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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05062020 PACAB Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Regular Meeting Minutes May 6, 2020 Volume 3,Page 420 CALL TO ORDER The May 6, 2020 regular meeting of the Port &Commerce Advisory Board was called to order at 12:05 p.m.by Chair Laura Schneider. OPENING CEREMONY Bruce Jaffa led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Laura Schneider presiding, and Bruce Jaffa lbemas Carl Hughes (telephonically) Colby Lawrence (telephonically) Lynda Paquette(telephonically) Be comprising a quorum of the board; and Norm Regis, Harbormaster Jessica Stallard,Deputy City Clerk Excused—Smith Absent—Lemas CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING—None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion(Hughes/Jaffa) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The city clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Resolution 2020-002, Recommending To The City Council To Authorize The City Manager To Apply For The Harbor Facility Grant For The Replacement Of G, K,And L-Float. Approval of the March 11,2020 PACAB Regular Meeting Minutes. SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Alaska Railroad Report — Christy Terry said the schedule for cruise ships was constantly changing. The first cruise ships were expected to arrive in Seward on July 20, 2020, and the trains were expected to start running on July 1, 2020. City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Regular Meeting Minutes May 6, 2020 Volume 3,Page 421 In response to Jaffa, Terry said the last cruise ship for 2020 was scheduled for October 10, 2020. In response to Jaffa, Terry said Holland America had moved their cruise ships from Seward to Whittier, because Whittier was closer to Holland America's resort in Denali. This move opened up Sundays for smaller cruise ships to dock in Seward. In response to Schneider, Terry said if the no-sail order was lifted, then Seward would be ready to receive cruise ships as early as July 1, 2020. Chamber of Commerce Report—Jason Bickling said the Chamber had made videos to promote Seward as a good place for individuals to visit. He worked with Elle Zernia to put together a Halibut Derby in late June. The Chamber's Fourth of July committee had started planning Seward's Fourth of July events for 2020. The Chamber had moved forward with planning for the Silver Salmon Derby. Bickling spoke to business owners on a weekly basis to help them navigate the struggles posed by COVID-19. The Chamber of Commerce visitor center had not yet opened to the public, but they had an informational area set up outside of the building. The Chamber's call volume had picked up over the past couple of weeks, and they had received calls from people wanting to visit Alaska between June and September of this year. In response to Hughes, Bickling said the Chamber was slowly integrating the customer relationship management (CRM) software into their website. In response to Jaffa, Bickling said their marketing availability was not be affected by the change in their website's server. In response to Jaffa, Bickling said a 70% loss in bed tax was expected for Alaska this year. He was confident in the Chamber's plan to provide sustainable marketing services to Seward during COVID-19. In response to Schneider, Bidding said the second Chamber video would promote Seward as a good vacation destination and reinforce the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(C.D.C). Harbormaster Report. Harbormaster Norm Regis said the water had been turned on in the harbor. The harbor was working with the Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) to replace the North East Boat Launch Ramp. The design for the replacement of the G, K, and L Floats were 95%completed. The harbor was open to the public with safety protocols in place. In response to Jaffa, Regis said social distancing signs were posted in the harbor and every other hose had been removed at the fish cleaning stations to help with social distancing. Regis said the launch ramps at the harbor were busy. In response to Hughes, Regis said the waitlist for 32-foot slips were usually completed within six months. More transient space was gained by reducing the slips on G, K, and L float. In response to Schneider, Regis said the new harbor computer software was more user- friendly, and it would help the harbor to better assist customers with daily rates. City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Regular Meeting Minutes May 6,2020 Volume 3,Page 422 Other Reports, Announcements, and Presentations Halibut Bycatch Presentation by Andy Mezirow NEW BUSINESS Review high vessel property tax. Regis said if Seward changed their high vessel property tax to a flat tax, then it would be a$160,000 deduction from the City of Seward General Fund. In response to Schneider, Regis said this change could be made through an ordinance proposed by the City Council. In response to Hughes, Regis said taxes collected by the borough went to the General Fund. He recommended that high vessel owners challenge their taxes if they do not agree with them. In response to Schneider, Regis said the borough collected and administered this tax. Lawrence left the meeting at 1:00 p.m. Set goals calendar for the second half of the year 2020. Motion (Hughes/Jaffa) Move "Set goals calendar for the second half of the year 2020" to the end of the agenda. Motion Passed Unanimous Motion to Postpone (Paquette/Hughes) Postpone "Set goals calendar for the second half of the year 2020" to June 3, 2020. Motion to Postpone Passed Unanimous Update from the energy committee. The energy committee had met to discuss the installation of solar energy panels. Discuss solar energy implementation. Motion (Schneider/Jaffa) Make the recommendation to City Council to direct the city manager to instruct the electric department to resolve r• the remaining issues with the solar City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Regular Meeting Minutes May 6, 2020 Volume 3, Page 423 interconnect policy to allow community implementation as soon as practical or by July 15, 2020. r..� Motion Passed Unanimous Discuss Local Government Climate Action—Cohort. Motion (Schneider/Paquette) Recommend to council to join the Climate Action Planning Cohort. Motion Passed Unanimous Discuss summer hiatus and possibility of having a June meeting. Motion (Schneider/Paquette) Schedule a regular PACAB meeting on June 3, 2020. Motion Passed Unanimous INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS—None CITIZEN COMMENTS —None BOARD AND ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Paquette encouraged conducting virtual meetings through Zoom and thanked everyone who watched the meeting. She thanked everyone for wearing masks. Hughes was excited to attend this meeting and concurred with Paquette that Zoom would be a good platform for future virtual meetings. Jaffa said we were defined by the times that we live in. The challenges that we faced define our character. It was important to face our burdens with optimism, enthusiasm, and energy. He commended and applauded the volunteers who formed our local government. Schneider thanked Sustainable Seward, Lori Landstrom, and Jenny Nacow for making masks for the community. She thanked Lori Landstrom for her efforts regarding the Climate Action Plan. She thanked Regis and the clerk for their hard work. Schneider said we were all learning how to adapt to the new normal. She reminded everyone that wearing a mask was a sign of love, not a sign of fear, and our citizens needed to set a good example for visitors. Regis said the governor would be making an announcement this afternoon about Phase II of Re-Open Alaska. He encouraged citizens to fill out the U.S. Census. City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Regular Meeting Minutes May 6, 2020 Volume 3, Page 424 ADJOURNMENT ftio This meeting was adjourned at 2:21 p.m. 9- LJ;-:Cek- -P-;froA\J—c7/ , ....e--- , Jessica Stallard Laura chne. er Deputy City Clerk C 'r (City Seal) ......u11/114 ••,4 OF SF�•. 4*44'?r \ Po,e�~•.gp _`. • = SEAL ? °• ......,SO/ Lti••.F OF A i"ib''