MUNICIPALITY of SKAGWAY, ALASKA REGULAR ASSEMBLY MEETING December 4, 2014 Page 1 of 9
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MUNICIPALITY OF SKAGWAY, ALASKA REGULAR ASSEMBLY MEETING December 4, 2014 Page 1 of 9 1. Call To Order: Mayor Schaefer called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 2. Roll Call: Present: Mayor: Mark Schaefer Assembly Members: Steve Burnham Jr., Tim Cochran, Angela Grieser, Gary Hanson, Spencer Morgan Absent: Dan Henry (excused) 3. Approval of Minutes: Minutes for the November 25, 2014, regular Assembly meeting was approved as presented by roll call vote, 5 yes, 0 no, 1 absent. 4. Approval of Agenda: The agenda of the December 4, 2014, regular Assembly meeting was approved by voice vote, 5 yes, 0 no, 1 absent. 5. Reports of Officials and Committees: A. Mayor’s Report: Mayor Schaefer made the following appointments: Reappointed Gary Eagan as alternate to CVB Board, term 2017 Reappointed Jenne Gonzalez to Library Board, term 2016 Reappointed Becky Jensen to Clinic Board, term 2017 Appointed Marla Belisle to Skagway Traditional Council seat on Clinic Board, term 2015 Reappointed Laura Lowes to Historic District Commission, term 2017 Appointed Charles Stearns to Historic District Commission, term 2017 Reappointed Bruce Schindler to Museum Board, term 2017 Reappointed Mark Saldi to Harbors Advisory Board, term 2017 The Assembly had no objection to the appointments. Mayor Schaefer indicated that a Port Commission and Assembly work session regarding port governance could be tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Mayor Schaefer reported that the negotiating committee is chipping away at the White Pass lease. Mayor Schaefer indicated that the Assembly should consider sending someone to Mineral Roundup in Vancouver, BC, at the end of January. Mayor Schaefer indicated there is a draft letter at the table to Governor Bill Walker, congratulating him and mentioning the ferry float. The Assembly had no objection to sending the letter. MUNICIPALITY OF SKAGWAY, ALASKA REGULAR ASSEMBLY MEETING December 4, 2014 Page 2 of 9 Mayor Schaefer reported that former Mayor Stan Selmer fell and may need to go to Seattle for treatment; Mayor Schaefer asked that everyone keep him in their thoughts. B. Finance Committee: Motion/Second: Burnham/Cochran To approve General checks 106848 through 107626 and direct deposits totaling $592,301.48. Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote, 5 yes, 0 no, 1 absent. Assemblyman Burnham noted that the Finance Committee discussed the Recreation Center expansion project and recommends looking at the Recreation Center’s long-term needs and the possibility of a separate building as an aqua health center. Assemblyman Burnham indicated that the committee discussed holding a work session with the Recreation Board on the subject; Mayor Schaefer indicated the Assembly could discuss it under Mayor and Assembly Discussion Items. Mayor Schaefer noted that the next Recreation Board meeting on December 8 is a little early and Mayor Schaefer would like all Assembly members present. C. Public Safety Committee: Assemblyman Hanson indicated that the Public Safety Facility Committee will meet on December 9 with the architect to discuss the location of the water tank on the site, and also get an update from the architect. Assemblyman Hanson reported that the Rapuzzi Committee continues to work on its protocols for dispersal and sale of collection items and is drafting a mission statement, both of which will be finalized at the December 9 committee meeting. Assemblyman Hanson indicated he would work with Rapuzzi Committee Chair Tim Bourcy on researching language regarding historic easements on the Rapuzzi House and the Commissary, which was a stipulation in the Rapuzzi Collection agreement; the easement would mean that if the structures are sold or rehabilitated, the historical façade of the buildings would not be altered. D. Public Works Committee: Assemblyman Burnham reported that the Public Works Committee will meet on December 10 to draft comments regarding the reconstruction of State Street, and to discuss what municipal improvements should happen prior to the reconstruction. Assemblyman Burnham noted that the committee would at least consider doing work under the road for the Public Safety Facility prior to resurfacing. Assemblyman Burnham indicated that the Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) met and discussed the brush pile at Seven Pastures and that it is closed, and how debris dumping can be handled in the future. Assemblyman Burnham noted that the Manager will finalize the items discussed by the committee. Assemblyman Burnham noted that one idea was to open the gate to the new property on the Klondike Highway in the morning and close it at the end of the day for residential dumping of brush and grass; the area could also be open on the weekends during Incinerator hours. Assemblyman Burnham indicated that Public Works can work on a fee schedule MUNICIPALITY OF SKAGWAY, ALASKA REGULAR ASSEMBLY MEETING December 4, 2014 Page 3 of 9 for commercial dumping; Assemblyman Burnham indicated that the Manager will work with the Public Works Director on these logistics. Manager Hahn indicated the Municipality may also get rid of the chipper. E. Civic Affairs Committee: Assemblywoman Grieser indicated that the committee had not met because they are waiting on completion of trapping maps. F. Health, Education and Welfare Committee: Assemblyman Cochran reported that the Health, Education and Welfare Committee met on December 1 with the Clinic Executive Board to discuss the HRSA grant and language in code and the co-applicant agreement that may be out of compliance with HRSA regulations. Assemblyman Cochran indicated that the Clinic Executive Committee will present recommendations to the Assembly. Assemblyman Cochran noted that there is an item on the agenda for a Clinic Accounts and Benefits Specialist; this is a granted position so there will be no additional financial burden on the Municipality. Assemblyman Cochran indicated that the Port Commission and Assembly may tentatively hold a work session on January 7 to discuss port governance, and indicated that an Assembly member should travel to Mineral Roundup in late January. Mayor Schaefer indicated he thinks he will attend. G. Parks and Recreation Committee: Assemblyman Morgan reported that the Parks and Recreation Committee will meet on December 10 to discuss established trails per the trapping ordinance, and will potentially discuss a memo from Lead Groundskeeper Gregg Kollasch regarding gun safety training and moving targets at the rifle range. Assemblyman Morgan reported that Historic District Commission members who attended Newly Elected Officials training in Anchorage indicated that the training was long and they learned a lot about running meetings; it was money well spent. H. Manager’s Report: Manager Hahn reported that the Recycling and Solid Waste Facility request for proposals (RFP) is out, and ten entities have requested the proposal package so far. Manager Hahn indicated that Water Superintendent Tim Gladden is looking into starting a few more projects, including well design, the design to extend water service across the bridge, the water tank, the lab building and odor control studies. Manager Hahn indicated he is working with Dr. Chad Gubala regarding geotechnical work for the foundation of the water tank at the Public Safety Facility site; this item will be forwarded to the Finance Committee. Manager Hahn noted that a hazardous materials survey is in the works for several historical properties, the Gateway Project is continuing and the StreamWalk project is moving forward. MUNICIPALITY OF SKAGWAY, ALASKA REGULAR ASSEMBLY MEETING December 4, 2014 Page 4 of 9 6. Communications to the Assembly: A. Correspondence: No additional correspondence was received. B. Hear Citizens Present: National Park Service (NPS) Superintendent Mike Tranel indicated that he would like to look back on the last couple of months because it presents a few good lessons. Mr. Tranel indicated he wanted to clarify the situation regarding the meetings on November 25; NPS had a variance for the Goldberg Building and an agenda item with the Assembly that evening. Mr. Tranel indicated that NPS had a good plan and an opportunity to make it even better, which was the reason the boardwalk item was on the evening agenda. Mr. Tranel indicated that what was determined will work fine and is a good solution. Mr. Tranel indicated that accessibility is important and he will push for it whenever the opportunity arises; Mr. Tranel was on a national task force regarding accessibility in the national park system, and he committed to the NPS director that he will do everything possible to make the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (KGRNHP) as accessible as possible. Mr. Tranel indicated that NPS has brought in $1.5 million to improve accessibility in the park. Mr. Tranel noted that over the next couple of years the entire downstairs of the main NPS building will be rehabilitated and made accessible with universal design; these principles will carry through to the rehabilitation of the YMCA / Meyers Meat Market building. Mr. Tranel indicated that the project that has caused a stir from time to time will be great thing, as it is an untold story and part of Skagway’s history. Mr. Tranel indicated that in regards to the concerns from the neighbors, with the finished product one can look from the Eagles deck directly to open space across the alley; unless one looks off in an angled direction the neighbor will still have its viewshed. Mr. Tranel indicated that some concerns regarding people invading the alley are a little overstated, and the project may bring more business to the farmers market which is a good thing. Mr. Tranel indicated that investing in training for Commission members is worthwhile, and noted that historic preservation is a challenging, expensive, difficult thing to do; however striving for authenticity is worthwhile. Mr. Tranel indicated that the reason Skagway is noted in the book, 1,000 Places to Go Before You Die is because Skagway is a charming town that preserves its Gold Rush history; NPS will continue to support that.