LEASE COMMITTEE                                                                                                            UNAPPROVED           

SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES

MAY 18, 2009

 

Session 09-04 a Special Meeting of the Lease Committee was called to order on May 18, 2009 at 4:40 pm by Chair Shelly Erickson at the Homer City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

PRESENT:          SHELLY ERICKSON, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION

                        PHILIP ALDERFER, PUBLIC AT LARGE

                        BRYAN HAWKINS, PORT & HARBOR DIRECTOR

                        RICK ABBOUD, CITY PLANNER

                        REGINA HARVILLE, FINANCE DIRECTOR

 

ABSENT:           JOHN VELSKO, PORT & HARBOR ADVISORY COMMISSION (EXCUSED)

 

STAFF:              CITY MANAGER WREDE

                        PORT & HARBOR ADMINISTRATIVE SUPERVISOR MARTIN

                        DEPUTY CITY CLERK KRAUSE

                       

Approval of the Agenda

 

The agenda was approved by consensus of the Committee.

 

Public Comments Regarding Items on the Agenda

 

There were no further comments.

 

Reconsideration

 

There were no items for reconsideration.

 

Approval of the Minutes

 

There were no minutes to approve.

 

VISITORS

 

None.

 

STAFF Report/COUNCIL/Committee Reports

 

None.

 

Public Hearing

 

None.

 

Pending Business

 

A.         Lease Policy - Review of Recommended Changes from Economic

Development Advisory Commission and the Port and Harbor Advisory

Commission and the Lease Committee

a.     Homer City Code Chapter 18.08                                                       

b.     City Policy and Procedures                                                                 

c.     Master City Ground Lease Document                                                

d.     Letter from Wells Fargo Bank, Dated May 6, 2009 Re: City Lease Policy and

Sample Lease                                                                                 

  

Chair Erickson requested this information to be included on the agenda so the Committee can review what work has been done by the Economic Development Commission (EDC) and the Port and Harbor Commission (PH). She proceeded to give a brief summary noting that items in red were proposed deletions, green were proposed additions, and purple indicated items not completed during the review. She informed the Committee that there is a joint worksession planned with PH and the EDC scheduled for June 1, 2009 at 6:00 p.m. She invited the Committeemembers to attend.

 

Mr. Alderfer requested clarification on what will happen after the joint worksession. He wanted to know who gets it last before recommendations to Council. He recommended a few of the proposed deletions should stay, maybe in another form. He added that he was unable to attend the worksession. Chair Erickson requested Mr. Alderfer submit his questions and comments in writing for the worksession.

 

City Manager Wrede declared he would have a number of comments before this is submitted to Council. He will weigh in after review is completed by the EDC and PH. He reiterated that the focus of this committee should not be on re-writing the boiler lease or the code. They should point out areas that there are problems and why and leave it to the City Attorney and Administration to work out.

 

Chair Erickson responded that it was not the intention of the EDC to add more work to City employees. It is the intention to perform the footwork for the City and then submit to the attorney for comment. She stated that Kevin Hogan would be the presiding chair for the worksession.

 

A brief discussion was held regarding the direction taken by the EDC and the PH during the upcoming worksession and if guidance from administration would be appropriate during that worksession. The final draft documents from the EDC and PH will be submitted to the Lease Committee.

 

Mr. Alderfer recommended that Chair Erickson express to the EDC and the PH working group that from the city’s position they are looking for a broad review, not a re-write. He further stated that he would only be comfortable making recommendation to Council after review by the City Attorney and the City Manager.

 

Chair Erickson expressed that the intention of the EDC is to clear up some areas to make it more clear, concise, and user friendly. The main goal is to appear easier to do business with the City.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

NEW BusinesS

 

A.         Lease Proposals Received for Request for Proposal due May 8, 2009

                        a.         Request for Proposal Issued                                                       

                        b.         RFP Log                                                                                               

                        b.         Proposal from Seldovia Village Tribe                                           

 

ALDERFER/HAWKINS - MOVED TO DISCUSS.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

Committeemembers reviewed the proposal response from Seldovia Village Tribe (SVT) for Lot 21.

 

Mr. Hawkins noted they did not include anything for the passenger access, and did not include overslope development. There was concern regarding the proposed 6-foot by 20-foot shelter.

 

Mr. Alderfer stated to the Committee that his company has been working with SVT for a number of years. They do not have a contract on this particular project but on another project, that is part of this project. He does not feel he has a conflict of interest.

 

ABBOUD/HARVILLE – MOVED THAT MR. ALDERFER HAS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

 

A brief discussion ensued regarding the possible conflict of interest. Mr. Alderfer explained that the relationship currently established between his company and SVT is indirectly related to the project. There was further discussion on the potential gain from future projects related to this current project.

 

VOTE. YES. ABBOUD, ERICKSON, HARVILLE, HAWKINS.

 

Motion carried.

 

Mr. Alderfer left the table.

 

Discussion continued on the aspects of the proposal submitted by SVT.

 

Mr. Abboud commented that a motion might be needed at this time requesting additional information. City Manager Wrede noted that there are guidelines established to rate a proposal that has been received.

Chair Erickson requested guidance on the process for scoring proposals since this was her first time involved in the RFP process. City Manager Wrede cited possible questions to ask. He added some historical information regarding the ferry project over the years and how it has evolved.

Mrs. Harville commented that this was a great idea and would support recommending it after management addressed the ramp details, moorage, and the dollar amount for the square footage. She felt that it was a great economic opportunity for the City and continue moving forward on it.

Mr. Abboud concurred.

Chair Erickson had some concerns regarding the shelter. She liked the idea overall. She did not know if the price per square foot was fair, even if the City will own it in the end. She did not feel the passenger shelter was adequate.

City Manager Wrede noted for the committee members that he will have to look into a possible liability issues regarding ownership and public use or access.

Mr. Hawkins observed that this proposal was a placeholder, and was not as thorough as it should be. He noted that they would be receiving a grant to assist funding construction.

 

It was determined additional information was needed on the following before recommendation could be given:

  1. Approach ramp design and location on the lot
  2. Proposed Shelter design and size
  3. Rate per Square Foot
  4. Annual Moorage Rate/Pricing
  5. Number of Employees
  6. Liability issues for the City
  7. Job Creation
  8. Overslope Development

 

HARVILLE/ABBOUD - MOVED TO REQUEST THAT STAFF GATHER FURTHER INFORMATION FROM PROPOSER REGARDING CONCERNS ABOUT ramp design, CONSTRUCTION, location AND PLACEMENT ON LOT; PROPOSED MOORAGE FEES; PROPOSED LAND LEASE FEES; PROPOSED PASSENGER SHELTER; POSSIBLE LIABILITY ISSUES; APPLICATION OF OVERSLOPE DEVELOPMENT AND JOB CREATION.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS COSNENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

Mr. Alderfer returned to the table.

 

B.         Lease Expiration Calendar                                                                      

 

Mr. Hawkins explained this will be included in every packet to make the members aware of what leases are coming up for renewal. It will be used as a tool to monitor the leases.

 

There was a brief discussion on the short-term leases for Ocean Beauty and Snug Harbor. They did not respond to the RFP. The City is outside of the policy by allowing them to go month to month. There is no recommendation from PH. It is the best use of the property and both companies provide valuable services to the industries there. The City has no issues with them.

 

Mr. Alderfer inquired if an atypical lease could be approved. He would like to have the support and recommendation from Port and Harbor Advisory Commission regarding issuing a formal month-to-month lease. He would like to know their concerns over non-conventional leases.

 

City Manager Wrede explained what is being done to comply with the Lease Policies.

 

Discussions were held regarding setting up to a 3-year lease for this property. Mr. Abboud addressed the questions about possible building code issues.

 

ALDERFER/HARVILLE - MOVED TO REQUEST RECOMMENDATION AND SUPPORT FROM THE PORT AND HARBOR ADVISORY COMMISSION REGARDING APPROVAL OF ATYPICAL LEASES FOR LOT 13B TO FIT THE CURRENT ECONOMIC MODEL FOR THE INDUSTRY.

 

There was further discussion on the actions that have been taken to allow Ocean Beauty and Snug Harbor that has not actually violated the Lease Policy, but may have violated the spirit of the policy. Short-term value is there having these businesses, but there is additional value in long-term leases for the City. This approved recommendation would also require change to the current policy and research into current safety and building code issues.

 

VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion.


 

Informational Materials

 

A.         Memo to City Council and City Manger dated April 22, 2009 Re:                  

Approving Lease from Kachemak Port Services.

 

The City Administration is still in negotiation with the Kachemak Port Services (KPS).

 

There was no further discussion.

 

Comments from the AUDIENCE

 

None.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY STAFF

 

None.

 

Comments from the coUNCILMEMBER (If one is appointed.)

 

None.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CHAIR

 

Chair Erickson questioned whether another special meeting was required before the regular meeting in July to revisit the SVT proposal. It was determined that it would take the time remaining before the July meeting to address all the concerns listed. No special meeting was required.

She appreciated everyone’s work.

 

comments of the committee

 

Mr. Alderfer appreciated the efforts of the EDC and the PH on the Lease Policy language. He apologized for not being able to attend the worksession on June 1st; he looks forward to seeing the final work product and hearing the comments from the City Manager and City Attorney on those changes.

 

Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Abboud and Mrs. Harville had no comments.

 

adjournment

 

There being no further business to come before the Committee, Chair Erickson adjourned the meeting at 5:53 p.m. The next Regular Meeting is scheduled for July 9, 2009 at 3:00 pm in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

 

                                                                       

 Renee Krause, Deputy City Clerk I

Approved: