HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2011-022 Sponsored by: Oates
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2011 -022
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, IN SUPPORT OF ESTABLISHING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
FUNDING IN THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS, PACIFIC OCEAN
DIVISION, CIVIL WORKS PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the City of Seward recognizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) has
been the central governmental agency for the development of water - related infrastructure throughout
the Nation and has established a comprehensive process to identify, evaluate, and fund projects
related to navigation, safe harbor, flood control, erosion control, and water supply; and
WHEREAS, the ACOE, Pacific Ocean Division includes Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific
Island Territories all of which have economies highly dependent upon port infrastructure; and
WHEREAS, Congress suspended use of congressionally - directed spending and now only
funds projects identified through a scoring system which favors urban ports; and
WHEREAS, the rural coastal communities of the Pacific Ocean Division do not have the
population to compete with urban ports, yet are highly dependent on waterborne commerce; and
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WHEREAS, there may be a mechanism within the Energy & Water appropriations bill to
recognize the unique circumstances of coastal rural communities of the ACOE, Pacific Ocean
Division; and
WHEREAS, projects in need of funding include breakwaters, wave barriers, dredging,
mooring basins, and flood /erosion control.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SEWARD, ALASKA, THAT:
Section 1. The City of Seward encourages the United States Congress to amend fiscal year
2012 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill and the Fiscal Year 2013 President's Budget Request to
include a set -aside of $50 million annually for use within the Pacific Ocean Division to develop and
sustain water infrastructure in the small coastal communities of the region.
Section 2. The City of Seward requests the Army Corps of Engineers be charged with the
responsibility of working with the States, territorial governments, and local communities to prioritize
projects throughout the Pacific Ocean Division region and be granted the discretion to investigate,
evaluate, plan, and provide funding continuity for projects identified within its priority list.
Law Section 3. This resolution shall take effect April 11, 2011.
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION YEAR -022
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 11` day of
April, 2011.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
(.1 71
Bob Valdatta, Councilmember
AYES: Keil, Shafer, Casagranda, Valdatta
NOES: None
ABSENT: Smith, Bardarson, Dunham
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
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Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: April 11, 2011 a of set,
To: Phillip Oates, City Manager " 4
From: Kari Anderson, Harbormaster 1 4.4% - Sw°'
Agenda Item: A Resolution in support of establishing water
infrastructure funding in the Pacific Ocean Division within
the Army Corps of Engineers.
BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION:
The United States Congress has recently decided to suspend the use of congressionally- directed
spending within appropriations bills while it grapples with the Federal deficit. This moratorium
will make it impossible for Alaskan coastal communities to seek funding assistance from the
Army Corps of Engineers to build breakwaters, wave barriers, flood control and erosion control
features, dredging of new, expanded or improved harbors, or local water supply projects. The
communities of Hawaii and the Pacific Island territories also face these difficulties.
Under the moratorium on congressionally- directed spending, only projects which are identified in
the President's Budget Request are eligible for funding. Projects contained in the President's
Request are identified through a scoring system which favors the more developed ports of major
urban areas. Rural coastal communities do not have the population base to compete within a
scoring system that provides a bias towards large cargo volumes and urban populations. Rural
communities, however, are more economically dependent on waterborne commerce in relation to
the rest of their local and regional economies than the large urban areas, which have more
diversified economies. A mechanism must be developed within the Army Corps budget to
recognize the unique circumstances of the rural communities of Alaska, Hawaii, and the Island
territories.
Army Corps officials have stated Alaskan coastal communities should have a unified voice in
advocating for federal funding for water infrastructure projects. The Corps has also stated that
Alaskans will have a bigger impact on the national budget discussion if the State of Alaska also
becomes more active in the planning, prioritization, and funding of this water infrastructure. The
Corps believes that a proposed Federal- State -Local partnership presents a strong argument to the
Congress and the Administration in seeking a dedicated source of funding for coastal Alaskan
water infrastructure.
The Fiscal Year 2012 Energy & Water appropriations bill and the Fiscal Year 2013 President's
Budget Request should be amended to include a set -aside of $50 million annually for use within
the Pacific Ocean Division to develop and sustain water infrastructure in the small coastal
communities of the region. The Army Corps would be charged with the responsibility of working
with the States, territorial governments, and local communities to prioritize projects throughout
the Pacific Ocean Division region. Projects to be funded would include breakwaters, wave
barriers, dredging of navigation channels and mooring basins required as part of new harbor
construction or harbor improvement projects, removal of barriers to navigation specifically
authorized by law, flood control, water supply, and erosion control.
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INTENT: To support a Federal bill to include $50 million annually for use with in the Army Corps
of Engineers Pacific Ocean Division to develop and sustain water infrastructure in the small coastal
communities of the region.
CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Where applicable, this agenda statement is consistent with the
Seward City Code, Charter, Comprehensive Plans, Land Use Plans, Strategic Plan and City Council
Rules of Procedures or Other Plans or Policies:
Yes (List Below) No
1. Comprehensive Plan
Economic Development, Small Boat Harbor Development, expand and maximize potential of the existing harbor.
2. Strategic Plan
Economic Base, Improve and Expand Maritime Facilities: complete eastward expansion of the Small Boat Harbor
FISCAL NOTE:
This resolution does not have an immediate impact on the City of Seward, however, in the future this
federal legislation could assist the Harbor and Seward Marine Industrial Center Enterprise Funds by
providing assistance with capital construction, improvement, and deferred maintenance projects.
Approved by Finance Department: jtz1A
ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes No X
RECOMMENDATION:
Council approve Resolution 2011 - aa supporting the establishment of water infrastructure
funding in the Pacific Ocean Division within the Army Corps of Engineers.
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