HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2009-018Sponsored by: Oates
CITY OF SE~VARll, .4I,ASKA
....
RESOLUTION 2009-018
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, OPPOSING THE PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL 129 "AN ACT
RELATING TO STATE AND MUNICIPAL BUILDING CODF.
REQUIRF.MF.NTS FOR FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS IN CERTAIN
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS"
WHEREAS, Senator Menard of District G has introduced a bill which will restrict the
municipalities right to require fire sprinklers systems in single-family residential buildings and in
residential buildings with not more than two dwelling units; and
WHERF,AS, this change in Alaska Statue 29.35 will restrict the community's ability to
dctcnnine its own fire protection levels; and
WHEREAS, this change will restrict development in certain areas of our community; and
WHEREAS, the cost to improve the municipal water service and increase the Fire
Department response capabilities are beyond the City of Seward's financial assets.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE I'I' RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA that:
Section 1. The passage of Senate Bill l29 is not in the best interest of the community oC
Seward and will create an unequal level of fire protection within the community.
Section 2. The passage of Senate Bill 129 does not allow for the community of Seward to
consider all the solutions available to it for providing fire protection in the community.
Section 3. The passage of Senate Bill 129 could have development and economic
consequences for the City of Seward and its residents.
Section 4. This resolution shall take affect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council ofthe city of Seward, Alaska, this 23"~ day
of March, 2009.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
Clark Corbridge, Mayor
CITY OF SEVF'ARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2009-018
AYES: Dunham, Valdatta, Bardarson, Smith, Kellar, Kcil, Corbridgc
NOES: None
ABSENT: Nonc
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
.y
- 'f :~~ ~ )
.lean Lewis
City Clerk, CMC
4~aasaa~11/11s
a''~ ~ c"~l~ ~ n 3°e
(City Seal) ~~~~ -+,.'~'' . '"d/'~Rp ~~~~
s
s ~4, .
r
w,
i G <
y
n
~ ° k
i~ ~ , 'p m
~Y ~}~, ao~'~~ a ~ •'~
~ILlllaafa<<
Council Agenda. Statement
Meeting Date: March 23, 2009
"fo: City Council
Through: Phillip Oates, City Manage
From: David Squires, Fire Cluef
Agenda Item: A resolution of the City Council of the City of
Seward opposing the passage of Senate Bill 129 "An Act relatn~g to
state and municipal building code requirements for sprinkler systems in
certain residential buildings."
SACKGROUNll & JUST[FICATION:
Senator Menard of Mat-Su is sponsoring Senate Bill 129 which will amend Alaska Statue 29.35 by
adding a new section that reads: "Sec. 29.35.144 Sprinkler systems in certain residential
buildings. (a) A municipality may not, for any purpose, require a sprinkler fire protection system in a
single-family residcntial building or in a residential buildutg with not more than two dwelling units. (b)
This section applies to home rule and general law municipalities".
This will take away our ability to determine our own level of fire protection and a tool from our
community that we havc used to allow construction in undeveloped sections. In Seward, just like
other Alaskan communities, we havc adopted the International Fire Code (IFC). In the IFC there is a
section in it to determine the needed lire Ilow for a structure This section is what n~surance
companies look at when issuing policies and it helps us develop our community in a safe and positive
manner. Our water system does not serve all parts of our C ity. In these areas we have used the IFC
exception to reduce the required fire flow to fifty percent when the building is provided with an
approved sprinkler system. The sprinkler system allows our fire department to control a fire with the
amount of water carried nn the fire vehicles. If we did not have this option to pursue, we would not
be able to give the same level of fire protection to the areas without water service.
To etlectively meet the required fire flow for an average residential structure, we would need to add
two 2000 gallon water tenders (tankers) to our fleet, a new fire station to house the vehicles and more
importantly the manpower to operate the vehicles. The cost of extending water lines to the affected
areas is beyond the ability of a single homeowner and so far beyond the City's ability also. The cost v f
a residcntial sprinkler is far less than extending water litres or ntcreasnig the fire department's fleet,
structure, and manpower.
INTENT:
The nltent ofthis resolution is to have the City Council show its opposition to passage of Senate Bill
129 by passing this resolution and forwarding it to all members ofthe Alaska State Legislature before
the end of the Senate hearings for the bill.
~~~
CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST:
Where applicable, this resolution is consistent with the Seward City Code, Charter, Comprehensive
Plans, Land Use Plans, Strategic Plan and City Council Rules of Procedures.
Other: International Fire Code Appendix B Fire Flow Requirements for Building
FISCAL NOTE:
There is no fiscal impact to the City in passage of the resolution.
Approved by Fniance Department: ~~,~
RECOMMENDATION:
City Council approve Resolution 2009- ~$ a Resolution of the City Council of the City of Seward
opposnig the passage of Senate Bill 129 "An Act relating to state and municipal building code
requirements for sprinkler systems in certaui residential buildings".
~~