May 14, 2026, by Michael Armstrong

Special to The Seward Folly

In one of its most efficient meetings this year, the Seward City Council at its May 11 meeting passed almost all the resolutions up for action on the consent agenda. On the consent agenda, actions such as introducing noncontroversial ordinances or approving minutes get approved as a group and without debate. On a motion and approval, the council can add items to the consent agenda.

Seward Mayor Sue McClure moved to add a batch of resolutions approving Developer Reimbursement Program applications to the consent agenda. However, Council Member Lori Draper asked to pull two DRP applications, Resolutions 2026-045 and -048, from the consent agenda. 

At an April 18 work session, the council reviewed DRP applications and directed the administration to return resolutions funding the projects at 50%. In agenda statements  from Community Development Director Daniel Meuninck, he wrote: “Administration has determined that the proposed project is in the public interest, is necessary, and will benefit the properties to be served.” The DRP has been used to subsidize the cost to extend sewer, water and electricity and build roads to new subdivisions as part of the city’s ongoing effort to address its housing shortage. Seward DRP Article [https://sewardfolly.com/2026/04/23/sewards-developer-reimbursement-program-spurs-housing-growth-offers-model-for-seasonal-tourist-communities/]

With no ordinances up for consideration, that meant the council debated only four resolutions: the two DRP applications left off the consent agenda and Resolution 2026-050, approving a quote of about $205,000 to repair a bulldozer that got immersed in Resurrection Bay, and Resolution 2026-051, approving a quote of about $210,000 for power line boring services for the summer construction season.

Draper asked to consider on the regular agenda Resolution 2026-045 because of concerns that the subdivision would have its own water and septic system and that it would need to be rezoned residential. The proposed 17-lot development is on the east side of Resurrection Bay and doesn’t have access to city sewer and water. OLV LLC, the developer, sought reimbursement of about $423,000 for road and electric extensions. 

“I got concerned that the well and septics, just to be sure, that the well and septics had a stamp of approval from an engineer, that they would all work within the property, and then for this particular one, also that the rezoning would be accomplished before we expended any of our city funds, that this would be residential property,” Draper said.

Working from a laydown suggesting amendments, Draper asked that the council approve this condition: “The developer may proceed with design and construction activities associated with the project prior to rezoning approval. However, reimbursement under the developer reimbursement program shall not occur unless a subject property is rezoned to a residential zoning district permitting the proposed residential development.”

Draper said she didn’t want to see money going to an area currently zoned marine industrial without an assurance that it would be rezoned.

“I just thought it should be a contingent,” she said.

With Vice-Mayor John Osenga absent, the council and mayor approved the amendment with six yes votes. 

Draper then introduced an amendment requiring that a licensed professional engineer verify that onsite wells and septic systems are feasible for each lot. That amendment also passed with six votes, as did the main motion.

For the second DRP application, Resolution 2026-48, Draper raised a similar concern that the developer, Resurrection Bay Investments, also get a professional engineer to verify that the lots would be feasible for onsite water and sewer systems. The developer sought reimbursement of about $48,000 for electrical extensions. A similar amendment as for -045 also passed with six votes, as did the main motion.

The council also approved Resolutions 2026-050 and -051. For repairs to a Caterpillar D6 Dozer, the city had already received $326,000 in an insurance claim settlement. Public Works Director Doug Schoessler wrote in an agenda statement that the cost of repair was more cost-effective than the about $700,000 cost of buying a new dozer.

Michael Armstrong is a retired journalist currently volunteering as the editor of the Homer Independent Press. Reach him at wordfolk@gmail.com.

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