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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01112021 City Council Work Session Packet - City State & Federal Priorities Seward City Council Work Session Packet Topic: Discuss City, State & Federal Priorities Virtual Meeting January 11, 2021 City Council Chambers Beginning at 5:30 p.m. Instructions For CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT DURING CITY COUNCIL Virtual WORK SESSIONS Due to COVID-19, alternate methods for citizen involvement during City Council work sessions have been created to allow public interaction while keeping everyone safe and healthy. Although there is no in person public attendance allowed, council wants to encourage citizen participation. If you wish to participate in a work session,please follow these simple steps: STEP 1: Sign up on the city clerk's contact list. Send an email to clerkgcityofseward.net and request to be included on the contact list AND provide your phone number. Sign up by 5:00 p.m. on the day of the work session. You'll receive a confirmation email from the city clerk that you're on the list; if you don't receive the confirmation,please call 224-4045 to confirm. STEP 2: Keep your phone handy throughout the work session. When answering your phone, please mute any background noise so you can be heard by council clearly. How it will work: During regular intervals throughout the work session, the proceedings will be halted and the city clerk will call citizens who have signed up. After all citizens have been contacted, council will continue the work session. Citizens sign up one time per work session, and will be contacted at every interval during the work session. Each time you are called, the city clerk will ask if you wish to be contacted at the next interval during that work session. How to watch or listen to a work session: 1. Watch Live Streaming on the city's YouTube page. Log onto YouTube and type "City of Seward Alaska" into the search bar or go to: 2. htlps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWzsXcDwdyklHKGgvYS_UNQ 3. Listen on the radio. Tune to KIBH-FM 91.7 4. Watch on television. Tune into GCI Cable Channel 9. Note: GCI has recently been experiencing technical difficulties with the sound; they are working diligently to fix the problem. Attending via ZOOM Enter the following information in the Zoom app or on Zoom.com: Webinar ID: 916 7896 4216 Passcode: 424912 Or via telephone: Dial: US: +1 253 215 8782 or 833 548 0276 (Toll Free) Webinar ID: 916 7896 4216 Passcode: 424912 City Council Work Session January 11,2021 CITY, STATE & FEDERAL PRIORITIES CITY PRIORITIES A. PORT, HARBOR,AND INDUSTRIAL AREA 1. $500,000 to pave the apron and add a wash down pad at the 50-Ton Travelift. 2. $1,000,000 for storm water discharge infrastructure at the Seward Marine Industrial Center. 3. $1,241,250 for JAG Shipyard Environmental Discharge Controls. 4. 2.8 million to replace the Northeast Launch Ramp 5. $200,000 to extend electrical power to X Float. 6. $500,000 for a 5-ton crane at or near I Dock. 7. $250,000 for security infrastructure for city vessel storage yard at the Seward Marine Industrial Center. 8. $3,100,000 for K and L Float Projects B. PUBLIC FACILITIES & INFRASTRUCTURE 1. $5,500,000 for the design, engineering and construction of a Public Works Facility and Maintenance Shop (City will provide land for the new building). 2. $120,000 for ADA Building Access Doors at City Hall, Annex, and Library. 3. $33,000 Covered Roof or Awning for the ADA Access Ramp at City Hall. 4. $69,000 for Rear Parking Lot Drainage Improvements and Paving at City Hall. 5. $540,000 for Sewer System Manhole Refurbishment, SMIC bypass piping, and Lift station upgrades. 6. $785,000 for Water System New Production Well 98, Hypo-chloride Generator Pump House SMIC, Abandon Wells at Ft Raymond. 7. $38,000 to Replace Old Boiler and Heating Parts at Annex with New 96% Efficient Boiler. 8. $1,000,000 for major maintenance and repairs at the Alaska SeaLife Center. 9. $500,000 for roof repairs at the Alaska SeaLife Center. 10. $200,000 for design and engineering of an indoor multi-use facility. 11. $500,000 to upgrade windows and the building envelope at City Hall. 12. $80,000 for Water and Sewer System Analysis/Comprehensive Review C. ELECTRIC 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. $1.5 million to repair and replace one mile of transmission line into the Fort Raymond Substation with 115kV compatible equipment (This is a project supported by the Alaska Railbelt Cooperative Transmission and Electric Company (ARCTEC) because the current condition of the transmission line exceeds the estimated life expectancy of 50 years). 3. $2 million to rebuild obsolete and aging infrastructure and add new infrastructure City Council Work Session January 11,2021 CITY, STATE & FEDERAL PRIORITIES with the expanding Camelot Subdivision where development and growth require the new updated system. 4 The City is requesting $12 million to upgrade transmission conductors and substation transformers to improve the system's capacity to 115kV over existing 69kV 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. D. ROADS, STREETS,AND ADA ACCESSIBILITY 1. $300,000 for improving City infrastructure for ADA accessibility 2. $60,000 for Storm Drain Engineering and Design Improvements for City of Seward Streets. E. PUBLIC SAFETY 1. Up to $250,000 for a needs assessment and conceptual design and engineering for a replacement Seward Fire Station. The City is experiencing growth on the west side (fuel farm expansion and homes) and in the Seward Marine Industrial Center (City will provide a match of land). 2. Up to $250,000 for initial design and engineering of a Public Safety Building (City will provide a match of land). 3. $1 million for a new animal shelter that is used by City (City will provide a match of land). F. BENEFICIAL LEGISLATION 1. Support for feasibility analyses considering pipeline or multi-modal delivery methods of making natural gas available to communities not currently along a pipeline corridor and using Seward's road/rail/barge connections as demonstration projects. 2. Support public/private partnerships to encourage both residential and commercial land development. 3. Seward Airport Project Improvements (DOT). 4 Flood Mitigation Efforts on the Resurrection River 5. Support analysis and expansion of flood mitigation efforts within the City 6. Legislative support to encourage the US Coast Guard to continue applying the US Small Business Set-Aside contracting provisions for maintenance, repair, and refurbishment of District 17 vessels. City Council Work Session January 11,2021 CITY, STATE & FEDERAL PRIORITIES STATE PRIORITIES 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 a pipeline corridor, and using Seward's road/rail/barge connections as demonstration proj ects. 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. 12. Legislative support to encourage the US Coast Guard to continue applying the US Small Business Set-Aside contracting provisions for maintenance, repair, and refurbishment of District 17 vessels. City Council Work Session January 11,2021 CITY, STATE & FEDERAL PRIORITIES 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. $5,500,000 for the design, engineering and construction of a Public Works Facility and Maintenance Shop. 2. $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. 3. $12 million to upgrade transmission conductors and substation transformers to 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. 4. $2,000,000 Sludge Removal Maintenance Project from both Wastewater Treatment Plants. 5. $540,000 for Sewer System Manhole Refurbishment, SMIC bypass piping, and Lift station upgrades. 6. $785,000 for Water System New Production Well 98, Hypo-chloride Generator Pump House SMIC, Abandon Wells at Ft Raymond. 7. $1,000,000 for systems maintenance and repairs at the Alaska SeaLife Center, of which $500,000 would meet the required match to receive $500,000 in capital funding already committed by the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council (EVOS-TC). 8. $500,000 for a hull wash water collection and treatment system at the 50-Ton Travelift. 9. $1,241,250 for JAG Shipyard Environmental Discharge Controls. 10. $1,000,000 for the design, engineering and construction of an Animal Shelter and dog park facility 11. $2.5 million to match state or federal grant requests for environmental controls, expansion and improvement of the Seward Shipyard. G. CRUISE PASSENGER VESSEL TAX REGIONAL IMPACT FUND OR CRUISE SHIP GAMBLING TAX Appropriating funding for the Alaska Railroad Corporation Seward Marine Terminal Expansion project supporting both passenger and freight activities City Council Work Session January 11,2021 CITY, STATE & FEDERAL PRIORITIES FEDERAL PRIORITIES A. APPROPRIATIONS AND GRANTS 1. Appropriating funding for the development of the new Coast Guard Fast Response Cutter facilities as well as home port support facilities. And the required Utility infrastructure to support such facilities. 2. Appropriating funding for the construction of the US Army Corps of Engineers Feasibility Study's recommended plan for the Lowell Creek Flood Diversion Structure and Tunnel. 3. $7 million for a comprehensive Seward Flood Mitigation Program on the watershed level by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 4. $35 million appropriation for Lowell Point Road a State Parks trailhead, to complete, bank stabilization and erosion control projects recommended through current ongoing stabilization study by the Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP grant). This road is the sole land access to critical public infrastructure, National and State Parks trailheads, businesses, and the community of Lowell Point 5. $1 million appropriation for erosion control projects, through a future Section 14 study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, for the Seward Marine Industrial Center and the Alaska Railroad Dock. 6. Appropriating funding for the Alaska Railroad Corporation Seward Marine Terminal Expansion project supporting both passenger and freight activities. This may also involve collaboration with the Alaska Railroad to seek BUILD Act grants or funding in a future Highway Transportation bill. 7. Support funding through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service budget for zoos and aquariums that house endangered and/or listed species and experienced a sharp reduction of visitor revenue in 2020. B. AUTHORIZATIONS AND BENEFICIAL LEGISLATION 1. Authorization language amending the Water Resource Development Act of 2007 (Public Law 110-114, 121 STAT. 1205) to require the Army Corps of Engineers to continue the operation and maintenance of the Lowell Canyon Tunnel until such time that an alternative method of flood diversion has been constructed and a determination by the Corps that the City of Seward and its residents are no longer at risk of catastrophic flooding 2. Support the establishment of a Prescott grant program within the Fish & Wildlife Service budget to provide support for a live stranding network and responding to marine mammal and seabird live stranding and mortalities throughout Alaska.