MINUTES
FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FOR THE CITY OF THORNE BAY
ALASKA,
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CITY HALL
March 16, 2010
6:30p.m.
The meeting was preceded by a workshop beginning at 6:00p.m.
1. CALL TO ORDER:
Mayor Gould called the meeting to order at 6:47p.m.
2. PLEDGE TO FLAG:
The audience and council stood for the pledge to the flag.
3. ROLL CALL:
Gould and Kelly were present. Hartwell and McDonald attended by phone.
Minnillo, Marsh and Currit were excused.
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Hartwell moved to approve the agenda removing item 12 (a&b). McDonald
seconded the motion. There was no further discussion.
MOTION: Move to approve the agenda removing item 12 (a&b)
F/S: Hartwell/McDonald
YEAS: Gould, Hartwell, and McDonald
NAYS: Kelly
STATUS: Motion Failed.
Hartwell moved to approve the agenda. McDonald seconded the motion. There
was no further discussion.
MOTION: Move to approve the agenda
F/S: Hartwell/McDonald
YEAS: Kelly, Hartwell, Gould, McDonald
NAYS: None
STATUS: Motion Passed.
5. MAYOR’S REPORT:
Mayor Gould stated he received a letter from the Forest Service Ranger regarding
potential economic impacts of job losses on the Thorne Bay Ranger District.
Gould stated he met with Abby Blackshire of Community Connections regarding
community support for Grant funding. Gould stated right now Community
Connections is using a small trailer provided by SISD to house one of their
students. Gould stated he would be sending a letter of support to them. Gould
stated he attended Southeast Conference March 3-5. Gould stated there was a
POWCOC meeting in Klawock on March 17, 2010, and a POWCAC meeting on the
23rd in Thorne Bay.
6. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
Sornsin stated the FY11 Budget would be introduced to the Council for review on
April 20th. Sornsin stated Southeast Conference was a good trip. Sornsin stated
Phase II of Davidson Landing Grant was approved by the Denali Commission for
up to $561,000.00. Sornsin stated they were waiting for the weather to warm up
before beginning work at Davidson Landing. Sornsin stated Choker Setter Circle
work was complete. Sornsin stated the Christmas lights were all replaced with
the lighting strips.
A. AML/JIA PRESENTATION:
Kevin Smith, Executive Director for Alaska Municipal League Join Insurance
Association, explained to the City Council the City of Thorne Bay’s portfolio and
losses throughout the years. Mr. Smith explained the benefits of being a member
of AML/JIA. There was further discussion.
7. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS:
A. Library Report:
Library report for the month of February:
8-volunteers, the library is open Monday-Friday-Saturday 10am-2pm, Tuesdays
and Thursdays 11am-4pm, Wednesdays 11am-2pm and Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday, and Thursday nights 6pm-8pm. The library was open 118.5 hours in
February, 144 patrons utilized the library, 40 patrons used the computers, 16
assistances, 6 were assisted to PDF applications. On 2/13/10 two movies where
shown, 6 people showed, $5.07 was made. This was a busy weekend with
Valentines being the next day. The churches had dinners going on and a Folk
Group was in town. We had a good time despite the low turnout. Also on the 18th
the TBBA had a meeting, 9 attended. At this point I would like to note that a new
or used printer is needed or hitching up to the main printer for public use. Not
sure that this has been brought to the councils attention, thank you for listening.
On Tuesday nights we have a CHUG-A-MUG, on the 22-26th of March the library
will be showing movies. Two children’s, one teen and two adults. Looking
forward to seeing you there. Check out the Port, The Thorne Bay Market, Riptide
and of course the Thorne Bay Library for dates, time and movies playing.
Current list of donors: Earl Hendrix and Donna Lacour.
B. EMS Report:
Dennis Stauffer stated it was a busy week for EMS. Stauffer stated the squad had
5 new ETT’s. Stauffer stated there was an EMS call in the middle of the finals,
but all were able to finish. Stauffer requested the EMS Staff get a crisis
debriefing.
C. Law Enforcement Report:
There was no Law Enforcement report given.
D. Fire Department Report:
Jon Oliver stated it had been quiet with the Fire Department. Oliver stated there
was fire training in Klawock at the end of the month.
8. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Jim McFarland stated there was a Thorne Bay Business Association meeting on
March 18th at the library. McFarland thanked the City for the new Christmas
lights. McFarland stated the Prince of Wales Island Wide Visitor Committee will
meet March 25, 2010 in Coffman Cove. Lunch will be provided for $7.00 per
person.
Dennis Stauffer stated he hoped it was not a personal issue for putting on the
agenda to ban wood stoves on boats. Stauffer stated the leading cause of fires on
boats is electric. Stauffer stated it would cause him a lot of stress if they eliminate
wood stoves.
9. COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Kelly stated he concurred with Mr. Stauffer and propane was also high on the list
of causing fires on boats. Hartwell suggested the City bring the ambulance, that
was just offered for competitive bid, to City Hall and put a for sale sign on it.
Hartwell stated in May of 2009 Jim Seley mad an offer to the City to purchase
lots 2 and 3 of the Downtown Business District. Hartwell suggested the City
contact him to see if he is still interested in purchasing the lots.
10. CONSENT AGENDA:
The Consent Agenda includes routine items of business, which may not require separate discussions. When
the Mayor calls for public comment on the consent agenda, you may raise your hand and the Mayor will recognize you,
asking which item(s) you wish to have removed from the consent agenda for separate discussion and action. Following
the removal of any item from the consent agenda, the Council votes on the remaining items in one motion. All items
that are removed from the consent agenda will follow the format of Administrative Report, or Public
Hearing/Participation and Council Action.
A. MINUTES:
1. Minutes from the February 16, 2010, City Council meeting
discussion and action item:
Gould moved to approve the consent agenda. Kelly seconded the motion. There
was no further discussion.
MOTION: Move to approve the consent agenda
F/S: Gould/Kelly
YEAS: Gould, Hartwell, McDonald and Kelly
NAYS: None
STATUS: Motion Passed.
11. NEW BUSINESS:
A. USFS request to use property in the downtown area (Lot 4 or 5/6)
to moor a personnel barge for this working season (85' L x 35' W
and ~3' draft), discussion and action item:
Gould stated the Forest Service was no requesting to park the barge at the harbor.
Gould stated if the barge could not park at the harbor it would have to anchor in
the bay and people would have to boat to shore. Gould stated the Forest Service
wanted to be able to get off directly on the dock. Hartwell inquired if they would
have a generator for power or would the dock electricity be enough. Gould stated
noise would not be a problem. Kelly stated he over heard that the barge can
accept shore power. Gould stated the Forest Service has two barges. They want
one located in Thorne Bay and the other in Coffman Cove. Gould stated if they
City cannot provide space at our harbor for them they will place the barge in
Coffman Cove. There was further discussion.
B. Resolution 10-03-16-01, a resolution opposing the scheduled
commercial summer Dungeness Crab season in area #1 and #2,
discussion and action item:
Hartwell moved to approve Resolution 10-03-16-01. Gould seconded the motion.
Hartwell stated he asked this be put on the agenda in support of our sister City
Kasaan. Hartwell stated the personal limit for Dungeness crab has gone from 10
to 3. Hartwell stated he was against that. Gould stated he agreed. Kelly inquired
if commercial crabbing has ever been allowed in Thorne Bay. McFarland replied
it was not. Kelly stated he was happy to support Kasaan.
MOTION: Move to approve Resolution 10-03-16-01
F/S: Hartwell/Gould
YEAS: Kelly, Hartwell, Gould and McDonald
NAYS: None
STATUS: Motion Passed.
C. Request to survey 6.41 acres of tidelands within Tolstoi Bay,
discussion and action item:
Gould moved to survey 6.41 acres of tidelands within Tolstoi Bay. Hartwell
seconded the motion. Gould encouraged the council to pass this item. Gould
stated once the tideland is surveyed and developed the City will begin to make
money from it. Sornsin stated the tideland should have been surveyed in 2006.
Sornsin stated the City has until October to have the tidelands surveyed
according to the agreement with DNR. McDonald inquired what the cost was for
the survey. Gould stated the cost to survey was $4,440.00. Sornsin stated the
survey will be done in April and invoiced in May. Sornsin stated if the Council
wanted he could have it surveyed in May and invoiced in June and pay for it from
the FY11 budget. Kelly stated Tolstoi Bay may prove to be important for Thorne
Bay with the mining interest in Kasaan and more. Kelly stated he supported the
survey. There was no further discussion.
MOTION: Move to survey 6.41 acres of tidelands within Tolstoi Bay
F/S: Gould/Hartwell
YEAS: Hartwell, Kelly, Gould and McDonald
NAYS: None
STATUS: Motion Passed.
D. Resolution 10-03-16-02, opposing the Southeast Alaska
Native Land Entitlement Finalization Act, discussion and
action item:
Hartwell moved to approve Resolution 10-03-16-02. Gould seconded the
motion. Kelly read the resolution. McDonald thanked Kelly for all the effort he
put into the resolution. Hartwell stated Kelly did an outstanding job. Sornsin
stated he sent the draft unsigned resolution to all the legislatures and
representatives. Kelly requested the resolution be sent to the press. McFarland
suggested that Hecita be included in the resolution because there were residents
there. Kelly stated he would add the wording “all other communities”. There was
further discussion.
MOTION: Move to approve Resolution 10-03-16-02
F/S: Hartwell/Gould
YEAS: Hartwell, McDonald, Gould and Kelly
NAYS: None
STATUS: Motion Passed.
E. IT 18 loader replacement, discussion and action item:
Sornsin stated the IT18 needed to be replaced. Sornsin stated Solid Waste has
been pro active with rate changes and the loss is decreasing at the dump. Sornsin
stated in FY2009 the dump lost $124,000.00 and in FY2010 the loss was
$113,000.00. Sornsin stated so far for FY2011 the dump has only lost
$64,000.00 with four thousand of that lost in the last two quarters. Sornsin
stated the Solid Waste utility has come a long way. Sornsin stated he did not
know how much longer the IT18 was going to work. Sornsin stated the City
council purchase a brand new IT18 for $110,000-$150,000, or purchase a used
one for $50,000-$90,000. Sornsin stated he wanted a Volvo because it could be
serviced on the island. Sornsin inquired how much the council was willing to
spend. Sornsin stated the City could finance, lease or purchase the IT18. Gould
requested that Sornsin work the expenditure into the FY11 budget. Stauffer
inquired when the island was going to a regional solid waste. Sornsin replied it
would be approximately five years or so. Stauffer stated the City would then have
to surplus the new IT18 because we would no longer have use for it when the
Solid Waste goes to a regional site. Kelly inquired what the cost would be to
rebuild the motor in the IT18 that is currently at the dump. Sornsin stated Kevin
would let him know soon. There was no further discussion.
F. Discussion of Lots 2 &3 of the Downtown Business
District, discussion item:
Gould stated the City offered lots 2&3 of the Downtown Business District for sale
by sealed bid and no one placed a bid on them. Gould stated prior to offering
them for sealed bid Jim Seley requested to purchase the lots over the counter.
Gould stated since the lots had been offered for sale by sealed bid and nobody bid
on them, the City could now sell them over the counter. McDonald stated it
would be fine by him. Kelly stated the community preferred the lots be sold by
sealed bid or outcry auction. Kelly suggested advertising the lots again. Gould
stated the City has offered those lots for sale twice. Kelly stated when Jim Seley
originally requested to purchase those lots he said if the City put them for bid he
would not bid on them. Sornsin stated the City had the option to offer the lots for
lease also. McFarland thanked the council for using the bidding process for the
lots. McFarland stated since they were offered by sealed bid the council could
offer them over the counter. McFarland requested that the Council advertise that
they are being offered over the counter and see who is interested. Gould stated
he would do what the council wanted him to do. Sornsin stated if the lots do not
sell this time by sealed bid the City should sell them over the counter. Kelly
suggested putting the lots for sealed bid every three months. Hartwell stated he
wanted the lease rate to be looked at. Sornsin inquired when the best time for
advertising the lots were. McFarland stated April or some time in the summer.
There was no further discussion.
G. Thorne Bay Cemetery, discussion item:
Gould stated one of the discussions at Southeast Conference with DNR was about
the cemetery because they have had an open case file on it. Gould stated the City
had not addressed the two written responses that they received when they had
the public meetings. Gould stated Justin has answered the questions for DNR
and the information is in the packet. Sornsin stated he will send the answers to
DNR after the council has discussion. Gould stated DNR will then notify the
people that had the comments of the answers Justin provided. Gould stated he
wanted to have one more public meeting before the City makes a decision on the
cemetery.
12. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION:
A. Ordinance 10-04-06-01, amending Title 18-Harbor, Chapter 18.30-
Rules for use of harbor facility, Section 18.30..010(d)-Live aboard
policy, discussion and action item:
B. Ordinance 10-04-06-02, amending Title 18-Harbor, Chapter 18.30-
Rules for use of harbor facility, Section 18.30.140(s)-Prohibited
Acts, discussion and action item:
Gould moved to approve Ordinance 10-04-06-01 and 10-04-06-02. McDonald
seconded the motion. Gould thanked Dennis Stauffer for letting the council
know the leading cause of harbor fires. Gould stated the City really needed to
improve their fire fighting equipment at the dock. Kelly inquired why the Harbor
Commission feels that no wood stoves on the harbor are important. Hartwell
stated the Harbor Master was worried about fire. Hartwell stated he was also
worried about fire at the harbor along with Edgar Duncan and Lynn Reed.
Hartwell stated he told the Harbor Commission he would introduce the
ordinance. Kelly inquired why wood heat is different from propane. Hartwell
stated it was the open flame. Kelly stated propane and diesel were both open
flames as well. Kelly stated he was going to vote the ordinance down and hoped
the other council members did too. Sornsin stated Cindy Edenfield wrote a grant
for fire fighting equipment at the harbor. Sornsin stated Cindy Edenfield also
wrote to all the City’s vendors requesting donations for fire fighting equipment.
MOTION: Move to approve Ordinance 10-04-06-01 and 10-04-06-02
F/S: Gould/McDonald
YEAS: Hartwell
NAYS: Gould, McDonald and Kelly
STATUS: Motion Failed
13. ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING:
A. Ordinance 10-03-02-01, amending Title 3-Revenue and Finance,
Chapter 3.17-Sales Tax, Section 3.17.100-Exemptions, 317.100(y),
discussion and action item:
Gould moved to approve Ordinance 10-03-02-01. McDonald seconded the
motion. There was no further discussion.
MOTION: Move to approve Ordinance 10-03-02-01
F/S: Gould/McDonald
YEAS: Hartwell, Gould, McDonald and Kelly
NAYS: None
STATUS: Motion Passed
14. EXPENDITURES EXCEEDING $2,000.00:
A. Expenditure of $9,130.00, to USKH for Scope of Work and
additional fees required for completion, discussion and action item:
Gould moved to approve the expenditure of $9130.00 to USKH. McDonald
seconded the motion. There was further discussion.
MOTION: Move to approve the expenditure of $9130.00 to USKH
F/S: Gould/McDonald
YEAS: Hartwell, McDonald, Kelly and Gould
NAYS: None
STATUS: Motion Passed.
B. Expenditure of $4,440.00, to Templin Land Surveying for
Tolstoi ATS, discussion and action item:
Gould moved to approve the expenditure of $4440.00 to Templin Land
Surveying for the survey of Tolstoi Bay. Hartwell seconded the motion. There
was no further discussion.
MOTION: Move to approve the expenditure of $4440.00 to Templin Land
Surveying for the survey of Tolstoi Bay
F/S: Gould/Hartwell
YEAS: McDonald, Hartwell, Kelly and Gould
NAYS: None
STATUS: Motion Passed.
15. CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC COMMENT:
There were no public comments.
16. CONTINUATION OF COUNCIL COMMENT:
Kelly stated the council had a lot of business to do tonight and thanked everyone
for their comments.
17. ADJOURNMENT:
Gould adjourned the meeting at 9:10p.m.
_____________________
James Gould, Mayor
ATTEST:
_______________________
Teri Hammons, City Clerk