Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout09022020 PACAB Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Regular Meeting Minutes September 2, 2020 Volume 3,Page 428 CALL TO ORDER The September 2, 2020 regular meeting of the Port & Commerce Advisory Board was called to order at 12:00 p.m.by Chair Laura Schneider. OPENING CEREMONY Benjamin Smith led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Laura Schneider presiding, and Bruce Jaffa(telephonically) Erin Lemas (telephonically) Comes Colby Lawrence Lynda Paquette Benjamin Smith comprising a quorum of the board; and Stephen Sowell, Assistant City Manager Norm Regis,Harbormaster Jessica Stallard, Deputy City Clerk Cory Borgeson, Electric Utility Manager • Excused—None Absent—Hughes CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING The City of Seward is currently experiencing a declared public health emergency due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), so alternate methods for providing Citizen Comments were created. Unless otherwise noted, the following Citizen Comments were submitted in advance and read into the record by the City Clerk: Phil Kaluza commended the board for their continued support of renewable energy. He said his photovoltaic(PV) system was inspected and approved for interconnection by the Electric department on May 15, 2020, but his electric meter was never swapped out. Kaluza disagreed with the Electric department adopting a checklist for solar electric installation. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Paquette/Smith) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Regular Meeting Minutes September 2, 2020 Volume 3, Page 429 The city clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the June 3,2020 PACAB Regular Meeting Minutes. Reschedule the October 21, 2020 work session to October 14, 2020. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Alaska Railroad Report. Christy Terry said the U.S. Coast Guard ship Healy had a boat engine fire in Kodiak and they went straight to Seattle. She met with the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) to discuss COVID-19 mitigation and planning for the 2021 season. In response to Paquette, Terry said this year's music festival and holiday fair had been cancelled. The Ship Escort/Response Vessel System (SERVS) event would be rescheduled from Fall 2020 to Spring 2021. Chamber of Commerce Report — Jason Bickling said the Chamber was excited to move forward with their new website; it would represent Seward's port, harbor, and marine industry. The Chamber membership was increasing. In response to Jaffa, Bickling said he was not expecting the 2021 tourist season to return to normal. The airlines were expecting a significant decrease in air travel for 2021. He said the Seward Chamber of Commerce did not have a direct relationship with the Moose Pass Chamber of Commerce. Harbormaster Report. Harbormaster Norm Regis introduced Assistant City Manager Stephen Sowell. Regis said he would not be able to attend the October 14, 2020 work session. The harbor had received new dumpsters. JAG Alaska had been awarded the United States Naval Ship (USNS) Sioux contract. The U.S. Navy would be in Seward from October 5, 2020 to December 5, 2020. Other Reports, Announcements, and Presentations—None UNFINISHED BUSINESS —None NEW BUSINESS Nominate and elect a commissioner as Chair. Laura Schneider was nominated as Chair. No other nominations were received. Motion (Paquette/Lawrence) Re-elect Laura Schneider as Chair. Motion Passed Unanimous City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Regular Meeting Minutes September 2, 2020 Volume 3,Page 430 Nominate and elect a commissioner as Vice Chair. Bruce Jaffa was nominated as Vice Chair. No other nominations were received. Motion (Schneider/Paquette) Re-elect Bruce Jaffa as Vice Chair. Motion Passed Unanimous Provide recommendation to council on high vessel property tax. Regis recommended that the board leave the high vessel property tax as it is. He said there was a waiting list for all of the harbor boat slips. In response to Lawrence, Regis said he did not know the total number of boats lost to other ports due to the high tax rate. He recommended vessel owners appeal the tax if they disagreed with it. In response to Jaffa, Regis said the moorage contracts and leases cover all of the harbor expenses. The taxes go into the General Fund and not the Harbor Enterprise Fund. In response to Smith, Regis said an explanation of how the high vessel property tax was divided was available on the borough website. Motion (Schneider/Jaffa) The Port and Commerce Advisory Board recommends making no changes to the high vessel property tax at this time, pending further review. Schneider said she would be including the board's recommendation in her report to council. Motion Passed Unanimous Review the energy committee's recommendations on the Interconnect Policy. Electric Utility Manager Cory Borgeson said he was glad to work with the board and stakeholders to simplify the city's interconnect policy. He hoped to utilize the other railbelt utilities' expertise on this topic. The city's current meters allowed customers with solar panels to benefit from them. Borgeson hoped to have a recommendation on the Interconnect Policy to the board by October, 2020. Motion (Schneider/Paquette) Change the September 16, 2020 work session topic from "Evaluate the Blue Pipeline Initiative" to "Evaluate the City's Interconnect Policy". `.. Motion Passed Unanimous City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce AdvisoryBoard Regular Meeting Minutes September 2, 2020 Volume 3, Page 431 Lemas left the meeting at 1:00 p.m. Discuss the Energy Fair. The board directed the Energy committee to bring forward a list of topics for informational Zoom webinars at the October meeting. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Port & Commerce Advisory Board Budget Report through August 21, 2020. CITIZEN COMMENTS—None BOARD AND ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Jaffa was excited that meetings had resumed. He welcomed Electric Utility Manager Cory Borgeson. Smith congratulated the Alaska Sealife Center on meeting their goal and being able to remain open. He congratulated JAG on the contract with the U.S. Navy. He welcomed Borgeson. Lawrence said he would not be at the September 16, 2020 work session. Paquette welcomed Borgeson. She was excited that the meetings were returning to normal. She congratulated the Alaska Sealife Center. She reminded everyone to register to vote. Schneider welcomed the new members of administration. She reminded everyone to fill out the U.S. Census. She was grateful the board was able to attend meetings telephonically during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regis was excited to have a U.S. Navy ship in Seward this winter. ADJOURNMENT This meeting was adjourned at 1:11 p.m. sica Stallar , MC La a Sch eider Deputy City Clerk Chair �c�irrG t7l PL'r'v CjTY ci.4 2 (City Seal) **4 OF SE ##. d+G ram' sisJ •. 1. f • 3 SEAL • ti•TeOF AV"..`....ntn.•ne•