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Home My WebLink About01282013 City Council Minutes City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes January 28, 2013 Volume 39, Page 66 CALL TO ORDER hato The January 28, 2013 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 Bob Valdatta Ristine Casagranda Marianna Keil comprising a quorum of the Council; and Jim Hunt, City Manager Johanna Kinney, City Clerk Brenda Ballou, Deputy City Clerk Absent — None CITIZEN COMMENTS Wolfgang Kurtz announced that KIBH FM Community Advisory Board would start broadcasting in Seward late this spring. They were having a community meeting on February 7, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. The public was invited to attend. Deb Bond spoke about the Student Exchange Program with Obihiro, Japan. She was the Sister City Coordinator for the program. Bond had been involved in the program since 1972, first as an applicant and most recently as the city's coordinator. She thanked council for their support of the program for the past 40 years. Bond thought that airfare rates had become so expensive that it was putting the program at risk. The cost for a 9 -10 day stay was beginning to outweigh the benefit and experience. She asked council to consider matching student fund raising efforts or covering half the airfare. Tim McDonald wanted to speak of SMIC because it was a complex project. He thought council should study the entire Resurrection Bay and not just the SMIC site alone. He was concerned that the current plans for SMIC development would result in a small boutique boat harbor. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes January 28, 2013 Volume 39, Page 67 Wendy Focose from Representative Mike Chenault's office introduced herself to the public and council. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (TerryBardarson) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Resolutions 2013 -007 and 2013 -008 were moved from the regular agenda to the consent agenda. A new agenda item, discuss the city's top three federal priorities as discussed at the January 21, 2013 Work Session, was added under Other New Business Items. Terry disclosed that her husband works for GCI, one of the companies involved with the consent to assignment to the lease agreement for Resolution 2013 -007, but neither of them received any financial compensation due to the approval of this resolution. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Resolution 2013 -007, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Consent To Assignment To Alaska Wireless Network, LLC To The Lease Agreement 94 -092 With ACS Wireless, Inc., As Successor In Interest To Mactel Cellular System For A Portion Of U.S.S. 4828, Within Section 12, TIS, R1W, Seward Meridian, Seward Recording District, Third Judicial District, State Of Alaska. Resolution 2013 -008, Supporting Legislative Efforts To Construct A Natural Gas Pipeline From The North Slope To South - Central Alaska. There was no objection to the liquor license renewals for American Legion Post #5 and Gene's Place. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations & Awards The Adelmann Appreciation Award was presented to Tessa Adelmann. A proclamation was read for Parks and Recreation Sponsor Appreciation. Chamber of Commerce Report, Cindy Clock handed out the new economic development relocation packets. The Silver Salmon Derby Fish Restoration Committee recently hosted Dan Bosch, where it was noted private anglers brought in more fish than charters. She thanked Skip ell City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes January 28, 2013 Volume 39, Page 68 Reierson for his work at the State of Alaska Chamber of Commerce. The new safety rule for Mount L. Marathon in place this year was a time limit on senior and junior racers reaching their mid -race turn around point. The Fourth of July celebration would be held on Wednesday and Thursday, July 3 and 4, 2013 this year. The chamber would be taking part in "Lemonade Day" which was designed to engage children and foster an entrepreneurial spirit. Clock would be attending a Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District meeting later this week. The chamber and the city were partnering a booth together for the upcoming Anchors Away Boat Show. Clock submitted a tentative chamber budget to council. City Manager's Report, Jim Hunt stated there had been no purchase orders approved by the City Manager for between $10,000 and $50,000 since the last council meeting. Administration met with AIDEA on January 22, 2013 and discussed predevelopment agreement for the SMIC project, and task and cost schedule for AIDEA involvement in same as part of bond package plan to State. In the Harbor, the seawall built at the south side of SMIC was preventing erosion from the winter storm surge, but the area around the North Dock Ramp was eroding the inside of the sheet pile cell. Harbor staff placed barriers to secure the site. After the normal process of trying to contact people by letter and phone, 13 vessel owners had been formally notified that their moorage slips were scheduled for involuntary relinquishment, in accordance with City Code. Four Seasons Boatyard reported they would be closing effective July 31, 2013 and owners of the 86 vessels in this yard had been notified. Metco expected to start the demolition of the old Coast Guard building on January 29, 2013. In the Fire Department, the contractor had completed the demolition and hazard abatement for the station' s renovation project and was installing new piping and electrical boxes. The department's new engine had its final inspection last week by the Fire Chief and Mike McHone. They were impressed with it and had the manufacturer add a few things without any cost to the City. The staff of the library museum would like to thank everyone who attended the dedication ceremonies and opening, which was almost 500 people. Parks and Recreation Departments continued with snow and ice removal, picnic table refurbishing's, Kids Carnivals, dances, TYC Teen Time, basketball and volleyball winter leagues, rock wall climbing, archery, rollerskating and Urbach's Youth Basketball League. In the Electric Department, the Alaska Railbelt Cooperative Transmission and Electric Company (ARCTEC) now had a website at http: / /arctec.coop /. John Foutz and Willard Dunham continued to represent the City of Seward on the ARCTEC board, but now the public could monitor the progress and direction of the organization. Foutz and Dunham attended several telephonic meetings recently to discuss legislative strategy. The Electric Department contracted with EPS to do some maintenance on the Fort Raymond transformers last year and they were being scheduled for this summer to continue additional maintenance and testing. The department was almost finished with a preliminary design for the warehouse which would be included in the next City Manager's Report. The Electric Department was planning to continue system upgrades and replacements to Camelot Subdivision this construction season. �„�„ Mayoral Report, David Seaward thanked everyone for attending. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes January 28, 2013 Volume 39, Page 69 Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations ..r Joyanna Geisler and Melinda Maddox from the Independent Living Center (ILC) presented an overview of the ILC's L.E.A.D. (Leadership, Empowerment, Advocacy, and Development) Program. An Incorporation Centennial Ad Hoc Committee Final Report was submitted by Chair Beverly Dunham and presented by fellow committee member Cindy Clock. PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinance 2013 -001, Amending Portions Of Seward City Code §15.10.215 Parking. Assistant City Manager Ron Long said one item deleted was separate parking for marine charter businesses. These changes impacted new developments and new permits only and did not apply to any currently existing parking. Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public hearing was opened. Tim McDonald said he wanted council to consider that many Alaskans drove full -size pick- up trucks. The public hearing was closed. Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Enact Ordinance 2013 -001 Valdatta was concerned that off - street parking was limited to no longer than 72 hours. Motion Passed Unanimous NEW BUSINESS Other New Business Council scheduled a work session on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 6:00 p.m. to discuss the adoption of the 2012 International Codes. Council scheduled a joint work session on Monday, February 11, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. to review 2013 annual priorities with the City's Boards and Commissions. • j Council discussed a community fluoridation compromise. Casagranda suggested forming a committee that included professionals to determine the most cost - effective approaches to a City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes January 28, 2013 Volume 39, Page 70 compromise. No committee was formed at this time, and it was decided that discussions would 5 irr continue to find the best solution for the community. Council discussed Representative Tammie Wilson's request for support on House Bill 35. Council directed administration to write a letter of support. Council discussed the status of the 2013 Student Exchange Program with Obihiro, Japan. Bardarson wondered if the Seward International Friendship Association (SIFA) could apply for a grant from the Seward Community Foundation. The Alaska Community Foundation had a potential endowment program that the city or past participants could contribute to. Valdatta suggested contacting the American Legion to see if they could help. By unanimous consent, council suspended the rules and asked SIFA president Jim Herbert to speak. Herbert noted the cost of airfare was particularly high, and high school students wanted to work during the summer to earn money for college and spending money. It seemed many other things competed for high school students' attention these days. Keil suggested sending an alumni delegation to Obihiro if there was no interest by students. Shafer suggested council make a one -time donation for this year's travel, and establish a regular program, as this was the 40 anniversary of the exchange. Terry suggested council approve $1,000 per student for a maximum of two students to be taken from the council's contingency account. Council directed the City Clerk to bring forward a resolution approving this action. ir.. Council discussed the city's top three Federal legislative priorities. Motion (Terry /Keil) Accept the city's top three Federal legislative priorities. Because this language was not included in the packet for the public, City Clerk Johanna Kinney read the priorities into the record: Priority #1. From Section 1 -A: Appropriations and Grants, #4: "$17.9 million for extending the Seward Marine Industrial Center (SMIC) basin breakwater to improve and increase ship moorage and loading capacity, ship repair capabilities, seafood processing operations, and barge landings." Priority #2. From Section 1 -B: Authorizations and Beneficial Legislation, #2: "Authorization language amending the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (Public Law 110- 114, 121 STAT. 1205) as follows: a. Amending Section 5032 (1) by striking "Tunnel" from the title; (2) by striking "Long- Term" from subsection (a); (3) by striking "Long- Term" from subsection (a)(1); (4) by striking "Long- Term" from subsection (a)(2). City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes January 28, 2013 Volume 39, Page 71 b. Striking subsection (b) in Section 5032 and inserting language directing the J Secretary to conduct a study to determine whether an alternative method of flood diversion in Lowell Canyon is feasible. Feasibility shall be determined based on risk reduction rather than cost - benefit analysis. Federal cost share for the study shall be the same as the Federal share for the original project." Priority #3. From Section 1 -B: Authorizations and Beneficial Legislation, #1: "Authorization language in the Water Resource Development Act that the $2.66 million local government cost share paid by the City of Seward to the Army Corps of Engineers satisfies the total cost share requirements for Phase 1 and Phase 2 Of the Seward Harbor Expansion Project (additional costs were incurred in a second phase of the project to correct a design deficiency by the Army Corps of Engineers)." Motion Passed Unanimous Consent Going forward, Long noted council could expect to rank the entire federal priority list. Council directed administration to bring forward a resolution at the February 11, 2013 meeting formally approving the top three Federal legislative priorities. COUNCIL COMMENTS Keil congratulated Tessa Adelmann on her award. r.r� Casagranda said on Monday evenings Tom Tougas was providing free business classes at the library. The Young Entrepreneurs of Seward (YES) group was welcoming new businesses to join. She said the public could contact the Chamber of Commerce for more information. Casagranda announced she would be attending the KPEDD Economic Outlook Forum meeting this week with Ron Long and Cindy Clock in Homer. Terry thanked the Independent Living Center (ILC) for coming tonight. She thanked the Planning and Zoning Commission for the parking ordinance council enacted tonight. Terry attended the Seward Prevention Coalition community meeting, which had 100 people in attendance. She congratulated Tessa Adelmann and welcomed Wendy Focose to Seward. Seaward also welcomed Focose from Representative Chenault's office. CITIZEN COMMENTS Tim McDonald said the funds used for any harbor development would be coming from the State of Alaska, and therefore he felt morally obligated to provide the very best possible harbor for the citizens. He encouraged a full study be completed for the whole bay to ensure that the biggest picture was being considered. He cautioned the city in pursuing a boutique harbor for a single customer. City of' Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes January 28, 2013 Volume 39, Page 72 COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Valdatta said there were studies that had been conducted for harbor development. Long said the SMIC development was not a boutique harbor development project and there was a multiple -use plan being considered. Long hoped that the SMIC harbor would, in fact, lead to additional private development. EXECUTIVE SESSION Motion (Bardarson /Shafer) Go into Executive Session to discuss the City Manager's Evaluation. Motion Passed Unanimous Consent Council went into Executive Session at 8:58 p.m. Council came out of Executive Session at 9:53 p.m. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 9:53 p.m. ism ' DSOL 4 Air e __ ■•■1111ii J. anna Kinn *, MC Davi. Seawar• 1 ity Clerk Mayor (City Seal) 'ss sf p s O 6 ' w • 0 n f s _ _ him r