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Home My WebLink About01232023 City Council - Laydown - Casagranda #1 4 \ H Cc -a2,d 11-) LAB/ pow NI ',. w :/. H'' `iTALITY UROUP , , , ' 'l Mission & Vision Statement 1 Seward Hospitality Group Mission — 1 Our ission is to provide a place for those looking to see and explore all the beaut that Alaska has to offer while offering employees, guest, local and friends a place to feel welcomed and feel like family. Whether it be through scenic tours, or amazing fine dining and fast-casual options, we strive to deliver the best! Welcome to Seward! Seward Hospitality Group Vision — Is to become the premiere company for amazing and local food, superb hospitality, and service that is unparalleled. We want every guest, local and employee to feel like family, because to us, they really are! t P' 0 1 0 pia CQ 1/23/23,3:22 PM Breeze Inh Lease Norm Regijs <nregis@cityofseward.net> To: Ristine Casagranda <rissie@coastalheritageproperties.com> Hi Rissie We have been receiving quite a bit of dialog from citizen for the assignment of lease from the Mindenbergs to ZPA, LLC. Most of thejdialog the city has been receiving cannot be answered by administration, would it be possible to have either you or your client be at the January 9th council meeting to be able to answer questions from council. Thanks Norm Regis MPE Harbormaste,Sfrar c srip woop Box 167 Seward, Alaska 99664 907-224-3136 ext. 2 [mailto:nregis@cityofseward.net%3cmailto:nregis@cityofseward.net]nregs@cityofseward.net<mailto:nregis@cityo fseward.net Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do." Steve Jobs https://outlook.office.com/mail/id/AAQkADFkMmZiNJFILTk4MDctNDMzZS1hNDBILWViQGZiYTYxZTgwYQAQAHcEMWDSBEyCs%2FDIZFEx4Zg%3D Page 1 of 1 Q � 3eC y Alaskausa Federal Credit Union CC a-3 61 L A 0 ovi Ni January 18, 2023 S nel lTh City of Seward 410 Adams Street Seward, AK 99664 Dear Mayor and City Council, I am providing this letter as a reference for Charles "Elliott"Jackson,Toni Strauss and ZPA, LLC,with regard to the city council's recent decision to deny ZPA the transfer of the lease for the Breeze Inn. I listened to the recording of the public hearing that took place at city council headquarters on January 9, 2023. I have an established banking relationship with Mr. Jackson and his business entities that began over 15 years ago.None of the public comments made during the council meeting reflected my experience Mr. Jackson. He has maintained a stellar reputation during my time of working with him&Ms. Strauss and has handled all accounts as agreed. It is concerning to me that a majority of the public comments that the city council heard and likely influenced their decision were based on hearsay and had factual little substance. Mr.Jackson&Ms. Strauss have proven them selves to be capable business operators in the Seward community for over 20 years. My experience and involvement with their various business entities has shown that the businesses are financially stable and valued contributors to the Seward community. The parties involved in this real estate transaction have invested thousands of dollars in appraisal & environmental reports,commissions and fees. Without a factual, substantiated basis on which the city council apparently made their decision, could result in costly litigation and set an unintended precedent for future entrepreneurs looking to do business in the Seward community. If you have any questions,please do not hesitate to contact me at(907) 646-6061 or email: d.clary@alaskausa.org. Sincerely, Pew- Don Clary Regional Vice President Alaska USA Federal Credit Union P.O.Box 196615 •Anchorage,Alaska 99519-6615 Phone(907)646-6670•(877)646-6670 outside Anchorage •(800)742-7084 TTY/Hearing Impaired• alaskausa.org . Alaska Small Business �ze Development Center SKI)(.. um BUSINESS ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE Q :" b � � o� January 10,202-3 City of Seward 410 Adams Street Seward,AK 99664 Dear Mayor and City Council, - I am providing this letter as a reference for our client, Elliott Jackson and ZPA,LLC,as well as a professional opinion on the city council's decision to deny ZPA the lease for the Breeze Inn. My experiences with Elliott Jackson as a client of the Alaska Small Business Development Center for the past five years have been positive. He has maintained a good standing throughout the time he has worked with the Alaska SBDC, completing client surveys and verifying milestones in a timely manner. During the COVID-19 pandemic,Mr. Jackson routinely shared information with me that he learned in privileged interactions with the SBA that I was able to share with other clients, in many cases other business owners in Seward,which helped them. I reviewed the recording of the public hearing that took place at city council on January 9,2023. I am concerned many of the public comments were based on hearsay or had little substance. The primary concern appeared to be that allowing ZPA, LLC to purchase the Breeze Inn would result in a monopoly situation. Kenai Peninsula Borough sales tax data from 2021 recorded the hospitality industry in Seward had 130 businesses report$39.4 million in total revenue. If ZPA, LLC were to purchase the Breeze Inn, it is not possible for it to form a monopoly. Another concern was that ZPA, LLC does not run businesses safely,which was not supported by facts from the DEC, city, or other authority. In order to get to this point,the parties involved in the real estate transaction have invested thousands of dollars in commissions and fees. I'm concerned this could open up the city to litigation and set a dangerous precedent for future entrepreneurs looking to do business in the Seward community. If you have any questions,please do not hesitate to contact me at(907)260-5643 or email cliff.cochran@aksbdc.org. Sincerely, Cliff Cochran,MBA Kenai Peninsula Center Director Alaska SBDC 6'www.AKSBDC.rag C 1901) 186 12n1 ALASKA SBDC CENTERS 01901 Faragaw Street, Suite 199,Anchorage,AK 9950$ Anchorage • Fairbanks • 3uneau • Kenai Peninsula • Ketchikan • Mat-Su Valley