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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10062021 PACAB Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes October 6, 2021 Volume 4,Page 30 CALL TO ORDER The October 6,2021 regular meeting of the Port and Commerce Advisory Board was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by Chair Bruce Jaffa. OPENING CEREMONY Board Member Benjamin Smith led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Bruce Jaffa,presiding; and Lynda Paquette Colby Lawrence Carl Hughes (telephonic) Benjamin Smith comprising a quorum of the Board; and Norm Regis, Harbormaster Brenda Ballou, City Clerk Excused—None Absent—None Vacant—Two CITIZEN COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING—None APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Paquette/Lawrence) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous The clerk read the following approved consent agenda items: Approve the September 1,2021 Regular Meeting Minutes. SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Proclamations & Awards—None Alaska Railroad Report. Christy Terry corrected the two bridge replacement items she noted in her report in the packet; the bridges being replaced were at Miles 24.4 and 25.7 over the winter. In addition, the railroad would be improving three communications sites between Seward City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes October 6, 2021 Volume 4,Page 31 and Portage. She would be attending the Pacific Marine Expo in Seattle. She was still waiting for the developer/operator to be announced. The cruise ship schedule for 2022 had not changed and listed 99 cruise ships for Seward. Smith asked if the bridge replacements would be supported out of Seward or Anchorage. Terry said the crews would be stationed in Seward, so it would be a boost to Seward's economy. Jaffa wondered if there was an update on passenger trains. Terry stated there had been 57,859 passengers, which was not terribly far off from 2019. The expectation for next year, particularly if the cruise ships came, was to be high. In response to Paquette, Terry said a lot of train passengers could be correlated to an increase in day cruises in the bay; there was a strong partnership between the railroad and the water tour companies. Paquette asked about the status of the cruise ships that went to the southeast this year.Terry said the contingency plans for COVID mitigation were activated promptly and proactively, when necessary. Jaffa stated Chugach Electric released an announcement that their revenues were dramatically down due to COVID,and wondered if the railroad had similar concerns. In response, Terry said the railroad had received support from federal funds; the Coastal Classic passenger trains had not suffered. Terry added that another pipe ship was expected to arrive next month, and both freight and passenger activity was expected to be high next year. Jaffa commented that a local artist had been selected for the railroad's poster. Terry said there had been an in-house vote by railroad employees, and local Seward artist Kwangsook Schaefermeyer had been selected; there would be an artist signing at the Christmas Craft Fair this year. Chamber of Commerce Report. Jason Bickling said the new Small Business Development Center (SBDC) position for Seward should be posted this week and the posting would be wide-spread for at least two weeks.The chamber was in the midst of designing the layout for the new marine guide, and ad sales were underway for the visitors guide as well. In response to Paquette, Bickling confirmed that the chamber was fully staffed. Paquette asked for an update on the chamber lunches, and Bickling said there would be a virtual chamber lunch held on October 14,2021. After that,lunches would resume in person, and sometimes there would be "After 5"events. Each lunch or event would include presentations followed by mix and mingle opportunities. Harbormaster Report. Harbormaster Norm Regis said one harbor admin staff member had resigned to take a dream job,and the position was currently being advertised.The bid deadline for the northeast launch ramp was extended to October 14,2021. In response to Paquette, Regis said the contract for the cathodic anode replacement would go to council for approval on Monday. In response to Jaffa, Regis said the yard at SMIC was City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes October 6,2021 Volume 4,Page 32 getting full. Jag was currently working on the USCG Mustang, and had received the contract to work on a navy vessel. Other Reports and Announcements—None Presentations US Economic Development Administration (EDA) American Rescue Plan Programs presentation by Brandii Holmdahl. NEW BUSINESS Other New Business Items Review the schedule for the Alaska Municipal League (AML) Conference in November, determine attendees, and consider the potential impact on the November 17, 2021 PACAB work session. City Clerk Brenda Ballou explained that AML conducted a Local Government Conference every year in Anchorage, and she wanted to make all the boards and commissions aware that they could participate in the conference to receive training is they wished. In addition to the in person conference, AML would be holding a Newly Elected Officials virtual training. Regis pointed out that the conference dates coincided with PACAB's November 17, 2021 work session, and that he would be in Seattle that week for the Pacific Marine Expo. In response to Jaffa, Regis said in his absence, he would send another representative from the Harbormaster's office to attend the work session. Update on Interconnect Policy by Electric Utility Manager Rob Montgomery. Electric Utility Manager Rob Montgomery provided a laydown, stating it was the same information he had recently provided to city council. He participated in some Solarize Seward virtual workshops, and had collaborated with a vendor called Renewable Energy Systems on the installations of solar panels. Montgomery added that the city website for renewable energy interconnect had been updated, and now included a clear step-by-step guide. The webpage also linked to the city's interconnect application, which had been streamlined and was easy to complete. As well, Montgomery said the electric tariff had been updated to clarify definitions and calculation formulas. Montgomery recommended that residents do their homework to make sure they understood their options were so they were confident about their choices. Over the course of just this year,the Electric Department had increased the number of bi- directional meters from three to 15,and Montgomery expected to continue adding more throughout next year. City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes October 6, 2021 Volume 4,Page 33 Paquette wondered what the impact on excess energy was having on the department's revenues. Montgomery said there was a minimum charge for all customers which covered the infrastructure. In response to Paquette,Montgomery said Chugach Electric had taken a revenue hit 111 due to businesses closing from the COVID pandemic; large commercial spaces had been closed, and there was a marked increase in people working from home. Montgomery expected the potential of an increase in Cost of Power Adjustment (COPA), which was a pass-through charge to customers. Jaffa said Chugach had purchased Municipal Light & Power, which served more commercial accounts than residential; he thought that may have also had an impact on Chugach's revenues. Smith commended Montgomery for the increase in bi-directional meter installations. In response, Montgomery said Renewable Energy Systems was assisting customers with completing the applications. One of the critical considerations for the electric department in working with that vendor was to ensure the appropriate shut off protections were installed to protect workers. Paquette stated her understanding was that, if a customer had regular electric but wanted to go solar, they would contact the vendor, fill out the application,the city swapped out the meter and that was pretty much it.Montgomery concurred,and said sometimes lines needed to be moved, but Paquette had pretty well summarized the process. Paquette commended Montgomery on this accomplishment this year. Discuss pre-approved designs and net metering agreement. Jaffa stated that this item was covered in the discussion that just concluded. Review letter of support signed by Climate Action Committee representative and discuss next steps. Paquette had been engaged over the summer with climate change representatives from all municipalities across the state.The group was organized by the University of Alaska,and the result of the work by this group was a letter that was sent to US Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, US Congressman Don Young, and the National Climate Task Force among others. The crux of the letter was that Alaska had a long history with the oil industry, but needed to move towards more environmentally friendly alternatives; the letter requested financial support. Paquette had provided her support for the letter because she was on PACAB's climate change committee, but thought she made it clear that she was not speaking for the entire city. Paquette wished to make the board aware of this exchange she had. She would have preferred to bring it to PACAB and council before submitting,but the timing did not allow. Paquette thought Seward had been awarded$40,000 to put towards education,but she didn't have that information with her. Paquette wondered what PACAB would be doing going forward with the own climate action committee. Jaffa recalled that PACAB's climate change committee consisted of himself, Paquette,and former chair Laura Schneider.Jaffa encouraged Paquette to stick with it,and to keep the board apprised of developments; if she could get more information about the funding, that would be good. City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes October 6, 2021 Volume 4,Page 34 Smith appreciated Paquette keeping the board apprised of the activities; he cautioned that the scope of PACAB's role shouldn't be opened up too broadly. Smith said his wishes would be for Paquette to bring items and issues to the board, and allow the board to determine what they wished to pursue,to take action on themselves,or to bring forward to council.Jaffa concurred with Smith, and added that"port" and"commerce" could be interpreted many ways. Paquette said she would stick with it. Discuss the Formation of a Tourism/Hospitality Education Platform and Schedule a Work Session. Paquette said she had developed an outline for the board to consider for taking the next step to address developing a local program;there appeared to be a number of agencies and entities in the area that could potentially be pulled together to address this topic. Jaffa said he would be willing to create a committee along with Paquette, and perhaps one more member,to start working on this topic. Smith was a little unsure,but was willing to serve on the committee. Motion (Jaffa/Smith) Create a Tourism & Hospitality Committee consisting of Smith, Jaffa, and Paquette. Motion Passed Unanimous Discuss having a joint work session with the Historic Preservation Commission to review the draft of the Downtown Historic District Design Standards & Guidelines. Jaffa was not aware of this request. Ballou said there appeared to have been a breakdown in communication; at some point, the Historic Preservation Commission expressed a desire to review draft design guidelines for the downtown historic district with PACAB.There was a memo included in the September 1, 2021 PACAB meeting packet to this effect, but it was erroneously put under informational items in the back of the packet, and escaped notice. Ballou stated that when HP was ready to bring this forward to schedule a joint work session with PACAB,she would let PACAB know. On a separate note, Paquette wondered if the board wished to discuss the possibility of cancelling the November 17, 2021 work session, since it appeared that many people would be away at the AML Conference or the Pacific Marine Expo at that time. Lawrence stated he would be absent for both the November 3, 20221 PACAB meeting and the November 17, 2021 PACAB work session. Ballou stated that Hughes would be away through November. Paquette was confident that even though Lawrence and Hughes would be gone in November, the board would have new members. In response to Smith, Ballou said applications for new members that were submitted by October 19,2021 would go to council for consideration in time for the November 3, 2021 PACAB meeting. City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Meeting Minutes October 6, 2021 Volume 4, Page 35 By unanimous consent,the board cancelled the October 20,2021 work session;the board currently consisted of five members, and it was known that two members would be out of state at that time. 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 Regis said Jag had the USCG cutter in for repairs, and the state ferry Aurora was being lifted today or tomorrow for repairs. The state ferry Tustemena would be repaired over the winter. Lawrence congratulated Montgomery on the success of the interconnect policy and implementation; citizens had been asking for this for a very long time. He thanked Brandii Holmdahl for providing the presentation today. Smith appreciated the presentation from Holmdahl as well. He noted this was the second meeting that AVTEC had been mentioned; AVTEC was under the Department of Labor and they um] offered a wide variety of training programs. Information about former graduates and upcoming graduates was available from AVTEC for any businesses wanting to seek new employees. Hughes thanked the board for the meeting today. Paquette appreciated Holmdahl's presentation. She was reminded again today about the lack of affordable housing in Seward; one of the hairdressers in town she knew had moved away because she couldn't find housing. Paquette looked forward to serving on the committee to examine the tourism and hospitality industry. Jaffa encouraged everyone to participate in PACAB and to get involved in the community. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 1:31 p.m. Brenda Ballou, C Bruce Jaffa City Clerk. 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