HomeMy WebLinkAbout09272021 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes
September 27, 2021 Volume 41, Page 518
CALL TO ORDER
The September 27,2021 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 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—Baclaan
Absent—None
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR
PUBLIC HEARING
Tim McDonald stated he had a background in engineering and heavy equipment, and was
very concerned with the amount of waste that was being put in landfills.He said approximately 50%
of residential waste stream consisted of plastics;he thought those plastics could instead be shredded
and compacted to make building blocks. He said it wasn't rocket science, and all the technology
existed and it would be easy to do; he was confident that it could be done locally, and that grant
funding would be available.
Mica Van Buskirk appreciated having a community recreation facility in the list of
priorities; she wished that a feasibility study be conducted as soon as possible. She suggested that a
portion of campground revenues be put towards funding a recreational facility. She also encouraged
council to set aside a potential location for a facility,preferably up near the schools. Health grants
were readily available right now, and a recreational facility would support the health of the
community. A walking track for all ages would be ideal.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (McClure/Casagranda) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
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September 27, 2021 Volume 41, Page 519
Terry removed Resolution 2021-113 from the consent agenda.
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Terry added Resolution 2021-112 onto the consent agenda with no objection from council.
Motion Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
Resolution 2021-106,Approving Amendment No.20 to the Contract with Robertson,Monagle
& Eastaugh,a Professional Corporation,for Federal Lobbying Services through December 31,
2024 for a total of$92,000 Annually.
Resolution 2021-107,Approving the Contract with Confluence Strategies for State Lobbying
Services through December 31,2024,for a total of$85,500 Annually.
Resolution 2021-108,Accepting Grant Funds from the Alaska State Library for the Public
Library Assistance Grant in the amount of$7,000,and Appropriating Funds.
Resolution 2021-109, Accepting Grant Funds in the Amount of$5,000 from the Anchorage
Police Department Cyber Crimes Division, through the Alaska Internet Crimes Against
Children (ICAC) Task Force, for the Purchase of a µFRED Forensic Workstation, and
Authorizing the Purchase of the µFRED Forensic Workstation in the Amount of$6,037.75,
and Appropriating Funds.
Resolution 2021-112,Authorizing the City Manager to Purchase a New 2021-2022 Crosswind 1
Regenerative Air Street Sweeper from Yukon Equipment, Inc. for the Total Amount not to
Exceed $322,479.81, Utilizing the Sourcewell RFP Contract Yukon Equipment, Inc., and
Appropriating Funds.
Resolution 2021-114, Authorizing the City Manager to Enter into a Construction Contract
with Harris Sand and Gravel,Inc.,in an Amount not to Exceed$2,933,257.50 which Includes a
10% Contingency for the G, K,& L-Float Replacement Project at the Seward Boat Harbor.
Approval of the September 13,2021 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes.
Appoint the following individuals to the Election Board for the October 5, 2021 Regular
Municipal Election: Mark Kansteiner(Chair),Patty Linville,Vanessa Verhey,Cathy Byars,
Casie Warner, Michael Mahmood, DeNise Woodbury, and Bonnie Apperson.
Appoint the following individuals to the Canvass Board for the October 5, 2021 Regular
Municipal Election: Lori Draper (Chair), Jennifer Carr, Quentin Carr, Susie Urbach, and
Mary Tougas.
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS eiJ
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes
September 27, 2021 Volume 41, Page 520
Proclamations & Awards
Fire Prevention Week Proclamation
City Manager Report.City Manager Janette Bower said the USS Alaska organizers had
been in contact with her,and she asked them to bring forward a more specific request to the city.On
a separate note, she encouraged everyone to get out and vote.
Police Chief Alan Nickell provided an update on the new animal shelter project;the exterior
colors had been selected,and the interior colors and flooring options were now being considered.He
had been working on completing a Conditional Use Permit for the facility and hoped it would be
considered on October 19,2021 at the next Planning&Zoning Commission meeting.One item that
was being considered was to change the gravel outdoor kennels to concrete, and to add a concrete
sidewalk all the way around the building.
Casagranda asked for an update on the forensic audit, specific to ERUs. Finance Director
Jessra Snyder stated she provided information to the auditors;the auditors had pulled a sample of
metered accounts. Seese asked if this would result in increased billing from the auditors.Snyder said
the city would be charged for the second auditor's visit. DeMoss asked how confident Snyder was
that the billing would be 100% corrected; Snyder said she was fully confident, but it would take
longer than she hoped.In response to DeMoss,Snyder said letters were being sent to customers who
had been underbilled to make them aware, but they were not required to pay the difference;
customers who overpaid had started receiving checks for reimbursement.
Casagranda wondered if all the meters had been installed. Electric Utility Director Rob
Montgomery said all demand meters had been installed as of two weeks ago,and all electric meters
were read by drive-by.
Terry stated the library hours were Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m.to 6:00 p.m.and
Saturday from 9:00 a.m.to 5:00 p.m. She said the museum was open Friday and Saturday from 1:00
—5:00 p.m.
Terry stated the city's financials had been included in the packet.
Other Reports and Announcements
Chamber of Commerce Report by Jason Bickling.Bickling said all efforts were focused
on next year's visitor season. The marine guide was under development,and the visitors guide was
being revamped.McClure wondered if the chamber lunches were being resumed.Bickling stated the
chamber lunches would resume, as well as the after five events.
Interconnect Implementation Plan by Rob Montgomery.Montgomery said Seward's rates
fell near or at the lowest during the winter. Montgomery stated about six months ago he had talked
about making the program more efficient and user-friendly to customers. He had been active in
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September 27, 2021 Volume 41, Page 521
coordinating solar panels installation in Seward,collaborated with citizens and the Port&Commerce
Advisory Board (PACAB), had made improvements to the information on the city's website, had
streamlined the application by removing industry jargon and shortening the data being obtained,and
had updated the language in the electric tariff to provide more accurate and helpful information to
customers,as well as provide an updated calculation to encourage more participation.Over the past
six months,the number of bi-directional meters had increased from three to 15.Montgomery said he
would continue to improve the program,and would watch other programs to see what could be used
effectively in Seward.
In response to DeMoss, Montgomery said he would be pleased to have another 12 meters
installed next year. In response to Casagranda,Montgomery said the bi-directional meters could be
programmed to be demand meters for commercial accounts, but not for residential. Casagranda
thanked Montgomery for all the work he had done to improve this program for residents.
Terry praised Montgomery for using Facebook to post information about power outages.
Presentations
Recycling in Seward presentation by Casie Warner and KellyAnne Cavaretta.
Update on the Federal Infrastructure Bill and Related Matters presentation by
Sebastian O'Kelly, CJ Zane, and Genevieve
PUBLIC HEARINGS—None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None
NEW BUSINESS
Resolutions
Resolution 2021-110,Authorizing The City Manager To Purchase Four(4) Chevrolet Tahoe
Police Package Vehicles From Alaska Sales And Service Under The State Of Alaska Fleet
Vehicle Contract, With Associated Upfitting And Police Specific Equipment From Alaska
Safety, Dell Technologies, ProComm Alaska, And "The Printer", In An Amount Not To
Exceed $64,543.09 Per Vehicle For A Total Cost Of$258,172.36, And Appropriating Funds.
Motion (McClure/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2021-110
Nickell said he was trying to get the department caught up. Two Impalas had been
"deadlined" for safety reasons. There were two 2009s and two 2010s that needed replacement, but
the department was off schedule.
Casagranda wondered why SUVs were selected rather than cars. Nickell said functionality
was the driver; cars provided limited space for prisoners in the back seat. He added that the SUVs
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes
September 27, 2021 Volume 41, Page 522
provided four wheel drive or all-wheel drive, which allowed for safer driving in the winter.
Seese asked if there was any equipment in the old cars that could be transferred into new
vehicles. Nickell said the department had been doing that for a long time, but now the electronic
equipment was too outdated and was not compatible with the newer systems. Some of the other
outfitting, like the cages and computer stands, were specific to the vehicles and could not be
transferred.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2021-111,Authorizing the Purchase of a 2022 Chevrolet'A Ton 4x4 Pickup Truck
and Accessories from Alaska Sales and Service for a Total Amount of$34,834 for the Building
Department.
Motion (McClure/Osenga) Approve Resolution 2021-111
Fire Chief Clinton Crites said this item was included in the budget under the motor pool
fund.The building official's primary role was in-house and the building/fire inspector was required
to be on the street often, although they would share the vehicle. This vehicle can also be used by a
volunteer on the scene, when necessary, and would be able to tow the fire department's trailer.
In response to Terry,Crites said this vehicle would stay at the fire station and would not be a
take-home vehicle.In response to Seese,Crites said the building department paid into the motor pool
fund separately from the fire department.
Casagranda wondered why it was four door.Crites said there was a lot of equipment that the
inspector was required to have on hand to do their jobs. Casagranda wished to consider a different
type of vehicle rather than a truck.
Motion Passed Yes:DeMoss,Seese,McClure,Osenga,Terry
No: Casagranda
Resolution 2021-113, Appropriating City Funds and State Grant Funds for the G,K and L-
Float Replacement Project at the Seward Boat Harbor in the Amount of$3,114,052.82.
Motion (McClure/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2021-113
Bower said the dollar amount in the title of the resolution needed to be amended to be
corrected. The city had received notice of the updated amount too late to make the packet.
Motion to Amend (Terry/McClure) Amend Resolution 2021-113 in the title by
striking "$3,114,052.82" and replacing it
with "$3,236,937.39."
Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous
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September 27, 2021 Volume 41, Page 523
Harbormaster Norm Regis said after the bids for the project came in, the city would be
saving additional money.
Main Motion Passed Unanimous
Other New Business Items
Schedule a work session to discuss the Annex Building.
By unanimous consent, council scheduled a work session on October 11, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.
Discuss attendees for the Alaska Municipal League (AML) Annual Local Government
Conference in Anchorage on November 15-19, 2021.
In response to Terry,City Clerk Brenda Ballou stated that AML was planning to hold the
conference in person,but were in the midst of discussing what COVID-19 mitigation measures they
would be putting in place.
Terry stated she wished to attend the conference,as did McClure and DeMoss. Casagranda
and Osenga both wished to attend, but were tentative on their schedules.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS—None
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Norm Regis had met with someone recently who was interested in recycling plastics found in
the ocean into plastic lumber. Regis was coordinating with Sustainable Seward,and was exploring
providing a small area at the North Dock for a test site.
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN
COMMENTS
Assistant City Manager Stephen Sowell thanked everyone in the hospitality industry for
this year's busy season; he knew there were a lot of labor shortages that businesses had to contend
with. He encouraged recycling, and was dismayed when he saw trash on the ground.
DeMoss thanked administration for the good communication about the electric outages last
week.
Casagranda wondered if there could be a comparison on electric rates provided for the
upcoming budget work sessions that would show the difference between static rates and seasonal
rates.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes
September 27, 2021 Volume 41, Page 524
Osenga thanked all the presenters for the information tonight. He appreciated everyone for
stepping up to serve on the election board and canvass board. He encouraged everyone to vote.
Seese was excited to hear the possibilities for recycling plastic into building materials.
McClure also appreciated the communications about the power outages.She announced that
she and Lee Poleske would be doing some cemetery tours this weekend; starting Saturday at 5:00
p.m. and every other Saturday for three times. She encouraged everyone to vote.
Terry stated that tickets for the cemetery tours were available at 13 Ravens coffee shop.She
thanked the election and cavass boards. She announced there were two vacancies on the Port &
Commerce Advisory Board. Terry offered congratulations to the Seward Arts Council for another
great Seward Music& Arts Festival.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
renda Ba lou, MC Christy Terry
City Clerk Mayor
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