Memorandum 14-026 Port and Harbor Building Project

Memorandum 14-026

TO:                       MAYOR WYTHE AND HOMER CITY COUNCIL

FROM:                 MELISSA JACOBSEN, CMC, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

DATE:                  JANUARY 23, 2014

SUBJECT:           PORT AND HARBOR ADVISORY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION FOR ORDINANCE
14-06 APPROPRIATING $300,000 FOR THE PORT AND HARBOR BUILDING PROJECT

At the January 22nd regular meeting of the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission the Commissioners received an update on the Port and Harbor building project.  They reviewed the drawings and discussed funding that is available including legislative monies and matching funds from harbor reserves, and also addressed the $300,000 shortfall for the project.

The Commission recognized the key role that the Port and Harbor facility plays in city revenue and that it is appropriate for the City Council to grant the $300,000 for the project.

The general fund receives money from the port and harbor through tax revenue and administrative fees
The project benefits the City of Homer, not just the harbor 
There is $500,000 committed from the harbor reserves
There is lot of catching up to do with harbor maintenance and additional payments slows that progress
 It is an expensive infrastructure so building reserves for continued maintenance and replacement is needed 

ZIMMERMAN/STOCKBURGER MOVED THAT THE PORT AND HARBOR COMMISSION RECOMMENDS THAT THE CITY COUNCIL GRANT MONEY TO THE PROJECT FOR THE NEW PORT AND HARBOR BUILDING TO MAKE UP THE SHORTFALL AFTER THE STATE FUNDING AND THE FUNDS FROM THE HARBOR RESERVE.

VOTE: YES: STOCKBURGER, ULMER, HARTLEY, ZIMMERMAN

Motion carried.
 

Commissioners were pleased with the design and emphasized support of maintaining the overslope development and the garage to allow for onsite maintenance that Harbor Officers perform on a regular basis. They expressed their appreciation to Staff and the Task Force for their work, consideration of space needs, and attention to costs.

Recommendation to Council:  Amend Ordinance 14-06 to amend the FY2014 Operating budget by appropriating $300,000 from the General Fund for the purpose of providing a grant to the Port and Harbor Enterprise fund to complete the finance package for the New Port and Harbor Building.