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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2020-034 Sponsored by: Meszaros Approved: April 27, 2020 Reconsideration Failed: May 11, 2020 CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2020-034 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, AUTHORIZING SUBMISSION OF A JOINT APPLICATION WITH THE ALASKA RAILROAD CORPORATION (ARRC) TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PORT INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (PIDP) GRANT PROGRAM FOR EXPANSION OF THE ALASKA RAILROAD TERMINAL RESERVE FREIGHT DOCK AND EXTENSION OF PORT AVENUE WHEREAS, numerous community planning sessions identified the need to extend and widen the Alaska Railroad Corporation's (ARRC) Terminal Reserve Freight Dock (Freight Dock) to meet regional and statewide demand by industry and government customers; and WHEREAS, widening and lengthening the Freight Dock will address demand by providing additional short and long term berthing space, increasing simultaneous berthing capacity, increasing secure cargo storage and staging/transfer area, providing roll-on/roll-off ramp compatibility, and increasing larger ship service; and WHEREAS, the Freight Dock expansion will have immediate and long-term economic impact that will create jobs, in number and as additional year round employment, and will supply essential freight to Seward and throughout the State; and WHEREAS, community planning sessions also identified that Port Avenue industrial truck traffic needs to be separated from pedestrian and cruise ship visitors traveling from the Passenger Dock to the Seward Harbor for improved safety; and WHEREAS, Seward documented this need in the City of Seward's 2030 Community Comprehensive Plan, with specific attention paid to, "Valuing diverse transportation facilities including road, rail, air, pedestrian, and water routes that meet the needs of residents, businesses and visitors"; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan notes support for adequate port infrastructure that will serve the needs of users in the main industrial/Alaska Railroad Port and at the Seward Marine Industrial Center (SMIC), and will develop convenient and well-publicized local, state, and national transportation connections from the port areas; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan identified a priority to develop a new route for industrial zone traffic to address pedestrian safety hazards, which is directly addressed by the proposed project to extend Port Avenue through the ARRC Terminal Reserve; and CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA RESOLUTION 2020-034 WHEREAS, the Alaska Railroad Terminal Reserve is important infrastructure for Alaska and the nation as a refueling and resupply port for the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy, and it is urgent the Freight Dock be expanded to meet continued demand; and WHEREAS,the City of Seward has a long and collaborative partnership history with the Alaska Railroad Corporation, including the most recent three previous TIGER Grant applications (2017 Master Planning Grant successful) and the 2019 BUILD Grant application; developing trade routes and supply chains with shared customers; beautification, safety and transportation projects in the industrial area and along Port Avenue; and working together after the 1964 earthquake rebuilding important economic infrastructure; and WHEREAS, the City of Seward and Alaska Railroad Corporation have investigated all funding options and found there are not adequate funding sources available to fund the Freight Dock Expansion and that the PIDP grant funding is necessary to fully fund the project; and WHEREAS, the City of Seward pledges to commit $219,120 worth of in-fill gravel per year for three years, totaling$657,360, to the project and staff time to collaborate as needed; and WHEREAS, the City of Seward pledges to utilize sufficient funding for signage and beatification items for Port Avenue and the staff time to collaborate as needed. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA that: Section 1. The City of Seward agrees to be joint-applicants with the Alaska Railroad Corporation for the FY20 Maritime Administration's (MARAD) Port and Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), with the Alaska Railroad Corporation as lead applicant accepting and managing project funds. Section 2. The City of Seward hereby authorizes submission of a PIDP grant application as a joint-applicant to the Alaska Railroad Corporation to the U.S. Department of Transportation funding the Seward Marine Terminal Freight Dock Expansion and Port Avenue Road Project. Section 3. The City of Seward hereby authorizes the city manager to sign all required documents for purposes of this application Section 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption. PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 27's day of April, 2020. CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2020-034 THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA (CCU,- Sue McClure, Vice Mayor AYES: Butts, McClure, Crites, Osenga, Baclaan NOES: None ABSENT: Seese ABSTAIN: Terry (conflict) ATTEST: Brenda J. Balloa, MC City Clerk (City S OF SE4y 4. v too RarF O ` • SEAL ) • • et •��t,4lf OF A\PS•` I COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT Meeting Date: April 27,2020 To: City Council From: City Manager, Scott Meszaros sr Agenda Item: Authorizing a joint application with the Alaska Railroad Corporation to the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration's (MARAD) Port Infrastructure Development Program(PIDP) BACKGROUND&JUSTIFICATION: The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (NDAA) and the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 authorized and appropriated $225 million for the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) for grant funding to improve facilities within, or outside of and directly related to operations of coastal seaports,inland river ports, and Great Lakes ports. The Act directed that at least $200 million of the appropriated funds shall be for grants to coastal seaports or Great Lakes ports. Funds for the PIDP are to be awarded as discretionary grants on a competitive basis for projects that will improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods into,out of, around,or within a port. The Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC), the owner and operator of the Seward Intermodal Terminal Reserve Port,has identified,through numerous community planning meetings,the need to meet regional and statewide demand by extending and widening the ARRC Terminal Reserve Freight Dock. As an ideal candidate for the PIDP grant program, the ARRC and the City of Seward wish to jointly apply for grant funding in order to proceed in our efforts to follow the City's adopted 2030 Comprehensive Plan. This application and subsequent award will support adequate port infrastructure that will serve the needs of users in the main industrial/Alaska Railroad Corporation Port. There is no conflict with City intent or other area users applying for a competing project for a PIDP grant during this funding cycle. The City of Seward has agreed to supply in-kind support for this grant application by aiding in the removal of deposits from the Lowell Creek outfall for fill material for the project as well as the staff time needed to coordinate these efforts. The City is also expecting to utilize CPV funds to acquire signage and beautification items for Port Avenue as well as the staff time needed to coordinate these efforts. INTENT: Jointly apply with the ARRC for a PIDP grant to widen and Iengthen the ARRC Freight Dock and invest in beatification and safety efforts along Port Avenue. 98 CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Yes No N/A Comprehensive Plan(document source here): Comprehensive Plan: 1.3.1 -Economic Development X 1.3.3- Transportation Facilities 2.2.7- Community Partnerships 2.2.9-Public Safety Strategic Plan (document source here) Page 3 —Growth Management and Land Use Planning Page 4-Transportation Facilities X Page 5-Economic Base Page 7-Improve and Expand Maritime Facilities Page 16 Expand Transportation Facilities Other (list): Previous Council Support and ARRC Master Planning X efforts FISCAL NOTE: There is no financial impact associated with this joint application/support Resolution. If the grant is awarded, in-kind contributions will be made within existing departmental budgets. Approved by Finance Department: ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes No—X RECOMMENDATION: City Council Approve Resolution 2020-034 authorizing a joint application with the Alaska Railroad Corporation to the U.S. Department of Transportation PIDP grant program. 99