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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09182025 PACAB MinutesCity of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes September 18, 2025 Volume 4, Page 188 CALL TO ORDER The September 18, 2025, 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 Tony Sieminski led the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL There were present: Bruce Jaffa, presiding, and Dwayne Atwood Melissa Schutter Norm Regis Jesse Groom comprising a quorum of the Board; and Tony Sieminski, Harbormaster Jodi Kurtz, Deputy City Clerk Kristin Wise, Executive Assistant to Administration Excused — None Absent — None Vacant — Two CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT Phil Kaluza, inside city limits, advocated for heat pumps. He explained the use of heat pumps and his collection of reports and research on heat pumps. Taylor Crocker, inside city limits, gave updates on the Electric Department and the upcoming Town Hall Meeting, and the work that is going to be done on the Jeep Trail. Casie Warner, inside city limits, informed everyone on the upcoming Threads Summit regarding child care that it taking place in Anchorage. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Atwood/Regis) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Chair Jaffa requested to add Prepare Meeting Agenda to New Business for discussion. City of Seward, Alaska September 18, 2025 Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes Volume 4, Page 189 Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved as amended agenda and consent agenda items: Approval of the May 21, 2025 PACAB Meeting Minutes SPECIAL ORDERS, REPORTS AND PRESENTATION Proclamations and Awards - None City Administration Report Harbormaster Toni Sieminski welcomed Kristen Wise as the new Executive Assistant to the City Manager. Executive Assistant Kristin Wise summarized from the City Manager Report in the packet. Electric Operations Supervisor Taylor Crocker spoke on his trip to Cordova regarding the hydroelectric system and on the Green Spark Data Center and what it does to their excess hydro to help reduce the electric bills. He also spoke about traveling to Cordova, Alaska with co-worker James Unrein to accept the prestigious Hatcher Turkington Award. Other Reports and Announcements Alaska Railroad Report Seward Port Manager Dwayne Atwood announced the new Assistant Port Manager is Darcie Larson. He shared information on the cruise ship schedule and pipe ships. He also spoke to the demolition of the current cruise ship terminal and an upcoming farewell event. Chamber of Commerce Report Director of Chamber of Commerce Amanda Sweeting provided an overview on the Silver Salmon Derby which was dedicated to Dorothy Urbach. She announced that the chamber will be operating the Polar Bear Jump in 2026. Sweeting also provided updates on Small Business Week, The Destination Guide, winter hours, cruise ship statistics, and the housing market. Presentations — None UNFINISHED BUSINESS Discuss Heat Pump- Alaska Heat Smart Jaffa summarized from the packet and described Phil Kaluza's involvement. The board discussed incentives and eligibility for residents. 1 1 1 City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes September 18, 2025 Volume 4, Page 190 NEW BUSINESS Nominate Vice Chair Jaffa nominated Dwayne Atwood for Vice Chair. Motion (Jaffa/Groom) Motion Passed Coast Guard Update Approved Unanimous Sieminski updated the board on the Coast Guard project in Seward and the fast cutter Frederick Mann that was destined for Seward. He announced that housing for Coast Guard personnel is planned at the Hilltop Subdivision. He explained how the city remains well -positioned for future Coast Guard expansion. Harbor Uplands Development Sieminski summarized from the packet on the Harbor Uplands Development He provided information on the design plan and what the layout would be for parking. Meeting Agenda Jaffa spoke to all the valuable things this board can do. He encouraged everyone to come to the December meeting with ideas for the meeting agendas. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Reminder of Meetings Regular Meeting on October 15, 2025 Regular Meeting on November 19, 2025 Regular Meeting on December 17, 2025 BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Sieminski thanked Kristin Wise for preparing the packet. It was good to see all the familiar faces after the summer hiatus. Wise thanked the board for welcoming her and thanked Tony Sieminski and Ashleigh Lipsey for helping her prepare for this meeting. Groom stated it was nice to see everyone after the busy summer. City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes September 18, 2025 Volume 4, Page 191 Regis thanked Phil Kaluza for the information on heat pumps, and thanked Taylor Crocker for the updates on the electric and hydropower in Seward. He thanked the Chamber of Commerce for their report, and thanked Dwayne Atwood for being the Vice Chair. Schutter welcomed Kristin Wise and congratulated her on her new position She congratulated James Unrein for the award he won. She thanked Amanda Sweeting for her report on Chamber of Commerce. Atwood thanked Chair Jaffa. He thanked those that came and spoke at the meeting and looked forward to serving as the Vice Chair. Jaffa announced the upcoming fundraiser for Moose Pass Public Library. He noted Election Day was coming up in October and encouraged people to vote. Jaffa noted there were still two vacancies on PACAB. Kurtz updated the board on the early voting starting on Monday, September 22, 2025. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:49 p.m. l Jodi K tz Deputy City Clerk Bruce Jaffa Chair