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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes1986-084 . . . . . Sponsored by: Garzini CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION NO. 86-84 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, REQUESTING THAT THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT GRANT AREAWIDE CUSTOMS PORT OF ENTRY STATUS TO A PORTION OF THE KENAI PENINSULA, ALASKA WHEREAS, the Kenai Peninsula's ports, situated midway between the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea fishing grounds, have for may years been regular ports of call for supplies, crew changes, repairs and recreation for Pacific Rim fishing vessels plying Alaskan and North Pacific waters; and WHEREAS, the Port of Seward is leading the Kenai peninsula into rapidly assuming a position of international importance in shipping and receiving Alaska's natural resources throughout the world; and WHEREAS, the Port of Seward has previously been des- ignated as a Port of Call for the Polish fishing fleet; and WHEREAS, regular shipment of coal from Alaska to the Republic of Korea was inaugurated in January, 1985, with such shipments totalling over one million metric tons to date; and WHEREAS, the Ports of Seward and Homer regularly host foreign vessels involved in the fishing industry whether they be trawlers calling for crew changes, repairs and supplies, or freighters picking up processed fish for delivery to Pacific Rim ports; and WHEREAS, the City of Seward is nearing completion of the Seward Marine Industrial Center with its focal point being a 3,000 ton capacity shiplift to service the foreign and domestic fleets operating off the coast of Alaska; and WHEREAS, regular shipments of LNG and petroleum-based products from the Port of Nikiski travel to destinations throughout the world; and WHEREAS, the Ports of Seward and Homer have become hosts to increasing numbers of foreign flag cruise ships; and -l- . . . . . CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION NO. 86-84 WHEREAS, statistics show that more than 50% of the customs activities handled by the Anchorage Customs Port Office occur on the Kenai Peninsula; and WHEREAS, substantial Uni ted States Customs and peninsula ports each time ports; and costs are incurred in having Immigration personnel travel to a foreign vessel calls on the WHEREAS, the establishment of a Customs and Immigration Office serving the Kenai Peninsula would be a financial savings to the United States Government and would better serve the needs of these growing ports, the State of Alaska and the United States of America; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, that: Section 1. The United States Government is requested to grant areawide customs port of entry status to the ports and cities of Homer, Kenai, Nikiski, North Kenai, Seward and Soldotna, all within the Kenai Peninsula, and to establish a permanent U. S. Customs and Immigration presence on the Kenai Peninsula with personnel authorized to fulfill the functions of both agencies. Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immedi- ately upon its adoption. PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, this 8th day of September 19 86 THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: BOOHER, NONE NONE NONE GIESELER, GILLESPIE, HILTON, MEEHAN, SCHOLL & SIMUTIS -2- . . . . CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION NO. 86-84 ATTEST: (City Seal) . APPROVED AS TO FORM: HUGHES, THORSNESS, GANTZ, POWELL & BRUNDIN, Attorneys for the City of Seward, AK 7~121~/' Fred B. Arvidson City Attorney -3-