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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2014-089 Sponsored by: Hunt �.. CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2014-089 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, ESTABLISHING THE CITY OF SEWARD'S CALENDAR YEAR 2015 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES WHEREAS, the City annually compiles a list of projects or issues that are identified as top federal legislative priorities; and WHEREAS, the list of projects is compiled and distributed to the Kenai Peninsula Borough, our congressional delegation and City of Seward federal lobbyist; and WHEREAS, this resolution validates projects, prioritizes needs, and focuses the efforts of City Administration in its lobbying efforts; and WHEREAS, the passage of this resolution occurs through a public process; and WHEREAS, all projects on this list are consistent with the City Comprehensive and Strategic Plans. Jim NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, that: Section 1. The following list of legislative projects is hereby declared to be the official legislative priority list of the City of Seward for 2015: A. APPROPRIATIONS AND GRANTS 1. $1 million appropriation to the Army Corps of Engineers for the City's fifty-percent cost- share for a necessary Lowell Creek/Diversion Dam study. 2. $7 million for a comprehensive Seward Flood Mitigation Program on the watershed level by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 3. USDA assistance providing Senior Housing options for elders wishing to transition but find housing options in Seward limited. 4. Funding assistance for the Seward Community Health Center's structural expansion. The Center's success has resulted in the facility requiring the administration to de-centralize its offices due to a lack of space. 5. $3 million appropriation for Lowell Point Road storm surge mitigation, bank stabilization and erosion control projects (from a Section 103 study by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers). 6. $1 million appropriation for erosion control projects (from a Section 14 study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) for the Seward Marine Industrial Center and the Alaska Railroad Dock. CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2014-089 owl 7. $2.25 million appropriation for Seward Community Roads for paving, repaving road surfaces and improving roadway drainage systems. 8. $2 million grant for constructing a 100'x 80' metal building to house emergency response equipment, and shelter supplies at the Fort Raymond Satellite Fire Station. 9. $2.496 million in the Highway Transportation for the Lowell Point Road (the solegland access to and protection from coastal erosion critical infrastructure, state parks, and Kenai Peninsula Borough residential housing area). 10. $15.2 million in the Highway Transportation Bill to lengthen and widen the Alaska Railroad Freight Dock in Seward. 11. $250,000 for operating the Alaska strandings network and responding to marine mammal and seabird strandings and mortalities throughout Alaska. B. AUTHORIZATIONS AND BENEFICIAL LEGISLATION 1. Authorization language amending the Water Resources Development Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-114, 121 STAT. 1205) as follows: a. Amending Section 5032 (1)by striking "Tunnel" from the title; (2) by striking "Long-Term" from subsection (a); (3) by striking "Long-Term" from subsection (a)(1); (4) by 4 b striking "Long-Term" from subsection(a)(2). b. Striking subsection (b) in Section 5032 and inserting language directing the Secretary to conduct a study to determine whether an alternative method of flood diversion in Lowell Canyon is feasible. Feasibility shall be determined based on risk reduction rather than cost-benefit analysis. Federal cost share for the study shall be the same as the Federal share for the original project. 2. Authorization and Appropriation for $1.2 million local government cost share owed by the City of Seward to the Army Corps of Engineers satisfying the total cost share requirements for Phase 2 of the Seward Harbor Expansion Project (additional costs were incurred in a second phase of the project to correct a design deficiency by the Army Corps of Engineers - The City has paid $469,613.22 for its share of Phase 1) 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 27th day of October, 2014. THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA can Bardarson, Mayor CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2014-089 AYES: Keil, Casagranda, Terry, Butts, Darling, Bardarson NOES: None ABSENT: Squires ABSTAIN: None ATTEST: J anna Kinney ty Clerk, CMC (City Seal) 3,, ,,,,,,qee ..... i �� i n E1'� , i : � •• s et,..4 ig %.:'14.'?1 '�. eZrF ' Council Agenda Statement e 4 O sett, Meeting Date: October 27, 2014 From: Jim Hunt, City Manager q .P tasK Agenda Item: Calendar Year 2015 City, State and Federal Priorities BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION: The City annually compiles a list of projects or issues that we identify as our top City, State and Federal legislative priorities. The list of projects is compiled into a package that is distributed to the Governor's Office, our legislators, the Kenai Peninsula Borough (for inclusion in their legislative package), and our lobbyist. The list validates projects and greatly focuses the efforts of the Administration in our lobbying effort as we seek funding or other resolutions both through the State of Alaska and Federal sources. This year the three lists include projects that are in the planning phase and/or may qualify for grants in addition to some projects with which Council is familiar. In order to quality for most grants, the City must include these projects on the City priority list. This year Council is being presented with two sets of City and State priorities, either can be amended. Following the Council work session on September 29th administration compiled a traditional version of the priorities using that extensive direction; however it has been recommended that the City clearly identify priorities taking the State's economic climate into consideration, resulting in a shorter and more concise list for Council consideration. INTENT: This list of priorities focuses the efforts of Administration in lobbying efforts to obtain appropriations, grants, and legislation from the State and Federal sources to improve the City of Seward. To qualify for most appropriations and grants Seward's City, State and Federal priorities lists must be approved in a public process by the City Council. CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Yes No N/A 1. Comprehensive Plan: Sections 1.3 Economic Development X 2. Strategic Plan (document source here): Entirety X 3. Other (list): X ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes No X FISCAL NOTE: NA RECOMMENDATION: Council approve Resolutions 2014-087, 2014-088, and 2014-089, approving the City of Seward's Calendar Year 2015 City, State and Federal Priorities. FROM: Port and Commerce Advisory Board TO: City Council RE: 2015 Legislative Priorities On October 1, 2014 the Port and Commerce Advisory Board reviewed legislative priorities for 2015 compiling and agreeing by vote upon the following list. ' PORT, HARBOR, AND INDUSTRIAL AREA (1) $1.5 million for storm water discharge infrastructure and a security fence to surround the city vessel storage area at the Seward Marine Industrial Center. (2) The expense to be determined for doubling the vessel capacity of the ship lift(Syncrolift) and associated upland improvements at Vigor's Seward Dry Dock to meet current and increasing customer demand. The current rail-only infrastructure is inadequate. (3) $200,000 for engineering and design to replace failing infrastructure in the Seward Small Boat Harbor including A, B, C, G, K, L, and S Floats. (4) $150,000 for an 8-ton crane at (or near) the travel-lift dock. (5) $500,000 to pave the apron and add a wash down pad at the 50 ton travel lift. (6) $250,000 to complete paving and drainage improvements in the northeast parking lot of the Seward Small Boat Harbor.