Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02032021 PACAB Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes February 3, 2021 CALL TO ORDER Volume 4,Page 5 The February 3, 2021regular 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(via Zoom) presiding and Bruce Jaffa(via Zoom) Carl Hughes (via Zoom) Colby Lawrence (via Zoom) Lynda Paquette Erin Lemas (via Zoom) Benjamin Smith (via Zoom) comprising a quorum of the Board; and Norm Regis, Harbormaster/Acting City Manager(via Zoom) Stephen Sowell,Assistant City Manager(via Zoom) Karen Corrigan, Acting Deputy City Clerk Excused—None Absent—None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING—None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Paquette/Lemas) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the December 2,2020 Regular Meeting Minutes Approval of the December 16,2020 Special Meeting Minutes SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations & Awards—None City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes February 3, 2021 Volume 4, Page 6 Alaska Railroad Report. Christy Terry reported that the berthing scheduled was subject to change and dependent on circumstances throughout the year. Terry stated that the Alaska Railroad had a mask requirement prior to the Center for Disease Control's (CDC) new regulation requiring masks were to be worn on all transportation, due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Terry believed that the policies already in place could reflect positively to potential tourists that Seward had mitigation in place. The Seward Chamber of Commerce and the Alaska Railroad jointly wrote to the Alaska delegation that Seward was prepared to have cruise ships return to Alaska and had mitigation plans proven and in place. In response to Jaffa, Terry stated that preplanning was difficult to do when CDC regulations could change, but that the railroad was working to predict preventive measures. Seward proved that their COVID-19 mitigation procedures worked last summer with the cases that occurred in that the infected were evacuated expeditiously to Anchorage care facilities. The city was ahead of other Alaska towns that had no tourist economic season. In response to Paquette, Terry stated there were no new updates from the CDC other than new mask requirement for travel. In response to Schneider, Terry stated that the cruise lines were actively following the Healthy Sails policy and procedures that were included in the packet. Terry said that their office had been in contact with the city about preparing a travel approval letter for the cruise lines per cruise industry requirement. This requirement stated that cruise ships could not plan to berth in a port without written approval by the port's municipality. However, there had been no actual requests by a cruise line for a letter approving their schedule, to date. Terry pointed out whatever this season turned out to be like; the Railroad had plans to be ready to handle an influx of tourism, or were prepared to find projects to keep employment full. Chamber of Commerce Report. (The report was included in the meeting packet.) Harbormaster Report. (The report was included in the meeting packet.) Other Reports and Announcements—None Presentations—None UNFINISHED BUSINESS —None NEW BUSINESS Resolutions Resolution 2021-001 A Resolution Of The Seward Port And Commerce Advisory Board, Recommending City Council Approval Of The Port And Commerce Advisory Board Priorities From February 2021 To February 2022. Motion (Hughes/Paquette) Approve Resolution 2021-001 City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes February 3,2021 Volume 4,Page 7 Jaffa was in favor of the resolution and believed that after several meetings, having discussed the revisions the resolution was broad enough and would provide a full schedule of tasks for the board. Motion Passed Unanimous Other New Business Items Review and discuss the progress of the Interconnect Policy, Heat Pump Rebate and other energy related issues with the Electric Utilities Manager. Electric Utilities Director Robert Montgomery stated that he was becoming familiar with the current interconnect policy and there was no current average time of install available. The first bi-directional meter was installed on the system in October, 2020. There were now three interconnect customers for Seward. The department was making progress on updates and working towards an official process on the interconnect policy, and a review of the net metering rate would be required. Montgomery stated the department would need a point person for the interconnect program. The goal was to have the program in place within four to six months, and the deadline of September 2021 would be feasible. There were several projects related to safety and reliability of service being completed first, and there was great potential in Seward for alternative energy. In response to Schneider, Montgomery stated that the department would move forward with projects that would benefit both the citizens and the city. One goal was to work toward projects that were financially feasible and provided citizens more options. He pointed out that a battery bank system cost millions, compared to the $250,000 project to replace the control system for a generator. Jaffa encouraged Montgomery to utilize PACAB to evaluate projects and processes. Montgomery stated that Seward was a small community with a large engagement in alternative energy and he looked forward to working with PACAB on projects and was open to new ideas and technologies. Paquette said that the electric department was building trust back into the community. Paquette was interested in whether the city's generators were of an age for parts to be difficult to source. Montgomery stated that the control panel and systems were becoming difficult to replace, due to their age, and this was the reason behind the department replacing the entire control system. He did not want to take any shortcuts with the generation plant, because it was a great benefit to Seward. Lemas left the meeting at 1:04 p.m. Discuss the city's economic development and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. PACAB suspended the rules to speak with Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jason Bickling. City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes February 3,2021 Volume 4,Page 8 Bickling stated that the Chamber of Commerce was planning for several conferences, and marine events this summer. The chamber would have a revamp of programs prepared before the summer season started. Jaffa inquired if the chamber was working toward bringing more industry to Seward and making Seward more appealing to new businesses. Bickling stated that bringing more boats to have projects done here in Seward, instead of Seattle, was a priority of the chamber. They were discussing these options with the city. Bidding discussed an agreement that the chamber and the city had with an organization called Blue Pipeline, who was hired to provide a business advisor position for Seward. Blue Pipeline had not started any such process in over a year's time. Paquette inquired that Blue Pipeline should still have the$50,000 that the city and chamber gave them and wanted to know if the city could retrieve those funds, if needed. Bickling stated that it has been a year and half with no work coming from Blue Pipeline after the money was sent to them. Bickling clarified that there was a process in place to retrieve that money. Paquette requested research be done to create safe venues for events by perhaps implementing building or upgrading city facilities. Jaffa agreed with Paquette that the Chamber or Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District might help lead in projects to help upgrade facilities. Making facilities more attractive for events to be held would provide confidence to the public that Seward was safe to visit. Schneider requested that the chamber look for a new direction to go in for a small business advisor and leave Blue Pipeline behind and request the funds back. Schneider requested that the chamber advocate at the federal level more funding for Seward to help businesses continue through what appeared to be a second year of COVID-19 economic loss. Schneider thanked the chamber for their"what's open" list and hoped it would continue this year. Bickling confirmed that the chamber was working to keep their website updated on open businesses. PACAB went back on the rules. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS —None CITIZEN COMMENTS—None BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Smith was interested in how travel would impact this summer's economy and believed the chamber had solid plans in place. Smith appreciated the work the electric department and thanked Mr. Kaluza for his letter on alternative power options to augment the city generators. Paquette thanked the presenters for reporting today. Refitting buildings and facilities with filter systems to handle cleaning air should be on a priority list for the city. City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes February 3,2021 Volume 4, Page 9 Lawrence thanked Bickling for the information he provided and wanted to see a fishing expo in Seward. Hughes thanked Bickling for the reports he provided. Hughes looked forward to working with Mr. Montgomery. Jaffa thanked all the attendees that provided information at the meeting. This economic situation was a challenging time; he believed that businesses could expect another hard year. He thanked the board for all being present. Schneider thanked all the board members for participating in the meetings. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:38 p.m. e Corrigan / La a Slc.e er Acting Deputy City Clerk air (City Seal) �SS,...aseo . •.•� OF SZf if• (, SPO �•••" k4; Q© • • is>,•�ti�k 1,.19g .• k'OF Ale" .4 ,1e°vsaecaaa•��`