HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2011-011 Sponsored by: Oates
,,. CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2011 -011
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, SUPPORTING THE LOWELL POINT ROAD AS A STATEWIDE
TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN PROJECT AND WORKING
WITH THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH TO SEEK FUNDING FOR
THE REQUIRED 10% LOCAL MATCH
WHEREAS, 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; and
WHEREAS, the City's sewer lines to the treatment facility, electric and telephone lines all
run under this road; and
WHEREAS, it is also the only access point for many Seward residents and small businesses;
and
WHEREAS, high traffic usage and environmental interference have created life /safety issues
of increasing concern for the City, Kenai Peninsula Borough and State officials; and
WHEREAS, storm surges and tidal surge events have caused 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 or loss of human life; and
WHEREAS, 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; and
WHEREAS, in 2010, the City of Seward and Kenai Peninsula Borough nominated Lowell
Point Road on the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP); and
WHEREAS, the required local 10% match is identified in the nomination packet; and
WHEREAS, in order to retain the Lowell Point Road project on the STIP list, the City and
Borough must seek funding to meet the required 10% match; and
WHEREAS, the City and Borough have agreed to partner their efforts and move forward
to seek money for the local match.
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2011 -011
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA that:
Section 1. The Seward City Council Supports the Lowell Point Road as a Statewide
Transportation Improvement Plan Project.
Section 2. The Seward City Council directs the City Manager to work with the Kenai
Peninsula Borough to seek funding for the required 10% local match.
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 14 day of
February, 2011.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
illard E. Dunham, Mayor
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AYES: Valdatta, Smith, Shafer, Dunham
NOES: None
ABSENT: Bardarson, Keil, Casagranda
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
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Johanna Kinney, CMC
City Clerk
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Council Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: February 14, 2011
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To Phillip Oates, City Manager if u 1= 4o
From: William Casey, Public Works Director i P
Agenda Item: Support the Lowell Point Road on the STIP list
and seek funding for the local match requirement.
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 City's sewer lines to the treatment facility, electric and telephone lines all run under this road. It
is also the only access point many Seward residents have to their homes and small businesses.
Lowell Point Road also accesses 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 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
and tidal surges 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. This project will mitigate several current ongoing life safety issues. The
current condition and placement of the road create public health hazards which have the potential for
loss of life and loss or damage to critical infastructure.
In 2010, the City of Seward and Kenai Peninsula Borough nominated Lowell Point Road on the
Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP). The required local 10% match is identified
in the nomination packet. The funding match is on a reimbursement basis with each phase being,
pay as you go. According to ADOT &PF, this project would not be scheduled to begin until 2014
or 2015, and following federal process, take an average of 7 years to complete. This timeline
would enable the City of Seward and Kenai Peninsula Borough to seek the required funding over
a 10 year period. Many communities utilize local taxes, sell bonds, assess fees, and request state
legislative appropriations to fulfill their match requirements. Very few communities have the
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total match sum in hand at the time the project is added to the STIP list.
This is an important project for both the City of Seward and the Kenai Peninsula Borough. The
City and Borough have agreed to partner their efforts and move forward to seek money for the
local match. This will enable us to keep the project on the STIP list as we work together to seek
additional funding for the required match.
INTENT: Support the Lowell Point Road as a STIP project and work with the Kenai Peninsula
Borough to seek funding for the required local match.
CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Where applicable, this resolution is consistent with the Seward City
Code, Charter, Comprehensive Plans, Land Use Plans, Strategic Plan and City Council Rules of
Procedures or Other Plans or Policies.
FISCAL NOTE:
The City of Seward and the Kenai Peninsula Borough will need to work together to seek funding to
meet the required 10% financial match, which at this time, is estimated to be between $1million and
$2 million.
Approved by Finance Department: �J
ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes No X
RECOMMENDATION: Support the Lowell Point Road as a STIP project and work with the
Kenai Peninsula Borough to seek funding for the required local match.