Kat Sorensen
City Manager Newsletter
City of Seward
March 26, 2024
From the City Manager
Hello and Happy Spring! We’ve been having some quintessential spring weather, and enjoying the sunshine! Since the last meeting, I’ve been working with Matanuska Electric to start the contract approved by council. This includes setting up the necessary items in our system, having their accounting system ready, finding housing, and more. Brian Hickey, who will be acting as our utility manager, will start April 3. The following week we anticipate having an operations supervisor in place. I’ll keep you up to date as that moves along. We also had a meeting to discuss a new federal grant opportunity – the Clean Ports Program. This is a funding opportunity that helps ports nationwide transition to zero-emission operations. It’s an exciting opportunity, and as we move forward in the application process I’ll be in contact with the federal offices responsible for the funding and advocate for Seward. | We’re also working with Community Development to draft a plan to bring before Planning and Zoning for the Comprehensive Plan revision. Deputy City Manager Jason is having continued conversations with the Borough, Forest Service, Alaska Mental Health Trust, and DNR about getting developable land freed up for residential development. He’s also continuing to work regularly with the city attorneys on several litigation fronts including the Chugach Rate Case, Fire/Building Code, Short Term Rental, and Land Use issues. And I want to give a big shout out to all the city departments that showed up on Tuesday, March 19 to help install the Shushbooths in the library. These large booths are available for use for those who may need to take a meeting or talk while at the library. We wouldn’t have been able to get them up the stairs and installed without all the help from various city departments. Thank you to everyone showed up, I am continually grateful for all of our city employees! |
ksorensen@cityofseward.net
The shushbooths are now available to use at the library!!
AVTEC
Job
Fair
The Seward Police Department and Parks and Rec crews took part in the annual AVTEC job fair. AVTEC students had the opportunity to learn about potential careers across a variety of industries and employers, including the City of Seward! The Seward Police Department also had training scenario equipment on hand, giving people the chance to put themselves in an officers shoes! Thanks AVTEC for hosting another great event.
Join a board or Commission Today
Community Development Report
The Planning & Zoning Commission is in need of commissioners! And the Port and Commerce Advisory Board is in need of members.
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 on the first Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. and a work session on the third Tuesday at 6 p.m.
We are also seeking applications from citizens of Seward and the surrounding area interested in serving on the Port and Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB). There are two seats available with terms expiring in July 2024. PACAB meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month, usually during the lunch hour from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. There are no PACAB meetings in June, July or August.
Email the application below to clerk@cityofseward.net
P&Z Application
Fire Department
We NEED volunteers, if you or someone you know is interested in serving your community, call at 224-3445 or stop by at one of our trainings on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 pm.
- On March 6, the FD held the annual volunteer firefighters awards and appreciation banquet. Thanks to all of our volunteers!
- The Fire Explorer (Junior Firefighter) program is off and running and had their first meeting March 14th! Seward is excited to be working with the next generation of firefighters.
- There are seven building permits issued and the department has responded to 96 calls for service year to date.
- Spring forward not only reminds us to change all of our clocks for Daylight Savings Time, but it’s also a good reminder to change the batteries out in our home smoke/CO detectors!
Thinking Money for Kids
- Young people will have the opportunity to learn about financial topics, like earning, saving, spending, sharing, and budgeting, in a way that is both meaningful and fun through a new library offering. Coming soon, come visit the library for in-person kids’ programs or take home a tablet loaded with fun games, offered through the program
- The Seward Community Library has been selected to receive a Thinking Money for Kids Program Kit from the American Library Association (ALA) and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation. The Program Kit is a collection of expertly vetted resources to help libraries teach financial education concepts for children ages 3 to 12, both in the library and in children’s homes.
- Seward Community Library is one of 300 libraries to receive this unique offer.
Americans and the Holocaust
- We’re thrilled to announce that the Seward Community Library & Museum has been chosen to host AMERICANS AND THE HOLOCAUST, a traveling exhibition from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the ALA.
- Stay tuned for our Summer exhibition dates and program schedule!
Children’s Storytime is back!
- Every Thursday, beginning at 11:30 am
Museum collections & Exhibits
The Museum’s Winter Admission Hours are Friday & Saturday, 12pm to 5pm.
Ongoing:
- Seward Silver Screen Window Display: The exhibit features objects associated with the history of motion pictures in Alaska & movie-going here in Seward. (On Display February 8 – March 30)
- National Women's Month: This month, we are celebrating past and present women. This temporary exhibit will highlight women's invaluable contributions and achievements throughout Seward's history. From trailblazers to first responders and teachers, these women quietly pave the way. (On Display March 2 – 30)
Upcoming:
- First World Flight Centennial, 1924 – 2024: Did you know that Seward was one of the stops in mankind's first-ever flight around the world? With Friends of Magnuson Park in Seattle, we will mark the centennial of this historic achievement in aviation. (On Display April 2 – June 1)
The next Exhibits Committee Meeting will take place on March 28 to discuss updating the Jesse Lee Home exhibit.
Parks and Recreation
- Sports and Rec has had several self-challenges that have been quite popular with the town. Robin Collman won the February Birding Challenge. Libby Ferrara won the Kite Logo Contest. And the Haiku Hiking Challenge has been finished by two already, but many more sign-ins at the sight.
- Urbach's Basketball is going strong, with picture day a success.
- Our March Puzzle Battle winners were the Puzzling Pros.
- St. Patty's Day Parade was a success on Sunday March 17th.
- The Easter Field Day will take place at Lowell Point Beach on Saturday March 30th with target ages of elementary school to middle school.
- Upcoming events include:
- Kite Festival April 21st.
- Seward Alaska Ventures Volleyball Tournament (April 26-27)
- Pink Cheeks Triathlon (May 4th)
- Super Saturday/Bike Rodeo (May 11th)
- Exit Glacier Race ( May 18th)
Calendar of Events
Check out the Parks and Rec website for a full calendar of events and information on how to sign up!
We had a blast this last month embroidering on Sunday afternoons! Thank you to everyone who joined the class. We have another BEGINNER embroidery class on Sunday afternoons in April- supplies are provided!
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.
Journeyman Lineman
Summer Seasonal Positions
Looking for a summer gig? The City of Seward is hiring a variety of summer seasonal positions across departments. Apply at the link above.
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Electric Utility
- You will see a new line-item charge called the Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) Charge, as part of the tariff approved in January. This rate was established the the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) and supports the Railbelt Reliability Council, whose mission is to work collaboratively and transparently to establish and uphold protocols that sustainably balance safety, reliability, cost, and environmental responsibility.
- The cost of the RRC is split amongst the Railbelt utilities (which includes Seward Electric) as mandated by Alaska state legislation. The ERO charge is based on your monthly kWh usage at a rate of .008886. You will see this charge separately on your bill to provide full transparency of the costs.
ERO Charge
HARBOR HAPPENINGS
- Continuing to finalize summer scheduling/plans with our North Dock Users, we are expecting a busy season. The first barge was scheduled the week of 3/18 - 3/22.
- Receiving calls daily for both the 50-ton and 300-Ton Travelifts about available times.
- Local companies have started their Whale Watching Tours now running daily
- Harbor Workers are busy with seasonal duties, training new employees and preparing for the busy spring/summer season
- We are working with PND Engineering grants to fund the 50 ton washdown pad.
- Hiring updates: We have hired a harbor office executive assistant, the Harbor Worker II position is being filled by a city employee transfering from the jail, and a big congratulations to Ryan Anger, who has promoted to Deputy Harbormaster.
Finance
Community Development Report
Finance is working on the preparation for our annual audit performing for Altman Rodgers and Co. Audit firm.
The team is also working with the electric department on workflows in preparation for the new Work Order season.
Finance and the Police Department attended the last meeting with the KPB with the negotiation for the upcoming E-911 contract.
We’re working on a draft agenda for the FY25/FY26 budget cycle. Stay tuned!
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It’s adopt a puppy month and the animal shelter has 8 puppies ready for a new home! Come say hi!
ANIMAL SHELTER
IT TECH TIP
Community Development Report
Setup MFA (Multi Factor Authentication) as an added layer of security whenever possible.Most banks and other online accounts either require MFA or offer it as an option.
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
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
CHANGES TO Meeting SCHEDULE
Meetings in the month of April have been shifted back one week and will now be on the third and fifth Monday of the month. The new City Council meeting dates are as follows:
MONDAY, APRIL 15 @ 7 PM
MONDAY, APRIL 29 @ 7 PM
May returns to the normal schedule, with the first meeting being May 13 at 7 PM.
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