HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES2024-040 Support KPB Joint 2024-001 Resolution1
Sponsored by: Sorensen
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2024-040
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, SIGNING ONTO JOINT RESOLUTION 2024-001 OF THE
ASSEMBLY OF THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH TO SUPPORT THE
CITY OF KENAI IN THEIR ENDEAVOR TO ESTABLISH DIRECT
FLIGHT SERVICE TO SEATTLE
WHEREAS, residents of the City of Seward must travel through Anchorage when
traveling by air outside of the state of Alaska; and
WHEREAS, the City of Seward is working towards getting local air service re-established
through Kenai; and
WHEREAS, the Cooper Landing Bypass will be finished in 2028, making the travel time
to Kenai significantly shorter than the travel time to Anchorage; and
WHEREAS, Joint Resolution 2024-001 supports the efforts of the of the City of Kenai to
apply for grant funding for the purpose of providing incentives aimed at direct air services from
the Kenai Municipal Airport to Seattle/Tacoma and the Lower 48.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA, that:
Section 1. The City Council hereby signs onto Joint Resolution 2024-001, supporting the
City of Kenai in their endeavor to establish non-stop air service to Seattle.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska this 22nd
day of July 2024.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
Sue McClure, Mayor
Osenga, Finch, Barnwell, Crites, Calhoon, Wells, McClure
None
None
None
Kris Peck, City Clerk
City Council Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: July 22, 2024
To: City Council
From: Kat Sorensen, City Manager
Subject: Resolution 2024-040: Signing onto Joint Resolution 2024-001 of the
Assembly of the Kenai Peninsula Borough to Support the City of Kenai in
Their Endeavor to Establish Direct Flight Service to Seattle
Background and justification:
The City of Kenai recently completed a feasibility study on direct flight service from Kenai to
Seattle which showed there is sufficient market demand for service. With the Cooper Landing
Bypass being completed in a few years, it would be a significantly shorter distance and time for
Seward residents to travel for air service if that were available. This Joint Resolution is in support
of the City of Kenai pursuing grant funding and other actions aimed at getting this air service
established.
Comprehensive and Strategic Plan Consistency Information
This legislation is consistent with (citation listed):
Comprehensive Plan: 2.2.12.5
Strategic Plan:
Other:
Certification of Funds
Total amount of funds listed in this legislation: $ 0
This legislation (✓):
Creates revenue in the amount of: $
Creates expenditure in amount of: $
Creates a savings in the amount of: $
Has no fiscal impact
x
Funds are (✓):
Budgeted Line item(s):
Not budgeted
Not applicable
Fund Balance Information
Affected Fund (✓):
General
Boat Harbor
Motor Pool
SMIC
Parking
Other
Electric
Water
Wastewater
Healthcare
Available Fund Balance
Note: amounts are unaudited
Finance Director Signature:
X
Yes
Attorney Signature:
Not applicable Comments:
Administration Recommendation
X
Adopt Resolution
Other:
CITY OF KENAI
CITY OF SOLDOTNA
CITY OF SEWARD
CITY OF HOMER
CITY OF SELDOVIA
CITY OF KACHEMAK
KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH
JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 2024-001
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCILS OF THE CITIES OF KENAI, SOLDOTNA, SEWARD,
HOMER, SELDOVIA, KACHEMAK RESPECTIVELY, AND THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KENAI
PENINSULA BOROUGH SUPPORTING THE CITY OF KENAI'S SMALL COMMUNITY AIR SERVICE
DEVELOPMENT GRANT PROPOSAL TO SUPPORT INCENTIVES AIMED AT DIRECT AIR SERVICE
FROM THE KENAI MUNICIPAL AIRPORT TO SEATTLE/TACOMA AND THE LOWER 48.
WHEREAS, Communities of the Kenai Peninsula are some of the most isolated in the country, separated
from Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport by distances ranging from 126.5 miles to as much as
226 miles; and,
WHEREAS, travel times range from two to as much as five hours in good weather conditions; and,
WHEREAS, the Kenai Mountains separate the population of the Peninsula from the rest of Alaska,
hampering potential economic growth; and,
WHEREAS, a recent study commissioned by the Kenai Municipal Airport shows that the passenger
market is large enough to support nonstop flights to Seattle/Tacoma with more than 800 passengers
driving between the Kenai area and Anchorage daily for flights; and,
WHEREAS, the study indicated the average one-way fare for passengers within the Kenai catchment
area is $389, well above the national average for air travel, and is likely suppressing travel to and from
the Kenai catchment area; and,
WHEREAS, the benefits from additional jet flights to Kenai are multifold including increased economic
development in the Kenai Peninsula, reduced traffic and congestion along Alaska Highway 1 and Sterling
Highway corridors and less dependence on Anchorage Ted Stevens International Airport.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH ASSEMBLY AND
THE COUNCILS OF THE CITY OF HOMER, KACHEMAK, KENAI, SELDOVIA, SEWARD AND
SOLDOTNA:
Section 1. That the City of Kenai and the Cities of Soldotna, Seward, Homer, Seldovia, Kachemak,
and the Kenai Peninsula Borough, respectively, support the City of Kenai and the Kenai Municipal
Airport's Small Community Air Service Development Grant proposal and the respective administrations
are authorized to execute letters of support or other necessary documentation in support of the City's
request for federal assistance to provide schedule air service from Kenai to Seattle/Tacoma and the lower
48.
Section 2. That this Resolution takes effect immediately upon adoption by the City Councils of the
City of Kenai, Soldotna, Seward, Homer, Seldovia, and Kachemak and the Kenai Peninsula Borough
Assembly.
Joint Resolution No. 2024-001
Page 2 of 3
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, THIS 3RD DAY OF JULY, 2024.
Brian Gabriel Sr., Mayor
ATTEST:
Michelle M. Saner, MMC, City Clerk
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOLDOTNA, ALASKA, THIS 10TH DAY OF JULY, 2024.
Paul J. Whitney, Mayor
ATTEST:
Johni Blankenship, MMC, City Clerk
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, THIS 22ND DAY OF JULY, 2024.
�Ltt.TQ �V\cl�C K
Sue McClure, Mayor
ATTEST:
Kris Peck, City Clerk
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF HOMER, ALASKA, THIS XXND DAY OF XXXX, 2024.
Ken Castner, Mayor
ATTEST:
Melissa Jacobsen, MMC, City Clerk
L
Joint Resolution No. 2024-001
Page 3 of 3
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SELDOVIA, ALASKA, THIS XXND DAY OF XXXX, 2024.
Jeremiah Campbell, Mayor
ATTEST:
Liz Diament, City Clerk
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KACHEMAK, ALASKA, THIS XXND DAY OF XXXX, 2024.
Connie Isenhour, Mayor
ATTEST:
Laurie Wallace, City Clerk
PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY OF THE KENAI PENINSULA BOROUGH, ALASKA, THIS XXND DAY OF
XXXX, 2024.
ATTEST:
Michele Turner, CMC, Borough Clerk
Brent Johnson, Assembly President