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Home My WebLink AboutRes2019-063 Sponsored OF SEWARD,ALASKA by: Meszaros RESOLUTION 2019-063 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF A JOINT APPLICATION WITH THE ALASKA RAILROAD CORPORATION (ARRC) TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BUILD GRANT PROGRAM FOR EXPANSION OF THE ALASKA RAILROAD TERMINAL RESERVE FREIGHT DOCK AND EXTENSION OF PORT AVENUE WHEREAS, numerous community planning sessions identified the need to extend and widen the Alaska Railroad Corporation's (ARRC) Terminal Reserve Freight Dock (Freight Dock) to meet regional and statewide demand by industry and government customers; and WHEREAS, widening and lengthening the Freight Dock will address demand by providing additional short and long term berthing space, increasing simultaneous berthing capacity, increasing secure cargo storage and staging/transfer area, providing roll-on/roll-off ramp compatibility, and increasing larger ship service; and WHEREAS, the Freight Dock expansion will have immediate and long-term economic impact that will create jobs, in number and as additional year round employment, and will supply essential freight to Seward and throughout the State; and WHEREAS, community planning sessions also identified that Port Avenue industrial truck traffic needs to be separated from pedestrian and cruise ship visitors traveling from the Passenger Dock to the Seward Harbor for improved safety; and WHEREAS, Seward documented this need in the City of Seward's 2030 Community Comprehensive Plan, with specific attention paid to, "Valuing diverse transportation facilities including road, rail, air, pedestrian, and water routes that meet the needs of residents, businesses and visitors"; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan notes support for adequate port infrastructure that will serve the needs of users in the main industrial/Alaska Railroad Port and at the Seward Marine Industrial Center (SMIC), and will develop convenient and well-publicized local, state, and national transportation connections from the port areas; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan identified a priority to develop a new route for industrial zone traffic to address pedestrian safety hazards, which is directly addressed by the proposed project to extend Port Avenue through the ARRC Terminal Reserve; and WHEREAS, the Alaska Railroad Terminal Reserve is important infrastructure for Alaska and the nation as a refueling and resupply port for the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy, CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA RESOLUTION 2019-063 and it is urgent the Freight Dock be expanded to meet continued demand; and WHEREAS,the City of Seward has a long and collaborative partnership history with the Alaska Railroad Corporation, including the most recent three previous TIGER Grant applications (2017 Master Planning Grant successful); developing trade routes and supply chains with shared customers; beautification, safety and transportation projects in the industrial area and along Port Avenue; and working together after the 1964 earthquake rebuilding important economic infrastructure; and WHEREAS, the City of Seward and Alaska Railroad Corporation have investigated all funding options and found there are not adequate funding sources available to fund the Freight Dock Expansion and that the BUILD grant funding is necessary to fully fund the project; and • WHEREAS, the City of Seward pledges to commit $219,120 worth of in-fill gravel per year for three years,totaling$657,360,to the project and staff time to collaborate as needed; and WHEREAS, the City of Seward pledges to utilize sufficient funding for signage and beatification items for Port Avenue and the staff time to collaborate as needed. NOTE: The Alaska Department of Transportation's "Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development" (BUILD) Transportation Grants Program was formerly known as the "Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery" (TIGER) Grants Program. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA that: Section 1. The City of Seward agrees to be joint-applicants with the Alaska Railroad Corporation for the FY19 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grants Program, with the Alaska Railroad Corporation as lead applicant accepting and managing project funds. Section 2. The City of Seward hereby authorizes submission of a BUILD grant application as a joint-applicant to the Alaska Railroad Corporation to the U.S. Department of Transportation to fully fund the Seward Marine Terminal Freight Dock Expansion and Port Avenue Road Project. Section 3. The City of Seward hereby authorizes the city manager to sign all required documents for purposes of this application Section 4.This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption. CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA RESOLUTION 2019-063 PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 24th day of June, 2019. THE CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA David Squires, May AYES: Osenga, Seese, Horn, Towsley, Lane, McClure, Squires NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ATTEST: vP � Brenda J. Ballou, MC City Clerk (City Sei.e ? • o• ese. � `. ."'tiv'0., k om'.diea► •• mow 4 6 » t 0 r • ww } < _• _ee ,,yy�� 2 W FOF �;.•' •1rs•raGte% Agenda Statement Meeting Date: June 24, 2019 To: City Council From: City Manager, Scott Meszaros 4or- Agenda Item: Authorizing a joint application with the Alaska Railroad Corporation to the U.S. Department of Transportation BUILD grant program BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION: The U.S. Department of Transportation Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grants program has announced the availability of$900 Million in infrastructure grant funds for FY 2019. The BUILD grant program is awarded on a competitive basis to projects that will have significant local and regional impact. BUILD funding can support roads,bridges, transit, rail,ports or intermodal transportation. The Alaska Railroad Corporation(ARRC),the owner and operator of the Seward intermodal port, has identified, through numerous community planning meetings, the need to meet regional and statewide demand by extending and widening the ARRC Terminal Reserve Freight Dock. As an ideal candidate for the BUILD grant program, the ARRC and the City of Seward wish to jointly apply for grant funding in order to proceed in our efforts to follow the City's adopted comprehensive plan. This application and subsequent award will support adequate port infrastructure that will serve the needs of users in the main industrialtAlaska Railroad Port. The City of Seward has agreed to supply in-kind support for this grant application by aiding in the removal of deposits from the Lowell Creek outfall, for fill material for the project as well as the staff time needed to coordinate these efforts. The City is also expecting to utilize CPV funds to acquire signage and beautification items for Port Avenue as well as the staff time needed to coordinate these efforts. INTENT: Jointly apply with the ARRC for a BUILD grant to widen and lengthen the ARRC Freight Dock and invest in beatification and safety efforts along Port Avenue. CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Yes No N/A Comprehensive Plan: 1.3.1 —Economic Development I. 1.3.3 —Transportation Facilities X 2.2.7—Community Partnerships 98 2.2.11 --Economic Base 2.2.12—Transportation Facilities 3.1.1.2„-x Update and expand infrastructure for commercial and industrial properties that are currently underdeveloped 3.1.1.3 Enhance Seward's international role in trade and tourism 3.5.1.2 Plan for adequate port infrastructure Strategic Plan: Page 3 -Growth Management and Land Use Planning Page 4—Transportation Facilities X Page 5—Economic Base Page 7—Improve and Expand Maritime Facilities Page 16—Expanded Transportation Facilities 3. Other (list): X FISCAL NOTE: There is no financial impact associated with this joint application/support Resolution. If the grant is awarded, in-kind contributions will be made within existing departmental budgets. Approved by Finance Department: ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes No X RECOMMENDATION: City Council to approve Resolution 2019-063, authorizing a joint application with the Alaska Railroad Corporation to the U.S. Department of Transportation BUILD grant program. 99