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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10102016 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes October 10, 2016 Volume 40, Page 125 CALL TO ORDER The October 10, 2016 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Jean Bardarson. OPENING CEREMONY Fire Chief Eddie Athey led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Jean Bardarson presiding and Marianna Keil Ristine Casagranda Deborah Altermatt Dale Butts Sue McClure Dave Squires comprising a quorum of the Council; and Jim Hunt, City Manager Brenda Ballou, Acting City Clerk Will Earnhart, City Attorney Absent—None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING—None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda McClure placed Resolution 2016-055 on the consent agenda. Bardarson added an item to Other New Business to discuss scheduling a special meeting for the organization of council. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Resolution 2016-055,Approving The Removal Of The Word Small From The Phrases Seward Small Boat Harbor Or Small Boat Harbor Within The Seward Small Boat Harbor Plan. Postponed from the September 12, 2016 meeting. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes October 10, 2016 Volume 40, Page 126 Approval of the September 12,2016 City Council Meeting Minutes and the September 16,2016 City Council Special Meeting Minutes. Certification of the October 4,2016 Municipal Election. THREE(3) CITY COUNCIL SEATS AVAILABLE(TWO-YEAR TERMS) Election Day Votes After Canvass Votes Total Votes Ristine Casagranda 169 39 208 Suzanne Towsley 159 25 184 John D. Hull, Jr. 44 6 50 Dale R. Butts 168 33 201 Erik R. Slater 165 41 206 Marianna Keil 161 42 203 Write-Ins 6 0 6 SEWARD PROPOSITION NO. 1 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR SEWARD ROAD IMPROVEMENTS Shall the City of Seward incur debt and issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed three million dollars ($3,000,000) to finance the planning, design and construction of road improvements in the City? The bonds shall be secured by a pledge of the full faith and credit of the City. It is expected that annual payments ofprincipal and interest on the Bonds will be Two Hundred Thirty Thousand dollars($230,000), or a 0.72 increase in the mill rate(from 3.12 mills to 3.84 mills, equal to an increase of$72 per$100,000 in property value) or the approximate equivalent ofa one-fifth of one percent(0.005) sales tax (from 4.0%to 4.2%). Election Day Votes Canvass Votes Total Votes YES 240 57 297 NO 90 18 108 SUMMARY A total of 333 people voted at this election. There were 65 absentee in-person and by-mail ballots. There were 3 special needs ballots. There were 9 questioned ballots. Therefore, 410 voters turned out. SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes October 10, 2016 Volume 40, Page 127 Proclamations & Awards —None City Manager's Report. Jim Hunt there were no purchase orders between $10,000 and $50,000 approved by the City Manager since the last meeting. Hunt had attended the International City Manager Association Conference,and Assistant City Manager Ron Long attended the International Association of Maritime and Port Executives training. Long received the designation of Certified Marine Port Executive.The City Hall asbestos abatement and carpet replacement project was moving along with Jackie Wilde acting as the in-house project manager. On October 25 and 26, 2016 there would be a charrette with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding the Lowell Canyon Diversion Tunnel.Responding to citizen complaints,Hunt was working on some nuisance issues in town. In response to McClure, Assistant City Manager Ron Long said the Waterfront Park erosion abatement project was gearing up. Long said there was a stockpiling of rock and the engineers were considering using two rock sizes;the city was awaiting sign off from the engineers for substituting two classes of rock. Hunt provided an update on the U.S.Air Force Recreation Camp,saying administration was negotiating an acceptable exit strategy. Hunt then distributed laydown photos provided by the Electric Department showing bird diverters being installed on Nash Road and Preacher's Pond. Long provided an update on the AVTEC gym contract. He had received a response from AVTEC and thought their proposal had the bones for making a good foundation for an agreement. In response to Casagranda,Long said he had sent two requests for information regarding the Jesse Lee Home, and had received no response. Long said the next step would be to check on the status of their licenses and permits to see if they were being kept current. The Friends of the Jesse Lee Home were in good standing this year,but the renewals for 2017 would be happening soon so it was something to watch. In response to Butts,Electric Utility Manager John Foutz said he had submitted a contract to the contractor last Friday regarding the Snow River Repair Project, which would come back to council for approval.All permits the city was responsible for obtaining completed and in place.The contractor's permits for lane closure and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan(SWPPP)had been filed.The contractor was proactive and should be ready to start in two weeks,and the project should take two weeks to complete.In response to Butts,Foutz said there were scenarios already considered within this contract for weather conditions, ice dam release, etc. McClure noticed that Two Lakes Park was now closing at 6:00 p.m. and wondered how that came about. Hunt said it was in response to public request to limit late night hours and mitigate alcohol consumption on site. Bardarson pointed out some confusing data reported on the Parks and Recreation Department's report where varying revenues were reported. Hunt said he would get clarification. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes October 10, 2016 Volume 40, Page 128 In response to Butts,Long said the Requests For Proposals for the road repairs would go out in February, 2017. City Attorney's Report,Will Earnhart said Orion had requested a reconsideration from the court;that was anticipated to be denied.His firm helped with the Snow River construction contract. In January or February,2017 the Bradley Lake agreements would be coming up for review.Earnhart was pleased to be here for the borough's dispatch consolidation work session,and had concern that Seward's potential exposure to liabilities be thoroughly vetted. Squires was concerned about the cameras the city received through grants, and what the impact would be if they were no longer monitored through the Seward dispatch. Earnhart said he would have to review the grant requirements. Further, Earnhart had concerns about monitoring the jail remotely because once the city took someone into custody, liabilities attached. In response to Casagranda on what the options for the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home were, Long said the contract was performance-based within a certain timeline,and said it was important to consider how quickly the city wanted to act on taking back a property that was a liability. Long added that some of the state funds had already been suspended until or unless they came into compliance.Council directed administration to review the contract and provide council with a status, considering the performance of the Friends of the Jesse Lee Home specifically as it related to abatement, utilities, and security and in relation to timeframe. Other Reports,Announcements and Presentations Quarterly Report from the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission. PUBLIC HEARINGS Ordinance 2016-008,Amending And Revising Title 10,Public Peace,Morals And Welfare,To Conform With Modern Practice And Law. Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Enact Ordinance 2016-008 Earnhart said this title had been out of date for some time, and he had worked with Police Chief Tom Clemons to review and update it. Some of the provisions contained in Title 10 were already covered in Title 9,and others were already covered under state or federal statute,so in both cases there was no need to duplicate it. 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. Butts asked regarding loitering on school grounds,which was a portion of the code left intact, Earnhart said there was no state statute for loitering in general, except if on school grounds. This would be up to the city to enforce,and was an arrestable offense. Police Chief Tom Clemons said the Seward Police Department would respond to a school complaint; the perpetrator would be requested to leave, then trespassed, then arrested on a state charge of trespassing. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes October 10, 2016 Volume 40, Page 129 Motion to Amend (Altermatt/Keil) Amend Ordinance 2016-008 by deleting Section 10.10.020. Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Main Motion Passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS Schedule a work session to discuss the AVTEC gym/contract.(Casagranda)Postponed from the September 26, 2016 meeting. Council decided to cancel this item. Schedule a work session to discuss the evaluation forms,procedures,and policies for the City Attorney, City Manager, and City Clerk. Postponed from the September 26, 2016 meeting. Council suspended this discussion to later in the agenda. NEW BUSINESS Resolution 2016-061,Authorizing The City Manager To Sign The Automatic Aid Agreement And Operational Plan Between The City Of Seward Fire Department And The Bear Creek Fire And Emergency Services Area. Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2016-061 Athey said the borough had requested council postpone approving this resolution and the next one in order to allow their attorneys an opportunity to review them. Motion to Postpone(Keil/Casagranda) Postpone Resolution 2016-061 to the October 24,2016 agenda. Motion to Postpone Passed Unanimous Resolution 2016-062,Authorizing The City Manager To Sign The Mutual Aid Agreement And Operational Plan Between The City Of Seward Fire Department And The Bear Creek Fire And Emergency Services Area. Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approve Resolution 2016-062 Motion to Postpone (Keil/Casagranda) Postpone Resolution 2016-062 to the October 24,2016 agenda. Motion to Postpone Passed Unanimous Other New Business Items Discuss canceling the November 14 and 28,2016 City Council meetings,and scheduling a City City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes October 10, 2016 Volume 40, Page 130 Council meeting for November 21,2016. Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Cancel the November 14 and 28,2016 City Council meetings, and schedule a City Council meeting on November 21,2016. Motion Passed Unanimous Discuss scheduling a special meeting for the organization of council. After some discussion, council decided they did not need to schedule a special meeting. Schedule a work session to discuss the evaluation forms,procedures,and policies for the City Attorney, City Manager, and City Clerk. Postponed from the September 26, 2016 meeting. Council scheduled a work session on November 21, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Quarterly Report from the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission. COUNCIL COMMENTS Casagranda announced that she would miss the next council meeting.She congratulated the Seward High School football team for winning the conference championships,and for demonstrating great sportsmanship. She congratulated everyone who ran for this election; she felt everyone was a winner. Butts said the football team did great.He said Saturday,October 15,2016 there would be an Open House at 11:00 a.m.at the Seward Fire Department.Butts thanked council for having him;he said it had been fun and a great learning experience. Altermatt said she would miss Council Member Butts. She congratulated Casagranda,Keil and Slater. In reference to a letter distributed recently from a recreational boater, there were "No Wake"signs installed in the harbor and they looked great.Altermatt announced she would be absent for the next meeting. Bardarson thanked Butts for his contributions to council. She congratulated Keil and Casagranda, and welcomed Slater. Bardarson welcomed Maddi McGraw as a new employee at the museum,and thanked the Resurrection Bay Historical Society(RBHS)for having the museum open on Sundays this summer. She congratulated the high school football and cross country teams. Bardarson gave a big congratulation to the three state firefighter award winners from Seward. Bardarson announced she would be absent for the next meeting. Bardarson mentioned that she had received a flyer about eliminating single-use plastic bags, and said council could consider it. Keil said this election showed that every vote counted. She thanked Butts for his warm and generous spirit. Keil was looking forward to remaining on council for the next two years. City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes October 10, 2016 Volume 40, Page 131 Squires would miss Council Member Butts. He congratulated Casagranda and Keil, and welcomed Slater as a new team member. He challenged the community to improve the election turnout. Squires congratulated Austin Chapman for State Firefighter of the Year,Jillian Chapman for Del Moffitt Award, and Fire Chief Eddie Athey for Ken Ackerly Award. Squires wished council would set their own project goals for 2017 in order to keep themselves on track for accomplishing projects. McClure would miss Butts. She congratulated the election winners and everyone who ran. McClure complimented the City Manager for his responsiveness on certain issues, like the bird diverters and Two Lakes Park. She announced there would be a Borough Assembly meeting tomorrow. Hunt said Fire Engine#3 was sent out to be donated to Esther, Alaska. Bardarson asked Squires to compile a project list and send it to the clerk. CITIZEN COMMENTS Kelly Lane was happy to back in Seward. COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS—None ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:31 p.m. Brenda Ballou, !MC an Bardarson Acting City Clerk Mayor t Cf L (City:Steal y ;... o owl r... _Je" . ° M! 4 Az .c we n f