey for Ken Ackerly Award. Squires wished council
would set their own project goals for 2017 in order to keep themselves on track for accomplishing
projects.
McClure would miss Butts. She congratulated the election winners and everyone who ran.
McClure complimented the City Manager for his responsiveness on certain issues, like the bird
diverters and Two Lakes Park. She announced there would be a Borough Assembly meeting
tomorrow.
Hunt said Fire Engine#3 was sent out to be donated to Esther, Alaska.
Bardarson asked Squires to compile a project list and send it to the clerk.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Kelly Lane was happy to back in Seward.
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS—None
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:31 p.m.
Brenda Ballou, !MC an Bardarson
Acting City Clerk Mayor
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