HomeMy WebLinkAbout11172021 PACAB Work Session Notes WORK SESSION NOTES Port and Commerce Advisory Board
Called by: Bruce Jaffa, Chair Time: 12:00 p.m. Date: 11-17-2021
Purpose:
Seward Marine Industrial Center SMIC Development Plan
Present: Board Members Present:
Matt Chase, Deputy Harbormaster Colby Lawrence, Lynda Paquette, Benjamin Smith,
Karen Corrigan, Executive Assistant Bruce Jaffa
Jason Bickling, Community Development
Director
Nancy Hulbert, Harbor Executive Assistant
Jaffa stated that he encourages civic participation and young people should get involved and help move
us forward.
Jaffa directed the board to review the SMIC table at the beginning of the work session packet. No
comments on first page. Jaffa asked if the last item, examine method of calculating electric charges to
users. Chase, Deputy Harbormaster, stated that they have been making great progress on this item, and it
is constantly in flux as new vessels come in with new requirements.
Jaffa inquired about credit card charges, Hulbert, Harbor Executive Assistant, stated that the harbor has
been not charging the customers the credit card charges. However, the Harbormaster stated that they
would like to see the charges be transferred to the customers. Paquette suggested that the city add a 3%
charge to the bills for credit card fees. Jaffa stated that would need to be brought to a meeting and that
would change rate fees possibly.
Paquette brought up that there still needed to be another sign added for parking in the harbor to advise
visitors.
Jaffa confirmed that paving was still a task to be completed for the SMIC area. Chase advised it would
be a while off due to installation of water& sewer lines still. Jaffa is against it being paved and ensured
that lease agreements do not promise paving. Chase said they do not.
Jaffa wanted to ensure that the south beach access will be retained if new development happens with
JAG at SMIC. Chase stated it would because access to the beach is a borough road.
Paquette stated that item 2 on page 5—Signs—"Chamber is actively working on this" should really say
Public Works now. Smith stated the Board should keep pushing to have a sign at Nash for directing to
the SMIC harbor. Bickling, Community Development Director, stated that DOT stated that there would
never be a sign for SMIC because that area does not fall under the specifications that allow highway
signs directing traffic to an area. Paquette inquired what would they need to install to meet the State's
requirements for a sign. No answer was available.
The board discussed Signs, Zoning, Buildings page, 22. Under zoning, Jaffa requested in Zoning, after
"Recognize that current zoning codes," add "as proposed in Joint Overlays".
Smith stated that Exhibit D & E should be updated because it is out of date now. Jaffa stated that all the
maps should be updated for the attachments. Jaffa suggested on maps showing leases name's should just
have locations noted and remove the names of lessee since that will change constantly.
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WORK SESSION NOTES Port and Commerce Advisory Board
Smith inquired if the plan should be changed from saying "Ongoing" should have a set date placed,
instead. Jaffa stated that some items will always be ongoing, but agreed that some items would have set
dates when they are a project being worked on. No specific changes mentioned.
Jaffa asked the staff present if there were areas that should be discussed or added. Bickling stated that
they are working with a GIS company to have continual accurate updated mapping, and will hopefully
have a working project in use in the future.
Lawrence stated page 3 of packet, brought up the construction of addition of public restrooms, and that
currently with so many leases out there, maybe the city should consider selling the land and encourage
to new owners to do it. He believed that leasing the property is difficult to get lessee to add restrooms.
Paquette agreed it would be difficult to make a lessee add the restroom, and believed the city should
build the restrooms, or sell the land so the lessee could do it. Hulbert stated that a lot of energy for
maintaining restrooms and the board should consider the cost and man hours to add restrooms and
showers at SMIC. Jaffa agreed how to get and who will maintain restrooms at SMIC is a large issue and
how to address this topic should be considered in the future.
Paquette brought up page 4 of packet, "Ensuring private signing meets Seward City Code" should not
just only mention"Review of all businesses occurred in 2019" and should also state "ongoing"
Lawrence stated he hopes council approves the new applicants for PACAB.
Smith said he hopes the plan can become a living document more than just a task list. He thanked Chase
and stated we have a nice harbor.
Paquette said that it is unfortunate how the restrooms get treated, and hopes that ways to help eliminate
the destruction that occurred could be found, because tax payer's money is spent on those repairs instead
of towards other projects. Paquette asked that a virtual aspect should be returned to the board for any
members that cannot attend, other cities have done it. Seward needs to address this too.
Jaffa said that he appreciates everyone's sentiments. He appreciated all the steps taken by the harbor and
their staff and the purpose of the board is to present the steps to improve the plan to the council. He
hoped to see new members come aboard.
Adjourned at 1:05 p.m
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