Resolution 13-118 Welcoming Oil and Gas Drilling Rigs and Support Vessels Operated by Buccaneer Energy or Other Companies to Homer Port

CITY OF HOMER
HOMER, ALASKA
Mayor
RESOLUTION 13-118
                                                                                                                                     
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, EXPRESSING AND FORMALIZING ITS POSITION AND POLICY THAT OIL AND GAS DRILLING RIGS AND SUPPORT VESSELS OPERATED BY BUCCANEER ENERGY OR OTHER COMPANIES ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO USE THE CITY OF HOMER PORT AND HARBOR FACILITIES.

WHEREAS, The City of Homer is “open for business” and wishes to promote commerce at its port and harbor facilities that creates jobs, generates revenues, stimulates the local economy, and creates new growth opportunities for the local marine trades and other business sectors; and

WHEREAS, The City of Homer operates an open access port and harbor facility that is designed to accommodate a variety of vessel types, sizes, and configurations; and

WHEREAS, All industries and business sectors are welcome at the Port of Homer provided that the vessels do not provide safety or environmental hazard concerns; and

WHEREAS, Oil and gas exploration and production activities have increased recently in the Cook Inlet basin and the City of Homer is pleased to be in a position to offer marine industrial support services because such activity stimulates the economy, improves maritime safety, reduces costs for the industry, and enhances environmental protection for Cook Inlet and Kachemak Bay; and

WHEREAS, Buccaneer Energy moored the drill rig Endeavour at the City’s Deep Water Dock from October 2012 through April 2013; and 

WHEREAS, The City commissioned an economic impacts study which documented that the Endeavour’s presence at the dock resulted in substantial tax revenues, revenues to the Port and Harbor Enterprise Fund, new jobs, and increased business for many local third party contractors including hotels, eating establishments, and the marine trades; and  
WHEREAS, The Alaska Department of Fish and Game requested and Buccaneer funded a study which showed that there were no significant or long term environmental impacts or habitat damage which resulted from mooring the Endeavour at the dock with its legs extended in a “soft pinned” position; and

WHEREAS, Buccaneer would like to have the ability to use City port and harbor facilities in the future but has lingering concerns about whether the community would support its return; and

WHEREAS, It is important for the Homer City Council to formally express its position and policy on this matter to clear up any confusion or ambiguity that may exist.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Homer City Council hereby formalizes its position and establishes its policy that oil and gas drilling rigs and support vessels are welcome and encouraged  to use the City of Homer Port and Harbor Facilities.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Buccaneer Energy is specifically invited and encouraged to return to the Port of Homer and the City appreciates its continued business.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 9TH day of December, 2013.

       CITY OF HOMER

       ____________________
       MARY E. WYTHE, MAYOR 

ATTEST:

___________________________
JO JOHNSON, MMC, CITY CLERK 

Fiscal Note: N/A