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Home My WebLink About04152026 PACAB Packet1963 1965 2005 kintual All-Amenca City 1 I I.. The City of Seward, Alaska PORT AND COMMERCE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING AGENDA City Council Chambers, 410 Adams Street Please silence all cell phones and devices during the meeting Chair Bruce Jaffa Vice Chair Dwayne Atwood Board Member Melissa Schutter Board Member Jesse Groom Board Member Norm Regis Board Member Darian Draper Board Member Deborah Altermatt Harbormaster Tony Sieminski City Clerk Kris Peck April 15, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. ROLL CALL 4. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT (Those who have signed in will be given the first opportunity to speak. Time is limited to 3 minutes per speaker and 36 minutes total time for this agenda item.) 5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA (Approval of Consent Agenda passes all routine items (marked with *) listed in this section. Consent Agenda items are not considered separately unless a board member requests. In the event of such a request, the item is returned to the Regular Agenda) A. Minutes of Preceding Meeting 1)* Approve March 18, 2026 Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes B. Resolutions 1)* Resolution 2026-None C. Other Items 6. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND REPORTS A. Proclamations and Awards 1) Proclamation- None B. City Manager Report Page 3 C. Other Reports and Announcements 1) Alaska Railroad Report Page 19 2) Seward Chamber of Commerce Report 3) Copper River Seafood Report Page 23 Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Agenda April 15, 2026 11Page 1 D. Presentations (Presentations are limited to ten minutes each, excluding Q&A, and are limited to two per meeting unless increased by the board.) 1) Presentation- Commercial Fishing 7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Resolutions 1) Resolution 2026-None B. Other Items 1) Discuss 8. NEW BUSINESS A. Resolutions 1) Resolution 2026- None B. Other New Business 1) Discuss SMIC 2) Discuss July Term Expiration Dates Page 25 9. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No action required.) A. Reminder of Meetings 1) Regular Meeting on May 20, 2026 Page 26 B. Other Items 10. CITIZEN COMMENTS (There is no sign in for this comment period. Time is limited to five (5) minutes per speaker.) 11. BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS AND RESPONSES TO CITIZEN COMMENTS 12. ADJOURNMENT Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Agenda April 15, 2026 21Page 2 City Manager Report Administration I recently traveled to Juneau for the City's annual state legislative visit, joined by Councilmember Barnwell. Over the course of our visit, we met with Seward's own Representative Louise Stutes and Senator Gary Stevens. We were glad to have the opportunity to visit with Senator Stevens, who has announced he will be retiring at the end of the current session. We also met with Senator Bjorkman and Representative Elam, who represent the Bear Creek district. Each of these meetings provided an opportunity to discuss Seward's legislative priorities and to strengthen our relationships at the state level. We also had a productive meeting with the Alaska Department of Transportation regarding projects of importance to our community. Overall, it was a valuable and productive visit. I then traveled to Sitka for the 2026 Northwest Managers Conference, hosted by the Alaska Municipal Management Association (AMMA) at Harrigan Centennial Hall from March 30 through April 2. 1 had served on the planning committee for this conference, and it was great to see the culmination of the team's work in such a great conference, which brought together city, borough, and county managers and administrators from Alaska, Washington, and Oregon. The event opened Monday evening with a reception featuring a performance by the Gajaa Heen Dancers, a beautiful and memorable welcome to Sitka. We were lucky to have great weather, and a ton of whale sightings! Sessions covered a broad range of topics relevant to municipal leadership, including HR strategy, emergency management, housing and zoning reform, and balancing tourism growth with local community needs. I had the opportunity to moderate the session on Al governance frameworks, which featured representatives from the City and Borough of Juneau and the Municipality of Anchorage sharing their approaches to responsible municipal AI use. It was a valuable opportunity to connect with peers from across the region and bring back ideas applicable to Seward. After all that travel, it is great to be back in Seward with spring in the air. Shortly after returning, I had the pleasure of meeting with Deborah Berini, the newly appointed Chief Executive of Providence Alaska, along with our local Providence executive Helena Jagielski. It was a wonderful introduction, and 1 look forward to building a strong working relationship as Deborah settles into her new role. 3 I also had the pleasure of attending the Seward Chamber Community Awards, a great opportunity to celebrate the many individuals and organizations that make Seward such a special place. Also, the NOFO (Notice of Funding Opportunity) for the PIDP (Port Infrastructure Development Program) Grant has been finally released and is due in late June. We will be working with R&M and Solstice AK to submit an application for the North Harbor Paving and Upgrades Project. Finance Department As required by the Seward Municipal Code 6.05.010, the following purchase orders between $5,000 and $30,000 has been approved by the City Manager since the last council meeting: Department Date Vendor Description Amount LIBRARY 3/18/2026 RGC ALASKA LLC Entrance door repairs. 10,000.00 ROADS AND STREETS 3/18/2026 METCO ALASKA LLC FY26 OPEN PURCHASE ORDER Januarythru December for operating supplies,maintenance, repair, tool items and freight to be charged to appropriate departments upon payment. Amounts NOT TO EXCEED $5,000 per invoice will be covered under this purchase order. 10,000.00 ELECTRIC GENERAL 4/01/2026 CRW ENGINEERING GROUP LLC WORK ORDER #4299 - OHUG RAILROAD YARD - ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING SERVICES 12,515.00 ELECTRICADMIN 3/17/2026 WRITTEN IN RED CORP Safety Training for Linemen 14,487.56 ELECTRIC GENERAL 4/01/2026 CRW ENGINEERING GROUP LLC WORK ORDER #4298 - OHUG HATCHERY TO WATERFALL - ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING SERVICES 15,915.00 MIS 3/24/2026 SW INTERNATIONAL CORP Veeam Backup and Recovery software, and Veeam Cloud storage target 3 yr license renewal 18,448.92 PARKING 3/18/2026 T2 SYSTEMS INC FY26 OPEN PURCHASE ORDER January through December for operating supplies, maintenance, repair, tool items, and freight to be charged to the appropriate departments upon payment. Amounts NOT TO EXCEED $5,000 per invoice will be covered under this purchase order. 1 ,523.00 SEWER 3/23/2026 ALASKA GARDEN AND PET SUPPLY INC FY26 OPEN PURCHASE ORDER January thru December for operating supplies, maintenance, repair -SOLUBLE CALCIUM NITRATE .Amounts NOT TO EXCEED $5,000 per invoice will be covered under this purchase order. 21,000.00 ELECTRIC ADMIN 3/18/2026 MARCH COUNSEL LLC PO for $25,003 for"March Counsel LLC- This will cover the Legal Counsel for our Godwin/4th of July Creek Hydro Electric FERC application process. 25.000.00 Human Resources Electric Operations Supervisor, Taylor Crocker and HR Manager, Ashleigh Lipsey attended the AVTEC Job Fair on Thursday, April 2. The job fair was well -attended and a great opportunity to connect with students and other local job seekers. 4 Police Department Police Department Statistics YTD* PATROL Written Reports: 59 Criminal Charges: 22 Minor Offense Citations: 126 Motor Vehicle Accidents: 4 DISPATCH Event/Incident/Service Calls: 1057 911 Calls: 105 ANIMAL CONTROL Complaints:12 Impounds:11 Surrenders: 4 Dogs, 35 Cats Visitors: 524 Trial Adoptions: 2 Dogs Fosters: 3 Dogs/ 5 cat/ 6 Kittens Shelter Population: 1 Dog/ 20/ Kittens Sent to Rescue: 2 Cats, 3 Dogs Community Assist: 28 DMV Driver License and Identification Cards: 333 Motor Vehicle Registrations: 436 Boat Registrations: 6 Road Tests: 20 GENERAL INFORMATION POLICE Patrol Officer attended Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) Training. Officers participated in Q&A in Back to Your Roots Class hosted by the Seward Middle School. Officers and Staff participated in SHS Career Days/Career Fair hosted by the Seward High School. Hiring Progress —Accepting applications for Patrol Officer Positions. 5 2 Conditional Offers of Employment issued and excepted, applicants are in background investigation phase of hiring process. 1 applicant interview scheduled. 1 inquiry by interested person. DISPATCH Public Safety Dispatcher Nishimoto successfully completed 911 Dispatcher Communication Training Program. National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 12t"-18111, 2026 Public Service/Safety Annoucement Reported email/internet fraud report on the rise across the nation and even here in Seward. Please contact the Internet Crime Complaint Center(IC3) at https://www.ic3.gov/ to file a report. For further information please review IC3'24 Report at https://www.ic3.gov/AnnualReport/Reports/2024_IC3Report.pdf DMV Public Service/Safety Announcement SCAM ALERT: FRAUDULENT TEXT MESSAGES — The DMV is alerting the public about fraudulent text messages claiming to originate from the Alaska DMV. These scams texts are in no way connected to the official Alaska DMV and should be disregarded. DMV does not request payments or sensitive personal information via text message. Residents are urged to avoid responding in any way to these fraudulent messages. For more information, visit the official Alaska DMV website at www.dmv.alaska.gov . Seward Animal Shelter We are having our next Soldotna Animal Hospital clinic on April 15 9-5 The student reading program will be on Wednesday this month with 16 first graders Avtec students came 3 times this month to walk dogs and socialize cats We are planning a spay neuter clinic with SPCA for the end of next month Public Works Finally, spring is in the air. Even with a few late snow days, the extra daylight and warmer temperatures are a welcome change. Multiple projects are underway at Public Works, especially with the Water Department. These projects will be under construction soon and most will be completed this year. 6 Be aware there will be some traffic detours in various locations in town throughout the summer. We will work to give notice and good signage as needed during construction. Just because the temps are warming, don't shut off your water stream yet. As the ground surface warms and thaws out the frost goes down further and freezes more service lines. We suggest you continue to run an 1/8" stream until May. The Public Works Dept. has been working on more of the same type of spring tasks each week with the different weather conditions. Frozen culverts and storm drains are still a problem as the temperatures change. The city water mains are flowing but many people have reported frozen pipes and they have had to call pipe thawing companies to unfreeze the pipes. The Water Dept locates the curb stop for the thawing company to hook their welder on to. Many of these curb stops valves are buried under gravel or dirt and we jack hammer that material off the top just to access the valve. The Seward area continues to have multiple freeze ups on private water service lines. To keep your water pipe from freezing, keep a small stream of cold water running in the sink. Preferably on the lowest floor of the house. A stream of about 1/8" or more is needed to help avoid freezing pipes. Parks and Recreation Sports & Recreation: Sat, April 3rd we hosted the Annual Kids Egg Hunt at the Forest Acres Campground - which was a huge success! The monthly Kids Night was Held Sat, April 11 th at the AVTEC Gym. Tony's Volleyball Tournament is coming up April 17 -19. Starting with the opening ceremony at Tony's Friday night from 7 to 9pm. 20 teams from around the State are coming to compete in this expanding and widely popular tournament. Games will be played at the High School, Middle School and AVTEC Gyms. Join us for some competitive, high-energy Volleyball! April 25th Sports and Rec will be hosting our 5th Annual kite festival 11 am to 3pm at the Wellington picnic area and Marathon Campground. Come join us for music, games, colorful kites, vendors and fun! Sat, May 2nd will be our Pink Cheeks Triathlon starting 10am at the High School. Volunteers needed for traffic control, lap counting, race set up and finish line help... please visit Seward Sports and Recreation: Pink Cheeks Volunteer to sign up for a slot. Sat, May 9th is the Bike Rodeo at City Hall from 10 to noon. And Super Saturday cleanup/competition will also be held from 10 to 4pm that day. Pick up bags from the AVTEC Gym. The following weekend Sat, May 16th is the Famous Exit Glacier 5K/ 10K Run. Go to Exit Glacier 5k/10k too sign up today! Teen Rec Room: The second half of March has brought the weather that we have been waiting for, and the kids of the Teen Rec Room are taking advantage of it! Over the past two weeks, the weather has warmed up, the sun has been shining, and much like the sprouts popping out of the dark for the first light of spring, so are the Teens. Our outdoor space is getting so much use, we almost feel like we should change our name to the Teen Court. Here at the Teen Room, we like making sure the kids learn new things here and there. Well, the staff at the Teen Room also learns some lessons here and there. Last week, we planted our second batch of seed starts and well... We learned that plants need nurturing, even on weekends. The Teens came to the rescue and now batch three is looking much better. Last week, we hosted our first Monthly Birthday Bash. We have a lot of teens here at the Rec Room, and we want to make sure we are celebrating everyone. To accommodate everyone, we do a small birthday party at the end of the month for anyone who had a birthday during that month. Over the past two months, we have seen 105 scans into the teen room, with 160 hours of use. Campgrounds: Prepping for Campground opening April 15th Hiring seasonal Campground staff Working on Shower house and restroom improvements 8 Park Maintenance: Indoor Projects — Refurbishing picnic tables / signs / garbage cans / benches Fashioning Dog Park Equipment. Ordered fencing material and will start project as soon as the ground thaws. Prepping gardens, fertilizing fields and seeding park areas. Helping with Campgrounds with setting up operations. Getting started on Kawabe Park and Branson Pavilion improvements. Admin: Will host our 2nd SPRD Town Hall Meeting Wed, April 15th from 5 to 7pm at the Rae Building. Working on an RFP for the Boardwalk replacement. Working on the AVTEC contract for FY'26 — '28 Collaborating with the scouts who are coming down for a Camporee. We will accommodate them at the Forest Acres Campground in exchange for volunteerism at the 2 Lakes trail and ballfields. 150 scouts are expected to come to Seward May 29 — 31 st Parking: Parking Passes are now available. Go to www.cityofseward.us to purchase for the Summer season. Parking enforcement begins May 1st Working on operating plan for Summer staff Planning on full time staffing the Parking shack this summer alleviate foot traffic and questions directed to the Harbor office and City Hall Updating Parking fees on website, pay stations and lot signs. Updating software for the Parking pay stations Electric Department Alaska Power Association Conference Four Electric Department employees attended the Alaska Power Association Conference in Anchorage on March 25-26. The conference featured presenters from across the country and provided valuable insight into industry best practices. Per capita, Seward had one of the strongest employee turnouts among attending utilities. The Department places the highest priority on employee safety, and participation in events like this supports our ongoing commitment to strengthening and evolving our safety culture. 9 Nash Road Transmission Rebuild Construction continues to progress on the Nash Road Transmission Rebuild project. Sturgeon Electric Company crews are making strong headway, supported by the City's dedicated Line Foreman. We appreciate the public's patience during this work. Motorists traveling along Nash Road are asked to remain alert and prioritize crew safety while passing through the construction zone. The Department continues to work diligently to minimize service interruptions throughout the project. Apprentice Lineman Recruitment The Electric Department's local hire apprentice lineman position remains open through April 16. On March 31, staff hosted a Question and Answer session at the Seward Community Library to support local applicants, particularly young individuals interested in pursuing a career in linework, and to assist with the application process. Library & Museum Library and Museum Hours (May 1 - September 30) Library Hours Monday— Friday: 10:00 AM — 6:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM — 5:00 PM Museum Hours Tuesday — Friday: 10:00 AM — 6:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM — 5:00 PM Sunday: 1:00 PM —4:30 PM Museum: March 14— Hosted a wonderful Genealogy Workshop! We'd like to thank Anchorage Genealogical Society for hosting and sending their best genealogists to share with us tips and tricks for how to start your family tree! Resurrection Bay Historical Society hosted their annual Earthquake Memorial Event last Thursday. With a full house, people shared their memories of that horrific day in 1964 and others shared stories of their own personal experiences with earthquakes. In addition, we watched the 1990 interview with Donna Kowalski. 10 Two new Museum Curators!!! The museum team would like to extend a big thank you to Public Works for assisting with the moving of a few museum objects. They are now trained in object handling and now know about some early Alaskan Aviation! Library Updates: Seward Community Library & Museum Volunteer Appreciation Event April 30, 5-6 PM in the SCLM Community Room Join us as we come together to celebrate the incredible volunteers who have given their time, energy, and heart to the Seward Community Library & Museum over the past year. This catered event is our way of saying thank you to the people who keep our doors open, our programs thriving, and our community connected. Throughout the year, our volunteers have welcomed visitors, supported events, preserved local history, inspired young readers, and strengthened the spirit of learning and discovery that defines our library and museum. Their generosity makes a lasting impact on everyone who walks through our doors. At this special gathering, we'll share a meal, reflect on the accomplishments of the past year, and honor the individuals whose dedication helps our library and museum flourish. It's a moment to celebrate community, connection, and the power of volunteer service. We look forward to expressing our gratitude and celebrating all that you make possible. Digital Literacy Workshops (Wed 1:30-3:30 PM @ Senior Center): April 8 - iPhone Basics Get comfortable using your iPhone or iPad! Learn how to navigate settings, manage apps, adjust accessibility features, and make the most of your device's built-in tools. April 15 - Internet Basics Learn about web browsers and search engines, build skills to navigate the internet, and discover tips and tricks for basic and advanced searching online. April 22 — Intro to 'My Active Center' Program Sign -Ups @ Your Senior Center Learn how to navigate the "My Active Center" platform, including creating an account, registering for events, and printing your activity schedule. This introductory session will help you feel confident using your Senior Center's online tools. April 29 - Android Basics Get comfortable using your Android devices! Learn how to navigate settings, manage apps, adjust accessibility features, and make the most of your device's built-in tools. Scrapbooking Social — April 16' 4pm-5:30pm Looking fora cozy, creative way to spend an afternoon? Join us fora laid-back 11 Scrapbooking Social where the focus is simple: bring your photos, dive into the supplies, and enjoy making something meaningful alongside others. Documentary Film Series: The Librarians — April 23rd 6:OOpm & April 25th 2pm When lawmakers seek to review a list of books, librarians find themselves on the frontlines of a national battle. Across the U.S., librarians face the impact of uniting against library collection standards that include restrictions on race -related and LGBTQIA+ content. Drawing on historical context, The Librarians explores the broader implications for education and public life. The Librarians I Book Policies Documentary I Independent Lens Continued Ongoing Events Lego Lounge I Mondays' 3-4pm Tech Tutoring I Tuesdays 1 2-4pm Play and Chat I Thursdays 110:30-11:45 Storytime I Fridays 1 12:30pm Seward High School's Career Day Library staff attended Seward High School's Career Day on March 25 to talk with students about careers in libraries, education, and public service. They answered questions about working in a library and the different types of jobs and skills involved. The event was a great way for the library to support and connect with local students as they explore future careers. Mapping the Future: Libraries in Changing Times Library Conference Library and Museum Director Jolanta Ryan attended the Alaska Library Association Conference and a DirLead (library directors) meeting in Sitka in late March. The conference, Mapping the Future: Libraries in Changing Times, focused on how libraries are adapting to technology and changing community needs, with sessions on topics such as Al, 3D printing, and collections, and also provided opportunities to collaborate with librarians from across the state. The trip also included a visit to the Sitka Public Library to see their Seed Bank, which is similar to a seed bank the Seward Library is planning to start in the coming month. 12 Seward Harbor/SMIC A reminder to check your vessel(s) regularly. No major incidents have been reported beyond those. Status on leases/Permits - AT&T lease renewal —first draft is still under their review, Jag lease extension is still under their review. One other new lease within SMIC area is being discussed and they are navigating the permitting/paperwork needed to move forward. The 300-ton Travelift saw 13 lifts for the month of March The Uplands bathroom sewer line froze and that facility will be closed until further notice. We will be monitoring that situation on a regular basis and will be open as soon as we can. The new 50-ton Travelift has been shipped and scheduled to be here the week of the April 20th. We will still be doing lifts that week while we put assemble the new machine and disassemble the old machine but on a limited basis. Scheduling for North Dock has been active and looks like a very busy summer for that facility. Community Development Community Development Planning and Zoning Commission The Commission held a regular meeting on Tuesday, April 7. One public hearing was held on the following item: Resolution 2026-003 of the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seward, Alaska, granting a conditional use permit to Robert Williams and Travis Maurer for the construction of a seventeen -unit multi -family residential structure, including approval of a building height of up to forty-eight (48) feet, on Tract 5B-2, Forest Acres Subdivision, Seward Gateway Properties, located at 2405 Seward Highway, within an Auto Commercial (AC) zoning district. The outcome was unknown at the time of writing this report. 13 The Commission also selected a Chair and Vice -Chair for the upcoming year. Comprehensive Plan As part of ongoing comprehensive plan outreach, staff met with and interviewed representatives from the Alaska SeaLife Center, Rotary Club, and Clinical Collaborative Group. GIS In partnership with the Seward Arts Council and Seward Mural Society, a City of Seward Mural Story Map was created and published on the City's GIS Portal. Link: Seward, Alaska Mural Tour Staff Activities & Partnerships A tour of the Spring Creek Correctional Center facility was conducted. The department participated in the monthly Seward Prevention Coalition meeting, attended a Rotary Club luncheon, and took part in a childcare focus group facilitated by HYPER. A meeting was held with members of the Seward Arts Council to discuss grant and partnership opportunities for a dedicated performing arts space. Staff joined an initial group discussion facilitated by Council Member Warner regarding the potential development of pre -approved Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) plans to streamline housing development. Training was completed on the new Public Records Request process. Other The Kenai Peninsula Borough currently has an opening on the Borough Planning Commission. Residents interested in serving are encouraged to apply. The Planning Commission plays an important role in reviewing land use applications, subdivisions, and zoning matters, and in making recommendations to the Borough Assembly. More information and application materials are available on the Borough's website: https://www.kpb.us/local-governance-and-permitting/leadership-governance/planning- commission/planning-commission-application 14 Fire Department Emergency Responses for the Year 2026: 102 Fire and Life Safety Inspections 2026: 96 Fire & Life Safety Code Violations 2026: 51 Building permits YTD: 10 with a valuation of $792,760 On March 25th we were dispatched to the freight dock for a person who "fell". Upon arrival, crews found the 62-year-old male in cardiac arrest and began high-performance CPR and delivered a shock. After 4 rounds of CPR the patient regained a pulse and breathing. The patient ended up at Providence Anchorage and after open heart surgery is expected to make a full recovery! Kudos to our team: Lt Woodard, Firefighters W. &J. Rogers, Lyons, Harrington, and FM Mallory. Also, thanks to the Longshoremen who assisted us in moving the patient with their equipment. Congratulations to Katrina Rix and Anna Milligan for passing their AEMT (Advanced EMT) testing! We provided First Aid to the Native Youth Olympic Games 4/3-4/5. 15 �r,oRA *� ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION NATIONAL OCEANIC AND `II TELL Sl�%TCS DE PAR TMENT o COh1MC RC C Contact: Aviva Braun 907-266-5117 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 13, 2026 Seward Renews its National Weather Service TsunamiReady and StormReady Community Certification National Weather Service officials have recognized Seward as a newly recertified TsunamiReady® and StormReady® Community. The TsunamiReady program helps community leaders and residents better prepare for tsunami impacts and flooding, whereas the StormReady program helps communities develop plans to handle all types of extreme weather —from strong winds to winter storms. TsunamiReady and StormReady communities have made a strong commitment to implement the infrastructure and systems needed to save lives and protect property when tsunamis occur and to protect communities from the onslaught of severe weather through advanced planning, education and awareness. Both TsunamiReady and StormReady certification are voluntary community recognition programs that promote hazard preparedness as an active collaboration among federal, state/territorial and local emergency management agencies, community leaders and the public. The main goal of the program is to improve public safety before, during and after tsunami and weather- related emergencies. Established in 2001 and 1999 respectively, TsunamiReady and StormReady certification helps communities minimize the risks through better risk assessment, planning, education and warning communications. To be recognized as TsunamiReady and StormReady, a community must maintain a 24-hour warning point and support emergency operations center operations; define tsunami hazard zones, produce evacuation maps and install evacuation route signs; support ongoing and sustained public education and outreach, including to schools in tsunami hazard zones; support more than one way of receiving warnings and alerting the public; and develop a formal emergency operations plan and hold annual exercises. Both recognition programs are valid for four years and can be renewed. NOAA's National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. The National Weather Service operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy. Working with partners, the National Weather Service is building a Weather -Ready Nation to support community resilience in the face of increasing vulnerability to extreme weather. Visit us online at weather.gov and on social media platforms including Facebook and Twitter. ### TsunamiReady® and StormReady° are registered trademark used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 16 March 13, 2026 Chief Clinton Crites PO Box 167 Seward, AK 99664 Dear Chief Crites, orm NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICEI teady TUiThThiRead NATIONAL %WEATHER SERVICE On behalf of the TsunamiReady and StormReady Advisory Board, I would like to congratulate you on Seward's TsunamiReady and StormReady recognition. This success is clearly a result of your continued vision, leadership, hard work and commitment to the citizens of Seward. The citizens should take great pride and comfort in having achieved this status. Seward's current TsunamiReady and StormReady recognition is valid for four years. The recognition will expire in 2030. I recommend Seward apply for renewed recognition at least six months prior to that date. As a TsunamiReady and StormReady community, Seward is authorized to use both the TsunamiReady and StormReady logos in official letterheads, brochures, or other suitable documents. You can find a digital copy of these logos attached to the email with your signed applications. If you use the logos in any way, please send the National Weather Service a copy or description of how it was used. The TsunamiReady and StormReady Community logos are trademarked and subject to certain restrictions, which require the National Weather Service to monitor its use. You are also authorized to purchase additional TsunamiReady and StormReady Community signs if you choose. Signs can be purchased for about $40 each from Oklahoma Correctional Industries by calling 405-962-7007. Finally, if Seward participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, it is eligible for additional ISO community rating system points. I recommend the TsunamiReady and StormReady Community information be supplied to appropriate officials during the next ISO rating, if appropriate. Congratulations again, on this achievement. The National Weather Service is proud to have you as a part of the growing TsunamiReady and StormReady family! Visit the TsunamiReady or StormReady Websites to see Seward on the map and read the latest information. Sincerely, Cam, Braun Aviva Braun Noelle Runyan Warning Coordination Meteorologist Meteorologist in Charge 17 tztl O 8 iOR CrQ CA Hrill n o., ,� o ._. � . Cip F fl:' 4 al. oi "ID: t " rm. Ott rD CD o rtrD rai ›, ;:4 a) ke° PA % co 'Ci CD (4 �+ 0£0Z 9ZO :piIPA n O o 1--1.Ciiiiilli o a) 18 oi a ° CD p 4 nNrDlizi O ocal n, OJ oi W Till* Til� O. °I < rD Crct mrm. c4 cn 18 Anchorage, Alaska Weather Forecast Office 3311nzas eau}yarn W"°!N ALASKA RAILROAD Port Activity Update April 15, 2026 THE ALASKA RAILROAD'S MISSION -- Through excellent customer service and sound business management practices, provide safe, efficient, and economical transportation and real estate services that support and grow economic development opportunities for the State of Alaska. Port Traffic • The 2026 cruise ship schedule now includes 63 ships and 84 ship days. The first ship, the Silver Moon, is due on May 14. The last ship of the season is the Viking Orion on September 30. • A second SeaTac Marine cargo barge arrived for a two-day offload on March 25-26, discharging more than 6,000 tons of Spenard Builders Supply materials. • The port saw more than 150 non -cruise dockings during 2025, and the current winter traffic is largely Samson break -bulk barges and Shoreside fuel shipments. Port Capital Projects • The cruise dock and terminal building replacement continues to move forward, and multiple work barges are staged within the dock basin for final demolition and new piling installation. The construction of the terminal building is nearing completion -- framing and wall panel installation is complete, and crews are finishing interior drywall, flooring and painting. More information about the $137 million project is available at: https://sewardcompany.com • The freight dock extension project (Phase 1) and industrial road are still on schedule. The sheet pile installation and fill work for the 400-foot extension is scheduled for May through September 2027. Most of the cost will be met by a $19.8 million Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grant, with $5 million in ARRC matching funds and a gravel contribution by the City of Seward. More than 70,000 cubic yards of project fill has been stockpiled, and final plans are under review. • The Alaska Railroad is currently seeking additional federal funding for widening and dredging at the freight dock — described as Phases 2, 3 and 4 in the Port of Seward Capacity and Resiliency Project. Phases 2 and 3 will require an estimated $8.5 million. The dredging, Phase 4, will require more funding. Dwayne Atwood, Accredited Maritime Port Executive Seward Port Manager 907-265-2696 office 1907-362-6038 mobile mailing: PO Box 95, Seward, AK 99664 physical: 913 Port Avenue 19 Feb. 23 2026 T-JASKA RAILROAD Port of Seward Capacity and Resiliency Project The Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) Seward Marine assets include three operating terminals: Material Loading Facility, Passenger Terminal, and Freight Dock Cargo Terminal. ARRC is advancing the Seward Freight Dock Expansion and Corridor Improvements "Expansion" Project which includes the lengthening (Phase 1), widening (Phase 2 & 3), and dredging (Phase 4) of the Freight Dock, and the construction of Freight Dock Road. Project Scope The Port of Seward Capacity and Resiliency Project incorporates Phases 2 and 3 of the Freight Dock Expansion, which will widen the dock from 200 to approximately 300 feet along its entire length. Occurring entirely within ARRC's land reserves, expansion will improve freight intermodal operations (ship -to -train, ship - to -truck or ship -to -barge). This widening project will increase terminal capacity, improve loading and unloading efficiency, reduce ship delays and enhance safety. Project Purpose Project goals include: Improve safe and efficient use of the dock. Support separation of freight and passenger operations. Improve efficiency for staging, transloading and loading/offloading ships. Improve National Military and Security Preparedness. Expand terminal and vessel service to accommodate growing freight cargo. Expand Alaska's Maritime Resiliency. Improve essential transportation services to Alaska's rural communities. Project Background Constructed between 2000 and 2002, the Freight Dock was originally 200 feet wide by 620 feet long with a riprap and armor rock fill slope on the east side. ARRC widened a section of the dock from 200 feet to 320 feet in 2017. In 2017, ARRC completed an extensive Seward Marine Terminal Master Plan, supported by three studies, including Passenger Traffic, Freight Traffic v Seward Freighf Dock with Passenger Dock in the background. 20 PROJECT FACTS ALASKA RAILROAD C X :i 1:: �i9 �• `LTA FXIN I INIG NCH MAK I LIGHT, TYP XIS I Nfi KA11. 111116E WKI1 NN(i FXISTNG DOCK 1AREA1I EDGE OF ARMOR ROCK APRON. TYP NEW a SAL VAGCD ARMOR ROCK. TYP r C XI%INN,-N1 NiNI !NH K S FUTURE WIDENING EXISTING DOCK (AREA 31 CAI VAIR- IXL%I RN: ARMOR ROCK AT FNC DI INX:K AND WFSI SLOPE OF GROIN • - 51 NEW ILIA MAST LJ If. TYP FUTURE SALVAGE I XI%IIMI: (:NOW. WEST SI OPF OF TO RFMAN GROIN Ii MIST aIL aMEW ' 1 1 1 __y+__.'W`_ m- ♦-��-AG-�V�W� � 1.-1 � � -�--�. CURRENT BEACH t ANDING AREA 6X11 FXISTDIG !� FM -files \ FENDERS TYP NEW REMOVABLE ULUNAIL NEW RIPRAP SCOUR Molt IK)N (OPII EWE Of NEW a SALVAULU ATM.* ROCK MEW SNORESIDE FUEL CXTLNSION NIW II .. CK:SD'• 11 ----------- (ARE IDOCKUK EXILNSNIN (AREA ) o • MIN RAIL FX11NSKIN !UPI' fooaWi 1. R -S �q•10 �7S y0 NEW MOORING DOLPIIN& .YS CATWALK Dock expansion concept. and Transportation Connectivity. The Master Plan provides a comprehensive analysis of the port facilities, customer base, and services offered within ARRC's Seward Marine Terminal. The plan also identifies opportunities for economic development from dock upgrades and greater upland connectivity. In 2020, ARRC received notice of a $19.8 million Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration. This grant included development of preliminary design, which segmented the project into four phases: Phase 1 is the lengthening of the dock. Phases 2 and 3 are widening segments. Phase 4 is a dredging program. Given COVID-19 financial impacts (including money available for the grant's matching contribution) the Expansion time line was extended and scope reduced to address the available funds and underwrite nearly 80% of the $25.3 million construction cost of the Expansion's Phase 1 for the dock lengthening. The Seward Freight Dock Extension and Freight Dock Road Project, will construct Phase 1 of the Expansion, the dock lengthening. It is fully funded and scheduled to start construction in 2026. Status of Project The Port of Seward Capacity and Resiliency Project will construct widening Phases 2 & 3 of the Expansion, which includes the extents shown in the blue and yellow figures above. Preliminary design and environmental studies are complete as the PIDP grant funding for the Seward Freight Dock and Corridor Improvements included the preliminary design, the environment assessment, and Army Corps permit for Phases 2 & 3. ARRC is currently seeking funding for this project. Project Cost and Funding In 2025, ARRC estimated cost of Port of Seward Capacity and Resiliency Project, Phase 2 and 3, at $8.5 million and is currently assessing funding options. Proposed Project Schedule Task Date 1 Secure funding 2026 2 Engineering 2026/2027 3 Environmental and permits 2026/2027 4 Construction 2027/2028 More Information Visit the ARRC website Projects section for more information on the master planning effort at www.AlaskaRailroad.com > Corporate > Projects (Seward Capital Projects drop -down). For public comment or inquiry, contact Public Comment@akrr.com. 21 Port of Seward Capacity and Resiliency Project • Page 2 r 0 v 0 0 cn orn rn m NOOdIa0830 5 3 OZZY£95'L06 :x�d L1O1'1.95L06 .auogd 0 5 anuany qi9£ 1sam 90S L 'DNI `S2IHHNI9NI :A8 03NOIS30 —16 M3IAN3AO 31IS SSVd2i3ONl NVI2i1S343d V z .43433N I1AHfS `31VWIX02Idd`d 3HV SNI 3I1 m x_ U) H z fG) V, 0 m0 m� z 0� D m_ z CY)cn� G) D zm o I z zmm 0 0 m 0 p u)0 z1 r om0 mom z T.1 m mm• • p -0 o 0z-H m 0 mm o -W� zcz m�� zc m� m p 0 om om �z Op z m D z r 0)0 cz c m m H 0 0 0 z m '101lIN00 ONV 011d0 2d38Id dO H1d3O INHIJNOD - S3Ill1llfl '£ .3ONVH`d3-10 3SV3HONI Ol J\VMH±`dd dO H14IM M0IHVN Ol -`01N310d '3Sl 318VMO11`d NO 1N- CIN3d3O )Cldd`d J' VW SWf1WINIW Id ££'8 011J L '43a33N 3ONVHV 10 1VOI1H3A ONV H10IM co dO 3ONV1V8/318V011dd`d SH3AIVM ) NV 3ONV1`d8/W2JI3NOO O1 433N - 3ONVH`d3-1O 1VOI12J3A 'NOIS34 GNV Sa33d 318V1IVA`d JHIdN00 - ONIIHOI1 'V ONISSOHOH34Nf1 'V3HV MO1 NI`d2IO Ol )±I-1I8V GNV S3Hl18fHIS 3OVNIVHO WHIdNOO 01 433N '8 m D m 0 m mx -1� D z z G) v0 -Io _ 0 0 z z 0 c z z z D O z m H G m 0 0 m 0) c m 0) H oti —I 0 0 z m ,� o n D ZO � X D- Oz r G) m 0) m m z 0 m 3OVNIVHd ' I :SNOIPMEGISNOO/S31ON 0 cn 0 m m 0 z 7'-4" SEE NOTE 2 �-4 ONIOV `SHl0O 3SV8 31`dO3HOOV )\VMHI`dd 11VHdSV 2 34`d2�O ONIISIX3 0 rn o 0 „-I3NNf11 1138 -WOO„ 12J3n1fO dW0 iZl. 20 cb 0 0 0 W 0 22 Seward Port & Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB) City of Seward, AK P.O. Box 167 410 Adams Street Seward, AK 99664 April 1, 2026 Dear Members of the Seward Port & Commerce Advisory Board, Thank you for the opportunity to provide information in support of PACAB's effort to better understand and report on commercial fishing conditions in the Seward region. Copper River Seafoods has purchased fish in Seward over the last 15-20 years, and we view Seward as an important port for supporting commercial fishing activity in Resurrection Bay and the Gulf of Alaska. In response to the topics outlined in your inquiry, we offer the following observations from our company's perspective. Current conditions of the industry Seward continues to play an important role in commercial fishing activity tied to Gulf of Alaska fisheries, including salmon, Pacific cod, halibut, and sablefish. For Copper River Seafoods, Seward is a strategic landing point for our fleet and we are growing our operations in the community to support fleet demand. All seafood purchased by our company in Seward is iced, packed in totes, and transported to our year-round manufacturing facility and cold storage operations in Anchorage, helping keep seafood handling, food manufacturing, and value-added work in Alaska. As our operations in Seward grow, our current 2026 operational goal is to land approximately 5 to 7 million pounds of seafood in Seward. At that level, we would expect to employ approximately 7 to 10 local workers in the first year of expanded operations. In addition to direct employment, seafood activity also supports vessel services, freight, fuel, supplies, maintenance, and other local business activity. Projections that would consider increases or decreases in the catch Commercial fishing activity in Seward has the potential to grow when resource availability, markets, and infrastructure align. From our standpoint, we see an opportunity for increased landings in Seward, particularly as fleets look for dependable buyers and efficient landing points for Gulf of Alaska fisheries. At the same time, catch levels and value can fluctuate significantly from year to year depending on both biological and economic conditions. Alaska sablefish abundance and growing domestic demand will likely benefit the Port of Seward, as it is a strategic offload location for this species. Possible reasons for any changes in catch quantity or value There are many factors that can influence changes in catch volume or value. These include stock abundance, changing ocean conditions, fishery management decisions, weather, fuel costs, labor 1 23 availability, freight costs, and market demand. Price and value are also shaped by broader seafood market conditions, including competition from imports, consumer demand, and the cost of moving product through the supply chain. What options might be available to address changes Many of the biggest drivers affecting catch quantity are outside the control of any one business or community. However, the industry is more resilient when ports have reliable working waterfront infrastructure, efficient offloading capability, predictable access, and room for seafood businesses to operate consistently. A functional public -use crane, power, and water are essential working waterfront infrastructure for commercial fishery operations in Seward. At present, in Seward, Copper River Seafoods is offloading with a boom truck, which is not an ideal or efficient long-term solution. Access to a public -use crane, power, and water would better support both the fleet and seafood buyers operating in the harbor. What can Seward do to help the industry From our perspective, Seward can help the industry by continuing to support a strong working waterfront and maintaining the infrastructure needed for commercial fishing activity. Functional equipment, dependable harbor access, and operational space all matter to seafood businesses and fishing fleets. In particular, a reliable public -use crane, power, and water would materially strengthen Seward's ability to support commercial landings and modern fishery operations. These practical conditions help determine whether a port is efficient, competitive, and attractive for long-term fishing activity. Conditions that make Seward an important port for fishing activities Seward is important because of its location, harbor access, and connection to productive Gulf of Alaska fisheries. It serves as a key point where fish can be offloaded and moved into the Alaska seafood supply chain, and access to the road system into Anchorage makes the port more attractive. For Copper River Seafoods, our efforts to build a stronger presence in Seward are tied to the needs of our growing fleet, many of whom have expressed interest in seeing us more firmly rooted there. We believe a stronger buyer presence benefits the fleet by creating additional market competition, which can improve pricing opportunities for fishermen, while also increasing local economic activity and landing tax contributions to the community. We appreciate PACAB's effort to gather information from across the fishing sector and are glad to contribute our perspective. Please feel free to reach out if additional information would be helpful. Sincerely, Copper River Seafoods 24 2 Port & Commerce Advisory Board (PACAB) Bruce Jaffa, Chair (Term Expires July 2026) (907) 240-0362 bruce@jaffaconstruction.com Dwayne Atwood, Vice Chair (Term Expires July 2028) (907) 265-2696 atwoodd@akrr.com Melissa Schutter (Term Expires July 2026) (907) 362-1798 mschutter123@gmail.com Jesse Groom (Term Expires July 2027) (907) 362-1823 ilwu60-groom@yahoo.com Norm Regis (Term Expires July 2027) (907) 362-1678 nregis@gci.net Darian Draper (Term Expires July 2028) 907-422-7657 Doub1ed99664@gmail.com Deborah Altermatt (Term Expires July 2026) 907-362-1207 deborah.altermatt@gmail.com 25 PACAB Meeting Date Meeting Topic REGULAR 1/21/2026 Heat Pumps WS with City Council Set PACAB Priorities for 2026 REGULAR 2/18/2026 Harbor Uplands Development REGULAR 3/18/2026 Commercial and Sport Fishing REGULAR 4/15/2026 Commercial Fishing - SMIC Discussion REGULAR 5/20/2026 Board & Officers Selection -Set priorities for 2026 PACAB Meetings REGULAR 9/16/2026 REGULAR 10/21/2026 REGULAR 11/18/2026 REGURLAR 12/16/2026 Topic Directives: City Manager- Fishing -commercial & Sport, Tourism, Harbor Uplands/SMIC, Cruise Ship operations. City Council- Commercial & Sport Fishing, Over -Tourism, Lowell Point Traffic/Safety Mayor McClure- Harbor Uplands Development & Upland Tourist Traffic Flow Council Member Warner- Regional Development, Fisheries, Valdez Salmon Nonprofit Model Council Member Draper- Workforce Development, Housing, Education, Commercial Fishing Data Chair Jaffa- Commercial Development, Hydro -power, Fisheries, Cruise Ship Passenger flow, Airport, Underground Utilities, Energy Electric Rates, Energy Generation, Heat pumps, Housing, Port Revenue, Port small harbor usage, revenue and plans, Recreation Center, Child Care, Port SMIC plans. Vice Chair Atwood- Cruise Ship Passenger/ Pedestrian Safety, Hydro -power, Port Ave work, Fishery Update, USCG Fast Response Cutter, Board Representation Board Member Regis- Harbor updates ( 50 ton lift, Boat Storage Rates, Harbor Yard Concerns), Uplands Development, Bycatch Agenda, SMIC rules, Legislative Priorities Board Member Groom- River Project, Battery Systems, Substation, Energy Presentations 26