HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2020-007 Sponsored by: Planning& Zoning Commission
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2020-007
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, OFFICIALLY PROCLAIMING THE NAME "BENNY
BENSON PARK" TO THE CITY PARK LOCATED AT 1121
THIRD AVENUE; THE AREA WEST OF THIRD AVENUE,
BOUNDED BY DAIRY HILL LANE AND CHAMBERLIN ROAD,
COMPRISING THE SEWARD LAGOON, ROTARY PAVILION,
AND BENNY BENSON MEMORIAL
WHEREAS, Benny Benson is a prominent and celebrated person in the history of the
City of Seward and the State of Alaska for designing the Alaska state flag; and
WHEREAS, Benny Benson famously created the state flag design in 1926 at the age of
13 while attending the Territorial School at Seward and residing at the Jesse Lee Home; and
WHEREAS, in 1976, a memorial was installed near the corner of Dairy Hill Drive and
Third Avenue to honor Benson and the state flag; and
WHEREAS, in 1987, the Dale B. Clemens memorial boardwalk was installed adjacent
to the lagoon to provide pedestrian access through the park along Third Avenue; and
WHEREAS, in 1995, the Seward Rotary Club sponsored the construction of a picnic
pavilion on the south end of the park; and
WHEREAS, the Seward lagoon provides a habitat for four species of Pacific Salmon,
Trumpeter Swans, Bald Eagles, various ducks, river otters, and more; and
WHEREAS, the Seward lagoon provides numerous recreational opportunities, including
bird watching and a youth-only salmon fishery; and
WHEREAS, the legal boundaries of the park were officially designated in 2015 by the
Benny Benson Park Replat; and
WHEREAS, on December 3, 2019, the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission
approved Resolution 2019-019, following a public hearing, recommending the park officially
be renamed.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA that:
Section 1. The City Council hereby officially proclaims the name "Benny Benson
Park" to the City park located at 1121 Third Avenue; the area west of Third Avenue,
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2020-007
bounded by Dairy Hill Lane and Chamberlin Road, comprising the Seward lagoon,
Rotary Pavilion, and Benny Benson Memorial.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this
13`1'day of January, 2020.
T IT F W , ASKA
• ty Terry, ayor
AYES: Osenga, Baclaan, Butts, Lane, McClure, Terry
NOES: None
ABSENT: Seese
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
Brenda J. Ba 1 u, MMC
City Clerk
(City Spirt`cttlegati:
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Council Agenda Statement
40
Meeting Date: January 13, 2020
Through: Scott Meszaros, City Manager�
From: Jackie C. Wilde, Community Development Director
Tyler Florence, Parks and Recreation Director
Agenda Item: Officially proclaim the name"Benny Benson Park"to the City Park located
at 1121 Third Avenue
BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION:
Community Development found that during research many of our parks and designated areas had
names honoring individuals without actually recording how or why the area was named.
Community Development was asked by citizens to make sure that all of our areas honoring such
areas be documented.
Much has been written about the celebrated story of a thirteen year old student named Benny Benson
and his design of the Alaska State flag in 1926.The symbolism of the flag design,in Benson's own
words,became lyrics to our state song. His achievements have been great contributions to our City
and State history.
Benny Benson and the state flag were recognized with a prominent memorial, installed near the
intersection of Dairy Hill Lane and Third Avenue in 1976, marking the first improvement to the
subject park.A boardwalk along Third Avenue was built in 1987,and dedicated to Dale B.Clemens.
In 1995 the Seward Rotary Club sponsored the construction of a pavilion located on the south end of
the lagoon, providing a covered day use picnic shelter.
The Seward Lagoon was originally an intertidal mud flat along the west shoreline of Resurrection
Bay. Infill development along Third and Fourth Avenue has formed the lagoon we know today,its
brackish waters still influenced by Resurrection Bay's tidal forces.The Lagoon is important habitat
to four species of Pacific Salmon, Trumpeter Swans, Bald Eagles, various ducks and River Otters.
The Lagoon also provides recreational opportunities including birdwatching and a youth-only
salmon fishery.
The subject park was comprised of various properties in the Oceanview,Laubner,and Cliff Addition
subdivisions,as well as lands donated by the Leirer family.These lots were platted into one parcel in
the 2015 Benny Benson Park Replat.
Although there is not a formal process in place for naming a park, street names are officially
changed by Council resolution. Pat Williams Park, Hoben Park and Kawabe Park were formally
named by Council resolution as recommended by the Historic Preservation Commission and/or the
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Planning and Zoning Commission. Other park units within the city, such as Two Lakes Park and
Forest Acres Park have been recognized in their official naming by the adoption of the 1995
Municipal Lands Management Plan (95-039),and its subsequent 2014 revision.
The Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing, reviewed the request and
recommended that the City Council officially name the park "Benny Benson Park" at its
December 3,2019 meeting.
FISCAL NOTE:There is no fiscal impact associated with naming the site.
Approved by Finance Department
ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes No N/A X
CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Yes No N/A
Seward Comprehensive Plan (2030): 3.6.1.2 (Bullet 3) Ensure that
1. Municipal land acquired for or converted to long-term or permanent park or X
recreational uses are officialIX dedicated as 2ark land. (Poke 17
2. Strategic Plan (1999) : X
RECOMMENDATION:
Council approve Resolution 2020- UVr7officially proclaiming the name "Benny Benson
Park" to the City Park located at 1121 Third Avenue; the area west of Third Avenue,
bounded by Dairy Hill Lane and Chamberlin Road, comprising the Seward Lagoon,Rotary
Pavilion, and Benny Benson Memorial.
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Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: January 13, 2020
From: Brenda Ballou, City Clerk
Agenda Item: Continuation of the Port& Commerce Advisory Board(PACAB)
BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION:
Seward City Code 2.30.330 states that at the first meeting of each fiscal year,the City Council may
continue by affirmative vote the existence of the Port and Commerce Advisory Board(PACAB). If
council fails to do this, the Board will cease to exist within thirty (30) days.
RECOMMENDATION:
Council approve this continuation and renew the Port and Commerce Advisory Board through
January, 2021.
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