Resolution 10-66 Requesting ACOE Conclude the East Boat Harbor Feasibility Study

CITY OF HOMER
HOMER, ALASKA

City Manager

RESOLUTION 10-66

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, REQUESTING THAT THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS CONCLUDE THE EAST BOAT HARBOR FEASIBILITY STUDY BY PREPARING A TECHNICAL REPORT AS DESCRIBED IN THE MARCH 3, 2010 MEMORANDUM TO THE CITY.

WHEREAS, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been working on a feasibility study for the proposed East Boat Harbor since 2007; and

WHEREAS, The City and the Corps entered into a Feasibility Cost Sharing Agreement on March 21, 2007 and the City and the State of Alaska signed a similar agreement shortly thereafter; and

WHEREAS, The project costs are apportioned as follows: 50% Federal, 25% State, and 25% City; and

WHEREAS, The project budget is $1,520,000 of which $1,042,500 or about 60% has been spent to date: and

WHEREAS, The City share of project costs to date has been $177,500 in cash and $109,000 in in-kind services; and

WHEREAS, The City and the Corps agreed that the feasibility study would focus on the economic feasibility first and that the project would pause when that work was complete so that the partners could reassess how and if to proceed further; and

WHEREAS, The Corps has issued findings which “indicate that the national economic development benefits of harbor expansion do not exceed the construction cost. Therefore, the Corps of Engineers cannot recommend harbor construction to Congress”; and

WHEREAS, The Corps prepared a memorandum entitled “Homer Harbor Expansion Study Update and Path Ahead” dated March 3, 2010 and made a subsequent presentation to the Council; and
WHEREAS, The March 3, 2010 memorandum contained a list of alternatives regarding how to proceed and a recommended course of action; and

WHEREAS, The City Council reviewed the options available to it at a worksession on July 26, 2010; and

WHEREAS, Both the Corps and the City Administration recommend the Technical Report alternative because it will result in a useful document and will not cost the City any additional money beyond what has already been appropriated.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Homer City Council hereby requests that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conclude the East Boat Harbor Feasibility Study by drafting a technical report without additional environmental work as proposed (Alternative 2) in the March 3, 2010 Memorandum to the City.

CITY OF HOMER

_____________________________
JAMES C. HORNADAY, MAYOR
ATTEST:

______________________________
JO JOHNSON, CMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: Less than $16,000. Already appropriated.