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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02142022 City Council LAYDOWN - Sub Minutes Jan 24City of Seward, Alaska January 24, 2022 CALL TO ORDER C-4 CeFZ4,et t<L City Council Meeting Minutes Volume 41, Paee The January 24, 2022 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 Sue McClure Liz DeMoss Mike Calhoon comprising a quorum of the Council; and Janette Bower, City Manager Brenda Ballou, City Clerk Excused —Wells, Casagranda Absent — None John Osenga CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Keith Campbell was concerned about a rumor that he heard that the city was going to send back hundreds of thousands of dollars intended for energy conservation. If this was true, he encouraged the city to keep the money. Campbell said the library was poised to use a heat exchanger system using sea water like they had at the Alaska SeaLife Center. He implored council to keep the funds and get the library building set up in the way they were designed to be used when it was built. Brad Snowden wanted to revisit the conversation about having a cruise ship dock and visitors center at the south end of Fourth Avenue, connected to the Alaska SeaLife Center. He believed this would bring business to Seward in the wintertime and round out the community. Joe Tougas supported the library getting a heat pump installed. Some of the advantages were a reduction in heating fuel, an increase in efficient heating, and an opportunity to include heated sidewalks during the installation. Casie Warner thanked administration for obtaining the three-month extension on the heat loop project. She requested that council revisit the project, and perhaps update the cost estimates to get fresh numbers. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes January 24, 2022 VoLme 41, Page APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (McClure/Osenga) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Ordinance 2022-004, Amending Seward City Code Chapter 2.30 Boards And Commissions, Article 2 Seward Planning And Zoning Commission By Enacting Section 2.30.217 Staff Assistance To Commission And Providing For Housekeeping Amendments. This ordinance was introduced tonight and it,ill come for public hearing and enactment on February 14, 2022. Resolution 2022-009, Adopting The Port And Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB) Priorities From February 2022 To February 2023. Resolution 2022-010, Approving Amendment #3 To The Operating Contract Between The City Of Seward And Seward City Tours. Resolution 2022-011, Authorizing Signatures For All City Bank Accounts And Rescinding All Previous Resolutions In Conflict Herewith. Resolution 2022-012, Authorizing Payment To The Seward Senior Center In The Amount Of $80,000. Approval of the January 10, 2021 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes. Non -objection to the renewal of liquor license #3909 Package Store for the Seward Marketplace. Appoint Victoria Monaco to the Planning & Zoning Commission with a term to expire February, 2023. Approval of the continuation of the Port & Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB). SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations & Awards — None City Manager Report. City Manager Janette Bower reported that no funds had been returned by the city for the heat loop project, and no funds had been received; the extensions were granted three months at a time. She was still hopeful that funding would become available through the infrastructure bill. City of Seward, Alaska Januan) 24, 2022 City Council Meeting Minutes IJ L ___ _ A 1 n DeMoss wished to address for the public why the January Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) meeting had been cancelled due to a Iack of quorum, and why the upcoming P&Z meeting was cancelled because there was no business pending. In response, Community Development Director Jason Bickling said he wished to use the P&Z Commission as efficiently as possible, and because there was no immediate business pending before the commission, next week's meeting was cancelled. Bickling added that a special meeting would be scheduled, whenever necessary. DeMoss appreciated the ability and awareness that Bickling had in relation to scheduling a meeting if there was an urgent matter for the commission. DeMoss asked for an update on the feasibility study for a recreation center. Bower said the draft Request for Proposal (RIP) was under legal review and would be released imminently. Terry wanted to call attention to the public works report in the packet; if anyone wished to report concerns about the roads, they were encouraged to call (907) 224-4058 during the day, or (907) 224-4022 after hours. Borough Assembly Report. Representative Cindy Ecklund was coming to the city council meeting from another meeting, and had not yet arrived. Terry said the report could be provided when Ecklund arrived; there was no objection from council. Other Reports and Announcements Chamber of Commerce Report. Executive Director Kat Sorenson said the 2022 Visitor Guides were held up in shipping, but were due to arrive very soon. The Hometown Guide was in the early stages of development; feedback and input on what to contain was welcome. The dates for the 2022 Silver Salmon Derby would be August 13-21, 2022. The Fourth of July Festival and Mount Marathon Race planning was underway; vendors were already reaching out. The chamber had received lots of visitors who wanted to see the heat pump in their building; they were tracking their energy costs to see its impact. On Thursday, there would be a coffee and chat event at the chamber. Small Business Development Center (SBDC) director KeIlyAnn Cavaretta was already working with several businesses: There would be a weekend event organized for Valentine's Day which included a healthy and friendly speed dating event. Looking ahead at 2022 marketing, Sorenson reported that the research indicated visitors booked their trip to Seward approximately 100 days in advance. Travel report on legislative meetings in Juneau by Mayor Terry and Council Member DeMoss. Bower said the week kicked off by celebrating the announcement that Seward would receive $185 million for the Lowell Creek Diversion Tunnel project. One recurring theme was the housing shortage in Seward; this conversation, in turn, provided the opportunity to speak about the city's intention to move municipal -owned land into private hands for development, as well as the city's need for expanding and upgrading utilities. Concerns about budget shortfalls for operating the jail were discussed, and emphasis was given that having the city subsidize jail operations at $500,000 per year was not acceptable for the citizens of Seward. Bower said she had been asked on City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes January 24, 2022 Volume 41, Page two occasions why Seward did not have a ferry; she expressed interest in discussing this possibility. Bower stated the Department of Law indicated they had no intention of closing the Seward courthouse. Terry commended the work that Police Chief Alan Nickell had done to gather communities to discuss the budget shortfalls in multiple communities across the state because it lay the groundwork for those conversations in Juneau; the city's lobbyist was provided the list and would be working with legislators to encourage the state to meet their fiscal responsibility for all those communities. Other items that were discussed included the natural gas pipeline project and the airport. DeMoss said the legislative priorities brochure was very well received. They were warmly welcomed by all the legislators who were happy to meet in person again. Presentations Happy Youth Programs & Educational Resources (HYPER) presentation by Casie Warner PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinances for Public Hearing and Enactment Ordinance 2022-001, amending Portions Of Seward City Code 15.10.140 Definitions, Related To: Apartment, Boarding House, Dwelling, Duplex, Unit, Hostel, Hosted Lodging Unit, Housing Unit, Insurance Company, Licenses, Listing, Listing Site, Lodging, Motel, Multistory Unit, Owner, Short -Term Rental, Short -Term Rental Transaction, Sleeping Unit, Townhouse, Transient, And Whole House Nightly, And Enacting Language In 15.10.226 K Pertaining To Short -Term Rentals. This ordinance was introduced on January 10, 2022 and is coming tonightfor public hearing and enactment. Motion (McClure/DeMoss) Enact Ordinance 2022-001 Bickling said he didn't think this ordinance was perfect, but was a step in the right direction. This would be an improvement; and he would continue to work on making improvements with the Planning & Zoning Commission. 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. Calhoon said he knew the Planning & Zoning Commission (P&Z) had worked on this for an extended period of time, but thought this ordinance needed more refinement before it was enacted. City of Seward, Alaska January 24, 2022 City Council Meeting Minutes Volume 41, Page McClure concurred; she had watched nearly all pf the P&Z meetings and work sessions, but when she read this ordinance she was confused; she thought it should be written in a way to make it easily understandable for citizens. Terry said, if council felt this ordinance needed more work, she suggested council fail this ordinance and ask P&Z to tackle it again with a clean slate. Terry had watched a number of the P&Z meetings and appreciated all their work; perhaps looking at what other communities have done would be of benefit. Motion Failed Unanimous Ordinance 2022-002, Amending Portions Of Seward City Code 15.10.140 Definitions, To Amend The Definition For Light Manufacturing; And To Amend 15.10.226 Land Uses Allowed Table: Allowing Light Manufacturing In A Central Business District With A Conditional Use Permit. This ordinance was introduced on January 10, 2022 and is corning tonight for public hearing and enactment. Motion (McClure/Osenga) Enact Ordinance 2022-002 Bower said council had directed P&Z to review this definition specifically, and this was the result of that work. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. IVo one appeared and the public hearing was closed. Osenga wondered if the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) process would handle addressing potential safety issues, fire code concerns, or city code violations. He also asked if the intent of a CUP was to conduct the process one time and then assume the business was adhering to it in perpetuity. In response, Bickling said P&Z wished to accomplish several things: they wanted to acknowledge that light manufacturing had been going on in the Central Business District (CBD) for a very long time, and it had been working well; they did not wish to impede or prohibit new businesses from opening; they did of want a new light manufacturing business to interfere with or devalue existing businesses in the area in the way of undue sounds, smells, etc.; and, they felt that using the CUP process for an existing business changing hands or a new business being started would insure that safety, fire, and code concerns were being addressed. DeMoss stated that certain businesses, like bars or marijuana businesses, that were also required to have life safety inspections as a matter of procedure. Motion Passed Unanimous City ar24, 2022 SAlaska January 2420City Council Meeting Minutes Fjolume 41, Page Ordinance 2022-003, Amending Portions Of Seward City Code 15.10.226 Land Uses Allowed, J Employee Campgrounds. This ordinance was introduced on January 10, 2022 and is coming tonight for public hearing and enactment. Motion (McClure/DeMoss) Enact Ordinance 2022-002 Bower said this ordinance came from the fish processors in town having the need for employee housing; employee campgrounds were allowed in city code, and this ordinance would allow converted shipping containers to be used for employee.housing. Council recessed at 7:56 p.m. Council resumed at 8.06 p.m. Bower confirmed that this ordinance was independent from the others brought tonight. Notice ofthe public hearing beingposted and published as required by law was noted and thepublic hearing was opened. No one appeared and the public hearing was closed. Terry highlighted that this ordinance would extend the allowable number of days from 150 to 180 days per calendar year, which she thought was appropriate for the fishing industry. She asked if there had been any discussion about expanding the start and end dates from April 15 and September 30. In response, Bickling said ISO days matched up with the fire code, and that it was flexible for a business to apply for an extension to those dates if they needed more time. Terry said having employee housing in converted shipping containers appeared to provide more safety and sanitation than using tents. Bower pointed out that the containers would not be required to be moved; it would be better if the containers stayed in place. Osenga asked if this ordinance pertained to one particular employer or if it applied to any business needing_ employee housing. Bower said this would apply to any business with the need for an employee campground. Motion Passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS Items Postponed from Previous Agenda Resolution 2022-008, Authorizing the Sale of Real Property located at 1911 Dora Way, also known as the Dora Way Playground by Sealed Bid as Provided by Seward City Code. This resolution was postponed from January 10, 2022. Bower said this resolution originated in response to the city trying to find properties that could be sold to allow for new housing development. Bower said this would be just the first step in the process of putting this parcel up for sale. City Seward, Alaska .Tanua ry 24, 2022 City Council Meeting Minutes Yalume 4? Pa e Terry wondered if there was a timeline from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) for moving forward with the Jesse Lee Home project. Bickling said the excavation of the Jesse Lee Home property had uncovered that there were additional building structures buried underneath the home that was recently torn down. ADEC sent the city a work plan, and that had been furnished to the contractor with the request to provide the city with an updated estimate on completing the work; hopefully when the ground thawed, the work could continue. Osenga wondered how the timing of the sale of the Dora Way property would potentially mesh with the work continuing at the Jesse Lee Home site. Bower said the sale of the property all in all would take approximately three months to complete. Motion to Amend (Terry/Calhoon) Amend Resolution 2022-008 by adding a new Section 3 that reads, "Sealed bid auction will be held once an alternate playground is developed in the neighborhood." Terry said many people had spoken out about the need to develop housing in Seward, and she thought this property would be good for a single family home. However, she also heard the concerns about the children in the area needing a playground. McClure had received lots of calls over the past year or so wondering when this property would come up for sale. More recently, she had calls saying this wasn't the right time to sell this property. DeMoss understood that this playground was being used, but also that many people were asking what the city was doing about the housing shortage. DeMoss wondered if there was a small portion of the Jesse Lee Home property that could be set aside for a temporary playground while the rest of the property was sorted out. Motion to Amend Failed Motion to Amend (Terry/McClure) Yes: Calhoon, Terry No: McClure, DeMoss, Osenga Amend Resolution 2022-008 by adding a new Section 3 that reads, "No play equipment will be removed, except for safety reasons or replacement, until after council approval of sale." Terry said she didn't want the playground equipment removed, especially without knowing if more delays were on the horizon. Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes January 24, 2022 Volume 41, Page Calhoon asked if it would be possible to find out if any portion of the Jesse Lee Home site would be available to develop into a playground in the interim. In response, Bower stated it had been explained to her that no portion of the Jesse Lee Home property was available for any development until the cleanup was completed; following the cleanup, the property, or portions of it, may be deemed suitable for development. Main Motion Passed Unanimous NEW BUSINESS Resolutions Resolution 2022-013, Supporting The Alaska Railroad Corporation's Efforts To Secure Funding For The Seward Passenger Dock Project. Mayor Terry passed the gavel to Vice Mayor McClure and declared the following potential conflict of interest: (Verbatim) "I'm going to go ahead and declare a conflict of interest per Seward City Code 2.10.035 (c). I do work for the Alaska Railroad as the Port Manager, and since it was decided on December 3, 2021 that the Railroad will be the key developer for the dock and the cruise ship terminal project, I believe that it is unavoidable for the public to perceive that I have a conflict of interest so I want to declare that conflict." Vice Mayor McClure ruled that a conflict did exist, there was no objection from council, and Mayor Terry removed herself from the dais. Motion (Calhoon/Osenga) Approve Resolution 2022-013 Bower said this resolution expressed the city's support for the railroad to complete this project and obtain funding. Calhoon wished to confirm that this resolution did not obligate the city to expend any funds, and Bower concurred Motion Passed Unanimous Mayor Terry returned to the dais. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS — None CITIZEN COMMENTS — None COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Bower thanked council for being so active and engaged in problem -solving the housing shortage in Seward. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Meeting Minutes January 24, 2022 volume 41, Pa e Osenga thought this had been a great meeting; he thanked council and administration for answering his questions. Be safe. Calhoon appreciated all the work being done. He suggested that perhaps reinstituting Rl zoning may alleviate some of the housing issues. The weather had been tough; be careful. DeMoss thanked administration for taking the housing concerns seriously, and for being responsive. She said it was so important that citizens reached out to council because that input formed many votes. She appreciated Victoria Monaco for applying for P&Z. McClure appreciated the fullness of this agenda. She knew that not all decisions would make everyone happy, and she saw both sides. She congratulated on the Polar Bear Jump Festival and Parade, and thanked the police department for their involvement in that event. If anyone in town knew how the lagoon originally developed, she asked they contact her so she could learn more. Terry thanked P&Z commission for their work, and appreciated seeing the PACAB priorities tonight. She thanked administration for searching for funding for the heat loop project. Terry thanked all the city departments for working hard for the community. Terry asked council for a volunteer to join her as the tabulation team for the city clerk's evaluation; McClure volunteered. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:35 p,m Brenda Ballou, MMC City Clerk (City Seal) Christy Terry Mayor