HomeMy WebLinkAbout04092012 City Council Minutes City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
April 9, 2012 Volume 38, Page 804
CALL TO ORDER
The April 9, 2012 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00
p.m. by Mayor David Seaward.
OPENING CEREMONY
Lieutenant Louis Tiner led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
David Seaward presiding and
Jean Bardarson Christy Terry
Vanta Shafer Marianna Keil
Bob Valdatta
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Jim Hunt, City Manager
Johanna Kinney, City Clerk
Absent — Ristine Casagranda
CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED
FOR PUBLIC HEARING
Jill Simpson spoke on the Seward Prevention Coalition and noted recent polls showed there
was a tolerance or acceptance in underage substance abuse in Seward. She promoted the Town Hall
Meeting on April 17, 2012 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Legends Building and hoped people would
attend. The coalition wanted to start a dialogue in the community to bring forward awareness and
help youth who were struggling and /or using substances. Alcohol was extremely dangerous in the
brain development of young people.
Jeff Mow spoke on his support as a citizen and as Superintendent of Kenai Fjords National
Park of green energy and renewable energy in Seward, even at an increased cost. He showed a press
release showing some of the proposed rehabilitation concepts for the Old Solly's building to be used
as the National Park Service administrative office building and asked the community to provide
feedback. The National Park Service would be accessing three properties in downtown Seward,
including the Legends building, the Mai property and the old Harbor Dinner Club property. The
National Park Service would also be retaining their building at the harbor.
4
r. Jim Herbert announced training would be held next week by Alyeska Pipeline Service
Company's Ship Escort/Response Vessel System (SERVS) in Seward. Money generated by the boats
was a good economic burst to the community. He informed council that two city members had been
door
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
April 9, 2012 Volume 38, Page 805
selected to represent Seward in the adult exchange with Obihiro, Japan — Amy Carney and Tember
El iason. The period for selecting students for their Japanese exchange program was still open and he
encouraged anyone interested to apply.
Brendan Ryan from Exit Glacier Guides was excited to be here. He was there regarding the
RFP for the city shuttle contract. Exit Glacier Guides submitted a proposal and received an email that
the RFP was disqualified due to lack of required references. He felt the requirements were rather
opaque and not consistent. Their proposal was approximately $30,000 less than the accepted
proposal. His company used renewal energy and he had proposed combining services to shuttle
people out to Exit Glacier that would save people money, as well as the city.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Bardarson /Terry) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Motion Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
The March 12, 2012 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes, the March 16, 2012 City Council
Special Meeting Minutes, and the March 27, 2012 City Council Regular Meeting Minutes were
approved.
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations and Awards
Nora Hartmann from Seaview Community Services accepted a proclamation for Child
Abuse Prevention and Awareness & Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Borough Assembly Report, Sue McClure stated the Certificate ofNeed that was submitted
for an ambulatory surgical center in Kenai had been denied. The assembly met on the March 13,
2012 regarding the Central Peninsula Hospital and appropriated $4,700,000 for a radiation/oncology
center. The assembly also appropriated $200,000 to hire a consultant to explore ways to stem health
care costs in the borough. Last Tuesday, Mayor Navarre proclaimed April as sexual assault
awareness month and said he participated in the Choose Respect March & Rally against domestic
violence. The assembly had a support resolution supporting Cooper Landing becoming a more
walkable' community. There would be an ordinance to redefine the boundaries of the nine districts
within the borough as a result of the census and McClure's district would then extend into Sterling.
This redistricting was just for the borough based on population results from the census. The road
maintenance budget was supplemented by $1,400,000 due to the heavy snow this winter. Mayor
Navarre would be presenting the borough's budget at the May 1, 2012 meeting, and had stated he's
providing for what the school district asked for. The Borough Assembly would meet in Seward on
Apri 1 17, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the council chambers and encouraged people to attend. At that meeting
there would be ordinances up for public hearing that impacted Seward, including the appropriation
of the cruise ship head tax from 2011 ($357,522.50 to Seward), and an ordinance to accept a grant
City of Seward, Alaska City Council A4inuic.■
April 9, 2012 Volume 38, Page 806
for $230,000 for the Seward /Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board (SBCFSAB) to complete a local
flood hazard mitigation plan. As well, there would be the second of three hearings for the ordinance
that would change all of the service area board members from being elected members to being
appointed, and an ordinance to amend the borough's anadromous stream protection ordinance. She
announced that there was still an opening on the SBCFSAB.
City Manager's Report, Jim Hunt stated he approved an expenditure in the amount of
$49,500 to develop the Lowell Point Wastewater Facility Treatment Plan to Michael L. Foster &
Associates which was a deliverable to the Alaska Department of Environmental Control (ADEC) by
August 2012. He appointed Finance Director Kris Erchinger as Acting City Manager while he was
traveling with Long and Bardarson to Washington, DC next week. The public was reminded and
encouraged to take part in an important survey being organized by Seward Wellness for All and
Providence on Saturday April 14, 2012. He would be negotiating a contract with First Student, Inc.
for the 2012 -2013 shuttle bus service in town. This was 100% paid for through tariffs paid by cruise
ship passengers and forwarded through the State of Alaska. The city was still seeking students for the
2012 Exchange Program with Obihiro, Japan. There were three student openings available. There
was a diesel spill in the harbor on April 6, 2012 and ADEC and the Coast Guard were both notified.
Harbor personnel responded swiftly to protect the area. The men's restroom at the harbor was
vandalized over the weekend and the cost to repair was estimated to be about $1,000.
There would be a Special Town Hall Meeting on April 17, 2012 from 6:30 — 8:30 p.m. hosted
by the Seward Prevention Coalition to discuss alcohol and drug use /abuse in Seward. Public Works
was trying to widen the streets by removing more snow, and they were working to improve drainage
and mitigating flooding. The cold mix for repairing potholes had not yet arrived. The department was
working towards totaling the needed appropriation for rectifying snow and ice budget. The Dairy I ill
Drainage Improvements RFP for engineering and design was nearly complete and would be
advertised soon. The proposed Lowell Point and SMIC Lagoons Sludge removal project was placed
on the Alaska Clean Water Fund Point Source Funding priority list for a total available amount of
$490,000 in a low interest loan. The proposed Lowell Canyon Water Storage Tank Refurbishment
project was placed highly on the Alaska Drinking Water Fund Point Source Funding Planning list so
it appeared there may be an opportunity to borrow money at 1.5 %.
In response to council, Hunt stated he would follow up to see if the infra -red pothole mixer
was working or not. He would consult with finance on the status of Medicaid's reimbursement rates.
Senator Begich's staff was in Seward last Friday and met with administration and Vice Mayor
Bardarson to discuss Coastal Villages and other Seward needs. They visited the Alaska SeaLife
Center and the Seward Mountain Haven while they were here. Seaward inquired about the possibility
of contracting out parking management. Assistant City Manager Ron Long stated it was too late in
this season to issue an RFP, but it could be looked at for the next season. Seaward reiterated that he
wanted to encourage private investment for the city. Hunt said he would evaluate the system over the
summer and bring alternatives back to council.
Mayoral Report, David Seaward wished everyone a Happy Easter. Last Friday, he spoke to
Governor Parnell and John Moller, Senior Advisor of Rural Affairs. They wanted to touch base with
Mayor Seaward, discussed an overview of important Seward projects and expressed the governor's
budgetary support of Seward. Seaward received an email from Senator Giessel informing him of the
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
April g 2012 Volume 38, Page 807
Seward projects on the capital budget, including the North Seward Water Storage Tank and Pumping
Facility ($2,583,240), the Seward Vessel Wash -Down and Wastewater Recycling Facility
($641,300), the Seward Harbor ($1,180,000) and the Seward Marine Industrial Center Expansion
($10,000,000). Seaward attended the job fair held at AVTEC today to thank the employers and was
encouraged to hear that Seward's hospitality businesses were up 10 -20% so far this year and they
were looking for employees for this summer.
In response to council, Seaward said he discussed general Seward projects with the
Governor's office. Keil said it was a great idea for Seaward to go to the job fair and thank the
employers.
Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations
Library /Museum Director, Patty Linville, gave an update on the Seward Community
Library /Museum Project.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 2012 -023, Appropriating $222,601 For A Contract With First Student For
Operation Of The Seasonal Seward Shuttle Bus Service.
Motion (Bardarson /Keil) Approve Resolution 2012 -023 J
Long said the shuttles would arrive at each stop every half hour, and a stop at the Chamber of
Commerce had been added this year. This would be a two -year contract. Regarding Mr. Ryan's
earlier comments, Long said the Request For Proposals had been a two -step process: specifications
were one part (70 %) and cost was the other part (30 %). Two items caused one proposal to be non-
responsive: lack of references and a missing statement of non - collusion. He said they evaluated the
proposals submitted very carefully and recommended that the city award the contract to First
Student, Inc.
Terry asked if the shuttle service schedule for 2012 could include all types of licensed
transportation to expand the category and include other businesses besides taxis, and Long agreed to
make that change. In response to further council questions, Long conveyed that they had done
research on the vehicle requirements allowable by law and that there would be at least two busses
available on cruise ship days and one on non - cruise ship days. Seaward asked if any local companies
could help subcontract the handling of the luggage and Long said the proposers subcontracted their
services at their own discretion. Seaward would like to see coaches in the future instead of school
busses as any beautification and comfort in the future.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2012 -024, Authorizing A Contract With CRW Engineering Group, LLC For
Engineering, Surveying, Design And Bid Services For The Northeast Harbor Uplands Grading
And Drainage Project And To Appropriate $49,320.00 From The FY 2010 Designated
Legislative Grant/ Z -Float Project.
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
April 9, 2012 Volume 38, Page 808
Motion (Bardarson /Terry) Approve Resolution 2012 -024
Hunt stated the city had a discharge permit in place and the city could move forward
immediately.
Motion Passed Unanimous
OTHER NEW BUSINESS
The Mayor, with consent from the council, appointed Bev Dunham, Patty Linville, Margaret
Anderson, Cindy Clock and Dorothy Urbach to the Ad Hoc Incorporation Centennial
Committee. The members of the committee would be responsible for appointing their own
Chairperson. Council directed the committee to return with a proposed budget.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No action required) - None
COUNCILS' COMMENTS
Bardarson stated she would be traveling from April 11, 2012 through May 1, 2012, first for
city business with the Hunt and Long to Seattle and Washington, D.C. and then she would be taking
personal time. She encouraged everyone in the public to take the Seward Healthcare survey on April
14, 2012 as it was important to the city's healthcare needs. There would be a town hall meeting on
the April 17, 2012 and a library /museum fundraiser on April 28, 2012. The Animal Shelter would
have a fundraiser on May 5, 2012 to bathe, groom and brush animals.
Valdatta complimented the group for volunteering for the Ad Hoc Incorporation Centennial
Committee.
Terry said last week there had been a Mass Rescue Operation meeting with the U.S. Coast
Guard, cruise line and railroad representatives, and borough and city staff to review plans for
responding to cruise ship emergencies. There would be a swim meet at the high school this week.
She discovered that Cuno Hansen was back working for the Electric Department; she welcomed him
back and thanked all the electrical crew. She reiterated where the healthcare survey locations would
be found in town.
Seaward said the city would know at the end of April what funding they would receive from
the state. He thanked everyone for coming to the meeting and for watching on television.
CITIZENS' COMMENTS
Keith Campbell said the food bank at `He Will Provide' had a major flood last week, but
didn't lose any food. City crews were in the area and were able to divert the water flowing down the
hill into the building. They did a marvelous job on very short notice.
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS - None
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
April 9, 2012 Volume 38, Page 809
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ADJOURNMENT waif
The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 p.m.
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