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MINUTES
FOR THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FOR THE CITY OF THORNE BAY
ALASKA,
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
CITY HALL
August 4, 2009
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 6:30p.m.
2. PLEDGE TO FLAG:
The audience and council stood for the pledge to the flag.
3. ROLL CALL:
Gould, Kelly, Marsh, Hartwell, McDonald and Minnillo were present. Currit
attended by phone.
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Gould moved to approve the agenda moving items 11 (a)(b) to 11 (i)(j) and
deleting item 14 (b). Hartwell seconded the motion. There was no further
discussion.
MOTION: Move to approve the agenda moving items 11 (a)(b) to 11 (i)(j) and
deleting item 14 (b)
F/S: Gould/Hartwell
YEAS: Minnillo, Marsh, Gould, Currit, McDonald, Hartwell and Kelly
NAYS: None
STATUS: Motion Passed.
5. MAYOR’S REPORT:
Gould stated he met with Justin Sornsin and Robert Hartwell when he returned
home to discuss what has been happening in the City. Hartwell stated there was
a meeting on the 22nd to discuss solid waste. Hartwell attended the POWCAC
meeting last week.
6. CITY ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
Justin Sornsin reported the following:
Davidson Landing
Electrical pole and remaining concrete to be finished Wednesday
Draft Engineering drawing is under review by Pete Fama and myself
RFP for pilings, pile driver and float construct forthcoming in the next 2-3
weeks
South Thorne Bay Roads
North Road accessing Doug MaCallister and Candy Smiths lots is being
completely rebuilt with completion date slotted for end of next week
Topping of the Subdivision roads to begin immediately afterwords
Water
2008 vs. 2007 water quality: 37% reduction in average quarterly TTHM
(disinfection byproduct) formation with a 42% reduction in quarterly high
2008 vs. 2007 water quality: slight reduction in average HAA5
(disinfection byproduct) formation with a 9% reduction in quarterly high
$135,000 VSW Comprehensive Sanitation Plan will design distributin
system purging program to achieve Stage 1 DBPR compliance
Harbor
New harbor sign installed
2 new dock carts for use (1 @ Davidson Landing, 1 @ Main Harbor)
Replacement of damaged 50’ finger complete with $1,534.15 received from
insurance claim (Project cost minus $5,000 deductable)
Removal of old pump out station will begin after Council approval
Library Final Design and Engineering
50% Design architectural, structural and civil are complete, awaiting
mechanical and electrical
Grants:
$100,000 DOTPF (Airplane Float Conversion) submitted
$130,000 +USDA Rural Development Rural Business Enterprise Grant
will be complete and submitted pending 3 additional items
$550-$650 Denali Commission Grant (Phases II and III) will be complete
and submitted pending 2 additional items
$50,000 USDA Rural Development Solid Waste Preliminary Planning
Grant for cell closure/opening will be submitted Friday
Forthcoming Grants:
Alaska Energy Authority-no estimate available (wood fired municipal
heat)
USDA RD Rural Energy Assistance Program –no estimate available (wood
fired municipal heat)
Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant –no estimate available (misc.
municipal energy efficiency projects)
USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Grant - $50,000-
$60,000 est. (sand storage building)-I will be generating an RFP/SOQ for
design/build of this facility shortly to generate the cost estimate figures
EPA Brownfield Site (asbestos removal at old fire hall) - $35,000 est.
US Fire Administration Equipment Grant -$30,000 est. (2400’ of new
hose, 4 high flow nozzles, 10 sets of turnout gear, etc.)
Fire Department volunteer performed a controlled burn for the City last week on
Sandy Beach RD to eliminate accumulated brush and debris. Thanks guys!
8. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Lynn Reed stated the Harbor Commission met on July 10th. Reed stated the
Harbor Commission discussed removing the pump out station at the harbor,
transient moorage billing, the City Harbor Fund, and discussed a list of future
harbor project for the OEDP. Reed stated transient moorage is now to be paid in
advance, the City will no longer bill. Reed stated future harbor plans included
1. Finish Davidson Landing
2. Breakwater in front of the harbor
3. Airplane float reconfiguration
4. Fill the tidelands between the harbor and boat grid station
5. Build a city dock that trucks will be able to drive on to load and off load
6. Buy a boat haul out trailer and offer dry dock storage.
Hartwell inquired when the next Harbor Commission meeting was. Reed stated
it was August 21, 2009. Minnillo inquired how often the pump out station at the
harbor was used. Sornsin stated it was never used. Sornsin stated the City has a
vacuum trailer that can be used to pump out boats.
Jim McFarland stated Jeff Marrel from Hawaii won first place in the Salmon
Derby. McFarland stated the Salmon Derby had their potluck dinner and Ed
Nelson Jr. won the motor. McFarland stated the Derby sold 149 ticket which was
the most they have sold over the last five years. McFarland stated the next
Thorne Bay Business Association meeting will be August 20, 2009.
9. COUNCIL COMMENTS:
Hartwell stated there was a Planning and Zoning Meeting on August 10, 2009 at
4pm.
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 July 7, 2009, regular City Council meeting,
discussion and action item:
Gould moved to pass the consent agenda. Hartwell seconded the motion. There
was no further discussion.
MOTION: Move to pass the consent agenda
F/S: Gould/Hartwell
YEAS: Kelly, Hartwell, McDonald, Currit, Gould, Marsh, and Minnillo
NAYS: None
STATUS: Motion Passed.
11. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Appointment of Justin Sornsin as the City Administrator for the
City of Thorne Bay, discussion and action item:
Gould moved to appoint Justin Sornsin as the City Administrator for the City of
Thorne Bay, Alaska. Hartwell seconded the motion. Gould stated he and Justin
would work out a contract they both agreed upon. Kelly stated he felt Mr.
Sornsin is well qualified to be the City Administrator. There was no further
discussion.
MOTION: Move to appoint Justin Sornsin as the City Administrator for the
City of Thorne Bay, Alaska
F/S: Gould/Hartwell
YEAS: Kelly, Hartwell, McDonald, Currit, Gould, Marsh, and Minnillo
NAYS: None
STATUS: Motion Passed.
B. Appointing the Mayor for the City of Thorne Bay as supervisor of
Meredith Sornsin, discussion and action item:
Gould moved that the Mayor be the Supervisor for Meredith Sornsin. Hartwell
seconded the motion. There was no further discussion.
MOTION: Move that the Mayor be the supervisor for Meredith Sornsin
F/S: Gould/Hartwell
YEAS: Kelly, Hartwell, McDonald, Currit, Gould, Marsh and Minnillo
NAYS: None
STATUS: Motion Passed.
C. Harbor Fund Resolution, discussion and action item:
Gould moved to discuss the harbor fund resolution that involves a setting up a
separate account for 10% of the Harbor Funds received. Hartwell seconded the
motion. Hartwell stated he understands why the Harbor Commission wants the
10% of harbor funds to be deposited into a separate account but he did not think
they needed to do it. Anything the harbor needs fixed will get fixed. Kelly stated
the City put over $300,000.00 into Davidson Landing and that would be equal to
or more than what would be in the harbor fund had the council had a separate
account. Jim McFarland stated the resolution for the harbor fund has been
around a long time. It is just part of a resolution that is carried forward when the
council amends the harbor rates. McFarland stated he felt setting up the harbor
fund would be double dipping since they also have the occupancy tax funds for
harbor repairs. McFarland suggested 1% of the harbor profit be set aside for
repairs. Lynn Reed stated it was the harbor commission’s best effort to establish
a fund to defer unseen expenditures and depreciation. Reed stated the harbor
was a two million dollar dock with a life span of thirty years. Reed stated the City
has not saved money for a new harbor in the last nineteen years of depreciation.
McDonald inquired if the council puts 10% of harbor funds annually into a
separate account will they then have to increase harbor rates? Gould stated he
did not believe so. Sornsin stated the harbor had a $18,000.00 profit for FY10.
Sornsin stated the council would need to put an expense line in the Harbor
budget to account for the harbor fund. Kelly stated he would support the harbor
fund. McDonald stated if the council holds 10% of the harbor income in a
separate account they should do it for all the enterprise accounts. Sornsin stated
that was a good point and RUBA wants that. Gould requested this be put in the
form of an ordinance at the next council meeting. There was no further
discussion.
MOTION: Move to discuss the harbor fund resolution that involves a setting
up a separate account for 10% of the Harbor Funds received
F/S: Gould/Hartwell
YEAS: Kelly, Gould, McDonald, Marsh, Minnillo, Currit and Hartwell
NAYS: None
STATUS: Motion Passed.
D. Authorize the Public Works Department to remove the pump out
station located at the harbor, discussion and action item:
McDonald moved to authorize the removal of the Harbor Pumpout Station.
Gould seconded the motion. Sornsin stated the pumpout station did not work.
Minnillo inquired what Sornsin would do with it after they remove it. Sornsin
stated it was concrete so it could be dumped in the water. There was no further
discussion.
MOTION: Move to authorize the removal of the Harbor Pumpout Station
F/S: McDonald/Gould
YEAS: Minnillo, Hartwell, McDonald, Marsh, Gould, Currit and Kelly
NAYS: None
STATUS: Motion Passed.
E. Replacement of piling at the Thorne Bay Harbor, discussion and
action item:
Gould moved to repair or replace the piling at the Thorne Bay Harbor. Hartwell
seconded the motion. McDonald suggested not voting on this issue until a pile
driver could assess the damage and see if it needs to be replaced. Sornsin stated
there was a steel piling that could replace the wooden one. Minnillo stated if the
piling was still good they could sell it to the pile driver.
MOTION: Move to repair or replace the piling at the Thorne Bay Harbor
F/S: Gould/Hartwell
YEAS: Gould, Kelly, Minnillo, Marsh, Hartwell, Currit and McDonald
NAYS: None
STATUS: Motion Passed.
F. Thompson request for one additional harbor stall, discussion and
action item:
Gould moved to approve the Thompson request for one additional harbor stall.
McDonald seconded the motion. The Thompsons have one annual 50’ stall and
there are available 17’ slips. There was no further discussion.
MOTION: Move to approve the Thompson request for one additio0nal harbor
stall
F/S: Gould/McDonald
YEAS: Kelly, Hartwell, McDonald, Currit, Gould, Marsh and Minnillo
NAYS: None
STATUS: Motion Passed.
G. Sales Tax Increase, discussion item:
Hartwell stated the City spends $65,000.00 a year on upkeep of roads and the
National Forest Receipts currently funds this department. Hartwell stated the
City needed to have money in a fund to pay for the roads since National Forest
Receipts are going away in 2013. Hartwell stated the sales tax increase would
mostly affect the lodges. Gould stated he would vote in favor a Sales Tax increase
year round. Kelly stated the National Forest Receipts have threatened to go away
before and never did. Hartwell stated he talked with businesses around town and
they stated they were in favor of the increase of 1% from April 1 to October 1.
McFarland stated the lodge people already pay a 5% sales tax and a 4% bed tax.
McFarland inquired how many exempt sales were reported for one year.
McFarland stated he was not excited a bout a sales tax increase. McFarland
stated voters barely passed the bed tax and that would not even affect them.
Gould stated there was a need to address a sales tax increase. The City could
keep their sales tax at 5% forever. Kelly requested the staff make a case on why
the need for an increase in sales tax and bring it to the council. Lynn Reed stated
he wanted to see the council come up with a way to make up the money elsewhere
if not in sales tax. Gould agreed with Kelly and requested the staff put together
the reasons needed for increasing sales tax.
H. Solid Waste Department, discussion and action item:
Hartwell stated the Solid Waste Department for FY10 was projected to lose
$113,000.00. Hartwell stated he had discussions with Mr. Sornsin and some
suggestions for reducing the loss at the solid waste department were as follows:
Decrease number of employees at the Solid Waste to one employee, collect
garbage and take it to Klawock at $0.11 per pound, keep dump open one day a
week to collect south side residents garbage and Kasaan. Hartwell stated if the
winters get to rough Thorne Bay would open the Solid Waste site back up so we
don’t have to travel to Klawock. Gould stated the dump would still be open to
collect garbage that the City would not take to Klawock such as metal and wood.
Gould stated it did not make sense economically to continue to process our own
garbage when we can take it elsewhere and save money. Gould stated there may
be a slight increase in residential garbage rates for instance instead of $30.00 a
month it would be $33.00 plus tax. Sornsin stated there were three important
things important to the residents of Thorne Bay: 1. Garbage gets collected (where
it goes, most people didn’t care) 2. There is still designated days open for the
Southside residents and Kasaan to dump garbage 3. Rates don’t jump up
dramatically. Sornsin stated currently to break even at the dump and not deliver
garbage to Klawock rates would have to double. Meaning a $60.00 month
residential, $200.00 Dumpster, and $0.22 per pound scale rate. Sornsin stated
dramatically increasing rates did not seem feasible. People would just start
dumping their garbage on the side of the road, Kasaan, Coffman, and Naukiti
would all stop coming to the dump. Sornsin suggested the city fast forward to
what the end product was going to be regardless. Sornsin stated it was cheap to
collect garbage but not cheap to process it. Once the garbage is put on the ground
at the dump that is when all the work starts. The big costs are equipment, fuel,
electricity, three phase power, two full time employees, Excavator, back hoe, etc.
Sornsin stated the city collects between 150-200 tons of garbage from town,
Southside and Kasaan. Sornsin stated the city could take that to Klawock at $0.11
per pound, which is what they have a contract with the city of Craig for, and get
rid of that for a cost between $33,000-$50,000 per year. Sornsin stated this
would bring the Solid Waste Subsidy from $113,000.00 to $70,000.00 overnight.
Sornsin stated the important factor would be that we get a rate of $0.11 per
pound. If it was $0.18 per pound it would not make a lot of sense to take our
garbage to Klawock. Sornsin stated a 10% increase in rates would take the deficit
to below $60,000.00. Sornsin stated with the operational changes the solid
waste site would go down to three possible four days with one employee and the
other day the employee would work in the public works department. Sornsin
stated if the city does nothing and continues to lose $125,000.00 a year, in five
years everyone will be out of a job. Sornsin stated he would talk with Leslie Isaac,
City Administrator of Klawock, and get the figures Klawock would charge us.
McFarland stated when the scales were put in the loss at the solid waste site was
substantially lower. McFarland stated he did not know why the loss keeps
increasing every year. Sornsin stated there were a lot of factors to why costs were
raising every year, one of them is not able to be discussed during a public
meeting. Lynn Reed suggested fewer pickups in town, decreasing the amount of
dumpster’s people can have, and not provide dump services for everyone on the
island. There was further discussion.
I. Resolution 09-08-04-01. a resolution of support to apply for
$130,117.07, USDA Rural Development Rural Business Enterprise
Grant, discussion and action item:
Gould moved to approve Resolution 09-08-04-01. Marsh seconded the motion.
Gould read the resolution for the audience. Sornsin stated $75,000.00 would
pay for a consultant to identify what kind of businesses would go well in the
Downtown Business District and where their locations should be, $21,000.00
would be administrative time, $5,000.00 to cover city overhead (electricity, fax,
etc.). Sornsin stated this grant was a development initiative. There was no
further discussion.
MOTION: Move to approve Resolution 09-08-04-01
F/S: Gould/Marsh
YEAS: Kelly, Currit, Gould, Marsh, McDonald, Hartwell and Minnillo
NAYS: None
STATUS: Motion Passed.
J. Review and Approval of Employee Handbook, discussion
and action item:
This item was removed until the next meeting.
12. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION:
A. Ordinance 09-08-04-01, amending Title 3-Revenue and Finance,
Chapter 3.17-Sales Tax, Section 3.17.110-Sales tax exemption for the
elderly, discussion and action item:
Hartwell moved to pass Ordinance 09-08-04-01 striking the wording “the sale of
alcohol or tobacco tax products is not exempt from sales tax”. Marsh seconded
the motion. McDonald stated the City of Craig’s sales tax exemption cards expire
every three years. McDonald inquired what kind of work load it put on the
employees to renew the cards. McDonald stated he felt renewing it every three
years would be easier. Kelly inquired if the council could change the exemption
age to sixty if they change the renewal to every three years. There was no further
discussion.
MOTION: Move to pass Ordinance 09-08-04-01
F/S: Hartwell/Marsh
YEAS: Currit, Gould, Marsh, McDonald, Hartwell and Minnillo
NAYS: Kelly
STATUS: Motion Passed.
13. ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING:
A. Ordinance 09-07-21-01, amending Title 13-Utilities, Chapters
13.32, and 13.12, Sections 13.12.040-Forfeiture of deposits, and
13.32.050-Forfeiture of deposit, discussion and action item:
McDonald moved to pass Ordinance 09-07-21-01. Gould seconded the motion.
There was no further discussion.
MOTION: Move to pass Ordinance 09-07-21-01
F/S: McDonald/Gould
YEAS: Kelly, Currit, McDonald, Hartwell, Minnillo, Marsh and Gould
NAYS: None
STATUS: Motion Passed.
B. Ordinance 09-07-21-02, amending Title 10-Vehicles and Traffic,
Chapter 10.20-Parking Standing and Stopping, Section 10.20.080-
Time limited parking spaces and additional restrictions, discussion
and action item:
Gould moved to pass Ordinance 09-07-21-02. Minnillo seconded the motion.
There was no further discussion.
MOTION: Move to pass Ordinance 09-07-21-02
F/S: Gould/Minnillo
YEAS: Kelly, Minnillo, Currit, Hartwell, McDonald, Marsh, and Gould
NAYS: None
STATUS: Motion Passed.
14. EXPENDITURES EXCEEDING $2,000.00:
A. Expenditure of $4,092.00. for a new sewer pump, discussion and
action item:
Gould moved to approve the expenditure of $4,092.00 for a new sewer pump.
McDonald seconded the motion. There was no further discussion.
MOTION: Move to approve the expenditure of $4,092.00 for a new sewer
pump
F/S: Gould/McDonald
YEAS: Kelly, Gould, Marsh, Minnillo, Hartwell, McDonald and Currit
NAYS: None
STATUS: Motion Passed.
B. Expenditure for a new axel for the back hoe, discussion and action
item:
This item was removed from the agenda.
15. CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC COMMENT:
There was no public comment.
16. CONTINUATION OF COUNCIL COMMENT:
Gould stated he was glad to be back home. Gould stated he appreciated all the
work every one did while he was away and thanked Vice Mayor Hartwell for
stepping in for him in his absence. Hartwell stated the EMS should be receiving
their new ambulance any day.
17. ADJOURNMENT:
Gould adjourned the meeting at 9:00p.m.
____________________
James Gould, Mayor
ATTEST:
______________________________
Teri Hammons, City Clerk
