City Manager Newsletter
City of Seward
June 21, 2024
From the City Manager
The Government Finance Officers Association Conference in Orlando was a great learning experience for Finance Director Sully and me. One highlight, among the many great workshops, was an exploration of the new tools and software programs available for municipalities. I found the budgeting sessions especially useful for the upcoming budget cycle, and Sully took particular interest in budgets for public safety.
There are tons of events and activities happening all over town for the Fourth of July! Check out the Seward Chamber of Commerce for a list of events or click on the image below. Chief Crites is especially excited about the Firefighter Combat Challenge! Show off your skills for great prizes and bragging rights.
We are closely following the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly after a public hearing on the topic of a 12% borough-wide bed tax. On June 18, assembly members voted 6-3 to table the resolution that would have put the question of the bed tax on the ballot this fall. However, we may see an assembly member revisit the resolution at the July 9 meeting and set another public hearing. Note: this would not be on top of the 4% bed tax Seward has in place. Rather, Seward would be able to claim half of the 12% for a 2% gain.
Happy summer solstice and have a safe and fun Fourth of July!
Cheers -- Kat
ksorensen@cityofseward.net
CLICK THE PHOTO FOR A FULL SCHEDULE OF JULY 4TH EVENTS
Summer operating hours for the Library & Museum (May 1-Sept 29)
Library Hours: Tue-Fri 9AM-6PM, Sat 9AM-5PM.
- Summer Reading Program: Ready to dive into a boat load of fun with our summer reading program? This year, we're all about coastal communities! So far, kids have visited the Bear Creek Weir, learned to filet and skin salmon with Qutekcak, toured all 46 parks in the city with Parks and Recreation, and (for good measure) learned good money habits from local banker! They are headed to the Harbor next for a demonstration of the boat lift. Coming up is the Seward Marine Center, AVTEC Marine Center, and Samson Tug & Barge.
- Library on Wheels: This program provides library materials to patrons who cannot physically come to the library. Their books are delivered on Fridays, and we are excited to have fulfilled our first round of requests!
- Storytime Hour happens every Thursday from 11:30-12:30. We are currently reading books about Life in Alaska, followed by a fun craft. This week we read Under Alaska’s Midnight Sun by Deb Vanasse and made suncatchers by melting crayons. It was VERY WELL attended! Next week we will read a book about animal footprints, complete with DIY footprint stamps.
- Res Bay Chapbooks: We’re still getting submissions for Res Bay Chapbooks, a program where local writers can submit their chapter-length books for publication, binding, and promotion to the public. We have a few local authors showcased, so come by to read and support them. Interested? Reach out to our Director, Sue Drover, or Sean Ulman, leader of Chapbooks.
Summer reading program
All ages are welcome and readers can join the program at any time, just sign up with the front desk staff!
Parks & Recreation planted flowers in planters and then took the older kids to see all 46 parks in Seward.
Can you believe there are 46 parks in town?!
Qutekcak taught the kids how to filet and skin salmon, then they got to eat it!
A local banker did a few money-centered activities, like counting and sorting money, where and where not to store your money, and creating a personal budget.
Museum Exhibits
The original 1927 Alaska State Flag recently returned home to Seward where it is being displayed in the Museum. This flag was flown for the first time at the Jesse Lee Home in Seward on July 9, 1927. Benny Benson, a 13-year-old resident of the Jesse Lee Home, designed the flag.
Benny was an Aleut, originally from Chignik. He won the American Legion Alaska Department’s 1926 design contest for 7th-12th graders.
Originally, the color of the silk flag was a deep violet, with eight painted gold stars - seven in the shape of the Big Dipper and one representing the North Star.
In his original entry, Benny wrote: “The blue field is for the Alaska sky and the forget-me-not, an Alaskan flower. The North Star is for the future state of Alaska, the most northerly in the union. The Dipper is for the Great Bear – symbolizing strength.”
Sarah Owens, Interwoven Fibers LLC, conducted the conservation.
Above: On display in the Library Atrium are photos, dating back to 1910, of swimmers enjoying summer at First Lake!
The highlight of this display is a black wool swimsuit originally owned by Luella Kelsey McMullen. In 1920s, fabrics for bathing suits were chosen that would not become transparent when wet. For this reason, swimsuits were often made of wool!
Below: Jesse Lee Home for Children: This exhibit showcases the history of the Jesse Lee Home for Children, a former orphanage in Seward. The United Methodist Church operated the Jesse Lee Home in Unalaska until it moved to Seward in 1925.
Residents were mainly Native children from the Aleutian Islands (Aleut) and Seward Peninsula (Iñupiat). Through photos and artifacts, the exhibit captures different eras of the Jesse Lee Home, from the 1930s to its eventual abandonment.
Visitors can also listen to the personal testimonies of those who attended the Jesse Lee Home.
Above: Going for Gold: Jacoby’s Olympic Journey: This exhibit showcases the remarkable journey of Seward’s own Lydia Jacoby, an exceptional athlete whose extraordinary accomplishments have left an incredible mark on the swimming world and the Seward community.
Fire Department
This week we are highlighting our fearless leader, Chief Crites. When he came to Seward Fire, he brought a wealth of experience and knowledge.
He’s also not afraid to get down and dirty to help his people. It’s not unusual to see him jumping in to help wash trucks or roll hose. Chief is absolutely one we all look up to, even if he does pronounce the “L” in salmon!
We NEED volunteers, if you or someone you know is interested in serving your community, call us at (907)224-3445 or stop by at one of our trainings on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 pm.
THANK YOU to our volunteers!
This month the Seward Fire Department hosted Fire Explorers training! Our firefighters demonstrated how to train hard and be prepared for every situation.
These kids worked hard, and we are so proud of everyone who showed up and participated.
Great job Explorers!
Fire Explorers practice rolling hose and the Keiser Sled.
A Keiser Sled is an endurance training prop, where you whack a 165lb weight with a mallet with the goal of moving it 5 feet! Give it a try at the Firefighter Combat Challenge!
Parks and Recreation
Click on the image for more details about the festival
Join us at AVTEC on Saturday for the
No Man's Land Film Festival.
Q&A with a some of Seward's most awesome outdoorswomen and door prizes!
Youth Soccer begins July 2
Sign up to be a coach!
Calendar of Events
Check out the Parks and Rec website for a full calendar of events and information on how to sign up!
CALENDAR UPDATE: BBQ Spring Games and Succulent Workshop will be rescheduled to a later month! But don’t worry we still have plenty of amazing events on the schedule for June!
Join our team!
Below are a selection of current openings with the city of Seward. You can see all employment opportunities by clicking HERE.
An application for employment can be found HERE, by emailing HR@cityofseward.net or in the lobby of City Hall at 410 Adams Street
Applications may be sent electronically to Tammy Nickell, HR Manager at HR@cityofseward.net, faxed to 907-224-3577, or delivered to City Hall at 410 Adams Street (5th Ave & Adams Street), Seward, Alaska 99664.
Public Works Maintenance/Mechanic
Journeyman Lineman
Electric Utility
- Our Finance and Util-Assist team is working through the first round of utility disconnections. This action is in response to accounts in delinquency status.
- Remember, we offer deferred payment plans and information on assistance organizations. Please reach out to our Utility Department or come to City Hall and stop by the Finance Utilities counter with any questions or concerns.
HARBOR HAPPENINGS
- The Harbor Office has a new administrator! Travis will start on June 25, stop in and wish him well.
- The Z float expansion project continues. The City Finance Director and the Harbormaster are meeting with financial advisors again this week. Stay tuned!
- The month of May had a total of 76 lifts with the 50-ton Travelift and 22 lifts with the 300-ton Travelift.
- The Harbor is excited to participate in the Library Summer Reading Program on June 26 and showcase our facility.
- North Dock interest is still going strong. The Seward Marine Industrial Center (SMIC) saw 11,500 tons of concrete aggregate/pit run and 1,405 tons of wharfage for May.
Finance
Community Development Report
- City Council approved a two-year agreement between the City and AVTEC for use of the Student Services Building. This contract provides the City a venue to offer a variety of programs to the Seward community.
- The Finance Dept is actively implementing a cross-training program, a strategic move that will enhance our team's versatility and efficiency.
- Work continues with the Harbormaster on the Z Float Expansion Project, projected revenues, and the Harbor Fund Debt.
- Finance Director Sully is back from the Government Finance Officers Association conference in Orlando, equipped with a wealth of new information for the 2025/26 budget cycle.
- Finance is still working with auditors performing our annual audit.
Your Main Idea Goes Here
There is just enough space here for several lines of text. You can add details, share a quick story, or elaborate on an idea, as long as you keep the information engaging and relevant. For maximum impact, make sure you get your message across clearly yet concisely.
animal shelter
Do you have extra towels and blankets laying around? The Seward Animal Shelter is in of need donations!
This is Lily. She’s one cool cat! Lily made a wonderful and generous donation to the Seward Animal Shelter with the money she made from her lemonade stand.
Community development
- Now that the snow is gone, the Community Development Office has begun receiving requests for staff to visit Seward resident properties to discuss summer house projects. If you live inside city limits and have ideas for changes or additions to your property, please use the Community Development Office as a resource to make sure any potential project falls in line with City Code.
- The Planning and Zoning Commission held a work session on June 18 to discuss three topics. First, the borough provided an update to the Commission on the Safe Streets and Roads For All Grant. Second, the Commission outlined their priority list of topics to discuss for the remainder of 2024. Finally, the Commission started a conversation on cannabis use and regulation in Seward. If you are interested in learning more about these discussion items, the work session is available on the City of Seward YouTube channel.
P&Z CommissionER pOSITION
Community Development Report
The Planning & Zoning Commission is in need of a commissioner!
Do you live inside city limits and have an interest in community and comprehensive planning? P&Z advises City Council and promotes public interest and understanding of comprehensive planning, platting, zoning, land management and other issues relating to community planning and development. The P&Z Commission meetings are on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. and a work session on the third Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Email the application below to clerk@cityofseward.net
P&Z Application
IT TECH TIP
Insert your USB right the FIRST time
Does it seem like you always have your USB going the wrong direction when you try to plug it in? Here's the trick - the USB symbol faces up. Look at any USB cable or thumb drive and you’ll notice the USB symbol on only one side. It’s not just for decoration; that symbol points up when the USB is inserted horizontally. If you're inserting a cable vertically, the USB symbol will face you.
Community Development Report
Your Main Idea Goes Here
There is just enough space here for several lines of text. You can add details, share a quick story, or elaborate on an idea, as long as you keep the information engaging and relevant. For maximum impact, make sure you get your message across clearly yet concisely.
City of seward
Upcoming council meetings
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
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
NOTICE: June 24th City Council Meeting is cancelled