Resolution 13-026 Expressing Support for HB 131, an Act Relating to Abandoned and Derelict Vessels

CITY OF HOMER
HOMER, ALASKA
                                                                                                                                Mayor
RESOLUTION 13-026

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR HB 131, AN ACT RELATING TO ABANDONED AND DERELICT VESSELS.

WHEREAS, Abandoned and derelict vessels clog Alaskan harbors and are a burden on local municipalities; and

WHEREAS, Local municipal harbormasters often find themselves without sufficient legal protection to deal with abandoned and derelict vessels left in their harbor facilities; and

WHEREAS, Harbor enterprise budget models are based on the collection of harbor fees from vessels that seek safe moorage from harbor facilities; and

WHEREAS, As an enterprise, harbor facilities have a responsibility to maintain and repair the facility with the income from the collection of moorage fees; and

WHEREAS, In recent years, derelict and abandoned vessels represent a loss of tens of thousands of dollars in revenue to the Homer Port and Harbor Enterprise Fund; and

WHEREAS, Removing an abandoned or derelict vessel frees up space in a harbor for the moorage of vessels that positively contribute to the economic health of the enterprise and the community; and

WHEREAS, Derelict vessels are at risk of sinking and causing damage to the environment; and

WHEREAS, Measures the State can take to facilitate the removal of abandoned and derelict vessels will help Alaska’s environment and economy; and

WHEREAS, HB 131 gives municipalities the authority to remove and dispose of abandoned and derelict vessels in state waters.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Homer supports HB 131, an Act Relating to Abandoned and Derelict Vessels.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 11th day of March, 2013.
     
CITY OF HOMER

      _________________________
      MARY E. WYTHE, MAYOR

ATTEST:

______________________________
JO JOHNSON, CMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: N/A