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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06052013 PACAB PacketPost and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting June 5, 2013 Council Chambers noon SEWARD PORT AND COMMERCE ADVISORY BOARD Regular Meeting June 5, 2013 12:OOPM COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1. CALL TO ORDER Deborah Altermatt Board Member Term Expires 07/2013 2• PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Daryl Schaefermeyer 3. ROLL CALL Board Member Term Expires 07/2014 4. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND Bruce Jaffa REPORTS Board Member Term Expires 07/2014 A. AKRR Representative- Louis Bencardino Daniel Oliver B. Harbormaster Report — Mack Funk Board Member Term Expires 07/2013 C. Chamber of Commerce Report- Cindy Clock Steve Fink Board Member D. Administration Report- Ron Long Tenn Expires 07/2014 Bob Linville 5. Citizens' comments on any subject except those items Board Member Term Expires 07/2014 scheduled for public hearing. [Those who have signed in will be given the first opportunity to speak. Time is limited Carl Hughes to 2 minutes per speaker and 30 minutes total time for this Board Member agenda item.] Term Expires 07/2014 Jim Hunt 6. Approval of agenda and consent agenda [Approval of City Manager Consent Agenda passes all routine items indicated by asterisk (*). Consent Agenda items are not considered Ron Long separately unless a Board Member so requests. In the Assistant City Manager event of such a request, the item is returned to the Regular Mack Funk I Agenda.] Harbor Master Suzi Towsley Executive Liaison City of &ward, Alaska PACAB Agenda June 5, 2013 Page I 7. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS, REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS — A. SMIC/CVRF update B. The PACAB June 19, 2013 work session topic was previously set as `Small Boat Harbor Management Plan revisions'. 8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. PACAB Resolution 2013-01 recommending the revision of the 2013 Harbor Tariff to eliminate the requirement for passenger fees for students that are part of a classroom group, tabled from 5-15-13 meeting. B. PACAB Resolution 2013-03 recommending changes to the harbor tariff to specify that reserved slips will be offered to wait list customers twice a year and to establish that newtc%� wait list customers can be offered reserved slips if all senior wait list customers have V already been offered a reserved slip, tabled from the 5-15-13 meeting. 9. NEW BUSINESS A. * B. May 15, 2013 Special Meeting Minutes -ect-are--- 9 10. CORRESPONDENCE, INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No action required)- 11. BOARD COMMENTS 12. CITIZEN COMMENTS [5 minutes per individual - Each individual has one opportunity to speak.] 13. BOARD AND ADMINSTRATIVE RESPONSE TO CITIZENS'COMMENTS 14. ADJOURNMENT City of Seward, Alaska PACAB Agenda June S, 2013 Page 2 Agenda Statement Meeting Date: March 6, 2013 Tabled and revisited on ^ i 2, �ni 3 May 1, 2013 June 5, 2013 To: Port and Commerce Advisory Board From: Seward Harbormaster Agenda Item: Waiver of passenger fees for students BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION: In 2000, the City adopted a passenger fee of $1.50 per passenger in order to repay Revenue Bonds that were used to fund harbor improvements. With more borrowing, the fee was later increased to $3.50 per passenger. Non-paying passengers don't pay this fee, such as during the popular "Combat Fishing" tournament. It is now proposed that students (and support staff) that are part of a classroom group would also be exempt from the passenger fee. While this will reduce the fees that flow into this account, it is likely that it will result in more overall passengers and more business activity and more sales tax receipts. It is also expected that bringing more young students to Seward will encourage subsequent visits. In order to implement this change, a tariff revision is necessary. INTENT: The purpose of PACAB Resolutions 2013-001 is to exempt students from paying passenger fees. CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Yes No N/A Comprehensive Plan (document source here): Continue to support, I . promote, enhance and develop harbor facilities to accommodate X Seward's growing demand for marine transport facilities. (page 33) Strategic Plan (document source here): Adjust local development 2. regulations where appropriate, to encourage development that is X consistent with our economic vision. (Page 5) 3. Other (list): FISCAL NOTE: The annual number of students expected to be eligible would be about 1,500- 2,000 for the season between the two large tour operators, thus a revenue impact of $5,250 - $7,000. RECOMMENDATION: Approve PACAB Resolution 2013-001 recommending changes to the 2013 Harbor Tariff. Sponsored by: PACAB CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA PORT AND COMMERCE ADVISORY BOARD RESOLUTION 2013-001 A RESOLUTION OF THE PORT AND COMMERCE ADVISORY BOARD, RECOMMENDING THE REVISION OF THE 2013 HARBOR TARIFF TO ELIMINATE THE REQUIREMENT FOR PASSENGER FEES FOR STUDENTS THAT ARE PART OF A CLASSROOM GROUP WHEREAS, Education of students is critical to the success of our community, state, and nation; and WHEREAS, due to economic challenges some students may not be able to afford the normal passenger fees that are collected by commercial vessel operators for the City Harbor Department; and WHEREAS, waiving student passenger fees may boost the local economy in both the short and long term. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE PORT AND COMMERCE ADVISORY BOARD that: Section 1. Subsection 230 of the 2013 Harbor Tariff is hereby updated as follows (addition listed in bold italic): Subsection 230 PASSENGER FEES (a) Fee. In addition to other tariff provisions, the terms and conditions of this item apply and charges are assessed to passenger vessels, sport fishing vessels, guide and outfitter vessels, and all other vessels carrying passengers for compensation. A passenger fee of $3.50 per passenger shall be paid for each passenger embarking or disembarking a vessel at a City Dock, as such term is defined in subsection 100 hereof. The passenger fee is assessed once per passenger per excursion regardless of whether the passenger excursion is one-way or round-trip. As used in this subsection, "compensation" means payment to the vessel owner or operator whether by charter or through fares paid by or on behalf of passengers. (b) E.rception. Notwithstanding Subsection 230 (a) no fee shall apply to students or support staff that embark or disembark a vessel as part of a classroom group. (bc) Filing of forms and payment of fees. Prior to January 1 of each year, operators of affected passenger vessels shall complete a passenger fee registration form provided by the City. Passenger fees shall be paid and reported to the City monthly, on a form, and in a manner, provided by the City, within 30 calendar days of the month following the month for which the fees are due. The City may require more or less frequent filing, depending on the account status of the filer. A return must be filed every period, even if no transactions have occurred. Failure to file a return is subject to a missed filing fee of $25 for each missed filing. Failure to remit all taxes collected or later found to be due by the due date, is subject to a penalty in the amount of 10% of the amount owed, plus interest charged at the maximum rate allowed by law per year, compounded monthly. 14 Port and Commerce Advisory Board RESOLUTION 2013-001 (etl) Failure to file. When an operator fails to file a return, or when the city manager finds that a return filed by an operator is not properly supported, the city manager may prepare and file a return on behalf of the operator. Passenger fees estimated on a return filed on behalf of the operator may be premised upon any information that is available to the city manager including, without limitation, comparative data for similar businesses. An operator for whom an involuntary return is filed under this subsection shall be liable for the passenger fees stated on the return as well as any applicable penalties and interest as stated in 230 (bc). Section 2. This resolution shall take effect 10 days following adoption by the City Council. PASSED AND APPROVED by the Port and Commerce Advisory Board this 5Td day of June 2013. THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA Deborah Altermatt, PACAB Chair AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTEST: Johanna Kinney, CMC City Clerk (City Seal) PACAB Agenda Statement Meeting Date: May 1, 2013 Tabled to the June 5, 2013 Meeting To: Port and Commerce Advisory Board From: Seward Harbormaster Agenda Item: RECOMMENDING CHANGES TO THE HARBOR TARIFF TO SPECIFY THAT RESERVED SLIPS WILL BE OFFERED TO WAIT LIST CUSTOMERS TWICE A YEAR AND TO ESTABLISH THAT NEW WAIT LIST CUSTOMERS CAN BE OFFERED RESERVED SLIPS IF ALL SENIOR WAIT LIST CUSTOMERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN OFFERED A RESERVED SLIP BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION: In 2012, the harbor tariff was amended to allow the harbor to offer wait list customers available slips throughout the year. The purpose of this latest, proposed change is to streamline the process of offering slips to harbor customers. The Seward City Code 7.10.320.E provides that if a waitlist customer declines or fails to respond to a slip offer two times, they will be dropped from the wait list. It therefore seems to make the most sense to offer available reserved slips every six months. In early 2013, like in 2012, we have more reserved slips available in some wait list categories than we have customers to fill the slips. So, if reserved slips are available but unclaimed, new waitlist customers that are anxious for slips shouldn't have to wait for the waitlist cycle of offer and acceptance or rejection before they are offered slips. INTENT: The purpose of Resolution 2013- is to more efficiently assign reserved moorage slips to customers via the wait list process. CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Yes No N/A Comprehensive Plan (document source here): Encourage a thriving port 1. of Seward through harbor improvements, infrastructure expansion, and X implementation of management plans. (page 23) Strategic Plan (document source here): Adjust local development 2. regulations where appropriate, to encourage development that is X consistent with our economic vision. (Page 5) 3. Other (list): FISCAL NOTE: This change is expected to save some postage cost and staff time by eliminating extra notices to waitlist customers. RECOMMENDATION: Approve PACAB Resolution 2013-03 recommending changes to the Harbor Tariff. (0 Sponsored by: PACAB CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA PORT AND COMMERCE ADVISORY BOARD RESOLUTION 2013-03 A RESOLUTION OF THE SEWARD PORT AND COMMERCE ADVISORY BOARD (PACAB) RECOMMENDING COUNCIL APPROVAL OF A CHANGE TO THE HARBOR TARIFF TO SPECIFY THAT WAITLIST SLIPS WILL BE OFFERED TO CUSTOMERS TWICE A YEAR AND THAT NEW WAITLIST CUSTOMERS MAY BE OFFERED SLIPS IF ALL SENIOR WAITLIST CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN OFFERED SLIPS. WHEREAS, smooth administration of the harbor waitlist is critical to the establishment of good business relationships at the harbor; and WHEREAS, Resolution 2012-60 was adopted to amend the tariff to allow waitlist customers to be offered slips year round; and WHEREAS, if customers are offered and then decline slips or fail to respond to an offer twice they are dropped from the wait list; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Port and Commerce Advisory Board of the City of Seward, Alaska that: Section 1. Subsection 200 of the 2013 Port and Harbor Tariff should be amended by the City Council as follows (additions listed in bold italic, deletions listed in stfikethr-oug ): 200 MOORAGE (b) Waiting List for Permanent Slip Assignment. Due to the demand for slips on the City of Seward float system, vessels will be assigned permanent slips based on waiting lists maintained by the Harbormaster's office. Separate waiting lists shall be maintained for the following size floats: 17 feet (accommodates vessel 12 to 21 feet) 23 feet (accommodates vessel 22 to 26 feet) 32 feet (accommodates vessel 27 to 36 feet) 40 feet (accommodates vessel 37 to 44 feet) 50 feet (accommodates vessel 45 to 54 feet) 60 feet (accommodates vessel 55 to 64 feet) 75 feet (accommodates vessel 65 to 79 feet) 90 feet (accommodates vessel 80 to 94 feet) 100 feet (accommodates vessel 95 to 104 feet) _.7 CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2013-03 105 feet or longer- side tie only- up to 150 feet Assignments to a permanent slip from the waiting lists shall be made year round by the Harbormaster based on the slip size available and the most senior name on the waiting list for that size slip, with the following provision. Assignments to a permanent slip from the waiting list will be offered no more than once every six months. New waitlist customers may be offered a permanent slip if all of the more senior names on the waitlist have been offered a permanent slip within the last six months. There is a fee of THIRTY ONE DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS ($31.50) per year per listing on the waiting list(s) for a permanent slip assignment. The wait list year runs November 1 through October 31. Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption. PASSED AND APPROVED by the Port and Commerce Advisory Board this 5th day of June, 2013 THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA Deborah Altermatt, Chair AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: ATTEST: Johanna Kinney, CMC City Clerk (City Seal) I City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Special meeting Minutes May 15, 2013 Volume Page CALL TO ORDER The May 15, 2013 Special meeting of the Port and Commerce Advisory Board was called to order at 12:03 p.m. by Deborah Alterman. OPENING CEREMONY The group pledged allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Deborah Altermatt, presiding Darryl Schaefermeyer Bob Linville Bruce Jaffa Comprising a quorum; and Dan Oliver Steve Fink Carl Hughs Were excused Also present were: Ron Long, Assistant City Manager Mack Funk, Harbor Master Norm Regis, Deputy Harbor Master Louis Bencardino, Alaska Railroad Suzi Towsley, Board Liaison Wolf Kurtz, Seward City News SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS l . Rail Road report, Louis Bencardino- The Dock had hosted 5 cruise ships, 3 community events and a pipe ship in the last month. Future planned development was discussed. Underground fuel lines were going in to serve the freight dock. A coal ship was scheduled for the 271". Mr Bencardino had another appointment apologized to the board and left the meeting after his report. 2. Harbor Master Report, Funk — The Department of environmental conservation had conducted a storm water permit inspection in the SMIC area. D float project had been awarded to Orion construction, formerly West Construction with a very competitive bid. Administration Report, Long - An Office of Budget Management Meeting had just taken place to plan for spending the legislative monies. The project was 8.5 million short of being able to construct the breakwater and a stepped plan was being developed. The City Manager and Assistant City Manager had recently returned from a trip to Washington De and the Seattle Area. Navigational servitude was discussed there and by the board. City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Special meeting Minutes May 15, 2013 Volume Page A workforce development meeting would take place in Kenai the following week and Long would 4. Administration Report - Testimony on Seward projects was going on in Juneau that evening at 6pm and locals could testify from the Legislative information office in Seaview Plaza. $8 million in funding was looking likely through the legislature for the SMIC development project. Admin was prepping for a busy month, including visits to Juneau, Washington DC and the Seattle trip. CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Ron Wille addressed the board and asked members to review the National Marine Fisheries Commissions rationale for possible changes that could impact tours and wildlife viewing /sightseeing boats, kayaking trips and many other activities in bays and coves in the area. Ailik bay was specifically named. The proposed changes were currently in the commenting phase. Tim McDonald addressed the board and presented his baseline trail system project which would extend a bike -able trail along the head of the bay, through Railroad property, east to McDonald's land. He said that he would be presenting the same project to Council on April 8. Leslie Jacoby, the education director at Kenai Fjord Tours, addressed the Board and spoke strongly in support of the Board and eventually City Council removing passenger fee requirement for student groups going on tours. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Schaefermeyer /Jaffa) Approval of Agenda Unanimous Consent Motion (Jaffa/Schaefermeyer) Board Discussion Motion (Schaefermeyer/Jaffa) Motion To Table Passed Unanimously Resolution 2013-01, Recommending the Revision of the 2013 Harbor Tariff to eliminate the requirement for passenger fees for students that are part of a classroom group. Motion to table Resolution to the June 5, 2013 PACAB meeting. 16 City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Special meeting Minutes May 15, 2013 Volume, Page Motion (Schaefermeyer/Jaffa) Board Discussion Motion (Schaefermeyer/Jaffa) Motion (Schaefermeyer/Jaffa) Board Discussion Resolution 2013-03 recommending changes to the harbor tariff to specify that reserved slips will be offered to wait list customers twice a year and to establish that new wait list customers can be offered reserved slips if all senior wait list customers have already been offered a reserved slip Motion to table Resolution to the June 5, 2013 PACAB meeting. Resolution 2013-04 recommending changes to the City Code to establish electronic notification of wait list customers at the Small Boat Harbor Motion to amend (Schaefermeyer/Linville) Adding "elected to receive email notifications and" to the resolution language change. "Section 1. Section 7.10.320(G) of the Seward City Code should be amended by the City council as follows (additions listed in bold italic, deletions listed in triket-ettgh): G. Notice of space availability. When space becomes available, the Harbormaster shall notify the first applicant on the wait list that has a qualified interest in a vessel of the size for which space is available. Notice shall be by eei4ified mail, tuf feeeipt requested. electronic mail for any applicant who has elected to receive email notifications and provided an email address, or otherwise by certified mail. In each case, notice will be sent return receipt requested. An applicant shall have 21 days from the stampe p n+Y,.,afk date of the eei4ified .,- aili g date the notice is sent to respond. If the notice is returned by the post office or the applicant fails to respond, the Harbormaster will notify the next eligible applicant on the wait list and so until the space is assigned. The slip holder shall obtain a qualifying interest in a vessel of an appropriate size for the slip within 12 months of being offered a slip." City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Special meeting Minutes May 15, 2013 Volume, Page Board Discussion of amendment Vote on Amendment Motion passed as amended, unanimously Motion (Linville/Jaffa) Motion passed unanimously CITIZENS' COMMENTS Unanimous To set the topic for the June 19, 2013 work session as "Small Boat Harbor Management Plan" McDonald stated that he saw growth in Seward's future and was happy to be serving on the recently formed Seward Recreation Committee BOARD AND ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS Linville is very happy that the board is discussing it and would like a report about the hoist for the harbor. Schaefermeyer is excited about the board exploring energy alternatives and suggests a consultant from the Sea life Center's water heat pump project visit PACAB. Altermatt announced many goings-on in the harbor for, the opening weekend, May 18-19. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:58 p.m. Suzi Towsley Executive Liaison (City Seal) Deborah Altermatt Chair 2013 June 2013 JuneeTh JulyeTh SuMo TuWFr Sa SuMo TuWTh Fr Sa 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 28 29 30 31 30 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Jun 3 4 5 6 7 7:00pm P&Z Mtg 12:00pm PACAB Mtg 6:00pm Seward Recrea m c 10 11 12 13 14 7:00pm CC Mtg 0 17 18 19 20 21 6:00pm P&Z WS 12:00pm PACAB Work 5 6:00pm Seward Recrea 6:30pm HP Mtg N r C 24 25 26 27 28 5:30pm Audit Work Se 7:00pm CC Mtg CO N N C 7 Nanci Richey o/`t/Lu1.5 ).-t/ rm July 2013 SuMo July August-TuWe Th Fr Sa SuMo TuWe Th Th Fr Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 4 5 6 7 8 910 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 28 29 30 31 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Jul 1 2 3 4 5 12:00pm PACAB Mtg Ln 75 5:30pm Seward Rereat 8 9 10 it 12 7:OOpm CC Mtg N '-I 00 7 15 16 17 118 19 6:00pm P&Z WS 12:00pm PACAB Work S 6:00pm Seward Recrea 0" u, 6:30pm HP Mtg 22 23 124 125 26 7:OOpm CC Mtg N N N 7 29 130 131 1 Aug 1 1 2 N m 7 Q N 7 Nanci Richey 1 ! �l