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HomeMy WebLinkAbout12022020 PACAB Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes December 2, 2020 Volume 3,Page 441 CALL TO ORDER The December 2, 2020 regular meeting of the Port and Commerce Advisory Board was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by Chair Schneider. OPENING CEREMONY Board Member Lynda Paquette led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Laura Schneider presiding and Carl Hughes (telephonically) Gelby-Lawrenee Lynda Paquette Erin Lemas (telephonically) Benjamin Smith comprising a quorum of the Board; and Norm Regis, Harbormaster and Acting City Manager Stephen Sowell, Assistant City Manager Brenda Ballou, City Clerk Karen Corrigan, Acting Deputy City Clerk Excused — Lawrence Absent—Jaffa CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING—None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Paquette/Smith) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approve the November 4, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes. Confirm the December 16, 2020 work session topic as "Set PACAB priorities for 2021". SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations & Awards—None City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes December 2, 2020 Volume 3, Page 442 Alaska Railroad Report. Christy Terry reported that Canada had the borders closed until there was a better containment of COVID-19. Due to most of Seward's cruise ships coming through that border, the Alaska Railroad (AKRR) was paying close attention to their status. No agencies had cancelled bookings for this summer. AKRR was working with cruise agencies to have adequate mitigations in place for when ships arrived. Chamber of Commerce Report. Jason Bickling reported that the chamber was monitoring what the community was interested in for winter activities, and would host a fireworks display for New Year's Eve. Bickling had not heard from the Polar Bear Jump group this year. Harbormaster Report. Harbormaster Norm Regis reported that the United States Coast Guard would be giving a presentation to council on December 14, 2020. In response to Schneider, Regis stated that the harbor crews would be ready for X Float repairs once the supplies arrived on the barge. Other Reports and Announcements—None Presentations North Harbor Launch Ramp Replacement by PND Engineers UNFINISHED BUSINESS —None re] NEW BUSINESS Other New Business Items Discuss Seward Marine Industrial Center (SMIC) Development Plan with the Fire Department. Fire Chief Clinton Crites presented comments on the SMIC Development Plan. He said SMIC should have more hydrants installed due to the increase in dry dock vessels, and it should have a new fire station to house fire equipment and a second fire vessel. Lemas left the meeting at 1:04 p.m. Crites said that additional volunteers and marine fire training were needed and considerations for these costs would need to be considered. Relocation of the fire training center to a larger lot would assist in training operations. He stressed that as vessel usage and storage increased at SMIC, the ISO Insurance rating could be affected adversely if additional equipment and personnel were not also made available. In response to Paquette and Schneider, Regis stated that the city was looking at a new location for the fire training center, and a possible location for a new harbor building. City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes December 2, 2020 Volume 3, Page 443 Schneider thanked Crites for his time and invited him to return when the board revised the SMIC Plan again in the fall of 2021. Discuss recommendations on priorities and Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). In response to Schneider, Regis noted that paved areas in SMIC would provide companies an area to laydown equipment when barges were being worked on. Regis believed that the SMIC Fund would be in the black at the end of 2020. Regis requested that items stay on the CIP list until completed, and believed that replacing the K, L, & G floats could be completed in 2021. In response to Schneider, Regis stated that the anodes on the dock system appeared to have three quarters volume left, and would speak with an engineer to ensure that amount was acceptable. Regis believed this project could be brought back another year. The dumpsters on the list could be removed because they have already been purchased. Regis agreed with Schneider to move the 5-Ton Crane for I Dock up on the list since the engineering was completed for the project. Regis asked to have a new Harbormaster's Building added to list, with the plan to relocate it to the uplands. Review the status of committees and take action: 1) Reappoint committee members, or 2) sunset Schneider clarified that the committees involved were the Seward Climate Action Plan Committee, Seward Harbor SMIC Committee, and the Energy Ad Hoc Committee. Motion (Paquette/Smith) Motion to keep the Committees as they are with the current members for 2021. Motion Passed Unanimous Discuss a virtual energy fair. Smith stated that an organizing group for a fair would be helpful. Paquette wanted to see an energy survey go out to the community. Schneider appreciated the time the members put into the group. The Finance Department had the ability to add a form into the utility billing mail outs, which was an option that could be considered. Schneider requested the virtual energy fair be added as a discussion item to the January 6, 2021 meeting agenda. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS—None CITIZEN COMMENTS—None BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes December 2,2020 Volume 3,Page 444 Schneider brought forward an idea for the climate action planning committee, ICLEI USA, climate resilience for communities. ICLEI USA was an organization that other communities have joined because they had online resources and steps to help complete the climate action plan tasks. The cost was between $200 to $600, based on a sliding scale of population and median income. Regis commented the ICLEI USA would be a great option for the board. Regis said the harbor crews were working hard, even while shorthanded to keep the docks, lots, and roads cleared of snow. Hughes stated it was great to be back after two months, and that the virtual energy fair required some catch up on his part. Hughes would like more information on ICLEI USA. He found it easy in the lower 48 to access internet. Hughes asked if the city would be able to use Zoom. Smith thanked PND Engineers for the excellent presentation and plans, and believed Option Two looked great. Smith stated anytime lots could be paved, as some options showed, it would help accomplish the board's goals. Smith thanked the fire chief for his thoughts on expansion, and agreed that expansion of the shipyard was significant and the board should extend their support for the required budget increases. Smith requested additional research on ICLEI USA,but stated ICLEI USA sounded good and would support that. Paquette thanked the Chamber of Commerce for the use of Zoom to help the Climate Action Plan Committee and the energy fair. Paquette thanked PND for the presentation, and believed Option Two was good. Paquette was excited the city had embraced Zoom, and issues with security appeared to be resolved. She agreed that ICLEI USA sounded like great idea. Paquette thanked the Electric Department for all their hard work the last few days, and thanked the fire chief for his input and agreed to support him. The sewage lagoon at Lowell Point had odor issues,and she was concerned about finding a good consultant to go to address the issues. Schneider stated she would like to call a special meeting on ICLEI USA for the board to present more information on the organization. Schneider suggested the special meeting be on December 16, 2020 at noon and then the work session time for the same day could be compressed. She asked the board to be prepared for the shortened work session. Schneider said the goal would be to get the board's priorities for the future solidified and prepared for the next regular meeting. She thanked everyone that spoke today. Schneider was excited for the work at the harbor and SMIC. Schneider hoped everyone had a great Thanksgiving. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 2:14 p.m. vie88888 K en Corrigan .•`y OF E(�,''•. Schn ider Acting Deputy City Clerk 4*V>�.Go o r. 'roe. C it (City Seal) •? w ••. • ..._.. •, • • SEAL « / tigi OF tkr'•"`