HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2018-087 Sponsored by: Bridges
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2018-087
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS OF THE SEWARD
ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF MARINE SCIENCE
D/B/A THE ALASKA SEALIFE CENTER TO SECURE FINANCIAL
SUPPORT FOR FUNDING FOR A COLLECTION OF MAJOR
MAINTENANCE AND REPLACEMENT PROJECTS
WHEREAS, the land and the building occupied by the Alaska SeaLife Center is owned
by the City of Seward; and
WHEREAS,the Seward Association for the Advancement of Marine Science (SAAMS)
and the City of Seward are parties to a lease, operation, and maintenance agreement of the
Alaska SeaLife Center; and
WHEREAS,the mission of the Alaska SeaLife Center is to generate and share scientific
information to promote understanding and stewardship of Alaska's marine ecosystems; and
WHEREAS, for the last 20 years, SAAMS has operated the Alaska SeaLife Center year-
round and has provided full-time employment in the City and is one of the communities largest
private employers in terms of year-round benefited jobs; and
WHEREAS, the Alaska SeaLife Center provides value in the community of Seward, not
only economically, but also in terms of environmental stewardship, marine conservation, wildlife
response,education, and scientific research; and
WHEREAS, it is essential to address the demands and wear of critical infrastructure in
an aquatic facility and in a saltwater environment; and
WHEREAS,the Alaska SeaLife Center is submitting a proposal to the Exxon Valdez Oil
Spill Trustee Council that, if funded, will help with critical major maintenance and repair
projects that will contribute to and strengthen the Center's capacity to conduct more scientific
research; and
WHEREAS, some proposed items include a major roof restoration, major maintenance
on the water intake lines, and the replacement of the following items: the building automation
system, a research vessel, and seawater pumps; and
WHEREAS, as a partner with the Alaska SeaLife Center, the City of Seward recognizes
the importance of major maintenance and repair and support their efforts in seeking adequate
funding as needed.
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2018-087
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA,that:
Section 1. The City Council supports the funding efforts of the Alaska SeaLife Center for
repairs and improvements to further support its mission as stated above.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 9th
day of November, 2018.
THE CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
c‘\..
Davi quires, Mar
AYES: Seese, Towsley, McClure, Osenga, Squires
NOES: None
ABSENT: Horn, Lane
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
Att(Alvo / ,
idtai
Brenda J. Ballou, M
City Clerk
(City Sea OF SEL,'•.,
a .
• SEAL 1 •
firoi
. gr OF AsPg4
CITY-OF-CORDOVA
September 26,2018
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council
c/o Elise Hsieh,Executive Director
4230 University Drive, Ste.220
Anchorage,AK 99508-4650
Dear Trustee Council,
Few of us would have predicted that thirty years after the Exxon Valdez oil spill,there would still
be oil buried in sediments on beaches in Prince William Sound;that some bird and marine mammal
species would remain unrecovered;that the herring population,which collapsed post-spill,would
not yet have rebounded. But this is the situation we are in—the astounding situation where species,
assets, and services are still recovering from impacts of the spill.
4
Your investment in long-term research has been critical to cataloguing and understanding the
factors affecting recovery of populations and resources, and the Prince William Sound Science
Center has been a key asset in those investigations.The Science Center has generated an enormous
return on your research dollars,by raising additional funds for research focused in the spill-affected
area equal to 85%of your investment.
I applaud the Trustee Council's mission, as until the ecosystem is recovered,our region will
continue to incur economic losses as a result of the injured services and resources. Given that the
recovery will continue over the upcoming decades,we need your continued investment in
understanding the status of the injured resources and supporting their recovery.To that end,I urge
you to provide robust funding to the Prince William Sound Science Center for construction of their
new research and education facilities. They have been steadfastly building the body of knowledge
around the spill-affected ecosystems to a greater extent than any other non-Trustee Agency entity
in the region.As the city of Cordova pursues its harbor expansion plans,it is time for the Science
Center to move out of the city-owned facilities it occupies and into facilities that will more robustly
support their ability to complete integrated projects in the spill-affected area.
Thank you for your serious consideration of this request,
Clay Koplin
Mayor
City of Cordova
602 Railroad Avenue P.O.Box 1210 Cordova Alaska 99574 Telephone(907)424-6200 Fax(907)424.6000
CITY-OF-CORDOVA -- WN
. . ........
Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council
c/o Elise Hsieh, Executive Director
4230 University Drive, Suite 220
Anchorage,AK 99508
Re: Prince William Sound Science Center Funding Request
Dear Ms. Hsieh:
It is with great enthusiasm I submit this letter of support for the Prince William Sound Science and
Technology Institure project and EVOSTC funding. As a community, we are confident of and
understand the important impact a new Science Center campus will have in Cordova. The proposed
Science Center project will generate a new synergy in the community, creating additional national
recognition for their outstanding research work and the community of Cordova. The project will
enhance partnerships, fostering joint efforts with the City of Cordova,the Copper River Watershed
Project and other community partners.
My tenure in Cordova as the City Manager began in late 2016. The City Council immediately
initiated a Strategic Planning effort, covering months of visioning work and priority setting. One of
the priorities immediately endorsed,was an effort to find a suitable,permanent home for the
Science Center. The Science Center project has been enthusiastically endorsed,understanding the
vitally important restoration work,fisheries research, a strong collaborative community approach,
strong national recognition for their research work and valuable economic impact.
As Cordova City Manager, I enthusiastically commit to Cordova's support of the Prince William
Sound Science Center project and also commit our continued involvement and support to make the
project a success. Timing is critical to coordinate ADOT, Science Center and City efforts, in the
Shelter Cove area and the success of the project has far reaching,positive impacts for the City of
Cordova and the region. Attached is the Cordova City Council Ordinance approving the sale of the
property to the Science Center.
Sincerely
/Alan D. . nning
602 Railroad Avenue P.O.Box 1210 Cordova,Alaska 99574 Telephone(907)424-6200 Fax(907)424-6000