HomeMy WebLinkAbout06142010 City Council Minutes City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
June 14, 2010 Volume 38, Page 296
CALL TO ORDER
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The June 14, 2010 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00
p.m. by Vice Mayor Jean Bardarson.
OPENING CEREMONY
Police Chief Tom Clemons led the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
Jean Bardarson presiding and Marianna Keil
Linda Amberg Bob Valdatta
Vanta Shafer Tom Smith
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Kris Erchinger, Acting City Manager
Jean Lewis, City Clerk
Johanna Dollerhide, Deputy City Clerk
ABSENT — Mayor Willard E. Dunham
CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED
FOR PUBLIC HEARING
Catherine Richardson was a candidate for the Historic Preservation Commission tonight
and hoped for their support on the commission.
Jennifer Headtke and Dot Bardarson briefly spoke on the recent murals both placed in the
community in the last week. They were happy to be a part of the mural exchange with Seward's
Sister City Exchange Program and supported the resolution on the agenda before the council tonight.
They would be giving a report later in the agenda.
Jack Walganski, local cab owner, had questions about the shuttle busses for cruise ship
passengers. He thought the busses were doing more than was supposed to and felt they were taking
the whole volume of cab income. Walganski wished cabs would have been part of the process and
were more than willing to help with the cruise ship transportation.
By unanimous consent, council suspended the rules to allow for comment by the Acting
City Manager Kris Erchinger and Community Development Director Christy Terry to
respond. Erchinger stated this was in response to cruise ship grant monies dedicated from the state
cruise ship tax. Terry echoed these comments, elaborating that the RFP for this service occurred, but
also agreed with Walganski's suggestion of a voucher plan for the cabs. She also addressed the issue
of the bus running on non cruise ship days and that was because they could keep cruise ship goers in
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June 14, 2010 Volume 38, Page 297
town, hopefully. Terry did not know if the capacity of the taxis in town would satisfy the need.
Overall the response was good; cruise ship companies had reported to the city that they were air
addressing the biggest, most major need, which was transportation. Terry also noted the grant was
for two years, but only funded through this year and they certainly could evaluate for the next year.
Shafer confirmed Terry's comments that this was a need identified by the cruise ship industry.
Amberg hoped administration could look at amending the contract for the cab companies. Smith
liked the voucher system idea.
Michael Stewart, driver for PJ's taxi, stated they pull into the cruise ship terminal and there
would be no activity of cruise ship goers for cabs — all look for the bus. He felt it should have been
looked at in the beginning. It was a huge impact on the taxis in town. They were there year round
and felt they should be considered.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Keil /Shafer) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
The following was placed on the regular agenda:
Appointed candidates Ryan Reynolds, Tim Sczawinski and Catherine Richardson to fill three
vacancies on the Historic Preservation Commission with terms to expire May 2011 and May
2013.
Motion Passed Unanimous
The following was added to the agenda:
Under other new business items, scheduling a work session for T Line emergency repair was
added.
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
The May 24, 2010 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes Were Approved.
Resolution 2010 -056, Authorizing A One Year Contract For $449,472.00 With The State Of
Alaska, Department Of Corrections, To Provide For Operating The Seward Community Jail
And Housing Prisoners Charged And /Or Sentenced Under Alaska Statutes.
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations and Awards
A memoriam was read for Donald McCloud.
omi
Borough Assembly Report, Sue McClure stated the Assembly passed the budget and
amended the mayor's budget by cutting approximately $2 million dollars. The teacher jobs that were
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June 14, 2010 Volume 38, Page 298
put on hold were reinstated, thankfully. The mill rate would stay the same. Locally, the contract for
replacing the elementary school floors was awarded. The seats in the Seward High School
auditorium would be replaced. The Assembly had to authorize more funds for the smart boards in
the school system as a result of federal grant money, but needed installation funds. McClure thanked
council for the navigability work session last week. She invited public to come to the Seward
Historical Society Annual Cemetery Walk on June 21, 2010.
City Manager's Report, Acting City Manager Kris Erchinger stated the city manager
would return from his summer travels on June 27, 2010. The Harbor purchased a transformer for Z-
float at a cost of $11,700.00 using Denali Commission funds. In addition, $10,000 was spent on the
destruction of unsold derelict vessels at SMIC, and an additional $13,691.47 was spent on the
transport and processing of the contaminated soil from the Nash Road spill site. The public works
department had engaged the services of M.L. Foster to conduct an assessment of the City's
wastewater system (to evaluate the condition and performance of the system) in the amount of
$20,000. The electric department was spending $22,641 to purchase 14 treated wood power poles.
Council was also given a lay down of a few more items that were not included in this report.
On Friday, June 11, 2010, the city received a copy of a stop work order by the Department of
Labor that was served on Godwin Glacier Tours, LLC. Godwin Glacier Tours was given a short term
lease on property at SMIC from the city for a 120 day period which expired November 28, 2009.
Godwin Glacier Tours had been told to vacate the property and remove all their equipment to no
avail. Connexes, fuel tanks, etc. were still on the site as of today, accruing daily yard storage fees.
r.. When the owner was informed he again needed to remove the equipment and pay the city the fees, he
now stated the city owed him for the donated helicopter rescues of 2009, which tallied over $8,000.
A final decision had yet to be made on whether the City should pay for the rescues. At issue was the
fact that the owner donated those rescues and announced such at a City Council meeting, but then
withdrew the donation after the City failed to approve his requested lease. In any case, the City would
at least offset any payment to the company; against charges the company owes the City for storage
fees.
In reference to the City filing with the courts of eminent domain for the final property
acquisition for the North Forest Acres Levee Road, Attorney Bill Cummings was served on May 29,
2010. An answer from him on the complaint, made on behalf of all owners, was due on or before June
18, 2010.
Governor Parnell did not veto any of Seward's projects in the State's budget process. The list
of approved projects included the following: $1 million for Alaska Sealife Center Biofouling
Remediation, $150,000 for Alutiq Pride Shellfish Hatchery Repairs and Upgrades, $1.5 million for
Jesse Lee Home Restoration, $1.5 million for Mooring Dolphins and Dock Improvements at SMC,
$300,000 for Coast Guard Building Relocation, $2 million for Security Float in the Small Boat
Harbor, and $4.7 million for the Seward Community Library. In total with other awards to the
community, Seward received approximately $49.67M for projects that impacted Seward.
West construction was setting up operations to begin blasting quarry rock for the harbor
breakwater extension. They had set up an office trailer in the south uplands parking lot. They
started blasting last week and will continue until August. Actual work to extend the breakwater was
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
June 14, 2010 Volume 38, Page 299
scheduled to begin after the Salmon Derby. A chain link fence was installed around the Q -float gut
barge in an attempt to keep our friendly sea lions out as a test project. The Harbor was currently in awl
the process of upgrading the northeast fish cleaning station.
The finance department was working with the City's refuse contractor to bring forward a new
contract for the City Council's review and approval. If approved by the Council, administration
intended to request that Council put this before the voters at the upcoming election in October, as
required by the Seward City Code and Charter, which require franchise agreements to be voter -
approved.
The draft RFP for construction of the North Forest Acres Levee/Road was being finalized.
The next task would be to begin preparation to bid the banking services contract for the City.
Public Works was busy with Phase 1 of the Water Tank Project was ahead of schedule and the
contractor should be completed by end of June. The tie in would occur early in the week. There was
ongoing hydrant repair, replacement and valve maintenance. Many locates had been done at the
request of summer contractors. In the street department, painting was almost complete. The new
CAT (tractor D6) was in shop and ready for use. Storm surge work on the beachfront had been
completed and staff was working with P &R Department to complete the bike path paving in June.
They had also been preparing for Dept. of Homeland Security inspection on June 24
The Electric department was beginning the process of relocating the transmission line in
conjunction with the North Forest Acres Levee/Road project. Minimizing the amount of time spent
with this line down was critical because the City would be on generation as long as the transmission
line was down. The Electric line crew completed installing the new electric service to the AT &T cell
phone tower on June 10, 2010. Wood poles were ordered to use on the North Forest Acres Levee
project and to repair the damaged poles on the transmission line.
City Clerk's Report, City Clerk Jean Lewis stated in May she attended the International
Institute of Municipal Clerks in Reno, NV which helped with clerk certifications and recertification.
She attended classes on leadership, ethics, customer service, motivation, records management and
more. Lewis noted her focus was on records management as it was a big problem currently in their
office. A resolution would come forward to the council regarding this. She sent an email around
today stating Seward had been announced as a runner up for the Civic Plus website makeover
contest. Lewis thanked council and citizens to allow her to go to training in these economic times
and it was much needed. Both she and Deputy Clerk Johanna Dollerhide were both on committees
for the Alaska Association of Municipal Clerks and both were chairs of committees. Lastly, Lewis
noted the trophies displayed tonight were from Obihiro, Japan for the Mount Marathon Race and the
Silver Salmon Derby.
Mayoral Report, Vice Mayor Bardarson referred council to the written report in the packet
as provided before the Mayor. She briefly listed the many events the mayor had attended for the
month of May.
Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations
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June 14, 2010 Volume 38, Page 300
A report was given on the International Friendship mural project by Dot Bardarson
and Jennifer Headtke.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 2010 -053, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Settlement Agreement
With Chugach Electric Association.
Motion (Keil/Amberg) Approve Resolution 2010 -053
Erchinger noted during budget approval, rates increased by five percent as well as an interim
rate increase for Chugach's customers. The city had been fortunate to team up with fellow utilities
against Chugach with their rate increases. Seward experienced a rate increase as a part of this
interim rate. The settlement agreement would be a slight decrease in what Seward was currently
paying. To individual customers, it wouldn't be a rate change, necessarily, but this was being
assessed. Erchinger felt it was time to have a full blown rate study, but not with this resolution
tonight.
In response to Shafer, Erchinger estimated a rate study would probably cost about $80,000.
In response to Shafer, Electric Utility Manager John Foutz stated expanding services
would probably help and hurt the utilities. There would be more cost associated with the
imp maintenance, but the revenues would certainly out weigh the costs. Erchinger stated this was just the
cost of them doing business, and had nothing to do with fuel charges. The bottom line was there
should be no negative impact to the customers with this rate settlement.
In response to Valdatta, Erchinger said the fuel costs were what was really hurting users.
Shafer echoed this was not the city's fuel charge; it was Chugach' fuel charge. The Regulatory
Commission of Alaska (RCA) considered the price of fuel in their reviews.
Foutz stated the RCA at one point did review Chugach' rates presented for fuel. Because
there was such a fluctuation in costs, they went to the RCA and requested to be able to break out the
energy charge from the fuel charge. RCA noted the fuel charge was to be just for the cost of fuel.
Shafer wanted to know what Chugach was doing about gas supply being limited in
Southcentral Alaska. Foutz said they were putting in new generation, but it would be natural gas.
Basically they were at a standstill. GRETC addressed more of the long term issues rather than the
short term. The task force he and the mayor were on was attempting to address the short term issues
- one was gas storage — where a company would come in and pump natural gas into the ground as a
reserve tank. He thought that was the best solution at the moment, hydro electric was another
possibility but wouldn't be ready for many years. The gas pipeline was another long term solution.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2010 -054, Approve The Seward Area Public Transit Human Services Community
Coordination Plan For Submission To The Alaska Department Of Transportation And Public
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June 14, 2010 Volume 38, Page 301
Facilities.
Motion (Keil/Shafer) Approve Resolution 2010 -054
Erchinger stated the purpose of this resolution was to be eligible for grant funds with the
ultimate goal to reduce redundant services in the community. This was a six month process with a
goal of getting entities together to provide transportation. She pointed out no one was committing to
specific funding in this resolution. Terry added some of the groups participating were the Seward
Senior Center, Providence, Seaview Community Services, the Independent Living Center, as well as
the Mayor and city staff. Several public meetings were also held. These were strictly proposals and
a draft to submit to the state.
Smith wanted to know if they would hold us to the fire on these recommendations. Terry did
not know if they could ask for something not in this recommendation.
By unanimous consent, council suspended the rules to allow Jennifer Beckmann with Central
Area Rural Transit System, Inc. (CARTS) to speak. Beckmann called the report conceptual and
that CARTS needed something to turn into the state to apply for grant funds. CARTS had tried to
spend funds in the past and it was difficult because it required a match. The requirement for this
coordinated plan involved a certain group of funds for transportation. Approving this would allow
funds to start July 1 to expand the already in place voucher program that the Independent Living
Center had with the taxi companies. The report was a draft; and Beckmann hoped to meet again in
the fall. It was not set in stone nor did it carry any fiscal note. She stated the plan would like to
utilize vehicles in the community rather than put new vehicles on the road.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2010 -055, Supporting The Seward Mural Society's Proposal To Oversee Japanese
Artists Paint An International Friendship Mural In Obihiro Japan In 2010 And Inviting
Artists To Paint A Similar Mural In Seward In 2013 As City Birthday Gifts In Honor Of The
Withstanding Sister City Relationship.
Motion ( Keil/Shafer) Approve Resolution 2010 -055
Erchinger spoke in support of this concept. This agenda statement noted the individuals from
the community who would travel, but she thought the city would do what they could to support the
mural society.
Bardarson didn't think they could commit funds.
Motion to Amend (Shafer /Keil) Amend Resolution 2010 -055, by striking "a
couple Seward artists" and adding "a small
group of Seward artists" in the 4th
Whereas, and replacing "resurrect" with
"erect" in the 5 Whereas.
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June 14, 2010 Volume 38, Page 302
Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous
Motion to Amend (Shafer /Keil) Amend Resolution 2010 -055, by striking
"reciprocate" and adding "participate in a
mutual exchange" in Section 2.
Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous
Main Motion Passed as Amended Unanimous
OTHER NEW BUSINESS
Appoint three applicants to the Historic Preservation Commission.
Motion (Shafer /Amberg) Appoint Ryan Reynolds, Catherine
Richardson, and Tim Sczawinski to the
commission with two terms expiring May
2013 and one term expiring May 2011.
Motion Passed Unanimous Consent
Council scheduled a work session on emergency repairs to the T -line for June 21, 2010 at 5:30
p.m.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No action required)
CITIZENS' COMMENTS — None
COUNCILS' COMMENTS
Shafer said it was her bookstore's second year anniversary today and thanked the citizen's
for their support.
Smith said Seward did well on the governor's budget, and the city manager and mayor spent
a lot of time on this.
Valdatta complimented all involved with the combat fishing tournament.
Amberg echoed Valdatta's comments and noted disappointment on the lack of coverage in
the media on this combat fishing event. She hoped next year there would be more involvement.
Bardarson thanked all volunteers in Seward.
,,,,• COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS - None
ADJOURNMENT
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
June 14, 2010 Volume 38, Page 303
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