HomeMy WebLinkAbout01032024 PACAB Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
January 3, 2024 Volume 4, Page 140
CALL TO ORDER
The January 3, 2024, regular meeting of the Port and Commerce Advisory Board was
called to order at 12:00 p.m. by Chair Bruce Jaffa.
OPENING CEREMONY
Chair Bruce Jaffa led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.
ROLL CALL
There were present:
Bruce Jaffa, presiding, and
Benjamin Smith Dwayne Atwood
Tom *per Melissa Schutter
comprising a quorum of the Council; and
Jason Bickling, Assistant City Manager
Norm Regis, Harbormaster
Kris Peck, City Clerk
Jodi Kurtz, Deputy City Clerk
Excused—Miller
Absent—None
Vacant—Two
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT—None
APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
Motion (Atwood/Smith) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda
Motion Passed Unanimous
The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items:
Approve November 1, 2023, Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATION,AND REPORTS
Proclamations and Awards - None
City Administration Report
Assistant City Manager Jason Bickling referred to his report in the packet and spoke to
City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
January 3, 2024 Volume 4, Page 141
snow removal being a challenge. He thanked the Public Works Department for their hard work to
keep the streets plowed. Bickling noted the power outages that occurred over the holidays due to
the heavy snow.
Harbormaster Norm Regis said the harbor staff had been busy clearing snow off the
docks. Regis announced that the Polar Bear Jump Off Festival would be coming up in a couple
weeks and it would be his 30th one. Lastly, Regis provided an update on the Coast Guard land
acquisition.
Other Reports and Announcements
Alaska Railroad Report
Dwayne Atwood summarized his written report in the packet and provided information on
the incoming pipe-ships. He noted there would be an Alaska Railroad presentation at the second
council meeting in February.
Presentations - None
UNFINISHED BUSINESS -None
NEW BUSINESS
Resolutions - None
Other New Business
Select Chair and Vice Chair for 2024
Atwood nominated Bruce Jaffa as Chair. There were no other nominations.
Motion Select Bruce Jaffa as Chair for 2024
Motion Passed Unanimous
Atwood nominated Ben Smith as Vice Chair for 2024. There were no other nominations.
Motion Select Ben Smith as Vice Chair for 2024
Motion Passed Unanimous
Select 2024 Work Sessions and Regular Meeting Topics
•
PACAB discussed their 2024 schedule for work sessions and regular meetings.
City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes
January 3, 2024 Volume 4, Page 142
INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS
Regular Meeting on Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Other Items
Information on Fisheries 2023
Report on Impacts of Trawling by Jon Warrenchuk(This can also be viewed on the City of Seward
YouTube page from the City Council Meeting on December 18,2023)
CITIZEN COMMENTS—None
BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN
COMMENTS
Regis hoped for better weather in Seward for 2024.
Bickling was looking forward to getting more done this year.
Schutter had recently returned from traveling and was immediately busy shoveling snow.
She looked forward to 2024 and hoped for better weather this summer.
111 Atwood thanked the newly selected chair and vice chair for stepping up.He thanked former
Vice Chair for her service. Atwood hoped PACAB could play a role in certain aspects of the city's
Comprehensive Plan. He looked forward to the coming year and felt PACAB did a good job with
their discussion of 2024 meeting topics.
Smith thanked PACAB and City of Seward for sending him to the Alaska Municipal
League Conference in December 2023. He said the conference was an eye-opening and rewarding
experience. Smith would provide a more detailed AML report at the next PACAB meeting. Smith
felt that PACAB could help tackle complex issues about energy and the cost of living.
Jaffa noted it was a close call for quorum today. He thanked the board for their service
and contribution to the city. Jaffa thanked former Vice Chair Lynda Paquette for her years of
service on PACAB. On another topic,Jaffa noted the heavy snowfall had made for a challenging
holiday season in Moose Pass and in Seward. Jaffa wished everyone a Happy New Year.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 1:01 p.m.
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