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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes1997-173 . I , , Sponsored by: Gifford CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION NO. 97-173 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, ADOPTING THE CITY'S 1998 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES LISTING WHEREAS, the City of Seward continues to pursue major capital projects requiring supportive interaction and/or funding from federal governmental agencies; and WHEREAS, the City's number one priority -- Flood Hazard Mitigation -- is an important public safety concern of the City of Seward, the Kenai Peninsula Borough, the State of Alaska and area residents; and WHEREAS, all six projects listed on the City's priority list have wide community support; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, that: Section 1. The following projects have been identified by the City of Seward as its top six priorities for federal support and funding, and this priority listing is adopted as set forth below: 1. Flood Hazard Mitigation - Lowell Creek Tunnel, etal 2. Alaska SeaLife Center Research 3. Multi-Agency Facility 4. East Harbor Expansion 5. North Dock Extension and Major Repair 6. Arctic Research Science Funding Section 2, A description of each priority as listed above is attached and incorporated by reference. Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption. PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the city of Seward, Alaska, this 27th day of October, 1997. CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION NO. 97-173 AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Blatchford, Clark, King, Off, Satin Callahan, Gage None None ATTEST: paC:~~ City Clerk ~ . ..." .)~ . ..i,'",.,."/",, '....... (Cit" Selil)'"' . <'.0"" +J ..,.~ _._"'" " , . . ,,;: : c~.~: ,"f '''-. L : ID i~'; .: u .l~.Ll":\. : J,,~ . l II a ~~ 1_:1 ... ~ fre" ~'" \~ ". ~/.f , ~V,.$:: ,.~~ u!1~~'f!/'/f: 1 ,\<2.~~.~...\::r:: iIo~..r. J""")~r,"":"...ula.. r-....9:J'1t. ~~ ...-ii""f "' J:'. t1~" :\\...'r',,;~ ";';;'$"'~' ~,t i' " t.':;. ..lIU~U'l.\'\" THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA ~ff!C~ Lowell R. Satin, Mayor . I r , FLOOD HAZARD MITIGATION City of Seward and Eastern Kenai Peninsula The City of Seward and the surrounding area of the eastern Kenai Peninsula have experienced several significant flooding events in recent years. In 1986, 1989 and 1995, flood damage experienced by residents, commercial and industrial properties and governmental facilities (City and State) has resulted in millions of dollars of rehabilitation and FEMA relief funds. The city and outlying areas remain at risk with life and property jeopardized by flooding potential. The major sources of the flooding are the Resurrection River, Salmon Creek, 4th of July Creek, Japanese Creek, Lowell Canyon Creek, Box Canyon Creek and Spruce Creek. All are glacier fed and, combined with heavy fall rains, high oceanic tides of Resurrection Bay and snow/ice melt, overflow their banks and flood the surrounding areas, Heavy siltation and gravel deposits cause emergency response personnel and planners extreme difficulty in plotting the courses streams' will take during flood stage and property owners can only hope flood flows do not impact their residences. In particular we want to highlight the need to address Lowell Creek Tunnel. The potential for the tunnel to become blocked is great. The impact of such an event would be devastating. Study, planning and mitigation are being strongly advocated by local governing agencies. Expertise is required to review, study, prioritize and recommend measures to resolve the many factors and situations that lead to the flooding However, the sources of funding for study and subsequent mitigation projects are too large for the City and the Kenai Peninsula Borough. Numerous suggestions for mitigation measures have been made over the years. These include re- channeling the Resurrection River away from developed property, raising highway and railroad bridges, dredging river and creek beds, dredging the Bay at the mouth of the Resurrection River, abandoning the Lowell Creek Tunnel in lieu of a drainage flow channel down Jefferson Avenue, building another tunnel to accommodate heavy flows of Lowell Creek, dredging 4th of July Creek and adding rip-rap and wing dams to divert the creek at full flow, and many more. The City of Seward, in cooperation with the Kenai Peninsula Borough, is advocating to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that a hydrology study, flood mitigation plan and projects be developed under Section 205 of the 1948 Flood Control Act. The COE can provide the required expertise - hydrologists, engineers, geologists - which local agencies cannot access or afford because of the magnitude of the problem and solutions. All residents and visitors of the eastern Kenai Peninsula have a dependence upon the Corps for action and remedying of flood hazards. Accelerated efforts are needed to stop the recurring drain of private and public funds for recovery efforts associated by recurring flood events. Additionally, matching funds are needed by the sponsors to help fund the COE actions. For this . support, the agencies look to the State of Alaska. Recommendation: 1) That the City of Seward, in conjunction with the Kenai Peninsula Borough, continue to advocate for flood planning and mitigation support from the Corps of Engineers and further express the needs for federal assistance to the State of Alaska's federal delegation; 2) That the City of Seward, in conjunction with the Kenai Peninsula Borough, seek funding support from the State of Alaska to assist in meeting matching fund requirements for an area- wide Resurrection River Drainage Basin flood study and mitigation plan. 3) That the Corps of Engineers immediately be authorized to repair flood damage to Lowell Creek Tunnel. Corps begin solving their problem with a single tunnel that is too small and can plug easily. . I r r LOWELL CREEK TUNNEL REHABILITATION Lowell Creek Diversion Tunnel drains Lowell Creek and Lowell Canyon streams through Bear Mountain to Resurrection Bay. The tunnel is constructed through rock and is grouted and lined with rails on the bottom to prevent damage from heavy rocks and debris which flow through the tunnel. These rocks do cause damage and erosion requiring periodic rebuilding and repair of the tunnel's interior. The last time a major rehabilitation was implemented was 1990, After a heavy flooding incident in the fall of 1995, the tunnel was inspected in January, 1996. The inspection revealed many items needing repair. Though the tunnel is not in danger of imminent catastrophic failure, the critical function of the facility and the potential impact on public safety, life and property in the event of total or partial failure require monitoring of the tunnel structure very closely. Upon Corps of Engineers inspection the COE responded that the City was not eligible for FEMA funds because "it is potentially eligible for rehabilitation assistance under the Corps of Engineers Public Law 84-99 authority". The COE requested a letter specifically asking for PL 84-99 assistance; a letter was sent in November, 1995. No response has been received from the COE to date. The estimated cost of tunnel repairs is $700,000 - $800,000. The City does not have fiscal resources to repair the Corps' tunnel. It is imperative that funding be obtained, engineering work be completed and repairs commenced during the next year to avoid further deterioration of the structure and increasing risk of tunnel failure. Recommendation: That the City continue to seek COE fiscal and technical support to rehabilitate the Lowell Creek Tunnel. SCIENCE RESEARCH FUNDING FOR THE ALASKA SEALIFE CENTER The City of Seward is actively searching for science research funding for the Alaska SeaLife Center in order to assist in the operations of the facility. The Alaska SeaLife Center is equipped to handle all varieties of northern pinnipeds, marine birds, and most bony fishes and invertebrates. It has a plentiful supply of sub-Arctic water directly from Resurrection Bay, and can process the water to order for each project. It is the only major facility in the world to have this capability. The collection of animals that will be housed there is appropriate for a wide variety of work in a controlled environment, and a professional staff will be on hand to manage research specimens and support the researcher. It can support work with a full range of specimens from the North Pacific, the North Atlantic and the Arctic Oceans. The facility totals some 115,000 square feet of under roof space. Recommendation: Identify and direct science research funding to the Alaska SeaLife Center to assist in the first years of the facility. . I , r MULTI-AGENCY FACILITY National Park Service/U.S. Forest Service/Chamber of Commerce The National Park Service, the Chugach District of the U.S. Forest Service, the Seward Chamber of Commerce and the City of Seward are actively pursuing a Multi-Agency Building to be located along Ballaine Boulevard which will provide a consolidation of agency operations which will save in capital and operational costs for all agencies. Additionally, the NPS and the USFS will receive a much-needed upgrade of offices and exhibition space caused by an escalation of visitor interest. Meeting and convention facilities are planned within this structure to compliment the operations and educational programs of the agencies. The City of Seward has provided the site and has awarded $50,000 of its funds to an architectural firm to do preliminary planning and building design. In January, 1997, a conceptual construction plan was developed and a formal budget of$10 million was developed. The Seward Chamber of Commerce is currently completing a marketing and research study for the convention portion of the facility. The study is expected to be completed in May, 1998. Federal funds will need to be available to the NPS and the USFS to pay for their portions of the construction. They have received $400,000 for continuation of the planning and design work. Locally, a voter-approved 4% bed tax will acquire public revenues to be directed to the City's share of the construction costs. All involved agencies support the concept of the multiple-use building as the partnership promotes better public service and maximum facility construction at a minimal price for consolidated and shared space. The creation of new convention space and meeting rooms will add to the community's economy over the shoulder season of tourist visitation, The City strongly supports the relocation of the agencies and envisions vacated buildings being used for other operations thereby releasing the agencies of higher operating costs now experienced by separate maintenance of different facilities. The City's support is displayed by the dedication of public lands to the facility site and funds to provide for architectural and design sefVlces. Federal funding has been allocated for the design and planning portions of this project and it is important that funding remain in place and capital funding be obtained for this project. Recommendation: That the City of Seward continue its support of the relocation and co-location of the National Park Service and the U. S. Forest Service joint -office facility and visitors' center and that the federal government participate with required levels of funding. EAST HARBOR EXPANSION - CONSTRUCTION Seward Small Boat Harbor The Seward Small Boat Harbor is an important commercial and recreational marine center in Southcentral Alaska, serving the Kenai Peninsula, Anchorage area and Mat-Su Valley with an aging facility accommodating approximately 650 vessels. During the peak of the boating season, the harbor has over 950 vessels seeking berthing at the facility. As the southcentral region contains over one- half of the entire state's population, the demand on the Seward facility has resulted in severe overcrowding and large, long-term waiting lists for assigned slip space. Boaters can expect an eight- year-plus wait for an available permanent stall assignment. During the interim period, boaters are required to raft vessels which results in excessive damage to the vessels, increased stress on the float system and pilings, inconvenience, and increased risk for public safety and property. Upon city council determination that the eastward expansion of the harbor would present the best option to pursue to meet the demand of harbor capacity, the City has followed a course of action to realize the project's completion. The Corps of Engineers presented a final review of their Reconnaissance Report in November, 1996. We have received a finding of positive cost benefit. The remaining work required of the COE to develop the design and permitting for the project and construction of the eastward breakwater will be cost-shared by the federal government and the City with further support requested from the State of Alaska. In February, 1997 the Corps began working on a feasibility study. The expansion is envisioned to relocate the existing east rubble-mound breakwater further eastward to adjoin the coal terminalloadingldock facility, dredge the new basin, construct floats for 400 - 500 vessels, and provide necessary infrastructure and uplands amenities. Envisioning an $11 million project budget, the City seeks $4 million from the Corps of Engineers, $5.2 million from the State along with transfer of the DOT/PF facility to the City and $1.8 million provided by the City through revenue bonds. Completion of the project will fill a tremendous gap in the region's maritime commercial, industrial, and recreational needs. Recommendation: I) That the Corps of Engineers be provided federal funding to participate in the further development of this project as well as provide funding for the construction of the rubble- mound breakwater. 2) That the State of Alaska deferred maintenance provide funding to the City to provide harbor infrastructure to allow for completion of this expansion project which will help to meet the region's maritime needs, . I r r NORTH DOCK EXTENSION AND MAJOR REPAIR The city-owned North Dock, located in the Seward Marine Industrial Center, is a medium-draft general cargo dock primarily serving barge and catcher/processor traffic. The east/wast lay of the dock exposes the facility to significant ocean swells. This action has caused severe damage to the bumpering system on the dock, as well as to vessels using the facility, and increases the costs generated by delays in loading/off-loading cargo. This combination of factors discourages some vessels from utilizing the dock, thereby causing a loss of activity and commerce. To mitigate these problems, the City is proposing that the existing sheet-pile bulkhead be extended 200' and a breakwater/dock be built with a north/south lay prior to the repair of the existing bumper system. The City is seeking $7.5 million in federal assistance to construct this project. Recommendation: That the City of Seward seek $7.5 million in federal assistance to expand the North Dock bulkhead, construction a breakwater/dock and repair the existing bumpering system. ARCTIC RESEARCH AND SCIENCE FUNDING Alaska Sea Life Center and ALPHA HELIX Replacement Anticipating a Summer, 1998 opening of the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLe) in Seward, the City wishes to advocate for continuous federal funding for research and scientific study of Arctic wildlife at this world-class research/rehabilitation/public education facility. Constructed by monies acquired by penalties and settlement funds associated with the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill incident and $12 million in private contributions, the ASLC will provide the northern most coastal marine laboratory in America with focus on research and study of Arctic oceanic species, Northern region plants, fish, marine mammals and birds will be researched and federal funds to support research will be necessary to not only maximize the facility's use but to address 10ng- unstudied issues related to the northern marine ecosystems. Additionally, discussions have been conducted over past years regarding federal funding of a new and larger replacement ship for the Alpha Helix which would be built to accommodate Arctic research. This large, ice strengthened vessel would be a key piece of equipment in promoting further research of Arctic maritime conditions and wildlife. Seward supports research funding and the construction of a new Arctic research vessel (AR V) with subsequent homeporting in Seward. Both the SeaLife Center and the ARV would complement, support and aid each other in answering questions long asked by those viewing the Arctic marine environment. Recommendation: That the federal government acknowledge the significance of Arctic maritime environmental study and research and that federally-funded grants continue to be made available to provide for research and that the federal government understand the importance of a new Arctic research vessel to promote and enhance such research.