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Home My WebLink About02222021 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes February 22, 2021 Volume 41,Page 375 11 CALL TO ORDER The February 22, 2021 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Christy Terry. OPENING CEREMONY Police Chief Alan Nickell led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Christy Terry presiding and Tony Baclaan Sue McClure Sharyl Seese(telephonically) John Osenga Liz DeMoss Ristine Casagranda(telephonically) comprising a quorum of the Council; and Norm Regis,Acting City Manager Brenda Ballou, City Clerk Excused—None Absent—None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Becky Dunn was excited about a new opportunity for children in Seward; a friend of hers was starting a survival day camp to teach children basic survival skills. Dunn thanked council for getting Second Lake open for ice skating. Lynda Paquette wanted to speak about the city manager hire; she suggested the possibility of hiring a city manager in an interim capacity until a more thorough search could be conducted. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion(Baclaan/McClure) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Baclaan removed Resolution 2020-082 from the agenda. Terry removed Resolutions 2021-021, 2021-025, and 2021-026 from the consent agenda. Motion Passed Unanimous City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes February 22, 2021 Volume 41, Page 376 The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Resolution 2021-022, Directing The City Manager To Pursue The Return Of$25,000 From The Alaska Ocean Cluster, And Authorizing The City Manager To Provide Those Funds To The Seward Chamber Of Commerce To Assist In The Creation Of A Seward Business Development Position. Resolution 2021-023,Supporting An Exemption To The Passenger Vessel Service Act(PVSA) To Allow The Cruise Ship Industry To Resume Sailing During The 2021 Season. Resolution 2021-024, Opposing That Portion Of The State Of Alaska's Proposed FY 2022 Budget Which Would Charge Home Rule Municipalities For The Prosecution Of State Misdemeanor Crimes Within Each Jurisdiction. Approval of the February 8, 2021 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Appoint Nathaniel Charbonneau to the Planning&Zoning Commission with a term to expire May, 2024. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations & Awards—None City Manager Report.Acting City Manager Norm Regis reported the following purchase ernj orders between $5,000 and $30,000 had been approved by the City Manager since the last council meeting: $13,700 for diagnostic equipment for the shop for Public Works; $9,700 for dispatch software(annual)for the Police Department; $6,200 and$6,700 for troubleshooting at Ft.Raymond and Lawing, and for planning at SMIC for the Electric Department; $19,900 for light towers and balloon globes for the Electric Department; and, $5,000 for the rental of a rock saw for the Electric Department. Regis said a letter from the city's federal lobbyist indicated that the city may receive an additional $600,000 in CARES Act funding; the amount was based on the census response percentage for the city. Seward's response rate in the 2020 census had been 51.8%. Regis stated that Seaview Community Services had requested a letter of support from the city to obtain grant funding, and asked if there was any objection from council for him to provide that letter. Council unanimously consented to Regis sending the letter. Regis stated he had received a similar request from the Kenai Mountains Turnagain Arm for the Chugach Arts Council; council again consented. Regis read the scoring criteria for the Request for Proposals (RFP) for Forensic Audit Services into the record: Depth of market experience 20 City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes February 22, 2021 Volume 41,Page 377 Past performance 10 Timeline for completion 20 Understanding the work 10 Cost 40 Total 100 Terry stated,at the council work session for the forensic audit,although there may have been some questions,it was her understanding that Regis had been able to get the information he needed to complete the RFP and prepare it for release. Regis confirmed and said he would be releasing it immediately. Seese wondered why there were two charges for the electric for the same reason.Regis didn't know,but said he would follow up. Other Reports and Announcements Chamber of Commerce Report.Executive Director Jason Bickling brought copies of the new 2021 Visitors Guide to show. He commended the chamber staff for putting this together in-house.Bickling reported that the Shop Seward program had been very successful,and there was still time to take part.He appreciated council passing the resolution to support a business economic development position at the chamber.The Mount Marathon Race would run on July 7,2021,not at the same time as the festival days,in order to mitigate any unwarranted health and safety concerns. DeMoss commended Bickling on the Visitors Guide and the Shop Seward event,and asked if there was an opportunity for businesses to sponsor the 4th of July fireworks.Bickling said Mr.Park from Subway had been sponsoring the 4th of July fireworks for many years,and wished to continue, but Bickling would be opening up sponsorship for New Year's Eve fireworks again. Baclaan was very interested in connecting with Bickling to discuss the shortage of childcare options in Seward. Historic Preservation Commission Annual Report.A written report was provided in the packet. Planning & Zoning Commission Annual Report.A written report was provided in the packet. Presentations—None PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinances for Public Hearing and Enactment City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes February 22, 2021 Volume 41,Page 378 Emergency Ordinance 2021-003,Temporarily Adopting City Council Emergency Regulations Requiring Facial Coverings Inside Buildings Open To The Public In Response To The Rapid Increase In COVID-19 Cases Within The City Of Seward. Motion (Baclaan/Osenga) Enact Ordinance 2021-003 Regis said the current mask mandate would expire tomorrow. What was being brought forward for council tonight for consideration would extend the mask mandate for an additional 60 days. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. All comments were submitted in writing, unless otherwise noted. Lori Landstrom was a local healthcare provider who supported extending the mask mandate to keep Seward's numbers low. Landstrom said masks were an effective way to stop the spread of the virus. Jennifer Appel was not in favor of extending the mask mandate,and thought it should be an individual's choice to wear a mask or not. No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed. Regis said this ordinance was separate from the emergency declaration, and said the city's declaration of emergency would remain in effect,regardless of the outcome of this ordinance. Osenga supported continuing the mask mandate out of concern for the population.McClure concurred;although she believed in individual choice and freedom,she also wanted to do her part to prevent the spread. DeMoss was torn on this ordinance. The feedback she received from the public was split almost 50/50.She was hearing more complaints about people not wearing masks,because there was no enforcement of it. Baclaan had considered this carefully,and would not support this ordinance because he didn't want to continue regulating peoples' behavior. Terry said there were federal mandate to wear masks on public transportation.The vaccines were underway, Seward's cases were down, and Seward was the only community on the Kenai Peninsula that had had a mask mandate. She thought council was nimble enough to respond to an increase in cases and, for now,believed this mandate was not necessary. Motion Passed Yes: McClure, Osenga No: Casagranda, Baclaan, Seese, DeMoss, Terry City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes February 22, 2021 Volume 41,Page 379 Resolutions Requiring Public Hearing Resolution 2021-019,Recommending Kenai Peninsula Borough Approval Of The City-Owned: Block 9,Fourth Of July Creek Subdivision,Seward Marine Industrial Center,Coastal Lots; A Replat Of Lots 1A And 1B Fourth Of July Creek Subdivision, Seward Marine Industrial Center Polar Seafoods Replat;Located Within The Industrial (I) Zoning District. Motion (Baclaan/McClure) Approve Resolution 2021-019 Regis said he had been working with Polar Seafoods and the US Coast Guard to accommodate everyone's wishes and make things work. 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. Osenga confirmed that this would help facilitate getting the US Coast Guard into SMIC. Regis concurred, and added the Coast Guard needed a parcel near the water that could be secured and fenced in, and he had worked with the owner of Polar Seafoods to make this plan. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2021-020,Terminating The Existing Lease(2006-048)With Polar Equipment,Inc. And Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A New Lease With Polar Equipment,Inc. For Lot 1A-2 Block 9,Lot 2A-2 Block 9,And Lot 2 Block 7,Fourth Of July Creek Subdivision, Seward Marine Industrial Center, Kenai Peninsula Borough,Plat Nos. 97-27 And 2021-019 Seward Recording District,Third Judicial District, State Of Alaska. Motion (Baclaan/McClure) Approve Resolution 2021-020 Regis said this would also facilitate getting the US Coast Guard into SMIC. Regis said the current Polar Seafoods lease would expire in June, and was the perfect opportunity to renew their lease in conjunction with the replat. 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. Terry asked if the vendor had signed the lease. Regis said they had, and the city clerk confirmed she had the signature page. Motion Passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS Items Postponed from Previous Agenda City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes February 22, 2021 Volume 41, Page 380 October 26, 2020. NEW BUSINESS Resolutions Resolution 2021-021, Approving The Port And Commerce Advisory Board's Priorities From February 2021 To February 2022. Motion (Baclaan/McClure) Approve Resolution 2021-021 Regis said PACAB had work sessions to develop these priorities. Motion to Amend (Terry/McClure) Amend Resolution 2021-021 by striking the last bullet under Short Term Goals to "Evaluate the Blue Pipeline Initiative and give recommendation to Council on the city's continued investment" because it had been completed. Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Motion to Amend (Terry/Baclaan) Amend Resolution 2021-021 under Short Term Goals be relocating the bullet to "Participate in Joint Work Session with Historic Preservation Commission on Downtown Historic Overlay District" to the last position on the list. Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Main Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2021-025,Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Contract With Yukon Fire Protection For Annual Inspection Services For The City's Fire Extinguishers, Fire Alarms, And Sprinkler Systems For A Period Of Three Years, With Two One-Year Extensions, At A Total Cost Not-To-Exceed $6,000 Per Year. Motion (Baclaan/McClure) Approve Resolution 2021-025 Fire Chief Clinton Crites said the funding for these services had already been budgeted, City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes February 22, 2021 Volume 41,Page 381 and the anticipated amount that would be spent each year would vary depending on what services were needed each year,but he still wanted to bring this forward to council so they were aware of the process. Motion to Amend (Terry/Baclaan) Amend Resolution 2021-025 in the title and Section 3 by striking the dollar amount of "$6,000" and replacing it with "$22,000". Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous In response to Terry, Crites confirmed these contracts would cover all departments. Casagranda wondered if someone on staff could be trained and certified to perform these services.Crites said certification was possible,but the materials and equipment for performing the tests would be cost prohibitive.Crites said,in the city,there were eight different types of fire extinguishers alone, ranging from 2.5 pounds to 40 pounds. Casagranda followed up by encouraging training and certification for someone on staff to be able to test as many fire extinguishers as possible. Motion to Amend (Terry/McClure) Amend Resolution 2021-025 in the title by striking the words, "a contract" and replacing it with, "contracts." Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Main Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2021-026, Approving The Historic Preservation Commission's Priorities From February 2021 Through February 2022. Motion (Baclaan/McClure) Approve Resolution 2021-026 Motion to Amend (Terry/Baclaan) Amend Resolution 2021-026 under Public Outreach in the first bullet by striking the words, "Planning and Zoning" and replacing it with, "Community Development" so it reads, "Coordinate efforts with Community Development regarding the identification and protection of local historic and archeological resources." City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes February 22, 2021 Volume 41, Page 382 Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Main Motion Passed Unanimous Other New Business Items Discuss Amending the Land Use Table to allow Light Manufacturing in Central Business District. DeMoss said a local business owner was interested in expanding his business to include manufacturing. Community Development had indicated that the Central Business District did not allow manufacturing. DeMoss said there were several examples of businesses that were already manufacturing in that zone, including soap making, t-shirt screenprinting, jewelry making, and bakeries. McClure wondered why light manufacturing had been disallowed originally. DeMoss said she had researched and could not find an answer to that, but she knew of several other businesses who also would be interested in having light manufacturing businesses in this zone. Osenga wondered if it would be better to ask Planning& Zoning to come back to council with reasons why this light manufacturing should or should not be allowed. Motion (DeMoss/Baclaan) Direct the Planning&Zoning Commission to omiJreview making a change to the Land Use Table to allow Light Manufacturing in Central Business District. Motion Passed Unanimous Discuss and score the city manager candidates interviewed on February 11, 2021 and decide next steps. Terry suggested bringing up Janette Bower and Scott McClure to meet them in person for a second round of interviews and allow the public to meet them. Casagranda preferred all three be brought up. Baclaan, Osenga, and McClure wanted to see Bower and McClure. DeMoss wanted to see Bower. Motion (Terry/Casagranda) Invite all three city manager candidates to Seward for a second interview and a community meet& greet. Motion Passed Yes: DeMoss,Casagranda, Baclaan,Terry No: McClure, Osenga, Seese INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes February 22, 2021 Volume 41, Page 383 January, 2021 City and Providence Financials Terry stated there appeared to be some variations in the budget that did not match the financials, and asked administration to look into that. CITIZEN COMMENTS Becky Dunn wanted to reiterate her comments from earlier;her friend would be starting an outdoor survival skills class for children in Seward soon. Laura Schneider thanked council for their careful attention of the Port and Commerce Advisory Board(PACAB)priorities. PACAB had purposefully scheduled additional work sessions now, partly because they took a hiatus over the summer. The reason why the downtown historic district was a collaboration with the Historic Preservation Commission was due to the economic impact it would have on business. Regarding childcare, PACAB was eager to receive direction from council; she was aware of the issue of childcare, and thought perhaps a public forum would help address the situation. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Regis thanked council for a great meeting tonight. He thanked Rob Chadwell for his service as the city's representative on the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (PWSRCAC). Assistant City Manager Stephen Sowell thanked the Chamber of Commerce for all their hard work. Casagranda thanked everyone for a smooth meeting tonight. She gave a shout out to Resurrection Recycling for their new business of doing recycling pick-ups. She wanted to reiterate her hope of finding solutions for childcare,and her interest in moving the city's Public Works shop to open up new real estate for development. She congratulated and thanked P&Z Commissioner Nathaniel Charbonneau for his service. Seese thanked everyone for the smooth work session and meeting tonight. DeMoss thanked Lori Landstrom for her input on the mask mandate. She thanked the chamber and thought it was the best Chamber of Commerce that Seward ever had. DeMoss congratulated Charbonneau for serving again,as well as Vanessa Verhey who had recently joined the commission. Osenga also commended the executive director of the chamber,and asked everyone to stay safe and take care of yourselves. Please keep wearing a mask and continue social distancing. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes February 22, 2021 Volume 41, Page 384 McClure had seen the prototype of the Mary Lowell headstone,and was excited about it. She was disappointed with the response rate that Seward had for the census; it would impact so many things to come for the next ten years. McClure was no longer on the Mount Marathon Race committee. She hoped everyone would continue to take care and stay safe. Baclaan thanked Bickling for coming tonight;he had high praise for the chamber staff.The Fourth of July Festival would be split apart from the race this year. Baclaan thanked council and administration for a great meeting. Baclaan said he would continue to wear his mask. Terry wished McClure a Happy Birthday. She expressed condolences to the family of Jon Andrews, Sr. Terry encouraged everyone to get outdoors, and get exercise and sunlight. She reminded everyone that businesses could continue to require their own mask mandates. She hoped businesses remained open and children continued to be able to attend school in person. EXECUTIVE SESSION Go into executive session to evaluate the City Clerk. Motion (Terry/) Go into executive session to evaluate the City Clerk following a five-minute recess. The city clerk was invited to stay. Clerk's Note: Only council members who were physically present in council chambers took part in mai the executive session. Council recessed at 8:53 p.m. Council resumed at 8:58 p.m. Council went into executive session at 8:58 p.m. Council came out of executive session at 10:34 p.m. Council directed the city clerk to bring forward a resolution to amend her employment agreement to reflect a raise and an increase in leave accrual. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 p.m. ends Ba ou, •''•RPo..•. e sty Terry City Clerk V.••'Go R4�:••. ��'., Mayor (City Seal) .•# a • : T 6 �. cf'J •. 1 Q, • tigTF F Pkr'',$%*