HomeMy WebLinkAboutAM 2023-013 2024 Legislative Priorities City of Seward
Action Memorandum 2023-013
Meeting Date: September 11, 2023
To: City Council
From: Kat Sorensen, City Manager
Subject: Action Memorandum 2023-013: Approving the City of Seward 2024
Legislative Priorities and Congressionally Designated Spending List
Background and justification:
Each year, the City of Seward compiles a list of projects and relevant issues which are key
legislative priorities. The City Manager provides this list as a piece of legislation to the City
Council to approve those key priorities which the City would benefit from obtaining funding and
legislative support. In 2024, the legislative priorities list continues to be of primary importance,
given the ongoing likelihood of expansive federal infrastructure fund availability. The
comprehensive list is used in order to effectively interact with the City’s legislators and lobbyists.
Having this legislative priority list available prior to the beginning of the state legislative session
in January is valuable in order to engage in a meaningful manner with legislators early on in the
process. The legislative priorities for 2024 will also be used to generate the pamphlet which will
be provided to various entities during the course of visits to Juneau and Washington, DC.
City Council recommended including the following projects for the 2024 Legislative Priorities.
The top five on this list are key priorities for the Congressionally Designated Spending List and
denoted in bold :
• Continued Full Funding For The Construction And Maintenance Of The United
States Army Corp Of Engineers Lowell Tunnel Outfall Diversion Structure.
• Funding for the Construction Of A New Public Safety Facility, Including The Fire
Department And Police Department.
• Expansion Of Water/Sewer And Access Infrastructure Which Will Increase
Construction Of New Residential Development Throughout City Limits.
• Replacement Of Old Piping With New Ductile Iron Piping Throughout Seward.
• Funding For The Construction Of A New Public Works Facility
• Funding for the Construction Of A New Wastewater Treatment Facility.
• Full Funding Of The Alaska Department Of Corrections To Return To 100% Funding Of
The Operational Costs Associated With Operating The Seward Community Jail.
• Seward Marine Industrial Center Infrastructure
• Float Extension Project In The Harbor For Z Float.
• Funding for the Construction Of A New Harbormaster Office.
• Funding for the Completion Of The Heat Loop Project.
• Sidewalk Replacement and Refurbishment Throughout The City of Seward
During their review of the 2024 Legislative Priorities, the Port and Commerce Advisory Board
passed Resolution 2023-003, with a suggested list of priorities. Please see that attached list as
well.
In addition to the Legislative Priorities, Administration requests direction from City Council
on the 2024 Congressionally Designated Spending (“Earmarks”) list. We have been advised by
our Federal Lobbyist to select 3 to 5 key priority projects for this purpose.
Comprehensive and Strategic Plan Consistency Information
This legislation is consistent with (citation listed):
Comprehensive Plan: This list affects all aspects of the Comprehensive Plan and Strategic Plan
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: $
x Has no fiscal impact
Funds are ():
Budgeted Line item(s):
Not budgeted
x Not applicable
Fund Balance Information
Affected Fund ():
General SMIC Electric Wastewater
Boat Harbor Parking Water Healthcare
Motor Pool Other
Note: amounts are unaudited
Fund Balance/Net position – restricted $
Fund Balance/Net position – unrestricted/unassigned $
Available Unrestricted Cash Balance: $
Finance Director Signature:
Attorney Review
Yes Attorney Signature:
x Not applicable Comments:
Administration Recommendation
x Adopt AM
Other:
Disposition:
This action memorandum was postponed on August 28, 2023.
City Council approved this action memorandum on September 11, 2023 and included council’s list
of recommendations and key priorities.
-Kris Peck, City Clerk