HomeMy WebLinkAbout05142018 City Council Minutes City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
May 14,2018 Volume 39, Page 428
CALL TO ORDER
The May 14, 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
Marianna Keil Ristine Casagranda
Sue McClure Suzanne Towsley
Jeremy Horn
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Jim Hunt, City Manager
Brenda Ballou, City Clerk
Will Earnhart, City Attorney
Absent—Slater
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR
PUBLIC HEARING
Sue Lang wished to thank Public Works for their work on Lowell Point Road on keeping it
safe. She was wearing a Coast Guard uniform, as a member of the Flotilla for the Coast Guard
Auxiliary. On Saturday, May 19, 2018 the Auxiliary would be giving away free life jackets for
children at the Harbormaster's office at 11:30 a.m.
Sharyl Seese lived next to the jeep trail, and was requesting new signage be installed that
would clearly indicate a no parking zone at the gate. Her concern was that the entrance might be
blocked by hikers'vehicles in the event of an emergency.She would also like to see a written policy
created regarding the demand meters;she wondered how long it took for a reclassification to go into
effect.
Elle Zernia announced the Mermaid Festival would be this weekend; the majority of the
south harbor parking lot would be closed for the duration. She encouraged everyone to be proactive
about the choices they made for parking,and respect the permit-only areas;the lower parking lot at
south harbor uplands was for employee permit-only.Zernia thanked the Harbor,Public Works,and
Administration for their support and assistance.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
May 14, 2018 Volume 39, Page 429
Willard Dunham had been in Seward for 75 years.He said this winter the city suffered the
worst visual ever;the Orlander Building on Fourth Avenue had not been productive for 40 years,and
it had been a terrible eye sore for the last three years. He thought it was a disgrace. Dunham
admonished council to do something about it; he did, however, consider the building to be
structurally sound.
Joe Fong encouraged everyone to take the community health needs survey online because the
information was used throughout the community to define programs and seek funding. The survey
was available through the city website at cityofseward.us. There were prizes available for
participants; any resident between Lowell Point and the"Y"could participate.
Brad Snowden wanted to provide an update on the cruise ship dock project.He appreciated
people bringing issues and questions to his attention because it just made him have more
consideration about how to solve problems. Snowden said he was seeking financing sources.
Snowden also wanted to thank Parks&Recreation Director Karin Sturdy for her work.
Becky Dunn wanted everyone to know the animal shelter meetings were open to the public,
and the next meeting would be Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at Mountain Haven.
Kelley Lane was concerned that the Teen Rec Room was operating under reduced hours;it
used to be open Tuesday through Saturday, but now was Tuesday through Friday. She recalled
council requesting an audit of the Teen Rec Room recently, and wondered when that would be
conducted.
Laura Schneider supported the Blue Ocean Cluster Group,and thought this project would
provide small business support and promote innovation. She thought Seward was very fortunate to
have been chosen as a location for this creative initiative.
Libby Ferrara also expressed support for the Blue Ocean Cluster Group.
Mackenzie Barnwell also wished to show her support for the initiative.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Keil postponed the Historic Preservation Awards proclamations to the May 29, 2018 meeting.
Motion Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
Resolution 2018-044, Accepting A Grant In The Amount Of $600.00 From The Seward
Community Foundation For The Seward Animal Shelter Pet Vaccine Clinic To Be Held On
Approximately June 9,2018 And Appropriating Funds.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
May 14, 2018 Volume 39, Page 430
Resolution 2018-045, Authorizing Annual Rent Payment Of Not-To-Exceed $60,000 To
AVTEC (Alaska Vocational Technical Center) For The Use Of The Student Services
Center(SSC) Building For Public Recreation.
Approval of the April 23,2018 Regular Meeting Minutes.
Certification of the City of Seward Union Representation Election.
SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations & Awards
Historic Preservation Month
Certificate of Appreciation for SMIC Relaunch
Law Enforcement Torch Run & Exit Glacier Race
National Safe Boating Week
Caring for the Kenai Semi-Finalists Tegan Retzer, Kylie Mullaly, Anevay
Ambrosiani,and Clayton Petersen
Harbor Opening, Blessing of the Fleet & Mermaid Festival
Borough Assembly Report.Kenn Carpenter would be setting up and running the Kids Day
Fishing on Saturday,May 19,2018 from 8:00 a.m.to 12:00 p.m. at First Lake; last year there were
approximately 130 kids who participated.The assembly was dealing with the borough's budget;he
encouraged everyone to speak up about what they wanted to see happen. The school district was
currently planned to be flat-funded,which could potentially result in the layoffs of eleven teachers.
City Manager Report.Jim Hunt stated the following purchase orders between$10,000 and
$50,000 had been approved by the city manager since the last meeting: $49,749.75 to Potelcom for
electric poles; $11,751.55 to Anixter to replenish electric inventory stock; and, $16,928 to AK
Directional for boring services for the water line to Sailing, Inc.
Hunt added that in mid-September 2018,there would be up to 2,000 navy personnel in town
for a training exercise across the bay, and encouraged local businesses to extend their season to
accommodate this special opportunity.
Hunt distributed an article called The Outlier. Hunt read a personal statement to which
Council Members Towsley and Casagranda objected.Towsley called for a Point of Order,citing that
the subject matter was personal and inappropriate under Robert's Rules. Mayor Squires ruled that
there was no violation and allowed Hunt to continue.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
May 14, 2018 Volume 39, Page 431
In response to Casagranda, Hunt said he had met with the owner of the Orlander building
about one and a half years ago,and had addressed the issue of the encroachment of the construction
facing onto the sidewalk as it was interfering with pedestrian traffic. Hunt agreed to follow up with
the building owner again.
Squires congratulated administration on completing the bathroom renovations on the first
floor of city hall.He also requested that the Teen Rec Room hours of operation be posted on the city
website.
Casagranda congratulated administration on completing the meter exchange project so
quickly,and appreciated the$.04 kWh explanation for the last utility bill.In response to Casagranda,
Assistant City Manager Ron Long said the rest of the meters would arrive on May 24, 2018.
The city manager left the meeting.
City Attorney Report. Will Earnhart reported his firm had billed 61 hours last month.
Earnhart introduced Katie Davies, another attorney from his firm, and said she would be attending
more council meetings going forward.
In response to Casagranda, Earnhart said the public records requests that he was involved
with in the last month involved general advice.
In response to Towsley,Earnhart said his firm was always here to serve the best interests of
the city.Earnhart said he would stand on the record for his statements at the last council meeting,and
he apologized if he offended anyone with the analogy he used.
Other Reports, Announcements and Presentations
Council recessed 8:26 p.m.
Council resumed 8:31 p.m.
Bering Sea Blue Ocean Cluster Incubator Initiative by Joel Cladouhos
Mayor's Report on KPB Joint Work Session
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Ordinance 2018-002, Amending Seward City Code Chapters 2, 7, 8, And 15 Relating To
Camping Regulations.
Motion (Keil/Casagranda) Enact Ordinance 2018-002
City Planner Jackie Wilde said the Planning&Zoning Commission(P&Z)had conducted
approximately 20 work sessions to develop these code updates, in conjunction with input from
multiple departments, and citizen comments and feedback.
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
May 14,2018 Volume 39,Page 432
Notice of the public hearing being posted and published as required by law was noted and the public
hearing was opened
Carol Griswold said she had attended almost every work session and had submitted a lot of
comments. She remained concerned that the employee campground portion was not appropriately
addressed from a health and safety standpoint.
No one else appeared to address the Council and the public hearing was closed
In response to Keil,Wilde said Griswold's concerns had been discussed with P&Z multiple
times,cut the commission had not taken action on every issue she raised.
Motion to Amend (Casagranda/Towsley) Amend Ordinance 2018-002 in Title 15(i)(5)
by striking the word "vehicles" and
replacing it with the words "camping
units."
Motion to Amend Passed Yes:Towsley,McClure,Casagranda,Horn
No: Keil, Squires
Main Motion Passed Unanimous
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
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
This resolution was originally brought forward and approved on April 9, 2018, and was brought
forward again on April 23, 2018 for reconsideration. The resolution was then postponed to this
meeting, and so the main motion was back on the floor.
Erchinger reported approximately five percent of customers turned off their water service
over this last winter,which equated to about 70 accounts; this represented approximately$36,000
per year in lost revenue which equated to 3%of the Wastewater budget. The monthly sewer fee was
equal to one ERU of$65.64.Long added that there was a concern that the Wastewater Fund should
be built up so that it did not continue to run at a loss.
In response to Squires, Erchinger said this tariff would not affect year round users, only
residents or businesses that turned off their water.
Primary Motion to Amend(Casagranda/McClure)Amend Resolution 2018-030 under Group E
— Special Rates and Fees under item #12
Seasonal Turn-On and Seasonal Turn-Off
City of Seward, Alaska City Council Minutes
May 14, 2018 Volume 39, Page 433
by striking the words, "(waived if <2
months between turn-off and turn-on;
Seasonal can apply to either summer or
winter.)" and replacing it with, "A system
delivery charge (SDC) of $50 per month
will be applied to any service that is shut
off."and also striking,"Seasonal Turn-On:
$262.56" and "Seasonal Turn-Off:
$262.56".
Secondary Motion to Amend (Casagranda/McClure) Amend Resolution 2018-030 under
Group E — Special Rates and Fees under
item #12 Seasonal Turn-On and Seasonal
Turn-Off by striking the words,"A system
delivery charge (SDC) of $50 per month
will be applied to any service that is shut
off.." and replacing it with, "A sewer
system delivery charge (SSDC) of$50 per
month will be applied to any service that
has their water turned off."
Secondary Motion Passed Unanimous
Primary Motion Passed Unanimous
In response to Casagranda,Erchinger explained that the reason there was a transfer of$1.08
out of the general fund to the sewer enterprise fund was because, following the sewage lagoon
repairs, there was a need to have funds available in the future.
In response to Casagranda, Erchinger said she would check if the bathrooms at the
campgrounds were ERU or metered.
Motion to Amend (Casagranda/Towsley) Amend Resolution 2018-030 under Group E
— Special Rates and Fees under #3
Recreational Vehicles by striking the
words, "no fee" and replacing them with,
"No fee collected by Sewer Department;
fees collected by Campgrounds Department
and passed onto the Sewer Department
during the year-end budget process."
Motion to Amend Passed Yes:McClure,Towsley,Casagranda,Horn,
Squires
No: Keil
Motion Passed Unanimous
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
May 14,2018 Volume 39, Page 434
Resolution 2018-043, Authorizing The City To Restore Funding For An Accounting
Technician Position Delayed During The 2018/2019 Budget Process, And Appropriating
Funds.
Motion to Reconsider(Horn/Casagranda) Reconsider Resolution 2018-043
Motion to Reconsider Failed Yes: Horn,Towsley, Casagranda
No: McClure,Keil,Squires
NEW BUSINESS
Resolution 2018-046,Authorizing The City Manager To Purchase A New 2018 Peterbilt 337
Small Bucket Truck In The Amount Of$225,823.00, Adding A Contingency Allowance Of
$22,582.00,And Appropriating Funds.
Motion (KeiUMcClure) Approve Resolution 2018-046
Long said even though there was a provision in code to obtain multiple quotes, Electric
Utility Manager John Foutz only received one quote back,and so this was essentially being sole
sourced.
Foutz said this vehicle was over ten years old and was the primary vehicle used only inside
city limits. This was an essential piece of equipment for the operations;additional funds have been
had to be spent in recent years in order to keep it in compliance with safety standards,and it was not
beneficial to try to maintain it anymore from a cost standpoint.
In response to Towsley,Long said the old truck could be transferred to another department,
surplussed, or sent to a vendor for disposal. It could potentially be used for non-electric purposes,
thereby extending the life of the vehicle within the city.
In response to Squires, Foutz said the contingency was added in case shipping charges
fluctuated. The purchase for this vehicle would come from the motor pool budget.
Motion Passed Unanimous
Other New Business
Review the City's Organization Chart. (Towsley)
Towsley wished to see the reporting structure for the Human Resources Department changed
to be autonomous.
Council scheduled a work session on Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. to review the city's
organization chart.
Discuss potential conflict of interest of city manager's lodging business. (Towsley)
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
May 14, 2018 Volume 39, Page 435
Council scheduled a work session on Tuesday,May 29,2018 at 5:00 p.m.to review and discuss
Seward City Code Section 2.01.020.
Discuss City Council Code of Conduct/Code of Ethics. (Keil)
Keil stated that several of her constituents had expressed concerns about what they perceived
as inappropriate conduct by some council members,and that they also wanted council to be included
in the harassment and bullying policy, and to require drug testing for council members.
Council scheduled a work session on Monday,June 11,2018 at 5:30 p.m.
Discuss Port and Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB) Resolution 2018-004. (Horn)
Council suspended the rules to speak with Port and Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB)
Chair Darryl Schaefermeyer.
Schaefermeyer said the first time PACAB addressed the topic of conducting a study of
Lowell Creek and Marathon Creek as a source for alternative hydroelectric energy was in 2007,and
the board recently took up the issue again.PACAB's recommendation was to work with Andy Baker
to re-evaluate the Lowell Creek Hydroelectric Facility.
Council went back on the rules.
Long said originally the goal was to consider if this was feasible and if it made economic
sense.
Council directed administration to bring forward a resolution to conduct a feasibility study.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS
Clerk's Report on Public Records Requests for April, 2018.
Updated Workflow for Public Records Request Process.
On-Going City Projects and Goals.
Local Government Notice ofApplication for Retail Marijuana Establishment for The Tufted Puffin.
Clerk's memo verifying timely receipt of annual Financial Disclosure Forms.
Report on audit of City Clerk's office by Jane Boer, Local Government Specialist, Division of
Community and Regional Affairs.
Clerk's Report on status of Mobile Vendor Program for 2018.
COUNCIL COMMENTS—None
City of Seward,Alaska City Council Minutes
May 14, 2018 Volume 39,Page 436
CITIZEN COMMENTS
Sharyl Seese wanted to speak about Resolution 2018-030. She had lived in Seward for
decades,and now that she was retired she enjoyed going out in the winter to visit family and friends,
but was concerned that she wouldn't be able to afford to anymore if the turn-on/turn-off fees would
be so costly.
Pat Messmer thanked council for their work on the union,and hoped everyone could move
forward. He hadn't realized there were so many unions in town.
COUNCIL AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS
Squires recommended Seese speak with Erchinger about her concerns.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 10:29 p.m.
/110
/4., ,4
renda J. Ballo MMC David Squires
City Clerk Mayor
ss�• OF
(City Sean►,c•y ................%
i .•• G TF••
•
• I SEAL
•
tilFOFAPS**