Memorandum 15-031 Strategic Doing

Memorandum 15-031

To:                       Mayor and Council

From:                  Marvin L Yoder

Date:                   February 25, 2015

Subject:             Strategic Doing

Strategic Doing

The Staff met to further discuss the progress for the Strategic Doing assignment.  The consensus is that the initial priorities set by the council have been dealt with.

Port Staging Area

City personnel attended a second meeting with the AKLNG consortium about the potential utilization of the Homer Port if this project is approved for construction.  This project could have a large impact on Homer, including numerous jobs and additional revenues to the Harbor.

Homer is recognized as the only suitable port and harbor in the Cook Inlet on this side of Anchorage.  Logistics may bring large vessels into Homer and stage them here before loading them on to smaller barges for delivery north.

Constructing the expansion of the deep water dock and the new small boat harbor will facilitate this activity.  Work is ongoing on the deep water dock expansion and the Army Corps earlier completed an analysis of the small boat harbor.   These projects need to be a high priority if the city is going to benefit from the AKLNG project. One final note, The Legislature is now considering a bill to delay the AKLNG project, perhaps to put more effort into the smaller diameter gas line.

This objective will need to be monitored but progress has been made toward meeting the goal.

Commercial Fishing

The Port and Harbor Commission has been debating the issue of raising rates in the harbor.  A part of the discussion revolves around issues of rates for uses beyond the moorage rates.  There has been testimony that some of the rates for ice, for example, have a negative effect on commercial fishing related activity in Homer.

Secondly, the fish market has changed.  Fish tax receipts were put in place when most fish were processed and shipped out frozen.  Now there is a fresh market.  Gutted fish received at the dock and shipped out without processing generate no fish tax for the Homer dock.  This requires the dock to charge higher fees for the cranes and the ice delivery to break even.  This impacts the level of commercial fishing activity at the dock.

The Port and Harbor Commission has discussed hiring an outside consultant to assist in setting rates for Moorage but also for the leases and other fees. 

This objective needs additional evaluation by the Port Commission and the City Council.

Partner with other organizations

The City is actively involved with the Chamber of Commerce, the Homer Marine Trades Association, the Kenai Peninsula Economic Development Committee, PARC and MAPP.

This is an ongoing objective.

Parking

There were two issues with parking.  1. Shared parking within the business community is complete.  2. Building city owned parking lots is on hold until there is more demand.

This objective is substantially complete.

Roadway Standards

See attached Developing Bike/Pedestrian friendly Roadway Standards memo from Public Works Director Carey Meyer.

These standards need to be reviewed and adopted by the Planning Commission and the City Council to complete this objective.

Trails

Construct Shellford, Danview and West Homer Elementary Trails in FY2015 and purchase land for the trailhead for Rogers loop Trail.

See attachment from Public Works Director.

This objective will be developed in phases with additional projects proposed in future years.

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The actions noted above bring substantial completion to the Comprehensive Plan Objectives designated by the City Council in the last Strategic Doing Session.

I suggest that the Council next look at land use and housing next.