HomeMy WebLinkAbout02172021 PACAB Work Session Notes WORK SESSION NOTES Port and Commerce Advisory Board
Called by: Chair Schneider Time: 12:00 p.m. Date: 02-17-2021
Discuss and review SMIC Overlay, Alaska Renewable Energy Presentation
Purpose: Related to Energy Education And Promoting Energy Alternatives
Present: Council Members Present:
Stephen Sowell, Assistant City Manager Laura Schneider, Bruce Jaffa, Carl Hughes, Colby
Norm Regis, Harbormaster Lawrence, Benjamin Smith (all via Zoom)
Jackie Wilde, Community Development Director Lynda Paquette
Karen Corrigan, Acting Deputy City Clerk
Alaska Renewable Energy Presentation was presented by Executive Director, Chris Rose
from Renewable Energy Alaska Project.
Smith joined the meeting at 12:07 p.m.
Jaffa asked how to form a coherent face for renewable energy when there are so many
groups in Alaska working on climate efficiency separately. Rose stated that getting this
information into the schools early on helps prepare the community for a new way of
thinking for energy.
Smith asked about how REAP can help Seward move forward. Rose stated that a new
program has just opened up between several national laboratories with funding of which
Seward could apply for, and REAP can help with that.
Rose spoke on how a program that helped individuals trained in one profession, say
oilfield work, can retrain in energy management to help keep those workers employed.
Rose specified that one place Seward can start is to include net metering into their system
because he believed that Seward may be the only railbelt community not doing net
metering. He also suggested possibly building a solar and/or wind farm to produce your
own energy and sell it back to the provider.
Schneider relayed to contact the board if they need letters written in support of any laws
or programs they are trying to get passed in the State and National levels.
Meeting switched to the SMIC Overlay discussion to prepare for their March 16th joint
work session with Planning & Zoning at 6:00 p.m. Wilde explained how an overlay
district work and it defines uses within zones in code. Wilde explained one issue that
comes to her office often is housing in the SMIC area.
Hughes left the meeting at 1:23 p.m.
WORK SESSION NOTES Port and Commerce Advisory Board
Schneider stated that one thing to consider is that workers living in a bunkhouse expect to
live in a noisy environment and that in an industrial area with 24 hour work shifts,
Jaffa left the meeting at 1:36 p.m.
Lawrence stated that housing is extremely important and that any housing, whether apts,
family or bunker will be a great benefit for SMIC.
Schneider relayed that city council does have a discussion item on for Blue Pipeline
funding on February 22, 2021 council meeting and encouraged board members to attend
or provide comment.
Meeting adjourned at 1:46 p.m.