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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01132020 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes January 13, 2020 Volume 41,Page 74 CALL TO ORDER The January 13,2020 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m.by Mayor Christy Terry. OPENING CEREMONY Police Chief Tom Clemons led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Christy Terry presiding and Sue McClure geese John Osenga Kelley Lane(Left the meeting at 8:12 p.m) Dale Butts Tony Baclaan comprising a quorum of the Council; and Scott Meszaros, City Manager Brenda Ballou, City Clerk Excused—Seese Absent—None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Bruce Jaffa had a lot of years and a lot of experience.He moved to Seward in 1975 when it was a sleepy town. Tourism has served Seward well for as long as he could remember, and he thought it had helped grow the city in a healthy way. Jaffa thought the winter economy in Seward was balanced with the summer,unlike the community of Skagway that basically shuts down in the winter.Referring to the airport,Jaffa said the community would have to make some hard decisions today for the sake of its future, and be prepared to pay with its time and money. Mary Ann Benoit was a business owner who lived in the city;she recently learned about the Historic Preservation Commission at a Rotary meeting and was inspired to apply as a commissioner. Carol Griswold urged council to remove Resolution 2020-002 from the consent agenda and to fail it because she believed it represented an illegal spot zone. She did not believe the rezone would be beneficial to the community,but rather only to the property owners.Neither did she believe the proper public notice and input requirements had been met. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes January 13, 2020 Volume 41, Page 75 Cindy Ecklund spoke in support of the rezone, although she wished to have it changed to Office Residential (OR) rather than Urban Residential (UR). Ecklund did not think this was spot zoning because it was in compliance with the city's future land use plan. The majority of property _I owners were in favor of this rezoning. Ecklund requested that council amend the resolution to be Office Residential (OR) rather than Urban Residential (UR). Christiana Smith wished to speak about the Boys & Girls Club agreement. She believed there needed to be discussion about the agreement. She was concerned that the programs served starting at age 6 rather than 5. She was also concerned about the potential need for the annual amount to be increased to keep up with rising prices. She wondered what would happen with the Teen Youth Council, and whether the space at the Teen Rec Room (TRR) or the Teen Youth Center (TYC) would still be available for public rental. Susan Swiderski was in favor of rezone going to Office Residential(OR)rather than Urban Residential (UR). Sue Ward was the vice chair of the Historic Preservation Commission and she supported Mary Ann Benoit's application to the commission. Maggie Wilkins was the director of the Boys & Girls Club. She appreciated the city staff working so cooperatively with her, and she agreed that the timeline was aggressive. The youth council would remain with the Parks & Recreation Department; the starting age would be kindergarten through 18; regarding annual cost increases, the agreement would be reviewed on an annual basis. ..iii APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (McClure/Lane) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Baclaan removed the introduction of Ordinance 2020-001 from the consent agenda. Terry removed the Capital Improvement Plan work session from the consent agenda. Terry removed the Historic Preservation application from the consent agenda. Baclaan removed Resolution 2020-004 from the consent agenda. Terry removed the approval of the December 9,2019 meeting minutes,the letter of support for the Purple Heart Highway designation, and the invitation to tour Seaview from the agenda. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes January 13, 2020 Volume 41, Page 76 Resolution 2020-003, Adopting An Alternative Allocation Method For The FY2020 Shared Fisheries Business Tax Program, And Certifying That This Allocation Method Fairly Represents The Distribution Of Significant Effects Of Fisheries Business Activity In The Cook Inlet Fisheries Management Area. Resolution 2020-005,Supporting The Continuance Of The State Of Alaska's Stringent Oil Spill Prevention And Response Contingency Planning Regulations. Resolution 2020-007, 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. Continuation of the Port & Commerce Advisory Board for 2020. Non-objection to the renewal of the following liquor license:#2683 Package Store for Gateway Liquor & Food Mart. Non-objection to the renewal of the following liquor license: #1130 Beverage Dispensary for Thorn's Showcase Lounge LLC. Non-objection to the renewal of the following liquor license:#3909 Package Store for Seward Marketplace. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations & Awards Lee Poleske Lifetime Achievement Award Recognizing the Seward Middle School Basketball Team for winning the 2019 Borough Middle School Tournament Championship Polar Bear Jump-Off Festival 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: None. Meszaros requested that council provide some direction on who would be attending the Alaska Municipal League (AML) Winter Conference in Juneau in February. In response, Terry brought council's attention to the laydowns provided relating to cost and timing. In response to Terry,City Clerk Brenda Ballou stated that historically,council sent two representatives, and the city manager usually attended, as well. The following council members expressed a wish to attend: City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes January 13, 2020 Volume 41, Page 77 Terry, Baclaan, Lane, and Osenga. Motion (McClure/Osenga) Send two representatives from council to the AML Winter Conference. Baclaan there were three people at the dais who had representing council well throughout the community,and he would support sending three people.Butts thought,from a practical standpoint,it would be difficult to have three people in the meetings because the legislative offices were small; there would be another opportunity for someone to go to Washington D.C. in April. Motion Passed Yes: Butts, McClure, Osenga, Terry No: Baclaan, Lane Terry wanted Osenga to attend the legislative trip to Washington D.C.in April;she would not be able to make that trip herself. Lane wished to go to Juneau, and said she had a place to stay in Juneau as a cost-saving measure. Motion (Baclaan/Butts) Send Terry and Lane to Juneau for the AML Winter Conference. Motion Failed Yes: Baclaan, Butts No: Osenga, Lane, McClure, Terry Motion (McClure/Lane) Send Terry and Baclaan to Juneau for .Ei the AML Winter Conference, and direct the city manager to attend, as well. Motion Passed Unanimous Baclaan had met with the city manager regarding purchase order reporting, and the city manager was working on some alternatives for reporting. Meszaros added that he had five purchase orders to report on since the last council meeting,and would bring those forward at the next meeting. In response to Butts, Harbormaster Norm Regis said the new software being installed would help transient boat owners to more effectively pay for electricity and would not affect permanent slip holders. Lane asked if the city manager had an update on the pending question of council members doing ride alongs with the Electric Department. In response,Meszaros said he was trying to arrange a tour for any council members interested in seeing the city's facilities. Lane followed up saying she was referring to a ride along, not a tour. Terry wished to settle the matter tonight, and asked Meszaros if said he could arrange a ride along for Lane; Meszaros agreed, and added that he also wished to schedule a tour. Baclaan said he would like to go on a city facilities tour. Terry also wanted to go on a tour,and with council consensus,requested the city manager work with city clerk to arrange a tour. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes January 13, 2020 Volume 41, Page 78 Motion (Lane/Baclaan) Direct the city manager to set up ride alongs for council members with the electric linemen. Motion Failed Yes: Baclaan, Lane No: Butts, McClure, Osenga, Terry Terry stated that she had received notice of the 2020 Economic Forecast Luncheon in Anchorage on January 29, 2020; the city had attended in the past, and tables cost $900. She wondered if council or the city manager had any interest in attending. No one at the dais expressed interest. Council recessed at 8:05 p.m. Council resumed at 8:12 p.m. Council member Lane did not return to the dais. City Attorney Report Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations Telalaska Presentation by dasen-Ieuvier Harlen Newman Historic Preservation 2019 Annual Report by Chair Cheryl Seese PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolutions Requiring Public Hearing Resolution 2020-006, Determining It To Be In The Public Interest And Necessary To Proceed With The Proposed Utility Improvement District For And Benefiting Lots 1,2,3,4 Block 3 And Lots 38, 39, 40,41,42,43,And 44 Block 2 Of Gateway Subdivision, In An Amount Not To Exceed $337,375, And Appropriating Funds. This resolution is coming tonight for public hearing. It will he postponed and come back.for a second public hearing and approval on January 27, 2020. Motion to Approve (McClure/Osenga) Approve Resolution 2020-006 Wilde said there was often confusion about development reimbursement versus an assessment district;what was before council tonight was Phase 1 of an assessment district.City Code was very specific about how to move forward with an assessment district. This resolution was for 11 lots which were owned by one individual; adjacent lots already had access to utilities so they were not impacted by this assessment district.The total cost for the assessment district would be divided by 11 lots; the amount per lot would be included in the lot price if/when the lots were sold, or else the property owner would be required to make the payments. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes January 13,2020 Volume 41,Page 79 Meszaros mentioned the city attorney did not review this resolution. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Cindy Ecklund was chair of the Planning&Zoning Commission; she said this topic had been greatly discussed by the commission over the past ten years, and she was in favor. No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed. In response to Terry,Wilde said the city attorney had reviewed the document,but it had not been marked. Motion to Postpone(McClure/Osenga) Postpone Resolution 2020-006 to January 27, 2020. Motion to Postpone Passed Unanimous Council recessed at 8:27 p.m. A search was conducted for Council Member Lane. She was not located, and did not answer her phone, but her coat and belongings were missing so it was presumed she left of her own accord. Council resumed at 8:31 p.m. UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None NEW BUSINESS Ordinances for Introduction Ordinance 2020-001, Amending The Land Use Plan And Zoning Designation Of The West Half Of Federal Addition Blocks 7, 14,And 17,Except Lot 7A Block 17,From Single Family Residential(R1)And Two Family Residential(R2)To Urban Residential(UR). Motion(McClure/Osenga) Introduce Ordinance 2020-001 Wilde said the applicant's original request was to rezone to Office Residential (OR). However, at the Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) meeting, the commission amended the resolution to change it to Urban Residential (UR)instead of OR. Motion to Amend (McClure/Baclaan) Amend Ordinance 2020-001 by striking Urban Residential (UR) and replacing it with Office Residential(OR). Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes January 13, 2020 Volume 41,Page 80 PP Motion to Introduce Passed Unanimous Resolutions Resolution 2020-004,Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Agreement With The Boys& Girls Club In The Amount Of$170,000,And Appropriating Funds. Motion(McClure/Osenga) Approve Resolution 2020-004 Parks & Recreation Director Tyler Florence said the impetus for this project was both attrition of staff, as well as a duplication of services in the community. There had been ongoing discussions and regular meetings between the city and the Boys&Girls Club staff,and input from community members via a public information forum. Florence felt this agreement represented the best way forward for the youth of Seward. In response to Terry,Florence said the Teen Rec Room(TRR)would be staffed by Boys& Girls Club. Also in response to Terry, Florence confirmed that there would be no drop in services anticipated,but there would actually be enhanced services as the transition progressed. Council suspended the rules to speak with Maggie Wilkins. Baclaan had some concerns about the vagueness of the plan presented,and wondered about several things:the impact on city's current employees and the TRR and Teen Youth Center(TYC), impact on the TRR and TYC budgets,disposition of the$25,000 contribution to Boys&Girls Club that was already budgeted for 2020, and whether the facility would still be rentable for the community. In response, Florence said the $25,000 contribution would continue to be a separate item. In response to Terry,Florence said there was currently a staff shortage and he was counting on a February 1, 2020 start date. McClure thought this concept came up very quickly, and she thought more detailed information would be helpful. In response to Osenga, Florence said this collaboration would save money for the city, somewhere between $100,000-200,000 per year by reallocating resources. Florence expected this to be a productive partnership with a collaborative management between Boys & Girls and city. He added that the TYC currently had one full-time position vacancy,and the TRR would soon have another full-time position vacancy.Florence said no one would lose their job. In response to McClure,Wilkins said Boys&Girls Club would have enough employees,as long as some of the current city employees could be absorbed into the Boys&Girls Club. Baclaan wanted to see figures for anticipated cost savings, as well as plans for how the program would be managed,especially if it took off as a success.Baclaan also wondered what the impact would be on transitioning employees,particularly regarding their benefits. Motion (Baclaan/McClure) Direct the city manager to bring back City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes January 13, 2020 Volume 41, Page 81 to council the planned reallocations for TYC and TRR,total cost savings numbers, and any jobs affected by the transition, wei including custodial services. Motion Passed Unanimous Terry liked that the agreement was for one year, and said although she could not direct the Boys&Girls Club to do anything,she requested that they provide programming plans to council and the public. Council went back on the rules. Motion Passed Unanimous Other New Business Schedule a work session to review and discuss the Capital Improvement Plan priorities, and the Ongoing Projects & Goals list on February 12, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Meszaros said new Finance Director Tammy Stromberg would start on or around January 27, 2020. Meszaros wasn't sure he wanted to engage Foraker to facilitate because it was cost prohibitive. Terry suggested locals Dave Paperman or Jen Leahy might be engaged as facilitators. Vote and appoint either Mary Ann Benoit or Reed Lane to the Historic Preservation Commission with a term to expire May, 2021. The city clerk passed out Ballot #1 and instructed council to vote for no more than one name. The results of the first vote were: Mary Ann Benoit 5 votes Reed Lane 0 votes Motion (McClure/Osenga) Appoint Mary Ann Benoit to the Historic Preservation Commission with a term to expire May, 2021. Motion Passed Unanimous Update and discussion on the Seward airport. Terry reviewed the laydowns provided: Ad Hoc Committee's bullet point list of their priorities and recommendations,Federal Aviation Administration(FAA)invitation to the January 9, 2020 meeting in Anchorage, and an email from the FAA containing their notes from that meeting. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes January 13,2020 Volume 41,Page 82 Terry said one of the key items she learned from the meeting was that the Environmental Assessment (EA) would be completed within two weeks; the EA would approve moving forward with Alternative 2.2.The Alaska Department of Transportation(ADOT)would be moving forward with Alternative 2.2, even above city objections. Council suspended the rules to speak with Bruce Jaffa. Bruce Jaffa was the chair of the Seward Airport Committee.He said there were 290 airports throughout the state, and there were a portion that were not owned by the ADOT, including Soldotna. In his opinion, if Seward wanted Alternative 1.1, then the city would have to take ownership of the airport.The Airport Committee would be willing to draft an action plan for council to pursue getting qualified for National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems(NPIAS),which would be a requirement for procurement.If the procurement was approved,the city could then pursue funding from the FAA. The potential economic impact for Seward long term was very positive. In response to McClure, Jaffa said the 3,300 foot runway, if extended to 4,000 feet as suggested under Alternative 2.2, would encroach on wetlands areas; indeed, almost tidelands. He would anticipate very strong opposition to that proposal.Jaffa thought the$20 million set aside by the state for this project would cover the costs of Alternative 1.1.Jaffa suggested the city engage the city attorney to find a precedent for the city fighting for the airport option they wanted. Council went back on the rules. Terry agreed that the city should consult with the city attorney to get a handle on what the city's rights were.McClure thought that was reasonable,and also supported the committee meeting to form a recommendation for council.Osenga had concerns over the urgent timeline.Butts wanted to see the committee's recommendation for council. Terry requested an item be included on the January 27,2020 agenda for the recommendation of the Airport Committee. Direct the city manager to create a policy for Seward Police to respond outside city limits. Butts stated that the city did not have a written policy and/or guidelines for the police department to respond outside of city limits. Police Chief Tom Clemons said the city would not respond outside of city limits unless the State Troopers asked for assistance,and then the city officers would stage and wait for the troopers. This applied to people crimes only,not property crimes.Clemons read comments from State Trooper Sergeant Mike Zweifel to the same effect. Clemons said if a city officer was drawn outside of city limits to assist the troopers,then the city would be left without coverage. He added that residents who lived inside the city contributed toward paying for city officers,and those who lived outside of city limits did not pay for the service. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes January 13, 2020 Volume 41, Page 83 Meszaros said in the State of Alaska, police officers were not bound by geographical location. Terry suggested perhaps having a work session to address how crime and drugs were being addressed for the entire area,including the troopers,Seward Police Department,and the community; perhaps one idea of starting a reward pool for tips through crime stoppers could be considered at that work session. Clemons said the borough may have to step up in the future to create a borough-wide police department.Terry wanted the borough representative to be made aware of the city's concerns. Seward ., ., Purple Heart Trail nd direct the city ,., ,. t„ „d ., lette f support INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS On-Going City Projects and Goals. Clerk's Report on Public Records Request through January 7, 2020. October&November, 2019 City and Providence Financials. COUNCIL COMMENTS Baclaan thanked everyone for speaking,and administration for working hard.On Friday this week there would be a chili cook-off at the Yukon bar from 5-7:00 p.m.; proceeds would go to the Cancer Society on KPB. Butts congratulated Coach Beck and the Seward Middle School Basketball Team. He encouraged everyone to support the Polar Bear Jump. Butts congratulated Lee Poleske. Butts was concerned about Council Member Lane's disappearance from the meeting,and requested the mayor address it. Osenga congratulated the Seward Middle School Basketball Team and Lee Poleske. McClure congratulated Lee Poleske, and the Seward Middle School Basketball Team. She announced that the Community Choir would begin rehearsing on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. at the Lutheran Church. McClure announced that Riley Burns passed away today, and expressed her condolences to his family. She concurred with Butts that Lane's unannounced absence be addressed. Terry attended the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District's(KPEDD) Industry Outlook Forum held in Seward last week; there were 122 attendees throughout the day—a record attendance. She reminded everyone to attend the Polar Bear Jump, and asked folks to shop local. Terry would take Butts' and McClure's concerns under consideration. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes January 13, 2020 Volume 41, Page 84 CITIZEN COMMENTS Michelle Cobble had been the victim of domestic violence twice in the past year;both times the troopers had taken over two hours to respond. Both times,city officers had staged at the bottom of her driveway while she and her son fended off her attacker. She didn't think this was right. Becky Dunn offered her condolences to Riley Burns,and congratulated the basketball team. Some years ago, her mother had had a bullet pass through her vehicle while traveling the Seward highway form someone doing target practice in an uncontrolled area. She thought there was a shortage of troopers for this area. Bruce Jaffa attended the KPEDD forum and got a lot out of it.He recalled that when Spring Creek Correctional Center was established, the troopers said they would commit more troopers to this area;Jaffa was distressed to hear how difficult recruitment had become. He believed,however, that there were Good Samaritan laws that would be applied to police officers or any first responders who responded outside of their jurisdiction. Cindy Ecklund thanked council and administration for their work and for the amendment on the rezone. Carol Griswold was thrilled about the Boys&Girls Club agreement and wondered if they offered a sliding scale. She also wondered about city attorney charges and if the city would be charged for her attending telephonically at the last meeting. Griswold was concerned that the rezone could be considered spot zoning. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Meszaros said the city attorney contract covered one meeting at no charge. The Request for Proposals for legal services were due by January 31, 2020. Terry confirmed the Boys & Girls Club offered a sliding scale option. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:28 p.m. nda J. ��lid ', � isty Terry City Clexlt`.c`(.•...•Q....•►.'4 j., Mayor • (City eal °``� d • 3 SEAL i • • n S�%*,e-1:1`s.`•• @ OFAk-