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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03082021 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes March 8, 2021 CALL TO ORDER Volume 41,Page 385 The March 8, 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 comprising a quorum of the Council; and Norm Regis,Acting City Manager Brenda Ballou,City Clerk Brooks Chandler, City Attorney Excused—None Absent—None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Carol Griswold was concerned about the city's budget and financial state.She worried that the city would potentially have to lay-off employees. She thought the city could not depend on traditional revenue sources,and should not depend on receiving federal bailouts. She suggested the city consider what currently vacant positions could go unfilled. Regarding Resolution 2021-027, Griswold said the resolution should clearly state the base salary and the dollar impact of the temporary increase;she was concerned there wasn't a termination clause included,in the event a new city manager was hired prior to June 16,2021.Regarding Resolution 2021-030,Griswold wondered why the position was starting at a grade 5;it seemed high to her. She thought having gated parking lots in Seward would send the wrong message, one of being an unfriendly town. Chip Arnold was the Chief Operating Officer for the Alaska SeaLife Center(ASLC); he supported Resolution 2021-029 to waive camping fees for ASLC RV program. Volunteers were extremely important to the ASLC. One of the challenges the ASLC faced when trying to attract volunteers was affordable housing.For the last six years,the city had waived camping fees in support of the ASLC volunteer program,for which the ASLC was very grateful;he hoped the city's support would continue this year. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes March 8, 2021 Volume 41, Page 386 Jonah Swiderski owned Seward City Tours.Today,he received written notice that the city wanted to adjust the 2021 shuttle schedule. In recent years,he and his business partner had gone out of their way to take extra steps to be a good partner with the city,adding extra busses for extra hours without requesting compensation from the city,including additional information on their website to mitigate phone calls to the Chamber of Commerce, and altering shuttle routes to improve service. When COVID-19 hit last year, his company voluntarily gave back over $21,000 to the city to be returned to the Commercial Passenger Vessel(CPV)fund because he thought it was the right thing to do. He wanted council to know he wished to work with the city to plan for shuttle services for the 2021 season. Becky Dunn wanted to remind everyone that the radio station would provide live updates during an emergency;tune to 91.7 FM. Dunn said she had nominated Jean Cripps for a Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award. Johanna Kinney worked at the ASLC. She echoed Chip Arnold's comments in asking for council's support of the camping program for the ASLC volunteers.This camping program was key to the ASLC volunteer program's success. Kinney thanked the city for their support in past years. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Baclaan/McClure) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Terry removed scheduling the special meeting and public meet and greet,both on March 17, 2021, from the consent agenda. Casagranda removed Resolutions 2021-027 and 2021-029 from the consent agenda. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Ordinance 2021-004, Establishing A Code Of Ethics For Municipal Officers, Defining A Procedure For A City Manager Conflict Of Interest,And Quantifying The Term"Substantial Financial Interest". This ordinance was introduced and will come for public hearing and enactment on March 22, 2021. Resolution 2021-028, Approving Amendment#2 To The Employment Agreement With The City Clerk. Approval of the February 22, 2021 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations & Awards • City of Seward,Alaska March 8, 2021 City Council Meeting Minutes Volume 41,Page 387 Tsunami Preparedness Week Borough Assembly Report. Kenn Carpenter reported said the borough mayor put out a budget for the school district; it was currently at$45 million,but the assembly was hoping it would go to $50 million;the school district had asked for$53 million,but indicated they would settle for $50 million. The flood board and borough annex offices would be relocated this week to the Bear Creek Fire Station. The borough had extended their Declaration of Emergency for COVID-19. Carpenter was working on the purchase of ten acres from the Forest Service in the Old Mill subdivision to open up for housing. City Manager Report.Acting City Manager Norm Regis reported the following purchase orders between$5,000 and$30,000 had been approved by the City Manager since the last council meeting: $9,000 for asbestos remediation, ceiling tile replacement, and painting for the Police Department;$11,400 for the assembly and painting of 10 six-yard dumpsters for Parks&Recreation; $9,000 for repairs to museum secure storage for the Library Museum; and, $5,200 for parking pay station annual fees for the Parking Department. Regis read the following scoring criteria for the Right-of-Way Line Clearing request for proposals: Proposal Amount 35 Statement of Qualifications 30 Organization 20 References 10 Clarity of Proposal 5 Total 100 Regis received an email this morning from the US Coast Guard stating they had permission to start negotiations for land acquisition at the Seward Marine Industrial Center(SMIC). Regis introduced Jennifer Pae as the new Finance Director.Finance Director Jennifer Pae said she was from Lakewood,Ohio which was just west of Cleveland.She had a Master's degree in public administration,had worked in auditing previously,and was most recently a finance director for the last 14 years. She had visited Seward in 2020, and saw that the position of finance director was advertised;she was inspired her to apply for the open position.Jenn was in Seward now for two weeks,and then would be working remotely until July 5,2021 when she officially moved to Seward. DeMoss asked how often the electric line clearing happened. Regis said the Electric Department was behind,and that's why they wanted to hire out to have the transmission lines done by a contractor;the distribution lines would be cleared by the city's crew.Regis said going forward the line clearing would be on a five-year schedule. DeMoss wanted to make sure the relationship between the city and Seward City Tours was approached with a long-term relationship in mind. Regis said he would be meeting with Jonah Swiderski on March 15,2021 to find a cooperative arrangement. In response to Casagranda,Regis said the original reason why the city thought they needed to cancel the shuttle was because there City of-Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes March 8, 2021 Volume 41, Page 388 were no Commercial Passenger Vessel(CPV)funds coming in from 2020.Casagranda asked Regis to furnish CPV fund balance. Baclaan wondered if there was an update on electric field engineer open position.Assistant City Manager Stephen Sowell said the operations supervisor for the Electric Department had been hired, but the field engineer was still open. DeMoss asked where the city stood with the walkable murals.Baclaan said his understanding was that it would come to council on March 22, 2021. Regis said he would follow up. City Attorney Report. Brooks Chandler said this month's report covered January and February. He had worked on contracts,leases,and provided advice on several matters.He had started working,in the last week,on the retrieval of funds from the Bering Sea Fishermen's Association.He wanted to make council aware of the state's initiative to make home rule municipalities pay for a portion of the prosecution of misdemeanors. Other Reports and Announcements—None Presentations Overview of the 2021 Municipal Camping Plan by Tyler Florence. Happy Youth Programs & Educational Resources(HYPER)presentation by Casie Warner. usiJ PUBLIC HEARINGS —None UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None NEW BUSINESS Resolutions Resolution 2021-027, Extending The Appointment Of Harbormaster Norm Regis As Acting City Manager For Ninety (90) Days Beginning March 16, 2021 And Ending June 16, 2021, With The Option To Extend As Necessary. Motion (Baclaan/McClure) Approve Resolution 2021-027 Regis said the current resolution approving his acting status would expire on March 16,2021, so tonight's resolution would provide for an extension while council continued the hiring process for a permanent city manager. Casagranda asked if the monetary provisions in this resolution were any different from the current acting conditions. Terry said the terms were exactly the same. Regis said as soon as a new City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes March 8, 2021 Volume 41,Page 389 city manager started, he would stop being in acting status; he would help onboard the new city manager,but he would no longer be in acting status. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2021-029, Authorizing The City Manager To Waive Camping Fees And Other Provisions In The Seward City Code In Order To Accommodate The Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC)RV Volunteer Program. Motion (Baclaan/McClure) Approve Resolution 2021-029 Regis said he received a letter from the ASLC requesting four RV camping sites,which was down from six over last year. Casagranda asked for clarification about the loss of revenue, which was listed as $22,000. Parks& Recreation Director Tyler Florence said the calculations were an estimated projection, based on the recently-updated fee schedule.McClure thought this was a small thing the city could do to help the ASLC. Seese concurred. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2021-030, Authorizing The City Manager To Establish A New Position Of Parks Maintenance Technician For The Parks& Recreation Department,And Appropriating Funds. Motion (Osenga/Terry) Approve Resolution 2021-030 Regis said the Parks & Recreation Department was trying to find a solution to provide services in a cost-effective way. Florence said the department usually had between five and ten seasonal employees each year. Florence added that there were a lot of hidden costs associated with employee turnover,including recruiting,onboarding,training,and lost productivity. He said parks maintenance was an important function and there was a need for the work year-round,from working in the campgrounds in the summer to maintaining the ice on Second Lake in the winter.Florence was sensitive to the city's budget concerns;there would be grant funding that would not be coming in this year for this department, and he was planning to reduce the number of seasonal hours to accommodate this full-time position. He felt strongly that this position would greatly improve the quality of services the Parks&Recreation Department was able to provide. Baclaan suggested amending the resolution to include a reduction in the budget for seasonal workers that would help offset this new position. In response to Osenga, Florence said seasonal workers were typically hired at the end of April. Casagranda wondered if the position was still in the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), even though it was moved to a seasonal position in 2017; also, she wondered what happened to the Teen&Youth Center(TYC)position,and why general funds reserves were being proposed for this position. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes March 8, 2021 Volume 41, Page 390 Florence said in 2017,the campground coordinator position was increased to full-time at the same time the parks maintenance position was reduced to seasonal. The TYC positions were still on the books, and remained a PERS liability, but were not currently funded in the budget. Baclaan suggested having more information on the PERS liability for unfunded/unfilled positions in the city.Terry didn't understand why the total amount for funding this position had not been offset by the amount already budgeted for it as a seasonal position; she thought this resolution should only be asking for the difference between seasonal and full-time. Motion to Postpone (Casagranda/Seese) Postpone Resolution 2021-030 to March 22, 2021. Motion to Postpone Passed Unanimous Other New Business Items Schedule a Special Meeting on March 17, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. for the purpose of conducting second interviews with city manager candidate. Council scheduled a special meeting on March 17, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. for the purpose of interviewing the remaining city manager candidate. Terry stated she wanted the meeting to be open to the public,and face masks and social distancing would be required.There was no objection from council. Schedule a Public Meet & Greet for the city manager candidates on March 17, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. at the Harbor Gateway Hotel. Council scheduled a public meet&greet for the city manager candidate on March 17,2021 at 7:00 p.m. at the Gateway Hotel. No refreshments would be served. This event would be open to the public, and face masks and social distancing would be required. There was no objection from council. Appoint up to three council members to review and select the second interview questions for the city manager candidate interviews on March 17, 2021. Council appointed Council Members DeMoss and Casagranda to select the interview questions for the city manager candidate's second interview. Vote and appoint one person to the Planning & Zoning Commission with a term to expire February, 2024. Applicants are: Marie Sellitto and Clare Sullivan. The city clerk passed out ballots to council for the first vote.The ballots were collected and read into the record: City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes March 8, 2021 Volume 41, Page 391 Sellitto 1 Sullivan 6 Seese voted by voice vote (telephonically). Motion (Terry/Baclaan) Appoint Clare Sullivan to the Planning & Zoning Commission with a term to expire February, 2024. Motion Passed Unanimous Schedule a work session to review and discuss the water and sewer tariff changes.Requested for March 15, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. Motion (Terry/DeMoss) Schedule a work session on March 15,2021 at 5:30 p.m. for the purpose of reviewing and discussing water and sewer tariff changes. Motion Passed Unanimous Schedule a work session to review and discuss mid-cycle budget amendments. Requested on March 22, 2021 at 5:30 p.m. Motion (Baclaan/McClure) Schedule a work session on March 22,2021 at 5:00 p.m. for the purpose of reviewing and discussing mid-cycle budget amendments. Motion Passed Unanimous Discuss providing a letter of support to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council recommending Andy Mezirow be re-appointed to the board. Council unanimously consented to providing a letter of support for Andy Mezirow to be reappointed to NPFMC. Discuss the preliminary design and engineering of a gated system for municipal parking lots. Florence outlined the costs and benefits of installing gated systems at several parking lots. Osenga identified that securing the perimeter of the parking lots were not included in this proposal. Florence confirmed and said $200,000 would cover the costs of the gates only. McClure did not like the idea; she thought it would be an unwelcoming sign to visitors. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes March 8, 2021 Volume 41, Page 392 Baclaan thanked Florence for bringing forward a creative solution; he suggested, instead, perhaps adding more signage to promote the city's mobile pay options. sur] Discuss deciding on a restroom facility design for Williams Park. Regis said council had directed administration to explore options for using the funds donated for a restroom at Williams Park. Florence said there were several options, including a mobile skid unit,a pre-fabricated building kit,and a custom-built building,and the prices ranged from less than $100,000 to over$1 million. McClure stated the city already had five public restrooms, and two of those had shower facilities. In response to McClure,Regis said the mobile skid unit could hook directly into the city's water and sewer systems; it could potentially be installed on a concrete pad. Casagranda requested the facility be beautified with any leftover funds, out of respect for the donor. Terry concurred and suggested perhaps a plaque could be erected in memory the donor. Council directed the city manager to move forward with procuring an ADA-accessible mobile skid unit restroom. Council recessed at 9:40 p.m. Council resumed at 9:45 p.m. Discuss Planning& Zoning Commission meeting results regarding Fort Raymond property. Community Development Director Jackie Wilde said the Planning&Zoning Commission (P&Z) had acted on direction from council to consider uses for the Fort Raymond property, and P&Z's resolution was included in tonight's packet.Wilde stated the city wished to retain a portion of the Fort Raymond property for future use of city infrastructure. Wilde met with Chugachmiut on March 1, 2021 to discuss their request for the city to sell them a portion of the property; Chugachmiut was willing and able to move forward with the purchase of 3.31 acres. Wilde asked council for direction on how to move forward. Osenga stated, for the record, that he had previously been an alternate board member for Chugachmiut, but was no longer on the board. Casagranda asked for clarification on the property and the various options for dividing it up for different uses. Baclaan wished to have the entire property appraised; he thought it would be prudent to have a value for all the property,including the portion the city wished to retain for its own use. Terry requested that a resolution be brought to council that included an overview of what the issue was, the recommendation from P&Z, and a complete and detailed site map which clearly identified the area Chugachmiut had requested to purchase, the area the city wished to retain for future use, all rights of way, and all driveways and access points to the highway. There was no City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes March 8,2021 Volume 41,Page 393 objection from council on this direction. Wilde understood, and said she would also include the updated proposal from Chugachmiut with the resolution. Casagranda said it would be very important for her to see a map of the proposed uses of the entire property in order for her to be comfortable voting on selling just one small portion of it.Terry concurred. Motion (Terry/Casagranda) Extend the adjournment for tonight's council meeting to midnight. Motion Passed Yes: Baclaan, DeMoss, Casagranda, McClure, Osenga, Terry No: Seese INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Update on 2021 Seward-Obihiro Student Exchange Program Update on Online Business License&Permit Project Update on Seward City Code Recodification Project CITIZEN COMMENTS Carol Griswold wanted to know the best way to communicate with council. She was disappointed that Resolution 2021-027 was not amended to provide clear salary impact numbers.She wondered if city campgrounds would be used for city employees this year;she also said waiving city code was not acceptable. She also wondered when the ASLC was going to provide their updated lease. She thought the city code should be changed to require P&Z to have a minimum vote of four in order to pass a resolution. She thought reserving only 3.47 acres at Fort Raymond for the city's future needs was not enough. Griswold was excited about the city manager candidate. Chip Arnold thanked council for their consideration of the ASLC and for approving the resolution. Becky Dunn said getting set up and licensed for a daycare was an intimidating process,and suggested perhaps the city could provide a zoning waiver for daycares. Dunn nominated Bob Candopoulos for the Chamber of the Commerce Business Person of the Year award; she also nominated Firebrand BBQ for Business Improvement of the Year. Kelley Baker was the Health Service Division Director with Chugachmiut. She said the current facility served Alaskan Natives and American Indians, which was the second largest population in Seward. However, the current Seward population was being underserved by approximately 50% for staffing and facility needs; that was why Chugachmiut had applied to the City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes March 8, 2021 Volume 41, Page 394 Indian Health Services Joint Venture for the funding to procure at least three acres of property from the city and erect a new healthcare facility. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Regis said walkable murals would come on the March 22,2021 agenda.He thanked Florence for the camping plan presentation, and Casie Warner for the HYPER presentation. Regis congratulated Clare Sullivan for joining P&Z. Seese said goodnight. DeMoss thanked Regis and Sowell for embracing citizen concerns and being so responsive. She said Happy International Women's' Day. Osenga thanked Florence for his presentations and welcomed Pae to the city. Be safe and take care. McClure welcomed Clare Sullivan to P&Z, and thanked Florence for his research and presentation. She welcomed Pae tot eh city. McClure recalled living through the 1964 earthquake, and said she and a few others who had lived through the event were planning to do a presentation for the Resurrection Bay Historical Society(RBHS). Baclaan welcomed Pae to Seward. He thanked the Chamber of Commerce for the Shopumj Seward event,and for including the non-profits as recipients.Baclaan thanked Florence for his work. Be kind and respect everyone's beliefs. Terry said this week was spring break for students; watch for kids, especially with all the large snow banks everywhere. She reminded everyone to change the batteries in their fire alarms. Regarding HYPER's presentation and request tonight,Terry thought the Port&Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB) might want to take up the issue. EXECUTIVE SESSION Go into executive session to evaluate the City Attorney. Motion (Terry/) Go into executive session to evaluate the City Attorney. Motion Passed Unanimous Consent Council recessed at 10:48 p.m. Council resumed at 10:53 p.m. Council went into executive session at 10:53 p.m. .i City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes March 8, 2021 Volume 41, Page 395 Council came out of executive session at 11:32 p.m. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:33 p.m. rends J. Ball , MMC Chnsty Terry City Clerk Mayor Qparaeee 4.„1, %+ (City Seal)►"<4 �' 4 �` • xi •O ♦- ♦ —� K ® : SEAL • i IU'a A 1 ♦ i Y. • ♦ h �♦ J / _a1 J OF `a*t64.E yd°+erauabe♦