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Home My WebLink About03042015 PACAB Minutes City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes March 4, 2015 Volume 3, Page 269 CALL TO ORDER The March 4,2015 meeting of the Port and Commerce Advisory Board was called to order at approximately 12:04 p.m. by Darryl Schaefermeyer OPENING CEREMONY Vice Chair Darryl Schaefermeyer led the pledge of allegiance to the flag. ROLL CALL There were present: Darryl Schaefermeyer, presiding, and Carl Hughes Steve Fink Bob Linville Comprising a quorum of the Board; and Ron Long,Assistant City Manager Mack Funk, Harbor Master Norm Regis,Deputy Harbor Master Suzi Towsley, Executive Liaison Absent—Deborah Altermatt, Bruce Jaffa, Daniel Oliver SPECIAL ORDERS,PRESENTATIONS AND REPORTS Assistant City Manager-Ron Long. Long introduced Judy Andrij anoff and Le Hahn from • ARCADIS, who was providing AIDEA with strategic advisory services in support of the Seward Marine Industrial Center(SMIC)business plan. Chamber of Commerce Report - Cindy Clock. Clock welcomed ARCADIS.Clock reported that 2015 was already a record breaking year for visitors. Projections for Alaska's travel industry were positive as the community benefited from public and private investments, growth in domestic travel and international arrivals, as well as new and expanded air service and cruise ship berths. Clock reported that the Chamber's SMIC Group visited the AVTEC Maritime Academy to "board" the simulators to see what it would be like to navigate the new SMIC harbor. AVTEC Director Ben Eveland,Maritme Dept.Head Terry Federer,and simulator expert Mike Angove were all on hand to brief the group of 21 and guide them on their maiden voyage. Alaska Railroad Report— Louis Bencardino. Bencardino stated the railroad was fairly busy so far this year; eighteen (18) vessels had visited since last month equaling 112 train loads. Bencardino reported that gravel had been removed and they were in the process of completing the area clean-up for property to be leased. Harbormaster Report—Mack Funk. Funk reported that he was working with Harmon Construction,the contractor of the Northeast Fish Cleaning Station,to best reduce the scope of the City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes March 4, 2015 Volume 3, Page 270 project. Funk was happy to report that the 330 ton Travelift was completely assembled and the first boat had been hauled. AK Logistics was notified that the new lift would not fit in their current structure. Funk had received and was reviewing the plans for the$5.2 million B,C&S dock project with hopes to put it out to bid by the end of April.Funk said appraisal reviews were done for all lease properties letters and the new amounts should go out next week. Funk reported that the State had approved the storm water permit for multi sector categories including boat yards,and noted the rules hadn't changed significantly. Administration Report—Ron Long. Long explained that the City of Seward was trying to be more competitive in attracting commercial fishing vessels. One perceived disadvantage of Seward was the tax on vessels. The City of Seward charged a personal property tax on boats. In most cases,,the Seward tax was higher than what tax the same boat would owe in other Borough communities. For example, Homer and Soldotna charged a flat tax based on the length of the vessel. CITIZENS' COMMENTS ON ANY SUBJECT EXCEPT THOSE ITEMS SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC HEARING Tim McDonald voiced his concern regarding SMIC development. He felt the city needed to have a baseline study of the port before any development began. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA Motion (Hughes/Linville) Approval of Agenda and Consent Agenda Motion Passed Unanimous Approved on Consent Agenda: January 7,2015 Meeting Minutes. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS,REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS • • A.': _ • 6pm. Schaefermeyer requested this be removed with no objection from the board UNFINISHED BUSINESS—None NEW BUSINESS Resolution 2015-001,Recommending Council Approval Of The 2015 PACAB Priorities. Motion (Hughes/Linville) Approve Resolution`2015-001. Motion Passed Unanimous City of Seward,Alaska Port and Commerce Advisory Board Minutes March 4, 2015 Volume 3, Page 271 CORRESPONDENCE,INFORMATIONAL ITEMS AND REPORTS(No Action Required)— None BOARD COMMENTS Linville questioned if ARCADIS would be working off of past SMIC plans. Long answered that they would be working off of many past SMIC plans as well as the tariff. Their goal would be more of a business case analysis. Linville stated he would like to see a work session with council planned in the future on this topic. Long noted that it was on the March 9,2015 agenda for council to discuss. Schaefermeyer had concerns that the need for marine trades had increased and would like to see more business input. CITIZENS' COMMENTS Tim McDonald voiced his concern that the City seems to just be focused on commercial fleets when they should be focused on both recreational and commercial businesses. BOARD AND ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSE TO CITIZENS' COMMENTS—None Towsley stated she had tendered her resignation with the City of Seward and would be leaving April 1, 2015. She noted she had really enjoyed working with the Board. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at approximately 1:15 p.m. 111M. 1A-6■ 111101111 *Jackie C! ilde for Suzi Towsley Darryl Schaefermeyer Executive Liaison Vice Chair *These minutes were prepared by Executive Liaison Jackie Wilde after the departure of former Executive Liaison Suzi Towsley, who attended this meeting. (City Seal) ee ° SEAL ° e a o °o o • e °3 ° m o ' °O yq'a„o; °en°Z°0° �� 00 e gd9B8fS0 Q 8HS�`9e