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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2021-132 CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA Sponsored by: Bower RESOLUTION 2021-132 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA,SUPPORTING FULL FUNDING($20,160,062)FOR THE STATE OF ALASKA MUNICIPAL HARBOR FACILITY GRANT PROGRAM IN THE FY 2023 STATE CAPITAL BUDGET WHEREAS,the majority of the public boat harbors in Alaska were constructed by the State during the 1960s and 1970s; and WHEREAS, these harbor facilities represent critical transportation links and are the transportation hubs for waterfront commerce and economic development in Alaskan coastal communities; and WHEREAS,these harbor facilities are ports of refuge and areas for protection for ocean- going vessels and fishermen throughout the State of Alaska, especially in coastal Alaskan communities; and 111 WHEREAS,the State of Alaska over the past nearly 30 years has transferred ownership of most of these State-owned harbors,many of which were at or near the end of their service life at the time of transfer, to local municipalities; and WHEREAS, the municipalities took over this important responsibility even though they knew that these same harbor facilities were in poor condition at the time of transfer due to the state's failure to keep up with deferred maintenance; and WHEREAS, consequently, when local municipal harbormasters formulated their annual harbor facility budgets, they inherited a major financial burden that their local municipal governments could not afford; and WHEREAS,in response to this financial burden,the Governor and the Alaska Legislature passed legislation in 2006, supported by the Alaska Association of Harbormasters and Port Administrators, to create the Municipal Harbor Facility Grant program(AS 29.60.800); and WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities utilizes a beneficial administrative process to review, score and rank applicants to the Municipal Harbor Facility Grant Program, since state funds may be limited; and WHEREAS,for each harbor facility grant application,these municipalities have committed to invest 100%of the design and permitting costs and 50%of the construction cost; and CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA RESOLUTION 2021-132 WHEREAS,the municipalities of the City of Valdez,City of Yakutat, City&Borough of Juneau,City&Borough of Sitka,City of Homer,Aleutians East Borough/City of Sand Point,and the Municipality of Anchorage have committed to contribute$20,160,062 in local match funding for FY2023 towards harbor projects of significant importance locally as required in the Harbor Facility Grant Program; and WHEREAS, completion of these harbor facility projects is dependent on the 50%match from the State of Alaska's Municipal Harbor Facility Grant Program; and WHEREAS,during the last fifteen years the Municipal Harbor Facility Grant Program has only been fully funded twice; and WHEREAS,a survey done by the Alaska Municipal League of Alaska's ports and harbors found that from the respondents,the backlog of projects necessary to repair and replace former State- owned harbors has increased to at least$500,000,000; and WHEREAS,over the past five years alone,municipal harbors have submitted$70 million in capital project match requests,representing over$116 million in shovel-ready capital projects that have received only$20 million in funding through the Municipal Harbor Facility Grant program with zero funding in FY21 and half of the requested funding in FY22. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA that: Section 1. The City Manager is directed to urge full funding in the amount of$20,160,062 by the Governor and the Alaska Legislature for the State of Alaska's Municipal Harbor Facility Grant Program in the FY 2023 State Capital Budget in order to ensure enhanced safety and economic prosperity among Alaskan coastal communities. 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 22nd day of November, 2021. T. fIT . SA A : •o v. A ..♦� risty erry, M. or CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA RESOLUTION 2021-132 AYES: McClure, Osenga, DeMoss, Calhoon, Wells, Terry NOES: None ABSENT: Casagranda ABSTAIN: None ATTEST: Brenda J. Ballou, MC City Clerk (City Seal) .••y OF S.�y''•. • SEAL • •*0•,TF OF A\Y% .