October 16, 2025 by Michael Armstrong

Special to The Seward Folly

All resolutions and ordinances passed unanimously.

From a new police station site to changing the sign code, the Seward City Council at its Oct. 13 meeting checked off a punch list of items it had been working on since — in the case of the sign code — the summer of 2023. All resolutions and ordinances passed unanimously.

Police Station Site

Approving the purchase of land near the Seward High School on Benson Drive that will be the site of the new police station got the most public comment. At its Sept. 8 meeting, the council approved a resolution authorizing Seward City Manager Kat Sorensen to enter into negotiations to purchase 2.7 acres of land for $580,000, less than the asking price of $595,000. The property is owned by Cara Osenga, a family member of Vice Mayor John Osenga. Osenga stepped away from the table because of his conflict of interest.

In an agenda statement, Deputy City Manager Jason Bickling noted that the city had sold three city lots for prices ranging from $200,453 an acre to $333,000 an acre. At $214,815 an acre, the Benson Drive lot is within current sales prices. Revenues from those sales will help fund the lot purchase.

In public testimony, Lori Draper, who lives near the site, said initially she thought the lot would make a great property for apartments. 

“And then I hear this hare-brained idea the city of Seward’s gonna purchase this property and put a police department right in the middle of a residential area,” she said. “…We’re gonna take private property off the tax rolls and turn it into a public place right in our R-3 zone.”

However, as Draper talked to Bickling and others, she said “one by one they eliminated all my issues.” Draper suggested that after the city builds the new police station it should rezone and sell the lot for the old station for residential development.

Another Benson Drive resident, Kathy Fredrickson, said she talked to neighbors about the police station site. Most of them had concerns about traffic. 

In his agenda statement, Bickling wrote that traffic from the police station would be minimal. Because most officers are on patrol when responding to calls, they would not be constantly coming and going from the station. The station also would not have a city jail. 

A new Seward resident, Sierra Rowland, spoke in favor of purchasing the land.

“We have two small children, and seeing that lot being empty, knowing that it’s right next to the high school, and it has so much potential to be a community space that could be used to help benefit our students and help benefit other families, really speaks to the heart of why we chose Seward,” she said. “We would love, love to see that property be developed into a police station that also helps to support local families through either a child care center that’s attached, playground so on and so forth that students after school that need somewhere safe to go and can utilize, as well.”

City Sign Code, Ordinance 2025-15

The council also approved revisions to the city sign code that had been in the works since the summer of 2023. The revisions came about to address confusion on temporary signs and signage on awnings, City Planner Courtney Bringhurst told the council. Ordinance 2025-015 also defines feather signs — signs mounted on poles that move with the wind — and allows them to be used by mobile vendors during scheduled community events. Bringhurst suggested an amendment to the feather sign section, removing “mobile vendors” so as to allow for signage for events like road races alerting people of runners or bikers on the road. The council approved that amendment.

The ordinance also removes entirely the definition of political signs from the code as well as a section setting time and size  restrictions on political signs. That change was done to make the code compliant with a U.S. Supreme Court decision, Reed v. Town of Gilbert, that ruled content restrictions on signs were unconstitutional. Bringhurst said the revision makes signs content neutral. 

Land Use, Ordinance 2025-16

As part of the city’s ongoing effort to increase housing, the council also approved Ordinance 2025-016, changing definitions for dwelling, apartment, commercial building and mixed-use development. In an agenda statement, Community Development Director Daniel Meuninck wrote that there is a lack of clarity “regarding regulations for mixed-use buildings and mixed-use development” and that the current code does not define  “mixed-use buildings” or “mixed-use development.” Some districts allow apartments outright while others require conditional use permits. The ordinance revision would define mixed-use development in code and permit apartments in mixed-use buildings outright in the Central Business and Harbor Commercial zoning districts. 

Land Use, Ordinance 2025-14

In another land-use decision, the council also approved Ordinance 2025-14, amending city code to allow veterinary hospitals in the Institutional zoning district.

Thank You to Outgoing Council Members

In closing comments, council members and city administration also thanked Council Member Randy Wells and Council Member Kevin Finch for their service. In final election results approved by the council, Wells had 142 votes and lost re-election by just five votes to challenger Michael Calhoun, who had 147 votes. Incumbent Council Member Kevin Finch also lost re-election with 79 votes. Lori Draper won election with 274 votes.

“Just want to say thank you, Mr. Wells, it was, it’s been, I know you’re not going anywhere, but, but it’s, but it’s been really great working with you in this, in this capacity,” said Deputy City Manager Jason Bickling. “…. I feel like I should say something like, what a long, strange trip it’s been.”

“Mr. Wells and Mr. Finch, it’s been, great, a great run,” said Council Member Robert Barnwell. “I know you’ve put, [Randy Wells] this guy’s put a lot of work into this job. I don’t think everyone realizes how much not everyone puts into this. But Mr. Wells really puts it, does his homework well, and he’s been a very consistent and solid person on this council. So thank you for your work.”

Council Member John Osenga also thanked Wells for his work.

“You’re knowledgeable. You’re very smart, and you really do your research, I’ll give you that, and it’s been an honor to serve with you,” he said.

Michael Armstrong is a retired Homer News reporter and editor. Reach him at wordfolk@gmail.com.

The Seward Folly publisher Robert Barnwell is a current member of the Seward City Council, but he did not participate in the editing of this story.