Birthday Celebrated and Budget Introduced

By Heidi Zemach for the Seward City News

Friends and admirers threw a raucous 100th birthday party for Pat (Ray) Williams at the Seward City Council Meeting Monday, Oct 12. People from across the specter of Seward society filled the chambers to capacity, including painters, musicians, people involved in the historic community, and local government representatives. Facing a video camera, they gave glowing personal tributes about Williams, who had encouraged many of them to get involved, and try to make a difference in their town. They dined on cakes and strawberry punch after a photo shoot. The party was filmed for Williams, who used to regularly watch the council meetings from her home in Seward. She now lives in Anchorage with her daughter. Someone will bring her a tape of the event, along with a cake fashioned (baked by Monica Cooper) in the shape of the Z.V. Ray (Harriman Bank) Building, which the Ray family built in 1916, and owned on Adam’s Street downtown. Pat Ray was 13 when she watched the Round the World Aviators arrive in Seward. That was one of many stories she tells about local history. The city Pat Williams Park, on 7th Avenue was named in Williams’ honor because she started a movement to convert a field into a park by stopping the city from “clear cutting” trees outside her window. The town is discussing adding electric service to the park and plans to light the large Spruce tree each Christmas season for Pat and the rest of her neighbors and friends. Iditarod Musher Dan Seavey remembered “picking Pat’s brain” in the early ‘60s about dogs, and dog-team activities, when he first got involved with mushing.

“You’ve achieved more in a life span than most of us can only think of,” Seavey said. “Thanks so much for being part of our lives.”

(Photo by Carol Griswold)

In public comments, Keith Campbell, head of the Library Museum Building Committee, thanked the voters for approving the General Obligation Bond Measure Oct 6, which will show the public support needed to help the committee solicit grant funding for the building project. The committee has selected an architectural firm, from among four they interviewed, which will be contracted to do the 35% drawings of the proposed building, Campbell said. While not divulging the firm’s name yet, he said they had wonderful applicants, so the choice was a tough call.

Tim McDonald, who lost a write-in run for mayor, said the birthday celebration for Williams was invigorating, and a reminder that we are all family. But, he said there remain disturbing endemic economic problems in Seward, and he hoped that the council will address the city’s serious fiscal issues in the years ahead.

In his city managers report, Phillip Oates reminded residents that State Senator Gary Stevens will be in town, and available to listen to their ideas and concerns this Saturday from 10-12 at the Resurrection Arts Coffee Shop. A public Health Fair also will take place at the AVTEC Saturday, with low cost tests and information available. West Construction, of Anchorage, was awarded the Army Corps of Engineers Breakwater Extension project, for 2010, Oates said. The project will extend the breakwater an additional 215 feet. The harbor will soon be selling four delinquent vessels. Oates promised that city road crews will try to fill as many potholes as possible before the snow arrives as weather allows.

Oates also introduced his two-year draft budget to the council and public. The draft 2-year cycle budget assumes a 1-Mill Property Tax increase devoted to critical and high risk infrastructure replacement in the Water and Wastewater Funds. It strives to maintain current service levels with only minor reductions in personnel, no cost of living increase for staff in 2010, and a 2% increase in 2012. It includes several proposed fee increases, including for harbor area parking, moorage rates, (See City of Seward homepage for details on budget assumptions and draft budget details.) Public work-sessions will take place Tuesday through Friday evening this week at 6:30 p.m., and Monday through Wednesday of next week on particular aspects of the budget. Tuesday, Oct 13 will focus on SMIC, Electric, Providence Hospital, Mountain Haven. Wednesday, will focus on Public Works and the Motor Pool. Thursday, on the Library, Mayor, Council, and City Manager salaries, Parks and Parking. Friday, on the Chamber of Commerce, Building Inspection, Legal matters, Capital improvements. (See Seward City Homepage)

The council unanimously approved four resolutions under New Business: The first revokes, and replaces a resolution stating intent to fund the North Seward Water Storage Tank & Pumping Facility Project for $4 million. The new resolution “authorizes” the city manager to accept a loan offer from the Alaska Drinking Water Fund for the project. Recent news that one of the two Holland America Cruise liners that has been coming to Seward in the summer, is being taken off line, caused some council members, such as Marianna Kiel, to question the need for a new water tank, as having two cruise ships in at the same time had temporarily depleted the local water supply. The resolution passed merely opens the door to the city qualifying for matching grants that would significantly lower its cost—should the council decide a new tank is needed, Oates said.

Two additional resolutions were passed came at the request of the Seward Historic Preservation Committee, which is planning a new project. The $8,000 project would put information and photos of Seward’s 10 cemetery graveyard inhabitants on-line. Information provided would include photos of tombstones, obituaries, and other public information readily available about Seward’s pioneers and others. Many other historic societies have done this, thus making genealogy research and finding information easier and cheaper, Patty Linville explained. One resolution allows the city manager to apply for the grant, another allows five local residents involved in the project to travel to Anchorage to attend a training workshop Oct 29-30.

The final resolution authorized termination of the city’s lease with Gerald Lorz of Plat 2000-19 at the Seward Small Boat Harbor Subdivision, at the lessee’s request. No one spoke at a public hearing on the matter prior to the vote. The Darling family Trust has purchased the House of Diamond Willow, and requested the lease. The building is currently used for storage, but the area will be lived in, and used for port and harbor related retail business.

The council appointed Frank DeMarko to the Planning and Zoning Commission. They certified the October 6, 2009 municipal election results as final. They approved a council letter of support to submit the Seward Mountain Haven Project in the “Just a Darn Good Idea” category for AML’s Community Awards;” Declared October Fire Prevention Month; presented Gavel and Plaque awards to Mayor Clark Corbridge for excellent leadership and dedicated service as mayor, and to Ron Long for excellent leadership and dedicated service as Seward’s representative on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly. Jean Lewis, CMC, and Finance Director Kris Erchinger also received plaques recognizing their work. Jeff Hettrick gave a detailed report on the Shellfish Hatchery, its accomplishments and financial challenges.