The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About05032023 PACAB Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes May 3, 2023 Volume 4,Page 124 CALL TO ORDER The May 3, 2023 regular meeting of the Port and Commerce Advisory Board was called to order at 12:00 p.m.by Chair Bruce Jaffa. OPENING CEREMONY Bruce Jaffa led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Bruce Jaffa,presiding; and Lynda Paquette Carl Hughes Benjemin-Smith- Fred Woelkers Dwayne Atwood comprising a quorum of the Board; and Doug Schoessler,Public Works Director Tony Sieminski, Deputy Harbormaster Kris Peck, Deputy City Clerk Excused—None Absent—Smith Vacant—One CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING—None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Hughes/Paquette) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous Approval of March 8, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes. Approval of March 22,2023 Special Meeting Minutes. Approval of April 5,2023 Regular Meeting Minutes. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes May 3, 2023 Volume 4,Page 125 Proclamations&Awards—None Administration Report. Public Works Director Doug Schoessler summarized his written report in the packet. He noted the Seward census population of around 2,600 was not reflective of the number of summer visitors who added to the overall use of the sewage lagoons. Paquette wondered if the Chamber of Commerce could provide more detailed statistics on visitor numbers. Paquette asked if the Lowell Point Sewage Lagoon could be phased out in favor of a modern facility inside city limits. Schoessler concurred he would like to see that happen in the future. Paquette recalled the lagoon worked perfectly for 20 years until there was a change in aeration equipment and the lagoon had not behaved the same way since. If there wasn't adequate air circulation, the lagoon would freeze and smell badly. Atwood asked if the current sewage lagoon technology was considered modem. Schoessler responded the lagoon design was fairly common and acceptable by today's standards. Paquette noted the Lowell Point Sewage Lagoon was installed prior to all the houses that were built in the area. In other communities, the residents would not typically live so close to the sewage lagoon. Woelkers reported seeing large plumes in Resurrection Bay from the effluent that rose to the surface. Other Reports and Announcements Alaska Railroad Report. Port Operations Manager Dwayne Atwood summarized his written report in the packet. He handed out a business card with a QR code for updates on the Seward Passenger Dock. Hughes asked if the cruise ship numbers were expected to increase.Atwood responded the trend was to increase every year. He felt Seward's future looked very good and was not concerned about competition from Whittier or Anchorage. Paquette asked if a 5,000 passenger cruise ship would be able to dock in Seward. Atwood said quantum class vessels were not currently an option for Seward.A substantially larger terminal would be required to go along with the longer dock. Presentations —None NEW BUSINESS Resolutions City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes May 3, 2023 Volume 4,Page 126 Resolution 2023-003,A Resolution Of The Port And Commerce Advisory Board Of The City Of Seward,Alaska, Providing Input To City Council On The 2024 Legislative Priorities. Motion (Paquette/Hughes) Approval of Resolution 2023-003 Schoessler was impressed with the list of priorities PACAB formulated during their April 26, 2023 work session. He felt that was exactly the type of input that council needed from the board. Sieminski recommended combining the Z-Float extension with the construction of the new harbormaster office into one legislative priority in order to simplify the funding process. Motion to Amend (Jaffa/Paquette) Combine "Float extension project in the harbor for Z-float"and"Construction of a new harbormaster office" into one line item. Motion to Amend Passed Unanimous Main Motion Passed Unanimous INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS—None CITIZEN COMMENTS -None BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Atwood said it was a very good meeting and thanked the public works director for making a special appearance at the meeting. Atwood noted the real estate situation could be a prohibiting factor for a new sewage treatment plant inside city limits. Woelkers thanked administration for being on hand to answer questions. Hughes said he appreciated the administration for their information. Hughes was a firm believer in the development of the heat loop project. Hughes noted he would not be able to attend the joint work session on March 22,2023. Harbormaster Norm Regis (arrived at 1:18 p.m.) explained that combining the two harbor related items on the legislative priorities list would greatly simplify the funding process Paquette thanked everyone for the good meeting. She reminded the board that the May 22,2023 joint work session would require a quorum from PACAB. She thanked the public works department for all their recent efforts of clearing out rocks along Lowell Point Road. City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes May 3,2023 Volume 4,Page 127 Jaffa said he was proud to help residents of Seward through PACAB. There were a lot of projects on the verge of either great success or tragedy. He was fortunate to participate in a number of different groups and appreciated the civility and decorum of all the discussions.Courtesy within 111 disagreement was important to success. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:22 p.m. Kris Peck Bruce Jaffa -; Deputy City Clerk Chair (City Seal) st•ts �S E Ws',, • .•`'0,P 0 RQ SEAL • %c '•��'1E 1 .�'C,•',`c P g''#�q. E OF P'et %vs*