HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2009-061Sponsored by: Administration
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2009-061
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA REQUESTING THAT THE STATE OF ALASKA EXEMPT
FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECTS IN THE SEWARD AREA FROM THE
GRAVEL ROYALTY FEE, AS IT APPLIES TO ALL FLOWING WATERS
INTO RESURRECTION BAY, IN THE VICINITY OF SEWARD ALASKA
WHEREAS, the Seward Bear Creek Flood service area, Kenai Peninsula Borough and
the City of Seward are working to lessen impacts to flooding in the Seward area; and
WHEREAS, the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources charges a mineral
resources extraction royalty fee of $3.25 per cubic yard for gravel; and
WHEREAS, this extraction royalty fee makes flood control projects more expensive
and cost prohibitive; and
WHEREAS, charging a royalty fee for gravel extraction for flood mitigation projects is
contrary to protecting public health and safety; and
WHEREAS, stream bed loading due to sediment deposits increase the frequency of
flooding in the Seward area; and
WHEREAS, the Seward Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board, the Kenai Peninsula
Borough and the City of Seward are working towards stream bed load removal and other flood
control options in the Seward area; and
WHEREAS, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Flood Plain Task Force voted on April 15,
2009 in support of the State of Alaska exempting flood mitigation projects in the Seward Area
from the gravel royalty fee, as it applies to all flowing waters into Resurrection Bay, in the
vicinity of Seward, Alaska anal requested other legislative bodies do the same; and
WHEREAS, the Seward Port and Commerce Advisory Board, the Seward Planning and
Zoning Commission and the Seward Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board have voted
unanimously in support of this request.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, that:
Section 1. All flowing waters into Resurrection Bay in the vicinity of Seward, Alaska are
continually filling with sediment and debris that must be removed to lessen the flood events in
the Seward area.
Section 2. The gravel deposits in these streams need to be removed regularly to ensure
the economic viability of the community as well as ensure public health and safety.
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2009-061
Section 3. Council requests that the State exempt flood mitigation projects in the Seward
gravel royalty fee for area from its gravel extraction fee.
Section 4. Copies of this resolution shall be sent to Honorable Governor Sarah Palin,
Senators Con Bunde, Albert Kookesh, Gary Stevens, and Tom Wagoner, Representative Mike
Chaenault, Mike Hawker, Kurt Olson, Woodie Salmon, and Paul Seaton, and Commissioner of
Alaska Department of Natural Resources Tom Irwin.
Section 5. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, this 13`x' day of
July, 2009.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
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Clark Corbridge, Mayor
AYES: Dunham, Bardarson, Kellar, Keil, Corbridge
NOES: None
ABSENT: Smith
ABSTAIN: Valdatta
ATTEST:
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Jean Lewis
City Clerk, CMC
(City Seal) °°•°ml;,~~ ~~~6~~~6~
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Council Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: July 13, 2009
To: Mayor and Council
From: Community Development Director Christy Terry
Through: City Manager Phillip Oates
Agenda Item: Requesting that the State of Alaska Exempt Flood Mitigation Projects in the
Seward Area from the Gravel Royalty Fee, as it Applies to All Flowing
Waters into Resurrection Bay, in the Vicinity of Seward, Alaska
BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION:
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Flood Plain Task Force was formed by the Borough Assembly on January
20, 2009 to examine possible solutions regarding flood plain issues for the Seward-Bear Creek Flood
Service Area. The Task Force has made recommendations to address important flood mitigation items
and has requested legislative support from the local boards, commissions, the Seward City Council and
the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly.
The Seward Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board, Kenai Peninsula Borough and the City of Seward are
working to lessen impacts to flooding in the Seward area. The State of Alaska Department of Natural
Resources charges a mineral resources extraction royalty fee of $3.25 per cubic yard for gravel regardless
of it being used for flood mitigation. This extraction royalty fee makes flood control projects more
expensive, cost prohibitive and creates a situation where the gravel is more expensive to remove than its
value. This policy of charging a royalty fee for gravel extraction for flood mitigation projects is contrary
to protecting public health and safety. The reality is that stream bed loading due to sediment deposits
increase the frequency of flooding in the Seward area.
The Seward Bear Creek Flood Service Area Board, the Kenai Peninsula Borough and the City of Seward
are working towards stream bed load removal and other flood control options in the Seward area. The
Kenai Peninsula Borough Flood Plain Task Force identified this issue as an important item to implement
in order to address the flood plain issues in this area. The Task Force voted on April 15, 2009 in support
of the State of Alaska exempting flood mitigation projects in the Seward Area from the gravel royalty fee,
as it applies to all flowing waters into Resurrection Bay, in the vicinity of Seward, Alaska.
At the request of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, copies of this resolution shall be sent to
Honorable Governor Sarah Palin, Senators Con Bunde, Albert Kookesh, Gary Stevens, and Tom
Wagoner, Representative Mike Chaenault, Mike Hawker, Kurt Olson, Woodie Salmon, and Paul Seaton,
and Commissioner of Alaska Department of Natural Resources Tom Irwin.
CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST• Where applicable, this resolution is consistent with the Seward City
Code, Charter, Comprehensive Plans, Land Use Plans, Strategic Plan and City Council Rules of
Procedures.
Other:
FISCAL NOTE: N/A Approved by Finance Department:
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RECOMMENDATION:~~
Approve Resolution 2009- Requesting that the State of Alaska Exempt Flood Mitigation Projects in the
Seward Area fro the Gravel Royalty Fee, as it Applies to All Flowing Waters into Resurrection Bay, in the
Vicinity of Seward, Alaska.
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