LEASE COMMITTEE                                                                                                UNAPPROVED           

REGULAR MEETING                                          

JANUARY 28, 2010

                                                                                                           

Session 10-01 A Regular Meeting of the Lease Committee was called to order at 3:00 pm on January 28, 2010 by Chair Shelly Erickson at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

PRESENT:                    COMMITTEEMEMBERS ERICKSON, HAWKINS, ABBOUD, HARVILLE

 

ABSENT:                      COMMITTEEMEMBER ALDERFER (UNEXCUSED)

 

STAFF:                         ADMINISTRATIVE SUPERVISOR MARTIN

                                    DEPUTY CITY CLERK KRAUSE

 

 

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

 

 HARVILLE/ABBOUD – MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.

 

There was no discussion.

 

The agenda was approved by consensus of the Commission.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING ITEMS ON THE AGENDA (3 Minute Time Limit)

 

There were no public comments.

 

RECONSIDERATION

 

There were no items for reconsideration.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES       

           

A.         Minutes for Regular Meeting on October 8, 2009

B.         Minutes for Special Meeting on November 16, 2009          

 

Chair Erickson requested a motion to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 8, 2009 and the Special Meeting on November 16, 2009.

 

HARVILLE/VELSKO - MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS AMENDED.

 

Mr. Abboud brought a spelling error previously to the Clerk’s attention.

 

VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

                                                             

VISITORS       

 

None.

 

 

STAFF & COUNCIL REPORT/COMMITTEE REPORTS/BOROUGH REPORTS

(Chair set time limit not to exceed 5 minutes)

 

A.            Port & Harbor Advisory Commission Report

 

Mr. Velsko summarized the items addressed by the Port & Harbor Advisory Commission at their regular meeting held the previous evening, January 27, 2010. He reported that the Commission acted on the following:

-       Recommendations for the 2010 Land Allocation Plan

-       1. NW corner of the Harbor 150 feet from Ramp 5 to Freightdock Road to be designated for small Kiosk Businesses Less than 250 square feet. (This area currently used as an unauthorized Park & Sell)

-       Recommendation to Add a Maritime Park under Long Term Goals 5 years or Longer

-       Under 1-3 Year Goals Restroom Facilities at Ramp 7 of the Commissions Strategic Plan

-       Recommended the Kachemak Bay Wooden Boat Society to enter into negotiations for a sub lease on parcel #18103117. They did not recommend the Manley Lots 9 & 10 as mentioned in their correspondence.

-       Recommend not to sell any city owned property.

 

Carl Nostrand provide a brief verbal summary on his vision of a Maritime Park on the Spit in response to a question by Mr. Abboud. Mr. Abboud mentioned the Spit Comprehensive Plan containing some of those same concepts for the area behind the Pier One Theater.

 

B.            Lease Updates

 

Mr. Hawkins reviewed the updates to Leases for the Committee.  There was a Request for Proposal advertised for Lot 8-D-1; Seldovia Village Tribe meeting last week, nearing some conclusions on the Lease and leasehold improvements such as the ramp and approach in the Harbor; using a Consultant Engineer to review the submitted plans; a Conditional Use Permit application for Overnight Accommodations by the Sport Shed; for two barges will haul off the scrap metal on the chip pad on the first of February; the Fish Factory met with Harbormaster and City Manager to discuss issues and they have not filed the required CUP application; Snug Harbor Seafoods lease was received today, January 28, 2010.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

C.         No Staff Reports

 

PUBLIC HEARING (3 minute time limit)

 

None.

 

PENDING BUSINESS

 

A.         Kachemak Bay Wooden Boat Society Proposal

 

VELSKO/HARVILLE - MOVED TO BRING TO THE FLOOR FOR DISCUSSION.

 

Chair Ericson requested Mr. Hawkins to elaborate on the request.

 

Mr. Hawkins summarized the letter received and results of the discussion at the Port & Harbor Commission meeting. It was reviewed and discussed other locations on the spit than Lots 9-10 which were highly visible. The Society stated that it appeared appropriate and would visit the site to make sure it works long term for the Society.

 

The following members of the Society were present to answer any questions.

Clint Lillibridge

Dave Seaman

Carl Nostrand

Cameron Forbes

Michael Neece

 

Mr. Dave Seaman stated the Society’s requirements for a location that is capable of storing the tender plus offer future expansion and building. He reported he visited the site and it seems that it will be appropriate and there is enough land/space available to accommodate all uses.

 

The intent of the Society is to construct a permanent building within five years and they are asking the city to provide a long term lease rate for $1.00 per year. The group validated the request by adding the benefits to the social and economic well being of the City and area residents.

 

Mr. Abboud asked what the rough dimensions for scale of the building and storage requirements would be needed. Mr. Seaman stated that approximately ¼ of an acre would be needed to accommodate their storage needs. They are considering a 40 x 60 building. For the Festival an acre would be nice to have available. A brief discussion on the exact location of the property ensued.

Chair Erickson inquired if there was going to be concerns for reduction in space used for camping.

Mr. Abboud commented about the Draft Spit Comprehensive Plan addressing having a park facility in the uplands and the remaining land would be designated as public use. He stated it would be a natural fit there.

 

HARVILLE/VELSKO – MOVED TO RECOMMEND THE HARBORMASTER AND KACHEMAK BAY WOODEN BOAT SOCIETY MEET AND HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSION TO WORK OUT THE DETAILS OF A LEASE PROPOSAL TO INCLUDE THE LOCATION ON PARCEL #18103117 AND CONCEPTUAL DRAWINGS OF BUILDING AND STORAGE.

 

Ensuing discussion included how well the site fits all the Society’s needs. Mr. Lillibridge stated that a visually pleasing building would be constructed and this location offers high visibility so that passing traffic would stop in. He confirmed that it was the goal of the Society to be open year round. This would give the Society the opportunity to consolidate all operations. Mr. Neece noted that during the meetings for the Spit Comprehensive Plan this project would work very well there. Mr. Abboud stated he felt it would offer additional activity in a different area of the Spit.

Mr. Nostrand spoke on the additional opportunities to work with and partner with other groups such as the Homer Yacht Club. This would develop the entire parcel. He noted if the infrastructure was going to be performed then he would appreciate limitations, etc.

Caution was recommended on the total area that would be requested.

The Committee discussed the next step in the process.

It was suggested to have staff meet and work out the details then bring it back to the Committee. It was noted that electricity was on site but no sewer or septic at this time.

 

VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

 

B.         Home Run Oil Proposal Fuel Service in the Harbor

 

Mr. Hawkins stated that the Lot 8-D-1 has been let for Request for Proposal and will be close on Friday, February 12, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. Nothing has been received at this time. He further noted that there has been no new information. They indicated that they would like to enter into a Lease Agreement on Lot 20 or a portion of it. A conversation was held with Seldovia Village Tribe regarding electricity on JJ Ramp. Mr. Velsko questioned replacement of JJ float. Installation costs would belong to the proposer. Mr. Hawkins commented that Seldovia was encouraged to replace the corner of AA and JJ Floats.

This was more informational and really no action is required.

The request to review was conducted at the previous meeting.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

A.         Recommendations for the 2010 Land Allocation Plan

            a.    2009 Recommendations to Council

            b.    2010 Draft Land Allocation Plan

 

Chair Erickson requested a motion to discuss.

 

VELSKO/ABBOUD - MOVED TO DISCUSS.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

Chair Erickson commented that she was glad that lots 9 and 10 would not be be used for any other use besides fish processing. Mr. Hawkins added that there was over 13 million pounds of Halibut alone that crossed the docks. A Truck holds 30,000 to 40,000 pounds, so that is a lot of trucks. The only available lot for parking is 12B, and with no truck terminal in Homer they are using these lots (9 & 10) for staging. Mr. Hawkins confirmed there is wharfage received from Fish Dock. He further commented that in a grown up world this area would be fenced and then advertised for lease. Making it seem more desirable to be leased. It was agreed that these lots present yet another opportunity for economic development.

 

Chair Erickson asked some questions regarding Lot 13B which is being leased for one year to Snug Harbor. Mr. Velsko noted that there is a mechanism available to provide for short term and the high value lots should not be advertised for short term.

 

Discussion included opening lots currently used for Parking on Freightdock Road; recommendation for small businesses to locate in the area next to Freightdock Road. Price would be negotiated and the footprint would be very small no more than 500 square feet. Further clarification on whether the City would entertain a small business park.

 

 

ERICKSON/HARVILLE - MOVED TO RECOMMEND SUPPORT TO DESIGNATE THE AREA FROM FREIGHTDOCK ROAD TO WITHIN 150 FEET FROM RAMP FIVE FOR SHORT TERM, ONE TO TWO YEAR LEASES FOR SMALL KIOSK BUSINESSES UNDER 250 FEET.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

HARVILLE /VELSKO -  MOVED TO KEEP THE EXISTING RECOMMENDATIONS ON LOTS FOR REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL AS SHOWN.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

HARVILLE/HAWKINS – MOVED TO ACCEPT THE DRAFT 2010 LAND ALLOCATION PLAN WITH THE RECOMMENDED CHANGES.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

 

A.         Letter dated January 8, 2010 to Smoke Wagon Water Taxi Re: Removing Building from Current Location in Accordance with Homer City Code Requirements.

B.         Letter dated November 23, 2009 to Don Jose, LLC Re: Lot 19 Homer Spit Amended Sublease Request.

C.         Memorandum to Port & Harbor Advisory Commission Re: Selling City Owned Property

 

The Committee held a brief discussion on the current status of the Smoke Wagon Water Taxi business.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

 

None.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY STAFF

 

None.

 

COMMENTS OF THE COUNCILMEMBER (If one is appointed)

 

None.

 

 

COMMENTS OF THE CHAIR

 

Chair Erickson thanked everyone. The meeting is adjourned and will meet again on April 29, 2010 unless a special meeting is scheduled before then.

 

COMMENTS OF THE COMMITTEE

 

Mr. Velsko, Mr. Abboud and Ms. Harville had no comments.

 

Mr. Hawkins commented on the recommendation no to sell any city owned land on the Spit.

 

ADJOURN

 

There being no further business before the Lease Committee Chair Erickson adjourned the meeting at 3:51 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on April 29, 2010 at City Hall, Cowles Council Chambers, 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

 

                                                           

Renee Krause, Deputy City Clerk I

 

 

Approved: