HomeMy WebLinkAbout09062023 PACAB Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
September 6,2023 Volume 4,Page 128
CALL TO ORDER
The September 6, 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
Jaffa led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
Bruce Jaffa,presiding; and
Lynda Paquette Tom Miller
Benjamin Smith Fred WoellEers
Dwayne Atwood
comprising a quorum of the Board; and
Stephen Sowell, Assistant City Manager
Norm Regis, Harbormaster
Jodi Kurtz, Deputy City Clerk
Excused—Woelkers
Absent—None
Vacant—One
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED
FOR PUBLIC HEARING—None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Paquette/Smith) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Motion Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
Approval of May 3,2023,Regular Meeting Minutes
SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS
Proclamations & Awards—None
Administration Report
City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
September 6, 2023 Volume 4,Page 129
Harbormaster Norm Regis provided updated information on the vandalism at the harbor
restrooms. He estimated the repair cost had reached around $10,000 thus far. The next step was
getting timed locks on the restroom doors.
PACAB discussed the tsunami warning sirens.
Jaffa commented on the transition of outgoing Assistant City Manager Stephen Sowell and
the plan for his replacement. Regis responded that the city had just hired Jason Bickling as
Assistant City Manager. It would be an easy transition as Bickling had experience as the
Community Development Director.
Other Reports and Announcements
Jaffa said the Chamber of Commerce hoped to re-engage with PACAB at their meetings.
Alaska Railroad Report
Port Operations Manager Dwayne Atwood gave an update on cruise ship that was
undergoing repairs at the Seward dock. He provided updates on the pipe ships this fall and other
Alaska Railroad projects.
Presentations—None
UNFINISHED BUISNESS - None
NEW BUSINESS
Resolutions—None
Other New Business
Discuss Alaska Municipal League Attendance
Smith expressed interest in attending the AML conference this year. There was no
objection from the board.
Vessel and Property Tax
Regis explained that nothing had changed since the last PACAB review. Regis also
described future additions to the Z-Float and how the slips were designed for specific sizes of
boats.
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS—
Paquette suggested having a PACAB Work Session on tsunami siren warning systems on
City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
September 6, 2023 Volume 4, Page 130
September 20, 2023. Regis confirmed he would try to schedule guest speakers from the Kenai
Peninsula Borough emergency management.
CITIZEN COMMENTS—None
BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN
COMMENTS
Atwood appreciated the summer hiatus and was glad to be back with PACAB after break.
Smith thanked Regis and Sowell for their work in city administration. He was concerned
with the current tsunami warning system and maps. He was supportive of research moving forward
for viable sources of energy.
Paquette said she appreciated the break and it was good to get back to PACAB business.
She said farewell Sowell.
Peck introduced Jodi Kurtz as the new Deputy City Clerk.
Jaffa said he was always busy and he was glad to be back after the hiatus. He reminded
everyone there was one vacant seat on PACAB. He thanked Regis and Sowell for their exemplary
administrative service to the board.Jaffa noted that he would miss the September 20,2023 PACAB
Work Session.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 12:53 p.m.
Jodi urtz Bruce Jaffa
Deputy City Clerk Chair
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