HomeMy WebLinkAbout01082007 City Council Minutes
City of Seward, Alaska
January 8, 2007
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 302
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CALL TO ORDER
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The January 8, 2007 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:30
p.m. by Vice Mayor Willard Dunham.
OPENING CEREMONY
Lt. Tiner led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
Willard Dunham presiding and
Linda Amberg
Steve Schafer
Robert Thomas
Bob Valdatta
Jean Bardarson
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Marvin Yoder, Interim City Manager
Johanna Dollerhide, Acting City Clerk
Cheryl Brooking, City Attorney
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Absent - Mayor Vanta Shafer
CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED
FOR PUBLIC HEARING
Kathy Lentz, a driver for Frontier Taxi, asked the city for help with raising cab charges. The
taxi companies needed leaders to help set fees for cab fares. Three out of the four companies already
had meters installed in their cabs, but they would need help with the cost of installation and
collection of fees.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Thomas/Bard arson)
Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Motion (Thomas/Bardarson)
Amend the agenda by adding item 9B5,
Resolution 2007-005, to the consent agenda
Motion to Amend Passed
Unanimous Consent
Motion Passed
Unanimous
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The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
City of Seward, Alaska
January 8, 2007
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 303
The December 11,2006 regular city council meeting minutes were approved.
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Resolution 2007-001. accepting grant funds in the amount of $3000 from the State of Alaska,
authorizing purchase of public access computers for the library and appropriating funds.
Resolution 2007-002. authorizing the city manager to amend the contract with Dryden and
Larue, Inc., for the purpose of relocating electrical facilities in conjunction with the Mile 0-8
Seward Highway Project, including subcontracting a portion of the services, to be reimbursed
by the State of Alaska Department of Transportation.
Resolution 2007-005. authorizing the city manager to enter into a contract with Shoreside
Petroleum to deliver heating and diesel engine fuel, gasoline, lubricants, cleaning solvents and
antifreeze to the City of Seward during 2007 per the attached "exhibit A: Bid form" filled out
by Shoreside Petroleum. Due to the complexities of bulk fuel and lubricants pricing the bid
was based on the best margin and lowest unit price respectively.
Resolution 2007-006. accepting a pass-through grant in the amount of $150,000 in support of
the Alutiiq Pride Shellfish Hatchery, and appropriating funds.
Resolution 2007-007. accepting two designated legislative grants for the State of Alaska for the
harbor T -dock and bulkhead project, and appropriating funds totaling $2.2 million.
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
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Proclamations and Awards
A presentation was given by Jason Wettstein announcing the upcoming Polar Bear
Plunge.
Borough Assembly Report. Borough Assembly Representative Ron Long stated the
Assembly met on January 2, 2007 and introduced an ordinance to increase the size of the flood
service area board from 7 to 9 members, which would be heard on February 6,2007. The Assembly
confirmed the appointment of Tom Smith to the Planning Commission and Ron Wille to the Road
Service Area Board. The effective date for implementing the per-person, per-day recreational sales
ordinance was postponed to April 1, 2007. It had been asked for reconsideration, but six assembly
members would have to bring the ordinance back to the table, though. The Assembly accepted and
appropriated a $100,000 grant from the Department of Commerce, Community and Economic
Development with a $133,000 match from Bear Creek Fire Service Area, which would bring them to
a bid ready document for proposed construction of a new fire hall/trooper station/community hall.
Long responded to questions by the council.
City Manager's Report. Interim City Manager Marvin Yoder stated Seward rescue
personnel helped with a rescue in Whittier on January 1, 2007. The Manager's report consisted of:
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City of Seward, Alaska
January 8, 2007
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 304
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Japanese Creek - The issue of the Creek in the flood plain was a complicated issue. The
upper creek was privately owned, while the lower was state owned and there were questions of
navigability. The service district, city, borough, state, and FEMA all had an interest in this issue.
There were bed loading issues that needed to be dealt with. The levee needed to be repaired, and the
city was in the process of finalizing the bond package. Yoder had responded to Christy Miller, the
State Flood Plain Manager.
Dock Fundinl! - To date, the State had not released the funds to begin engineering for
commission funding to build a dock, which would serve to the new research vessel as well as a ferry.
Yoder had been in contact with Seward's lobbyists to resolve this issue, and the state had not
released this funding yet. Yoder suggested the city send the University of Alaska a letter assuring
them Seward was moving forward with the intent to complete the engineering of the dock, as the
University was facing some serious time lines for their part ofthe project.
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Funds - ADEC announced more funding was available from
EVOS. One ofthe designated uses was for municipal storm water-marine pollution reduction. There
was about $6 million in projects that Seward would be turning in to EVOS for potential funding.
Marv Lowell Center - Yoder attended two MLC meetings so far, reviewing plans and
recent actions by the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission and the Borough Planning
Commission. The next thing to be looked at was the final replat by the Park Service, who were
looking at a fairly large turning radius from Washington Street to Railway Avenue.
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Taxicabs - A request had been made that the city begins regulating taxis by making all cabs
metered with rates set. Yoder requested direction from the council on this matter.
Alaska Railroad - The AKRR was proposing to expand their existing freight dock. If city
wanted to respond to the Corps of Engineers permit application, comments should be submitted to
Yoder soon.
In other areas, RFP's for the re-siding of the Senior Center and a large format copier for
Engineering had gone out and would be coming to council soon. FEMA would be in Seward
January 10, 2007 to conduct project formulations ofthe flood damage. In Parks and Recreation, the
recent basketball tournament was a success. Planning and Zoning would host a community values
meeting at Seward Middle School on February 7 and 8, 2007. A resolution for payment of
emergency repairs #5 and #6 water wells would be coming soon from Public Works. The street
crews were appreciative for the citizens keeping vehicles out of the right of way during snow fall.
The harbor restroom bids would be opened this week and the department had been busy with snow
removal as well. The Electric Department welcomed new lineman Scott Johnson and the department
had been busy with several outages caused due to heavy snow. Norcon was stopping work on the
rebuild of the transmission line until spring due to the harsh weather conditions.
Council directed Yoder to send a letter to the University. Yoder responded to questions of
..... the council.
City of Seward, Alaska
January 8, 2007
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 305
City Attorney Report. City Attorney Cheryl Brooking stated the attorney's worked onf
contracts, leases, resolutions, ordinance amendments, administrative matters, employment issues, ...
land use matters, harbor construction, communication with corps of engineers, and other matters.
The attorney's worked on several litigation matters that may be mentioned at the executive session
later this evening.
Brooking shared some legal opinions from the state noting elected officials could change
his/her vote based on a campaign contribution. Based on this opinion, it was not considered a bribe
ifthe contribution was made to a campaign and not an individual. This had created much discussion
and Brooking stated this was on many legislators' agendas to change this law once the state
legislation came in session.
Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations
PUBLIC HEARINGS - None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - None
NEW BUSINESS
Ordinance 2007-001. amending Title 11, Vehicles and Traffic, to change speed limit
designations and authority to change speed limits.
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Seward Police Lieutenant Butch Tiner said there were some concerns with the speed limits
in the downtown area. This ordinance would make a change to the code so the police department
could make changes in the future. Tiner stated the Police Chief wanted to change the speed limit to
15 miles per hour from Jefferson to Adams on 4th Avenue, and this was a basic clarification to do so.
The ordinance also allowed the Police Department to change the speed limit to 20 miles per hour in
some areas, if they so wished.
Motion (Thomas/Bardarson)
Introduce Ordinance 2007-001
In response to Schafer, Tiner stated the speed limit from Adams to Railway on 4th Avenue
was actually 15 miles per hour, but it was not posted or regulated.
Motion Passed
Unanimous
Resolutions
Resolution 2007-003. accepting 2006 assistance to Firefighters Grant in the amount of $71,250
with a 5% match in the amount of $3,750 for the purpose of modifying the Seward Fire Station
with a vehicle exhaust capture and removal system and appropriating funds.
In response to Amberg, Fire Chief Dave Squires said items like travel, training, and other
things were removed for a reduced total of$71,250.
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City of Seward, Alaska
January 8, 2007
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 306
Motion (Thomas/Amberg)
Approve Resolution 2007-003
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Motion Passed
Unanimous
Resolution 2007-004. authorizing the city manager to enter into an agreement with Wesco
Distribution at a cost of $202,590.55 + 10% contingency; to purchase 64 transformers.
Motion (Thomas/Bardarson)
Approve Resolution 2007-004
Valdatta wanted to know if they were guaranteed brand new equipment or if it would be
refurbished equipment.
Electric Utility Manager Tim Barnum responded it was guaranteed the transformers would
all be brand new. Staff decided not to go refurbished; because the reliability was not as good.
Amberg wanted to know why there was a 10% contingency fee. Barnum said it was added
due to the timeframe in-between getting quotes and approval, the quotes may not be valid anymore,
it was just in case they had raised their quote. They didn't have the time to delay this with the long
estimated delivery times. The quotes were a little over 30 days old. Amberg wished it had gone to
bid, rather than the quote process.
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Dunham didn't understand why this didn't go out to bid, either. Especially since this was
such a large purchase. Barnum said it was not a standard practice in the transformer industry to bid
on transformers, but rather to give quotes.
Motion Passed
Unanimous
OTHER NEW BUSINESS
Discussion on whether to give explanation on the decision to decline the land exchange
proposal by Paul Snowden.
Motion (SchaferNaldatta)
Give explanation on the decision to decline
the land exchange proposal by Paul
Snowden.
Motion Passed
Unanimous
Discussion on Ketchikan Tidal Energy Conference January 23 and 24, 2007.
Valdatta wanted to send one member from the Port and Commerce Advisory Board and
invite a student from the high school to this conference, as many students were learning about
alternative energy.
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Dunham added he had spoken with the principal at the high school and she thought it was a
wonderful idea.
City of Seward, Alaska
January 8, 2007
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 307
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Bardarson thought it would be beneficial to have the participants come back and give a ...J
presentation at a future council meeting on what they learned.
Motion (SchaferNaldatta)
Send one Port and Commerce Advisory
Board member and one high school student
to the Ketchikan Tidal Energy Conference
on January 23 and 24, 2007.
The rules were suspended to allow Theresa Butts to speak to the costs of the conference.
Port and Commerce Advisory Board Member Theresa Butts gave a cost estimate of the
trip and said she would be willing to chaperone.
Motion Passed
Yes: Dunham, Bardarson, Valdatta,
Schafer
No: Thomas, Amberg
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No action required)
Flood related emergency purchase list.
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The November 2006 financials for Seward Providence Medical Center.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Amberg wished everyone a Happy New Year.
Bardarson thanked the street department for their hard work removing the snow.
Thomas also thanked Public Works for the fantastic job they were doing with the snow
removal.
Valdatta complimented the Stallings family for their generous donation to the library and
thanked them.
Dunham mentioned the EDD vacancy on the board. He congratulated Usibelli for taking
over the coal terminal, which started today. Dunham hoped the city would send a letter to Suneel,
Alaska thanking them for their time spent in Seward. He wanted to see if Seward could participate
in the Military Injured Program, which would entail a short Seward vacation for injured Iraqi
veterans around Armed Forces day in May.
CITIZENS' COMMENTS
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Kathy Lentz, noted the city code stated the city could appoint a citizen's board; and hoped
council would consider a taxi citizen's board and consider some of the taxicab owners for the board.
City of Seward, Alaska
January 8,2007
City Council Minutes
Volume 37, Page 308
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Maybe the taxicab issue could be helped if the city would set a rate for cab rides. It would be
pointless to set meters in one company; it would have to be upheld for all companies.
Charles Reynolds, said night time cab drivers average under $4 per hour. He didn't know
what kind of affect it would have on the city, but he wanted meters in the cabs. Reynolds would be
available for any discussion or help.
William Abbott, said a cab meter was about $249, with presets programmed. It would
average rides for all companies. Establishing meter rates would increase sales tax collections.
Several garages in town could install meters ifthe city could monitor, maintain and collect on them.
If the meters were broken, the city could take away the cab driver's chauffeurs' license with a
possible fine.
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS
Thomas, questioned the raise request by the taxi operators. He was confused about the
installation and maintenance rates. He asked for as much detail as possible in the formal request.
Dunham, wanted to get a request in writing to staff on the cab meter proposal. He also
announced a Kenai Peninsula Borough meeting on school funding on January 23,2007 at 7:00 p.m.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
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Motion (Schafer/Bardarson)
Go into executive session to discuss matters
pertaining to pending litigation.
Motion Passed
Unanimous
Council went into executive session at 8:55 p.m.
Council came out of executive session at 9: 15 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9: 15 p.m.
/!p!r a ILrtaelQ{~d1k
~. ~Johanna Dollerhide
Acting City Clerk
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Willard Dunham
Vice Mayor
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