From the City Manager

Hi all! I will be absent from the June 10 City Council meeting while attending the Government Finance Officer Association annual meeting in Orlando, FL with Finance Director Sully – with temperatures of 100 degrees and a UV Index of 11 (I did not know it went that high!). I’m looking forward to many of the sessions, including Rethinking Financial Reporting and Designing the Blueprint for a Better Budget. I’ll also be participating as a panelist with other City Managers. I’m excited to report back, and hopefully don’t have too much of a sunburn.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been working on a few big projects outside of the day-to-day. As mentioned at the last City Council meeting, we submitted the EPA Clean Ports grant for shore power at the Cruise Ship Dock. I’m hopeful we’ll receive the funding and should find out by September if we do.

I’ve also started participating in a Transmission Subcommittee in response to the passing of HB 307 in the Alaska House which seeks to unify the transmission system that runs along the corridor from Fairbanks to the Kenai Peninsula (aka the Railbelt). This is in the early stages, and an exciting process to be involved in.

Chief Crites, Deputy City Manager Bickling, and R&M discussed the Fire Department portion of the Public Safety Feasibility Study at the Planning and Zoning Work session on June 4th. We are waiting for some information on several potential locations before we do the same with the Police Department portion of the study.

We cancelled the June 24 meeting (I’ll be in ICS training in Fairbanks), so I hope everyone has a safe and happy 4th of July holiday!

Cheers -- Kat

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Important Message from the Library Director

On Saturday, June 8, the Seward Community Library and Museum received a very serious threat to the safety and well-being of our community, visitors, and employees. The City of Seward takes all threats seriously and immediately implemented necessary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of our community, which included closing the library and securing the area.

This threat was made by an individual or group in direct response to an event taking place at our library on Saturday, and we recognize the inconvenience, fear, and uncertainty that this situation has left many members of our community feeling. We also understand the frustration and disappointment that resulted from the interruption of our services.

Our actions were essential in order to protect the individuals within our library, museum and downtown Seward. As a community meeting space, we have measures in place to respond to this type of threat, and are committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all. We appreciate your understanding and support as we navigate through this challenging situation.

On a high note, we are happy to report the event that was disrupted by this threat was immediately relocated to an alternate location and commenced in its entirety. Once the Seward Police Department gave the ‘all clear’ we reopened the library and museum resuming regular activities, services and hours.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this time.

Sue Drover, Director

City of Seward Library and Museum

Summer operating hours for the Library & Museum (May 1-Sept 29)

Library Hours: Tue-Fri 9AM-6PM, Sat 9AM-5PM.

• Patron Statistics (May 2024): In 19 working days, we facilitated 64 events, 39 Shushbooth reservations, and proctored 4 exams
  
• Passport Processing: 10 passports were processed in May
  
• Summer Reading Program: The first program was Wednesday, May 29th at the Bear Creek Weir. There were about 25 students and parents in attendance, and the feedback we received was very positive. The kids really enjoyed the hands-on educational experience. We have 60 students and 16 adults registered for this program.
  
• Library on Wheels: This program provides library materials to patrons who cannot physically come to the library. Their requests are delivered by the Senior Center Meals on Wheels drivers on Fridays. We will begin fulfilling our requests in the second week of June.
  
• Plans for the traveling exhibition Americans and the Holocaust continue, with the goal of having an exhibit in the museum simultaneously showing what was happening in Seward and the rest of Alaska. Rebecca Erbelding, PhD, Historian, USHMM is tentatively scheduled to speak at our Opening Reception on Friday, August 30th.
• Seward Tsunami Swim Club Window Display: Discover the Seward Tsunami Swim Club and how it has been a cornerstone of the Seward community for decades. Whether you were a once a member, know someone on the current swim team, or you’re simply curious about the world of swimming, come check it out! (On Display June 4 – August 31)
  

Fire Department

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!

• 28 new building permits have been issued and we have responded to 168 calls for service year-to-date.
  
• This June the Seward Fire Department is getting back to basics and laying the foundation for a solid base of skills. This week the crew trained on forward lays, hammering down on efficiency, and cutting response times.
• FUN FACT: A forward lay is when a supply line is laid from the water source (like a hydrant) to the fire. A reverse lay is when the supply line is laid down from the fire source to the water supply.
  

Hose Deployment Training on May 29

Parks and Recreation

Parking

• Parking enforcement began on May 1 and will continue all summer long!
• Seasonal Parking Passes are still available for purchase at the Sports and Rec front desk, the AVTEC Gym, or online at www.recdesk.com

We have tons of events in June...

• Open basketball EXPLODED with over 50 participants - stop by on Thursdays from 6-8PM to join the fun!
• Come check out our weekly Zumba classes on Tuesday from 6-7PM
• Swing your racquet on Saturdays from 12:30-2:30 at open pickleball!
  

Great job to all the runners at the Bear Bell Run on Friday!

Executive Assistant - Harbor

Public Works Maintenance/Mechanic

Journeyman Lineman

Patrol Officer

Electric Utility

• Following the FY24 Electric Tariff, summer rates were included in the May billing, reflecting usage from April 15 to May 15.

• Our Finance and Util-Assist team is taking a proactive stance in preparing for the first round of utility disconnections. This action is in response to accounts in delinquency status and will be implemented as soon as weather conditions permit.

• We offer deferred payment plans and information on assistance organizations. Please feel free to reach out to our Utility Department or swing by City Hall and stop by the Utilities counter with any questions or concerns.

HARBOR HAPPENINGS

• On May 21, the Harbormaster, Deputy City Manager and Mayor welcomed the USS Ted Stevens Commissioning Committee to Seward! The purpose of the visit was to review Alaska’s premier ports as possible locations for the commissioning of the USS Ted Stevens in 2026. The USS Ted Stevens is the Navy’s newest guided-missile destroyer.
• On May 22, Seward hosted the 18th Annual Combat Fishing Tournament, the largest military appreciation tournament in the U.S.! It provides 165+ service members the opportunity to experience deep-sea fishing in Alaska!
• On May 28, the City Finance Director and the Harbormaster met with financial advisors to discuss funding for the Z float expansion project.
• Interest in the North Dock facility has extended into June with above average daily phone calls for available space
• The Harbor Department is conducting the online portion of CPR and First Aid certification training
• REMINDER: The Harbor Executive Assistant position is still open. Apply today to join our amazing crew!

Public works

• The City of Seward Public Works Water Department received the Alaska Rural Water Association (ARWA) “2023 Water System of the Year” award for upgrades including: “projects for onsite disinfection generation with a new pumphouse, and a new water storage tank. They are proactive in maintenance work and response to customer issues, and they have operators who are dedicated, trained and certified for the water system including backflow prevention on the systems.” Congratulations to the Water Operators for a job well done!

• The Water and Sewer Rate Study will be presented at the June 10th City Council meeting. The current, complicated ERU billing for all businesses and residential apartment buildings that are a 3-plex or larger is slated to be replaced. They will all be “metered”, simplifying the system for customers and the city billing process. Rates and revenues will be adjusted to account for maintenance and operations.
  

• Public Works has updated the City’s Source Water Protection Plan with the help of (ARWA). This plan protects the City’s water supply from contamination.

• 2024 Water Quality Reports for Seward and Seward Marine Industrial Center (SMIC) are now available on the City of Seward website under Public Works at the bottom of the page. You can also click here for the report!
  

Finance

Community Development Report

• City Council will review 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
  
• The Finance Director is also working with the Harbormaster on the Z Float Expansion Project, projected revenues, and the Harbor Fund Debt.
  
• The City Manager and Finance Director are headed to Orlando this month for the Government Finance Officers Association annual conference. Great timing as these two will be equipped with new information as we approach the FY25/26 budget cycle.
• Finance continues to work with auditors performing our annual audit. We are working with Providence for the asset portion of the financials.

Police department

We celebrated another annual running of the Torch Run for Special Olympics on May 18th. Officer Ballard ran the race, and we thank him for his support. Officer Adams, being an overachiever, decided to run both the Torch Run and the 5k Exit Glacier Run at the same time and he came in second place. That’s a pretty impressive display of fitness, don’t run from him unless you’re in a car. It was also nice to see former public safety dispatcher, and Seward’s own, Joevahnta Usugan-Weddington stopping by to run the race. We miss you, Joe!

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

Seward Animal Shelter

Alice Pickett Memorial Animal Shelter serves the Seward area and has lots of cute critters in need of a good home!

Open Tue - Sat: 10AM - 5PM

(907) 422-7150

Meet Kikadee! Kikadee is about 3-4 years old and looking for her quiet, forever home. She’s up to date on her vaccinations and spayed.

Please come meet her at the shelter.

Abby showed up very matted. She’s had a haircut, and that’s why she’s sporting a fancy coat. She’s an older female, and will be pretty as a peach when her hair grows in. She is very loving and mellow, but full of personality. Please come meet Abby.

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

youtube.com/@cityofseward7729