HomeMy WebLinkAbout04272020 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
April 27, 2020 Volume 41,Page 151
CALL TO ORDER
The April 27,2020 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00
p.m.by Mayor Christy Terry.
OPENING CEREMONY
Mayor Christy Terry led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
Christy Terry presiding and
Sue McClure i l Seese
John Osenga(telephonically) Tony Baclaan(telephonically)
Dale Butts (telephonically) Julie Crites (telephonically)
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Scott Meszaros, City Manager
Brenda Ballou, City Clerk
Holly Wells, City Attorney
Excused—Seese
Absent—None
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR
PUBLIC HEARING
The City of Seward is currently experiencing a declared public health emergency due to Coronavirus
Disease 2019(COVID-19),so alternate methods for providing Citizen Comments were created. The
following written Citizen Comments were submitted in advance and read into the record by the City
Clerk:
Dwayne Atwood supported Resolution 20-034 for the Alaska Railroad grant application.
Doug Ward supported the city attending the webinar for the Rural Energy Savings Program
on April 29,2020.
The following Citizen Comments were delivered telephonically by the citizen:
Jim Kubitz supported Resolution 20-034 for the Alaska Railroad grant application,and said
they were gathering letters of support.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
April 27, 2020 Volume 41, Page 152
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (McClure/Osenga) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Terry removed Resolution 20-033 from the consent agenda.
Motion Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
Ordinance 20-005, Adopting Seward City Council Temporary Emergency COVID-19
Regulation No. 1 Entitled "Pick-Up Parking Spots" And Authorizing Business Owners To
Designate Up To Two Curbside "Pick-Up" Parking Spots For Their Customers During The
State Of Emergency Arising From COVID-19. This ordinance was introduced and will come back
for public hearing and enactment on May 11, 2020.
Approval of the April 13, 2020 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes.
Approval of the April 15, 2020 City Council Special Meeting Minutes.
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations & Awards
International Firefighter's Day
Building Safety Month
City Manager Report. Scott Meszaros reported the following purchase orders between
$5,000 and$30,000 had been approved by the City Manager since the last council meeting: $89,070
to Capital Industries for a 21-yard roll-off dumpster with domed lid at the harbor.
Meszaros stated that the city would reopen its offices on Monday, May 4, 2020. The
campgrounds were closed until May 1, 2020, although services to the campgrounds had not been
resumed. The Campgrounds Department was in the midst of converting to an online reservation
system, and was hoping to have it in place very soon.
Butts wondered how well the city was weathering the storm from a financial perspective.
Meszaros said it was difficult to know at this point,although the good news was city had not touched
its reserves so far.
In response to Baclaan,Meszaros said whether the city received CARES funding would be up
to state legislators; Seward was anticipating receiving approximately $5.3 million in three
installments. Most communities in the Peninsula were anticipating to suffer between 21-28%loss in
revenues.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
Apri127, 2020 Volume 41,Page 153
Baclaan wondered if the hiring freeze would be lifted to allow Parks & Recreation to hire
seasonal campground workers.In response,Meszaros said there was technically no hiring freeze,but
he had reduced personnel actions to only those that were absolutely necessary.Meszaros said it was
difficult to predict the requirements.
Baclaan thanked the Community Development Department for creating the posters to
encourage people to take the 2020 Census,and asked if the city had considered sending out postcards
to the citizens to let them know they didn't need to wait for a special code in order to take the census.
Community Development Director Jackie Wilde said she was creating flyers that would be mailed
to all post office box holders within the next two weeks.
City Attorney Report.Holly Wells stated that the city's emergency rules were harmonious
with the state's mandates and the state's reopen plan.
Baclaan wished to publicly apologize to Wells for saying at the last meeting that he hadn't
heard back from her in a timely manner;he had received an email response from Wells,but had not
realized it.
In response to Baclaan, Wells said that the city's insurance company required that certain
personnel matters required city attorney involvement, including terminations and grievances.
Other Reports and Announcements
Chamber of Commerce Report. Jason Bickling wanted to highlight a few items in his
report. He thanked everyone for supporting the Virtual Bar Hop last weekend to benefit the out of
work bar employees. The Chamber had released a video to let people know that Seward would be
waiting for them to visit when travel was safe again.Bickling anticipated more tourism towards the
end of the summer season.
Baclaan thanked the Chamber for the successful Virtual Bar Hop,and for working so hard to
keep their membership informed and supported. In response to Baclaan's inquiry, Bickling said
regarding the Fourth of July Festival,the Chamber was trying to be thoughtful and safe,and would
likely wait until early June to make decisions on how they would be handling it.
Terry thanked Bickling and the Chamber staff for being so diligent in supporting their
membership.
Presentations
Alaska Sealife Center Presentation by Tara Reimer
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Ordinances for Public Hearing and Enactment
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
Apri127, 2020 Volume 41,Page 154
These ordinances were introduced on March 9, 2020 and are coming tonight for public hearing and
enactment. Due to COVID-19, the public hearings for these ordinances were delayed until an
alternative method for providing testimony could be arranged.
Ordinance 20-002, Amending The Land Use Plan And Zoning Designation Of Forest Acres
Lots 00, PP, NN, BJ And XX From Single Family Residential (RI) To Multi-Family
Residential(R3).
Motion (McClure/Baclaan) Enact Ordinance 20-002
Wilde explained that these lots encompassed a total of 6.3 acres and was in keeping with the
city's Land Use Plan and Comprehensive Plan.
Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public
hearing was opened.
Jim McCracken supported the rezone proposed in Ordinance 20-002.
Kevin Christian also supported the rezone.
No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Ordinance 20-003, Amending Seward City Code Sections 5.35.015 And 5.35.035 To
Incorporate Kenai Peninsula Borough Code Chapter 5.19, Which Adopts The Uniform
Remote Sellers Sales Tax Code.
Motion (McClure/Osenga) Enact Ordinance 20-003
Meszaros said the state was very close to adopting this statewide.The tax would be collected
and then distributed to the appropriate cities.
Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public
hearing was opened. No one appeared and the public hearing was closed.
In response to Baclaan,Terry said this would put local small businesses on an even playing
field with online retailers.
Motion Passed Unanimous
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Items Postponed from Previous Agenda
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
Apri127,2020 Volume 41,Page 155
Discuss re-scheduling the city attorney interviews using a virtual meeting tool.
Imo
Motion to Postpone (Baclaan/McClure) Postpone the discussion to re-schedule the
city attorney interviews to May 26,2020.
Baclaan stated he thought the city would have a better solution for meeting virtually right
now. McClure preferred to hold the interviews face-to-face.
Motion to Postpone Passed Unanimous
NEW BUSINESS
Resolutions
Resolution 20-033,Recognizing The Successful Efforts Of The State Leadership And Alaskan
Residents To Slow The Spread Of COVID-19 And Encourage The Governor, As Soon As
Reasonably Practical, To Rescind Or Modify COVID-19 Health Mandates 003: Statewide
Closure Restaurants,Bars,Entertainment,009:Personal Care Services And Gatherings,And
012: Intrastate Travel, As Soon As Reasonably Practical To Allow Alaskan Businesses To
Resume Operations,Employees To Return To Work,And Residents To Receive Services In A
Safe Manner, Observing Social Distancing Requirements And Other Health Mandates, As
Necessary.
Motion (Terry/McClure) Approve Resolution 20-033
Terry said things were changing so rapidly due to the virus; the governor had already
announced Phase 1 of the state's re-opening plan. Terry wanted to have Seward poised for
responsible re-opening and thought this resolution demonstrated that.
Motion to Amend (Terry/McClure) Amend Resolution 20-033 by striking all the
language in the first Whereas and replacing
it with,"Whereas,the first global COVID-
19 virus confirmed case occurred on
November 17,2019; and"
Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous
Main Motion Passed Yes:Butts,Osenga,Baclaan,McClure,Terry
No: Crites
Resolution 20-034,Authorizing Submission Of A Joint Application With The Alaska Railroad
Corporation (ARRC) To The U.S. Department Of Transportation Port Infrastructure
Development Program (PIDP) Grant Program For Expansion Of The Alaska Railroad
Terminal Reserve Freight Dock And Extension Of Port Avenue.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
April 27,2020 Volume 41,Page 156
Mayor Terry declared she had a potential conflict of interest because she worked as the Port
Manager for the Alaska Railroad. Vice Mayor McClure declared Terry had a conflict of
interest.Terry handed McClure the gavel and removed herself from the dais.
Motion 0 Approve Resolution 20-034
Meszaros said the project would be good for Seward and would improve the city's
infrastructure; he fully endorsed this project.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Mayor Terry returned to the dais.
Other New Business
Resume Board/Commission Meetings and Council/Board/Commission Work Sessions.
In response to Terry, City Clerk Brenda Ballou said both the Historic Preservation
Commission and the Port & Commerce Advisory Board were eager to resume their meetings,
following the same procedures as council was currently using. Ballou said she was concerned that
work sessions would be difficult to conduct under the current circumstances because they inherently
provided for more back-and-forth interaction between the commission and the public.
Wilde said that public input was such an integral part of the Planning & Zoning
Commission's work that she wanted to be sure the public would have full access; she thought June
would be the earliest that P&Z would start meeting again.
Meszaros was hoping to be able to hold council work sessions as soon as possible,because
important and time-sensitive work was being delayed.Baclaan was in favor of having work sessions.
Attendance for the upcoming Rural Energy Savings Program(RESP)webinar to be held on
April 29,2020 regarding FDA loans.
Baclaan said he received information last week from the Electric Utility Department
indicating that the Rural Energy Savings Program may not be a good fit for the city; administering
the program could be cumbersome on the city. Baclaan said his own research had indicated that the
program was very successful for many communities;the low interest rate charged to the customers
could cover the costs to the city for administering the loan program.
Terry said the request was for someone from Finance to attend the webinar;she wondered if
the city manager could make that happen.In response,Meszaros said he would have someone attend
the webinar.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
Apri127,2020 Volume 41,Page 157
Terry stated,in today's economic climate,the city should be hustling to help local businesses
that pay for city services.
Motion (Baclaan/Terry) Direct the city, manager or his designee to
attend the Rural Energy Savings Program
(RESP)webinar and provide a statement of
pros and cons.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Discuss moving forward with the recodification of Seward City Code.
Council directed the city clerk to move forward with the recodification process.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS
On-Going City Project and Goal List
March, 2020 City And Providence Financials
Baclaan wondered how Providence Seward and the Seward Community Health Center were
doing from a financial perspective;he thought there were a lot of hospitals that were struggling. In
response,Meszaros said Providence Seward was in the midst of wrapping up their audit;he preferred
to ask the hospital administrator directly for a response.
In response to Baclaan, Terry suggested sending the city manager an email with any
additional questions regarding the hospital and clinic.
Clerk's Memo Verifying Timely Receipt Of Annual Financial Disclosure Forms
CITIZEN COMMENTS—None
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN
COMMENTS
Meszaros thanked everyone for their patience with the meeting workarounds.
Osenga said stay safe and take the census.
Butts said wash your hands and hang in there. If anyone needed help,he was available.
Crites thanked everyone for staying on top of the state's health mandates and keeping
informed on the updates and changes.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
Apri127, 2020 Volume 41,Page 158
Baclaan thanked everyone for supporting the Virtual Bar hop; the Chamber was working
hard to support local businesses.He thanked the members of the Seward Volunteer Fire Department.
He encouraged everyone to keep the COVID-19 numbers down.
McClure encouraged everyone to take the census.She reminded people to reach out to elders
who may be isolated. She was concerned that there seemed to be lots of unleashed dogs around
lately.
Terry favored opening up the economy in a responsible way; keep the numbers down in
order to move forward. She said everyone's thoughts were with Council Member Seese.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 p.m.
rends J. Ballou, MC 'sty Te
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