HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2010-038 Sponsored by: Oates
itoup CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2010 -038
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SEWARD, ALASKA, SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS OF THE KENAI
PENINSULA BOROUGH TO URGE THE FEDERAL HIGHWAY
ADMINISTRATION TO ALLOCATE $17,332,100 TO MAKE THE
LOWELL POINT ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FISCALLY
POSSIBLE AND KEEPING IT A FEASIBLE 2010 FEDERAL
TRANSPORTATION PRIORITY
WHEREAS, the high traffic use of this narrow, one lane gravel road that solely connects
the City of Seward to the wastewater treatment facility which is critical infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the volume of traffic has created a life /safety issue of increasing concern
for the City of Seward, Kenai Peninsula Borough and State and visitors; and
WHEREAS, the environmental interference such as rock slides, reduced visibility due to
shrubs and trees and debris falling into the roadway cause occasional road closures in the
summer; and
ti
WHEREAS, avalanches cause frequent road closures in the winter; and
WHEREAS, storm surges and tidal surge events cause erosion problems occasionally
making the road impassable; and
WHEREAS, the extensive coastal damage caused by such events has made it necessary
for the City of Seward and the Kenai Peninsula Borough to seek emergency state and federal
funding fearing loss and/or damage of critical infrastructure, loss of human life, limited access to
residents and business owners; and
WHEREAS, high water events that occur often have made the road impassable due to
Lowell Creek bridge flooding which has created public health hazards and have the potential for
loss of life and loss or damage to critical infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, the cost of the maintenance, mitigation and repair of the road exceeds the
funding available from the City of Seward, Kenai Peninsula Borough and State of Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the City's sewer lines to the treatment facility, electric and telephone lines
run under the road; and
WHEREAS, this road accesses residential property, seasonal businesses critical to
Seward's economy, Seward's wastewater treatment facility, State and Federal Park sites and the
only terrestrial access to Caines Head State park and Kenai Fjords National Park; and
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2010 -038
WHEREAS, the development of the terrestrial access to the State and National Parks has
created traffic volumes second only to the Seward Highway; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seward, the Kenai Peninsula Borough and the State urge the
Federal Highway Administration to make this a priority for 2010.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SEWARD, ALASKA:
Section 1. The City of Seward strongly supports the efforts of the Kenai Peninsula
Borough to urge the Federal Highway Administration to allocate $17,332,100.00 to make
the Lowell Point Road Improvement Project fiscally possible and keeping it a feasible
2010 Federal Transportation Priority.
Section 2. Requests the mayor forward copies of this resolution to the Kenai Peninsula
Borough.
Section 3. This resolution shall take affect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, and this 12th
day of April, 2010.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
PO t'1) ) /3 d 2. ri%
Bardarson, Vice -Mayor
AYES: Valdatta, Smith, Keil, Shafer, Amberg, Bardarson
NOES: None
ABSENT: Dunham
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST: . • • '' 01fi ` ° `' • • o
417 4o,
L._ P " 'iY' •a9'
Je n Lewis, CWC, do 33
C' y Wr?":1
---
(City Seal) 4 , � d `• ` e1 l i: "".,L!
%_ OF 16A-P:04% .
Council Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: April 12, 2010
e of SFt.
Through: Phillip Oates, City Manager '
g P Y g � '��
From: William Casey, Public Works gtdsr -P
Agenda Item: Lowell Point Road Improvement Project
BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION:
Lowell Point Road is a narrow, one lane gravel road that provides the only terrestrial access the
City of Seward has to Seward's wastewater treatment facility which is critical infrastructure. It is
also the only access point many Seward residents have to their homes and small businesses. High
traffic usage and environmental interference have created life /safety issues of increasing concern
for the City, Kenai Peninsula Borough and State officials.
The environmental interference such as rock slides, reduced visibility due to shrubs and trees, and
debris falling into the roadway cause occasional road closures in the summer. The road is also
closed several times each winter because of the prevalence of avalanches. High water events have
made the road impassable due to flooding at Lowell Creek Bridge. This has created public health
hazards which have the potential for loss of life and loss or damage to critical infrastructure.
Storm surges and tidal surge events have caused erosion problems occasionally making the road
impassable.
The extensive coastal damage caused by such events has made it necessary for the City of Seward
and the Kenai Peninsula Borough to seek emergency state and federal funding fearing loss and /or
damage of critical infrastructure or loss of human life. The cost of maintenance, mitigation and
repair of the road exceeds the funding available from the City of Seward, Kenai Peninsula
Borough and State government.
The City's sewer lines to the treatment facility, electric and telephone lines all run under this road.
Lowell Point Road also accesses residential property, seasonal businesses critical to Seward's
economy, State and Federal Park sites and the only terrestrial access to Caines Head State park
and Kenai Fjords National Park. The development of the terrestrial access to the State and
National Parks has created traffic volume second only to the Seward Highway. The City of
Seward strongly supports the Kenai Peninsula Borough's efforts seeking $17,332,100.00 from the
Federal Highway Administration for the Lowell Point Road Improvement Project.
INTENT: To support the Kenai Peninsula Borough's efforts to secure $17,332,100.00 from the
Federal Highway Administration for Lowell Point Road Improvement.
FISCAL NOTE: This has no fiscal • pact on the City of Seward.
Approved by Finance Department:
2 L'2
ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes No X
RECOMMENDATION:
Council supports Resolution 2010 -038 supporting the efforts of the Kenai Peninsula Borough to
urge the Federal Highway Administration to allocate $17,332,100.00 to make the Lowell Point Road
Improvement Project fiscally possible and keeping it a feasible 2010 Federal Transportation Priority.
203