HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2019-092 Sponsored by: Meszaros
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2019-092
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, SUPPORTING THE AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION OF
VESSELS ACTIVE IN THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL FISHERIES ENTRY
COMMISSION'S DATABASE
WHEREAS,derelict vessels are a large and growing problem in all Alaska communities,
resulting in increased costs to the public, as well as environmental and navigational hazards; and
WHEREAS, defining ownership and holding individuals responsible for their vessels has
been identified as one of the top barriers to effective management to prevent derelict vessels; and
WHEREAS, in 2018,the legislature passed Senate Bill 92,the Derelict Vessel Act; and
WHEREAS, in addition to substantially re-writing and updating AS 30.30, the derelict
vessel chapter of state statute SB92 addressed tracking vessel ownership through changes to AS
05.25; and
WHEREAS, these changes expand vessel registration requirements in Alaska effective
January 1,2019,and like Washington and other states,Alaska now requires federally-documented
vessels to also be registered with the state Department of Motor Vehicles; and
WHEREAS,the State of Alaska did not inform the newly-regulated community,nor perform
any outreach of any kind, in advance of this change; and
WHEREAS,active fishermen around the state were caught unaware,and raised the fact that
their vessels were already recorded in the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission Database; and
WHEREAS,the intent of SB92 was to better track vessel ownership in Alaska,regardless of
engagement in a fishery and across the life of the vessel,which is best accomplished through state
registration; and
WHEREAS,vessel registration should be simple, creating minimal added burden to help
effectively address the problem of identifying vessel ownership.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD,ALASKA that:
Section 1. The Seward City Council hereby fully supports an update to the Alaska state
statute directing vessels active in the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC) Vessel
Database to be automatically issued Alaska vessel registration numbers,and that the CFEC and the
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2019-092
Division of Motor Vehicles create a system for information sharing to this end.
Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 28th
day of October, 2019.
TH CITY a - WARD,ALASKA
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pis f rry, Mayor 41.10
AYES: Lane, McClure, Baclaan, Osenga, Seese, Terry
NOES: None
ABSENT: Butts
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
Brenda J. Ballo , MMC
City Clerk tost,asn �
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(City Sew;A.°'Qg 0 �a +,,A,II
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Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: October 28, 2019
To: Seward City Council
Through: Scott Meszaros, City Manager
From: Norm Regis, Harbormaster
Agenda Item: SUPPORT OF AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION FOR VESSELS ACTIVE
IN THE ALASKA COMMERCIAL FISHERIES ENTRY COMMISSION
DATABASE.
BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION:
In 2018 the Alaska legislature passed Senate Bill 92 the Derelict Vessel Act acknowledging the need
to better understand and address the existing and growing problem of derelict vessels around the
state.
These changes expand vessel registration requirements in Alaska effective January 1,2019 and like
Washington and other states,Alaska now requires federally documented vessels to also be registered
with the state Department of Motor Vehicles.
The State of Alaska did not inform, or provide outreach for the new changes, and active fisherman
were caught unaware and raised the fact that their vessels were already in the Commercial Fisheries
Entry Commission Database.
Vessel registration should be simple,creating minimal added burden to help address the problem of
vessel ownership.
INTENT:
To support an update to AS 30.30 directing vessels active in the Commercial Fisheries Entry
Commission Vessel Database be automatically issued Alaska vessel registration numbers,and that
the CFEC and the Division of Motor Vehicles create a system for information sharing to this end.
—........... ............. ........................................ .............-"-'
CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Yes I No N/A
..........
1...................................................... ..............................
2030 Comprehensive Plan (page 9): Public Safety, Encourage marine X
safety
........................... ............... ............. ............................................................................................................................................................................. ............................-................
2 2. Strategic Plan (page 18): Promote a safe community X
-------- --- -----..................................................................................................................................................................................... ------------------
3. Other: X
............ .....................................................................................................
82
FISCAL NOTE: There is no fiscal note for this Agenda Statement and Resolution; this is to
support an update to AS 30.30 for automatic issuing of Alaska vessel registration numbers to vessels
already in the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission Dat +
Approved by Finance Department:
ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes No X
RECOMMENDATION:
Council approve Resolution 2019-092, authorizing the City Administration and lobbyist to urge
the state legislature to update AS 30.30 for Automatic Registration for vessels in the Alaska
Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission Database.
83
Alaska Association of Harbormasters
and
Port Administrators
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-2
A RESOLUTION OF THE ALASKA ASSOCIATION OF HARBORMASTERS AND
PORT ADMINISTRATORS ENCOURAGING AUTOMATIC REGISTRATION FOR
VESSELS ACTIVE IN THE ALASKA C'FEC DATABASE.
Whereas,the Alaska Association of Harbormasters and Port Administrators represents small
boat harbors and ports across Alaska's coast and rivers; and
Whereas, derelict vessels are a large and growing problem at all of our communities, resulting in
increased costs to the public, environmental, and navigational hazards; and
Whereas,defining ownership and holding individuals responsible for their vessels has been
identified as one of the top barriers to effective management to prevent derelict vessels; and
Whereas, in 2018 the legislature passed Senate Bill 92,the Derelict Vessel Act;and
Whereas, in addition to substantially re-writing and updating AS30.30, the derelict vessel
chapter of state statute, SB92 addressed tracking vessel ownership through changes to AS05.25;
and
Whereas,these changes expand vessel registration requirements in Alaska effective January 1,
2019 and, similar to Washington and other states, Alaska now requires federally documented
vessels to also be registered with the state Department of Motor Vehicles; and
Whereas, the State of Alaska did not inform the newly regulated community nor do any
outreach of any kind in advance of this change; and
Whereas, active fishermen around the state were caught unaware, and raised the fact that their
vessels are already in the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission Database; and
84
Whereas,the intent of SB92 was to better track vessel ownership in Alaska regardless of its
engagement in a fishery and across the life of the vessel which is best accomplished through state
registration; and
Whereas,vessel registration should be simple, creating minimal added burden to help
effectively address the problem of identifying vessel ownership; and
Now therefore be it resolved that the Membership of the Alaska Association of Harbormasters
and Port Administrators recommends an update to Alaska state statute directing vessels active in
the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission Vessel Database be automatically issued Alaska
vessel registration numbers, and that the CFEC and the Division of Motor Vehicles create a
system for information sharing to this end.
Passed and approved by a duly constituted quorum of the Alaska Association of Harbormasters
and Port Administrators on this 3rd day of October,2019,.
Uchyfil,fresident
ATTES
7,
Aachef tord, Executive Secretary
85