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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12032020 City Council Special Meeting Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Special Meeting Minutes December 3, 2020 Volume 41,Page 322 CALL TO ORDER The December 3, 2020 special meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by Mayor Christy Terry. OPENING CEREMONY Lieutenant Alan Nickell led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Christy Terry presiding and Tony Baelaan Sue McClure Shafyl-Seese John Osenga(telephonically) Liz DeMoss Ristine Casagranda(telephonically) comprising a quorum of the Council; and Norm Regis,Acting City Manager Brenda Ballou, City Clerk Excused—Seese Absent—Baclaan CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Lieutenant Alan Nickell reported that an arrest was made today by the Seward Police Department involving a large quantity of methamphetamine and heroin,as well as several handguns. Nickell said this was one of the largest drug busts in Seward history. 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. Unless otherwise noted, the following Citizen Comments were submitted in advance and read into the record by the City Clerk: Lori Landstrom thought Alternative 4 was the most insane and retaliatory act she had ever witnessed, and she supported the opposition of Alternative 4. Robert Ruffner(telephonically)said the state had put everyone in an awkward position, and he appreciated the research the city had done in response to this situation. He thought Alternative 4 would be very detrimental to fishing industry. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Special Meeting Minutes December 3, 2020 Volume 41, Page 323 Council suspended the rules to speak with Robert Ruffner. Terry stated the City of Kenai had approved an amendment relating to their resolution that usi suggested they were not recommending one of the Alternatives,but simply opposing Alternative 4. In response,Ruffner thought if the City of Seward wished to make a similar amendment,it would be appropriate. Ruffner added,in his opinion,some variation of Alternative 2 would be the solution he would recommend. Assistant City Manager Stephen Sowell wondered about the health of the stock; he wondered if this was a case of meeting statement objectives or if this was an allocation issue between use types. In response, Ruffner said he was previously on the board of fisheries; in his opinion, he thought this proposal would not reallocate fish to any user group,but simply just closed waters.As to the health of the stock, Sockeye stocks in Cook Inlet were healthy and robust. In response to Sowell, Ruffner confirmed that closing the waters would not be an action necessary to make escapement goals. Council went back on the rules. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (McClure/DeMoss) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous There were no consent agenda items. NEW BUSINESS Resolution 2020-092, Opposing Proposed Alternative 4 To The North Pacific Fishery Management Council That Would Close All Federal Waters In Cook Inlet To Commercial Salmon Fishing. Motion (McClure/DeMoss) Approve Resolution 2020-092 Motion to Amend (Terry/McClure) Amend Resolution 2020-092 by adding a new Section 2,and moving all others down,that reads, "The Seward City Council has not considered which of the remaining alternatives should be adopted by the NPFMC." Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Council directed the city manager to submit the signed resolution to the NPFMC as soon as possible. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Special Meeting Minutes December 3, 2020 Volume 41, Page 324 Main Motion Passed Unanimous CITIZEN COMMENTS—None COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Regis wished to schedule a work session to discuss setting goals for the Electric Rate Study and also to discuss the Electric Utility Department's line clearing policy. Council scheduled a work session on December 14, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Sowell was impressed with Ruffner's feedback, and was pleased to hear there was no issue with hitting escapement goals with salmon, especially Sockeye, because it could be detrimental to have too many fish in the river. Casagranda thanked the Seward Police Department for their work; the news was great to hear. DeMoss thanked the Seward Police Department for the report; it was fantastic news. L McClure echoed the same sentiment, as well. She thanked Regis and Sowell for their responsiveness to her questions this week. Terry also praised for the Seward Police Department,and concurred that addressing drugs in the community was so important.Terry said the city was now aware that the Seward airport had been closed by the state without notice to the city,and the city administration was addressing the situation. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 12:20 p.m. 6 Brenda J. Ballo MC sty Terry City Clerk 0,5.1:.>a,tr Mayor (City Sea1���,.,..APoR�i 4 TA • SEAL 6 4,24 CCOF PV i4* I *..... esssW 1 1