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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05052021 PACAB Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes May 5, 2021 Volume 4,Page 20 CALL TO ORDER The May 5, 2021 regular meeting of the Port and Commerce Advisory Board was called to order at 12:00 p.m.by Chair Schneider. OPENING CEREMONY Deputy Harbormaster Matt Chase led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Laura Schneider,presiding; and Bruce Jaffa Carl Hughes nce EFin-Lemas Lynda Paquette Benjamin Smith(telephonically) comprising a quorum of the Board; and Matt Chase, Deputy Harbormaster Jessica Stallard, Deputy City Clerk Excused—Lemas, Lawrence Absent—None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING—None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Paquette/Jaffa) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approval of the April 7, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes. SPECIAL ORDERS, PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations & Awards—None City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes May 5,2021 Volume 4,Page 21 Alaska Railroad Report. Christy Terry said there was an increase in barge and vessel dockings this spring. The cruise ship terminal continued to follow CDC regulations. The railroad was still in negotiations with the proposers for the Ongoing Cruise Ship Dock/ Terminal Development Request for Proposals (RFP). U.S. sailings were scheduled to resume in mid-July, 2021. There was one confirmed ship for July 13, 2021. Terry said the CDC had relaxed their guidelines and Canada was still closed.In 2020,there had been 9,489 people on the Coastal Classic coming to Seward. The Coastal Classic train would be running from Seward from May 29 — September 6, 2021, and reservations had doubled since 2020. There would be a free shuttle bus running daily in Seward. Norwegian Cruise Lines had provided $10 million to 10 communities in Alaska,and Seward was receiving$1 million. In response to Hughes,Terry said the Coastal Classic would run from south to north daily. It arrived at 11:00 a.m. and departed at 6:00 p.m. In response to Jaffa, Terry said the lack of cruise ships in Seward this summer allowed barges and vessels to utilize Seward's docks for repairs.A$5,000,000 grant had been received for the expansion of the freight dock and construction was expected to begin in June, 2023. In response to Hughes,Terry said the freight dock was used for cargo operations. Chamber of Commerce Report. Jason Bickling (telephonically) said bookings were strong. There was a shortage of rental cars and seasonal workers in the United States. In response to Jaffa, Bickling said prices of vehicles were up, as well as the demand for vehicles. Rental car companies sold off their fleets last year and the dealerships were having difficulty getting cars on their lots this year. In response to Paquette, Bickling said there was no Uber or Lyft in Seward at this time. He said Seward would be holding their Fourth of July festivities this year with last year's mitigation plans in place. Harbormaster Report. Deputy Harbormaster Matt Chase said the lots on the other side of the bay were full and there was a waiting list for it. The water was on at the harbor and the fish cleaning stations were open.The harbor had upgraded to a new computer software.The harbor office would be open on Sundays for the summer starting on May 9,2021. Melody Moline retired on April 30, 2021. The North East harbor launch ramp was at 75% design. A navy ship was scheduled to work at JAG this year. The Tuscamina and Aurora wanted to make Seward their home port for winter storage. In response es o se to Hughes, Chase said the Raibow lots were beingworked on byfuture p P� investors. The harbor hoped to get more electricity for these lots. In response to Jaffa,Chase said the harbor was shovel ready for the NorthEast launch ramp. They were waiting on the State to appropriate the money for the NorthEast harbor launch ramp. City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes May 5, 2021 Volume 4,Page 22 Other Reports and Announcements— None Presentations—None UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None NEW BUSINESS Other New Business Items Update on the progress of the interconnect policy and installations of demo systems highlighting renewable and alternative energy systems. Electric Utility Manager Rob Montgomery said a page on the renewable energy interconnect had been added to the city website,as well as a new application for interconnect.The Electric Utility department had a conference call with Renewable Energy Systems in April, 2021. He also had a conference call with the Solarize the Kenai group. 80 people in the community were interested in having solar installations. Four applications had been received for the interconnect policy, and eight people had put down a deposit for renewable energy. The electric department was streamlining their operations, and they had launched a facebook page to promote solar installions. In response to Jaffa, Montgomery said the solar installation system would shut down automatically when it was not receiving power. His number one priority was safety,but his second priority was to upgrade and improve the infrastructure. His biggest fear was the infrastructure being beyond its service life. The city would take care of their system and the owner of the solar system would need to take care of their solar system separately.The conductor exercises would be for the maximum anticipated voltage. In response to Smith, Montgomery said he had not spoken directly to Bear Creek Fire Department. Fire Chief Clinton Crites attended the weekly city manager meetings, and Montgomery received reports from Crites at these meetings. There were 8 to 11 expected new solar installations at this time. In response to Paquette, Montgomery said the COVID-19 pandemic had slowed down the supply chain and caused shipping delays for the additional demand meters. Hughes said he had applied for a solar energy system,which he was excited about. Smith left the meeting at 1:00 p.m. Set goals for second half of year 2021. The board set their goals for the second half of the year 2021. City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes May 5, 2021 Volume 4,Page 23 Discuss Happy Youth Programs& Educational Resources (HYPER). Schneider said several letters of support were received for HYPER. She proposed that council consider buying and renovating the Big Bay Beginnings building with the $1 million received from Norwegian Cruise Lines and renting it to a non-profit. Motion (Jaffa/Paquette) PACAB recommend to council that they explore and support the HYPER proposal. Motion Passed Unanimous INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS Port& Commerce Advisory Board Priorities (as approved by City Council). Port& Commerce Advisory Board 2021 Goals Calendar. CITIZEN COMMENTS—None BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION COMMENTS & RESPONSE TO CITIZEN COMMENTS Paquette thanked the commissioners. Hughes echoed Paquette's sentiments. Jaffa thanked Chase, Montgomery, and the commissioners for their hard work. Schneider looked forward to seeing everyone at the May 19, 2021 work session. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m. Jessica Stallard,CMC La a Schneider Deputy City Clerk Chair (City Seal) o • ( SEAL • mei o,vG pry'• �. l ••••.; 1�AC, l@w '•• off' A\r",,• .. •1°agRiktl,tB'