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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.