HomeMy WebLinkAbout05132019 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
May 13,2019 Volume 40,Page 705
CALL TO ORDER
The May 13, 2019 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:03
p.m. by Mayor David Squires.
OPENING CEREMONY
Lieutenant Alan Nickell led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
David Squires presiding and
Sue McClure Suzanne Towsley
Sharyl Seese
John Osenga Kelley Lane
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Scott Meszaros, City Manager
Brenda Ballou, City Clerk
Excused—Horn
Absent—None
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR
PUBLIC HEARING
Bob Reisner had been studying the flooding issues at the Seward airport since January,2011.
He thought there was an opportunity to create a new channel for the flow of Resurrection River using
sheet piling,thereby controlling the flow of water to mitigate the flooding at the airport.
Lynda Paquette read a letter from Ristine Casagranda stating Casagranda's interest in
becoming the city's representative on ARCTEC. Paquette reported on last week's Seward Civic
Engagement meeting,saying there had been some interest in exploring ideas to enable citizens living
outside of city limits to have some voting rights.
Kevin Dunham was interested in serving as the city's ARCTEC representative, having
worked for 42 years in the electric industry.He understood the issues and the opportunities in depth,
and thought his expertise would be of benefit to the city.
Patty Linville appreciated the work Lynda Paquette was doing to engage the community.
Linville was going to spearhead a community effort to explore the topic of voting rights for non-city
residents.
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May 13, 2019 Volume 40,Page 706
Lynn Hohl and Mary Huss came to speak on behalf of Seaview Community Services,and
supported the city having a work session to discuss crime and drug issues.
Tommy Glanton was the behavioral health director at Seaview Community Services. He
said substance misuse was a significant issue in this community,particularly methamphetamine.Last
year,Providence's survey revealed that 70%of people did not access treatment services because they
didn't want their neighbors to know.
Phil Kaluza supported Rissie Casagranda as the city's ARCTEC representative.
Reed Lane was an electrical engineer who supported Rissie Casagranda as the city's
ARCTEC representative.
Rhonda Hubbard said the Seward Community Foundation had just released 18 grants,and
half of those were focused on children.She supported the city having a meeting to discuss crime and
drugs.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (McClure/Towsley) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
McClure removed the Seabird Festival presentation from the agenda. The presentation will come
back on May 28, 2019.
Lane removed Resolutions 2019-050, 2019-051, and 2019-054 from the consent agenda.
Motion Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
Resolution 2019-049,Authorizing Signatures For All City Bank Accounts And Rescinding All
Previous Resolutions In Conflict Herewith.
Resolution 2019-052, Accepting The 2019 Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) Grant In The
Amount Of $2,667.50, Authorizing Matching Funds In The Amount Of $266.75, And
Appropriating Funds.
Approval of the April 16,2019 City Council Special Meeting Minutes,the April 17,2019 City
Council Special Meeting Minutes,the April 22,2019 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes,
and the April 24,2019 City Council Special Meeting Minutes.
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations & Awards
Historic Preservation Month
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May 13, 2019 Volume 40,Page 707
Harbor Opening,Blessing of the Fleet, Mermaid Festival
Recognizing Seward High School Students Lindy Guernsey and Akilena Veach for
winning 2°d place in Caring for Kenai
Recognizing Seward High School Students Kevin Schuster,Belladonna Proietti,and
Caitlin Corrigan for their efforts in Caring for Kenai
Spring Creek Correctional Center 2018 Employee of the Year Robert Pack
Borough Assembly Report.Kenn Carpenter stated the assembly had been provided with
the borough's draft budget; the school district budget would potentially be amended in order to
fund to the cap. Carpenter wanted to focus was on funding the 2020 school budget to ensure the
teachers would be paid.In response to McClure,Carpenter said the borough budget would come in
June for approval. In response to Towsley, Carpenter said the immediate threat of closing the
Seward Middle School had passed; instead,high school principal Trevan Walker would become
the principal for both the high school and the middle school. Carpenter would be submitting a
resolution to make the Moose Pass School a historical building. Kids Fishing Day would be
Saturday, May 18, 2019 at First Lake.
City Manager Report.Scott Meszaros reported the following purchase orders over$5,000
had been approved by the City Manager since the last council meeting:$29,950 to Sitelines Park and
Playground Products,Inc.for fire rings and picnic table frames;$5,255.16 to Motion and Flow for a
transfer pump Dixon Mobile Blade Master 110V; $18,500 to Airport Equipment for 3 months
excavator rental;$5,891.60 to Office Tech for Xerox equipment upgrades;$27,057.12 to Municipal
Emergency Services, Inc. for an air cylinder and valve assembly, carbon 45 minute 4500 PSI;
$15,000 to Glen Martin for tree cutting, removal, and hauling off of approximately 40 trees; and,
$14,748.25 to Andrew Stein for three years of TYC camp t-shirts.
In response to Lane, Harbormaster Norm Regis said Assistant City Manager Hickok and
Deputy Harbormaster Chase were both at a training for ports and harbors. In response to Squires,
Regis said the crane at the Seward Marine Industrial Center(SMIC) was operational; the electric
card reader was being programmed.In response to McClure,Regis said the south harbor launch ramp
was progressing; the concrete was now above the low tide mark.
In response to Towsley, Electric Utility Manager John Foutz said he had not yet
formulated a list of procurement by sole source versus bid or rfp,but was working on it.In response
to Seese, Foutz said the demand meters were not yet completed. In response to Squires, Foutz said
the electric policy would be updated to more accurately fit the city's categories.
Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations
Travel report for Washington, D.C. trip from Mayor Squires and Council Member
Osenga.
Travel Report for 53rd Turtle Ship Festival in Yeosu, South Korea by Council
Members Lane and Horn.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
May 13, 2019 Volume 40, Page 708
Blue Ocean Pipeline Presentation by Justin Sternberg.
Seward Community Health Center Quarterly Report by Craig Ambrosiani.
21 23, 2019. Postponed to the May 28, 2019 meeting.
Council recessed at 9:01 p.m.
Council resumed at 9:07 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARINGS—None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS —None
NEW BUSINESS
Resolutions
Resolution 2019-050, Awarding A Contract For Three Years To Ingersoll Enterprises For
Custodial Services At The Harbormaster's Building, Public Restrooms Behind The National
Park Service Building,The Northeast Launch Ramp,And The Upland Area,With The Option
To Extend For An Additional Three Years.
Motion (McClure/Seese) Approve Resolution 2019-050
Regis reported that a Request for Proposals had been advertised,resulting in one response.
Lane was concerned about the contract being extended without council approval.
Motion to Amend (Lane/Seese) Amend Resolution 2019-050 in Section 4 by
adding the words, "by a vote of council"
after the words, "the contract may be
extended administratively..."
In response to McClure, Regis said contract extensions in general could be handled
administratively or by council approval.
City Attorney Holly Wells stated that if council wished to make an amendment like this,she
would recommend using the words, "subject to council approval."
Original Motion to Amend Modified (Lane) Amend Resolution 2019-050 in Section 4 so
it reads: "The contract may be extended
administratively up to three years in total,
insofar as insignificant changes are made
and the Harbormaster is completely
satisfied with the work in terms of the
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May 13, 2019 Volume 40,Page 709
contract. The extension is subject to City
Council approval."
Osenga thought the Harbormaster would be able to determine if the contract should be
extended. McClure agreed and thought the proposed amendment seemed like micromanaging.
Motion to Amend Failed Yes: Seese,Towsley,Lane
No: McClure,Osenga,Horn, Squires
Main Motion Passed Yes:McClure,Towsley,Seese,Osenga,Horn,
Squires
No: Lane
Resolution 2019-051, Adopting The Planning And Zoning Commission Priorities From
April 2019 To April 2020.
Motion (McClure/Osenga) Approve Resolution 2019-051
City Planner Jackie Wilde stated the Planning&Zoning Commission had approved their
priorities for this year.Wilde pointed out that the commission had removed the Parks&Recreation
Master Plan as a priority, as directed in 2016 by the former city manager,but the commission was
open to adding it back in if council wished.
Motion to Amend (McClure/Towsley) Amend Resolution 2019-051 by adding a
new item #10 under Short and Medium
Term to "Review and update the 2016
Parks& Recreation Master Plan."
Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous
Main Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2019-053, Authorizing The City Manager To Purchase Two 2020 International
Dump Trucks From RWC International Ltd To Replace One 1984 International Dump Truck
And One 1987 Ford Dump Truck For$123,998.05 Each,For A Total Amount Not To Exceed
$247,996.10, Utilizing The Sourcewell Contract#081716NAV,And Appropriating Funds.
Motion (McClure/Lane) Approve Resolution 2019-053
Public Works Director Doug Schoessler said the two old dump trucks had ever-increasing
problems. Sourcewell had advertised a Request for Proposals and had received 14 responses.
In response to Squires, Schoessler said he would put the old trucks into surplus auction.
W NMI Motion Passed Unanimous
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May 13, 2019 Volume 40, Page 710
Resolution 2019-054, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Professional Services
Agreement With Electric Power Systems Inc.To Conduct An Arc Flash Study For An Amount
Not To Exceed $46,395. vow
Motion (McClure/Seese) Approve Resolution 2019-054
Electric Utilities Manager John Foutz said this was an OSHA requirement, and the city
was behind in achieving compliance.
In response to McClure, Foutz explained that this arc flash study would involve testing that
would be performed in the electric substation; it would result in pieces of equipment would be
properly labeled and instructions for taking appropriate safety actions such as Personal Protective
Equipment. In response to Lane,Foutz said the timeline for completing this was 2018. In response to
Seese,this contract included the Fort Raymond substation,as well as teaching the staff. In response
to Seese, Foutz said there was a potential that the city would incur a fine for being late.
Main Motion Passed Unanimous
Other New Business
Voting to appoint Kevin Dunham,John French,Rissie Casagranda,Phil Kaluza,
as the city's ARCTEC Member Representative.
Reed Lane withdrew his letter of interest prior to tonight's meeting and will not be included on the
ballot.
City Clerk Brenda Ballou passed out Ballot #1 containing the names of the four applicants, and
instructed council to vote for no more than one name.
The results of the first vote were:
Dunham 4
French 0
Casagranda 3
Kaluza 0
Motion (McClure/Osenga) Appoint Kevin Dunham to serve as the city's
representative on the Alaska Railbelt
Cooperative Transmission & Electric
Company (ARCTEC).
Motion Passed Unanimous
Schedule a work session with key stakeholders to address crime and drug use in the
community, as expressed in the Chamber of Commerce letter of April 22, 2019. ..ri
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May 13, 2019 Volume 40,Page 711
Council directed the city manager to contact key stakeholders and schedule a work session for early
June. Stakeholders should include: school principals, Seaview Community Services, Chamber of
Commerce, Seward Police Department, and Alaska State Troopers.
Discuss developing a verbal and written travel report format for when city officials,citizens,
administration and employees travel on behalf of our municipality. Proposed items include:
educational topics and ideas relevant to Seward and relational ties gained.Discuss whether to
direct administration to develop a format.
Council directed the city manager to create a template and bring it back to council for review.
Discuss attending AML's online sales tax discussion in Anchorage on June 6, 2019.
Meszaros stated he was already registered to attend.
Motion (Lane/Towsley) Council Member Seese attend the AML
Online sales tax discussion.
Motion Passed Yes:Horn,Towsley,McClure,Lane,Osenga,
Squires
No: Seese
Council requested the city manager also have the finance director attend.
Discuss having a hiatus for the Friday standing City Council work sessions until September,
2019.
Motion (Lane/Seese) Suspend having the Friday standing work
session until September 23, 2019.
Motion Failed Yes: Lane, Horn,Seese
No: Towsley,McClure,Osenga,Squires
City Clerk Brenda Ballou noted for council that the gift from Yeosu, South Korea that Council
Member Horn brought to tonight's meeting consisted of beauty items,was perishable,and was worth
hundreds of dollars.Council unanimously agreed that the gift could be donated to a local fundraising
effort,pending further advice from the city attorney.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS
On-Going City Projects and Goals.
In response to Lane, Wilde received a cost estimate from R&M today about replatting the
Fort Raymond area; the cost estimates had been forwarded to the city manager.
Clerk's Report on Public Records Request through May 7, 2019.
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May 13, 2019 Volume 40,Page 712
In response to Towsley, Meszaros said there was a delay in responding to some records
requests related to payroll information because the system was not set up for providing a report.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
McClure attended the school board meeting, the Seward Community Foundation awards,
and had participated in Super Saturday Clean Up day. She reminded everyone about the Memorial
Day service at the American Legion cemetery.The First Avenue properties bids were due by May 29,
2019. McClure congratulated Kevin Dunham on his ARCTEC appointment.
Towsley reminded everyone that October 1,2019 the plastic bag ban would go into effect.
Lane appreciated the opportunity to travel to Yeosu, South Korea.
Squires reminded everyone about the work session scheduled on May 28, 2019 regarding
housing and the potential for expanding utilities.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Lynn Hohl said Medicaid funding was in conference committee,and she passed out copies
of behavioral health recommendations. Hohl stated she was planning to retire this year.
Jackie Wilde said the P&Z commissioners would be attending the May 28, 2019 work
session.Today was a meeting for the bike park;the contractor was coming on May 23,2019;June 6-
8, 2019 would be volunteer community days.
Lynda Paquette said the next Seward Civic Engagement before summer hiatus would be
May 23, 2019 in the library. She reminded everyone that budget work sessions would be starting
soon.
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS
City Attorney Holly Wells said her firm was taking part in the state litigation team against
big pharma;she would be happy to send an attorney to attend the public safety forum work session at
no cost. On June 10, 2019, Wells would bring options for public records training for council and
administration to consider attending.
Meszaros thanked everyone for welcoming him to the city.He sold his house in Colorado.He
would be traveling out of state May 21-27,2019 for his daughter's graduation,and the closing date
on his house would be July 2, 2019.
Squires appreciated Bob Reisner's comments,and was also concerned about the governor's
intentions with rural airports around the state. He thanked Lynn Hohl for her service on the school
board.
Lane thanked Lynda Paquette for mentioning the budget work sessions coming up.
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May 13, 2019 Volume 40,Page 713
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 p.m.
Brenda J. Ballou, C David quires
City Clerk Mayor
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