From the City Manager

On August 11, I spent the afternoon visiting with a group of ​congressional staff from Washington D.C. including ​representatives from the Senate Commerce Committee, the ​Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Marine transportation, and ​both of our state’s Senators.

In other federal news, the Senate passed the 2024 Water ​Resources Development Act which extended the Army Corps ​operating and management responsibilities from 2027 to 2032, ​or until the new project is finished – whichever comes first! This ​is good news so the responsibilities didn’t automatically revert ​back to the city. We also received word that Senator Murkowski ​included $4 million in the Senate Finance Committee FY25 ​appropriations bill for the replacement of Seward’s old water ​mains. The bill still has a long journey until it’s finalized, but ​thanks to Sen. Murkowski’s office for tackling the first big step!

Additionally, the Alaska Railroad finalized approval for construction ​of the new $137 million cruise terminal! Approval from the railroad ​board allows AKRR to enter into agreements with the project ​developer, the Seward Company. It also marks a 30-year ​commitment from Royal Caribbean Group. This is an exciting project ​that will bring a big economic boost to our community as the ​current terminal is at the end of its useful life. We have a lot of big ​projects on the city side that will complement the new terminal. We ​are excited to be working on updating our Comprehensive Plan ​ahead of this new development so that our community and its ​infrastructure are prepared for the exciting economic impact that ​the new terminal will bring.

Right after the August 12 City Council meeting, I’ll be heading to ​Kodiak for the Alaska Municipal League summer session. I’ll report ​back and tell you how it went.

Thanks, and good luck to all the anglers in the Seward Silver Salmon Derby!

- Kat

students from our sister city obihiro, japan

Obihiro students went on ​a mural tour with Mayor ​Sue McClure. They saw ​(almost) all 34 murals in ​town.

Haruma and Chris on their ​first ever mountain hike! ​Kris led them all the way ​to the race point on Mt ​Marathon!

Here are the students and their chaperone, standing on the ​SeaLife Center balcony. From left to right is Chisato, Funa, Aoi, ​Haruma, and Chris.

Everyone made it to the Marathon Bowl!

Community Library & Museum

Story Time at the Seward Library!

IT WAS GREAT!

Story Time had 4 events in June attracting 35 ​children and 12 adults, with many repeat attendees.

We covered all sorts of topics including puffins, ​Father’s Day, Summer Solstice, animal footprints, ​whales & sea creatures, ravens, and Benny Benson ​and the Alaska State Flag.

The kids got to see the ORIGINAL flag on display in ​the museum.

COMING UP...

From Injustice to Legacy - The Story of Harry ​Kawabe and Japanese American Internment: This ​exhibit aims to tell the story of Harry Kawabe, a ​successful local business owner who was interned ​during WWII, while providing a broader context for

understanding the impact of Japanese internment ​during the war.

On Display August 27 – October 19

lydia jacoby at the Museum

If you haven’t had a ​chance to see the Lydia ​Jacoby exhibit at the ​community museum, don’t ​wait; the exhibit is coming ​down soon!

Fire Department

Fire Calls Year-to-Date: 302

Building Permits Issued Year-to-Date: ​33 permits with building valuation of ​$3,192,761

Seward and Bear Creek Fire Departments collaborate at the Seward Airport to ​practice their water shuttle skills.

Exclusive sneak peek at the old 1941 Ford Fire Engine restoration project that the ​volunteers are tackling with Firefighter Jason Harrington leading the way. The ​motor was pulled, new parts installed, and everything was freshly painted – ready ​to go back in. The goal is to have the ‘ol 41 be in next year’s July 4th parade!

Fire Department

This Fire Explorer is learning to handle ​the hose. Explorers learn skills for future ​careers as firefighters. They also learn ​valuable life-saving skills for all types of ​real-world situations.

Obihiro students visited city buildings ​last week as part of the Sister City ​program. Students stayed with host ​families, including our Seward Fire Chief. ​He’s still talking about the “scattered ​sushi” the students made for them!

Parks and Recreation

Signs all over town are being ​spruced up and repainted.

Ballfields are feeling the love too, ​especially “Lewi” Field.

SPR recently installed the Ryan ​Lewis Memorial Field bench, and it ​looks sharp!

Seasonal Recreational ​Program Aide

Campground Coordinator

Journeyman Lineman

Patrol Officer

Electric Utility

There are a lot of exciting improvements happening in the Electric Department, ​including our participation in the review and development of regional electric ​system reliability standards by the Railbelt Reliability Council. Sounds fun, right?

The Electric Department is also increasing our Geographic Information System ​(GIS) data. Accurate data is the most important component of creating an ​effective and sustainable electric infrastructure.

A GIS platform can serve as the backbone for all the specific components of the ​system, like precise locations of transformers, poles, and other hardware, lidar for ​vegetation management, heat maps for troubles spots, and countless other ​applications.

HARBOR HAPPENINGS

Finance

AUTO-PAY FAILURE: the auto-pay failure intended to run on July ​20, for billing dates in June was caused by a mass IT outage ​occurring nationwide. We are asking customers to make a one-​time payment via our city portal. You can also pay in-person at ​the Finance/Utilities counter. Any late fees that occurred ​because of this error will be waived. Sorry for the inconvenience!

Finance and Util-Assist are preparing for the second round of ​utility disconnections for delinquent accounts. We offer deferred ​payment plans and information on assistance organizations; ​don't hesitate to contact our Utility Department for assistance.

Public works

The Army Corp of Engineers recently held an Industrial Day for interested ​contractors to brief them on the Lowell Creek tunnel project. It was well ​attended, with about 12 contractors in-person and another 12 online. ​After the briefing, the in-person attendees met at the tunnel site to view ​proposed locations at each end of the tunnel. The Army Corp project ​manager held one-on-one meetings with any contractors who wanted.

The Water and Wastewater Utilities team have repaired problem water ​lines and scheduled a paving company to repave patches of streets where ​pavement was removed during the dig.

The new foreman at the Maintenance Shop is reorganizing tools and shop ​supplies, cleaning out obsolete items, and getting a better feel for what ​tools we have and where they go.

Police department

The Seward Police have recovered a lot of bicycles found ​in the Seward area. If you, or someone you know, is ​missing their bicycle, please give us a call.

Telephone scammers sometimes pose as law ​enforcement. Chief Nickell wants you to know, law ​enforcement agencies never call people and threaten to ​arrest them unless they pay a fine. Don’t be fooled!

City of seward

Kat Sorensen, City Manager

ksorensen@cityofseward.net

Jason Bickling, Deputy City Manager

jbickling@cityofseward.net

CITY COUNCIL

Mayor Sue McClure

Vice-Mayor John Osenga

Mike Calhoon

Randy Wells

Kevin Finch

Bob Barnwell

Julie Crites

410 Adams St.

PO Box 167

Seward, AK 99664

Upcoming council meetings

Packets and agendas are posted on the city website prior to each meeting.

Meetings are livestreamed on our YouTube channel and 91.7 FM Seward Public Radio

youtube.com/@cityofseward7729