HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2021-011Sponsored by: Mayor Terry
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2021-011
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, REQUESTING THAT GOVERNOR DUNLEAVY DIRECT THE
ALASKA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO MAINTAIN THE
STATE-OWNED AIRPORT LOCATED IN SEWARD, ALASKA IN A
TIMELY MANNER TO ENSURE SAFE WINTER OPERATING
CONDITIONS
WHEREAS, the State of Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT) owns and operates
the Seward Airport located in Seward, Alaska; and
WHEREAS, for the first time in recent history, the airport has been closed a number of
times for a number of days due to not being plowed and maintained in a timely manner; and
WHEREAS, this disregard has put citizens in mortal danger during this time of an
international pandemic, because the airport is used for medivac transportation, and is a critical
evacuation option even during non -pandemic years; and
' WHEREAS, the State, Kenai Peninsula Borough and City are under a declared State of
Emergency that includes impacts on local health care and hospital facilities; and
WHEREAS, the airport serves the residents of Seward and the nearby communities of
Moose Pass, Bear Creek, and Lowell Point; and
WHEREAS, local pilots use the airport for business and leisure travel; and
WHEREAS, the airport being closed also has large economic impacts to the Seward
tourism industry since companies are not able to provide touring services for experiences only
available by plane; and
WHEREAS, the DOT rates plowing the airport at the bottom of their work priorities; and
WHEREAS, the City is requesting for plowing and winter maintenance to be moved to a
higher priority in order to ensure it is adequately maintained as a functioning airport; and
WHEREAS, if the DOT is not able to provide adequate staffing or equipment, the
Governor is urged to follow the model in other rural locations to contract the service out to a local
vendor; and
WHEREAS, the City also continues to stress the importance for the State DOT to safely
maintain the Seward Highway.
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2021-011
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA that:
Section 1. The Seward City Council urges Governor Dunleavy to direct DOT
Commissioner John MacKinnon and his staff to maintain safe winter operations in a timely manner
for the state-owned airport located in Seward.
Section 2. The Seward City Council asks the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly to join
the City in this request since the airport also serves Borough residents on the east side of the Kenai
Peninsula, and will provide this Resolution to the Mayor and Assembly.
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 2P
day of January, 2021.
OF SEWARD. ALASKA
AYES:
DeMoss, Baclaan, McClure, Casagranda, Seese, Osenga,
NOES:
None
ABSENT:
None
ABSTAIN:
None
ATTEST:
Brenda J. Balloa, C
City Clerk
(City
• ( SEAL •
OF ASPS ..
I
Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: January 25, 2021
To: City Council
From: Christy Terry, Mayor
Agenda Item: Resolution asking Governor Dunleavy to direct DOT to timely maintain, in
safe operating conditions, the State of Alaska Airport located in Seward, AK
BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION:
The State of Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT) owns and operates the Seward Airport
located in Seward, Alaska. They are being neglectful in their duty to adequately provide for its winter
maintenance and care. For the first time in recent history, the Airport has been closed several times
for a number of days due to not being plowed and maintained in a timely manner.
This lack of adequate maintenance is putting citizens in mortal danger during an international
pandemic since this airport is used for medivacs and is a critical evacuation option even during non -
pandemic years. Regardless of other factors, we should demand a functioning airport from the State,
but most especially during a time when Alaska, Kenai Peninsula Borough and City are under a
declared State of Emergency that includes impacts on local health care and hospital facilities.
This airport not only serves the residents of Seward, but also nearby Borough communities,
including Moose Pass, Bear Creek, and Lowell Point. Local pilots use the airport for business and
leisure travel. The airport being closed also has large economic impacts to the Seward tourism
industry since companies are not able to provide touring services for experiences only available by
plane. Again, while this is egregious during normal economic conditions, we are currently in a
period of economic turmoil due to the pandemic and need the resources to recover and thrive outside
of government handouts.
DOT rates plowing the airport at the bottom of their work priorities. City administration and Council
request plowing and winter maintenance be moved to a higher priority in order to have it adequately
maintained as a functioning airport.
We also don't want this to be an excuse to neglect our key access point of the Seward Highway that
continues to experience maintenance issues and we want to again stress the importance for the State
DOT to safely maintain the Seward Highway.
INTENT:
The Seward City Council urges Governor Dunleavy to direct DOT Commissioner John MacKinnon
and his staff to maintain safe winter operations in a timely manner for the State Airport located in
Seward. The Clerk will provide this resolution to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly and Mayor
and request they join the City since the airport also serves Borough residents on this side of the
Kenai Peninsula and will provide this Resolution to the Mayor and Assembly.
CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST:
Yes
No
N/A
Comprehensive Plan (document source here):
Section 3.4 of the current comprehensive plan endorses 3.4.1.3
1
Improved he usability of the state owned airport.
X
3.6.1.3 Develop and promote winter tourism
Strategic Plan (document source here):
2.
Expanded Transportation Facilities- Improve the State Airport Page 16
X
Promote Winter Tourism- page 8
Other (list):
FAA Airport Field Condition Assessment and Winter Operations Safety
AC 15015200-30D
2.1 Safety Requirements. Snow, ice, and slush should be removed as
3.
expeditiously as practicable. The goal is to maintain runways, high-
X
speed turnoffs, and taxiways in a "no worse than wet" (i.e., no
contaminant accumulation) condition. Surface friction can be improved
by application ofsand when unusual conditions prevent prompt and
complete removal of slush, snow, or ice.
FISCAL NOTE:
Approved by Finance Department:
ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes
RECOMMENDATION:
NA
No Not Applicable
0
City Council approve Resolution 2021-011, encouraging Governor Dunleavy to direct DOT to plow
the State of Alaska airport in a more timely manner.