HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2004-090
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Sponsored by: City Council
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2004-90
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, REQUESTING CONTINUED FERRY SERVICE BY THE MN
TUSTUMENA AND MN KENNICOTT
WHEREAS, the mission of the Alaska Marine Highway System is to provide safe,
reliable, and efficient transportation of people, freight and vehicles among Alaskan
communities, Canada, and the lower 48, while providing opportunities to maintain a
reasonable standard of living and quality of life for Alaskans; and
WHEREAS, discontinuing direct ferry service to Seward would disrupt the
intermodal transportation benefits and options of rail, sea, air and land enjoyed by the Alaska
Marine Highway System customer which is in direct conflict with the nations' transportation
policy and vision of seamless linking all forms of transportation for the benefit of all citizens;
and
WHEREAS, the dock facility at Seward is equipped to handle cargo, freight, vehicle
and passenger screening and other requirements under the National Security Plan as part of
the Homeland Security requirements, thereby enhancing security and complimenting the
Alaska Marine Highway Systems federal requirement of port, harbor and vessel security; and
WHEREAS, the proposed schedules for 2005 show the MN Tustumena and MN
Kennicott discontinuing service to Seward next summer after many years of service when the
fast- ferry Chenega begins service in Prince William Sound based upon a State Transportation
Plan drafted several years ago; and
WHEREAS, the State Transportation Plan does not provide an economic analysis or
impact statement of the effect of such a change but rather is based upon passenger numbers
rather than freight and other cargo, and does not use a weighted scale based upon the number
of landings and vessel size or customer preference; and
WHEREAS, numerous companies such as Carlile Transportation, City Express, Air
Land Transportation as well as various container vans and heavy equipment operators all rely
on the ferry system for delivery by the shortest highway distance to Anchorage, thereby
reducing their cost; and
WHEREAS, ridership decline and increased cost experienced by the Alaska Marine
Highway System can be overcome by more effective marketing, scheduling and use of ports
desired by customers using improved advanced bookings and customer awareness, and
cooperative marketing/promotion of the Seward location which is only two hours from
Anchorage, the number one visitor destination.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA that:
Section 1. The City of Seward adamantly opposes elimination of the MN Tustumena and
MN Kennicott ferry service in 2005, and requests the State of Alaska Marine Highway System to
conduct a complete economic analysis and impact statement on the community of Seward, prior to
implementing such a change.
Section 2. The City of Seward further requests the State of Alaska to allow review of the
facts and figures used to justify elimination of ferry service before a final decision is made in this
matter.
Section 3. Copies ofthis resolution are to be forwarded to the following: Governor Frank
Murkowski; Mike Barton, Commissioner DOT PF; Tom Briggs, Deputy Commissioner; John
Torgerson, Marine Highways; Senator Gary Stevens; Representative Paul Seaton; Pat Gamble,
Alaska Railroad; Kent Dawson, city lobbyist; Mark Hickey; and the Seward Chamber of Commerce.
Section 4. This resolution shall take affect immediately upon its adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the city of Seward, Alaska, this 23RD day of
August 2004.
THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
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Vanta Shafer, Mayor /
AYES: Amberg, Anderson, Clark, Valdatta, Dunham, Branson, Shafer
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST:
(City Seal)
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