SEWARD CITY COUNCIL

April 1, 2008

 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Seward City Council will conduct a special meeting on the following items of business on Tuesday, April 1, 2008:

            Executive Sessions

1.  Go into executive session to discuss contract negotiations and bond reserves for the Long Term Care Facility Project that could impact the finances of the city.

The special meeting will commence at 6:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as business permits, in the City Council Chambers, City Hall, 410 Adams Street, Seward.  All interested persons are invited to attend the meeting and participate in the discussion; or, written comments may be sent to the City of Seward, c/o City Clerk, PO Box 167, Seward, AK 99664, or e-mailed to clerk@cityofseward.net.

On behalf of Erin Knotek:
If you lost a Chrysler key at the Moose Pass School during Saturday night’s Holocaust Survivor presentation, please contact Melanie at 288-3183 at the school after Monday to claim it.

Thank you to the Seward Historic Preservation Commission for organizing and presenting the latest Fireside Chat, “Soldiers and Civilians- WWII Changes Seward.”
The historical perspective provided by Commissioner Doug Capra, and the Powerpoint photos and narration by Tom Osborne set the scene perfectly. Locals Sanna LeVan, Willard Dunham, and Margaret Anderson shared stories and memories of how the inundation of soldiers and the war impacted their lives, supplemented by comments and questions from the captivated audience.

I and many others, look forward to the next Fireside Chat. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated and active Historic Planning Commission, and so many interesting members of our community willing to take time to participate.

Don’t forget that tonight, March 29th, holocaust survivor Gerda Weissman Klein will speak at the Moose Pass School at 7 pm following a community potluck at 6 pm.

Sincerely,
Carol Griswold

Governor Palin urges Alaskans to join fitness challenge

Governor Sarah Palin has issued a challenge to all Alaskans: Get active for at least 30 minutes a day this spring to help Alaska win national recognition.

To kick things off, Governor Palin signed up for the National President’s Challenge, a six-week competition sponsored by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. The Challenge runs from March 20 through May 15.

Governor Palin is encouraging all Alaskans – from children to seniors – to sign up for the challenge on www.presidentschallenge.org.

“Participating in this challenge is free and easy,” Governor Palin said. “It’s only 30 minutes of activity a day. You can walk, run, ski, or even bicycle your way to the goal. About 100 different activities count.”

The rules of the challenge are simple:

• The challenge starts March 20, but sign up through April 3.

• Adults must be active for at least 30 minutes during five days of each of the six weeks in the challenge, and report their activity on www.presidentschallenge.org.

• Children 6 through 17 need to complete 60 minutes of activity five days a week.

• Sign up as an individual or with a group.

Poor diet and a lack of physical activity can increase the risk of becoming unhealthy, and excessive weight can increase a person’s risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other health problems.

Recent state surveys showed that more than 60 percent of Alaska adults are overweight or obese. More than 27 percent of high school students in Alaska are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight.

Medical spending related to obesity cost Alaska about $195 million in 2003, but this is an underestimation of the true costs of obesity because it does not include indirect costs such as lost productivity at work.

Seward Senior Center

336 3rd Ave

224-5604

 Lunch Everyday At Noon 

Monday 3/31

Closed for Seward’s Day 

Tuesday 4/1

Tuesday Movie – 1st Floor in the Underground Theatre @ 12:45 

Wednesday 4/2

AARP Tax Aide 8-10 & 2-4  By appt only.

Beginners Wii Bowling 1-3   Sign-Up to learn!

Crop Walk Presentation with Jackie Campbell and Lorraine McCauley @ 1pm 

Thursday 4/3

Wii Bowling League 1-3pm      Sign-Up to Play in the Underground Theatre! 

Friday 4/4

Intro to Wii Golf in the Underground Theatre @ 1pm          

Beachwalkers and Birders Wanted!
COAAST Training Session
Saturday March 29, 2008
10 am to 4 pm
Alaska Sealife Center

Reserve your place by calling COAAST at 206-221-6893 or email info@coasst.org, or just come!

COAAST volunteers collect data on beach-cast carcasses of marine birds on a monthly basis to establish the baseline pattern of beached bird deposition on North Pacific beaches. Data collected helps address important marine conservation issues and protect marine resources.

Dr. Julia Parrish, Executive Director of COASST, will present the training. Julia started the program with 12 original volunteers on the WA coast and since then, COASST has expanded to over 400 volunteers at nearly 300 sites.

Volunteers are asked to survey their stretch of beach at least monthly, which amounts to about an hour commitment/month.

Spread the word!

submitted by COASST volunteer Carol Griswold

THE CITY OF SEWARD WATER DEPARTMENT WILL BE PERFORMING WATER FLOW TESTING TOMORROW THURSDAY MARCH 27TH AND FRIDAY MARCH 28TH AT VARIOUS FIRE HYDRANT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE CITY THIS TESTING MAY CAUSE YOUR TAP WATER TO BECOME MURKY THIS SHOULD DISSIPATE WITHIN A FEW HOURS

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT THE WATER DEPARTMENT AT 224-4005

THANK YOU

Once a year, Providence Seward Medical and Care Center organizes an efficient, inexpensive way for high school students to get their sports physical screening.

This year’s event is: Wednesday, April 2, 3:30 pm - 7 pm at PSMCC.  Cost is $5.00 per student.

Students MUST pay and pre-register for the event at the high school office.  The deadline for registration is close of business Monday, March 31st.

The sports physical screening includes blood pressure, pulse, height & weight, basic vision screen, and overall clearance by a physician or physician assistant.

All proceeds will be donated to the Seward Seahawks Athletic Booster Club. 

For questions, please call 224-2836.

DON’T MISS THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY!!!
ADULT AND STUDENT EXCHANGE WITH OBIHIRO, JAPAN
APPLICATION PERIOD EXTENDED!

The City of Seward and the Seward International Friendship Association is seeking four high school students who would like to participate in the student exchange between Seward and Sister City Obihiro, Japan.  Up to four Japanese students will come to Seward in late July/early August, and then up to four Seward students will travel to Obihiro for approximately two weeks in August.

The Seward International Friendship Committee is seeking two adults within the community who would like to participate in the fifth adult citizen exchange between Obihiro, Japan and Seward.  The dates are not set yet, but most likely will coincide with the student exchange in the month of August.
Any interested parties need to fill out an application stating the reasons they would like to participate.  Applications for both adults and students are available at Seward High School with Martha Fleming, Seward Elementary School with Debbie Bond, and at the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall with Johanna Dollerhide.

For more information, or an application, you can contact Johanna Dollerhide at the City Clerk’s office at 224-4046 or Debbie Bond at 224-7001.  This is an amazing, wonderful experience!  Application deadline has been extended to April 4, 2008.  Applications are due to any three locations, the High School, the Elementary School, or the City Clerk’s Office.  Apply today!!!

March 31st, 2008

Nearly a dozen organizations, agencies and programs are participating at various levels, tailored to each community. Fire-fighters, medics, rescue technicians and other first-responders are encouraged to attend training courses designed specifically for Emergency Response personnel, as well as to educate local elected leaders and policy makers. When not attending a training course, participants are encouraged to visit the Emergency Preparedness “fair” to pick up information on a variety of preparedness topics. Plus, don’t forget to put your name in for a drawing for several great prizes, including rail tickets, home emergency kit and first aid kit.

whistle-stop-public-flyer.pdf

Seward City Council Regular Meeting Action Agenda

Monday, March 24, 2008

The Following Ordinance Requiring A Public Hearing Was Enacted:

Ordinance 2008-003, Amending The Land Use Plan And Rezoning Of Lots 20, 21 And 22, Clearview Subdivision Number 6 From Two Family Residential (R2) To Auto Commercial (AC).

The Following Ordinances Were Introduced And Set For Public Hearing April 14, 2008:

Ordinance 2008-004, Amending Seward City Code 6.10.325(A) And 6.10.135, Limiting City Business License Requirements To Successful Bidders/Proposers.

Non-Code Ordinance 2008-005, Submitting A Proposition To The Qualified Voters At The October 7, 2008 Regular Municipal Election To Exempt City Of Seward Municipal Elected And Appointed Officials From The Requirements Of Chapter 39.50 Of The Alaska Statutes, (State Of Alaska Public Official Financial Disclosure Law) Relating To Disclosure Statements And Conflicts Of Interest, And Establishing Local Guidelines.

The Following Resolutions Were Approved:

Resolution 2008-020, Amending The City Of Seward’s Calendar Year 2008 State Legislative Priorities.

Resolution 2008-022, Accepting A Grant In The Amount Of $4,765.20 From The Alaska Highway Safety Office For 2008 Third And Fourth Quarter ASTEP Driving Under The Influence (DUI) Enforcement Campaign And Appropriating Funds.

Resolution 2008-023, Accepting A Grant In The Amount Of $3,898,80 From The Alaska Highway Safety Office For 2008 Third And Fourth Quarter ASTEP Seatbelt Enforcement Campaign And Appropriating Funds.

Resolution 2008-025, Submitting A Proposition To The Qualified Voters At The October 7, 2008 Regular Municipal Election Which Shall Amend The Seward City Charter, Section 5.4 (D), Section 6.2 And 6.3 To Require A Biennial Budget Cycle.

The Following Resolution Failed:

Resolution 2008-024, Authorizing The City Manager To Enter Into An Agreement With Worthington Ford For The Purchase Of A 2008 F-550 4×4 Service Truck, For An Amount Not-To-Exceed $63,000.00.

The Following Resolution Was Amended And Approved:

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Question: What are the restrictions for vehicle window tints?

Answer: 13 AAC 04.223 Regarding after market tinting. No mirrored tinting on any vehicle window. The windshield may have an eyebrow no wider than 5 inches. The driver and front passenger side windows must permit at least 70% light transmittance. The rear door windows, quarter glasses, and back glasses must permit at least 40% light transmittance. Refer to the Alaska Statutes to read the entire law with additional restrictions. The police department has a tint meter and will gladly inspect your tinted windows during normal business hours.

Questions, comments, tip suggestions;

coptalk@cityofseward.net

May 7, 2008

IMS Rae Bldg. Auditorium

9 am to 5 pm

Resurrection Bay Conservation Alliance is developing a new Watershed Program and will host a one-day Resurrection Bay Watershed Workshop, scheduled for Wednesday, May 7th. The mission of the Resurrection Bay Watershed Program is to protect and enhance the our watershed through habitat assessment, monitoring, public education and advocacy of science-based resource management. Goals of this public workshop are to:

• Assemble scientists, land managers, university researchers, and other specialists to provide presentations on the ecology and status of the Resurrection Bay watershed.

• Hold a panel discussion with representatives from other Alaska watershed partnerships to discuss the value and successes of watershed-based conservation in coastal Alaskan communities.

• Provide a forum for residents and agencies to consider innovative approaches for achieving a diverse economy and a healthy watershed.

• Build partners in the Resurrection Bay Watershed Program and give RBCA input on projects that will lead to improved watershed health while encouraging sustainable economic development.

Please join us for an important day of information sharing and to initiate a long-term, science-based effort to protect the ecological and economic health of the Resurrection Bay watershed. This information is important for Seward’s future, please mark your calendar. For questions contact Matt Gray at 224-4621. For more information and full agenda please visit http://www.rbca-alaska.org/Com_activities.html

At Monday’s Council meeting on March 24th, Phillip Oates announced that former part-time interim Seward City Manager Marvin Yoder now back in Galena, will be coming to Seward to present information on energy from a small nuclear power plant at a to-be-announced work session.

Galena has been investigating this Toshiba Model 4S Power Plant, the first in Alaska for a town, since at least 2004, and continues its deliberations.

Toshiba offered to donate the reactor and power plant to Galena to serve as a reference site and get operation experience. Otherwise, if commercialized, it would cost about $25 million.

Personally, I can’t think of a better place for a nuclear power plant, buried 100′ down in our seismically active town, complete with its steam plant and toxic liquid sodium circulation system. We could put it right where the coal plant was supposed to go so everyone could see it in our viewshed, and handy to the adjacent flood plain, and tsunami zone.

If Seward hurries, WE could get this unit for almost free instead of Galena, who is spending way too much time investigating. In 30 years, when we and most of City Council will be either living in Arizona or dead, our children can deal with digging it up to replace the spent radioactive core, and then figure out which geologically unstable SW Indian Reservation or established toxic wasteland would like to receive it for the next million years or so that it will be hot. That’s if we’re lucky and there is no earthquake, tsunami, flood, or other natural disaster to disturb the Toshiba 4S nest of death.

While Seward awaits the next miracle promising cheap energy, it would probably be OK to replace a few incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents, replace the worn weather stripping around the doors and windows, throw some insulation in the attic, and generally try to conserve energy, just in case we’re stuck with reality.

Nuclear-free zone, anyone? See you at the workshop.

Cheerio!
Carol Griswold
Seward

Dennis has been a long time Seward resident who has contributed a lot of time helping people with counseling services, taking folks on plane rides, coaching high school Cross Country, and grooming ski trails for public use. In the fall of 2006 Dennis’s wife, Candy died after a long battle with cancer. Then this winter Dennis endurred partial loss of one lung due to severe pneumonia. The combined medical expenses and loss of income due to these catastrophic health issues has been devastating. As a valued member to this community, this event is held to help Dennis make a good faith effort to pay huge medical bills.

A Speghetti Dinner coupled with a Silent Auction will be held at the High School Cafeteria on Saturday, April 5th from 5:30 to 7 pm. The Menu will include Speghetti with choice of hearty sauces, French bread and salad. Dessert offered will be “The Original Gourmet” hand-dipped Ice Cream Bars.

Meal price is $10 for adults, $8 for children 12 and younger at the door.  A generous family discount of  $25 for a family of 4 is available with pre-purchase of a ticket.   Silent Auction items and Door Prizes will feature some of Candy Perry’s framed art work as well as other local artisan offerings.

We hope you and your family will consider coming. To reserve tickets for the event please call the Resurrection Lutheran Church at 224-3628.

Call for Design

Site selection for the Seward Mariners’ Memorial has been accomplished and progressing to the design phase of the project. The committee is soliciting drawings, ideas, or draft models for our memorial that will honor not only those who have died or been lost at sea, but also influential members of the maritime community. Memorial plaques honoring these individuals, living or deceased, will be incorporated within the design.

1. Location: Southeast corner of new fill area south of the small boat harbor, approximately 100×100 feet in size. The design must allow room for expansion as the number of memorial plaques increase through the years.

2. Create a meditative atmosphere surrounding the monument with the inclusion of benches, windbreak, partial rain cover, etc. The site will be suitable for the annual Blessing of the Fleet as well as other small functions.

3. The monument must be constructed of durable, non-defaceable material able to withstand the battering of Seward’s maritime climate and protection against potential vandalism.

4. Timeline for design: Between now and May 1. The committee’s goal is to select a design (or a combination of designs) and have a small model or large-scale drawing created in time for the annual Harbor Opening in May of this year. We are also looking for someone to create a scale model of the selected design to be displayed at various locations around Seward for purposes of fundraising.

5. Submit designs to: Seward Mariners’ Memorial Committee

c/o Nancy Erickson

P.O. Box 1956

Seward, AK 99664

E-mail: nancye@ak.net

For more information, contact Nancy Erickson at 491-1639 or 224-5953.

It’s time once again for another unusual book from the Library. This week we’re presenting The Toothpick: Technology and Culture. I’m hoping someone will read it and be able to explain how anyone could write 350 pages about toothpicks and remain sane. Careful with this one.

A quick note about the book-

The Toothpick is a celebration of a humble yet elegant device. As old as mankind and as universal as eating, this useful and ubiquitous tool finally gets its due in this wide ranging and compulsively readable book. -Petroski

Happy Reading!

March 24th, 2008 Newsletter
From the desk of
Rep. Paul Seaton
Issue 59
Contact Information
Toll Free :( 800) 665-2689
Fax :( 907) 465-3472
Website: http://www.RepPaulSeaton.com
Email: Rep.Paul.Seaton@Legis.state.ak.us

Greetings from Juneau on this 70th day of the 2008 legislative session. We are enjoying a warming trend that makes it feel like real spring – except for this morning’s snow that reminds us it is still March.

Things are very busy here with approach of the end of the 90 day session. However, this weekend schedule and Friday’s floor session were cancelled, corresponding with the Easter holiday. Tina and I traveled to California to join with my family in celebration of my Dad’s 99th birthday. He is active in the community, church, takes care of the yard work and still drives both in town and on the freeway. We are traveling back to Juneau on Monday after a great reunion with our California extended family and our son, Rand, who joined us from college in Reno Nevada.

We were pleased to welcome the following constituents to our Juneau office this week: Willard Dunham and Phillip Oates of the City of Seward and Rick Foster of Homer.

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GCI had readjusted their cellular plan rates but you have to contact them to get the savings.

Local Office 224-8912

Toll Free 1 800 800 4800

The plan I was using is now $30 a month cheaper, well worth the call.

Monday, April 7 from 1:00 to 3:30 pm

 Job seekers prepare now!
Meet employers and explore career opportunities.

It’s free and open to the public. 

Sports & Recreation News:

TelAlaska Team Wins Adult Basketball League Championship

At first it looked as though the TelAlaska team, managed and coached by Travis Stubblefield, was going to take their champion status without much effort this past Tuesday night (March 18). Eight and a half minutes into the first half, TelAlaska was beating top-seeded Tony’s Pistols, managed by Ryan Pease, 21-9. But the Pistol’s offense came together and they attained a one point lead going into the half, with Chris Fulwider scoring 15 points and Ryan Pease scoring 10. TelAlaska held on with big boards from Rich Perea and Travis Stubblefield and 11 points from strong post player Brendan Smith. The score remained close throughout the rest of the game. TelAlaska ran an impressive 3-2 zone, successfully shutting down ace 3-pt. shooters Ryan Lewis and Ryan Pease. The zone proved tough in the paint as well but Justus Miller was able to carry his team offensively through the second half, finishing the game with 21 points. In the end it was a battle of the presses as both teams moved into full-court defense. With neither team in foul trouble, players fought their way through the press with field goal on their minds. With under a minute left in the game, TelAlaska displayed a textbook break of the Pistol’s full-court press, putting the ball into Rex Davis’ hands who easily scored a left-handed lay-up, winning the ball game. The final score was 52-51. Tony’s Pistols regular season record was 13-1, TelAlaska’s was 9-5, Seward Real Estate finished 6-8, and both AVTEC and Icicle Seafoods finished 4-10. For more information regarding recreation in Seward please contact Maggie Wilkins at 224.4054 or email: mwilkins@cityofseward.net.

Thank You

The Seward Parks & Recreation Department would like to extend it’s gratitude to our basketball league sponsors. Without your continued support, recreation in our community would suffer greatly. We would also like to thank our officials. To our certified officials, thank you for bringing your expertise and professionalism to our program, and thank you for guiding and encouraging the rookies. Thank you also to the players in the league that stepped up to a job that is in no way easy: Chris Fulwider, Brock Rapoza, Byron Paul, Seth Price, Arne Hatch, Bob Lechner, and Nate Buchanan. Thank you also to our faithful timers: Susheela Roach, Kim Kowalski-Rogers, and Jennilee Regis. And a special thank you to those of you who kept book throughout the season: Jennilee Regis, Cindy Ecklund, and Nancy Perea. This is a voluntary position and your time is greatly appreciated. Please contact Maggie Wilkins at Sports & Rec with any recreation-related questions at 224.4054 or email: mwilkins@cityofseward.net.

Final Adult League Volleyball Standings are

Doc’s Team- 8-2 ATB Spartans- 4-6 TelAlaska- 3-7

Kirk’s Team- 6-4 Bird Nerds- 4-6ss

Don’t Miss Championship Game Wed, Mar 26th at the High School starting at 6pm.

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The Seward Community Library will be presenting a three part series on The Art of Homebrew beginning Thursday, April 17^th at 7pm and continuing the two following Thursdays, the 24^th and May 1^st. The first part of the series will focus on the rich history and culture surrounding our favorite malt beverage, as well as a look into what makes a beer a beer. For those interested, in preparation for the following class, I will be taking orders for Homebrew Startup Kits which can range from $90-$170, as well as brewing ingredients. These will be shipped to us by Arctic Brewing Supply in Anchorage. Check out their website for more details at www.arcticbrewingsupply.com . The following class on April 24th will teach you everything you need to know to start up your own House Brewery, walking you through each step and explaining the process. The final class on May 1^st will focus on more advanced brewing techniques, but more importantly will give those that tried their first batch over the weekend a chance to ask questions or to talk about how it went. There is no charge for the series unless you would like to order supplies or ingredients. A small beer tasting will be held at each event and if anyone would like to share a sample of their own homebrew, by all means feel free to bring along a bottle or two. Call the Library at 224-4082, stop on by, or email Ryan at rreynolds@cityofseward.net to sign up. Hope to see you there! -Ryan

Support the Playground - Clean out your Garage!

Spring is in the air (well, it is somewhere!) and PARKS is holding its second community garage sale on Saturday April 12th from 10am - 2pm.

Since your trash is someone else’s treasure, please bring your donated items to the AVTEC gym between 8:30-10:00am.
(You may ask for a receipt for your items when you drop them off.)

Please note that all items not sold will be donated to charity.

Questions? Want to volunteer to help? Call 491-0794 or visit www.sewardplayground.com for details.

Thank you for supporting your new community playground… being built in May!

Volunteers, tool donations and child care providers are still needed to make the building of the playground a success! Contact us today to see how you can help make this dream playground a reality! 491-0794 www.sewardplayground.com

Clarification:

Regarding vehicles (including school buses) pulling over for delaying five or more vehicles, the statute says that the law does not apply in urban areas and the delaying vehicle shall pull off the roadway at the first opportunity to do so safely.

Questions, comments, tip suggestions;

coptalk@cityofseward.net

It will be a busy April at the Seward Community Library. The library is extending the celebration of National Library Week to encompass all of April.

The library will open the Book Sale for the month of April, so that locals may have first choice of the many items that accumulated during the winter. Also during April the library will not assess on any overdue items that are returned. So, if you have overdue books or DVDs, April is definitely the time to return them. During April the library will also offer a Lap Sit Story Hour for children under age three. The date is yet to be determined. Also during April the Friends of the Library will be conducting their annual membership drive. The library announces there will be a new perk to becoming a Friend of the Library. When a patron joins or renews, they can choose between a coupon for $5.00 overdue fines relief, or a pass to the summer earthquake movie for a party of four. To become a Friend of the Library, please ask at the library’s front desk.