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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2019-111 Sponsored by: Meszaros Approved: November 25, 2019 Reconsidered: November 25,2019 Postponed: November 25, 2019 CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA RESOLUTION 2019-111 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, ESTABLISHING THE CITY OF SEWARD'S CALENDAR YEAR 2020 STATE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES WHEREAS, the City annually compiles a list of projects or issues that are identified as top legislative priorities; and WHEREAS, the list of projects are compiled and distributed to the State of Alaska Legislature, Kenai Peninsula Borough, and City of Seward lobbyists; and WHEREAS, this resolution validates projects, prioritizes needs, and focuses the efforts of City Administration in its lobbying efforts;and WHEREAS,the passage of this resolution occurs through a public process; and WHEREAS, all projects on this list are consistent with the City Comprehensive and Strategic Plans. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA,that: Section 1. This list of city projects is hereby declared to be the official STATE priority list for the City of Seward for calendar year 2020: A. BENEFICIAL LEGISLATION 1. Legislative support for maintaining the current level of State contributions into the PERS/TRS Retirement System on behalf of local governments, and for not extending the amortization period, in order to offset unfunded retirement system liabilities and to make future contribution rates more affordable for the state and local governments. 2 Legislative support for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers "Lowell Creek Tunnel Study" to construct a new tunnel through Bear Mountain to protect life, safety, and property of City of Seward residents. 3. Legislative support for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to design and construct a flood damage control project to protect airport runways and property from flooding. CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA RESOLUTION 2019-111 4 Support for continuing Medicaid programs and capital cost reimbursement at not less than current year funding levels. 5. Legislative support for continuing Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) programs that promote energy efficiency and conservation to help mitigate the costs of heating homes and businesses not served by natural gas. 6. Legislative support for feasibility analyses considering pipeline or multi-modal delivery methods of making natural gas available to communities not currently along a pipeline corridor, and using Seward's road/rail/barge connections as demonstration projects. 7. Legislative support for matching City funds towards the non-Federal 50% cost share of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers study required to address the Lowell Canyon Diversion Tunnel hazard. The City currently owes$266,022. 8. Continued support for the State Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Municipal Harbors Grant Program. 9 Full funding of the Alaska Police Standards Council in order to return to full reimbursement of Police Recruit training costs. 10. Full funding of the Alaska Department of Corrections in order to return 100% of the operational costs of the Jail to the State of Alaska. 11. Full funding of the Alaska Department of Corrections in order to continue State operation of the Spring Creek Correctional Center, the only maximum-security prison in the State of Alaska. 12 Full funding of the Alaska Vocational Technical Center (AVTEC) in order to continue vocational training and investment in local communities and trades. The City seeks support for AVTEC as it provides students with skills and career paths that benefit the State and local economy. 13. Legislative support for expanding access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment and recovery, to include expansion and renovation of the Seaview Community Services existing behavioral health treatment facility. 14. Reinstate State funding for the Silvertip Maintenance Station year-round operations on the Seward Highway. CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA RESOLUTION 2019-111 B. CAPITAL PROJECTS Recognizing the current government sector fiscal reality and its potential private sector economic impacts, the City of Seward is limiting its capital improvement project requests to those where the State's participation would leverage other significant funding, complete projects already underway, address projects of immediate life and safety, and enable projects that could be eligible under a statewide bond package if the State pursues and the voters approve such a plan. 1. $3,050,000 for design and construction of a new Public Works Facility (City will provide land for the new building). 2 $8 million to design and rebuild the electric transmission line from the Seward Highway to the Seward Marine Industrial Center facility and upgrade the Spring Creek substation by securing an alternative feed transformer to add capacity and reduce system outages and provide continuous service during maintenance periods. 3. $12 million to upgrade transmission conductors and substation transformers to improve the system's capacity to 115kV over existing 69 kV capacity. This would help unify the transmission system for the entire community and expand the system's capabilities, allowing higher capacity projects into the future. 4. $2.5 million to rebuild the electric transmission line from the Seward Highway to the Seward Marine Industrial Center facility. 5. $1,000,000 for systems maintenance and repairs at the Alaska SeaLife Center. 6. $500,000 for a hull washwater collection and treatment system at the 50-Ton Travelift. 7. $1,241,250 for JAG Shipyard Environmental Discharge Controls. & Continued support for Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) grants program in order to expand district heat loop systems and other alternative energy projects. 9 $1,000,000 for the design, engineering and construction of an Animal Shelter and dog park facility 10. $8.1 million for the Alaska Department of Transportation to repair and restore the existing runway 13-31 in order to accommodate larger aircraft and provide effective disaster response CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2019-111 I C. CRUISE PASSENGER VESSEL TAX REGIONAL IMPACT FUND OR CRUISE SHIP GAMBLING TAX 1. Appropriating funding for the Alaska Railroad Corporation Seward Marine Terminal Expansion project supporting both passenger and freight activities. Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption. PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 9`h day of December, 2019. T , E 7O7 SEW: ' : • ' SKA I., �risty Ter , , o .yo AYES: Butts, Baclaan, McClure, Osenga, Seese, Lane, T•rry NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ATTEST: Brenda J. Ballou, MC City Clerk (City ® 7,7;,„:.,``D.1 • 2 \I Li a ` �'� p u. SEAL : [A�. Q N r. i ''� .A if b • •p) A y.' , FOFp�.* IIIIb16it II'.