MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL FOR THE CITY OF THORNE BAY ALASKA, COUNCIL CHAMBERS CITY HALL Wednesday February 4, 2009 6:30p.m. The meeting was be preceded by a workshop beginning at 6:00p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER: Mayor Gould called the meeting to order at 6:30p.m. 2. PLEDGE TO FLAG: The council and audience stood for the pledge to the flag. 3. ROLL CALL: Gould, Currit, Kelly, marsh, and Hartwell were present. McDonald attended by phone. Minnillo was absent. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Currit moved to approve the agenda removing item 11 (c). Hartwell seconded the motion. There was no further discussion. MOTION: F/S: YEAS: NAYS: STATUS: Move to approve the agenda removing item 11 (c) Currit/Hartwell Marsh, Kelly, Gould, Hartwell, Currit and McDonald None Motion Passed.
5. MAYOR’S REPORT: Mayor Gould stated he and Jon Erickson the AML Session was a success. Gould stated he was able to talk with the Governor. Gould stated the Governor gave a 30 minute session. And he appreciated the direction she was going in. Gould apologized for the library discussion not being on the agenda. Gould stated the library would be on the next agenda. 6. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT: Erickson stated he met with Lawrence Blood of DCCED. He also met with Ted Deats of DNR and found out the City owns the tidelands by the helipad. Erickson stated they also spoke about the potential graveyard and what it would entail and the landfill for when they dig the new cell about selling the soil that is dug up.
Hartwell stated he thought the city was going to use what was dug up to cover the existing cell. Erickson stated he handed out a long term investment policy for the council to look over. Erickson stated DNR will be selling 21 lots on Steep Road. Erickson stated Eagle Minerals was interested in loading iron ore. They will be flying into Thorne Bay on Tuesday at 9:30am. Kim Redmond will take them to Tolstoi to take depths and do hydrographic study. Erickson stated he was redoing the Employee Handbook. Erickson stated the Thorne Bay Market donated two turkeys to the City and the city will cook them in a deep pit. Erickson stated the Market also stated they would donate a pig so the city could do a deep pit pig roast. Justin Sornsin reported the following: City of Thorne Bay ACTUAL allocation for National Forest Receipts Program for FY09: $186,487.62 These are ALL Tier I funds and must be used for "road maintenance". FY09 year-to-date for Streets and Roads ~$51,000 spent, including the purchase of the new dump truck/sander, will probably be close to $65,000 for the total year. Thus, we HAVE to spend ~$135,000 on roads in the next 5 months. I had originally planned on using any remaining funds on the South Side roads project to finish Choker Setter and develop D1 topping, but after testifying in front of the Legislative Finance Committee re: Economic Recovery legislation for TB, I spoke with Julie Isom in Stedman's office and sent the good Senator a lengthy letter describing our Capital Project needs that would GREAT as an Economic Recovery package for TB Davidson Landing - $250,000 SS Roads - re-appropriation of the $71k from the Helipad construction with another $150,000 needed for topping I also spoke with Shirley Kelly of the Dept of Commerce AK Econ Dev (AED) organization in Anchorage. I had requested $377k through our FY09 Econ Rec package through Begich's office. I FAED invests in a community project, there has to be a SIGNIFICANT benefit to private enterprise and econ dev in the private sector...so, Davidson and the dump we not viable. The roads, however, are, based on the mills in Goose Creek and the Kasaan Road, the benefit to SE Road builders, econ dev in South Thorne Bay with the lodges and up Steep Road with the 2 lodges there and a handful of other businesses. Looks like the USFS will be moving forward in paving between
Freeman Drive, past the school and all the way to Sandy Beach (takes care of the school paving project). Thus...here's the opportunity: We can PURCHASE a brand new excavator and tilt-deck trailer (total price of $140-150k) with the remainder of the FY09 NFR funds, pay for all but the last $15 or 20k and pay for the rest of it during the FY10 NFR funds (forecast to be 10-15% decrease from FY09). This will aide the roads projects, Davidson project, all water and sewer projects, future roads/utility expansion into Oceanview Subdivision, dig sand a hell of a lot quicker that the old backhoe...AND...DIG THE NEW DUMP CELL. If this seems feasible and logical, we should move on it ASAP, because the NFR monies will be coming in the next month...stick out an RFP to CMI, Case, NC Machinery, etc. and run it for 30 days and purchase BEFORE the end of FY09. I will be drafting a GRANT PACKAGE to AED for Thorne Bay Roads project requesting $377,000. I am not sure what type of City match might be required but I would assume 25% (94,250)...which, coincidentally, is close to the potential difference between the FY10 (FY09 minus 15%) NFR funds of $158, 514.48 minus normal annual road maintenance budget ($50k) minus what would be the remainder of the excavator / trailer purchase. LONG STORY SHORT: Use the FY09 NFR funds to offset the existing road maintenance budget, buy and excavator and trailer, AND fund the balance of that purchase and the potential City match by the AED grant funds ($377) and the FY10 road maintenance budget during FY10 with FY10 NFR funds. Currit stated it was a good idea with the excavator could do a lot of road work on the South Side roads with it. Robert Hancock stated half of the rental price for excavators is labor and fuel. McDonald inquired if the city would need to purchase a trailer for the excavator. Sornsin stated the trailer was included in the price of the excavator. 7. VILLAGE SAFE WATER & CE2 ENGINEERS: Dave Longtin with Village Safe Water stated in 2002 Village Safe Water began working with Thorne Bay and CE2 Engineers to do analysis of water plant and see how to improve the water. Work began last summer. The grant was originally for $325,000.00 since then an additional $300,000.00 was granted to Thorne Bay for the project. The project was originally scheduled to be finished in 2008 but was not. The project will continue in the next couple of weeks. Shawn Gwaltney CE2 Engineers stated he was available to answer questions that the council had. Shawn stated Thorne Bay was a priority to CE2 Engineering
Company. Shawn stated VSW and CE2 Engineers will successfully improve the water quality from the water treatment plant. Shawn talked about what was not funded now but can use the unused funds for like the purchase and installation of new filter control panel, raw water digital turbine-type meter to replace existing broken turbine meter to record raw water pumped, and installation of radio link switch for remotely turning on and off raw water pump at Water Lake from the water treatment plant. Shawn stated he was glad to work with a community as organized as Thorne Bay. 8. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Jim McFarland stated the Thorne Bay add was in the Inter Island Ferry Guide on page six. McFarland stated he had Inter Island Ferry Guides for the City. Amy Tilley thanked the Mayor and Vice Mayor for attending the Friends of the Library Meeting. Mrs. Tilley inquired if the Administrator requested an extension on the CDBG grant for the library design. Erickson stated the grant could not be extended. Mrs. Tilley stated the Friends were concerned that they will lose the grant. Mrs. Tilley stated the friends discussed raising the city’s portion of the grant fund to continue with the grant. Mrs. Tilley stated the Friends of the Library wanted to continue working with the City Council. Gould encouraged the Friends of the Library to attend the next City Council meeting. Jon stated Gail (grants administrator) stated if the city did not pursue the grant it would not be a black mark on the city. The City can apply for the grant at another time. Mrs. Tilley stated it took ten years to get to this point and did not want another ten years to go by before the Library gets a new building. Karen Rawding stated there were four EMS volunteers that live at the harbor and did not want them to have to move because of increase of harbor rates. Mrs. Rawding stated it would hurt the community if they left because they are very involved in EMS and Fire. Mrs. Rawding requested the city consider making an exception for them and increase the rates in increments. Hartwell stated there was a workshop on Friday at 6pm to discuss the harbor rate increases. Eric Henning stated he visited Thorne Bay nine years ago and drove around looking for town. Mr. Henning stated there was property in Thorne Bay to be utilized for pulling town together. That would promote casual commerce. The water front property by KPC has tremendous value. Mr. Henning suggested the request from AML to use that site should be approved for the Sort Yard not where the City designated for Downtown Thorne Bay. Gould stated the Downtown Business District was zoned commercial for that purpose. 9. COUNCIL COMMENTS: Kelly stated the City has only 7 acres of land at the Sort Yard. Kelly stated nothing has happened with the Downtown Business District in the last four years. Kelly stated the population of Thorne Bay has decreased tremendously and is having a large negative affect on the School and Sales Tax. Kelly stated there is a need for jobs in Thorne Bay. Kelly stated in the past industrial companies is what made Thorne Bay. Kelly stated it was important to encourage people to provide family wage jobs. Kelly stated that little shops would not save the City.
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.
MINUTES 1. Minutes for the January 20, 2009, Regular City Council meeting, discussion and action item: Gould moved to approve the consent agenda. Hartwell seconded the motion. There was no further discussion. MOTION: F/S: YEAS: NAYS: STATUS: 11. Move to approve the consent agenda Gould/Hartwell Kelly, Hartwell, McDonald, Currit, Gould and Marsh None Motion Passed.
A.
NEW BUSINESS: A. Appointment of Dennis Stauffer as Co-Captain for the Thorne Bay Emergency Services, discussion and action item: Hartwell moved to appoint Dennis Stauffer as Co-Captain for the Thorne Bay EMS. Marsh seconded the motion. There was no further discussion. MOTION: F/S: YEAS: NAYS: STATUS: B. Move to appoint Dennis Stauffer as Co-Captain for the Thorne Bay EMS Hartwell/Marsh Kelly, Gould, McDonald, Marsh, Currit and Hartwell None Motion Passed.
Resignation of Len Brady from the Thorne Bay Harbor Commission, discussion and action item: Currit moved to accept the resignation of Len Brady from the Thorne Bay Harbor Commission. Gould seconded the motion. Kelly stated he would vote against this motion because Mr. Brady was a good asset to the Harbor Commission. There was further discussion. MOTION: F/S: YEAS: NAYS: STATUS: C. Move to accept the resignation of Len Brady from the Thorne Bay Harbor Commission Currit/Gould Currit, Gould, Marsh, McDonald and Hartwell Kelly Motion Passed. Resolution 09-02-04-01, adopting a new Organizational Chart for the City of Thorne Bay employees, discussion and action item:
This item was removed from the agenda. D. 50’ finger float repair, discussion item: Sornsin stated Vessel damage during the fall and winter of 2008/2009 has severely damaged the 50' finger float at the main Thorne Bay Harbor. The float is broken in at least 2 places, the bull rails and fascia are significantly impacted, the inside 8" x 8" bull rail is extremely worn, the pile collars may need replacing Option 1: A temporary fix requiring major labor expense and minor materials and hardware expense. Finger would have to be completely removed, flipped over in the water, dragged to shore and temporary "patched" in 3 places. This finger takes substantial structural loading from vessels, wind and waves that a minor patch is not cost-effective as the entire finger will need replacing in the next 5-7 years. Once the existing lumber is removed to patch the structural damage, much of it may be unusable which will drive up the cost and lag time for repair. Option 2: Full replacement requiring the following costs… 300 LF of PT 2" x 10" ($514.95) 120 LF of PT 6" x 6" ($442.44) 100 LF of PT 4" x 6" ($232.60) 120 LF of PT 2" x 8" ($158.34) 4 floatation billets ($1,200) 24 LF of PT 8" x 8" ($191.82) Hardware ($400.00) 40 hours Labor @ $35/hour ($1,400) Misc. expense…unsure of additional underwater PT needs ($1,000) Freight quoted 1/21/09, 20' Northland flat from Ketchikan to TB ($400.00) Total: 10% administrative fee: TOTAL: $5,940.15 $594.00 $6,534.15
Additionally, it appears the structural integrity of the outside finger piling ahs been compromised (very loose) and may require replacement at a cost of ~ $10,000 (if done during the Davidson Landing work in March…if not, there's a substantial mobilization cost involved). An engineer will be required to determine the extent of damage (if any) on the piling. Resolution 09-02-04-02, supporting the Sandy Beach Multi Purpose Trail, discussion and action item: F. Resolution 09-02-04-03, supporting the Sandy Beach Road reconstruction, discussion and action item: Hartwell moved to approve Resolutions 09-02-04-02 and 09-02-04-03. Currit seconded the motion. There was no further discussion. E.
MOTION: F/S: YEAS: NAYS: STATUS:
Move to approve Resolutions 09-02-04-02 and 09-02-04-03 Hartwell/Currit Currit, McDonald, Hartwell, Marsh, Gould and Kelly None Motion Passed.
G. Harbor Boat, discussion item: Discussion ensued about the need of a new harbor boat. There was discussion of the possible use of the Rescue boat as the harbor boat. This would be good for the boat to be used more. Discussion of the possibility of purchasing Nick Gefre’s boat ensued. Erickson stated he would look into the grant stipulations and find out if the city can use the Rescue boat as a harbor boat. There was further discussion. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION: A. Ordinance 09-02-17-01, amending Title 2-Adminstration and Personnel, Chapter 2.24-Officers and Employees, Section 2.24.060Annual leave, discussion and action item: Gould moved to approve Ordinance 09-02-17-01. Currit seconded the motion. There was no further discussion. There was no further discussion. MOTION: F/S: YEAS: NAYS: STATUS: B. Move to approve Ordinance 09-02-17-01 Gould/Currit Kelly, Currit, Gould, Marsh, McDonald and Hartwell None Motion Passed. 12.
Ordinance 09-02-17-02, amending Title 18-Harbor, Chapter 18.30Rules for use of Harbor Facility, discussion and action item: Hartwell moved to approve Ordinance 09-02-17-02. Currit seconded the motion. Hartwell stated he wanted to insert the wording “and State of Alaska Requirements”. Currit inquired about the requirement of boats moving under their own power. What if they are sale boats or canoes? Gould stated under the power for which the boat was designed. Currit inquired about boats that are currently having work done on the engines and are out of commission. Harwell stated they just needed to inform the Harbor master. Kelly stated he would vote against the ordinance. Kelly stated he did not know how the ordinance would affect the people living on their boats at the harbor. There was further discussion. MOTION: F/S: YEAS: NAYS: STATUS: Move to approve Ordinance 09-02-17-02 Hartwell/Currit Gould, Hartwell and McDonald Kelly, Marsh and Currit Motion Failed
Ordinance 09-02-17-03, amending Title 18-Harbor, Chapter 18.50-Enforcement, Section 18.50.020-Penalties, discussion and action item: Hartwell moved to approve Ordinance 09-02-17-03. Gould seconded the motion. There was no further discussion. MOTION: F/S: YEAS: NAYS: STATUS: 13. Move to approve Ordinance 09-02-17-03 Hartwell/Gould Hartwell, McDonald, Currit, Gould and Marsh Kelly Motion Passed.
C.
ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING: A. Ordinance 09-02-03-01, amending Title 2-Administration and Personnel, Chapter 2.24-Officers and Employees, Section 2.24.090Compensation, discussion and action item: Gould moved to pass Ordinance 09-02-03-01. Currit seconded the motion. There was no further discussion. MOTION: F/S: YEAS: NAYS: STATUS: 14. Move to pass Ordinance 09-02-03-01 Gould/Currit Kelly, Gould, McDonald, Marsh, Currit and Hartwell None Motion Passed.
EXPENDITURES EXCEEDING $2,000.00: A. Expenditure of $4,072.20 plus freight to Metheus Lumber, discussion and action item: B. Expenditure of $7,016.10 plus freight to Matheus Lumber for lumber and materials for Davidson Landing, discussion and action item: C. Expenditure of $21,168.00, to National Pipe and steel for 6 pilings for Davidson Landing, discussion and action item: D. Expenditure of $6,765.00, plus freight, to National Pipe and Steel for pile caps and misc, materials for Davidson Landing, discussion and action item: Gould moved to approve the expenditures of $4, 072.20 and $7,016.10 plus freight to Matheus Lumber and the expenditures of $21,168.00 and $6,765.00 plus freight to National Pipe and Steel. Kelly seconded the motion. Sornsin stated all expenditures were covered by existing grants. There was no further discussion. MOTION: F/S: YEAS: Move to approve the expenditures of $4, 072.20 and $7,016.10 plus freight to Matheus Lumber and the expenditures of $21,168.00 and $6,765.00 plus freight to National Pipe and Steel Gould/Kelly Kelly, Currit, Gould, Marsh, McDonald and Hartwell
NAYS: STATUS:
None Motion Passed.
15. CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC COMMENT: Robert Hancock stated that many people use harbors just for working on their boats. Mr. Hancock stated the Harbor Commission needed to look in the ABYC requirements and not the Coast Guard. Meredith Sornsin requested if Mr. Hancock was interested in joining the Harbor Commission. Jim McFarland stated the Downtown Business District area was designed to bring in business to Thorne Bay. Mr. McFarland stated the City has not sold any lots because of the easement the Forest Service has. Mr. McFarland stated the City has no idea what businesses will come into Thorne Bay and we should not turn away positive ideas for the future of the Downtown Business District. Mr. McFarland stated he would be vocal against the Downtown area becoming a “container farm”. Gould stated the city is in the process of getting rid of the easement located in the Downtown Business District. Gould stated now was not the time to sell property. Gould stated there have been no decisions made to change the zoning. Right now the Downtown Business District is zoned for Commercial only. 16. CONTINUATION OF COUNCIL COMMENT: 17. ADJOURNMENT: Gould adjourned the meeting at 8:12p.m.
________________________ James Gould, Mayor ATTEST: ________________________ Teri Hammons, City Clerk