HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes1985-085
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CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION NO. 85-85
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SEWARD, ALASKA, URGING THE ALASKA STATE LEGISLATURE TO
ENACT LEGISLATION GIVING PREFERENTIAL HIRE TO ALASKANS
WHEREAS, because of its climate and its distance from the
lower 48 states the State of Alaska has historically suffered from
unique social, seasonal, geographic and economic conditions that result
in an unstable economy; and
WHEREAS, the unstable economy is a hardship on the residents
of the State and is aggravated by the large numbers of seasonal and
transient nonresident workers; and
WHEREAS, the rate of unemployment among residents of the State
is one of the highest in the nation; and
WHEREAS, the State has one of the highest ratios of nonresi-
dent to resident workers in the nation; and
WHEREAS, the State has a compelling interest in reducing the
level of unemployment among its residents; and
WHEREAS, the construction industry in the State accounts for a
substantial percentage of the available employment; and
WHEREAS, construction workers receive a greater percentage of
all unemployment benefits paid by the State than is typical of other
states; and
WHEREAS, historically the rate of unemployment in the con-
struction industry in the State is higher than the rate of unemployment
in other industries in the State; and
WHEREAS, it is appropriate for the State to consider the
welfare of its residents when it funds construction activity; and
WHEREAS, it is in the public interest for the State to allo-
cate public funds for capital projects in order to reduce unemployment
among its resident construction workers; and
WHEREAS, in-migration of nonresident construction
contributes to or causes the high unemployment rate among
construction workers because nonresident workers compete with
for the limited number of available construction jobs; and
workers
resident
residents
WHEREAS, nonresident workers displace a substantial number of
qualified, available and unemployed Alaska workers on jobs on State
funded public works projects; and
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CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION NO. 85-85
WHEREAS, the State has a special interest in seeing that the
benefits of State construction spending accrue to its residents; and
WHEREAS, the natural resources of land owned by the State
belong to the citizens of the State; and
WHEREAS, the vast majority of the State's revenue is derived
from these royalties rather than from other forms of taxation; and
WHEREAS, because the State has no personal income tax or sales
tax, nonresident workers use services provided by the State but do not
contribute fairly to the costs of those services; and
WHEREAS, Alaskans, more than residents of other states,
economically when nonresidents displace qualified residents
resident workers contribute local taxes as well as their share
royalties from natural resources;
suffer
since
of the
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA, that:
Section 1. The City's legislative delegation is urged to
enact a bill giving preferential hire to Alaskans.
Section 2. Copies of this resolution shall be sent to the
Governor of the State of Alaska, the City of Seward's legislative
delegation in Juneau, and Mayor Bill Walley, City of Fairbanks.
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon
its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, this 12 day of August , 19 85
T/9Y OF SEWARD, ALASKA
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DONALD W. CRIPP~ MAYOR
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
CRIPPS, GILLESPIE, HILTON, MEEHAN, SCHOLL, SIMUTSI & WILLIAMS
NONE
NONE
NONE
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CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION NO. 85-85
ATTEST:
(City Seal)
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APPROVED AS TO FORM:
HUGHES, THORSNESS, GANTZ, POWELL
AND BRUNDIN, At torneys for the
City of. Seward, Alaska
erj~~~
Fred B. ArvIoson, City Attorney