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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10042023 PACAB Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes October 4, 2023 Volume 4, Page 131 CALL TO ORDER The October 4, 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 Harbormaster Norm Regis led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Bruce Jaffa,presiding; and Lynda Paquette Benjamin Smith Fred Woelkers Dwayne Atwood Tom Miller comprising a quorum of the Board; and Jason Bickling, Assistant City Manager Norm Regis, Harbormaster Jodi Kurtz, Deputy City Clerk Excused—None Absent—None Vacant—One CITIZEN COMMENTS -None APPROVAL OF AGENDA-AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Paquette pointed out two typos on the agenda in regard to spelling and the meeting time. Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of September 6, 2023 PACAB Regular Meeting Minutes SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Administration Report City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes October 4, 2023 Volume 4, Page 132 Assistant City Manager Jason Bickling summarized his written report in the packet which included updates on the Heat Loop Ad Hoc Committee. Jaffa noted that the Heat Loop Ad Hoc Committee would need to be renewed for 2024 by city council. PACAB discussed rescheduling their next regular work session to October 25,2023 due to the Alaska Day Holiday. Harbormaster Norm Regis summarized his written report in the packet. He noted there would be an upcoming presentation on trawling and the negative impacts of scraping the ocean floor. Police Chief Alan Nickell provided an update on the Seward Community Jail situation and the new process of transporting detainees to other facilities. Other Reports and Announcements Alaska Railroad Report. Port Operations Manager Dwayne Atwood summarized from his written report in the packet. Atwood noted the first cruise ship next year would arrive on April 22, 2024. Paquette wished the Chamber of Commerce would collaborate with local businesses to accommodate the cruise ship schedule by being open during the shoulder seasons of April and October. Jaffa asked if a Chamber of Commerce representative could provide regular reports to PACAB as they had done in the past. NEW BUSINESS Other New Business Discuss Seward Boat Harbor Plan 2023 Regis reviewed the harbor plan and noted the plan was valuable at conferences and for grants applicants. PACAB discussed how the harbor tracks boat launch activity. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS— Reminder of -Meetings Regular PACAB Meetingon November 1 2023. g City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes October 4, 2023 Volume 4, Page 133 BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Miller said the harbor looked amazing and noted how much it has been improved. Woelkers noted he was involved in litigation in regard to the election that just took place. He wondered if it would affect his status as a PACAB member. Atwood agreed that more could be done to accommodate visitors during the shoulder seasons in April and October. Smith agreed that the Seward had a first-rate boat harbor and congratulated the harbor staff for their efforts. Regis recalled his trip to Ketchikan last week and said the businesses there opened when the cruise ships arrived and locked up as soon as they left. Regis noted the Seward Boat Harbor had made a lot of progress over the years to become what it is today. Paquette noted the Northeast Boat Launch Ramp was very nice. She was happy to see a new PACAB applicant and hoped for a full board at the next meeting. Jaffa said city harbor department had a great staff and complimented Regis on his leadership.On another topic,Jaffa was disappointed by the overall disjointed operation of the road construction this summer on the Seward Highway. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 12:54 p.m. J 1(90.88No ( Bruce Jaffa D .ydiR t., Chair I al) rho O . r • ' � SEAL = �% OF A`r;•`s�.