Question: Isn’t it against the law for minors to consume alcohol in public as well as private locations?

Answer: AS 04.16.050 Minor Consuming Statute says a person under the age of 21 may not knowingly consume, possess, or control alcoholic beverages except those furnished persons under AS 04.16.051. This statute is regarding furnishing alcohol to minors and says a person may not furnish or deliver an alcoholic beverage to a person under the age of 21 years EXCEPT by a parent to the parent’s child. This is a slippery slope. Parents may want to carefully consider all aspects of this before providing their child with alcohol.

Questions, comments, tip suggestions;

coptalk@cityofseward.net

Spaghetti Dinner, on Saturday September 8 from 5-8 pm, will benefit “He Will Provide” Food Pantry.  The dinner will be held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church on the corner of 2^nd and Adams. The cost is $5 per person or $20 per family.  The local food pantry provides temporary food assistance to over 100 people a week in the Seward Area.  Advance tickets are available at the food pantry Thursdays from 3-7 at 2101 Seward Hwy.

Marie Wagner

Seward City Council Regular Meeting
Action Agenda
Monday, August 27, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.

The following ordinances were introduced and set for public hearing on September 10, 2007:

Ordinance 2007-05, Authorizing An Exception To SCC 3.65.020 To Permit Retroactive Application To July 1, 2007 Of Provisions In A Collective Bargaining Agreement As And If Approved By Separate Resolution Of The City Council.

Ordinance 2007-006, Establishing Section 15.15.025, Historic Preservation, Seward Historic Plant & Tree Register.

The following resolutions were approved:

Resolution 2007-083, Approving The Expenditure Of $16,883 From The 2007 Street Department Operating Budget For Additional Costs Associated With Paving Of Various Sections Of City Streets Authorized In Resolution 2007-044. Read More>

THURSDAY AUG 30TH

Seward Elementary SeaLions 6-7pm with free PTSA Chili Feed

Seward Middle Silver Salmon 6:30-7:30pm with Salmon Salad on Crackers

Seward High Seahawks 7-8pm with Desert

If you have yet to remit your annual Seward PTSA membership, please remember to bring your check book and sign up at the Seward PTSA tables at each school.

We will also be encouraging families to sign up for federal programs and escrip.

• Seward Elementary didn’t receive Title I funds last year because not enough families completed the federal programs form.  Even if you don’t plan to use the services, please consider completing the form to help other Seward kids .
• Escrip raises funds for our schools and other groups that work with youth every time your Safeway card is used but costs you nothing.  Escrip allows you to choose up to three organizations to automatically receive funds, and it’s simple to sign up at www.escrip.com.  Even grandparents and extended family in other states can designate funds to Seward groups who benefit kids.

Hello,

Seward Little League is a nonprofit organization. The picnic is usually the awards banquet but we would like to have a combination open house for parents/kids who have interest in the league.

Please let me know if you can help with set-up, cooking hot dogs or clean-up!!

Thank you for your support.

Maya Moriarty
224-3071

KIDS – tell your folks…

You are invited to attend the

Seward Little League

Open House Picnic

Seward Elementary Playground

September 3, 2007

12:00-3:00

Drinks, hotdogs, and cake will be provided by S.L.L.   Please bring a side dish to share.  League information will be available for next season, trophies distributed for 2006 AND 2007, and MOST importantly,  the board will be voted on.  Your  attendance is greatly appreciated.

RSVP Maya Moriarty   224-8877

Wanted, used bibles to be donated for distribution through the He Will Provide Food Pantry.  Bibles can be dropped  off at 2101 Seward Highway from 4-7 pm on Thursdays or call Marie Wagner for pick up 224-6471.

Employment Development, Public Speaking, Yoga and Fire in Alaska are but a few of the classes offered fall semester at Kenai Peninsula’s Resurrection Bay Extension Site (RBES).  View the entire schedule at www.kpc.alaska.edu and click on RBES.  Register online or call RBES Coordinator Jackie Marshall @ 224-2285 to make an appointment.  And Remember KPC is UAA on the Peninsula!!!

We are always encouraged to dream big and reach for the stars when plotting for the future. Practicality and sound economics invariably bring us back to the real world. What is accomplished after that “come to your senses” moment is usually the most fruitful, productive period of any process. The Seward Community Library Museum Steering Committee is currently at such a juncture.

Since 2006, the committee has been working with the Foraker Group Predevelopment Program to develop a sustainable plan for a library museum facility for Seward. The Foraker website states: “The Pre-Development Program was established through a joint agreement between the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, the Denali Commission, The Foraker Group, and the Rasmuson Foundation to assist organizations to plan for successful capital projects.

“Pre-development” describes the phase of a construction project between the origination of the idea that a facility is needed through to the initiation of design. The funding agencies are concerned that inadequate planning during this phase can result in projects that are not sustainable in the long term. The Pre-Development Program was created to provide guidance and technical assistance to ensure that proposed projects:

• Meet a documented need

• Are consistent with strategic/community plans

• Consider opportunities for collaboration

• Have appropriate facility and site plans and realistic project budgets

• Are financially sustainable

• Will not negatively impact the sustainability of the proposing organization.” (www.foraker.org)

Earlier this year, Foraker contracted with McDowell Group to do a feasibility study for Seward’s library museum project. The task was to use comparable projects to ascertain what could be the costs of our proposed facility to the community, once it was built. Last month the committee received the findings of the study and got confirmation of what we had all suspected: Seward Dreams Big! We put all our desires, wishes and wants into the design concept. We were told, even if we were successful in building what we had conjured up, our children would not be able to support and sustain the facility into the future.

In short, we must now wake up to “chop wood and haul water” and become mindful of what is essential for our community’s future education, information and historic preservation needs.

The committee agrees our next step will be to resize the project to one we will point to with pride. It will be innovative and functional, yet affordable and, most importantly, wholly supported by our citizens. We will work with Foraker to have a list of ideas and changes available for community review before the end of the year. In the meantime please contact Keith Campbell and/or Patty Linville at 224-4008 with your ideas and comments. Or join the committee on every second Thursday at noon in the City Conference Room to hash over the details of this exciting project.

While the size and shape of the building will change, the dream of a community library and museum facility is alive and well, as evidenced by the great group of people who are planning the Forty Niners-Countdown to Fifty Ball on New Years Eve. Volunteers for this event can call Mary Tougas at 224-2056 for information. This event is not just a major fundraiser for our project but an opportunity for Seward to collectively celebrate the past fifty years of statehood for Alaska. We encourage everyone to plan to ring in 2008 with your friends and neighbors at the Railroad Depot not only in support of a new community library and museum but also in celebration of our ability to achieve our dreams, past and future. See you at the wood pile.

Seward Community Library Museum Steering Committee

• Keith Campbell, Chair
• Colleen Kelly
• Shannon Kovac
• Carol Lindsey
• Kerry Martin
• Sue McClure
• Karla Oates
• Lee Poleske
• Vanta Shafer
• Mary Tougas
• Dorothy Urbach
• Patricia Linville

Reminder - First PTSA meeting this year Tonight - Thursday August 23 7pm Seward High Library

Welcome Back to School!!  Please join us as we plan PTSA activities and efforts for the 2007-08 school year.  Some items of discussion will include the back-to-school open houses, the Seward Elementary Innisbrook sale & field trip program, the three-school scholarship garage sale, safe routes to school program, legislative issues, our goals, calendar and election of secretary and possibly president.

Once again, Kenai Fjords Tours has agreed to host the annual Kenai Peninsula United Way Fundraising Kickoff Saturday September 8th.

The event will consist of a scenic cruise to Fox Island with Dinner, entertainment, and a live and silent auction. The cruise will depart at 3 PM and will return to the harbor at 9:30 PM.

Tickets will cost $50 each and are available at Seaview Community Services, the Seward Senior Center, and from Lori Draper, Kenai Peninsula United Way Board Member, at Wells Fargo Bank. Tickets can also be ordered by calling Seaview at 224-5257.

All funds raised by the United Way are used for member agencies on the Kenai Peninsula and United Way regulations state that at least 85% of all funds raised be used in direct services - this means that almost none of donations go to the operations costs of the United Way of the Kenai Peninsula or its member agencies.

The United Way of the Kenai Peninsula has four Member agencies in Seward and supports them in the following ways:

Seward Senior Center - Meals on Wheels Program providing at home meal service to the frail, elderly or disabled

Seaview Community Services - 24 hour a day Crisis Line and emergency housing and medications for victims of Domestic Violence or Sexual Assault

Boys and Girls Club - Healthy recreation and educational opportunities for local youth.

Boy Scouts of America - Leadership and community service opportunities for local youth

If you have any questions about the United Way, its local member agencies, or this event, please do not hesitate to contact:

David Paperman - Seaview Community Services 224-5257

Dana Paperman - Seward Senior Center 224-5604

Deb Bond - Seward Boys and Girls Club 224-7001

Lori Draper - United Way Board Member / Wells Fargo - 224-5283

Kenai Peninsula United Way Office (907)283-9500

We here at the Seward City News would like to send the candidates for city council and mayor ten questions to answer as a kind of interview. What questions would you ask the candidates? Please send us your questions to sewardcitynews@gmail.com.

Sincerely,

Paul Tougas
Seward City News

Seward City Council Regular Meeting Agenda

Monday, August 27, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.

1. Call To Order

2. Pledge Of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. Citizens’ Comments On Any Subject Except Those Items Scheduled For Public Hearing.

5. Approval Of Agenda And Consent Agenda

6. Special Orders, Presentations And Reports

A. Proclamations and Awards

1. Proclamation for Founder’s Day August 28.

2. Police certification awarded to Jenny Kaiser.

3. Plaque of Appreciation presented to Lynn Hohl for over seven years of leadership and dedicated service on the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission

B. School Board Report

C. Borough Assembly Report

D. City Manager’s Report

E. Seward Planning and Zoning Commission Report

F. Other Reports, Special Presentations

1. Presentation of AED’s to the Police Dept. from Resurrection Bay Lions Club.

7. Public Hearings - None

8. Unfinished Business - None

9. New Business

A. Ordinances for Introduction

*1. Ordinance 2007-05, Authorizing An Exception To SCC 3.65.020 To Permit Retroactive Application To July 1, 2007 Of Provisions In A Collective Bargaining Agreement As And If Approved By Separate Resolution Of The City Council.

*2. Ordinance 2007-006, Establishing Section 15.15.025, Historic Preservation, Seward Historic Plant & Tree Register.

Read More>

Who:  Seward Band & Choir Boosters
What:  Group devoted to supporting the Seward High School Music program and music for Seward youth
Where:  Seward Community Library Conference Room (basement)
When:  Thursday August 23rd 5pm
Why:  Prepare for the 2007-08 school year

Welcome Back to School!!  Please join us as we plan PTSA activities and efforts for the 2007-08 school year.  Some items of discussion will include the back-to-school open houses, the Seward Elementary Innisbrook sale & field trip program, the three-school scholarship garage sale, safe routes to school program, our budget, goals, calendar and election of secretary and possibly president.

Seward, Alaska, August 18, 2007- With less than 24 hours left to go, Scott
Martin just brought in a 17.23 pound Coho to take the lead position!
Fishing on an yet-unnamed new boat, Scott picked his treasure up just
alongside the breakwater.  Perhaps next year he’ll be fishing aboard the Ten
Grand!

As of 2 PM August 18th, the top ten are:
1.      17.23 pounds, Scott Martin of Anchorage, near the breakwater aboard
the “New Boat”
2.      16.8 pounds, Dave Rush of Wasilla, off Lowell point aboard the
Double D
3.      16.8 pounds, Jake Grutsch of Anchorage, aboard the Rubber Ducky
4.      16.65 pounds, Alice Anderson of Anchorage, near Fox Island aboard
the Attitude
5.      16.55 pounds, Edwin Tripp from Olympia, WA, at the head of the Bay
aboard the Mighty Mouse
6.      16.4 pounds, Tracey Forreaux from Fairbanks, near Miller’s Landing
aboard the Crawdad
7.      16.31 pounds, David James from Wasilla, in the Bay aboard the Tara
Lee Ann
8.      16.27 pounds, Mitch Jones from Anchorage, in Johnstone Bay aboard
the Genetic Response
9.      16.03 pounds, Richard Mitchell of Anchorage, aboard the Skookum at
the head of the bay
10.     16.02 pounds, Sean Martines of Fairbanks, aboard an unnamed vessel
at the head of the bay

Thus far, anglers have turned in over 2,750 fish for a total of over 23,550
pounds.  Such numbers have not been seen since the 2002 Derby and will
really assist the Seward Chamber of Commerce’s efforts to fund enhancement
and restoration programs in Resurrection Bay!  The fish are sold to a local
processor under a special permit and proceeds from the sale are dedicated to
maintaining the local salmon resource.

For more information, contact the Seward Chamber of Commerce at 907-224-8051
or the Derby Headquarters 907-224-2009; PO Box 749, Seward, Alaska, 99664;
www.seward.com

Question: Does Seward have a law regarding open containers of alcohol in public places?

Answer: Yes. City Code 8.05.015 No one shall have an open container containing alcohol in a person’s possession on the public streets, parks or in any other public place.

Fine is $100.00.

Questions, comments, tip suggestions;

coptalk@cityofseward.net

Municipal Election October 2, 2007

Candidates running for one Mayor seat (two-year term)

• Vanta Shafer*
• Clark Corbridge

Candidates running for three City Council seats (two year terms)

• Robert Valdatta*
• Steve Schafer*
• John French
• Tom Smith
• Betsy Kellar

(NO PROPOSITIONS OR BALLOT ISSUES THIS YEAR)

* are incumbents

The Seward High School Library is looking for volunteers to help bar code student textbooks and novels sets. Any amount of time would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ginger Blackmon

Principal

Seward High School

Seward City Council Regular Meeting

Action Agenda

Monday, August 13, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.

The following resolution failed:

Resolution 2007-077, Authorizing The City Manager To Appropriate Funds In The Amount Of $5000 To The Community Built Playgrounds Project And Authorizing The Use Of The Third Avenue Playground As A New Community Built Playground.

The following resolutions were approved:

Resolution 2007-076, Authorizing The City Manager To Appropriate Funds In The Amount Of $5000 To The Community Built Playgrounds Project And Authorizing The Use Of A Portion Of The Park On Ballaine As A New Community Built Playground.

Resolution 2007-080, Authorizing The City Manager Execute A Grant Agreement Between The State Of Alaska And The City Of Seward For The Purpose Of Restoring Or Replacing The Historic Fountain In Hoben Park, And Appropriating Funds.

Resolution 2007-081, Accepting A Grant In The Amount Of $2980.00 From Rasmuson Foundation For Furniture Replacement In The Teen And Adult Reading Areas Of The Seward Community Library And Appropriating Funds.

Resolution 2007-082, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into A Purchase Agreement With Wesco For 3 Reels 4/0 Primary Cable, For A Total Amount Not-To-Exceed $25,162.50.

The following resolution was amended and approved:

Resolution 2007-079, Authorizing The City Manager To Take Specific Actions To Remove Existing Structures In Japp (Japanese) Creek; Accomplish Repair Of The Damage To The Japanese Creek Levee; Seek To Manage Bed Loading In Japanese Creek; Minimize The Potential For Flood Damage In The Forest Acres Afognak Subdivision Addition And Other Areas That Are Now Undeveloped; And, Develop A Plan And Budget For Bed-Load Removal In Japanese Creek That Will Provide A Model For Future Flood Plain Management.

The July 9 And July 23, 2007 Regular City Council Meeting Minutes And The August 1, 2007 Special Meeting Minutes were approved.

NOTICE OF VACANCIES

PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION

HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION

PORT AND COMMERCE ADVISORY BOARD

The City Council is seeking applications from city residents interested in serving on the Seward Planning and Zoning Commission, and city residents or surrounding area residents for the Historic Preservation Commission and the Port and Commerce Advisory Board. There are seats available for each Commission.

Planning and Zoning (P&Z) holds regular meetings on the 1^st Tuesday of every month and work sessions the 3^rd Tuesday of every month. The PACAB meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month during the lunch hour from 12:00 to 1:00 pm., and the Historic Preservation Commission meets at least twice a year in the City Council Chambers and at such other times as may be requested by the Commission Chair or the Administration.

Application forms are available in the Office of the City Clerk

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Seward Historic Preservation Commission Work Session

2007-2008 Priority List

Thursday, August 16, 2007 at Noon

Upstairs Conference Room

Social Security Representative in Seward.

Friday, August 17, 2007 from 9 am to 1 pm

City Council Chambers

Seward Planning & Zoning Work Session

Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.

Upstairs Conference Room

Interested in receiving a copy of this Seward City Calendar via e-mail? Contact the City Clerk at clerk@cityofseward.net or call 224-4045. You can also visit the News section of the city website at www.cityofseward.net.

GARBAGE KILLS BEARS!!!

Under the state’s policy, individuals who take an animal under “defense of life or property” provisions MAY BE CITED if the take is brought about by the improper disposal of garbage or a similar attractive nuisance. (This includes bird feeders frequented by bears or moose.)

Be smarter than the bears, properly secure your trash.

Questions, comments, tip suggestions;

coptalk@cityofseward.net

Sports and Recreation @ AVTEC Gym

Recreation provides opportunities for community involvement,

and shared management and ownership of resources.

Treck Day Camps

Transition from recreation to education camp for kids from summer fun back to school Mon, Aug 20 & Tues, Aug 21 7:45am to 5:30pm join the SPRD staff for the end of summer fun in the sun ! Wind down the summer and get geared up for school with two final days of hikes, sports, crafts, games and team building challenges and more. Meet at the Sports & Rec gym. Note: TYC Closed! Dress for the weather as we will be outside. Snacks and picnic lunch is provided. Need 15 paid participants by Fri, Aug 17th to hold camp Regular fee $24 per day due by Fri, Aug 17 and Late fee is $29 after Friday Aug 17th. Call 224-4054 or 224-5472 for more information or to register.

Coaches Needed!

SPRD’s flag football league needs you to make a difference in a young person’s life by volunteering as a coach this year. Sign up at SPRD today, you’ll be glad that you did! “kids don’t know how much you know, until they know how much you care.” SPRD would like to offer Flag Football for youth this fall.  We need your help. If you are interested in coached a couple hours each week please contact Sports and Rec at 224-4054 or e-mail sports@cityofseward.net

Read More>

Registration for KPC’s Resurrection Bay Extension Site (RBES) Fall 2007 classes is August 21-24 10am -5pm at RBES office located in Seward High School.  You may view a schedule of classes at www.kpc.alaska.edu and click on RBES.  Please call RBES Coordinator Jackie Marshall at 224-8445 for additional information.

APPLICATIONS FOR MAYOR AND 3 CITY COUNCIL SEATS are available at the City Clerk’s Office. Deadline to file is coming up on August 15, 2007 at 5:00 p.m.!!

Seward City Council Regular Meeting Agenda

Monday, August 13, 2007 at 7:30 p.m.

1. Call to Order

2. Pledge of Allegiance

3. Roll Call

4. Citizens’ Comments On Any Subject Except Those Items Scheduled For Public Hearing.

5. Approval Of Agenda And Consent Agenda

6. Special Orders, Presentations And Reports

A. Proclamations and Awards

1. Recognition of 30 years of Excellent Service for Sue Magyar who has retired from the City of Seward.

2. Recognition of 50 years of business for the Liberty Theatre.

3. Plaque of Appreciation presented to Lynn Hohl for over seven years of leadership and dedicated service on the Seward Planning & Zoning Commission.

Read More>

Seward City Council Work Session

Generator replacement & City and Electric Shop relocations

Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at 6:30 p.m.

Upstairs Conference Room

Since the Board of Adjustment appeal hearing was cancelled on Monday, we are moving the above work session to Monday, August 13, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. directly before the city council regular meeting at 7:30 p.m.