HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2020-014 FAILED Sponsored by: Meszaros
FAILED CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2020-014
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO CONDUCT A SPECIAL
ELECTION TO DETERMINE IF SEWARD VOTERS WISH TO FUND
AN ADDITIONAL EXTENSION FROM 3,300 FEET TO 4,000 FEET OF
THE SEWARD AIRPORT RUNWAY IN CONJUNCTION WITH
APPROVED ALTERNATIVE 2.2
WHEREAS, the State of Alaska Department of Transportation (ADOT) owns and
operates the Seward Airport located in Seward, Alaska; and
WHEREAS, ADOT and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have been in the
process of addressing this issue through a large-scale project and have completed the
Environmental Assessment (EA) and determined to move forward with Project Alternative 2.2,
which ADOT P& and FAA intend to sign the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) the first
week of February which completes the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for
this federally funded project; and
WHEREAS, ADOT is requesting a response from the City of Seward acknowledging
that the proposed Project Alternative 2.2, while it is not supported by all members of the
community, provides critical improvements necessary to meet the aviation needs of Seward; and
WHEREAS,the ADOT is willing to work with the City of Seward community as a local
entity to construct improvements using alternate funding to construct a longer runway than FAA
funding with ADOT match funds can provide; and
WHEREAS, Project Alternative 2.2 is in the current year funding program (which
expires in October, 2020), and it is undetermined when another funding opportunity will be
available if the project is delayed; and
WHEREAS, extending the runway construction length of Project Alternative 2.2 beyond
the 3,300 feet funded by the FAA and ADOT would require significant additional funding and an
operations/maintenance agreements from the City of Seward; and
WHEREAS, Administration recommends that should Council determine that the
additional extension of the runway be considered, this matter should be resolved by election
rather than Council action; and
WHEREAS, Seward City Code, Section 4.01.035, states "The council by resolution
may call a special election at any time upon at least 30 days' notice."
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2020-014
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA that:
Section 1. The Seward City Council, weighing the existing challenges and costs,
recognizes that the proposed airport Project Alternative 2.2 will bring the airport up to Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) codes and regulations, and enhance the State's Airport above
and beyond the current condition; however, desire exists to move forward with a project that has
an ultimate runway length of 4,000 feet.
Section 2. The Seward City Council directs the City Clerk to conduct a special election to
determine if the City of Seward voters wish to fund an additional extension of the Seward
Airport runway from 3,300 feet to 4,000 feet at a sole cost to the residents of the City of Seward.
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this
10'' day of February, 2020.
THE CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
FAILED
Christy Terry, Mayor
AYES: None
NOES: Osenga, Baclaan, Butts, Crites, McClure, Terry
ABSENT: Seese
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
FAILED
Brenda J. Ballou, MMC
City Clerk
(City Seal)
Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: February 10, 2020
To: City Council
From: City Manager, Scott W. Meszaros
Agenda Item: City Direction regarding the DOT &PF Seward Airport Project
BACKGROUND &JUSTIFICATION:
The State of Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT) owns and operates the Seward Airport
located in Seward, Alaska. Through various flooding events and human intervention to manage
flooding in the Resurrection River, the river has changed course and is now redirected towards
the existing long runway at the Seward Airport. Due to this redirection, the long runway has been
undermined and has caused the runway to be inoperable at its full capacity.
The Alaska DOT and FAA have been in the process of addressing this issue through a large-
scale project and have completed the Environmental Assessment (EA) and determined the course
of action they wish to pursue is to move forward with Project Alternative number 2.2
The proposed Resolution following this Statement Paper, as well as the e-mail from John R.
Binder 111, Deputy Commissioner Alaska Department of Transportation, details the information
provided on the condition and process surrounding the EA and related approval issues.
INTENT: It is the intent of Administration to have Council provide direction on the Airport.
The proposed options are to either endorse the currently funded and approved alternative 2.2, or
to provide direction to the City Clerk to immediately conduct an election to determine if the
community is willing or wanting to finance the additional airport extension project. If both of
these options are not desirable, then to provide direction regarding ballot language appropriate
for the Clerk to conduct an election of the people on the matter.
CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Yes No N/A
Comprehensive Plan:
2.2.9 Public Safety
2.2.11 Economic Base
1. 2.2.12 Transportation Facilities X
2.2.12.5 Air Traffic
3.1 Economic Development
3.4 Transportation
Strategic Plan:
Page 3 Economic Base
Page 4 Transportation Facilities
2. X
Page 5 Attract new industry
Page 11 Plan and prepare for natural disasters
Page 16 Improve State Airport
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3. Other (list): X
FISCAL NOTE: Accepting the currently funded, planned 2.2 Runway Project, the City of
Seward has no financial contribution or requirement in the project.
Should the City determine that the voters should determine a question regarding the proposed
3300 foot runway being inadequate, or unacceptable, and that a 4000 foot runway should be
constructed, prior estimates from 2015 put the additional 700 feet of runway at $8.1M plus the
Maintenance and Operational expenses of said extension in perpetuity which would be required
by Alaska DOT. Administration in consideration of the financial impacts of this addition to the
proposed 2.2 project, and the documented issues outlined in the EA, recommends that the course
of action be to accept Alternative 2.2 to allow the process to proceed and capture currently
allocated project funding (approximately $23M).
Should the Council determine that neither of the suggested options are acceptable, the Financial
Impact and timing (as a full EIS may be warranted), as well as legal issues regarding ownership
of the State Property, are far beyond the scope and resources to provide a fiscal note estimate and
would require additional research simply to provide such a cost estimate.
Additionally, the Deputy Commissioner, John R. Binder III, A.A.E has included a draft sample
of a runway extension agreement commonly utilized by DOT for the Council to see what such an
agreement may look like.
Approved by Finance Department:
ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes X No
RECOMMENDATION:
Council approve Resolution 2020-013, authorizing the Mayor to sign a support letter for the
DOT/FAA funded Seward Airport Project Alternative 2.2 and forward with this Resolution;
(or)
Council approve Resolution 2020-014, authorizing the City Clerk to initiate a Special Election to
be conducted as reasonably quickly as possible with ballot language crafted to determine
whether or not the City of Seward voters desire to approve funding and related long term
expenses to support the additional Airport extension length to 4000 fee.
(or)
Some other ballot question as put forth by Council TBD relating to ownership and/or airport
issues.
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