HomeMy WebLinkAbout04092018 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
April 9, 2018 Volume 39,Page 407
CALL TO ORDER
The April 9, 2018 regular meeting of the Seward City Council was called to order at 7:00
p.m. by Vice Mayor Marianna Keil.
OPENING CEREMONY
Lieutenant Doreen Valadez led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
Marianna Keil presiding and
Ristine Casagranda
Sue McClure Erik Slater
Suzanne Towsley Jeremy Horn
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Jim Hunt, City Manager
Brenda Ballou, City Clerk
Absent—Squires
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR
PUBLIC HEARING
Patrick Messmer was inquiring about when he could expect to receive the Excelsior list he
had requested.
Kyle Walker was currently playing the role of Pharaoh in the Port City Players version of
"Joseph And The Technicolor Dreamcoat" and encouraged everyone to come out to see it.
Cliff Krug said the last Seward Second Saturday would be this weekend,April 14,2018.The
Seward Journal would be publishing a map of all the participating locations, and was linked to the
event online as well.Krug announced that Brown&Hawkins Mercantile would have a short-eared
owl named Flame in the store on Saturday for people to visit.
Lynda Paquette had received several reports from residents on Lowell Point Road about
vehicles speeding on Beach Drive. She was concerned because there were lots of small children and
dogs who lived in that area.
Christy Terry wanted to thank council for supporting the Seward Community Bike Park,
and added that the bike park was looking for volunteers, both short-term and long-term.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
April 9, 2018 Volume 39,Page 408
Brad Snowden wanted to talk about Seward's future.The idea of a trolley car connecting the
harbor with downtown was at least 25 years old;he wished to have a connection between the airport,
harbor and downtown.He encouraged council to just say yes to the future,and said there were three
"Ts": Things Take Time.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Casagranda/McClure) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Keil removed the Historic Preservation Month proclamation from the agenda.
Keil removed the City Attorney Report from the agenda.
Motion Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
Resolution 2018-035.,Appointing Jessica Fogle As The Deputy City Clerk.
Resolution 2018-036, Supporting The Proposals Through The United States Board On
Geographic Names(BGN)To Place The Name Mount Mary On Unnamed Peak 4883,And The
Name Santa Ana Peak On Unnamed Peak 4753.
Approval of the March 12, 2018 Regular Meeting Minutes, the March 20, 2018 Special
Meeting Minutes, and the March 27,2018 Regular Meeting Minutes.
Approval of Election Board for union representation election on May 8,2018.
Approval of Canvass Board for union representation election on May 8,2018.
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations& Awards
National Library Week
Borough Assembly Report. Kenn Carpenter said the assembly had a long meeting,
spending a lot of time preparing for closed bid land sales from Happy Valley to Nikiski. The
assembly's budget meeting would start April 30, 2018 in Soldotna. And on April 17, 2018 the
assembly would be meeting in Seward.
City Manager Report.Jim Hunt reported the following purchase orders between$10,000
and $50,000 had been approved by the City Manager since the last council meeting: $31,227 to
Anchorage Chrysler for a Dodge Ram 2500 Pick Up Truck to replace Vehicle 465;and,$14,957.44
to Kendrick Equipment for eight Chine Pads for the SMIC Travelift.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
April 9,2018 Volume 39,Page 409
Hunt added that,due to a software glitch that had resulted in a billing error for some people,
he had decided to grant a$.04 per kilowatt hour credit on everyone's next bill.
In response to McClure,Electric Utility Manager John Foutz said they were in the process
of continuing the work on burying the lines at the lagoon. There would be an all-day outage on
Thursday for six residents on the south side of the lagoon; the Electric Department was contacting
each resident to let them know.
In response to Towsley, Hunt said he had met with Tim Dillon, all borough mayors, the
borough mayor, and his chief of staff to discuss confidential issues, and also issues affecting all
communities.
Council directed administration to work with the Planning & Zoning Commission to bring
forward potential properties for the new animal shelter.
• . , . o . • • • • .
Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations
Mount Mary and Santa Ana Peak
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Ordinance 2018-001, Amending The Zoning Designation Of Lot B1 Forest Acres Levee
Replat,From Resource Management(RM)To Auto Commercial(AC)In Compliance With
The Land Use Plan, Located At 2413 Seward Highway.
Motion (Casagranda/McClure) Enact Ordinance 2018-001
Hunt said this property was familiar to everyone;this would bring it into conformance with
the city's future land use map.
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.
In response to Casagranda, Hunt said he was unaware of what the property owner's plans
were for the future development of this land.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Council recessed at 7:35 p.m.
Council resumed at 7:37 p.m.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
April 9, 2018 Volume 39,Page 410
Resolution 2018-029, Rescinding Resolution 2017-077 Which Amended The Sewer Tariff
Effective January 1, 2018.
Motion (Casagranda/McClure) Approve Resolution 2018-029
Finance Director Kris Erchinger said at the March 21, 2108 work session there had been
discussion about tariff issues,and this resolution would rescind the previous resolution and the next
resolution coming up would be replacing it.
Casagranda declared a potential conflict of interest because she was a property manager and
had mentioned in a previous meeting that if rates kept going up, she may be paid less for
managing one certain property. Vice Mayor Keil ruled that a conflict did not exist, with no
objection from council.
Slater declared a potential conflict of interest because he owned two businesses: Seward
Brewing Company and Chinooks.Vice Mayor Keil ruled that a conflict did not exist,with no
objection from council.
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
Resolution 2018-030, Amending The Sewer Tariff To Provide For A 2.1% Rate Adjustment
Beginning January 15, 2018, Adding A Seasonal Turn-On/Turn-Off Fee, Clarifying That
Metered Rates Apply To All Customers Other Than Non-Commercial Residential,And Other
Minor Housekeeping Changes.
Motion (Casagranda/McClure) Approve Resolution 2018-030
Erchinger said this resolution would essentially do what administration originally wished,
which was to increase rates by 2.1%,but it also accomplished something else:this resolution would
allow any customer, other than non-commercial residential,to go to metered rates rather than ERU
rates.
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 to Amend (Casagranda/Towsley) Amend Resolution 2018-030 by striking the
words, "Group D" from the definitions of
Group A — Residential, Group B — Small
General Service, and Group C — Large
General Service in the tariff.
Motion to Amend Failed Yes: Towsley, Casagranda
No: Slater, Horn, McClure, Keil
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
April 9, 2018 Volume 39,Page 411
Main Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2018-031, Rescinding Resolution 2017-078 Which Amended The Water Tariff
Effective January 1, 2018.
Motion (Casagranda/McClure) Approve Resolution 2018-031
Erchinger said this resolution was similar to the last as it had unintentionally eliminated from
Group C definitions the words "unmetered" and "non-metered".
Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public
hearing was opened.
Tim McDonald wondered what happened to homes that were shut down over the winter.
No one else appeared to address the Council and the public hearing was closed.
Erchinger said there would be a new seasonal rate in the next resolution which would address
this issue and would accommodate turn-on and turn-off fees.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2018-032, Amending The Water Tariff To Provide For A 2.1% Rate Increase
Beginning January 15, 2018, Clarifying That Metered Rates Apply To All Customers Other
Than Non-Commercial Residential, Changing The Seasonal Definition, And Other Minor
Housekeeping Changes.
Motion (Casagranda/McClure) Approve Resolution 2018-032
Erchinger said this resolution would implement a 2.1%rate increase,reintroduces the words
"unmetered" and "non-metered" into the Group C definition, allows customers the option to have
metered rates rather than ERU, and adjusts the seasonal turn-on and turn-off fees to ensure that
winter vacancies are contributing to the cost of the utility. Further,this resolution addresses the issue
of broken or faulty meters by authorizing the city to provide a ninety(90)day notice for the customer
to repair their meter, or else be put back to ERU rates.
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 to Amend (Casagranda/Towsley) Amend Resolution 2018-032 in Group A
definition so it reads, "...to be charged
Group D metered commercial water Mid
sewer rates."
Motion to Amend Failed Yes: Casagranda, Towsley
No: Horn, McClure, Slater, Keil
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
April 9,2018 Volume 39,Page 412
Motion to Amend (Casagranda/Towsley) Amend Resolution 2018-032 in Group B
defmition so it reads, "...to be eligible for
Group D metered commercial water and
sewer rates."
Motion to Amend Failed Yes: Towsley,Casagranda
No: McClure,Horn, Slater,Keil
Motion to Amend (Casagranda/Towsley) Amend Resolution 2018-032 in Group B,
under NOTE, by striking the word
"include" and replacing it with the word
"exclude".
Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Consent
Motion to Amend (Casagranda/Towsley) Amend Resolution 2018-032 in Group E,
under"5.Water Turn-On or Turn-Off"by
adding the words,"only one waived charge
per account per 12 month period."
Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Consent
In response to Towsley, Erchinger said the seasonal turn-on and turn-off rates in the sewer
and water tariffs have not been contemplated in the past, as it had been addressed in the electric
tariff. Erchinger added that the intent was to equalize the rates, regardless of whether a home was
occupied throughout the winter or not; other utilities used this method,include Homer Electric and
Enstar Natural Gas.
Main Motion Passed Unanimous
Resolution 2018-033, Rescinding Resolution 2018-008 Which Authorized A Delay In The
Reclassification Of Customer Utility Accounts,As Reclassification WM Not Be Necessary Once
Customers Other Than Non-Commercial Residential Are Allowed To Elect Metered Rather
Than ERU Rates.
Motion (Casagranda/McClure) Approve Resolution 2018-033
Erchinger said this would suspend reclassification of customers,because now customers have
the choice of being metered or ERU.
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 to Amend (Casagranda/Towsley) Amend Resolution 2018-033 in the first
Whereas so it reads: "...in the effective
date of the water and sewer tariffs to
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
April 9, 2018 Volume 39,Page 413
correct change the classification for some
customers incorrectly billed metered..."
Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Consent
Motion to Amend (Casagranda/Towsley) Amend Resolution 2018-033 in the second
Whereas so it reads: "Whereas, through
further research, the billing department
determined that customers classified as
Residential and/or Small General Service—
. . . . . . . . . . .
meteredte-see—were inconsistently
in fact allowed to convert from ERU to
metered rates; and"
Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Consent
Motion to Amend (Casagranda/Towsley) Amend Resolution 2018-033 in the third
Whereas so it reads: "Whereas,in order to
correct and address
inconsistencies, staff recommends that
customers in all Groups, other than non-
commercial residential, continue to be
allowed ..."
Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Consent
Main Motion Passed Unanimous
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Discuss 50th Anniversary of Sister City with Obihiro,Japan Celebration Plans.
Slater reported that the committee had met twice since the last council report,and that plans
had changed for Seward's visit; the late October Chrysanthemum Festival would now be the event
that Seward attended,rather than the early October Beef&Wine Festival. Slater called attention to
the information in the packet, which included calendars and activities; he requested that council
consider who they wished to send to Obihiro.
Keil requested the discussion of attendees be postponed to the May 14, 2018 meeting.
Discuss and/or schedule a work session for Brad Snowden's cruise ship dock concept.
Casagranda requested to postpone this discussion to the April 23, 2018 meeting to allow
Squires to be present for the discussion.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
April 9, 2018 Volume 39,Page 414
Discuss appointing a Special Ad Hoc Council Study Committee to research and study the
water and sewer tariffs, and provide recommendations to council. (Casagranda) 111
By consensus,council postponed this discussion item until the Request For Proposals(RFP)
for the rate and/or classification study came forward.
Discuss appointing a Special Ad Hoc Council Study Committee to research and study the
electric tariff, and provide recommendations to council. (Casagranda)
Casagranda withdrew her request for this committee with no objection from council.
Discuss appointing a Special Ad Hoc Council Study Committee for finance. (Casagranda)
With the support of council, Casagranda agreed to draft a proposal outlining the scope and
intent of this proposed committee for council's consideration.
Discuss the Offer for Assistance letter received on March 7, 2018 from Jane Boer, Local
Government Specialist,Division of Community and Regional Affairs.
Keil stated the city attorney and city clerk would be hosting a training seminar for council,
boards, and commissions on May 14 & 15, 2018 to cover Open Meetings Act (OMA) and
Parliamentary Procedures.Keil requested that the training be expanded to also include the role of a
council member, and Towsley requested to include ethics training.
In response to Towsley,the city clerk said Jane Boer would be conducting an internal audit of
the policies and procedures of the clerk's office on May 11, 2018, and would be reporting out to
council on May 14, 2018 of her findings.
Council directed the city clerk to draft a letter of appreciation to Jane Boer for reaching out
with the offer for assistance, and to mention that council would be looking forward to having a
discussion with her on May 14,2018 as to what services she could provide.
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 2018-034, Authorizing A Cost Of Living Increase Of 2.1% For 2018 And A
Separate 2.1% For 2019 For All Non-IBEW Employees With The Exception Of The City
Manager And City Clerk,And Appropriating Funds.
Motion (Casagranda/McClure) Approve Resolution 2018-034
Erchinger said the 2018/2019 budget had initially proposed a Cost of Living Increase
(COLA),but had bene removed.Now that administration had had the opportunity to review year end
results, they determined that the budget would support a COLA in both years.
Motion to Postpone(Casagranda/Towsley) Postpone Resolution 2018-034 to the July 9, 111
2108 meeting.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
April 9,2018 Volume 39,Page 415
Motion to Postpone Passed Yes: Casagranda, Horn, Towsley, Slater
No: McClure,Keil
Resolution 2018-037,Supporting The Transco Concept And Authorizing The City Manager To
Enter Into Negotiations With Other Railbelt Utilities And American Transmission Company
In The Formation Of Such An Organization.
Motion (Casagranda/McClure) Approve Resolution 2018-037
Electric Utility Manager John Foutz said this was a support resolution to allow the city to
move forward on exploring this concept.
In response to Casagranda, Foutz said this, in all likelihood, would result in no impact to
Seward's electric rates.Actually,Foutz said,this may benefit the city because the cost of replacing
transmission lines could be shared among the members.
Motion Passed Unanimous
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS
Clerk's Report on Public Records Requests for March, 2018.
On-Going City Projects and Goals.
COUNCIL COMMENTS
Casagranda requested that the Excelsior list be released to Patrick Messmer,through the city
attorney, in order to act in good faith.
McClure cautioned that kids and bikes and motorcycles were out now,so please be cautious.
The musical was amazing and she recommended everyone go see it.McClure encouraged everyone
to attend the borough assembly meeting in Seward next Tuesday,April 17,2018;the meeting would
start at 6:00 p.m. and be in council chambers.
Towsley said thanked everyone who came and spoke at the meeting. She thanked Public
Works for clearing the streets of the recent snowfall.
Casagranda thanked Dano Michaud and Harold Faust for their great presentation about the
mountains. She thanked everyone for tuning in and listening to the council meeting. Casagranda
encouraged people to be gracious with others and empathetic to their humanity.
Slater welcomed Deputy City Clerk Jessica Fogle. He thanked administration for the work
they did on the tariffs.
Keil thanked everyone for attending work session tonight about the Air Force Rec Camp and
the South Harbor Launch Ramp; she reiterated that the boat launch project funding was not coming
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
April 9,2018 Volume 39,Page 416
from general fund. Keil congratulated Morgan Woodard and Andra Woodard, Terry Moon, and
Jonathan Gage for receiving awards at Saturday's Annual Fire Department Banquet,and encouraged
people to volunteer as a firefighter or with the ambulance corps.
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Patrick Messmer was concerned that not releasing the Excelsior list might be considered an
unfair work practice. He thanked administration and council.
Brad Snowden said he would be backing Governor Walker for re-election. He said the
governor would be in town on April 20, 2018 for a fundraiser from 5:00 —7:00 p.m. on the MN
Dutch Harbor and invited everyone to attend.
Lynda Paquette thought having a finance committee would be a great idea;having a citizen
group that understood how to read the budget and helped disseminate information throughout the
community would help make everything more transparent,and hopefully lighten the burden on the
Finance Department.
Doug Schoessler said the Borough Road Service Area would be meeting at the KM Rae
Building on Third Avenue tomorrow.He had had the opportunity to engage with some Boy Scouts
the other day and was impressed by their helpfulness.
John Foutz reminded everyone that the meter exchange would begin April 17, 2018.
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS
Hunt said the governor, in addition to his fundraising plans,would be attending the SMIC
ribbon cutting ceremony.
Casagranda thanked everyone for the meeting tonight,and council for getting through the
agenda.
Erchinger said the meter exchange project would begin on April 17, 2018; on the city
website there were photos of the crew,and the crews would be wearing safety vests.Also,on the city
website under document center,there was a link to Chugach monthly cost of power,to help people
understand the billing.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:07 p.m.
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