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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10142013 City Council Laydowns 0/11, LAYDOWN Agenda Statement Meeting Date: October 14,2013 S ktt From: City Clerk Johanna Kinney Agenda Item: Discussion of council seat vacancy BACKGROUND &JUSTIFICATION: Upon certification of the October 1,2013 election at tonight's meeting,a vacancy on the council is created as Jean Bardarson moves into the Mayoral seat. City Council Rules of Procedure states: FILLING COUNCIL VACANCIES RULE 37. If a vacancy occurs in the office of Council member, the Council may elect some qualified person to fill such vacancy,the person elected shall hold office until a successor is elected at the next regular election and properly qualified. In order to fill the vacancy with the most qualified person available until an election is held,the Council will widely distribute and publish a notice of the vacancy, the procedure and any application form for applying. Each applicant will make a presentation to the Council regarding their qualifications to serve. The Council will then vote and sign ballots provided by the City Clerk. The City Clerk will read each ballot aloud, will tabulate the votes and announce the results to the Council. The Council may then,by motion and voice vote,affirm the appointment of the candidate receiving the highest number of votes(must have at least 4 per SCC 2.10.050). For time frames during a recall of an elective officer, and when vacancies can be filled, see City Charter sections 2.12 and 2.13. The person who fills this vacancy must be an elector of the city, and shall have resided in the city continuously for a period of not less than one year immediately preceding the date of filing. Copies of the pertinent Charter sections and codes are attached. RECOMMENDATION: Deem the seat vacant and instruct the Clerk's office to advertise and solicit letters of interest with a due date established by council. CHARTER 2.13 Filling vacancies. (a) If a vacancy occurs in an elective office,other than a vacancy occurring from a recall: (1) If the vacancy occurs more than two weeks before the last time for filing for the offices to be filled at the next regular city election,the council shall fill the vacancy by appointment within thirty days,with the person appointed serving until the next time when terms of elective officers begin.If the unexpired term of the vacated office extends beyond the next time when terms of elective officers begin,the office shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term at the next regular city election. (2) If the vacancy occurs no more than two weeks before the last time for filing declarations of candidacy for offices to be filled at the next regular city election, the council shall not fill the vacancy until immediately after the council organizes following such regular city election,and the council then shall fill any such vacancy by appointment for the remainder of the unexpired term. (b) If a vacancy occurs in an appointive office,such vacancy shall be filled within ninety days thereafter in the manner provided for making the original appointment.Such time may be extended for not to exceed an additional ninety days by council resolution setting forth the reasons therefor. CITY CODE 2.10.050.Vacancy on council. (a) In the event any member of the city council departs from the city with the intent of remaining absent for more than 90 days,or shall have failed to attend meetings of the council for a period of ninety consecutive days,or shall have attended less than five of the meetings of the council during any continuous period of five months,the council may declare the office of such member vacant. (b) With the concurrence of two-thirds of its members,the council may expel one of its members for a conviction of a violation of AS 15.13 or a felony or misdemeanor described in AS 15.56 as a corrupt practice.The council shall consider that conviction during the first meeting following final determination of the conviction. (c) A vacancy on the council also is created by the resignation of a councilmember in writing approved by the council, the death of a councilmember,the removal of a councilmember from office by a court of competent jurisdiction,or a failure of a councilmember to qualify for office within ten days from the date of certification of the member's election. (d) If a vacancy occurs on the council, other than a vacancy occurring from a recall, the vacancy shall be filled as provided in section 2.13(a)of the Charter. (e) The council shall be the sole authority for determining the qualifications of its members. CITY COUNCIL RULES OF PROCEDURE FILLING COUNCIL VACANCIES RULE 37. If a vacancy occurs in the office of Council member,the Council may elect some qualified person to fill such vacancy,the person elected shall hold office until a successor is elected at the next regular election and properly qualified. In order to fill the vacancy with the most qualified person available until an election is held,the Council will widely distribute and publish a notice of the vacancy, the procedure and any application form for applying. Each applicant will make a presentation to the Council regarding their qualifications to serve. The Council will then vote and sign ballots provided by the City Clerk. The City Clerk will read each ballot aloud,will tabulate the votes and announce the results to the Council. The Council may then,by motion and voice vote,affirm the appointment of the candidate receiving the highest number of votes(must have at least 4 per SCC 2.10.050). For time frames during a recall of an elective officer,and when vacancies can be filled,see City Charter sections 2.12 and 2.13. Io-v(- 3 14 October 2013 To Seward City Council Members: During its regularly scheduled October business meeting, on October 2, PACAB was presented with a resolution to support the 2014 harbor tariff moorage increase. After a brief presentation by Harbormaster Funk, PACAB board voted unanimously to pass it along to Council for their consideration. Though I motioned to postpone our vote until after we could discuss related issues, the majority of the board wanted to proceed. I voted with the prevailing side,thinking that I would file for a reconsideration. However, later that day, I decided against the reconsideration, and thus allowed the resolution to go forward to council. During that same PACAB meeting, the harbormaster announced the weekend shutdown of harbor offices, effective immediately. He cited the reasons for doing so included being able to train his staff better so that they could provide more consistent information to the public. No announcement was made to the public regarding this plan which was already being implemented. The harbor offices have been open on weekends as long as I have been in Seward, twenty years, and well before that. Nearly 70%of the harbor's users are from out of town, and they come to Seward on weekends to attend to their boating needs. Often they have business with the harbor, such as in early fall when winter boat slips are being assigned, haulouts are needed, or payments need to be made for the waitlist, electric or moorage renewals. During the first weekend of October, I had several harbor customers come into my business to ask why the harbor was closed. They had come to Seward to do harbor business. They were not pleased with the change in the level of service. Many Seward residents work during the week, and will also feel this same impact, needing to take time from work during the week to do business with the harbor. Harbor customers are being asked to pay more for moorage and electric rates,yet with the new office hours,they are receiving less service. Out of town boat owners come to Seward on weekends throughout the winter. Often they stay in local hotels,eat in local restaurants and even participate in local events. Without the harbor office being open, I can foresee this as just one more area where revenue to both the private and public sectors may be curtailed. I would encourage the council to work with administration to provide the quality service that our small boat harbor patrons deserve. Closing on the weekends is a blatant disservice. To have implemented this change in October seems premature. To vote for increased moorage fees,yet provide less service is sending out a negative message to boat owners, and even to potential new users who are looking for a new home port. Thank you for your efforts in helping Seward maintain the most desirable port in the State of Alaska. Respectfuly, Deborah Altermatt 'o/ 2810 0 Funks From: Harbor Master Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2013 12:29 PM To: Mack Funk Subject: Seward Boat Harbor October 16, 2013 Subject: Winter hours and proposed rate changes Dear Mack Funk, Thank you for your patronage of the Seward Small Boat Harbor. We are constantly working to increase customer service and financial efficiency while striving to keep our customer's rates reasonable. This winter, the harbor office will be open on Saturdays, but will be closed on Sundays and holidays through January 1, 2014. During this period,the harbor staff will be cross training positions to better serve your needs. This is a harbor office-only change. The harbor workers will continue to work on weekends performing their boat lifts, snow removal, and boat tow duties. It is my belief that we can continue to provide excellent customer service during this seasonal schedule change, and I ask that you communicate with our office staff anytime Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. As always, you will be able to make your payment via the drop box at the front door and with a credit card you can pay online or by phone. The proposed projected harbor rate increases are detailed in the tariff and agenda statement found at http://history.cityofseward.net/Weblink8/0/doc/19822/Pagel/aspx and are summarized below: 2014: Moorage Rates 2.6%Increase, Electric Rates 8.3%Increase 2015: Moorage Rates 2.6% Increase, Electric Rates 3.8% Increase The tariffs will be the subject of a public hearing at the Seward City Council meeting on Monday, October 28, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers at City Hall, located at the corner of 5th and Adams Street. Your input is highly encouraged and can be directed in several ways, including: in person at the Council meeting, by email for the City Council via the clerk's office at clerk@cityofseward.net or directly to me as noted below. If you have any urgent needs when you find the office closed, contact the harbor workers on VHF channel 17. If you don't have access to a radio, please call me any time on my cell phone at 491-1121. You are also welcome to send me any questions or comments via electronic mail at mfunk@cityofseward.net. And, of course, if you have a real emergency,please call the Seward Police Department dispatch at 224-3338,or call 911 to reach the troopers in Soldotna. Thank you for your business, Mack Funk Harbormaster 1 e From: John Clark [mailto:jclark2118@mac.com] Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2013 6:19 PM To: Mack Funk Subject: Thanks. Seward is a great harbor! We appreciate it. Just a note to thank you for a concise, reasonable, informative, friendly harbor update. I am especially impressed that you provide your cell phone. Hope i never need to call you but it sends a nice message. Take care, John and Chris Clark Endeavour H49 • From: Michael Terminel [mailto:michaelterminel@yahoo.com] Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2013 5:23 AM To: Harbor Master Subject: Re: Seward Boat Harbor Mark, Thank you for the information. As no one likes to see increases it is a part of boat life. Thank you for turning the Harbor Master office around and bringing a can do atmosphere back. Everyone has been incredibly helpful under your direction. Hopefully the new addition of D dock will go with out a hitch and i can get my slip back on time. Your crew moved my vessel as I was away in Brasil working. They did an excellent job with "no"damage to my vessel. Thank you again Captain Michael Terminel USCG Unlimited Master AGT First Class Pilot AGT FV Salmon Tales Slip D-49 From: Nik Ranta [mailto:niklasranta@gci.net] Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2013 10:06 AM To: Harbor Master Subject: RE: Seward Boat Harbor Thank you for the update. In all my years working in the Seward Harbor, this is the first time I have been contacted with an update. I really appreciate it and agree with reducing the harbor staffing during the slower winter season. I will review the proposed rate increases and provide comment to the city clerk. A sincere thank you, Nik Funks From: Deborah Altermatt <sailinginc@alaska.com> Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2013 4:18 PM To: Mack Funk Subject: Sat Mack, Thank you for agreeing to open the harbor office on Saturdays. Whether you have 1 or 20 customers, it is important for Seward to have your essential services available. Thank you. I hope we can sit down together in the near future and talk. None of this is personal, Mack. I believed you were a great choice to lead our harbor two years ago, and I would like to hold onto that belief. I hope we can continue to work together to offer the best harbor in Alaska to all users. Deborah Altermatt Sent from my iPhone • Finally! ! ! The City is not paying for electricity to be on in the harbor office on Sat but especially Sun. There is NO need to have the office open for the 2 people who may come into the office. During slip renewals/ placement the slip holders are give ample opportunity to contact and renew their spot during the work week. The office employees call numerous times and will even stay a bit late to verify that a customer really does or does not want their slip. And correct me if I am wrong, but it is my understanding that placement from the wait list happens all year now. Most doctors offices are closed on the weekend yet people still get the care they need. If someone really wants to keep their slip after being on the wait list for however many years. . .. they will make it happen. I applaud the new harbor master for doing what needed to be done for a long time. And I congratulate the Staff for finally being able to enjoy their weekends with their families. Seward City News Original Message From:Jim Eymann [mailto:cruznak@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2013 12:40 PM To:Johanna Kinney Subject: Harbor Rate Increases City of Seward, I believe the moorage and electric rates are high enough now. I don't think they need to be increased every year. Thank you, Jim Eymann From: Pat [mailto:yachtsurvey@windstream.net] Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2013 1:46 PM To: Harbor Master Subject: RE: Seward Boat Harbor I do not think that the harbor needs to increase the electric rates, you already charge 125% of the rate you pay, most of the harbor has been upgraded for electric, stop gouging us, you have a max. increase on slip fees $, now we have to bear the other charges you want to increase to go around the cap on slip fees. A fee was imposed for float replacements, then an increase on the electric rate to 125% above cost, you have a $5.00 passenger fee, as well as a % for inflation on our slip fees, the harbor also charges for overhead and maintenance on our elect. bill, more than it costs the harbor. You do need to replace A-B-C and S docks, but that should come out of that $125 or so fee we pay with our slip bill. Stop gouging us, the harbor does not need to do all upgrades at the same time, save money then replace docks; I am sure that when A-B-C-S docks are replaced and paid for you will not reduce our fees. D dock is being replaced after) upgrades since 1965; where did all the slip fees I paid for my 1 to 3 slips I have paid for over the years? They went for new docks to the north, then a south expansion to the south, rather than replacing docks that should have been condemned, and was well known to the harbor masters and the city. When I complained about D dock, the only answer was: we can move you to an new dock„ not a good answer! Having been a slip holder for about 20 years I do know what I am saying here, as well as many others. Patrick Sterling • Funks From: Mack Funk Sent: Friday, October 18, 2013 9:46 AM To: 'popken@alaska.net Subject: Electrical Charges Dear Mr. and Mrs. Popken, Thank you for your business and for your questions. The harbor charges more for electricity in order to cover the costs of dock lighting, office and restroom electricity, and the costs of reading and billing the electricity. The table below shows that we have been falling short in our goal to cover all of our electrical system costs: Year Budgeted Actual Expense Expense 2011 $176,400 _ $192,946 2012 $190,000 $243,731 2013 $196,000 $276,000 est. Please don't hesitate to contact me again if you have any further questions. Mack Funk Harbormaster mfunk@cityofseward.net www.cityofseward.us From: Harbor Master Sent:Thursday, October 17, 2013 3:25 PM To: Mack Funk; Norm Regis; Melody Moline Subject: FW: Seward Boat Harbor From: David Popken [mailto:popken@alaska.net] Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2013 3:15 PM To: Harbor Master Subject: Re: Seward Boat Harbor To Mack Funk Harbormaster Good afternoon I have just read your"Winter hours and proposed rate change" I am confused as a home owner in Seward and Boat owner for many years,why would you want to raise the electrical rate in the Harbor for the 14/15 year rate total 12.1 %. 1 i r I review the Seward residential rate for 2013 at.09 cents a KWH and Small Businesses at.13 cent a KWH reviewing Seward Harbor base rate 2013 at.24 cents a KWH we are now paying more than both residential and business. Mack please explain or justify such an increase for boat owners in the Harbor over what we pay at the highest level among the three rates.too jump at your suggested rate of 8.3%in 2014 and again an increase of 3.8%in 2015 would greatly exceed any current resident or small business in Seward. Thank You for all that you Do! Looking forward to your explain David L and Barbara K Popken Owners of"Sea Ranger"stall E 56 Sent from my iPhone 0 • 0 a Funks From: Mack Funk Sent: Friday, October 18, 2013 1:07 PM To: 'Amy Hankins' Subject: Electrical turn ons especially for commercial boats Good afternoon Amy, Thanks for your reply. My name and phone is on the door of the office. Before I disseminate it further, I need to implement some improved procedures, involving other harbor staff. I will write myself a note to communicate further with you on the subject within 30 days. Stay tuned. Mack Funk Harbormaster mfunk@citvofseward.net www.cityofseward.us From: Amy Hankins [mailto:inalaska73@hotmail.com] Sent: Friday, October 18, 2013 11:24 AM To: Mack Funk Subject: Re: Seward Boat Harbor J Thank you for the info. Will you post this information on the harbor office door for other users? Amy 907-491-1448 On Oct 18, 2013, at 10:07 AM, "Mack Funk" <mfunk@cityofseward.net> wrote: Good morning Amy, Thank you for your question, it is critically important to me. I think that the best way to get electricity would be to call me on my cell phone and I can make the necessary arrangements. Please give my number to William and your captain too:4914121. Your harbormaster, Mack From: Amy Hankins [mailto:inalaska73@hotmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, October 16, 2013 12:46 PM To: Harbor Master Subject: RE: Seward Boat Harbor Dear Mack, Thank you for the update on harbor office changes. How should a vessel electricity hook- ups on Sundays? 1 ( 44144i of-7/w/n- 74 GUY1 c7C 71-a/v 0/1110 kirtt • Barges stacked and waiting Launch of new RN Sikuliaq - 4's‘` 111 y _ USCG Healy SEWARD MARINE INDUSTRIAL CENTER EXPANSION Aerial of SMIC CAPITAL COST AND FUNDING THE PROJECT The Phase 1 cost to protect the basin with an additional breakwater is $27.9 million. $20 million has been received from the State of Alaska, building on the $400,000 legislative The Seward Marine Industrial appropriation for the initial planning and feasibility work. The City of Seward FY2015 Center (SMIC) Expansion will legislative request is for final funding of $7.9 million required to complete Phase 1. provide protected and safe Total SMIC Expansion project cost is estimated at $65.2 million. Potential fund sources moorage to meet increasing include State and Federal grants,State port bonds,private and AIDEA investment. Seward demand, including: fishing fleets, taxpayers have invested over$30 million in bonds for existing infrastructure.Private upland gas/oil industry exploration and development to provide additional vessel repairs,marine support services,cargo storage and support equipment, USCG, the staging will utilize the improved facilities and provide operating revenue. R/V Sikuliaq and various other PROGRESS tugs,barges and shipping vessels.. The City of Seward has actively invested in the development of an expanded business agenda Phase 1 will construct the necessary that ensures economic growth,sustainability and prepares the project for construction. breakwater and increase utility for • Phase 1 engineering and concept design have been further refined. the SMIC harbor now challenged • Permitting and geotechnical studies are underway. by an unsafe wave climate. • Business case has been expanded to now include statewide agenda of oil and gas exploration,Arctic marine traffic support,ARRC,over-land and marine cargo,UA, Phase 2 will develop and dredge AVTEC and other initiatives in addition to the CDQ Alaskanization program.. the existing basin to expand • City of Seward plans to initiate Phase 1 construction in Summer 2014. moorage capacity, repair damaged infrastructure and add utility and upland improvements. ECONOMIC BENEFITS The SMIC Expansion project provides regional economic diversification with statewide SCHEDULE benefits: Fall/Winter 2013:Design • CDQ fleets could bring$5-10M in annual maintenance revenue and$20M in moorage and vendor support services. Relocation of fleets to Seward will enhance Development and Permitting these revenues. Winter 2014:Construction • Revenue from increased oil and gas exploration vessels wintering in Seward Documents/Bidding • Capacity to meet ARRC's and private industry's increased demand for freight,dock extension,road and industrial laydown space Summer/Fall 2014:Phase 1 • New jobs in construction,marine services/supplies,tourism,commercial and Breakwaters Construction • sport fishing,marine research,oil and gas exploration and maritime shipping • AVTEC Maritime Program licensing,training and certification;Marine trades and CITY OF SEWARD ,o"Ew • services across Southcentral Alaska ports • UAF Alaska Region Research Vessel(Sikuliaq)moorage and maintenance Jim Hunt,City Manager �,I • Additional harbor capacity for existing businesses looking to expand 907907.224.4047 +c�:w► .22 .4047 eward.net • Support to Port of Anchorage in moving material and goods around the state jhuntPO Box 167•Seward,Alaska 99664 • Improvements to region's economy by lowering marine costs for Alaska www cityofseward.us 1F 0 SMIC■■I C SEWARD MARINE INDUSTRIAL CENTER EXPANSION • 616' iillir SMIC • EWARD MARINE INDUSTRIAL CENTER EXPANSION SEWARD DOCK CARGO / FREIGHT TRENDS (2005-2012) ARRC Cargo and Freight in Seward has increased 142%since 2008 $1,248 $939 • Seward $634 $655 ❑ Dock Freight Revenue $539 $516 (in$000) $441 $374 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 SEWARD MARITIME/FREIGHT SERVICE AREA Barrow Prudhoe bay PORT OF NOME Seward's strategic geography enables provision of critical ship repair,fuel,supplies, moorage,uplands to support vessels traveling through Anchorage,Kodiak, Western Alaska and the Arctic. NO HARBOR PORT OF ANCHORAGE PORT MACKENZ E WHITTIER HARBOR VALDEZ HARBOR *MER HARBO - ordoYa HAINES HARBOR -- - SKAGWAY HARBOR UNEAU STATTER HARBOR JUNEAU AURORA HARBOR SAND POINT SEWARD HARBOR • JUNEAU DOUGLAS HARBOR HARBOR /SELDOVIA HARBOR NOONAN H• '•R AKUTAN ARBOR 0... TENAKEE SPRINGS HARBOR PORT LIONS HARBOR ELFIN COVE HARBOR PGS NORTH HARBOR 41111ASITKA HARBOR—�' - PGS SOUTH HARBOR KODIAK PORT r,‘ KETCHIKAN SHIPYARD CHIGNICK HARBOR FALSE PASS HARBOR PORT ALEXANDER HARBOR NAUKATI HARBOR //777.V_j UNALASKA HARBOR / HYDABURG HARBOR City of Se .Ird • lun Hunt, City Manager• 907.224 4012 • jhunt@cityofseward.net • PO Box 167 • Seward, Alaska 99664 • www.cityofseward.us • SMC * PHASE I - BREAKWATERS SEWARD MARINE INDUSTRIAL CENTER EXPANSION PROJECT SCHEDULE 2013 2014 Q3 Q4 QI Q2 Q3 Q4 10/1/13 NTP for Design Design Development Permitting • 11/15/13 65% Design Development Submittal Construction Documents • 2/15/14 100% Design/Issue Construction Bid Construction Bid Process • 3/20/14 Bid Opening Material Procurement/Early Sitework Construction CITY OF SEWARD Jan Hunt,City Manager 9117.224 41112 thunta@cityofscward.net PO Box 167•Seward,Alaska 99664 www.cityofseward.us • Total Project Snapshot Report 2014 Legislature Agency: Commerce, Community and Economic Development Grants to Municipalities (AS 37.05.315) Grant Recipient: Seward Federal Tax ID: 92-6000086 Project Title: Project Type: Other Seward - Seward Marine Industrial Center Expansion State Funding Requested: $7,900,000 House District: Kenai Areawide (28-30) Future Funding May Be Requested Brief Project Description: Enclose and develop the Seward Marine Industrial Center(SMIC)to provide essential marine services to support oil and gas exploration development, increased Arctic marine traffic, Alaska Railroad trans-shipment, UA research, AVTEC job training and home-porting of Coastal Villages Region Fund (CVRF)and/or other CDQ Fishing Fleets from Seattle to Alaska. The SMIC Expansion Project includes two phases: • Phase 1: Extend the existing sheetpile caisson breakwater and create a new rock breakwater structure. Estimated Cost: $27.9M. • Phase 2: Develop and dredge SMIC basin to increase moorage and wharfage capacity to accommodate additional and larger vessels, repair damaged infrastructure and add utility and upland improvements. Estimated Cost: $36.9M. Funding Plan: Total Project Cost: $ 65,200,000 Funding Already Secured: ($ 20,400,000) FY2015 State Funding Request: ($ 7,900,000) Project Deficit: $ 36,900,000 Funding Details: The State appropriated four hundred thousand($400,000) dollars in the FY 2012 budget for the now completed planning and feasibility work. In FY2013 and FY2014, the City received a total of twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) in State funding for this project. A total of seven million nine hundred thousand($7,900,000) dollars is required to complete the Phase 1 breakwater extension. The breakwater has standalone value to harbor moorage and uplands development. The City continues to seek funding through Federal grants (TIGER), State Grants, the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority(AIDEA) as well as encouraging private investment in uplands development. Detailed Project Description and Justification: The City respectfully requests the Legislature's support and funding to expand and protect this major Alaska transportation center and ice-free deep-water port. Seward Marine Industrial Center(SMIC) is a vital component to the U.S. maritime infrastructure, supporting the recent increase and growth in Arctic marine traffic, shipping via the Northwest Passage, new Arctic routes, homeland security, military, Arctic research resource exploration. Seward's central geography enables provision of critical ship repair, fuel, moorage and facilities to maritime vessels traveling through Anchorage, Kodiak, Western Alaska and the Arctic. SMIC provides essential ship haul-out and maintenance/repair services, with a 250-ton Marine TraveLift and 5,000-ton Synchrolift. Existing infrastructure and significant upland acreage offer ample space for vessel repairs, marine support services, cargo storage, staging, and future development. Total Project Snapshot Report Presently, the SMIC basin is unprotected from ocean swells and boat wake action rendering SMIC's wharfing structures unusable most of the year. The dock structure and fendering system have been damaged by wave action, and the Syncrolift dock damaged by the rolling of a berthed vessel. There is lack of safe moorage in Seward for commercial vessel with drafts in excess of 12 feet and/or displacements of 1,000 tons. Tugs, barges, and many other vessels often must anchor or"jog" within Resurrection Bay awaiting moorage. The Seward Ship's Drydock facility has insufficient moorage to accommodate its customers and many potential users are forced to bypass Seward altogether. Additionally, SMIC's inadequate wave protection negatively impacts the use and development of the entire facility, including the ample upland area. The increased utility gained by the SMIC expansion will foster the private development of the extensive uplands available. Uplands development would support additional services, infrastructure, and address the increased demand for cargo and staging areas at the three major mainland Alaska ports of Seward, Whittier and Anchorage. Development at SMIC will enable Seward to better support moving goods and material throughout the state via the Alaska Railroad. Demand for additional moorage and laydown yard space in Seward continues to increase. New business interests have emerged that will benefit from the SM IC Expansion: • Based on increasing freight, the Alaska Railroad has issued its five-year Master Plan for Seward calling for additional moorage/wharf capacity, new roads and industrial space. • The AVTEC Maritime Program has increased its training of Alaskans for marine industry jobs statewide, noting the value of the SMIC breakwater for future statewide economic growth, increased workforce development and employment opportunities training. • Increased petroleum exploration in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas has led to increased supplies shipment and vessel over-wintering in Seward. • The new UAF School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences Research Vessel (R/V Sikuliaq)will horneport in Seward. The Sikuliaq will support oceanographic and fisheries-related research in the Arctic. The SMIC breakwater would provide a protected basin for moorage and necessary maintenance for this vessel. • Seward Highway improvements to broaden access and increase safety support increased vendor traffic in and out of Seward. • Fuel storage and dispensing infrastructure is in place at SMIC. • Increased activity by the U.S. Coast Guard and Homeland Security. • Seward Ship's Drydock anticipates doubling its current employment to 100 jobs as infrastructure is added to the SMIC. • Private industry has expressed interest in leasing industrial yard space at SM IC for short term storage and long term development of warehouse and vessel support facilities. As presented in the City's FY2013 and FY2014 State funding requests, the CVRF is actively exploring relocating its CDQ fleet back to Alaska. Annual spending for maintenance of CDQ vessels is between five and ten million dollars ($5,000,000-$10,000,000). Nearly twenty million dollars ($20,000,000) is spent annually on moorage and vendor support. An additional two million dollars ($2,000,000) is estimated for crew airfare to reach vessels. This money is now being spent in Seattle. Relocation of Alaska's CDQ fishing fleet close to the fishing grounds will realize the vision of Senator Stevens (Magnuson-Stevens Act in 1976)to revitalize Alaska's maritime/fishing industries while creating jobs and revenue in Alaska for Alaskans. Significant marine business has been lost due to the lack of a protective and sufficiently-sized basin. At times, barges circle in Resurrection Bay, waiting to get in the harbor and for available loading and off-loading dock space. Damages to vessels and dock facilities occur due to current undesirable wave environment. A dredged, protected basin at SMIC with adequate moorage and uplands development will position SMIC to better support existing and new businesses, providing a stable economic base with year-round jobs and revenue streams to support operations and maintenance of the new facility. • Total Project Snapshot Report Project Timeline Fall/Winter 2013 Design Development and Permitting Winter 2014 Complete Construction Documents/Issue Construction RFP for Phase 1 Spring 2014 Select Construction Contractor Summer/Fall 2014 Phase 1 Breakwaters Construction Entity Responsible for the Ongoing Operation and Maintenance of this Project: City of Seward Grant Recipient Contact Information: Name: Jim Hunt Title: City Manager Address: 410 Adams, Seward, Alaska 99664 Phone Number:(907)224-4047 Email: jhunt@cityofseward.net Has this project been through a public review process at the local level and is it a community priority? YES • • r VI SMIC tit SEWARD MARINE INDUSTRIAL CENTER EXPANSION PHASE 1 - BREAKWATERS: DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS OPTION A-Wait until Phase 1 is OPTION B-Complete Phase 1 design OPTION C-Complete Phase 1 design, fully funded to proceed with and permits. When state funding is permits, issue construction package, design, permitting and secured,then issue construction bid while also seeking state funding. construction. package. SCHEDULE No Progress: Oct 2013—June 2014 Design: Oct-Dec 2013 Design: Oct-Dec 2013 Design: June-Aug 2014 Permitting:Oct 2013-Feb 2014 Permitting:Oct 2013- Feb 2014 Permitting:June-Nov 2014 No Progress:Mar—June 2014 Bid Process: Feb-Mar 2014 Bid Process:Nov-Dec 2014 Bid Process:June- July 2014 Construction:April-Sept 2014 Construction:January- June 2015 Construction:July-Dec 2014 Completion: September2014 Completion:June 2015 Completion:December 2014 FUNDING • Known funding prior to • Sufficient funds available to • Actual contractor bids reflect IMPACTS committing additional design, complete design and permitting market pricing and would validate permitting and construction (+) project could be completed within expenditures(+) • Construction can be advanced as the funding request. (+) • Minimize risk of redesign due to soon as full funding is known(+) • Earliest possible construction to funding reality(+) • More refined cost estimate could meet the need(+) • Later construction incurs positively influence funding • Earlier construction minimizes escalation costs(est.$1M in decision.(+) exposure to escalation costs(+) annual escalation costs)(-) • Project can be designed to be • Project can be designed to be scalable to accommodate less scalable to accommodate less funding if full funding not secured funding if full funding not secured (+) (+) • Later construction incurs • Maximizes value proposition for escalation and other costs(est. each dollar by spending money $500K)(-) earlier(+) • Possible rework and mobilization costs if funding doesn't realize(est. $400K)(-) PROJECT • Winter construction start, likely • Design and environmental • Summer construction,less risk of IMPACTS more weather delays(-) information may positively weather delays and lower costs(+) • Breakwaters delayed until 2015, influence funding decision.(+) • Continued project momentum;no loss of revenue,full basin utility • Full economic use of the harbor in downtime(+) ( ) 2015 (+) • Full economic use of the harbor by • Upland investment and revenues • Late construction start, likely Fall 2104 (+) delayed(-) weather delays(-) • Loss of business to other harbors • Loss of four months while waiting (-) for funding decision(-) • No harbor improvement if no funding(-) POLITICAL • Inactivity/lack of progress may • Demonstrate progress and use of • Demonstrate City's FULL IMPACTS risk full funding from 2014 awarded funds to advance project commitment to successfully Legislature(-) (+) completing the project by initiating • Demonstrates lack of • Falls short of FULL commitment construction bid docs and being commitment by City to the demonstration by waiting on ready for Spring construction start. project(-) construction bid(-) (+) • Loss of momentum(-) • Minimizes risk of losing prior and maximizes position for future funds.(+) Key Assumptions • 3 months design • 5 months permitting • 2 month bid process • 5 month construction • 5.5%annual escalation for materials,3%annual escalation for labor Ib/14/i3 COUNCIL MEMORANDUM r , J 1F CiE Date: October 14, 20134a ,�7 Though: City Manager,Jim Hunt 4 P Subject: Synopsis of Seward Police Department Recent Bear Shootings SPD Case Number 13-1781 On 10-6-13 at approximately 9:12 pm Officer Rouleau responded to the parking lot of the Spring Creek prison after employees called about an aggressive bear that had been frequenting the area. Though the bear was gone when he got there,several minutes later it returned.The officer attempted to scare it away with a cracker shell fired from his shotgun which the bear ignored. Rouleau tried repeatedly to shoo the bear away from the area using less than lethal means.Eventually Rouleau felt that he had no choice but to fire at the bear with his shotgun.Unfortunately this did not instantly kill the nuisance animal and it ran, wounded, into the tree line. The officer then spent approximately one hour attempting to find the bear in the woods but could not locate it.The following morning,Officers Brockman,and Armstrong along with Lt.Tiner attempted to locate the bear tracking it north and turning up nothing but a rain washed out blood trail, in a 4 hour search. SPD Case Number 13-1803 On 10-9-13 at approximately 3:49 pm Cpl.Messmer was dispatched to a report of a bear in the yard at 226 6th Ave. Dispatch advised that people were starting to follow the bear around and trying to make it run off. Messmer responded to the area and attempted to move the bear towards the mountain,away from town.The bear was not cooperative.He advised the people following it to give the animal some space and deployed a cracker shell, again, attempting to frighten the nuisance animal up the mountain.A few minutes later he fired another"cracker shell"this time at close range, in the alley near 6th and Adams. He reported he was approximately 8 feet from the bear and said he heard a muffled report of the cracker shell.The bear ran off and Cpl.Messmer believed that the shot had been a dud. He then located the bear on 5th avenue, motionless on the sidewalk. Upon further investigation it appeared the cracker shell penetrated the bear due to the close proximity of the shot and the round striking the bear in a soft tissue area,unintentionally entering the bear and exploding. (The round is considered a less-lethal hazing round that is designed to explode and scare animals away. Occasionally officers will strike the animals with the round for a greater affect.) A person on the charity list was called and retrieved the bear. It is the goal of Seward Police Department, at the direction of City Administration, to continue to respect a bear's space and frighten our furry friends back into the woods where they can live long happy lives. It is unfortunate that these two incidents occurred and have resulted in the death of these animals.We appreciate the public's help in keeping garbage and other bear attractants cleaned up and also in giving responding Officers ample room to deal with problem bears when they turn up in town. In the future we are optimistic that we can accomplish this in a less than lethal manner. IU 14 — 13 r.......- afif--n h. I -..W.... ..- , jee, w . ,J .3.. sow.'. w. _ ,s New levee parallels runway southward. .•� r •. 1 r m� ,w '1111i•�`� - •r A,,�W. New infill along tarmac • ,� !- r4rt 1 is "too '+- .. .• • •� • • ►� r 7� ♦ _1 • t. • i at. �..�.- One braid of the two-channel river hits new levee at nearly seventy degree angle lef4(,S Pit Seward City Council Meeting 10/14/2013 '- Public Comments LP Good Evening Mayor Seward, City Council Members, and members of the Community.Thank you for this opportunity to speak with you. I want to thank the City of Seward Public Works Department and other City Staff members for hosting the 2nd Open House to discuss the Septic Lagoon on Lowell Point. Holding it here in Council Chambers was a nice setting and an informative session; although, it was in no way, a comforting session. I remain dedicated to being proactive in anticipation of next summer's tourist season. When, as a part of my research, I spoke to Jack Maryott,the Head of the Kenai Borough's Landfill, he told me the Borough's Solid Waste Management budget is second only to the Borough Schools.This is because Solid Waste Management is a Health &Safety Issue. To quote Jack, "When you don't handle your solid waste properly, people get sick and die." I've heard people around here say that certainly if people on Lowell Point were to get sick,we'd be assured of a quick fix and the money would start flowing. I am uncomfortable with the idea that nothing will be done until someone gets sick, and also uncomfortable in terms of the definition of what constitutes "sick." People have already been sickened this past summer and early fall! Not hospitalized; no one had died yet, but when you stand outside your home or business, and your eyes water,your throat swells shut, and you are unable to talk,that is someone becoming sick. I have two suggestions. First, is that we form a Citizen's Advisory Panel made up of residents from both inside and outside the City limits to assist the City in determining the ultimate best plan given all the new advances in technology pertaining to waste management. The situation we find ourselves in as a Community(not just the municipality, but the entire Community) is larger than can be easily handled by one specific department, with a constant daily workload. This is a situation of utmost urgency, and requires special attention and dedication. The Advisory Panel would be people who were interested in volunteering to research, brainstorm and ultimately make well considered recommendations to City Management. Since there's no money to do anything now anyway, what could this hurt?There are a lot of innovations in waste management that lead many to recommend the City manage its waste itself(as in its own Septic Monofil). It certainly makes sense, if to properly maintain things, we'll be talking about dredging 2 ponds (Lowell Point& SMIC), again in another 6 years perhaps we could develop a more self-serving solution that would take into consideration a look into the future, rather than just addressing the long overdue "problems" at hand. My 2nd suggestion: [this will be read by Lowell Point Resident Teri Arnold during her 3 minutes] I have found a specialist whose primary focus is on Lagoon Odor Control. Steve Harris, of H &S Environmental, LLC teaches many of the Lagoon Operator classes for Alaska Rural Water, and is well known at DEC and throughout Alaska. Mr. Harris is willing to come to Seward for a very modest fee of approximately$5,000 to work with the City& Public Works Department in developing a strategy given the current situation with the Pond,to improve our ability to proactively suppress odors next summer. He believes that with his assistance, we should be able to be much more responsive to changes in climate and population and could have the ability to reverse an anaerobic condition should it occur. My suggestion is that the City Hire Mr. Harris as a "2" d Opinion" or"Specialty" consultant. He is the kind of Engineer that other Lagoon Engineers, and Lagoon Consultants,will hire as their consultant. Thank you for your time and consideration. Respectfully Submitted, Lynda Ann M. Paquette with help from Teri Arnold H&S ENVIRONMENTAL, L.L.C. Steve Harris Owner 1 (602)810-7420 1111110)11 • Sludge Removal ------ -• Lagoon Optimization • Performance Evaluations www.lagoonops.com • Training&Operations Software H&S Environmental,.GLC. Cell Phone:(480)274-8410 2122 E.Leland Circle Pam(480)833-0807 Mesa,AZ 85213 E-mail:hseenvironmental@earthhnk_net