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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04062011 PACAB Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes April 6, 2011 Volume 3,Page 154 CALL TO ORDER The April 6,2011 regular meeting of the Port and Commerce Advisory Board was called to order at 12:00 p.m. by Ron Long, Chair. OPENING CEREMONY Deborah Altermatt led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Ron Long,presiding, and Bruce Jaffa Deborah Altermatt Robert Buck Bob Linville Darryl Schaefermeyer • Comprising a quorum of the Council; and Michelle Weston, Assistant City Manager Kari Anderson, Harbor Master Johanna Kinney, City Clerk Brenda Ballou, Deputy Clerk Absent—Daniel Oliver, Suzi Towsley SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS 1. Alaska Railroad Representative, Louis Bencardino Bencardino reported that the Alaska Railroad has been successful for the first quarter: In 2010,they had 13 vessels, but this year they have already had 24; last year there were 3 coal ships and this year there were 4; last year the dock made just over $79,865 and this year$153,765.Northland was here over the winter and they brought in freight for the train. Coal this year will probably set a record. Also, some vessels are under repair—there has been a general increase in other businesses as a result (hotels, restaurants, etc). Board Member Jaffa commented that the railroad brings tremendous economic opportunity to the community; the railroad is a large property owner, so he was concerned that the railroad may not accept less than fair market value for the ice park property;Bencardino responded that the railroad was working with business owners, City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes April 6, 2011 Volume 3, Page 155 and sited several leases on property north of Port Avenue as examples of working with the community. Council Member Buck commented that the Northland experience has been good this winter, but asked if they will come back next year. Bencardino responded they are working on having them come back; next week the Mayor, Vice Mayor and City Manager would be meeting with Northland and Crowley to discuss opportunities for them to come to Seward next winter;Bencardino would also be meeting with Tote in the future, who may want to install a tie-down buoy off the docks. 2. Harbor Master Report—Kari Anderson Anderson reported the number of available slips in the harbor is fairly consistent with past several years;the Z Float water&sewer have been installed and electric would be completed this month; the harbor was issuing live aboard permits which were required for anyone living aboard for more than 30 consecutive days(safety issue re: tsunami warnings,fire,etc.);the topics discussed at the Alaska Railroad meeting last week included the relocation of the Coast Guard's shore support building,potential commercial passenger vessel tax from cruise ships, electric rates, and attracting business to Seward. Chair Long asked how many people in the last few years declined boat slips; Anderson replied she would have those statistics at the PACAB meeting in June because they were still in the midst of offering slips, so there is no solid data available at this time.Anderson remarked that since the slip offers are now deadlined at 21 days from the postmark date, the process is going much smoother and boat owners were more responsive. Board Member Jaffa asked why live aboard permits required no fee;Anderson said she viewed them as a security benefit, watching out for potential crime; the live aboards paid for their own electricity and are not a burden on the harbor infrastructure. Board Member Altermatt agreed that the live aboards were an asset for security;she believed the live aboards use the infrastructure throughout the city and not just the harbor;her experience has been people looking for slips and believes they are getting them faster than they used to;she believed that more people are declining than ever; there seemed to be some customer confusion about how much time they had to put a boat into the slip; Anderson said customers should contact the harbor office for clarification. Chair Long noted that Anderson should have more recognition in the derelict clean up effort she has made recently; good job. 3. Administration Report—Michelle Weston City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes April 6, 2011 Volume 3, Page 156 Weston had no report. CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING There were none. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Altermatt/Buck) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Harbor Master Anderson changed New Business 9A work session should be amended to `discuss the priorities from April 5, 2011 meeting with Council'. Chair Long added New Business 9C to discuss Cruise Line/Barge Line Conference in Seattle. Motion Passed Unanimous Consent There were no consent agenda items. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS,REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS A. Letter from Kenai Fjords Sea Treks, Kirk Hoessle Hoessle commented that the harbor should have a loading craft loading/unloading area designated. He owned Alaska Wildland Adventures & Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge(Weather Permitting) and the use of a water taxi was very important for this business.He wanted to have a gravel ramp on the beach,basically what was removed when Z float was installed; he has been working with City Manager Oates,Harbor Master Anderson,and Parks&Recreation Director Sturdy to try to find a solution;he offered some solutions in his letter,particularly focused on the northeast quadrant of the harbor. Chair Long asked if Hoessle had a plan worked out with Administration for this season.Hoessle said they were going to work with the beach area south of the south ramp, but was not sure if it would work long term. He could use his own slips to load/unload, but was concerned that he would be clogging up the boat ramps for other boat users. Chair Long believed that landing craft usage may need to be segregated by boat size and he felt it was important to consider the off-loading Hoessle has to do at his destination where there would be no boat ramp available. Board Member Linville asked if Hoessle had a location preference;Hoessle said he would defer to the boat captains;Linville was concerned about using R float where City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes April 6, 2011 Volume 3, Page 157 he predicted there would be heavy traffic. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Discuss updates to the SMIC Development Plan Assistant City Manager Weston stated that she started reformatting the plan into a more marketable packet. She would like to make some revisions and refinements.In response to Chair Long's inquiry,Anderson stated that the Board still has work to do on the content. Amend SMIC Plan to add"maintain access from Nash Road through Fourth of July Beach"as item#3 under Parks &Recreation Motion (Linville/Buck) Unanimous Amend plan to remove Exhibits C &D from the Appendix Motion (Schaefermeyer/Jaffa) Unanimous Consent Amend to postpone discussion of plan so Administration can refine the content Motion (Schaefermeyer/Linville) Unanimous Consent B. Discussion of Future Slip Configuration off Z float • Anderson responded to the Board's requests with a lay-down regarding revenue and bonding options for adding slips off Z float. Chair Long asked the Board to consider all the financial implications before forming a recommendation as the total project cost would equal $3,600,000 to build all the slips, plus negligible additional operating costs. Board Member Schaefermeyer questioned the design parameters for the slips off Z Float, and wondered if it meant that the majority of the demand for slip usage was being properly considered.Long believed that there was enough demand for all sizes that they harbor would not be showing favoritism;he felt that the 60' slips would be most beneficial, but was concerned about how to finance the project. The Board's concern was that questioning the design of the project at this point in time would delay the project further and cost more money.The Board was not in favor of issuing an additional fee increase for boat owners. Anderson requested direction from the Board to which Long responded that he would like to see the"doable" done first,particularly addressing the current needs for our existing customers (Hoessle) then looking at funding availability to cover the gap between what we have and what we need,including seeking grants.Anderson would City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes April 6, 2011 Volume 3, Page 158 create a Resolution of Support for the Board to approve that would allow her some leverage to seek grant funding. NEW BUSINESS A. Discuss PACAB Priorities Outlined by Council During April 5,2011 Work Session Anderson requested the Board create a resolution to acknowledge the Board's priorities; Long agreed and accepted the lay-down. B. March 2, 2011 Regular Meeting Minutes Approve Minutes Motion (Altermatt/Buck) Unanimous Consent C. Seattle Visit Long planned to attend next week, even though the 2011 travel budget did not have the funds available; he recommended that the Education&Training portion of the budget be moved over to Travel. CORRESPONDENCE,INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS (No Action Required) A. Rob Buck Resignation Board Member Buck would be taking a new job with the City and so has a conflict of interest in remaining on the Board; he thanked the Board for his time and they expressed their appreciation for his participation and time. B. NOAA Fisheries Survey There was no NOAA Fisheries Survey. C. 2011 PACAB Budget See notes above. BOARD COMMENTS Board Member Altermatt suggested the Economic Feedback Study Group/SWOT Group be invited to the next Board meeting on May 20, 2011. CITIZENS' COMMENTS BOARD AND ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes April 6, 2011 Volume 3,Page 159 ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 2:19 p.m. J hanna Ki may, CMC , Ron Long •ity Clerk,present Chair Minutes prepared by Suzi Towsley, Executive Liaison (City Seal) ..0,5E 16/180.64, p ao° NO m ��o SEAL ∎ o • o° o° ®o�e�atiao�s a