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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2018-095 Sponsored by: Bridges CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2018-095 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, ESTABLISHING THE CITY OF SEWARD'S CALENDAR YEAR 2019 STATE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES WHEREAS, the City annually compiles a list of projects or issues that are identified as top legislative priorities;and WHEREAS, the list of projects are compiled and distributed to the State of Alaska Legislature,Kenai Peninsula Borough,and City of Seward lobbyists; 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. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA,that: Section 1. This list of city projects is hereby declared to be the official State priority list for the City of Seward for calendar year 2019: A. BENEFICIAL LEGISLATION 1. Legislative support for maintaining the current level of State contributions into the PERS/TRS Retirement System on behalf of local governments, and for not extending the amortization period, in order to offset unfunded retirement system liabilities and to make future contribution rates more affordable for the state and local governments. 2. Support for continuing Medicaid programs and capital cost reimbursement at not less than current year funding levels. 3. Legislative support for continuing Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) programs that promote energy efficiency and conservation to help mitigate the costs of heating homes and businesses not served by natural gas. 4. Legislative support for feasibility analyses considering pipeline or multi-modal delivery methods of making natural gas available to communities not currently along CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2018-095 a pipeline corridor, and using Seward's road/rail/barge connections as demonstration projects. 5. Legislative support for matching City funds towards the non-Federal 50% cost share of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study required to address the Lowell Canyon Diversion Tunnel hazard. The City currently owes$266,022. 6. Continued support for the State Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Municipal Harbors Grant Program. 7. Full funding of the Alaska Police Standards Council in order to return to full reimbursement of Police Recruit training costs. 8. Full funding of the Alaska Department of Corrections in order to return 100% of the operational costs of the Jail to the State of Alaska. 9. Full funding of the Alaska Department of Corrections in order to continue State operation of the Spring Creek Correctional Center, the only maximum-security prison in the State of Alaska. 10. Full funding of the Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) in order to continue vocational training and investment in local communities and trades. The City seeks support for AVTEC as it provides students with skills and career paths that benefit the State and local economy. 11. Legislative support for expanding access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment and recovery, to include expansion and renovation of the SeaView Community Services existing behavioral health treatment facility. B. CAPITAL PROJECTS Recognizing the current government sector fiscal reality and its potential private sector economic impacts, the City of Seward is limiting its capital improvement project requests to those where the State's participation would leverage other significant funding, complete projects already underway, address projects of immediate life and safety, and enable projects that could be eligible under a statewide bond package if the State pursues and the voters approve such a plan. 1. $8 million to design and rebuild the electric transmission line from the Seward Highway to the Seward Marine Industrial Center facility and upgrade the Spring Creek substation by securing an alternative feed transformer to add capacity and reduce system outages, and provide continuous service during maintenance periods. 2 $12 million to upgrade transmission conductors and substation transformers to CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2018-095 improve the system's capacity to 115kV over existing 69 kV capacity. This would help unify the transmission system for the entire community and expand the system's capabilities, allowing higher capacity projects into the future. 3. $1,000,000 for systems maintenance and repairs at the Alaska SeaLife Center. 4. $500,000 for a hull wash water collection and treatment system at the 50-Ton Travelift. 5. $1,241,250 for JAG Shipyard Environmental Discharge Controls. 6. Continued support for Alaska Energy Authority grant program in order to expand district heat loop systems and other alternative energy projects. 7. $1,000,000 for the design, engineering and construction of an Animal Shelter and dog park facility 8. $8,100,000 for the Alaska Department of Transportation to extend the proposed runway to 4,000 feet in order to accommodate larger aircraft and provide effective disaster response C. CRUISE PASSENGER VESSEL TAX REGIONAL IMPACT FUND OR CRUISE SHIP GAMBLING TAX 1. Appropriating funding for the Alaska Railroad Corporation Seward Marine Terminal Expansion project supporting both passenger and freight activities. 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 10`h day of December, 2018. THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA acolccb, Sue McClure,Vice Mayor CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2018-095 AYES: Osenga, Horn, Towsley, Lane, McClure NOES: None ABSENT: Seese, Squires ABSTAIN: None ATTEST: .04/ renda J. :a o .7-CM City Clerk (City Seal),,.• Of SE►y'°• • _. SEAL = © ` - • s ter••.;'NEi 4/4-* .# ,TF OFAtk ..... Meeting Date: To: From: Agenda Item: Agenda Statement December 10, 2018 City Council Jeff Bridges, Interim City Mana� Calendar Year 2019 City, State �eral 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. 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: 1 Comprehensive Plan Sections 3.1 Economic Development 2 Strategic Plan Entirety 3 Other (list): FISCAL NOTE: NIA Approved by Finance Department: .J(,u"ai;i;;;:, Jvi..,J.u,-,? Yes No NIA X X X ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes ___ No ____ Not Applicable ___ X ____ RECOMMENDATION: Council approve Resolutions 2018-, 2018-, and 2018-, approving the City of Seward's Calendar Year 2019 City, State and Federal Priorities. City Priorities Res 18-094 State Priorities Res 18-095 Federal Priorities Res 18-096 48