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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 PACAB Minutes City of Seward, Alaska Pori and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, Page 251 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Was led by Board member Jordan, CALL TO ORDER The regular January 8, 2003, meeting of the Seward Port and Commerce Advisory Board was called to order at 12:03 p.m. by Chair Deborah Altermatt. ROLL CALL There were present: Deborah Altermatt, presiding, and Dean Kasischke Jack Goodwill Karl Van Buskirk Tom Tougas* Melody Jordan Absent: James Pruitt, Doug Lechner and Roger Mercer *arrived at 12:10 p.m. Comprising a quorum of the Board; and James B. Beckham, Harbormaster Rick Gifford, Director of Administrative Services Louis Bencardino, Alaska Railroad Corporation Representative Judi Sweeney, P ACAB Secretary *Nathan Orr, CounciI/EDD Representative SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENT A nONS, AND REPORTS: TAKEN OUT OF ORDER WITH BOARD CONSENT A. *EUD report given by Jim Carter, Executive Director B. Louis Bencardino, Alaska Railroad Corporation Representative gave a brief report on the status of their building improvements. He said Port A venue would have a detour while rebuilding the railroad crossing. Bencardino said on January 14, there would be a Railroad open house at the Sea Life Center. He also gave highlights ofthe Seward Centennial Celebration held on New Year's Eve atthe ARR warehouse and thanked the SV AC for the great job they did in planning and hosting the event. Altermatt said she had attended the railroad's open house in Anchorage the previous evening and was pleased with their display of services. Louis Bencardino explained the board handout a copy of an email regarding the Pork Project. Bencardino gave a brief update of the Pork Project for the benefit of the public. He said a business group wants to launch a pig farm in Nenana. He said that a couple of Native organizations I I I I I I City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, Page 252 have land that could be used to raise livestock. Bencardino said the project would benefit the Railroad with 20 containers with 250 tons of grain each week to Nenana. C. Rick Gifford, Director of Administrative Services, reported on the recent resignation of City Manager Janke to take a job in Florida and that Kris Erchinger would be the Acting City Manager while the Council is recruiting. He said he did not have time to complete the items requested from him regarding priorities and goals because of the on-going personnel changes. James Beckham, Harbormaster, reported that Tryck, Nyman, and Hayes were compiling public comments and suggestions from the public meetings regarding the Harbor Master Plan and Expansion Project. He said they are working on drawings and narrowing down the alternatives. Project Manager Carl Stormer will be here Tuesday to work on the East Harbor Expansion and the Mater Plan to work on proposals to proceed. (Altermatt with the permission of the board asked that Jim Carter be allowed to speak in absence of Nathan 01'1', CouncilmemberlEDD representative) Altermatt introduced Jim Carter, EDD Executive Director, to speak to the board. He said EDD is a regional, non-profit organization. He said Seward has three of the sixteen board positions with the EDD. Those being Ron Long, Blaine Bardarson, and Nathan Orr. He explained that EDD helped many businesses get started. He said he was in Seward to help promote a convention and visitors bureau. Altermatt mentioned that Vanta Shafer was the council liaison to the board, giving reports in the past and she hoped Nathan Orr would continue. *Councilmember Orr arrived at 12:20 P.M. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA with the SMIC Uplands Boat Work Policy deleted from the agenda and move it to a work session date. MOTION (Kasischke/Jordan) Approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda. Motion passed by unanimous consent. It was moved by Tougas, but failed for lack of a second, to add to the agenda to schedule time to develop criteria on how the East Harbor Expansion project is going to evaluate the project. He said he had not projected numbers of slips to be added and the cost of those slips. He felt a criteria list should be developed. Altermatt explained that the East Harbor Expansion would be discussed in another section of the agenda. CITIZEN'S COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS NOT SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING: Willard Dunham, Forest Acres, referred to a handout from the December 18 Council work session, "Draft Work Document for Planning Committees Contractual Work Statement." (to develop and construct a waterfrontfacility of parks, landscaping. buildings and programs to provide a base for Seward's shore side development and planning for the next 100 years). lIe said he understood City o/Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, Page 253 that PACAB would review the concept and possibly have feedback and or a recommendation to Council and they can decide if they want to include this in their legislative priorities list. Included in the scope of the project is the U.S. Park Service' Multi-Agency's plans; construction and expansion of the Sealife Center construction of a dock and wave barrier and to spruce up the area to attract more people to this end of town. He spoke of the Centennial year we are in now and said that in 2012 we would be celebrating 100 years of incorporation, both opportune times to go forward with this project. Dunham stressed that the draft work document was only a planning tool. In answer from Jordan, Dunham said about $10-20,000 would be needed to draw up a concept for a Federal grant application. Tom Smith, 515 Second Avenue, Director at University of Alaska, IMS spoke about the University's future plans of a learning center and expansion of a new dock and wave barrier for their new research vessel that will be here in approximately 4-5 years. He said the new vessel would be 270 feet and said they would need an adequate size dock for the vessel. Smith said that their funding is all Federal dollars. In answer to Goodwill's question, Smith said that the Federal funding for the University's vessel is not competing with funding for this watertfont project. Tylan Schrock, 2612 Birch Street, Executive Director of the Sea Life Center, spoke in favor of the waterfront-planning project stating it was time for the city to join in the long-term planning of the waterfront area. He said the City needs to "wake up" and start dealing with the project. He said it was going ahead whether the City supported it or not. Mark Clemens, 1301 4th Avenue, spoke in favor of getting more information before proceeding and felt this was moving forward too fast. He cautioned that we do not lose sight of what is on our plate right now. Clemens said he did not feel that there was such a great division between the boat harbor and downtown anymore. He wondered who is going to build this waterfront dock, maintain it, will oversee the dock? He asked if this project would stand in the way of the East Harbor Expansion project. Anne Castellina, 211 Bluefield Drive, Superintendent of the Kenai Fjords National Park Service, spoke in favor of the project. She said they might have to look outside of town for property if the University of Alaska holds onto their property. She said they had looked at all available property in town. The Parks and Forest Service would need about 30,000 for the Multi-Agency building and space for a 300-seat convention ccnter. She felt that about two and one half acres would be enough. Paul Schroeder, landscape architect, 2525 Gambell Street, Anchorage, said to look at all ofthe different stake holders and land holders and see what the community would want to achieve. He said a coordinated effort would be much better for this area. Judi Andrijanoff, Seward, recommended that the P ACAB draw up a resolution that support the city moving forward and allocating public funding for preparing the Federal request for funding. Tom Smith added that what they want to do is to start the planning of the project. He said the details do not need to be worked out today, just the plan to go forward. I I I I I I City a/Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Buord Minutes Volume 3. Page 254 D.J. Whitman, 15312 Camelot, said his biggest concern is the City rushing in and asking for a grant without seriously considered what it would cost us. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Project List Altermatt noted that the changes to the on-going project list were made at the last meeting. She listed: Eastward Expansion, Highway improvements Mile 0-8 and North Dock were moved from the Long term to the Short-term list. The board scheduled January 15 for a report by Board members Jordan and Lechner on the Commercial Fisheries Economics and the SMIC upland boat work policy. The board scheduled an additional work session on January 22 to discuss harbor expansion. NEW BUSINESS Waterfront Project - it was moved by Jordan, seconded by Van Buskirk and unanimously passed that P ACAB recommend to the City Council to authorize the allocation of$16,000 to prepare the application of grants funds of the downtown waterfront project with the addition of a friendly amendment to form a committee for waterfront planning. Another motion was made by Tougas, seconded by Jordan that PACAB reviews the application prior to the submission. It was moved by Kasischke, seconded by Goodwill and passed with unanimous consent to requesting City Council appoint a committee for the waterfront project planning and development to include, but not be limited to one member each from the Parks Service, Harbormaster, University of Alaska, a City Council member, one from PACAB, Sea Life Center and Shellfish Hatchery and Forest Service and any interested parties. ADJOURNMENT The work session ended at 2:06 p.m. it.' 111I', ~E~~ Judi Sweeney ~"'Of SE~"'~ ~matt Board Secretary ~ ~"""':':DO.:"!~~"'" Chair ~ C) ..~O"" '~~""<:) ~ Ii; ...Jt.U- .. ~ = :~ --- \- = ! SEAL i :: :e: :e: . t . .. (c S 1) ':. \ ~ : = ity ea -:. ...."th. 1\"''''' $ -:.. d}; ~.::~ 1 \9i..;.~ ~ "'" #"f~.....&...' t-t8';.....' ,~(:o' OF p..\.J I'.... "'lrlll"" City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, page - 255 - PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG I Board Member Mercer led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. CALL TO ORDER The regular February 19, 2003 meeting of the Seward Port and Commerce Advisory Board was called to ordcr at 12:00 p.m. by Chair Altermatt. ROLL CALL There were present: Deborah Altermatt, presiding, and Doug Lechner Roger Mercer Jack Goodwill James Pruitt Dean Kasischke Absent: Melody Jordan, Tom Tougas, and Karl Van Buskirk Comprising a quorum of the Board; and I Kristin Erchinger, Acting City Manager J ames Beckham, Harbormaster Kari Atwood, Board Secretary SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND REPORTS Council member Orr was absent. Louis Bencardino, Alaska Railroad Corporation Representative reported tomorrow is the opening of the bids on the contract for the skin on the building, some electric work and the paving of the dock. They are looking to make some more office space and Alaska Airlines will be moving into one of the North Star offices. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Acting City Manager Kristin Erchinger gave an update on the on-going project list and their status. She informed the board that when a new City Manager is on board she would like to revisit the flat tax for boats. I City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, page - 256 - I Harbormaster Beckham said that the Dolphin is up and out of the harbor and the old scows have been demolished in the 8MI C yard. The H float sections that were damaged by the Dolphin have been removed. CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS NOT SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Linne Bardarson, Nash Road, commented that he had once been on the harbor commission and that he thought expansion was good then and would be good now. He is in favor of improvements to and around the harbor but the harbor has to make enough money to support the things necessary to do this. Bardarson felt that the footprint for the harbor plan is wrong; we need to expand the harbor by at least 400 to 500 slips. Moving the north/south breakwater is a waste of money and rock and he thought we should include the coal elevator as part of the boat harbor. He said to get things done we need foresight. Mike Demaray, Crowley Marine Services, said they would like to bring more boats and barges here in the winter and would like to see space in the expansion for that. They also consider taxes when selecting where to winter there barges but like the services and convenience of Seward. I Doug Olson, 314 2nd Avenue, agreed with what Linne said about incorporating the coal facility, if the City is not benefiting from the coal facility. It is limiting how far east the harbor expansion can go and we need to increase the number of slips to get the bonds we need. Jim Hubbard, 1800 Jesse Lee Drive, would like to somewhat reinforce what Linne said that with the coal terminal there is more south approach. He said we could hang a permeable weight barrier on that then you could take that rock and move it out off the end of the coal dock east/west and break down the swell. Hubbard said he would like to take a hard look at lineal dockage; lineal dockage is flexible where stalls are limiting. If the City used the Borough formula for a flat tax it would make more money then it does with its current form of taxation. Pat Marrs, 204 Nashwoods, stressed that commercial vessels take a lot of fuel, supplies and use services here. He said they pay their bills. The pleasure boats don't spend as much money as the commercial boats do. We have the best port in the state and to minimize the commercial side over the recreation side would be a big mistake. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Lechner/Goodwill) Approve the agenda and consent agenda I Motion passed Unanimous City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, page - 257 - UNFINISHED BUSINESS: I A. Project List-- The rock quarry was added to the short-term list and it was agreed that the board would have a special work session on Tuesday, March 11 to discuss the SMIC uplands boat work policy. B. East Harbor Expansion Update-the Board reviewed the Seward Small Boat Harbor Master Plan Revised 2/5/03 and discussed many aspects of it. They agreed to discuss it further at the March 19 work scssion. NEW BUSINESS: A. January 8, 2003 regular meeting minutes, approved unanimously B. Commercial Fisheries Report - postponed until the next regular business meeting March 5. CORRESPONDENCE, INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS A. Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development, Letter B. Alaska Manufacts, Volume 2, Issue 1, New Year Edition, 2003 I C. City of Seward, Alaska -Resolution 2003-011 (supporting the Waterfront Planning Project) BOARD COMMENTS Kasischke said that regarding these phases is that we are starting to compromise between the commercial users and the boat owners. There is still a lot of work to be done but we are getting there. Pruitt concurred with the folks in the audience that we have an opportunity to create a basin which is the key later you can work your planning it doesn't have to be filled full of slips, to get the area we need and get the right size area might be a good approach. Lechner thanked the cItIzens for their comments and views, it is a difficult situation, and it is hard to see out into the future. Lechner said there have been so many changes in harbor and industries. He said we need a plan but we need to be somewhat flexible as far as the final design. Lechner said we should be open to change things may be different in the future. Would like to see the board be flexible. I City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, page - 258 - I AItermatt it has been a long process and the process will continue. She said the public process has not ended and that is the message that we need to get out to people. We welcome whatever comments we can get and we do seek more. She encouraged everyone to attend the work session on the harbor on March 19 and attend the special work session on March 11. CITIZEN'S COMMENTS Doug Olson, 314 2nd Avenue, if $16,000 was appropriated for a 32 page document then that is $500 a page and they should be sent $1000 and the $15,000 should be returned to the general fund. The City can't afford to spend any more money. The public has not been informed about the south beach. It is going to be gone and people enjoy using it. The revenue that will be gained is not worth loosing a beach over. The commercial industry is going to be the twelve month a year bonus for the City versus the recreational user. It should not be a consideration to get rid of that beach. Linne Bardarson, Nash Road, I am curious why T dock is empty and the transient dock is only about 25% filled where did these guys go? I just wonder. I Bruce Harland, Crowley Marine Services, we keep boats in several locations around Alaska. One thing we consider is the tax implications. If we had a flat tax situation here we would rather pay the flat tax and consolidate all of our fleet here. Jim Hubbard, 1800 Jesse Lee Drive, these are not new ideas and I almost left when we first came here because of the tax. We need to take a hard look at economics this community would not be here without the boat harbor. What provides economy to the community? This community is dyeing, they are looking at one hundred less children in the school system and with out families you don't have a community so it is really important. Manfred Dietrich, old Nash Road, said he agreed with the premise that we do need to accommodate both the pleasure boats and the commercial boats. He said we definitely need a lot more space for larger vessels. We need to welcome these people and entice them to stay here and live here. Dietrich said his business has lost revenue over the years because of the accommodations for his type of business. This means a landing to be able to load and unload the cargo either at a dock or on a beach. These facilities are nonexistent or very poor. The beaches have all been closed off. I would like to see a landing in the expansion. RESPONSE TO COMMENTS I Pruitt in response to Bardarson said he knows of companies that inquired about bringing boats into the harbor and were turned away. City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, page - 259- Beckham responded that some very large vessels that the harbor was not built to accommodate were told they could not come here but that he was then overruled and they were told they could come into the harbor. I Altermatt thanked the everyone for there comments and urged them to write letters if they could not always attend the meetings so there comments would be heard. ADJORNMENT The meeting adjourned at 1 :55 p.m. 4~ Kari Atwood Board Secretary ~= <' ~ eborah Altermatt Chair .."1111'",, (City ~~y SE~ "'" ~.. ~-4. .......o.....:-r~O ...~# I (YjP'" r# A.4):~'" 1. ~: ~~ ~ .. : ....- a..- = i SEAT. ie: =.: n-u:: = \ -- !: tlI!. '\t":: '\ ~....~lt~. ,,~".,".~ ~ '" t. I"V! '\ .. ~~- '-.... J-1,..;:.....l.. 'f-t:a ......... ~, 't:- OF p.\,; ,,\..,,, -"'"'1111"" I I City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, page - 260- I PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Board Member Lechner led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. CALL TO ORDER The regular March 5, 2003 meeting of the Seward Port and Commerce Advisory Board was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by Chair Altermatt. ROLL CALL There were present: Deborah Altermatt, presiding, and Doug Lechner Roger Mercer Dean Kasischke James Pruitt * Melody Jordan **Tom Tougas I Absent: Jack Goodwill and Karl Van Buskirk Comprising a quorum of the Board; and Rick Gifford, Director of Administrative Services James Beckham, Harbormaster Kari Atwood, Board Secretary *arrived at 12:06 p.m. **arrived at 12:07 p.m. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENT A nONS, AND REPORTS Council member Orr reported that the Council was looking closer at seven candidates for City Manager but had not ruled any of the applicants out completely. The process of selecting a City Manager is at least one to two months away. Orr said the town meeting on Monday regarding the sales tax was pretty interesting and there is another meeting tonight. I Louis Bencardino, Alaska Railroad Corporation Representative reported that the contract was awarded to Blazy Construction for some of the work on the building. The pipe to finish the Port Avenue project is in. Bencardino updated the Board on dock activity. City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, page - 261 - I ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Director of Administrative Services Rick Gifford noted that the City had been getting some positive feed back on keeping the coal terminal open and would keep the board informed on its progress. Gifford said Smoky Foods Inc. has purchased the Wards Cove facility and it looks like they will be keeping the local employees. CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS NOT SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING: D.J. Whitman, 12510 Camelot, said Seward Ships was awarded a sizable contract with the U.S. Department of the Interior for an overhaul of one of their vessels. Geoffrey Feiler, Anchorage, recreational users spend money in Seward on slip rent and other goods and they would like to see an increase in the total number of slips in the harbor. Fred Woelkers, Nash Road, all of the small slips along the west side of the harbor have been eliminated; these boats are forced to use the transient docks now all summer. Smaller boats are often rafted along side larger boats and this is not safe. Hopes this is addressed in the new plan is also concerned because he hasn't seen anything that addresses port security or first responders in the plans. Linne Bardarson, Nash Road, suggested that the Board recommend to the City of Seward to actively pursue commercial storage of vessels in the winter time. I Doug Olson, 314 2nd Avenue, repeated what he had said in the past. He is questioning the engineers that have been hired for the planning. Olsen it would be a good idea to look at the expenditures to date and the completion of the contracts signed with TNB. Olsen said he doesn't like the idea of taking away the beach for parking. He said the public is not aware of that this beach will be taken. He added that we should look at the possibility of increasing the foot print of the harbor. He said he would like to see a grid. Olsen said he is not happy with TNH and we should pursue other companies to do the work. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Altermatt requested that item 8 C, Resolution 2003-01 be pulled from the agenda and wanted it made clear that she did not write this resolution and did not feel the Board was comfortable recommending any certain plan. Motion (KasischkelMereer) to remove item 8 C from the agenda. I City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, page - 262 - Motion Passed Unanimous I Motion (Tougas/Kasischke) to add East Harbor Expansion Schematic Design as item 8 C Motion Passed Unanimous Motion (Kasischke/Jordan) Approve the agenda and consent agenda as amended Motion passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Goals and Priorities (Project List) no action taken, everyone was reminded of the special work session on Tuesday, March 11 to discuss the SMIC uplands work policy and the regular work session on March 19 on the East Harbor Expansion. NEW BUSINESS: February 19,2003 regular meeting minutes, approved unanimously I Commercial Fisheries Report was given by Board members Jordan and Lechner. The report was a "snapshot" of commercial fisheries economic impact to the community of Seward. Seward was the # 1 port in total poundage of black cod and the #3 port in total poundage of halibut. It also gave a dollar amount of revenues from local fish processors. The Board discussed the information presented in the report and agreed it was timely and informative. East Harbor Expansion Schematic Design everyone received a copy of the revised schedule, dated March 4, 2003. The board noted that a newsletter was scheduled for March 10, and a 3rd workshop was tentatively scheduled for March 26 in Seward. The newsletter should contain plans M, N & O. The Board discussed what funding is actually available for the project and what is being done to get more. It was suggested that the first step was to agree on a master plan, then see how much money is actually available and then see what in the master plan can be done with that money. It was decided to discuss this further in the March 19, work session and then schedule another work session after that if it was deemed necessary. CORRESPONDENCE, INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (no action required) North Pacific Fishery Management Council, News and Notes, Volume 1-03 I Bradners' Alaska Economic Report, February 24, 2003, No. 4103 City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, page - 263 - Special Resource Supplement, Alaska Economic Report & Alaska Legislative Digest Feb. 21, 2003, No 4/03 I BOARD COMMENTS AItermatt thanked everyone for coming to the meeting. CITIZEN'S COMMENTS Willard Dunham, Forest Acres, as a council member would like to see the board make a decision on a plan (regarding the Waterfront Improvement Project) and stick to it or we will run out of time. Jordan asked Dunham if he was asking the Board to come up with a plan withstanding the dollar value and he said that was exactly what he would do. Stu Clark, Mayor asked if he could add one sentence to this and that would be what is right for the harbor. AItermatt thanked the council members for attending and thanked them for giving the board direction. Orr reminded the Board that the council members could only speak for themselves and could not speak for the entire Council. Kris Erchinger, Acting City Manager added that the board should move quickly with their recommendation to the Council so the Council can give the Administration direction. Colleen Kelly, Seward Phoenix Log, had a question regarding the Public involvement process asking when it was originally mapped out. She said she guessed that she didn't understand that P ACAB would be making a recommendation on behalf of the public Kelly said that when people were going to the public workshops they thought that was the venue for their input and that it wasn't going to get distilled by PACAB. She said she attended the meetings in November and December and that is what she got out of that. Doug Olson, 314 2nd Avenue, suggested that the next newsletter include everyone in the City limits. I don't like this plan we should not consider these plans until the break water is moved, that is the big issue. Olsen said he wanted to address the hotel that is encroaching on the harbor, supports the venture but L float and part of K float will be eliminated and asked if the projected taxes offset the loss of revenue. He asked the audience for a second to his motion to make a resolution to amend the plans to exclude the proposed parking lot south of the breakwater asking for a second to his motion. Altermatt explained that that was not how parliamentary procedure worked. Olsen commented it is a confusing process and thanked the Board for listening to him. I RESPONSE TO COMMENTS: Jordan, encouraged the public to stay involved and let their comments be heard, by the Council, P ACAB and the public meetings. She eXplained that P ACAB is an advisory board and that Council will be making the final decisions. Pruitt commented that he was under the impression that we had funding for what we started out with approximately $9 million to do that is that correct? Harbormaster Beckham answered in the negative that we did not have the $9 million, but if we I City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, page - 264 - I consider the $3 million potential revenue bond we have a total of about $7.2 million in hand. We are looking at some other potential sources but none of them are guaranteed or assured. Orr asked if the $3 million dollar bond based on exact payback. Harbormaster Beckham answered that it was based on about $300,000 in revenue. Beckham mentioned that the public involvement process clearly identified that the contractors were there to take the public input and then develop schematic layouts originally for the East Harbor and then for the Master Plan. These recommendations are based on the public input. Beckham explained that the process is that the Master Plan follows the public process of coming to this board then to Council. Beckham said that everybody has had an opportunity to input into the expansion plan as well as the Master Plan. Dunham reminded everyone that the first constituent meeting for Senator Stevens is tomorrow night at the Legislative Information Office (LIO). AItermatt thanked Lechner and Jordan for their report and Beckham and Tougas for their work with Carl Stormer. She thanked everyone for coming. She said it is really a tough thing because we have a lot of big questions and we have a lot of different people with differing ideas and to make everybody happy is a tough job. She thanked the members of the Council for coming. I Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 1:50 p.m. ~~nZI Kari Atwood Board Secretary \\\UIII"", ......'\ Or SE~"',,, ..!'t~ ~--t ..J.OQ..... '-1.L\ ~# ~l&. ,~o~.,:,<~ ~ --.. "~:. ~ .. . .. -- ... : -- . .. :: : SEAL : : :ei :e: .. . : - ~ \ -.- :: -:. ....,,~ ",... ~ ~ cJlX..~..v~ 1 \~~"'I~': ~~ "1,.",,:.....1..: &,.'O't:"..-l> '~ ~. OF /10...... ~".... "'1111"'" eborah AItermatt Chair I City of Seward. Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, page 265 Vice-Chair Lechner led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. I PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG CALL TO ORDER The regular April 2, 2003 meeting of the Seward Port and Commerce Advisory Board was called to order at 12:05 p.m. by Chair Altermatt. ROLL CALL There were present: Chair Deborah Altermatt, presiding, and Doug Lechner Jack Goodwill Karl Van Buskirk Dean Kasischke Tom Tougas Absent: Melody Jordan Roger Mercer James Pruitt Comprising a quorum of the Board; and James B. Beckham, Harbormaster Louis Bencardino, Alaska Railroad Corporation Representative Rick Gifford, Director of Administrative Services Judi Sweeney, PACAB Secretary I SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND REPORTS KPBjEDD Council member Orr was not present. Louis Bencardlno, Alaska Railroad Corporation Representative reported that their building is still being worked on and should be done by May 10. He said the railroad had built up the side road along the pond and had put in a few loads of fill in Port Avenue. He said they are making a side-loading ramp by the track for ease in offloading an odd shape unit from a barge. He said the railroad is allowing Quality Paving to stage equipment on their property. He said North Star is the general contractor working seven days per week to get the road done. He said there are two local people working for the contractor. Coal cars will be coming back to Seward. Some coal had been taken out of here when the previous contact ended, but was being brought back to "thaw out." Bencardino said that a May 10 Mother's Day train would be coming to town like the Christmas train, a fun ride for a reduced rate. He said it is a good boost for the town, hotels, restaurants, etc. Altermatt asked for more detail regarding the future of coal in Seward. Bencardino said that there were negotiations now to resume shipments through Seward. Gifford added that the contract may be coming back has to do with the Federal grant and are working out the details. Beckham said that the shipments would be about half of what they were before. Two SBS barges came in Carlisle doing a lot of trucking out of Seward. He said things are good on the dock. He said the ferries have been using the freight dock. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT I Gifford reported that the Kris Erchinger, Acting City Manager, Mayor Clark, and City a/Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, page 265 I Councilmember Dunham were in Juneau this week meeting with legislators for funding. He invited the board to attend the City Manager interviews on April 10 and 11. He said that Council is going to have a work session to address the noise ordinance at downtown bars. Gifford reminded people to vote in the special election on April 8. In answer to Tougas, Gifford said the East Harbor Expansion work session with Council would be held on the following Monday, April 7 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council chambers. CITIZENS COMMENT DJ Whitman, Camelot Subdivision spoke against proposed Resolution 2003-01 and the plan N. He said the previous meeting regarding this plan had much opposition. He said it was not the right plan and the public majority does not care for it. Whitman said there is not enough moorage for the bigger heavier boats in that plan. He said he preferred plan M and urged the board not to approve the master plan today. Whitman said MjV Tustumena is due back April 12 and the Bartlett will be here for a two-week stay. He added that FYI [regarding the hotel construction in the harbor], Seward Ships has an extension on their corp permit until April 19. Harbormaster Beckham said the resolution was simply to show approval of the plan design. I Dennis Lodge, Camelot Subdivision, has a 23' boat in A-29, spoke in support of keeping small boat slips in the master plan. He pointed out that there were at least 60 small boat owners just on A float that would end up without slips. He wondered if there would be a place for them in the harbor expansion possibly being grandfathered in. Lodge said here was a huge outcry from the small boat owners not to delete the small slips. He called it unfair and said there would be many others speaking against it. Lodge suggested keeping the existing harbor and building a new East Harbor. He said the harbor needs to make provision for small boats. Rhonda Hubbard, 1800 Jesse Lee Drive, said she was disheartened that we favor catering to a seasonal boat fleet. She reminded that Seward was the first largest port for black cod and halibut landings. Freight and tugboats diversity is 50 important. Hubbard said she was not against recreational boaters, but commercial and workboat fleet are just as important. She said Plan N is too costly and we need to look at doing what we can do. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA MOTION (KasischkejGoodwill) Approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed, Unanimous. UNFINISHED BUSINESS ON GOING PROJECT LIST SMIC upland boat work policy revisited. Altermatt said it needed more clarification regarding the Mile 0-8 project. In answer from Tougas, VanBuskirk said the Mile 0-8 only the bridge portion has been bid. In answer to a request, Gifford will check the status of the $450,000 listed on the project list for the Mile 0-8. NEW BUSINESS I Resolution No. 2003-01 Moved by Tougas, seconded by Lechner to approve Resolution No. 2003-01. Recommendinq the Selection of Trvck Nvman and Haves Inc. (TNH) plan N for adoption as the Seward Municipal Small Boat Harbor's (Harbor) Master Plan and following discussion and the motion passed. Yes: Tougas, Goodwill, Lechner, Altermatt No: Kasischke, Van Buskirk City of Seward. Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Buard Minutes Volume 3. page 265 Harbormaster Beckham handed out copies of Plan N and a stat sheet comparing Plans M & O. Among the changes, he noted the workboat area as an area convenient for loadingjoffloading gear; adding area for dry stack storage building; 9,000 feet of moorage is added in the N Plan. Beckham said they tried to consider all comments and suggestions did not see how the plan catered to any specific group. I Goodwill said people seem overwhelmed when they look at the whole thing, and wondered what it would take to make changes down the road. Altermatt felt it needed to have fluidity where down the road we could change things. Beckham said a dry stack storage facility could pay for itself. Tougas reminded Lodge that the plans to delete the smaller slips would be several years down the road and this is just a plan. Altermatt commented that she felt there should have been consideration for smaller boats in the plan. She said there are quite a few slip holders out there who do not want to be in tra nsient. Beckham said we are not kicking anyone out of their slips. He said a 17-foot boat in a 32-foot slip would be a problem, but not a 25-foot boat in a 32. Resolution No. 2003-02 A Resolution of the Citv of Seward. Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board. Recommendina Adootion of Trvck Nvman Haves Incoroorated's (TNH) Seward Marine Industrial Center (SMIC) Basin Comoletion Plan. Beckham said they had received two unsolicited and free of charge, proposals one from Trick Nyman and Hayes (TNH) and one from Peratrovich Nottingham and Drage (PND). He estimated it would cost around $15 million dollars. Beckham said he wanted to get a plan on the table to get more ideas. PND's plan does not have a wave barrier. There was comment that the public had not had input on this, and Beckham said that is why it was brought to the board to encourage public dialogue. Good start. Harbormaster Beckham said he was not necessarily recommending the contractor, but was recommending the plan. Beckham said there was no money available for an analysis or preliminary deSign. Goodwill commented that this was a good start. Following discussion, it was moved by Kasischke, seconded by Tougas and was unanimously rejected Resolution No. 2003-02. I CORRESPONDENCE North Pacific Fishery Management Council, News and Notes, noted Bradners' Alaska Economic Report, noted . Special Resource Supplements, Alaska Economic Report, & Alaska Legislative Digest Pacific Fishing ad, noted Pacific Fishing 2003 Year Book available, noted BOARD COMMENTS Goodwill, VanBuskirk, thanked the public for the good discussion on the north dock. Kasischke said he heard the legislature is looking for projects to fund. Altermatt thanked the board for voting for a master plan and said that it is the next step continuous public comment as well. She said Jim Carter at EDD has a board meeting on April 17 in Seward. Nathan Orr, Blaine Bardarson, and Ron Long are our representatives and people should contact them for input. CITIZEN'S COMMENTS: Rhonda Hubbard commented that the Master Plan should not be set in stone. She said we need to look at the professionals that use the harbor. Jim has worked hard on this project and urged him not to make it a personal project. Hubbard commented about the I I I I City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, page 265 ethical use of funds concerning the master plan, challenged the board to stay within the bounds, and urged them to keep open minds. Dennis Lodge questioned the rational of eliminating the smaller slips 23 and under. He questioned the comment that the trend of harbors is to go with the bigger boats 32 feet and over. RESPONSE TO COMMENTS: Beckham said the 23-foot list was at one time the largest wait list. He said the State would not fund building harbors under 32 feet. Beckham assured that this was not a "personal project" as suggested by Hubbard. He said his job would not change if we get this project and said in fact it get more complicated if the plan is approved. Beckham said that bigger boats do not want to sit in the Seward harbor too long or they will be assessed property tax. In answer to Lodge, Beckham said that sailboats would not be able to by dry stacked for storage. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1 :45 p.m. (}tL ~~JUf. ~i Sweeney ~ Board Secretf\'lilll', \" II, ........ Of SE'~ I,,#. .... A-{ ......... ~"2 '.. (City$~t.~r;?-PO/i..;);'", ~ \ ~ :.AU- ~.. ~ .... :~ ____ v . .... :: : \ ~ ... . SEAL :.- Me: . - :: ~ : = ~ \ -+- : : ~ .n"v~ ~",,",~ " -:. \J~"', 7vr 1 \~ ..' ~,.i '>.. "'1,..::.....1..:. b,.((J ~... ~,.:,.c:' OF t-.v ~"... "fI,..,,'" City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, page - 266- I PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Board Member Kasischke led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. CALL TO ORDER The regular May 7, 2003 meeting of the Seward Port and Commerce Advisory Board was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by Chair Altermatt. ROLL CALL There were present: Deborah Altermatt, presiding, and Doug Lechner *Roger Mercer Dean Kasischke James Pruitt Melody Jordan **Tom Tougas Absent: Jack Goodwill and Karl Van Buskirk Comprising a quorum of the Board; and I Rick Gifford, Assistant City Manager Scott Ransom, Deputy Harbormaster Kari Atwood, Board Secretary *left at 12:58 p.m. **leftat 1:15p.m. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND REPORTS Council member Orr reported that we have a new city manager and that he should be onboard around the 15th of June. He noted that he had requested reconsideration of the resolution that was passed regarding the Harbor Master Plan. He would like to make sure each phase is approved before any work takes place. Louis Bencardino, Alaska Railroad Corporation Representative reported that the railroad had reached an agreement with Suneel but the coal will not be running until the fall and the volume of coal is about half of what it was previously. He hoped the City could focus on working together to develop business and put people to work. In response to a question by Lechner, he said the railroad was not happy that Princess is going to I Whittier but they have had some other lines express interest in coming to Seward when Princess leaves. City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, page - 267 - I ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Assistant City Manager Rick Gifford noted that a resolution was passed at the last council meeting to lease the shellfish hatchery and it will be operated by Qutekcak. Deputy Harbormaster Scott Ransom informed the board that the water is turned on the floats and the rest rooms are open. He commented that the 50-ton travel lift had experienced some delays with all of the paving and construction. CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS NOT SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING: Doug Olson, 314 2nd Avenue, stated that Tryck Nyman Hayes did not do a good job of notifying the public about the current project and the plans. He said no one wants that beach filled in the launch ramp is fine where it is. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Altermatt requested that item 8B Cruisline Marketing and 78 council resolution 2003-32 be added to the agenda I Motion (KasischkelMercer) Approve the agenda and consent agenda as amended Motion passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Project list, was updated with the deletion of SMIC upland boat works policy, Port Avenue improvements, Commercial fisheries economic impact and asked the administration to give an update at the June regular meeting on the rock quarry. Council RESOLUTION NO. 2003-32, APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE SEW ARD SMALL BOAT HARBOR AREA PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT GUIDE. The board reviewed the resolution as the Council approved it including the name change to planning and development guide. Council member Orr pointed out that there was support for the concept only some of the wording was changed. NEW BUSINESS: April 2, 2003 regular meeting minutes I Cruise line marketing discussion, Tougas said that Princess is having some problems with the Whittier move but the biggest challenge was that no one from Seward was talking to them. If Seward doesn't ask for the business it won't get the business. The City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, page - 268 - Board discussed working with the railroad and having someone from the City meet with Princess. There is not a lot of time because Princess will be making a final decision soon. They agreed to devote the next work session to this topic and to have a special work session on the 14th if someone from the railroad would be able to attend then. CORRESPONDENCE, INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (no action required) Bear Necessities, April 2003 BOARD COMMENTS Jordan said she wished that Mr. Bencardino were still at the meeting because he spoke about working together and with the railroad sometimes is hard to work with. If we can mediate and help keep the cruise ships here, we should do what ever we can. CITIZEN'S COMMENTS: none RESPONSE TO COMMENTS: none Adjournment The meeting adjourned at I :25 p.m. ~~ Kari Atwood Board Secretary \\"'Utl",,, " C',.. 'I, ~\.,. Of -=.:...~ "" ~~4PO'~~~'~ :: t~ - ... \ '\ = : ST.'A1. t.' :.: ,~:. ~~ ---:1 ... . . .. ". ...",~. ~ \$1"'(//1'1 \~..., $ ~'A. ~~.~.~,..: b;i ~ , . ~ OF p.y,~,,~ -"'nll""~ ~f ' " ~t;-;(jZ~ e orah AItermatt Chair I I . City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, page - 269- I PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Board Member Lechner led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. CALL TO ORDER The regular June 4, 2003 meeting of the Seward Port and Commerce Advisory Board was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by Chair Altermatt. ROLL CALL There were present: Deborah Altermatt, presiding, and Doug Lechner Roger Mercer James Pruitt Dean Kasischke Karl Van Buskirk Tom Tougas Jack Goodwill I Absent: Melody Jordan Comprising a quorum of the Board; and James Beckham, Harbormaster Kari Atwood, Board Secretary SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND REPORTS Council member Orr was absent so Mayor Stu Clark spoke. He encouraged the board to discuss the scope of the marketing it wants to do. When marketing Seward do they want to focus on attracting year round businesses or more visitors? Orr said the city has chosen not to fund its own marketing effort but has instead funded the Chamber of Commerce and the community has not fully supported the Chambers efforts. His recommendation is that the City continues to fund the Chamber and perhaps the City could help direct and assist the Chamber in efforts toward promoting the economic development of the City. There are a lot of splintered efforts toward marketing. I Louis Bencardino, Alaska Railroad Corporation Representative reported that they are receiving a lot of requests for use of the docking facilities. They are working on getting a sign put up at Port Avenue to direct people to the dock. Tuesday at 11 :00 a.m., there will be a group of railroad people here and some folks from Hyundai and Korean power electric will be discussing the coal terminal and working on a contract. He will have more details after that meeting. -----1 City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, page - 270- ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT I Harbormaster James Beckham informed the board that the new City Manager and the new Chief of Police should be here the 16th of June. The last few weeks have been spent preparing a grant application for a fisheries economic development matching grant program. The grant is not for new projects but projects already on paper that were just waiting funding. It would be for refurbishing the T -Dock and Lift Dock, sheet pile bulk-heading the northwest comer of the harbor creating a new lift pit. Moving the travel lift away from the competing fisheries activities and new electric and utilities for these areas, it would require a 25% match from the City. Kasischke asked if the leased lands needed for the East Harbor Expansion were going to be acquired by the City and Beckham replied that the Corps of Engineers was working with the railroad on that and it would not be a problem. CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS NOT SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING: None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Lechner/Goodwill) Approve the agenda and consent agenda Motion passed Unanimous I UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Project list added cruise ship discussion to marketing under short term priorities; add ship lift expansion and road to SMIC to short-term priorities. Get an Airport and quarry update from Rick at the next meeting. Move the airport project from long term to short term priorities list. Paul Carter mentioned that Charlie Ball, from Princess would be willing to meet with people from Seward on June 16 when he is in Anchorage. The decision to go to Whittier is not final but Princess is really leaning toward that move. Altermatt mentioned there will be more discussion on this topic under new business. NEW BUSINESS: April 2, 2003 regular meeting minutes, were approved Marketing discussion, Altermatt mentioned that at the last work session the board discussed marketing in general for Seward and looked at what we can do to maximize efforts and find funding to do it. There are different groups doing different things and sometimes they don't know who is doing what. The board discussed coming up with a strategic plan for marketing. They looked at improving the web sites that are out there for Seward including the Chamber's web site and the City's own web site. I They agreed they both need a lot of work and could be much more effective if improved. Tougas suggested that the marketing efforts should be coordinated under the Chamber City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, page - 271 - I with two focuses one to addresses current customers and second to seek out new customers. The Chamber has become the events coordinator and the director has tried to do marketing but the small staff is busy and the Chamber has not received the full support of the community. The Chamber has started to form some committees that are working on different marketing ideas. The Board discussed some marketing ideas and ways to work with the Chamber. They agreed to form a list of different business groups and organizations in town concerned with marketing and promoting Seward and invite them to a special P ACAB meeting to be held on June 18th at noon. The board would like to see all of the splintered groups come together and keep communication open. CORRESPONDENCE, INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (no action required) North Pacific Fishery Management Council, Draft Agenda, May 9, 2003 The Chamber, May 2003 BOARD COMMENTS I Mercer suggested that the web sites be a priority because they are easier to keep updated. Once something is in print it goes out of date quickly. Ultimately the business is done through phone calls. People need to be able to easily find what they need on a web site like a phone number. Tougas said he agrees with Mercer. Van Buskirk mentioned that their would not be a need to make a video promoting Seward like the Chamber did because video is on it's way out and it is hard to flip through. Pruitt wanted to bring to the boards attention that the P&Z (Planning and Zoning) meetings, only meet one time a month during the busy building season. His recommendation would be to have a P&Z meeting every two weeks during the building season. The P&Z should be a lot more user friendly during a short building season. CITIZEN'S COMMENTS: none RESPONSE TO COMMENTS: none Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m. I 4 '~""J~ Kari Atwoo$'\-i ~...~~~~#"..,..., Board Sec~~fP~OFC.1).~:?a ~ .~ .."~ ,~.. ~ .;.: .'l' ........ v. . (City Seai . ( SEAL \. 5 ~ \ : - : ~ --- : = r# . . . -:. l~"""'''' ... ",..' _ ;: '\.- ~ '../f!! 1 \?.,:.4.) ~ ~ "'1~ .....1... t>..r:o' ~.... ~ OF"'v ,,~" "'UlIlI'" ~:~ . ''L;,- Deborah Altermatt Chair City of Seward, Alaska Port and Corrnnerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, Page-272- CALL TO ORDER The June 18, 2003 special meeting of the Port and Commerce Advisory Board was called to order at 12:00 p.m. ROLL CALL Present were: Deborah Altermatt, presiding, and Melody Jordan Karl Van Buskirk Tom Tougas *James Pruitt * *Dean Kasischke Absent were: Jack Goodwill, Roger Mercer and Doug Lechner Comprising a quorum of the Board; and Rick Gifford, Assistant City Manager James Beckham, Harbormaster Karl Atwood, Board Secretary *James Pruitt arrived at 12:05 pm and participated from that point. **Dean Kasischke left the meeting at 1 :00 pm. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Board Member VanBuskirk led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS NOT SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA MOTION (TougasNanBuskirk) Approve the Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed. Unanimous. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None I I . I I I City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Vohnne 3, Page-273- NEW BUSINESS MARKETING Altermatt opened the floor for discussion including the public and the board. She said there was a meeting with Charlie Ball from Princess in Anchorage on Monday. Five people from Seward were in attendance beside herself, Phil Shealy, Paul Carter, Skip Reierson, and Mayor Clark. Reierson gave a report on this meeting with Princess. He said Princess has been actively pursuing a viable economic business opportunity to relocate their operations to the port of Whittier. They have many interests and motives including logistics, fuel savings and others. Princess has had a fair amount of discussions and the railroad is a huge part of those discussions. They're looking at it from a financial angle whether to stay in Seward. The group tried to stress reasons why Princess would want to stay in Seward rather than focus on why you are going to Whittier. If they do go to Whittier we want to be part of their destination marketing program on the ship so when they come out of the tunnel they will turn south to Seward. They left the request to move forward and actively pursue having their marketing people come to speak at a Chamber luncheon. Whether they stay or go, we are pursuing both avenues. Paul Carter said he thinks the way to look at it is that Princess is gone and in twenty months Holland America will be also. They want to go and it is a tremendous savings for them especially by passing the night stay in Anchorage. Mayor Clark said the tariff issue did not come up in the discussion regarding the cruise line and the Alaska Railroad. Princesses want to fill up their own rooms. The railroad is looking ahead and trying to add more cruise lines and more independent ships to dock here in Seward. The cruise lines are asking for priority usage and discounts for their tunnel traffic in and out of Whittier. Altermatt said everyone that left the meeting with Charlie Ball it was clears that discussion between Seward and Princess needs to remain open. They plan to push Kenai Princess and we want them to add Kenai Fjords National Park and make Seward a destination. Reierson suggested the Chamber kick it into gear and in the next few days get a planning work session with its membership. Orr mentioned that we are going to lose local jobs and maybe the focus should be on getting another operator in town similar to that to hold on to some of those jobs. Maybe some ofthe marketing focus should be on the ten percent of independent cruise ship passengers. Marketing to other groups that have nothing to do with cruise ships like people in RV's was discussed and the possibility offocusing on other cruise ship companies like Cruise West. Margaret Branson mentioned that marketing cost a lot of money to be done effectively and we haven't put any money into it. The state and the borough are not doing it ether. Most Seward businesses are too small to do it on their own. Someone has to put up the money. Jim Carter from EDD, said last night the CVB had an open public meeting to discuss a borough wide bed tax. Research and analysis when it comes to marketing is expensive. The bed tax was looked at with a lot City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume3,Pag~274- I of reservation. The Mat-Su raises about $650,000 a year with their bed tax about forty percent of that goes into marketing. The Kenai Peninsula does not have a brand. Pruitt pointed out that there is a fork in the road and one side of the peninsula and the other and has always been one side against the other. It is hard to get collective marketing. Jim Carter mentioned that they would like to put a commercial campground/rest stop at the Hope pull off to market the whole peninsula. The state came out with a research project and EDD is applying for a grant to do more research for marketing. We need a branding and a better internet presence and we need funding. The borough does have some seed money that could be available. EDD looks at regional strategies they want to affect the whole area not just bits and pieces. The group discussed different taxes and the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of taxes and who pays them. Reierson said the Chamber has embarked on a strategic planning session to focus on long term strategic planning. The focus there was to stabilize their events program. The chamber seemed to be getting a lot more into events then into marketing, there was a shift in priorities. This year they have made a commitment to ramp up marketing efforts of the chamber and focus on commercial marketing. A conference planner will be out any day now. The Chamber lost a Director and has a new one that has some excellent ideas for marketing. They hope to playa significant role in taking this community forward. Lacey Eckberg Chamber Director said Princess is a hard lesson learned. I We need to focus on business that is here now instead of putting out fires. The Chamber has between two and three hundred people a day and more than that on weekends come through its doors. The market is coming right to the door what are we doing to keep them here is what we need to pursue. There is nothing at the wye to tell you to go to the left to Seward and what is in Seward. We need to diversify. She is open to any ideas and suggestions. She agrees that the web site needs to be redone. BOARD COMMENTS Pruitt said we should be looking at year round employment. We should be looking at bringing barge and tug traffic here and have a basin here to tie up in and continue to develop the marine industrial park finishing it. That is where year round jobs will come from. Conventions in the winter are a good idea but will be a tough sell. AItermatt said she felt the same way and wanted to include more that tourism in the marketing discussion today. Marketing is a huge topic onewe could meet forever on and have lots of discussion which is the problem because beyond discussion we need to have action. We need to find a plan that we can work on and list all of the different ways that we need to market out city. We have had a lot of good comments today and appreciate Jim Carter coming over and bring up branding and the internet presence. The idea of money for marketing is a huge one maybe the best approach is that we can conceptualize what we are doing and then we can sit down and talk about funding. In one work session the word engage came up and that's what we need to do is engage with all of the marketing. I Marketing is about relationships and building relationships. CITIZENS' COMMENTS I I I City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, Page-275- Mayor Clark remarked that he asked Deborah to have a special meeting about marketing. The statement from Skip and Lacey to some extent would justify his desire to have the board move in the direction of getting behind the Chamber and supporting it. In the past, what marketing we have done has not been done professionally. Ifwe have proposals that can justify turning over a grater portion if not all of the bed tax money to the Chamber for the purpose of increasing this communities presence in the world then he would support that. The Mayor made the note that at that point he was speaking as an individual. Would like to see all the members of the community support the Chamber in these efforts. Skip Reierson, wanted to speak on two things one as a father and parent in this community wants to see kids come back to this community, have them grow with the community and make better opportunities for the young people. Regarding the Chamber, he said he appreciates the Mayor's comments and others with respects to the Chambers future role in the community and they look forward to expanding this role. Jim Carter EDD, in thinking strategically about marketing the community we can't just think of only tourism. Through an EDD project they are currently developing they have polled over 70 business and retirement, health care, and post- secondary education are the fastest growing industries on the Peninsula. Health care is also growing. They are talking with A VTEC to expand there health care program. If you do ever finish the marine industrial park, it will be a boom. Seward can be very progressive. Homer is progressive and Kenai and Soldotna can take a few pages from your book. He said ifEDD can help, they will. BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS None ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m. ~ /;If~ ~~ Kari Atwood Board Secretary ~~\II.""', ,-...'" f= se ,~, (City Seal) ....,.. ..( ~.....~ 11:1, "'" ~.. r.;'.O::o~POIf~'!',~() ~ f:'. "".-u- ....".~. 'tI: :: ,..-~ <:>\ ':, .,. .~ --.- ... ... : . . ". . SEAL : - .. tJ.e: . .. ;!I- . . .. 'IS . : . ..,. .. -- ... '-';~ -. .. ., ~ ~.~ ..~~~-:~! ~ ..,~.~.th'" t-YT;...1' ~#~ ~. OFp..\.. :\~"... 88", ,U "", Deborah AItermatt Chair City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, page - 276- CALL TO ORDER I The regular August 6, 2003 meeting of the Seward Port and Commerce Advisory Board was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by Chair Altermatt. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Board Member Goodwill led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. SWEARING IN OF NEW MEMBER Jerry Waliezer was sworn in as a new member of the Port and Commerce Advisory Board by City Clerk Jean Lewis. ROLL CALL There were present: Deborah Altermatt, presiding, and Doug Lechner Jack Goodwill Jerry Waliezer Melody Jordan Tom Tougas I Absent: Roger Mercer, Karl VanBuskirk Comprising a quorum of the Board; and James Beckham, Harbormaster Kari Atwood, Board Secretary Phil Shealy, City Manager SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND REPORTS Council member Orr was absent so Mayor Stu Clark informed the board that he had a number of conversations with the president of the Alaska Railroad and was led to believe that the railroad was working hard to keep Princess in Seward. He was skeptical but glad to see the lines of communication were being kept open. He said the city administration is serious about pursuing all avenues of economics, and replied that he met with Ann Castellina and said there's are no problem with funds for the new multi- agency building. The discussions have been about the administration and routing of the funds. He also informed the board that the Portico Group would be giving an overview ofthe project to Planning and Zoning at their regular meeting on Tuesday, September 2nd I and at the September 8th Council meeting and encouraged them to attend at least one of City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, page - 277 - these presentations. Altermatt added that she had invited Ann Castellina to give the same presentation to the board at their next regular meeting on September 3rd. I Louis Bencardino, Alaska Railroad Corporation Representative reported that the board may be hearing more about the pork project if a study can be completed showing a market for this product. Freight has been up and more barges are coming in over the next few days. The railroad has been talking with Holland America and Royal Caribbean trying to give them a better deal to stay in Seward. Tougas asked how we can communicate to the railroad management that they need to finish the access from Port Avenue to the cruise ship terminal. Bencardino replied that he would discuss that with them and agreed the area needs to be fixed. Tougas asked if the Board should write a letter encouraging the railroad to finish this project and Bencardino responded that it would be a good idea. Bencardino encouraged the board to fax a letter by tomorrow. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Phil Shealy, City Manager introduced himself and informed the board that he had worked with the Homer port and harbor committee when he was there. He hoped the board would be patient until he gets up to speed and asked them to please let him know if there is anything they think the city should be doing. I Harbormaster James Beckham said the two-week salmon derby would begin this weekend and the boat-lift schedule would be affected. In response to a question from Altermatt, he said the building on G float was to store equipment needed to maintain the floats and that the cost for the materials was about $8000. CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS NOT SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING: None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Lechner/Jordan) Approve the agenda and consent agenda as amended with the addition of 9 D letter to the railroad regarding cruise ship dock. Motion passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Project list items scheduled for updates were postponed to the September 3rd meeting due to the absence of Gifford. It was agreed to add that the coal contract was signed and to add multi-agency center under downtown revitalization with a note that Ann Castellina will be making a presentation on September 3rd I East Harbor Update was given by Harbormaster James Beckham. He informed the board that the City was talking to the railroad about leasing the sliver of land needed for the project. He said the Corp was just waiting for the land certification and the project was ready to go out to bid. The project is still short three to four million dollars. City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, page - 278- Have some indications that we may get some additional federal funds in October. He explained the federal portion of the project is all set to go but we have to have an agreement with the railroad on the sliver of tidelands that is within the harbor. I Marketing Altermatt briefly reviewed what had been covered under marketing in the two June meetings. Tougas said Chamber does seem to be taking a much more aggressive approach toward marketing. Mayor Clark said the meeting he attended pursued two avenues, the organizational and the other was how do we market. Funding took up a lot of the time, a bed tax was discussed. One important point raised was that the Kenai Peninsula Borough needs to have a brand. No hard decisions were made but it was obvious that KPTMC was havi~g trouble getting people to buy into their programs. Altermatt mentioned that the Chamber seems to be focusing on the tourism side of marketing. Clark answered that the Chamber is interested in promoting economic development but are short staffed. He also suggested that when marketing is on the agenda the board invite the Chamber director and president to attend. Altermatt informed the board that Jim Carter from EDD had resigned. NEW BUSINESS: June 4,2003 regular meeting minutes and June 18,2003 special meeting minutes were approved, Motion ( Tougas /Lechner) Motion Passed Approve Resolution 2003-02 Unanimous I Resolution 2003-02 recognizing James Pruitt for his service on the board. Resolution 2003-02 recognizing Dean Kasischke for his service on the board. Motion (Lechnerffougas) Motion Passed Approve Resolution 2003-02 Unanimous Letter to the railroad, was suggested by Tougas that the board send a letter to the railroad that asks them to pursue completion of the pedestrian access to the dock including signage. It is confusing and there is dust in the dry times and mud in the wet times and that's the first impression for the passengers and crew when they arrive. It is a signage issue and a paving issue and it should not be terribly expensive. Goodwill added that it is difficult for the motor coaches as well Tougas said there is no directional signage. Waliezer suggested that the word "safety" be added to the letter as well as appearance. Tougas said there also needs to be a cross-walk. It should be a simple letter and it should be addressed to Gamble and copied to Silverstein and Kubitz. Tougas mentioned he was leaving town and would not be able to write the letter. It was agreed that Harbormaster Beckham would write the letter and Altermatt would sign it and faxed that day. I City of Seward, Alaska Port and Conunerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, page - 279- CORRESPONDENCE, INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (no action required) I North Pacific Fishery Management Council News and Notes, June 2003 BOARD COMMENTS Goodwill welcomed Jerry to the board. Waliezer said he was glad to be on the board and hoped he could be of some assistance. Lechner welcomed Jerry and Phil. Tougas said the greatest opportunity that we have for diversified economic development is the multi-agency center as far as both construction jobs and the Fed paying more people to live here. We should do anything we can to encourage it. Jordan welcomed Jerry also. I Altermatt welcomed Jerry and thanked Phil for coming today. She said she wanted to let the board know that they had received some information regarding the W orid Trade Center and are trying to get more active with that and other trade. She updated the board on a meeting she attended in Anchorage last Friday. She said the speaker was one of the commercial attaches from the South Korean Embassy. Thanked everyone for attending. CITIZEN'S COMMENTS: Stu Clark said it was brought to his attention recently that natural gas is an important ingredient in plastics. Anchorage is at the cross-roads of freight routes all over the world. Why not use natural gas to manufacture light weight plastic and use coal to generate the power and build up a value added industry. RESPONSE TO COMMENTS: none Adjournment The meeting was adjourned at 1 :27 p.m. I ,4'r/dVlJ>/ .."......"" a~ Kari Atwood.."......... OF S€~"#i eborah Altermatt Board Secretary ,f'&:.~n~PO~..::ts>..:#~ Chair :: ...~r;r ~~..'" ~ ,. . ~- ......- '0 . ... (City Seal) a . { SEAL i. i '\II . . . ~.. . . - "'" . --...- ... ., . .. ~ '" ~"~' . .' .. "" I..V; ~v.., ~ ..1\t~1 \~ ....v-~ ...~ "1~......I..... y,'fr'" ~ '...., OF p..V',,"" ",......."" I I I City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3. page - 284 - I CALL TO ORDER The regular October 1, 2003 meeting of the Seward Port and Commerce Advisory Board was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by Chair Altermatt. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Board Member Whitman led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Deborah Altermatt, presiding, and Doug Lechner D.J. Whitman Jerry Waliezer Melody Jordan * Tom Tougas *Tom Tougas arrived at 12:02 p.m. and left the meeting at 12:40 p.m. I Absent: Roger Mercer, Karl VanBuskirk, Jack Goodwill Comprising a quorum of the Board; and James Beckham, Harbormaster Kari Atwood, Board Secretary Rick Gifford, Assistant City Manager SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND REPORTS Louis Bencardino, Alaska Railroad Corporation Representative reported that the railroad had a meeting last Tuesday with cruise line officials and others and everyone is working toward keeping the cruise lines in Seward. Princess is committed to Whittier with a ten-year contract. The railroad and the City are working on keeping Holland America here and it seems to be going well. The railroad is now using its side load ramp. A barge is coming in tonight. Everyone enjoyed the Alaska Day celebration that was held. The Christmas train will be in on Saturday the 6th of December. Whitman asked if anyone at Holland America mentioned using Seward more as a destination. Bencardino replied that it did come up but the problem is that Princess did not give up any dock space in Vancouver BC and that is where the other lines would have to originate. I Council Member Orr informed the Board that the Council had a discussion of the Federal priorities list at their last meeting and it was agreed to maintain a somewhat more generic list. They also approved the waterfront development plan alternate #3. City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3. page - 285 - There was also some discussion about the miscommunication that an EDA Federal grant for shipbuilding was not advocated for, but it is not too late and we can still encourage it. I ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Rick Gifford, Assistant City Manager informed the board that most city departments are working on their budgets and there may be budget work sessions the week of the 20th. He also mentioned that Rex Young from DOT was in attendance to give the board an update on the zero to eight mile road project. Harbormaster James Beckham said the Breeze Inn is asking for a re-plat of their lots so they could make some improvements to the hotel. He also mentioned that he and the Deputy Harbormaster would be at the Harbormaster's annual convention in Petersburg later this month. Rex Young from DOT gave the board several handouts one on the Seward highway MP 0-8 Phase II and one on MP 18-25. He mentioned phase II was moved from 2004 to 2005 and gave an overview of the three segments involved in phase II. He mentioned the MP 18-25 project was scheduled to start in 2005 but would be moved back to 2007 or 2008; it will add some passing lanes and replace some of the bridges along that stretch of highway. In response to a question from Jordan, Young responded that no work would be done in 2004 because they had to balance the budget and there was no funding available. Young mentioned the City had also requested additional lighting be I added to the portions of the project and that they would try and comply but that the City would be asked to pay for the maintenance and extra electricity needed. CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS NOT SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING: None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Lechner/Jordan) Approve the agenda and consent agenda Motion passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Project list, Whitman was concerned that Ketchikan shipyard is getting all the Federal grant money and Seward is not getting any. Orr responded that the it is on the City's priority list and does not know why it was not advocated. Whitman suggested that the board make a resolution to the Council recommending they direct the lobbyist in Juneau to seek out this funding. The money has not been given out yet and it might not be too late. It was agreed that all the board members would be mailed a copy of the priorities list and they would work on this at the next work session. I City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3. page - 286- I Marketing Tougas let the board know that Princess is going to compete with Seward and the railroad, they need the cruise ships to use the Whittier facilities to help pay for it. They have signed a ten year commitment and will actively pursue other cruise lines. Tougas gave a handout to the board showing all the reasons the cruise lines should stay in Seward versus Whittier. It included information such as average rainfall, marketing/branding advantages and operational and economical advantages as well. Tougas mentioned he would have to leave early to catch a flight out of Anchorage this afternoon. Altermatt informed the board that she would be meeting with the Chamber at one o'clock tomorrow for their strategic planning meeting and encouraged other board members to attend. She would like to see a strong focus on economic development since tourism seems to be pretty well covered. Whitman mentioned that the Chamber was going to have a booth at the Fish Expo in Seattle and suggested perhaps the board send a representative, such as the chair, to work a day in the booth. The expo is coming up in November and most of the ports in Alaska are represented there. I Board Budget The board reviewed the Fund: 101 form. Beckham informed the board that the only object codes the board had not used were education/training and travel. Altermatt pointed out that many board members do travel on board business but usually it is coordinated with other activities so they do not ask to be reimbursed. Jordan asked what miscellaneous covered and Beckham replied that covers plaques, awards or anything not covered under any other code. Jordan asked if the money the board does not use could be allocated for something else like marketing. Beckham mentioned that the charter for this board does not cover marketing, it is an advisory board. He suggested the board ask the council to budget for these items. NEW BUSINESS: August 6, 2003 regular meeting minutes were approved Flat Tax Ron Long, Kenai Peninsula Borough Representative, mentioned that the flat tax has been looked at before and most communities in the Borough have a flat tax although Seward is not one of them. The Finance Director for the City has looked over the numbers and said the City may see a decrease in revenue the first year of about $6000.00. From the borough's point of view, it would be easier to administer a flat tax and it would be cohesive throughout the borough. Whitman mentioned that the perception is out there that the tax is high in Seward. Altermatt mentioned some large businesses that have spoken to the board have commented about it. Jordan said commercial vessels look at that when choosing where to homeport their vessels and maybe the revenue would go up in the end with a flat tax because more vessels may home port here. The board agreed to try and get more information and continue discussing this at their November 5th meeting. I CORRESPONDENCE, INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (no action required) City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3. page - 287 - WTC Alaska Tradeline Newsletter, September 16,2003, pages 1-7 I North Pacific Fishery Management Council, August 29,2003 Ballast Exchange, Volume 5, Spring/Summer 2003 BOARD COMMENTS: Altermatt said someone told her that the 250-ton travel lift was not listed on the harbor web site as one of the services offered. Beckham said that was not correct, it is listed under labor and services. CITIZEN'S COMMENTS: Willard Dunham said he would like to see more participation in trade shows and specific target items. The board should look at items that we should participate in. We need better marketing and an updated picture. As a council member he would like to see what the board thinks they should be doing and where we should go to show a city presence. We need to know what you think is important. RESPONSE TO COMMENTS: Altermatt pointed out that this discussion has been going on for sometime I and it is important to get all of these marketing groups together. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1 :55 p.m. ***The power was out during the meeting from approximately 12:35pm to 1:00 pm so that portion of the meeting was not recorded on the audio tape for this meeting. ~r4kd Kari Atwood Board Secretary ~li 'Deborah Altermatt Chair (City Seal) I City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3. page - 288 - I CALL TO ORDER The regular November 5, 2003 meeting of the Seward Port and Commerce Advisory Board was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by Chair Altermatt. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Board Member Lechner led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Deborah Altermatt, presiding, and Doug Lechner DJ. Whitman Jerry Waliezer Melody Jordan Roger Mercer Jack Goodwill *Karl Van Buskirk *Karl Van Buskirk arrived at 12:05 p.m. I Absent: Tom Tougas Comprising a quorum of the Board; and Rick Gifford, Assistant City Manager James Beckham, Harbormaster Kari Atwood, Board Secretary SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND REPORTS Council Member Dunham was absent so Council Member Va1datta spoke in his place. He expressed his concern over the situation at SMIC explaining that if a boat ties up at the Ocean Beauty dock and then comes into the harbor, they might get charged for both. He would like to see that ordinance changed because the City is losing business over it. Louis Bencardino, Alaska Railroad Corporation Representative was absent. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT I Rick Gifford, Assistant City Manager informed the board that he had not brought the flat tax issue back because the finance director is busy with the budget. He City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3, page - 289 - offered to email a copy of the up-coming work session schedule to anyone that was interested. I Harbormaster James Beckham said the Corp scheduled to open the bid packages on November 19. Posters of the expansion project were delivered to the Chamber for Fish Expo. The harbor budget work session was held last week and some line items were cut. They are also looking at a 5% increase in rates for the harbor. Fred Esposito of A VTEC along with Curt O'Halloran gave a forty-minute presentation of the proposed fire training facility to be located at SMIC. The facility would be a partnership between A VTEC, City of Seward and State Fire Training Service each of these would contribute something to the facility. A VTEC currently has to rent a facility in Kenai for fire training and it is expensive and travel to and from the facility in the winter is a hazard. There would be safety and fire training related to marine industries offered at the purposed facility. They would do the project in phases and these were explained to the board. They are working on getting a signed memorandum from all of the participants and would appreciate any support the Board could give. CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS NOT SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING: Ron Long, KPB Representative said he was absent from the Council meeting the other night and wanted to give the board a brief report. A contract had been awarded I to KBBI to broadcast the borough assembly meetings. It was appealed by the other contractor and the Mayor denied the appeal so now it will be heard at special meeting on the eighteenth at ten o'clock. They had eighteen applicants for seats on the new flood service area board. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Jordan/Mercer) Approve the agenda and consent agenda as amended with the addition of 8C SMIC discussion Motion passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Project list, SMIC new commerce was moved from long term to short-term priorities list. The fire training facility was added under it with a reference to a resolution of support at the December meeting. It was noted that under Downtown Revitalization there was going to be a meeting today at three with the Downtown Business Association at Legends regarding the multi agency project. Under marketing, it was noted that Bill Pop, oil and gas liaison would be giving a presentation to the board at their February meeting. I City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3. page - 290 - I Marketing, it was mentioned that many board members would be attending the Fish Expo and they would be having a meeting regarding that right after this meeting. They would also discuss weather someone from the City would be going also. It was agreed the meeting was running long so Marketing would be discussed again at the next meeting. NEW BUSINESS: September 3, & October 1, 2003 regular meeting minutes were approved Nominations were opened for the position of Chair, A motion was made by Goodwill to nominate Deborah Altermatt, Second by Lechner and there were no other nominations. Motion Passed Unanimous Nominations were opened for the position of Vice Chair, A motion was made by Jordan to nominate Doug Lechner, Second by Waliezer and there were no other nominations. Motion Passed Unanimous I I SMIC discussion, Altermatt asked Beckham to address some of the questions that were raised earlier in the meeting by Council Member Valdatta. Beckham said the administration and the harbor department have struggled to separate SMIC from the small boat harbor. There was a perception that the folks in the small boat harbor were funding the large deficit over at SMIC. It was not easy but we were successful in separating the two funds and in doing that we have created two separate enterprise funds. SMIC was zoned marine industrial since its inception. The tariff for SMIC has always been separate from the small boat harbor and the fees have always been distinct to that area. The intent of the dockage rates over there were set to discourage long-term moorage at that facility. The rate was set at a dollar per foot per day. The rate in the harbor is forty-one cents per foot per day. When boats use the SMIC dock and then go into the harbor, they may be charged for both because they are separate facilities. This double charge rarely occurs because an employee is not over in the SMIC area all the time. If you have paid moorage in the small boat harbor but leave the harbor to deliver to Ocean Beauty you do get charged for using that facility. There have been discussions with the City Manager that in this next go around with the tariff to make the rate the same as the small boat harbor. The board discussed the perception that you are being gouged or getting two bills for the same day and how to eliminate that perception or perhaps make some exceptions, as if you would not be charged if you were actively loading or unloading fish. The actual moorage collected at the East SMIC dock is less than $20,000 a year. Jim Hubbard said he does know of at least two boats that will not be back next year because of this double moorage. Between those two boats, they unloaded a half million dollars worth of fish. It is not just the fish tax we will loose form those two boats it is also the money they spend City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3. pal]:e - 291 - on fuel etc. VanBuskirk asked if the boats were really that bent out of shape over a hundred dollars in moorage and Hubbard replied that yes they are. The board agreed to I reschedule the work session from November 19 to November 12 and discuss this topic. CORRESPONDENCE, INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (no action required) Copy of City of Seward ad in PacificFishing North Pacific Fishery Management Council, News and Notes, October 2003 BOARD COMMENTS: Mercer pointed out that Curt [O'Halloran] went to special training this summer to learn to generate new databases or maps. He used the same programming for this presentation but this is not the same equipment he is used to using and can do an even better job with that equipment. He does have the option of modeling things that do not exist and that is to our advantage. Jordan thought it was a good presentation and that it looks like a project that would really benefit Seward. It will be good to have a work session regarding the rates. A1termatt wanted to thank the board for choosing her as Chair and thank Curt I and Fred for coming here and being flexible in doing the presentation here and not at A VTEC. It was a good presentation and we should give our support. CITIZEN'S COMMENTS: Bob Valdatta this is a "can of worms and point blank if someone brings fish to the dock he also brings a job". There has been a big drop in fish delivered here and then we are not selling water or electricity to those boats because we are charging ninety dollars we are loosing a thousand dollars. All I am saying the independents come in here and they like to drink play around and stay a few days in town, they hit the beach and took a hike and they are not going to stay here. Valdatta asked about the extra charge that was put on fish unloaded here but not processed here and was informed that that charge no longer exists. It was illegal and the City had to refund those charges. He said he just wanted to make sure people understood that by charging ninety dollars we are losing a thousand dollars. Ron Long said that his random observation of this discussion, he is hearing all the reasons from the administration why it is two businesses and two separate entities but that distinction is lost on the fellow who writes his check to the City of Seward for two moorage bills. The message I am also getting is that Mr. Fisherman that is too bad and furthermore, we are not going to consider any other points of view. Karl asked, "Does that measly hundred bucks really turn into hard economics, I would suggest that when you go from first and second to landings to third and fourth that it does". I City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3. page - 292- I RESPONSE TO COMMENTS: Beckham said the tariff did not come out of the blue, in fact the SMIC tariff has been the SMIC tariff with no changes except for the travel lift for better than ten years. While sympathetic to the person who is thumbing his nose saying, I am not paying you a hundred bucks twice. I have to believe that there are other economic factors involved than just that difference of fifty cents a foot. The tariff has been the same for dockage and wharfage with the exception of 1999. We were sued and lost that $35 a ton for fish not processed in Seward was found to be unenforceable and void and we had to pay back all of the wharfage that someone had paid at $35 a ton. Goodwill pointed out that Beckham is just doing his job by enforcing these charges and that if things are going to change the tariff needs to be changed. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1 :50 p.m. I ~'~d Kari Atwood Board Secretary ~~~~~ e--Deborah Altermatt Chair (City Seal) I City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3. oage - 293 - The regular December 3, 2003 meeting of the Seward Port and Commerce Advisory Board was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by Vice Chair Lechner. I CALL TO ORDER PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG Board Member Whitman led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Doug Lechner, presiding, and Roger Mercer Jerry Waliezer D.J. Whitman Tom Tougas Jack Goodwill Absent: Deborah Altermatt, Karl VanBuskirk, Melody Jordan Comprising a quorum of the Board; and Rick Gifford, Assistant City Manager James Beckham, Harbormaster Kari Atwood, Board Secretary I SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS, AND REPORTS Council Member Dunham was absent, Council Member Valdatta, spoke instead. He informed the Board that Ocean Beauty would like to lease the East SMIC dock. With a preferential moorage agreement like Seward Fisheries has. That would bring money in twelve months a year instead of hit and miss that is going on now and would be a good idea. Louis Bencardino, Alaska Railroad Corporation Representative reported that the next day they would have CP in with some containers they have been going to Anchorage. North Star is going to unload it and then load it on the trucks. That way takes two 4-hour shifts in Anchorage they unload right onto the trucks. If we want to keep them here we will have to stay competitive with Anchorage. Silverstein will be in Florida talking to them at their headquarters. They have a new customer in Japan and coming here will save them some time. He said the Coast Guard Cutters have been coming in and Sampson is still coming in here regularly. Christmas train will be on Saturday. Two I days of arts & craft show Friday and Saturday. City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3. page - 294 - Bencardino said Paul Seton called today about the bike trail-leaving town toward Bear Lake. When we checked into it, we found out that DOT promised that they were going to move the railroad over so that there would be room for the bike path and the railroad agreed to it. Now DOT wants to squeeze the bike path in and put up a fence. The railroad is not happy with that, but they are still working on it. The railroad might agree if DOT wants to take responsibility for it. There will be 52 dockings this year for cruise ships. Whitman asked if Seward lacked the equipment to unload from the ship to the trucks and Bencardino replied that the ship has its own cranes and it could be unloaded that way in Seward. In response to a question from Lechner, he said that it was a combination of ice (at the Anchorage port) and scheduling that was bringing CP to Seward this trip. Valdatta asked if they were bringing in their own trucks or if Carlisle would be used and Bencardino indicated he thought Carlisle was notified. I ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT Rick Gifford, Assistant City Manager gave the board a copy of Resolution Nos. 2003-140 and 2003-141 that will be going before the Council and wanted the board to be aware of them. They are the 2004 State and Federal legislative priorities. At the December 8, regular meeting the Council will be discussing these items. An open house, public hearing on the airport master plan will be held here at the Council Chambers next Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. I Harbormaster James Beckham reported that the bid opening for the harbor project was postponed to December 15; apparently, there was an error in one of the bid tabs that was noticed by one contractor. Tougas asked what the primary reason for the delays. Beckham answered that the first time was because of the land agreement; second time the Corp estimator crunched the numbers and changed the amount of the estimate; third time December 1 did not give enough time to fly after the Thanksgiving holiday; fourth time a contractor noticed an error in the bid tab. CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS NOT SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING: None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Whitman/Goodwill) Approve the agenda and consent agenda Motion passed Unanimous UNFINISHED BUSINESS: I Project list, Lechner said he was curious if the administration had been in contact with the owners of the sawmill. It has been for sale for quite some time and he was wondering it's status maybe we could contact the owners and see if we can assist with marketing it. Would like to add it to the project list under SMIC new commerce. Tougas said Gold Belt owns the sawmill and they are anxious to sell it but owe a City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3. page - 295 - substantial amount of money to the bank so it is complicated. They cannot afford to just walk away from it and they are actively trying to sell it. Tougas asked about the airPort access road, and why is it on the priorities list. If this road goes through, it would get all of the traffic that currently comes down Port Avenue and would completely by-pass town and that would not have a positive economic impact on Seward. Beckham said the thought was to link the port and cruise ship industries to the airport. Lechner mentioned that the railroad has access right now but it is gated off. Tougas suggested to the board removing this from its priority list because if we are going to spend $3 million there are other roads or highways that it could be spent on. Gifford encouraged the board to go to the next council meeting and bring it up to the council members. The city is asking that the port be designated a strategic port, that may be a reason that the airport road may be important for that designation. I Marketing, Lechner asked Lacy Eckenberrg from the Chamber to speak about how the Fish Expo in Seattle went. She said that it was a huge conference and that the Chamber had not been there since 1993. They received a lot of positive feedback from the attendees as well as some negative. She thought it was a good show and that the Chamber should attend next year. In response to a question from WaIiezer, Eckenberg commented that nine different chambers from Alaska cities were represented at the Expo. Next year the Expo will include tourism as well as commercial. Whitman thought the show was a big success and hoped the Board and the City would support it next year. Council member Kevin Clark mentioned that he had asked the Council to set a work session at the December 8 meeting that would focus on the topic of marketing. Tougas informed the board that the dock in Whittier is becoming more expensive and that Princess needs at least 88 landings to make the dock work. Princess is aggressively marketing other cruise lines to use their facility and no one is marketing from Seward why they should stay. Holland America will make a decision in January and we need to encourage them to stay. Seward needs to be marketed as a Port of Call destination. In response to Goodwill, Tougas said that the railroad will run three new trains from Whittier and by 2005 Whittier will have more train days then Seward does. I NEW BUSINESS: Five percent rate increase in harbor fees, discussion. Beckham informed the board that our insurance for property, health, liability, PERS, and workers comp contributions has gone up a total of $105 thousand. This year in order to get a balanced budget we did have to trim some items out of the line items and had to cut the legal budget. Many of these expenses involve contracts and maintaining the leases. Had to cut all maintenance projects. He was also just informed that the $1.3 million the State had promised for the expansion were not in the Governor's budget and therefore might not be coming. With a 5%, increase we expect to bring an additional $75 thousand and that should bring the budget back in line with room to fund some projects. One of the proposed changes to the tariff is to change the rate charged across the bay to match the fees in the harbor. Whitman expressed concern with the rates charged now and how they compare with other harbors. Beckham said we have the highest rates in the state but our harbor is not in debt and we have one of the best harbors in the state. The larger boats that come from I City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3. page - 296- I outside Alaska do not complain about the rates, and our rates are about a third of the national average. Tougas said he has found in his business that when insurance rates go up our fmancing goes down and the cost of servicing the debt goes down. From the harbors standpoint is the cost of funds going down. Gifford said we have recently refinanced some debt but not all debt is eligible for refinancing and the City keeps a close eye on that. Whitman said how can we justify our higher rates when some of the other harbors, like Homer have new facilities and a much lower rate. Beckham mentioned that Homer receives $5 million from its general fund to operate and Kodiak has a one percent sales tax dedicated to capital improvements. The board discussed looking at what other harbors do. Some examples were to look at our transient rate and maybe increase that also the question was raised regarding the fish tax and parking fees going to the general fund instead of the harbor. There is no easy fix and no one likes to see rates increase. Resolution 2003-04 recommending the support of the development of the A VTEC fire training facility at the Seward Marine Industrial Center. Motion Whitman/ Second Waliezer Unanimous CORRESPONDENCE, INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (no action required) Tradewinds, Fall 2003 I BOARD COMMENTS Tougas said he was interested in the marketing workshop. It is good to address the whole relationship between the chamber and its roll in marketing for the City. It is good to do it outside of the budget format it is normally done in. Lechner mentioned that the previous night the Planning and Zoning Commission dealt with set backs in the industrial areas and it was a very productive meeting. It sounds like there will be some meetings in the next month or two to help resolve those issues. Lechner reminded everyone that the DOT airport meeting on Wednesday would be held in the council chambers at 6:30 it would be good to attend and see what the State has in mind for this project. CITIZEN'S COMMENTS I Kevin Clark said after living in Seward for seven years he has heard some negative comments about Seward. It may be a blanket statement but to a certain degree, Seward has a negative image. Would caution raising rates when we are already the highest in the state because this may only add fuel to the fire. When we discuss marketing we need to discuss our image we portray to the rest of Alaska. City of Seward, Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes Volume 3. page - 297 - Bob Valdatta wanted to inform the board that Ocean Beauty will be doing the pollock season in January because of a canary closure in Cordova. He talked to a company about wave barriers and they suggested contacting Whisper Wave via the internet. If we contact Ted Stevens' office there may be some surplus wave barriers available. The railroad is not doing their part to sell Seward. The Chamber and the Phoenix Log have the new visitor guides and they are good. Philadelphia was the first port to get a strategic port designation. We need to sell ourselves; we need a brochure that we can give out that encompasses everything. Talked to the cooks at the prison and they have served fish only twice this year, Alaska Seafood Marketing says they have a warehouse full of Pink Salmon they need to move. They need a letter or something to start this rolling. RESPONSE TO COMMENTS None ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1 :35pm ~r~ <---, " /.\ /~ D~ug Led?ter Vice Chair Kari Atwood Board Secretary (City Seal) I I I