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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03172010 PACAB Minutes City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes March 17, 2010 Volume 3 Page I 109 CALL TO ORDER The regular March 17, 2010 meeting of the Seward Port and Commerce Advisory Board was called to order at 12:03 p.m. by Chair Ron Long. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG led Ron Long. ROLL CALL There were present: Chair Ron Long presiding, and Dan Oliver Rob Buck Darryl Schaefermeyer comprising a quorum of the Board Excused: Theresa Butts, Deborah Altermatt Absent: Paul Tougas Also were present: Kati Anderson, Harbormaster Christy Terry, Community Development Director Louis Bencardino, Alaska Railroad Representative Suzi Towsley PACAB Liaison John Foutz, Electric Utility Manager SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND REPORTS - Administrative Report - Alaska Railroad Representative, Louis Bencardino reported on the following items: • Possible widening of the RR dock soon. • Shell Corp was discussing moving concrete units utilizing the Seward dock and Railroad. • Things were ramping up for the spring and summer season. Weather improving was helping to step things up. • Looking forward to improving upon 2009 in 2010 in the same way that 2009 had improved upon 2008. • Northland would be coming in the winter and the Railroad was working toward getting them to use the facilities year round. Widening the dock would help to increase that probability. • Samson was moving out of the building at the end of the month. There would likely be a delay because of the amount of snow received this winter. That space would be available for lease. .a. City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes March 17, 2010 Volume 3 Page 110 mori Mayor Dunham and Council Member Keil joined the meeting. In response to questions, Bencardino stated Sampson Tug and Barge was changing office location, but staying local. Bencardino also stated the railroad was not involved with the bathroom project but that there did appear to be a lot of water coming from the area. Chair Long stated that he was encouraged by the Shell news and believed that it was a good opportunity for the city. John Foutz's Report on plans for Lowell Point • The project would be done in 3 portions beginning March 29, 2010. • 1- digging in trench for new line, which was the biggest and most time consuming portion. • 2- pulling wire into conduit for the entire 8000 feet. • 3- tying into new line from the old one on both sides • Road closures would most likely occur during the 1 phase. The plan was to have closures from Sam to noon and then open from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. The road would then be closed again from 1:00 p.m. through 5:00 p.m. The plan was to then have the road open in the evenings after 5:00 p.m., if possible. • The 3 phase of the plan would include one day of outage power outages, though the date was not yet known. In response to questions, Foutz noted the road work would span 20 feet south of the north pole on Lowell Point Road to the 2 pole north from the end of the south side. There would be closures 6 days a week, Monday through Saturday. They had an aggressive timeline: Approximately 1 month for phase 1, Two weeks for phase 2 and 1 day for phase 3, for a total of at least 1.5 months. The project would begin March 29, 2010. Lowell Point could lose power for a much longer time if this job wa not done. Foutz also explained they were trying to overlap projects in order to save on equipment and manpower as well as trying to keep projects in house to save money. Crews would be used as available for other projects. He noted the Lowell Point Road project would not coordinate with State storm surge repairs, as state work was independent of this project and on a different timeline. The Electric department had talked to residents at a Lowell Point Community Council meeting and would contact Millers Landing. Community Development Director Christy Terry asked Foutz for a review of other projects that the electric department was working on this summer. Foutz noted two more projects: a Railroad underground line and the additional AT &T tower. Priority was based upon anticipated thaw and ground readiness. Seward Chamber of Commerce Director, Laura Cloward - not present. Harbormaster Kari Anderson reported on the following items: The Harbor added the ability for its customer's to pay their bills online onto its website. This service became available March 1, 2010, and the harbor sent out an instructional letter with the most recent billing. The online payments were processed by Paymentus, the third party who handled transactions for the finance department. Further questions on this service may be directed to the Harbormaster, and a future manager's report would include statistics on usage. City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes March 17, 2010 Volume 3 Page 1 111 The Floats and ramp to construct the Security Float (Z) float were delivered on March 1, 2010. These floats would be stored on AKRR property until funding for installation becomes available. The City was currently seeking funding through the Municipal Harbor Matching Grant program. The City applied for a MARAD grant for electrical infrastructure improvements and equipment at SMIC. The grant would put a new transformer in the SMIC yard, and add 12 new power pedestals. 24 vessels could plug into these pedestals at a time, utilizing their existing shore power cords. The awards should be announced in April. The City applied for a grant through the community coastal impact assistance program for improvements to the NE Harbor fish cleaning station. ADF &G Division of Sportfish had received legislative approval for $100,000.00 for this project from the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act. With CIAP funding, the fish station would be completed in 2012. The City had begun the impound process on 6 abandoned vessels (2 in the harbor and 4 at SMIC). The impound process would continue through this month, and the city would look to sell or dispose of these vessels in April. Snug Harbor Seafoods was a commercial fishing processor that had operated out of Seward since 2007. They had recently requested to relocate their operations from SMIC to the Seward Harbor, due to unsafe conditions from operating at the North Dock. The City was accommodating their request to offload fish at I -dock, and transport the fish to an upland area for sorting, cleaning, etc. Representatives from the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council were in Seward last night to solicit public comment on the future of the program. Comments may be emailed to: dfg .evos.nepacomments @alaska.gov. The harbor spoke in favor of funding Harbor Protection and Marine Restoration Projects specifically Stormwater, Wastewater and Harbor Projects. The City of Seward submitted three projects during the original solicitation for 1.) Water quality Study and Improvement Program at SMIC and the Seward Harbor, 2.) Small Boat Harbor Washdown Pad, and 3.)SMIC Washdown Pad and Maintenance Structure. In response to questions, Anderson stated Snug Harbor was not housing any property, but rather using the dock for load and off load. They were looking to lease some property privately and the City was actively working with the business owner regarding helping the company to be DEC storm water permitting gurry /fish waste, rather than see them relocate to another community. Anderson would look into double charging users across the bay, per a question from the public. Community Development Director Christy Terry reported on the following items: • FEMA region 10 update flood the maps would be released March 31, 2010. • The Kenai Peninsula Borough Flood Plain Task Force was done with flood plain recommendations. • Planner Donna Glenz and Terry were leaving for a week, for training. City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes March 17, 2010 Volume 3 Page I 112 woo • City offices would be closed March 29, 2010 in observance of Seward' s day. • The last piece of levee property was on the city council's agenda as an eminent domain resolution on Monday 22, 2010. • The Library Museum project was moving forward, grant applied for. • The Community Development Department was moving into the City Building upstairs in April. A cruise ship transportation Request for Proposal was out for cruise ship tax. There was an invitation to join the team to review proposals. Six proposals had been received. The library grant was applied through a State of Alaska Program and it was unknown when that would be decided. Citizens' comments on any item except those scheduled for public hearing Ron Wille asked about the agenda item "Maintenance and Repair policy." The policy stated that scaffolding could not stick out. This became an issue when a ladder was not practical. Mayor Willard Dunham expressed that he was sorry to have missed joint meeting and talked about ideas for improving Seward including the library museum project. This year, discussions looked positive on the state level for funding that project. He was pleased to hear remarks about fish buyers. There had been meetings with fish processors looking to compete with the rising amount of buyers operating out of Homer. In his mind, it was something to think about. He asked how could the ci ty help hel the fisheries to be more competitive and attract more seafood buyers? The Mayor also asked the board consider broadening their base and adding more emphasis to the commerce portion of their title. He would like to see the business side of Seward better represented on the board. The Mayor commented on the PACAB budget. This committee had been involved in most of the major developments that had taken place in Seward in the last 20 years. The harbor was improving with more business. The SM1C area improvements in cooperation with AVTEC and University were also an area of growth. The Mayor offered his help in whatever way he could to support PACAB's efforts. Councilmember Marianna Keil said on Thursday March 18, 2010 the capital budget hearings would take place from 5:00 -7:30 p.m. She agreed with the Mayor that she would like to see Port and Commerce expand their role. She was looking forward to PACAB's comments on lease vs sale issue of city land. Chair Long commented on the budget. During his annual visit to Seattle, some things had been consolidated and were being covered by the Chamber of Commerce. He agreed with the Mayor's encouragement of broadening the role of PACAB and encouraging economic endeavors for PACAB. Chair Long thanked the Mayor and Councilmember Keil for coming to the meeting and sharing their thoughts with the board. sir City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes March 17, 2010 Volume 3 Page 1 113 Louis Bencardino remembered that he forgot to mention there would be aesthetic landscaping put in around the "Dale Lindsey Memorial Dock" sign this summer. Mayor Dunham mentioned that Evergreen Films would be in town March 24, 2010 to research filming in the area. The Wadda International group was also in the Seward area researching bio- tourism opportunities. Approval of the Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion (Schaefermeyer/Buck) Approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda with deletion of ` INFOMATIONAL ITEMS, REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS — Item A. WTC Forum Luncheon (1- 13 -10) Report by Board Member Altermatt' as she was not present. Motion Passed Unanimous Consent The January 6, 2010 regular meeting minutes were approved under the consent agenda. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS, REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS — Monthly PACAB Budget Report was included in the packet. UNFINISHED BUSINESS — None NEW BUSINESS Recommend Topic for April 21 work session; Updates to SCC 7.10 Motion (Tougas /Oliver) Approve Topic for April 21 work session as updates to Seward City Code Chair Long encouraged board members and interested parties to get their comments in as soon as possible in order to complete work on Title 7. Motion Passed Unanimous Consent Discussion of Harbor Vessel Maintenance and Repair Policy The Harbormaster was soliciting input into this policy and planned to have a copy of resolution language at the April 7, 2010 meeting. City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes March 17, 2010 Volume 3 Page 1 114 j Chair Long expressed that he appreciated the Harbormaster going through the public hearing process and accepting comments. In the interest of full disclosure, Buck brought up that item 17 (recycling) was taken care of by him and his wife. They separate and deliver it for recycling and were looking into expanding their business. Long would like to see "practical" in place of "possible" under item 1. This item would read "Whenever practical remove vessel from the water to do maintenance and repairs." The board discussed and recommended the following addition of section 20: "Exceptions to the above policy requires written consent of the Harbormaster's office prior to beginning vessel repair and maintenance activities." The general consensus among the board was this addition would give the Harbormaster' s office needed flexibility and oversight. The board generally discussed the policy and ability for the Harbormaster' s office to enforce it. The Harbormaster noted that Deputy Harbormaster Jim Lewis should be recognized for the document's simplicity and correctness. Chair Long asked the Harbormaster to pass along the Board's thanks to Lewis for his work on the . olic P Y PACAB took a five minute recess Discussion and recommendation for City Land Sale Policy Terry showed the board maps, discussed the topic and gave a general overview of this topic; specifically City owned pieces of property that were currently being underutilized and could be disposed of, such as Boulder Field and the 3 Avenue Tot Lot. Local banks and the title company would be invited to Council work sessions on this topic. Long commented that some of the clauses in the memorandum and the 2002 Cost Benefit Analysis study (page 31) made assumptions that were limiting and did not include some of the secondary cost or benefits to the sale or lease. There was an additional potential problem with discrepancies and difference between the Kenai Peninsula Borough appraisals and the assessor value. The CBA seemed an oversimplification of a complex process. There were issues with the Harbor with lessees being required to develop property they did not own. Structure of leases was discussed. The analysis was separated into three different scenarios. Using real market value as opposed to assessed value would change each of these scenarios, as much as 115 %. Long remarked that there were a few things to consider within this discussion that were changeable, including the mill rate. Buck commented on the value of ownership hi and the increased investment that would take place on outright owned property. The board concurred that this was a large amount of information to take in City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes March 17, 2010 Volume 3 Page 115 L The Harbormaster commented that there were more areas that could be cleaned and prepped for lease or sale. Discussion about Title 29 and municipal entitlement lands and a clear public interest was written in the policy. The harbor parking area was discussed by the board as an example of great property that had high value and was being used 1/3 the year to only park on. Harbormaster Anderson left the meeting. The Mayor and board discussed issues including the political viability of some of these questions around the issue. More than one study had been done recommending off sight parking in the harbor. The issue of harbor land value and parking was generally discussed by the board and the mayor. Off site parking would require transportation to go along with it. The issue of building up rather than out was also touched upon. There was a general agreement and discussion among the board and the mayor that other seaside communities visited around the country recommend the city keeping public ownership and access to water front areas and facilities. The idea of a public land trust was discussed to ease financing requirements for business owners. That approach may be a usable balance. The importance of keeping public access was discussed by the board and Mayor Dunham and balance of interest and economic growth with public access and interest. Imo Q- Schaefermeyer asked: Had there been any surveys of sister communities with similar features, like Homer for instance? How do they manage their properties along their spit? And had issues like climate change, and the possibility of sea levels rising been factored in? A -Terry stated that she had not talked with anyone in Homer but would do so before the council work session, in order to gain a comparison/perspective. Q- Board Member Buck asked: Had issues like climate change, and the possibility of sea levels rising been factored in? The importance of keeping Green Space was discussed by the board. Board Members and the Mayor agreed that they would not want to Seward become a privately owned area with little or no access for the public to the bay or recreational areas. Property that was vacant on the Bay is of concern and was discussed by the Board, as there was considered to be potential profit for the City an business owners if responsible development took place. Mayor Dunham gave some historical prospective. Prior to the earthquake the City owned relatively little land. Afterwards the City owned the waterfront area because the Railroad had fallen into the ocean. Another consideration discussed by the board was the economic downturn affecting the probability of selling some parcels. A few years ago RFPs had been released for a few areas and there had been no realistic responses received. The changeability of the political and economic climate were talked about. City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes March 17, 2010 Volume 3 Page I 116 Christy said she would provide a synopsis of this discussion and the issues discussed to council at their work session. General discussion of the process moving forward, City Code and the Comprehensive Plan took place. Chair Long thanked Christy Terry for all the information. CITIZEN COMMENTS — Mayor Dunham and the Board discussed the lawsuit filed against the Railroad and Aurora regarding the coal facility. BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS - Chair Long remarked that Port Mackenzie is lobbying for a coal facility to be built in that area. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:55 anne Towsley Ron Lo g Executive Liaison Chair (City Seal) Of 'oeya oe�rare� D V 471. Mff!!!! 4,8** • ♦ 9 , , • • r � • = —9— !• la O ddp, „4 8 O F P.N.ro