HomeMy WebLinkAbout01082018 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
January 8, 2018 Volume 39, Page 336
CALL TO ORDER
The January 8,2018 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00
p.m. by Mayor David Squires.
OPENING CEREMONY
Police Chief Tom Clemons led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
David Squires presiding and
Erik Slater Suzanne Towsley
Jeremy Horn
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Ron Long,Assistant City Manager
Brenda Ballou, City Clerk
Absent—Keil, Casagranda,McClure
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR
PUBLIC HEARING
Carol Griswold said employees were the city's most valuable asset,and yet they continued
to be bullied and intimidated, which resulted in low morale and turnover; she said she was
referencing the work done by Major General Laurie Hummel from the Alaska National Guard.
Griswold thought there was a yoke of oppression over city employees; arbitrary, unethical leaders
could make life miserable for subordinates and disable an organization. The city needed one set of
rules that applied to everyone,with rules and procedures established to limit arbitrary decisions and
provide autonomy to staff. Griswold thought that leaders should be required to attend ethics training
to shape and sustain a healthy culture of integrity, honor, and professionalism.
Reed Lane said he worked two days a week at the Teen Rec Room(TRR),and was also an
active member of the Seward Prevention Coalition.Lane wanted to bring attention to an issue called
Adverse Childhood Experiences(ACEs),and how it related to the TRR.Examples of ACEs included
reoccurring physical abuse, reoccurring emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, alcohol or drug
abuse, incarcerated household members, depression,and mental illness to name a few.Many teen
attendees at the Teen Rec Room reported experiencing these issues.Only one-third of adults report
never having experienced these issues as a child;the greater the number of ACEs in a person's life,
the greater that person's risk factors were as an adult,which included smoking,drug use,and suicide.
Lane said the Teen & Youth Center (TYC), and the Teen Rec Room, were both places that teens
should be able to go for help in the form of protection factors,resiliency and trauma-informed care
rather than having an emphasis on discipline. The TRR should be a safe place for youth where
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
January 8, 2018 Volume 39, Page 337
interactions with adults were non-confrontational. Lane believed the rules at TRR were in need of
updating,and that responses to infractions should not be punitive.
Kelley Lane said she wanted to speak as a city employee. Since August, she had been
working part-time at the Teen Rec Room. In late November,the Teen Rec Room went under new
supervision,and since then the environment changed into being confrontational,and some teens had
been kicked out for small infractions. Lane believed the youth have been demoralized, and that
attendance numbers were down.The goal of the Teen Rec Room was to provide and facilitate social,
educational,and recreational activities,so Lane didn't understand why a youth should be suspended
for putting their feet up on the couch or not making eye contact when told to do so. Lane was
requesting an investigation into the Teen Rec Room suspension policy, and an external audit of
youth suspensions in the past two months and the past year.
Lisa Corea came tonight with her son,Daniel. Corea said she wanted to back the kids,and
that her son had been attending the TRR for about two years until about one month ago when he got
kicked out. This was his first time having trouble at the Teen Rec Room; she said her son didn't
actually have anything to do with the incident.She was concerned that her son was asked to leave the
TRR, but Corea was at work and could not leave work to go pick him up, so he had to go find a
warm place to wait.
Daniel Corea said he used to go to Teen Rec Room to have a warm,fun,and safe place to go
after school. Corea felt that the TYC was no longer a place where he could feel safe and wanted.He
felt his every move was judged, and his every action had the potential to leave him outside in the
cold.
Lynda Paquette was here on behalf of the Lowell Point community. She wished to have an
update on the funding of Lowell Point Road repairs.With the summer season coming soon,Paquette
was concerned with how traffic on that road would be managed.
Cliff Krug wanted to take a minute to inform everyone that he was working with Stephanie
Millane, in conjunction with the Seward Chamber of Commerce, to organize "Seward Second
Saturdays" to promote local businesses, community shopping, and involvement. There was a
Facebook page set up for the event, and it would start on Saturday,January 13,2018 and continue
through April.
Brad Snowden wanted to speak about Seward's airport, and he distributed a handout to
council. He also shared a letter he had received from Pat Williams in 2005 regarding a cruise ship
dock,and reported that he had investors who were interested in backing construction to the tune of
$30 million.He asked the city to give him one year to have exclusive rights to develop,finance,and
build a cruise ship dock.
Allison Fong was here with Kim Reierson and Patty Linville on behalf of the Seward
Community Foundation.Linville said she would be handing over the reins as chairperson this year to
Kim Reierson.The Seward Community Foundation(SCF)had a good year in 2017;the fund balance
was currently a little over$3 million. Linville thanked all the donors who supported SCF.Linville
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January 8, 2018 Volume 39, Page 338
extended an invitation to the grant announcement luncheon at the Breeze Inn on January 25, 2018
from 11:30 a.m. — 1:30 p.m.
At the mayor's request, council suspended the rules.
Squires invited Lynda Paquette to meet him at the podium. Squires stated that at the November 27,
2017 council meeting,he gaveled down Paquette and tonight he wanted to make a public apology to
her for any embarrassment he caused her. Paquette accepted Squires apology.
Council went back on the record.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Slater/Horn) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Slater removed the December 7,2017 Special Meeting and the December 11,2017 Regular Meeting
Minutes from the consent agenda.
Squires pulled the non-objections to the renewals of liquor licenses from the agenda and requested
they come forward again on the January 22, 2018 agenda.
111 Motion Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
Continue the Port and Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB) for 2018.
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations & Awards—None
Borough Assembly Report.Kenn Carpenter said the last Assembly meeting had been very
brief. Borough Mayor Pierce had signed the City of Seward's emergency declaration for Lowell
Point Road and it was now in the governor's office awaiting processing;once it has been processed,
the state was planning to do $2.3 million of work on the road. Jim McCracken from Lowell Point
had been working with the borough mayor on applying for a Federal Lands Access Program(FLAP)
grant, which they were hoping to accomplish by spring.
In response to Squires, Carpenter confirmed that Jim McCracken represented the Lowell
Point Community Council, and was also involved with the Kenai Peninsula Road Service Area
Board. Carpenter added that the road work planned by the state would not include cutting back the
mountain to the desired 40 foot depth; that would be outside of the $2.3 million project. Carpenter
would continue to keep administration informed of any progress.
City Manager's Report. Assistant City Manager Ron Long reported the following
purchase orders between$10,000 and$50,000 had been approved by the City Manager since the last
council meeting: $17,578.42 to Kendrick Equipment for wire rope for both the 50 Ton and 330 Ton
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
January 8, 2018 Volume 39, Page 339
Travelifts at the Harbor, and $30,296.00 to Konica for a KIP 860 Copier in Community
Development. Long reported that City Manager Jim Hunt was out of the office for a surgery.
In response to Slater, Long said he would appreciate the opportunity for administration to
review the policies of the Teen & Youth Center and the Teen Rec Room, and look into the
allegations brought forward during citizen comments. In response to Towsley, Long agreed that
administration would provide a report to council on the situation.
Towsley said,historically,the city purchased a table at the Alaska SeaLife Center Gala and
invited council members or members of the public.Long said he did not know the guest list,but he
knew that the table was already full.
In response to Towsley,Long said the city manager was not present because he was having
surgery,as was reported at the last council meeting.Long said he would be in acting status until the
city manager returned on January 20, 2018.
Squires wondered, in regards to the cruise ship dock concept,if there were any legal issues
with the proposed placement of the dock along the waterfront.Long said one restriction for that area
was that no federal monies could be dedicated to a project in an earthquake zone, so this proposed
project would require private or non-federal funding. Long added that if investors were willing to
take the risk, then private monies could be used for that project. Squires wished to have a future
opportunity to discuss and deliberate on Snowden's development proposal, perhaps with a work
session in March.
Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations
Squires noted that Darryl Schaefermeyer had provided a laydown of the annual Port and Commerce
Advisory Board's (PACAB) annual report, but could not attend tonight's meeting to deliver it in
person.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Resolution 2018-001,Recommending City Council And Kenai Peninsula Borough Approval Of
The Forest Acres Subdivision, Lot A, Harmon Replat; Creating Four (4) New Lots To Be
Known As Lots Al,A2,A3 And A4; Located Within The Rural Residential District.
Motion (Slater/Horn) Approve Resolution 2018-001
Long said the subdivision agreements included in the packet had been diligently drafted and
met all the city's standards. This area was beyond the required 200 foot distance to hook into the
city's sewer system, so septic systems would be used until that time when the sewer could be
retrofitted into the city's system.
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.
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January 8, 2018 Volume 39, Page 340
In response to Towsley, Long said this was private property, and was in compliance with
current city code.
In response to Squires,Long said the distance from the well on Hemlock Street to these lots
was confirmed to be greater than the 200 feet required;the Public Works Director had been involved
with the subdivision agreement and had determined this would meet Alaska Department of
Environmental Conservation (ADEC) standards. Squires was concerned that the subdivision
agreement did not have a specific requirement documenting future sewer hookup requirements if the
property was sold. Long said any future development on these lots would be ensured to meet the
sewer hookup requirements via the city's building permit process,if within the 200 foot requirement.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2018-002,Recommending City Council And Kenai Peninsula Borough Approval Of
The Dairy Hill Subdivision & Cliff Addition To The Seward Townsite,Leirer Faust Replat;
This Replat Combines 8 Lots Into 3 Lots; Tracts 1,2,3 And 4 Of Dairy Hill Subdivision Tracts
1-5; Lots 3-5 Block 5 Cliff Addition And Lot la Block 5 Cliff Addition,Vacating The Interior
Lot Lines,20 Foot Alleyway And Utility Easement; Located Within The Single Family Zoning
District.
Motion (Slater/Horn) Approve Resolution 2018-002
Long said this replat would help make the property more developable because there were
some very steep hillsides to contend with.
Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public
hearing was opened.
Kelley Lane said she was in favor of any kind of rezoning that encouraged more housing.
No one else appeared to address the Council and the public hearing was closed.
In response to Squires, Long confirmed the same sewer requirements applied to this
development as with the previous one.
Council suspended the rules to speak with John Faust.
Faust said all sites would have on-site septic. In response to Squires, Faust said he was not
familiar with the concept of continuing Vista Drive to allow for an emergency access road.
Council went back on the rules.
Motion Passed Unanimous
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
January 8, 2018 Volume 39, Page 341
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Resolution 2017-087, Approving Amendment No. 26 To The Contract With Kent Dawson 111
Company, Inc. For State Lobbying Services Through December 31, 2019, For A Total Of
$96,504.00 Annually,With An Additional$12,000 Annually From The Seward Association For
The Advancement Of Marine Science For Lobbying On Behalf Of Its Lease And Operation Of
The Alaska SeaLife Center, For A Total Of$108,504.00 Annually
The original motion was made by Keil and seconded by Casagranda on December 11, 2017.
Motion to Amend (Slater/Horn) Amend Resolution 2017-087 by adopting the
substitute version.
Long said the substitute resolution provided a correction in the math,as well as a clarification
of Kent Dawson's business name.
Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous
Main Motion Passed Unanimous
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 2018-003, Authorizing Purchase Of A 2017 Ford F250 4x4 Truck From Kendall
Ford To Replace A 2002 Dodge 2500 4x4 Truck, In An Amount Not To Exceed $33,323.75
Utilizing The State Of Alaska's Procurement Contract, And Waiving Competitive
Procurement Procedures.
Motion (Slater/Horn) Approve Resolution 2018-003
Long said this would replace a 15 year old truck that was experiencing transmission and
suspension problems. This new truck would be used with a snow plow attachment.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Other New Business Items
Approval of the December 7, 2017 Special Meeting and the December 11, 2017 Regular
Meeting Minutes. The following housekeeping items were identified and corrected: In the
December 7,2017 special meeting minutes,under Citizen Comments by Carol Griswold,the words
"Village"and"Bay-side"were capitalized,and in the December 11,2017 regular meeting minutes a
transposition was corrected to reflect that the City Attorney's evaluation would be held in January,
2018 and the City Manager's evaluation would be held in February, 2018.
Discuss Travel Authorization Reports (pre-travel) and Travel & Expense Reports (post-
travel). Towsley wished to see greater transparency in travel dates and expense reporting from the
city manager. Squires agreed that council should be able to review the travel budget,and added that
the city manager usually notified the mayor of his travel and absence plans.Towsley was concerned
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January 8, 2018 Volume 39, Page 342
that reasonable questions were being met by resistance by administration, and on behalf of her
constituents,she wished to see more accountability.Slater thought more information was good.Horn
thought that just because money was budgeted didn't mean it needed to be spent. Long said the
forms included in the packet were for employees; the city manager was a contract employee and,
unless specified in his contract,the forms were not required. Squires wished to bring this issue again
when there was a full council,and suggested that perhaps a work session would be in order. Squires
requested that this discussion item appear again on the January 22, 2018 agenda.
Schedule a work session with APEA. Council scheduled a work session with the Alaska Public
Employees Association (APEA) on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at 5:30 p.m. at a location to be
determined. Council requested that this work session be broadcast on the radio, if possible.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS
On-going City Project and Goal List.
Clerk's Report on Public Records Requests for December, 2017.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Towsley thanked everyone who came to the meeting tonight and spoke, especially Daniel
Corea. Towsley said she would be bringing her goals to the January 22, 2018 meeting.
Slater thanked everyone for coming and speaking tonight. He said it was great to see a large
crowd tonight.
Horn said the more feedback council received from the public,the more they could help.He
wished everyone a happy and healthy 2018.
Squires said he appreciated everyone coming tonight, and commended the Seward
Community Foundation for their work.He thanked Cliff Krug for promoting the Second Saturday for
local businesses, and encouraged everyone to participate. Squires wished council to have a work
session on the Air Force Rec Camp, and suggested having the Planning and Zoning Commission
hold a public input session to get ideas for the vacated Air Force Rec Camp.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Carol Griswold said she was very concerned about the Teen Rec Room policies that were
posted on the city's website. Griswold thought the guidelines were unenforceable and potentially
illegal, and urged council to have them reviewed and revised.
Lynda Paquette wanted to discuss the Lowell Point Road again; the road was the
responsibility of the City of Seward,not the Lowell Point Community Council. She was concerned
that the road contained utilities, as well as sewer lines. Paquette requested council also be watchful
of the sewage lagoon capacity. Regarding the cruise ship dock proposal, Paquette wondered where
anyone would park.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
January 8, 2018 Volume 39, Page 343
Kelley Lane appreciated everyone listening to her tonight; she admired Daniel Corea for
getting up to speak. Lane thought that anyone who got up to speak before council should only
experience the fear of public speaking, and not be fearful of anything else, but that that wasn't the
case; people were afraid to talk. She was concerned about how the youth were being treated at the
Teen & Youth Center and the Teen Rec Room. She enjoyed being involved with the youth, and
enjoyed working at the Teen& Youth Center (TYC). She read the TYC mission statement.
Brad Snowden thanked council for doing their homework. Regarding the dock concept,he
appreciated the feedback about parking concerns.
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS
Squires said his own children had attended the Teen&Youth Center(TYC)when they were
younger.He thought it would be a good thing to allow administration the opportunity to look into the
situation and report back for all to hear. Squires clarified that the Lowell Point Road was an
easement, not a right of way, and he would like to see it widened.
Long said regarding the Lowell Point Sewage Lagoon capacity,it had improved technology
installed in it which extended the capacity of the lagoon. In response to Squires,Long said he would
bring back to council the Loren Leman study results that addressed this issue.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:44 p.m.
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