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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08222011 City Council Minutes • City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes August 22, 2011 Volume 38, Page 647 CALL TO ORDER The August 22, 2011 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Willard E. Dunham. OPENING CEREMONY Police Chief Tom Clemons led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Willard E. Dunham presiding and Jean Bardarson Vanta Shafer Marianna Keil Bob Valdatta Ristine Casagranda Comprising a quorum of the Council; and Phillip Oates, City Manager Johanna Kinney, City Clerk Brenda Ballou, Deputy City Clerk Absent — Tom Smith CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING - None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda The following was pulled from the agenda: Ordinance 2011 -005 Amending Portions Of Seward City Code 15.10.220 Development Requirements Table 15.10.225 Land Uses Allowed And 15.10.225 Land Uses Allowed Table To Change, Update And Accommodate The Wishes Of The Public. The following was added to the agenda: Discussion on City Manager hire. Schedule work session to discuss extending the transfer pit and the length of the rails at ow. Seward Ship's DryDock to accommodate US Coast Guard vessels. Motion Passed Unanimous City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes August 22, 2011 Volume 38, Page 648 J The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: The August 3, 2011 City Council Special Meeting Minutes And The August 8, 2011 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes Were Approved. Council Scheduled A Special Meeting For August 29, 2011 To Approve The Contract For Marine Engineering Services For The Seward Marine Industrial Center For The Development Of A Harbor Breakwater And Harbor Expansion Project To Follow Adjournment Of The 6:00 P.M. Building Codes Work Session. Resolution 2011 -063, Appropriating Funds In The Amount Of 7,322.00 From The Harbor Enterprise Fund Balance To Cover Excess Costs Associated With Critical Float Repairs. Resolution 2011 -064, Appropriating $250,000 In Grant Funds From The State Of Alaska For Alutiiq Pride Shellfish Hatchery Improvements And Expanding Shellfish Aquaculture In Alaska. Resolution 2011 -065, Appropriating $304,290 In Library Grant Funds And Approving Amendment No. 3 For The Contract With Rise ECI /Hyer For Architectural Services During The Construction Phase Of The Seward Museum /Library. Resolution 2011 -066, Appropriating $144,965 In Library Grant Funds And Approving Amendment No. 4 For The Contract With Rise Alaska For Project Management During The Construction Phase Of The Seward Museum /Library. Resolution 2011 -067, Authorizing The City Manager To Submit An Application To The Alaska Energy Efficiency Revolving Loan Fund For An Aggregate Amount Not To Exceed $678,533 To Pay The Cost Of Energy Upgrades At The Alaska SeaLife Center Building. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations and Awards The following proclamations and awards were given: 1. Founder's Day Proclamation 2. National Preparedness Month 3. Welcome to Alaska Recreation and Park Association (ARPA) Representative Chris Tuck, District 29, South Central Anchorage, made an impromptu visit and was recognized by the Mayor. He said there were 138 high schools in the state of Alaska with fewer than 30 students; of that, roughly 70 high schools had less than 10 students. He was concerned about keeping children in school because if there were fewer than six students in the school, the school would be closed. The Jesse Lee Home School project was a great solution for City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes August 22, 2011 Volume 38, Page 649 those few students from many rural areas throughout the state to attend a good school, without the entire family having to uproot and move from their community. Having the Jesse Lee Horne School open up would provide a sense of pride for the community and students alike. He encouraged the council to keep moving forward with the project. Chamber of Commerce Report, Cindy Clock stated the Silver Salmon Derby was a great success. Ticket sales: 4,500 daily tickets sold; 3,500 Derby tickets sold; 2,000 more pounds of fish turned in this year than last year; total poundage turned in this year was 12,314 pounds. She thanked the 150 volunteers who took part and supported the Derby and she thanked the city and harbor for their support. She noted that women fishermen carne on strong this year. The Discovery Channel filmed during the Derby and would be showing it late this year or early in 2012. The Derby volunteer appreciation would be a Fox Island dinner cruise on September 2, 2011. The Chamber would be working with the Alaska Railroad to host the first -ever Fall Foliage Train on September 17 -18, 2011; passengers would receive passbooks (printed by the Alaska Railroad) to bring around to businesses to be stamped. The Chamber would also host the Meet the Candidates night prior to the election. City Manager's Report, City Manager Phillip Oates thanked the Chamber for a successful Silver Salmon Derby. He also recognized several new employees: Robert Ivy joined the Police Department as a new dispatcher; Shannon Huston would be starting in mid - September as the new Electric Executive Assistant; and Tarrah Beals started as the new Utility Counter Cashier /Receptionist. Oates asked for an agenda item to be added to the September 26, 2011 City Council regular meeting agenda regarding the Management & Operating Agreement for Seward Ship's DryDock. Oates and Mayor Dunham would be meeting with Governor Parnell's Chief of Staff on August 30, 2011 to discuss the Coastal Villages Region Fund. The City of Seward received two responses to the recent request for proposal regarding the Seward Marine Industrial Center's engineering contract; one from R &M Consultants and one from PND Engineers Incorporated. R &M Consultants would be awarded the bid at the August 29, 2011 Special Meeting of the City Council. The Scheffler Creek Pedestrian Bridge was opened this evening with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Oates invited everyone to go and visit the bridge. The closing for the general obligation bond for the Library Museum Project would be held on September 14 -15, 2011. As City Manager, Oates would be accompanied by the Finance Director Kris Erchinger, City Clerk Johanna Kinney, and City Attorney Cheryl Brooking. Mayor's Report, Mayor Willard E. Dunham stated this had been a ribbon - cutting month. It was a great Derby; he complimented the work the Chamber did and noted he enjoyed being a judge. Dunham said he attended the Mayors' Conference in Sitka and he had the opportunity to speak with the NAPCO representative from Washington, D.C. plus two mayors who asked to get City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes August 22, 2011 Volume 38, Page 650 involved in funding for the US Army Corps of Engineers project. Dunham spoke with Attorney General Tom Burns about the permit process and that its benefit for the state; following up on that conversation, Dunham spoke today with Assistant Attorney General Tim Condon from Juneau and said he wanted the state to get involved. Randy Ruaro, Deputy Chief of Staff, and Senator Stedman asked about the progress of the Library Museum Project; the Senator said he saw more money going into that project and that other cities were pursuing similar endeavors. The city received an invitation from Yeosu, Korea for five people to attend the World Expo as their guests in May 21 -24, 2012. The Jujiro Wada group would be coming in September, bringing 25 visitors to go to Nome and Fairbanks, and they also wanted to come to mile zero in Seward. PUBLIC HEARINGS Resolution 2011 -061, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Lease Agreement With The United States Of America For Tract A, Marina Subdivision, Seward Small Boat Harbor, For The Purpose Of Operating A Marine Dispatch Building. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. No one appeared to address the Council and the public hearing was closed. Motion (Bardarson /Keil) Approve Resolution 2011 -061 Oates recognized Scott Bartlett from the Army Recreation Center. He also recognized Kari Anderson and thanked her for her service as Harbormaster. Scott Bartlett stated that he saw the potential for upgrading the existing building. It had been five years since the project started; most of the delays had been due to the Army Corps of Engineers giving the land back to the City of Seward. He said it was important to get the project off the ground this year. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2011 -062, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Amendment To The Lease Agreement 75 -055 With The United States Of America For Lot 2, Block 6, Marina Subdivision, Seward Small Boat Harbor, For The Purpose Of Extending The Term Of The Lease To October 31, 2011. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. No one appeared to address the Council and the public hearing was closed. Motion (Bardarson /Keil) Approve Resolution 2011 -062 Oates stated this lease extension of one month would allow the US Coast Guard enough time to move their building; no costs would be incurred by the city. Mayor Dunham asked why the city had to go through this legal process; Oates responded that the relationship between the US Coast Guard and the Alaska Railroad made things more complicated. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes August 22, 2011 Volume 38, Page 651 Motion Passed Unanimous NEW BUSINESS Ordinances for Introduction Ordinance 2011 -004, Amending Portions Of Seward City Code 15.10.140 Definitions To Change, Update And Accommodate The Wishes Of The Public. Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Introduce Ordinance 2011 -004 Mayor Dunham questioned why these actions were being taken at this time. Assistant City Manager /Community Development Director Michelle Weston replied that it was part of an ongoing effort to update the language of the Land Use Code. Vice Mayor Bardarson asked if the language relating to the new Brewpub definition could be expanded to include `brewing is primarily for on- premise consumption, with limited off - premise sales...' Mayor Dunham was concerned with tightening definitions when there hasn't been a lot of discussion. Weston suggested they have a work session for the Council and the Planning & Zoning Commission. L Motion to Postpone (Keil /Shafer) Introduction of Ordinance 2011 -004 Postponed to the October 24, 2011 Meeting Motion Passed Unanimous Consent Discussion on City Manager hire. City Clerk Johanna Kinney sought further direction relating to scheduling a date for in- person interviews for the three candidates. The evening of September 8, 2011 worked for all of council. There would be a public reception from 5:00 -7:00 p.m., with the interviews to follow at 7:00 p.m. Dunham asked if the Bear Room at the SeaLife Center would be available for the reception. Kinney asked council to consider how they wanted to perform reference checks on the candidates. Shafer wanted council to perform the reference checks instead of hiring a consultant, but was comfortable using a consultant from AMLJIA. Kinney would present final interview questions at the Special Meeting on August 29, 2011 for council's approval. Council scheduled a work session to discuss extending Seward Ship's DryDock enclosed work area in order to accommodate the US Coast Guard vessels for October 10, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. COUNCIL COMMENTS Shafer was pleased to hear about the reconsideration of the size of parking spaces by the City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes August 22, 2011 Volume 38, Page 652 Planning & Zoning Commission. Keil congratulated Kari Anderson and sent her best wishes. Regarding the Flood Service Area Board, Keil stated no one had applied; there was the potential to make it an at -large seat. Dunham suggested they appoint a council member to attend instead. The Planning & Zoning Commission and Historic Preservation Commission both also had vacancies. Bardarson thanked Kari Anderson, and the Chamber for the Derby. Casagranda thanked the Chantaqua Circus Fair, Gail Bernard and the Seward Arts Council; she wished everyone good luck for school starting tomorrow. Valdatta was concerned about PND as a vendor. Dunham sent his condolences to Karen Swartz's family; she was a council member for eight years; she helped found SAAMS for the Alaska SeaLife Center and helped found the native clinic. He congratulated the Chamber on a well -run Derby. The Obihiro mural project by the Seward Mural Society may be a project that the council would have to get involved in. CITIZENS' COMMENTS - None COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS - None ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:52 p.m. a Johanna Ki ► ney NBC / illard E. Dunh City Clerk l � 4 '� ��'� Mayor i pso it (City 0 OF S E , q ' � , � i • t #:% ••••: 0 • • • SEAL • • i EAL i� • 1 * -.4, O r 5 O s