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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05242021 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes May 24, 2021 CALL TO ORDER Volume 41,Page 442 The May 24, 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 John Osenga Liz DeMoss Ristine Casagranda comprising a quorum of the Council; and Janette Bower, City Manager Brenda Ballou, City Clerk Excused—None 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. Unless otherwise noted, the following Citizen Comments were submitted in advance and read intothe record by the City Clerk: Casie Warner asked council to support the efforts of Happy Youth Programs and Educational Resources(HYPER)by directing administration to hear about their strategic business plan, and use some of the funding from the Norwegian Cruise Lines towards their early childhood care endeavor. Lynda Paquette (in person) could not believe there were no copies of the Loren Leman study on the Lowell Point Sewage Lagoon from 2011-2015.The studies had been expensive,and the information in those studies would be very helpful to have. If future studies were conducted, she hoped that a different firm would be used to conduct them. She strongly believed another facility or location needed to be contemplated to supplement the current sewage lagoon facilities. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes May 24,2021 Volume 41,Page 443 Maureen Sheehan (in person) wished to speak about the free shuttle; she had been on the shuttle recently,and the driver was new and was not familiar with the route stops.She asked for each stop to be clearly signed. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion(Baclaan/McClure) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Terry removed Resolutions 2021-061 and 2021-063 from the consent agenda. Terry removed the April,2021 Financials from Providence from the agenda. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Resolution 2021-060,Authorizing Signatures For All City Bank Accounts And Rescinding All Previous Resolutions In Conflict Herewith. Resolution 2021-062, Authorizing The City Manager To Purchase A 2022 Chevy 3500 4x4 Regular Cab Truck With Flatbed, Hidden Lift Gate, And V-Plow For The Harbor Department,Waiving Competitive Procurement Procedures In Order To Utilize The State Of Alaska's Procurement Contract,In An Amount Not To Exceed$59,549.55. Approval of the May 10, 2021 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Non-objection to the renewal of the liquor license for Chattermark— Restaurant/Eating Place — Public Convenience Seasonal #5040. Non-objection to the renewal of the liquor license for Woody's Thai Kitchen — Restaurant/Eating Place— Public Convenience Seasonal #5239 Appoint Mary Ann Benoit to the Historic Preservation Commission with a term to expire May, 2024. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations& Awards Honoring Liberty Miller as 2021 Historic Preservation Award Recipient Honoring Colleen Kelly as 2021 Historic Preservation Award Recipient Combat Fishing Tournament City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes May 24, 2021 Volume 41,Page 444 National Poppy Day Older Americans Month City Manager Report. Assistant City Manager Stephen Sowell reported the following purchase orders between$5,000 and$30,000 had been approved by the City Manager since the last council meeting:$7,410 for an 84 inch angle broom for the Harbor;$8,500 for Lowell Point sewage lagoon liner repairs for Public Works; $9,966 for a unit heater installation at the Ft. Raymond warehouse for Electric; $22,416.80 for a computer to record all phone and radio conversations for the Police; and,#23,500 for Lowell Point sewage lagoon liner repairs for Public Works. City Manager Janette Bower introduced herself as the new city manager and said she was happy to be in Seward. Casagranda asked for clarification about RV parking on private property. Sowell said he would follow up with an answer. Casagranda wondered if there could be reports provided in the City Manager Report regarding citizen complaint calls regarding the Lowell Point Sewage Lagoon odors,at least until the repairs were completed. Terry recalled in recent years that citizens had been instructed to make complaints through police dispatch so that call volume could be tracked. Casagranda recalled former administration voicing their intention to install benches and rain shelters at the shuttle bus stops.Terry requested that administration make sure the shuttle stops were well signed. DeMoss wanted to ensure that the garden beds for the city would be maintained.Sowell said the gardener position was being advertised,and that the city would continue to maintain the flower beds until a gardener was hired. Terry appreciated the improvements made in the content of the City Manager Reports over the past several months. Other Reports and Announcements Chamber of Commerce Report Presentations—None PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolutions Requiring Public Hearing Resolution 2021-059,Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Lease Amendment With Richard And Linda Worabel To Remove Article 14.2(c) From Lease 97-106 And To Amend Lease 97-102 And 97-104 By Also Removing Article 14.2(c). City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes May 24, 2021 Volume 41,Page 445 Motion (Baclaan/Seese) Approve Resolution 2021-059 3 Harbormaster Norm Regis said he handled the leases for the city. This resolution would remove item 14.2(c)which was only contained in three leases with the city. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Carl and John Hughes encouraged council to approve this resolution so that all the leases would be on equal footing. No one else appeared and the public hearing was closed. McClure asked if this resolution pertained only to the Worabels'lease.Regis said there were three leases that this resolution would impact, and the other two were not named. Motion Passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None NEW BUSINESS Resolutions Resolution 2021-061,Accepting Grant Funds From The State Of Alaska Historic Preservation Fund(HPF)—Amendment#1 In The Amount Of$5,235,With A Required Match Of$410,For The FY2020 Certified Local Government (CLG) Grant #20005 "Seward Historical Tour: Public Education Signage" Project On Behalf Of The Seward Historic Preservation Commission,And Appropriating Funds. Motion (Baclaan/McClure) Approve Resolution 2021-061 Library Museum Director Valarie Kingsland said the state had increased the grant funding for this project, and the city's match for the in-kind volunteer hours had already been exceeded,so the city would not have to spend any additional funds in order to accept this increased grant amount. Motion to Amend (Terry/McClure) Amend Resolution 2021-061 by accepting Substitute Resolution 2021-061. Terry wished to confirm hat the city's match was all in the volunteer labor. Kingsland confirmed. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes May 24, 2021 Volume 41, Page 446 Seese wondered if donations were still being requested for this project. Kingsland said she was still waiting for the total cost for the sign production,and she was unsure if donation solicitation was still going on. Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Main Motion Passed Unanimous Consent Resolution 2021-063, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Agreement With Dibble Creek Rock Limited For Rock Removal At The City's Fourth Of July Creek Rock Quarry. Terry handed the gavel to Vice Mayor Baclaan and declared a potential conflict of interest because she worked for the Alaska Railroad,but said she would not be financially impacted by this contract. Vice Mayor Baclaan ruled that no conflict existed and returned the gavel.There was no objection from council. Motion (Baclaan/McClure) Approve Resolution 2021-063 Public Works Director Doug Schoessler said this resolution would result in revenue to the city between $100,000-200,000. In response to Baclaan, Schoessler confirmed that the revenue would go into the general fund. In response to McClure, Schoessler confirmed that the rock quarry near the borough landfill site belonged to the borough, and the city's quarry was across the bay. Motion Passed Unanimous Other New Business Items Discuss options for best public use of$1 million funding from Norwegian Cruise Lines(NCL). Terry wished to show appreciation for the funding by sending a thank you note to Norwegian Cruise Lines(NCL) on behalf of council. Sowell said he had spoken with NCL, who were pleased to provide these funds to support Seward's recovery from COVID. He said NCL had no expectations about how the funds would be used, save for the decision being made by council and that the funds go toward long-term improvements or support for local businesses that would help the entire community. McClure suggested having a work session to obtain public input. Seese thought it would be best used for childcare. DeMoss concurred with having a work session, but thought perhaps narrowing the focus of potential projects to use the funds on would be wise. McClure said, aside from supporting daycare, she wondered if sidewalk repairs could be done. Casagranda supported childcare,and wondered if the city could possibly provide a zero percent interest loan for businesses wishing to start childcare services. Sowell suggested reaching out to the Chamber of Commerce to City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes May 24, 2021 Volume 41, Page 447 obtain feedback from local businesses. Casagranda also wished to consider shuttle bus stop beautification. Baclaan reminded everyone that the funds should be used for economic recovery endeavors. DeMoss suggested that, however the funds were used, it would be appropriate to have a plaque installed to honor NCL for their donation. Council scheduled a work session on June 7, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. to obtain public input on how the funds should be spent. Review status of online business license program and provide direction on next steps. Council directed the city clerk to find a new vendor, and pursue a full refund from Dude Solutions. Schedule a second work session to discuss the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) on June 28, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. Terry recalled that in previous years,there was an item included to make improvements to the thermal envelope of city hall, and wondered if that should be put back on the list. Council scheduled a work session on June 28,2021 at 5:00 p.m.to discuss the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Review and approve the Board of Adjustment Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for the Griswold and SeaView appeal hearings that were conducted on May 14, 2021. Casagranda declared a potential conflict of interest because she had a direct financial interest in the matter because she was the realtor for SeaView. Mayor Terry ruled that a conflict did exist, and Casagranda removed herself from the dais. There was no objection from council. Motion (Terry/McClure) Approve the Board of Adjustment Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for the Griswold Appeal Hearing that was conducted on May 14, 2021. Motion Passed Unanimous Motion (Terry/McClure) Approve the Board of Adjustment Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for the SeaView Appeal Hearing that was conducted on May 14, 2021. Motion Passed Unanimous Casagranda returned to the dais. oratJ City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes May 24, 2021 Volume 41,Page 448 INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS April, 2021 Cityand roviden a Financials. Baclaan wondered when the audit presentation would be held. Sowell thought it would be ready for council on June 28, 2021. City Clerk's Travel Report. CITIZEN COMMENTS Carol Griswold stated the Board of Adjustment's findings were erroneous,and thought the result could lead to having recovery housing facilities anywhere throughout the city. She said there was no definition,and nothing in the land use plan,that addressed behavioral health treatment uses; she suggested the community needed to decide where recovery housing should be allowed.Griswold said none of her concerns had been addressed during the appeal hearing,except for parking,and even that had been deeply flawed.The parking calculations were not factored correctly,and the ignorance of ADA parking regulations had been appalling.Griswold believed that training for commissioners, council, and staff should be conducted immediately. Siena Caruso was the attorney for SeaView Community Services.She thanked council and the Board of Adjustments for their time and consideration on the recent appeal hearings. Lynda Paquette appreciated Casagranda's suggestion to report sewage lagoon odor calls to dispatch; in the past, the public had been instructed to contact dispatch to file complaints about sewage lagoon odors or troubles,yet a recent call to dispatch by a citizen was met with derision.The odors were really bad right now;living with the sewage odors has literally traumatized some people who live in Lowell Point.Paquette asked if dispatch could be directed to take calls from members of the public. On another note,Paquette believed that making improvements to city hall had fallen off the CIP list, and she was pleased it was mentioned tonight. Regarding the boardwalk at the lagoon, perhaps an alternative to lumber could be considered, like using a composite material instead. Christine Sheehan thanked the Board of Adjustments,council,and the city for working with SeaView. Norm Regis thanked council for the last six months while he worked closely with administration as acting city manager. He encouraged council to keep open and frequent communications with administration. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes May 24, 2021 Volume 41,Page 449 Sowell thanked Regis for all his support and assistance;he had enjoyed working with Regis for the last six months.He welcomed Bower to the city,and noted that teamwork and collaboration had improved dramatically throughout the city. Bower had been watching the council meetings for some time, and seeing everyone work together was part of the reason she applied as city manager. She appreciated working together as a team to solve issues. Casagranda welcomed Bower and thanked Regis;she commended Regis for being there to help the city through several transitions. She gave a shout out to Cheryl Seese who was the Chair of the Historic Preservation Commission for all the great work being accomplished by the commission; preserving history was a strong economic driver for the community. She asked if administration could please find the Loren Leman studies. DeMoss welcomed Bower to the city; she looked forward to working with administration. She thanked Regis for stepping up during COVID as the acting city manager.Dr.Matt Hall would be retiring soon;he had been Seward's only veterinarian for many,many years,and she thanked him for his service to the community. Seese welcomed Bower. She appreciated the comments about the shuttle busses. She congratulated all the proclamation recipients,and thanked Regis for all his work and consideration. Osenga thanked Liberty Miller and Colleen Kelly for all their hard work. He welcomed Bower and thanked Regis for his hard work. McClure welcomed Bower. She thanked Regis for getting the city through a tough winter; she appreciated all the communications. McClure would miss Dr. Hall. The American Legion Memorial Services were quite moving to attend;it was important to remember those who sacrificed their lives for us.On June 5,2021 at 1:00 p.m.McClure and Lee Poleske would be doing a bike path walk starting at the SeaLife Center and going for about a mile.June 21,2021 at 10:30 p.m.would be the Cemetery Solstice Tour. When the Mary Lowell headstone was completed, there would be a dedication ceremony and mini tour of the cemetery, as well. Baclaan welcomed Bower home.He thanked Regis for everything;everyone trusted Regis, and appreciated working with him.He announced that Seward Pride Alliance was planning in-person PRIDE events from July 30 through August 1,2021; there were lots of events planned. Tater the bulldog made a surprise visit to council chambers;the proceedings were disrupted, but Tater was completely adorable. *** Terry welcomed Bower; everyone was excited to have her here. She thanked Regis and Sowell for all their great work together.She requested that dispatch receive complaint calls about the sewage lagoon,for tracking purposes.She congratulated all the graduates of the Seward High School Class of 2021. 1 h City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes May 24, 2021 Volume 41,Page 450 ADJOURNMENT The eting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m. idAii renda J. Ballou,/If MCI 'sty Terry City Clerk Mayor (City Seal) ............ •FSFh• •'**' O • q 4. .v>• •oaPok>, A . . a rF•`•O. .t a: SEAL I . 10 o ,y .j •••• k. S OF A\P •s. i