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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01072015 PACAB Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes January 7, 2015 Volume 3, Page 267 CALL TO ORDER January 7, 2015 meeting of the Port and Commerce Advisory Board was called to order at 12:03 p.m. by Chair Altermatt. OPENING CEREMONY The group pledged allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Deborah Altermatt;presiding Darryl Schaefermeyer(joined the meeting at 12:09) Bob Linville Dan Oliver Steve Fink Carl Hughes Comprising a quorum. Excused was: Bruce Jaffa Also present were: Mack Funk, Harbormaster Suzi Towsley,Board Liaison Rick Smigleio Russ Maddox Norm Regis SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS 1. Harbor Report- Mack Funk Bids had been received and opened for the NE fish cleaning station and were found to be over budget. The project is being reworked to rereleased for bids. There was a boating safety class set for Saturday January 10th at Bear Creek Fire station. Polar Bear Jump off was fast approaching. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Linville\Schaefermeyer) Approval of Agenda Agenda Approved General Discussion of the priorities. Motion to amend (Schaefermeyer/Hughes) Amending March 19,2014 minutes for council consideration regarding the Harbor Crane. General discussion City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes January 7, 2015 Volume 3, Page 268 Motion passed unanimously (1:07 Steve Fink made apologies and left.A quorum remained.) Port and Commerce Advisory Board cancelled their December 2014 work session. Board Comments- Carl: Happy to see the Crane reso going to council. Linville: Was somewhat frustrated that it had taken so long for this(crane reso)to come to council, but he was happy it was moving forward now. Altermatt: Discussed board training and other meetings coming up. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was a boo at 12:50 p.m. 1," Jackie C. Wilde f eborah Altermatt Executive Liaison Chair (Minutes prepared by Suzi Towsley who is no longer present to sign) (City Seal) .Zt OF SEA .40 4 0 °°°J� I� °oa`, © • G L m ® SEAL o Q. o e �_ a• • o sae t11>,,7'&*" 1 L 4� S' om OFI ®eernec©eoe° mQ City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes April 15, 2015 Volume 3, Page 272 CALL TO ORDER The April 15,2015 regular meeting of the Port and Commerce Advisory Board was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by Chair Deborah Altermatt. OPENING CEREMONY Board Member Dan Oliver led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Deborah Altermatt,presiding, and Darryl Schaefermeyer* Carl Hughes Steve Fink Daniel Oliver *Schaefermeyer arrived at 12:07 p.m. Comprising a quorum of the Board; and Mack Funk,Harbor Master Norm Regis, Deputy Harbor Master Jackie Wilde,Executive Liaison Johanna Kinney,City Clerk Absent—Bruce Jaffa, Bob Linville SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Altermatt welcomed Jackie Wilde as the board's new Executive Liaison and thanked City Clerk Johanna Kinney for coming today. Chamber of Commerce Report—Cindy Clock. Altermatt announced Clock was currently in Seattle with the Mayor on the annual Economic Partner's Trip. Alaska Railroad Report—Louis Bencardino. Bencardino stated the railroad was fairly busy so far this year. They were hosting the Research Vessel Sikuliaq again at the cruise ship dock as it waited to go to the shipyard on April 19,2015 for planned repairs. The Sikuliaq would come back again to the dock in July. A response barge was in town for the annual Alyeska Ship Escort/Response Vessel System (SERVS) training. Seaview Community Services held its third annual Kids Carnival in the terminal on April 11, 2015 and the railroad donated a portion of their event fees to the cause. Starting April 17, 2015, coal trains would be coming to Seward every Wednesday and Friday. A pipe ship was arriving April 17 or 18,2015 and would be in Seward for about four days. They would be loading directly on to the train approximately 45 cars worth of material. The coastal trains would start May 9,2015 and run through September 15,2015 from their downtown harbor station. Bencardino announced the first cruise ship of the season would arrive in City of Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes April 15, 2015 Volume 3, Page 273 Seward on May 6,2015,with the official season starting May 17,2015. The schedule called for 64 ships total for the season. Norwegian Cruise Lines would be new to Seward this year, and Bencardino hoped they would stay in Seward beyond this summer. Premier Alaska Tours recently awarded Seward with the title of being the best place to travel to in Alaska. Harbormaster Report — Mack Funk. Funk said $2.7 million of warranty work was scheduled at the shipyard for the RN Sikuliaq. A lease extension document had been executed by Alaska Logistics at the Seward Marine Industrial Center(SMIC). All delinquent boat accounts had been remedied. At the April 27,2015 City Council meeting,administration would be recommending approval of a construction contract with Harmon Construction for the Northeast Fish Cleaning Station. On April 13, 2015, council directed administration to work with PACAB on potential locations for a grid and funding options for a grid engineering project. Funk answered questions regarding the$2.6 million in the state budget for harbor repairs in Seward and explained the funding was at risk,but currently appeared to be secure. In response to Schaefermeyer, Funk stated a Motion to Reconsider had been filed on City Council Resolution 2015-028 amending the harbor tariff, so that would be coming back to the council at their next meeting. There was struggle regarding the fee increase for the Travelift at SMIC. Schaefermeyer asked if there was any consideration to split out the various issues with that resolution,as there were some minor changes proposed in addition to the fee increase. Funk stated one way or another;staff would find a way to take care of the other issues that weren't as concerning. In response to Oliver, Funk stated administration was moving forward with engineering studies on"up to a 5 ton crane", although PACAB had recommended an 8 ton crane. Because administration said they didn't have funding for any of it, council compromised by authorizing a study for the possibility of either a 2.5 ton crane or a 5 ton crane. Schaefermeyer recalled at the April 1,2015 joint work session with the City Council that Assistant City Manager Ron Long was wanting to pursue a five ton crane boomed out, as many cranes lost tonnage when they were fully boomed out. Administration Report— Ron Long. Altermatt noted Long was currently traveling on behalf of the city in Washington,D.C. and Seattle with the Mayor. CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING—None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Schaefermeyer/Fink) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda City Clerk Johanna Kinney noted for the record that the approval of the March 4, 2015 minutes were advertised to be on today's agenda, but with the change in staff, they were not yet prepared. Because of this, administration pulled them from the agenda. Motion Passed Unanimous City ofSeward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes April 15, 2015 Volume 3, Page 274 There were no consent agenda items. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS,REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS—None UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None NEW BUSINESS •• . . . . . . • ' : • • -, ! ' • • ' •, . • .Pulled by Administration Continue discussion of attracting more fishing vessels to Seward. Altermatt noted the past joint work session with City Council on April 1,2015 really focused on obtaining a crane and a grid. Since that time council,had given direction for administration and PACAB to research a grid locations for Seward. Funk handed out a study by PN&D Engineers regarding the feasibility of grids and announced the formal direction given by council from the April 13, 2015 meeting: Administration was directed to work with the Port And Commerce Advisory Board to develop potential tidal grid site recommendations to provide to Council. Recommendations should include pro and con listings/discussions for each proposed site. These pro and cons should include for Council deliberation, but are not limited to, future planning, cost, location, accessibility, community desires, environmental, permitting, and other factors that evolve during the review and recommendation process. Locations can be examined in the Small Boat Harbor and also the Seward Marine Industrial Center, or other City Tidelands. Final recommendations provided to Council can include a PACAB ranking of recommended sites. It was added to research proposing fees to offset the costs if necessary. Regarding a grid,Funk said engineers have said it was possible to get a permit for a grid but it would not be easy. It would be time consuming and expensive. Factors of trying to find the best location, applying for and obtaining a permit, funding construction and maintenance—all of these things would take time. In response to Altermatt,Funk said it would definitely be a matter of more than a few months,and estimated it taking about a year,possibly more. He reiterated that digging up the bottom of the ocean floor was always expensive. Funk said possible locations previously discussed were at SMIC and in the harbor. Currently the city was contracted with the Alaska Industry Development and Export Authority(AIDEA)for the SMIC expansion project, and in turn AIDEA was working with the consulting firm Arcadis, but Funk didn't think consideration for a grid was currently in the scope of their work and assumed a separate permit would be needed to move forward at that location. Deputy Harbormaster Norman Regis recalled the pervious grid was hard to maintain. Many harbors now won't allow painting and scraping in a grid due to environmental laws in place. The use would likely be limited to lift the vessel and pull lines out. Because of this,staff was unsure City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes April 15, 2015 Volume 3, Page 275 the grid would pay for itself with user fees, and Regis didn't think this could be bonded. Altermatt stated,she was more concerned about obtaining a crane,and worried that adding the grid to their priority lists might take away from that. Schaefermeyer said at a minimum, PAC AB, as directed, could help determine potential locations for a grid,but funding would need to be appropriated to go beyond that. Hughes echoed the uncertainty if a grid was feasible due to environmental concerns and how to pay for it because it likely couldn't pay for itself. Schaefermeyer wasn't sure if this was worth looking at. Altermatt said on PACAB's priority list was a 50 ton haul out wash down pad which would support a cleaner harbor. Schaefermeyer felt that should be a higher priority and added he would be surprised if there was grant money out there to build a grid. Funk said from the administration's perspective, he felt they needed to work on this, but perhaps they should all agree the crane and the wash down pad should be higher priorities. Altermatt said they would look into this, and if they find it was not fiscally responsible to move forward,that very well may be the conclusion and opinion of the board. The body asked the Harbormaster to bring back some cost estimates on a grid at the next meeting. Altermatt said on attracting fishing vessels to Seward,there were other things discussed at the joint work session such as economic development of private industry such as a chandlery or a gear shed. She noted it was hard to attract these businesses with such a small fishing fleet in Seward so it was a bit of a predicament.The Chamber of Commerce and the city were both looking respectively on how to further encourage business in Seward. Fink said Raibow's business across the bay was a good start for equipment, and Storm Chasers was moving in the direction of providing more marine supplies in town as well. Fink mentioned he had commented before on the ranking of how much money Seward brought in from fishing. He thought Seward ranked fairly low,making up about 6%of the economy in the fishing industry. Other communities were at least double. Regis said the big issue coming back would be the flat tax,which could attract more outside vessels. A lot of people docked their boats elsewhere because they could pay a flat sales tax on moorage. Schaefermeyer said another positive factor was Seward had a cap on their sales tax,which a lot of places didn't. AItermatt thought the work session with council was positive, and noted a Tot of younger fishermen attended,so it wasn't just an older industry. She agreed with the thinking to work hard to retain the fishermen already in Seward, and then more would follow. City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes April 15, 2015 Volume 3, Page 276 Regis said,if supported by administration,a flat tax would be a good start,as well as a crane. Picking a grid spot likely wouldn't be difficult, but he was not sure about the logistics of constructing and maintaining it. Altermatt asked for an update on the Coast Guard in Seward. Funk said the latest report from Washington,D.C.(Long and Bardarson were currently there),was a lot of rumors seemed to swirling about the USCG Cutter Mustang leaving Seward,but it didn't seem like there was a lot of stock in that. Funk said it sounded like those in D.C. weren't too concerned about it. There has been discussion about replacing the vessel in the near future for a faster, more improved vessel. CORRESPONDENCE,INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS(No Action Required)— None BOARD COMMENTS Fink stated he apologized for having to leave these meetings by 1:00 p.m.He announced he would be resigning from his seat on the board when his term expired this July as he would be taking a new position at the middle school which would not allow him to attend noon meetings. Hughes welcomed further information from the Harbormaster in reference to the grid and to see if the city could come up with financial justification. Schaefermeyer said his first name was misspelled on the agenda. Based on some of the communication he had seen, it was possible Board Member Jaffa may not be able to stay on the board due to his work conflicts. If that was the case,Schaefermeyer said he would be sad to lose him as a board member. He also was considering stepping off the board when his term expired,but he wasn't sure what he would do. He reminded everyone that Friday was the inauguration of the new buzz saw shark exhibit and the skate tank at the Alaska SeaLife Center. Altermatt welcomed Wilde as their new Executive Liaison and thanked Kinney for participating today. She announced she would be travelling to join Chamber Director Cindy Clock and Mayor Bardarson in Seattle for their annual Economic Partners Trip. CITIZENS' COMMENTS—None BOARD AND ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS—None ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:10 p.m. 44 4r da -Paw V. J hanna Ki Trey, CM ity Clerk Dior r ah Altermatt . c v•°°. a 0 ° ° (City Seal) SEA., ° o d'®® ).4 asp iE:L°°°* Ng?.4" te �F 6 0 0 ®p _ BPeaa®a®oa City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes May 6, 2015 Volume 3, Page 277 CALL TO ORDER The May 6, 2015 regular meeting of the Port and Commerce Advisory Board was called to order at 12:01 p.m. by Chair Deborah Altermatt. OPENING CEREMONY Board Member Steve Fink led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Deborah Altermatt,presiding, and Dan Oliver Carl Hughes Steve Fink Bruce Jaffa Comprising a quorum of the Board; and Mack Funk,Harbor Master Norm Regis, Deputy Harbor Master Jackie C Wilde, Executive Liaison Absent—Darryl Schaefermeyer, and Bob Linville SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Chamber of Commerce Report—Cindy Clock started with a short recap of the annual Seattle Partners Trip,PACAB Chair& Chamber Board President Deborah Altermatt, Mayor Jean Bardarson,Assistant City Manager Ron Long and Clock meet with Samson Tug&Barge, Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Carlile,Deep Fisherman's Union and Fishing Vessel Owner Association. Clock reported that work continues with the Energy Fair&Forum planning on October 9th and 10th,website content and utility bill inserts as well as energy plan draft to be included in the City's Comprehensive plan. Clock stated that the Seward Marine Industrial Center(SMIC) group is looking at updating the new Marine Services brochure. Clock supplied letter regarding the Seward Chamber of Commerce Business Retention and Expansion(BR&E)project. In response to Jaffa, wanted to know where the survey could be found. Clock stated that persons interested could call the Chamber and they would set up the phone interview. Alaska Railroad Report—Louis Bencardino. Bencardino reported the railroad was busy with 45 total vessels. AK Logistics has returned for another season,their office can be contact for a schedule. Bencardino announced the first cruise ship of the season would arrive in Seward on May 6, 2015, with the official season starting May 17, 2015. The schedule called for 64 ships City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes May 6, 2015 Volume 3, Page 278 total for the season.Norwegian Cruise Lines would be new to Seward this year, and Bencardino hoped they would stay in Seward beyond this summer. Harbormaster Report—Mack Funk. A lease extension document had been executed by Alaska Logistics at the Seward Marine Industrial Center(SMIC). Funk announced that he his last day would be May 15,2015 and it was a great pleasure working with everyone. Deputy Harbormaster Report—Norm Regis. Regis reported that he is working on 1-2 jack up rigs mooring the winter here each rig has 75 to 150 people on it. Regis stated.that-this was simply something they are working with and it would be from October to March."Regis reported that on April 13, 2015, council directed administration to work with PACAB ontpotential locations for a grid and funding options for a grid engineering project Regis will be getting the,requested information together for the May 20th work session. Regis also reported he"is working on a 15 minute water to water maintenance rate that he will introduce at the next meeting. CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING—None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Jaffa/Hughes) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous APPROVAL OF MARCH 4,2015 MINUTES Motion (Hughes/Fink) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous INFORMATIONAL ITEMS,REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS— None UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None NEW BUSINESS Altermatt asked Funk to explain the Prioritizing Infrastructure Projects. Funk says we have had multiple times that the board has fallen back on priorities. Funk supplied a Harbor Department Project Priorities list with the following items: Proposed Rules for PACAB 1. Establish the ranking of projects by formal vote 2. Review the project priority rankings approximately every six months 3. PACAB members agree to follow the rule of the majority City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes May 6, 2015 Volume 3, Page 279 Funk stated that the backgrounds for the proposed rules are: Reshuffling capital project priorities is critical to the Harbor Dept. Funds are becoming scarce, Biennial (2016-2017)budget preparations start in August and Controlling capital spending=Controlling moorage rates. Funk asked the board to review the priorities and get back on track with items. Altermatt agreed that the board should follow the approved priorities. Fink wanted to know where the money came from for D float.Funk responded that 1/2 from the city and 1/2 from the state. Altermatt requested that the May 20,2015 work session meeting be regarding the grid. All board members agreed. Oliver mentioned he would like to discuss funding from the state for B,C&S. By the next meeting we should kriow'if we received funding. CORRESPONDENCE,INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS(No Action Required)— None BOARD COMMENTS Fink stated he will not be renewing in July. Fink thanked Funk and wished him well. Jaffa wanted to remind the board that even though the City looks good financially it is necessary for everyone to live within our means. He mentioned the the Commerce side of the board needs to focus on not only bringing people/businesses to our community but to recognize that housing is needed and he would like to see the board start to review options. He also wanted the board to know he will try and attend as many meetings as possible, and as long as the board will continue to work with him he would most likely renew in July. Jaffa thanked Funk for his service as Harbormaster. Oliver thanked Funk for his service as Harbormaster. Oliver wanted to know if Norm Regis would be the interim until the position was filled. Funk answered yes he believed that Regis would be the acting Harbormaster until further notice. Hughes welcomed further information from the Harbormaster in reference to the grid and to see if the city could come up with financial justification. He wanted Jaffa to know that he is greatly appreciated and happy to know he will be renewing his seat. Altermatt wished Funk well in his new endeavors. Altermatt asked Funk and Regis if they had anything they wanted to add. Funk stated he would be working to get Regis lined up with everything. Regis stated that Funk has been showing him everything and he hopes to grasp it all. Regis wanted everyone to feel free to contact him with any questions they may have. City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes May 6, 2015. Volume 3,Page 280 CITIZENS' COMMENTS— Brooke Andrews addressed the board on three topics, the first being the board priorities. Andrews hopes that the board will stay on task with priorities. She is happy that the board will be looking in to grid options on May 20th but doesn't want the work the Bob Linville has done for the crane lose ground. The second topic addressed by Andrews is that she is excited to be working with the Chamber on the Business Retention program as an interview;she feels that the interview will be beneficial for everyone and even though the interview is 11 pages long it gives the group the ability to tackle questions and concerns for business owners. The third and final Andrews mentioned that being able to attend boards like PACAB helps her know what is happening within our community. Andrews is the Call Community Chairperson for her church and will be putting together a packet for a new pastor. In closing Andrews wanted to thank Linville for the crane work. BOARD AND ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS—None Jaffa thanked Andrews for her comments but wanted to stress that he is also an advocate for the crane. Altermatt thanked Andrews for her comments and wanted her to know that if an opening for the PACAB board was available they would all make sure she got an application. ' ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:09 p.m. Jackie't/Wilde - Deborah Altermatt Executive Liaison Chair • (City Seal) OFo■■evo■.oejee FY � V e ® ° ® --- ° ® $ SEAL ■ o � e r 9 ® '■ ° it 00 {{gg f- a •