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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04282014 City Council Minutes City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes April 28, 2014 Volume 39, Page 314 CALL TO ORDER The April 28, 2014 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by 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 Ristine Casagranda Christy Terry Marianna Keil David Squires Iris Darling comprising a quorum of the Council; and Jim Hunt, City Manager Johanna Kinney, City Clerk Nanci Richey, Administrative Assistant `„ Absent—Butts CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Brad Snowden reiterated his interest regarding the opportunity to have a memorandum of understanding with the City of Seward to research and develop a cruise shop dock in downtown Seward. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Terry/Keil) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Terry added Resolution 2014-040 to the consent agenda. Under Other New Business Items,Terry combined the following agenda items into one agenda item: schedule a follow-up Work Session to discuss the Air Force Recreation Camp Property,schedule a follow up Work Session to discuss the Electric Pole Yard located at 11555 Seward Highway, schedule a Work Session to discuss the Department of Transportation(DOT)property,and schedule { a Work Session to review all city-owned property. Terry pulled Resolution 2014-037 off the consent agenda. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes April 28, 2014 Volume 39, Page 315 Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Resolution 2014-036 Adopting The Planning And Zoning Commission Priorities From April 2014 To April 2015. Resolution 2014-038, In Support And Approval Of The Seward Historic Preservation Commission 2014-2015. Resolution 2014-040, Accepting A Grant In The Amount Of $1,100.85 from The Alaska Highway Safety Office For The Click It Or Ticket Campaign During The 2014 Enforcement Period Of May 19 -June 1, 2014, And Appropriating Funds. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations & Awards Proclamation recognizing Lieutenant Louis Tiner for 28 years of service on the Seward Police Department. National Public Safety Telecommunications Week Proclamation. Chamber of Commerce Report, Cindy Clock stated the Seward Industry Outlook Forum scheduled for May 8 and 9,2014 had been postponed.The Kodiak ComFish Alaska Show attended by Cindy Clock,Harbormaster Mack Funk and Andrew Mezirow from AVTEC was worth the time and resources. Clock announced upcoming events in Seward including chamber luncheons on May 2, 2014 with Andrew Mezirow speaking on the new fishing catch share plan, and May 16, 2014 with Nicole Schuh speaking from the Alaska Chamber. Other events included a Chamber of Commerce Open House on May 16,2014,the Military Appreciation Picnic headed up by the American Legion Post Five, the Combat Fishing Tournament, the Seward Harbor Opening, Lemonade Day and the Core Group Revitalization Meeting. City Manager's Report, City Manager Jim Hunt stated there were no purchase orders between $10,000 and $50,000 approved by the City Manager since the last council meeting. In Public Works,the Dairy Hill Drainage Mitigation project had begun.The project would be completed by the end of May,2014.In order to mitigate Lowell Point Sewage Lagoon issues,Public Works staff had found surface aeration systems in Anchorage and Canada and would discuss prices. Staff had been seeking approval from the Department of Environmental Conservation to utilize either of these surface aeration systems to minimize the odors this summer. Once that authorization had taken place, staff would move forward on the project early May.A representative from Alaska Rural Water had been in Seward assisting with gathering biological data to assist in the odor solution. Public Works expected engineering of the streets would take place over the summer of 2014. Road paving would take place the summer of 2015 and funding for roads would not be lost. The ADA Sidewalk Improvement Project would be done May,2014. There were some maintenance issues at City Hall that required closing the building April 23,2014 and April 24,2014. A few small City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes April 28, 2014 Volume 39, Page 316 sections of carpet would be replaced that were affected by flooding and staff was working on obtaining quotes. r In the Electric Department, City Council members were invited to tour Chugach Electric's Southcentral Power Project (SPP) and Homer Electric's Bradley Lake Hydroelectric Facility. The railbelt utilities were initiating plans to set up an economic dispatch center. Conceptually, there would be one place dispatching generation for all the utilities on the railbelt which would schedule the most economical generation to all participants. The Alaska Railbelt Cooperative Transmission and Energy Company(ARCTEC) was being considered as the possible entity capable of fulfilling this need. - In the Harbor Department, a problem was discovered near the end of the D Float Replacement Project. It was found that a number of plastic floatation tubs that support the dock structure were missing small plugs at the top of each tub above the water line. The tubs were covered with plywood and full of Styrofoam, so there was no easily observable problem. The long-term impact of the missing plugs was unclear. After first discussing the potential problem, a deficiency letter was sent from the project engineer to the contractor.The city would be holding the contractor's performance bond as well as monies that would normally be due to the contractor. Staff would be actively working with all parties to achieve a satisfactory solution. Assistant City Manager Ron Long reported on funding from the State of Alaska for various infrastructures including the Seward Marine Industrial Center(SMIC)and the Lowell Point Sewage Lagoon.$5.9 million from the governor's budget would be allocated to the SMIC Expansion Project and $1.3 million of state funds would be allocated to sludge dredging and removal at the Lowell Point Sewage Lagoon. Seward was now considered an eligible entity under the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) for developing fisheries in the arctic. This was important for the SMIC expansion. At the request of Casagranda, Terry clarified her comments from an earlier meeting. Terry restated she felt the city should hire a project manager as it was budgeted for this year or use the funds that haven't been used to contract a manager specifically to handle the lagoon issues. Other Reports,Announcements and Presentations Update on TelAlaska telecommunications completed in 2013 and plans for 2014.David J. Goggins, Vice President of Operations for TelAlaska gave a presentation to the City Council. Seward Economic Growth Plan Update on Alternative Energy.Michael Insalaco gave a presentation to the City Council. Port and Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB) Quarterly Report, Chair Deborah Altermatt stated the Port and Commerce Advisory Board continued to be a very efficient board and the seats remained filled.PACAB held meetings on February 19 and March 19,2014.They met with City Council on March 3, 2014 to discuss their annual priorities. Alternative energy had been a ire PACAB priority and Andy Baker would be at the library on May 21, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss alternative energy. PACAB had passed a resolution for an eight ton crane for I Dock and hoped that City Council would review it. City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes April 28, 2014 Volume 39, Page 317 Keil had heard discussion of an increase in passenger fees through Seward City News. Altermatt responded that request had not come before the board. PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinances for Public Hearing and Enactment Ordinance 2014-001, Amending Section 7.10.315 Of The Seward City Code Relating To Payment Of Transient (Guest) Moorage. Motion (Terry/Keil) Enact Ordinance 2014-001 Funk stated this ordinance was introduced at the last City Council meeting and it would allow guests to bring their boat to Seward to take advantage of the Seward Harbor's monthly rate at any time rather than paying in advance. 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 Passed Unanimous Ordinance 2014-002, Amending Portions Of Seward City Code §15.10.140 (B) Specific Definitions And §15.10.225 Land Uses Allowed Table Affecting Storage Containers And Temporary Structures. Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Enact Ordinance 2014-002 Long stated this ordinance would allow for more uses of shipping containers as storage and would be less restrictive than the previous code. 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. Terry agreed with administration in allowing shipping containers to be used as storage, as storage was their primary use. Because this designation wasn't in the code,it would be good to state for the record in case the question came back regarding shipping containers. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolutions Requiring Public Hearing Resolution 2014-035, Amending Section 205 Of The Port & Harbor Tariff Regulations Relating To Short-Term Vessel Stay And Payment Of Transient (Guest) Moorage. Motion (Terry/Squires) Approve Resolution 2014-035 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes April 28, 2014 Volume 39, Page 318 Funk stated this resolution corresponded with the changes enacted by Ordinance 2014-001. The Port and Commerce Advisory Board discussed and recommended approval of the resolution. 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 Passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS -None NEW BUSINESS Resolution 2014-037, Adopting The Port And Commerce Advisory Board Priorities From April 2014 To March 2015. Motion (Keil/Darling) Approve Resolution 2014-037 Long said this list of priorities was the result of combined work sessions between City Council and the Port And Commerce Advisory Board. Terry stated the Port and Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB) was a real asset in giving great advice to council and she would like to see their comments and suggestions brought back to council more. She was glad to see that the chamber was focusing on energy.Terry would like to see PACAB continue to invite people like Andy Baker to Seward for presentations and would like to see the board connect with Brian Clemons of CH2M HILL for a future presentation. Motion to Amend (Terry/Keil) Amend Resolution 2014-037, adding "and bring recommendations back to council." under priority number 5 in Section 1. Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Main Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2014-039,Accepting Two(2)Reimbursable State Of Alaska Region 10 Scholarship Awards And Appropriating Funds. Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2014-039 Hunt said the city had the opportunity to send two city employees from the Community Development Department to attend the Association of State Floodplain Managers Conference in Seattle, Washington from June 1 through June 7, 2014. Keil wanted to know if there would be any coverage in the Community Development Department. Long stated he would be available and would seek help from Human Resources if needed. mask City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes April 28, 2014 Volume 39, Page 319 Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2014-041,Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A G rant Agreement With The State Of Alaska Department Of Commerce,Community,And Economic Development For A Community Coastal Impact Assistance Grant For State FY 2010 For The Purpose Of Designing And Constructing A New North East Harbor Fish Cleaning Station In The Amount Of$579,000 And Appropriating Funds. Motion (Terry/Darling) Approve Resolution 2014-041 Hunt stated the purpose of Resolution 2014-041 was to accept funds to build a fish cleaning station and this would be a great opportunity for Seward. In response to Squires,Long stated this would make the fish station usable at all stages of the tide and would be similar to the one in the South Harbor. Funk added the intention was to replace the cleaning station currently in place. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2014-042, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Short Term Lease Agreement With Raibow Fiberglass And Boat Repair, LLC For Additional Land At The Seward Marine Industrial Center. Motion (Keil/Terry) Approve Resolution 2014-042 Hunt stated Raibow Fiberglass and Boat Repair had asked for additional land,approximately 11,400 square feet at SMIC to add to their short-term lease. The term of the agreement would not exceed 120 days and would not have any renewal options. Title 7 allowed the City Manager to negotiate short term leases, but required council approval. Terry thanked the harbor staff for protecting a city resource and protecting city land. She asked what the insurance requirements were for short-term leases in addition to long-term leases. Funk said the liability insurance offered by the company was a general policy and the harbor staff would have to look into it further. Motion Passed Unanimous Resolution 2014-043, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Agreement With Electric Power Systems Inc. To Provide Electrical Engineering Services In Support Of The Movement Of Two(2)Electro-Motive Diesel(EMD)Generators From Arctic Pack Enclosures Into The New Generator Building For An Amount Not To Exceed $218,660 And Appropriating Funds. woo Motion (Casagranda/Keil) Approve Resolution 2014-043 City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes April 28, 2014 Volume 39, Page 320 Foutz stated this agreement was for the generator project. The Electric Department put out a Request For Proposal and Electric Power Systems, Inc.was the sole proposer. This agreement did not include mechanical engineering or construction costs. In response to Darling, Foutz went through the history of the grant from the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) that was available for the project and stated the grant would cover this project. Foutz responded to Squires that this would not cover the control house,but would move the generators and remove them from the arctic packs and rewire them. The Electric Department was moving generators four and five, but not one and two. Hunt invited City Council to visit the control house to see how outdated the current system was. Motion Passed Unanimous Other New Business Items Schedule a follow-up Work Session to discuss the Air Force Recreation Camp Property, the Electric Pole Yard located at 11555 Seward Highway, the Department of Transportation (DOT) property, and to review all city-owned property. After further discussion, Council directed the City Clerk to notice a work session on the Air Force Recreation Camp property, the Electric Pole Yard property, the State of Alaska DOT property, the Jesse Lee Home property, the proposal of a downtown cruise ship dock, and other city-owned land for May 22, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. Mayor appoint a member of the City Council to the Seward Community Health Center Coordinating Committee. Mayor Bardarson appointed Vice Mayor Keil. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Providence Seward Medical Center financial reports for January, 2014. Memo confirming timely receipt of 2014 City of Seward Financial Disclosure Forms from City Council, Planning and Zoning Commission, and City Manager. COUNCIL COMMENTS Keil thanked the Alternative Energy Group for their thoughtful presentation tonight.The city should look into setting aside funds for a type of revolving fund to generate more money to use in conjunction with grants for alternative energy. Terry thanked the administration for an outstanding job in Juneau advocating for funding for the SMIC expansion project and the Lowell Point Sewage Lagoon. She also thanked the Port and Commerce Advisory Board, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and the Historic Preservation City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes April 28, 2014 Volume 39, Page 321 Commission for their time and hard work. Terry stated she would not be present at the June 9,2014 City Council Meeting. Casagranda also thanked the Alternative Energy Group for a great presentation tonight. She felt it was well-timed to have a committee like this to look ahead and be a leader in the state for alternative energy. Squires also thanked the Alternative Energy Group. He was glad to see minds changing about alternative energy and hoped to get the residents and contractors involved. Squires would like to see generators four and five connected before next year. Darling was also excited about the Alternative Energy Group and thought the presentation was exceptional. She also thanked Brad Snowden for bringing forward his idea idea for a cruise ship dock downtown. Hunt said he was hopeful about the state appropriating the $17 million from Governor Parnell's budget for the mitigation efforts to repair the runways at the Seward Airport.He anticipated a public meeting in the future on this issue. Long spoke of Senate Bill 140 and the Arctic Infrastructure Fund. Seward was now eligible for funding as a staging point for arctic development. $14 billion was needed to update and rebuild arctic offshore fishing fleets. The biggest challenge was accessing the capital and the new state program would help. Long said council should expect more reports from him on this program. Bardarson advised the city to take the energy advice and keep the conversation going on alternative energy. She thought a work session on this topic would be beneficial. CITIZEN COMMENTS—None COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS—None ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:46 p.m. I Johanna inney, MC an Bardarson C ty Cler' :v. Mayor ,,,,, (City Seal) --.- SEAL • *•, 41•.•a �; v