REGULAR MEETING
Session 08-04 A Regular Meeting of
the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission was called to order at
PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS KILCHER, ULMER, VELSKO, CARROLL, HOGAN, HARTLEY
ABSENT: COMMISSIONER MARTIN
(EXCUSED)
STAFF:
DEPUTY HARBORMASTER HAWKINS
DEPUTY
APPROVAL OF THE
AGENDA
The
agenda was approved by consensus of the Commission.
PUBLIC COMMENT
REGARDING ITEMS ON THE AGENDA (3 Minute Time
Limit)
None.
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
A.
Regular
Meeting Minutes of
The
minutes were approved by consensus of the Commission.
RECONSIDERATION
None.
VISITORS
None.
STAFF &
COUNCIL REPORT/COMMITTEE REPORTS/BOROUGH REPORTS
(Chair set time
limit not to exceed 5 minutes)
A.
Port & Harbor Director’s Staff
Report – March 2008
Commissioner Hogan requested
information regarding revenue the City has garnered from allowing car/produce
sales on the corner lot located near the launch ramp.
Chair Kilcher called for a point of
order. A motion was needed to discuss.
He asked for any objection to
discuss, hearing none the motion was passed. He asked for the discussion to continue.
It was noted that business was
conducted on City property and issuance or certification of business licenses
was under the Police Department.
Port & Harbor Director Dean
reported that Administration has decided to re-advertise for his replacement.
The salary range was increased and a broader area was advertised in; the Secom
system replacement maybe sent out for RFP. It is not a Windows based system; it
is not a reliable system even with the upgrades and component replacements. He
reviewed the costs for the Winter King Derby. The sulfur shipments have not
started, but are expected to start any day. They have a ninety day agreement.
It is expected to fill three ships. Each sack weighs approximately 3300 pounds.
There was further discussion on where the sulfur came from and the Commission
requested information on the Hazards of this product. Port & Harbor
Director Dean stated that he does not know the specifics on the hazards related
to sulfur.
Information regarding hazards found
by Deputy City Clerk Krause:
http://www.epa.gov/air/urbanair/so2/hlth1.html
SO2 causes a wide variety of health and environmental impacts because of
the way it reacts with other substances in the air. Particularly
sensitive groups include people with asthma who are active outdoors and
children, the elderly, and people with heart or lung disease.
Respiratory Effects from Gaseous SO2 - Peak levels of SO2
in the air can cause temporary breathing difficulty for people with asthma who
are active outdoors. Longer-term exposures to high levels of SO2
gas and particles cause respiratory illness and aggravate existing heart
disease.
Respiratory Effects from Sulfate Particles
- SO2 reacts with other chemicals in the air to form tiny sulfate
particles. When these are breathed, they gather in the lungs and are
associated with increased respiratory symptoms and disease, difficulty in
breathing, and premature death.
Visibility Impairment - Haze occurs when light is scattered or absorbed
by particles and gases in the air. Sulfate particles are the major cause
of reduced visibility in many parts of the
Acid Rain - SO2 and nitrogen oxides react with other substances in
the air to form acids, which fall to earth as rain, fog, snow, or dry
particles. Some may be carried by the wind for hundreds of miles.
Plant and Water Damage - Acid rain damages forests and crops, changes the
makeup of soil, and makes lakes and streams acidic and unsuitable for
fish. Continued exposure over a long time changes the natural variety of
plants and animals in an ecosystem.
Aesthetic Damage - SO2 accelerates the decay of building
materials and paints, including irreplaceable monuments, statues, and
sculptures that are part of our nation's cultural heritage.
The Commission recalled some tragic
events regarding the trucking of sulfur in earlier years.
There was brief discussion
regarding the Kenai River Seafoods and if the building size was considered for the lot in relation to the required
setbacks.
There was no further discussion.
B.
Lease Committee Report – March 2008
Commissioner
Velsko commented that there is a long way to go in regards to the Lease
Committee responsibilities. He felt that it serves no purpose since the City
Administration really has the last say. He mentioned that as an example the
building size in relation to the lot should have been addressed. As pointed out
by Commissioner Hogan. The meetings are irregular, and he opined that there
should be a better way to run the railroad.
Commissioner
Hogan declared he had a conflict. He reserved the right to comment as a member
of the public.
Chair
Kilcher determined that this was actually a report. Therefore there would be no
comments from the public until the end. The subject is not meant for
discussion. Deputy City Clerk Krause clarified that the Commissioners could
request further clarification upon items in Commissioner Velsko report. Chair
Kilcher stated that it is not a venue to take “testimony”; discussion ensued
between the Commissioners whether Commissioner Hogan did have a conflict and
should recuse himself. It was determined that as far as commenting on the
report he did not have a conflict even though he has not formally pulled his
bid for a lease on that property. Commissioner Hogan explained his reasoning
for a possible conflict of interest being that he still has an active proposal
for the aforementioned property. Port & Harbor Director Dean recalled a
statement included within Commissioner Hogan’s proposal and clarified that
Commissioner Velsko is only one member of the Lease Committee. He is the
Commission’s representative on that Committee. Chair Kilcher summarized that
questions asked of Commissioner Velsko should be conveyed to the Lease
Committee. Commissioner Velsko stated that was what he was trying to convey
that there is room for improvement and the Lease Committee is still basically
City Staff. Commissioner Hartley asked what documents are required in the
proposals. It was noted that a site plan is required but not to scale. It was
debatable the actual power of the Lease Committee when it came to the
“decider.”
Chair
Kilcher offered some background information on the lease committee and the
recent leases before the Committee.
Commissioner
Velsko did offer that the trend prior was to not send a “rollover lease” to RFP
but this was changed by the Lease Committee.
Commissioner
Hogan requested a decision to be made on his purported conflict of interest.
Vote. No.
Velsko; No. Ulmer; No. Hartley; No. Kilcher; Yes. Carroll
There was
further clarification on opinion of why Commissioner Hogan did or did not have
a conflict. The Commission proceeded to discuss the process of reviewing
potential lessees and what they may propose as a use for the property.
Commissioner Hogan understood that the Commission was to review all potential
leases but he does not remember seeing any leases other than his. Discussion
ensued on prior leases and open meetings, future meetings, who signs the
documents and City Councils roll in approving the leases. Interpretation of the
City Code in relation to the Lease Committee was in question by Commissioner
Hogan.
There was
no further discussion.
PUBLIC HEARING (3 minute time limit)
None.
PENDING BUSINESS
A. Spit Parking Joint
Worksession
Chair Kilcher requested an update
on the worksession. Deputy Clerk Krause stated that the date was changed to
There was no further discussion.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Chair
Kilcher read the title and requested a motion to discuss.
HOGAN/VELSKO
– MOVED TO DISCUSS
There was
no discussion.
VOTE.
YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion
carried.
Chair
Kilcher gave a brief summary regarding the reason for this topic to be on the agenda.
Port & Harbor Director Dean gave some clarification regarding the Council
actions to postpone developing a request for proposal until
Mr. Craig
Gales, Alaska Waste stated he attended the Council Meeting on
Discussion
continued regarding who puts the proposal materials together and whether it
would be beneficial to include input from the staff and user of the dumpsters.
Mr. Lloyd
Moore, Moore & Moore Services and City Resident answered questions from the
Commission regarding the number of containers his company services and the
nature of his current service agreement with the City for the Spit. He
explained that initially his service saved the City of
Chair
Kilcher posed a comment/question to both representatives regarding the
provision of covered containers and providing additional containers in the busy
season.
Mr. Moore
responded that for additional containers there is no room and even now they
deal with trying to service the existing containers when most of the time a
vehicle is blocking access to those containers. Moore & Moore own the
current containers. They will be providing lids for all containers with the
exception of the fish dock containers. The lids will prevent to some degree
dumping of construction debris, crab traps, etc. These containers are set up
for residential trash.
There was
no further discussion.
B.
New
Commissioner – Robert “Bob” Hartley
Chair
Kilcher officially welcomed Bob Hartley to the Commission and asked him to say
a few words about himself. Commissioner Hartley stated he has lived in the area
since 1968. He retired from teaching in
INFORMATIONAL
MATERIALS
A.
Harbormaster’s
Monthly Statistical Report for March 2008
B.
Weekly
Crane and Ice Report
C.
Pioneer
Dock
D.
Pioneer
Dock Ferry Landings
E.
Deep
Water Dock
Chair Kilcher asked if there were
any questions or comments on the enclosed materials.
There was no discussion.
COMMENTS OF THE
AUDIENCE
Mr. Gales commented that the
original service provider was Waste Management not Alaska Waste.
Mr. Moore was having trouble
understanding why Alaska Waste was adamant to put this out to RFP; he cannot
understand why they can do it cheaper now when they could not do it four years
ago; he believes they may have a better mousetrap now.
COMMENTS OF THE
Deputy City Clerk Krause had no
comment.
Port & Harbor Director Dean
commented that this was his last meeting. He was going to do nothing - spend time with his family. He responded to
Commissioner Carroll’s question regarding dredge spoils and parking
requirements.
Deputy Harbormaster Hawkins had no
comment.
COMMENTS OF THE
COUNCILMEMBER (If one is appointed)
None.
COMMENTS OF THE
CHAIR
Chair Kilcher commented that as a
body they are required to keep a very open process. If someone came along and
asked for a proposal they have to do it. He also commented on Commissioner
Hogan’s comment regarding restroom facilities and offered that it may be
something the City considers that the new leases require public restroom
facilities. Small concessions may have to be offered, but it would offer
alternatives to building separate restroom facilities.
COMMENTS OF THE
COMMISSION
Commissioner
Hogan stated he will miss Steve Dean and thanked him for all his hard work. He
stated that Steve was the best harbormaster they have had; he was not sure
there would be any progress on the outhouse at fishdock road and offered to
include one in his construction but it would probably not be taken; he
commented on the lease issues and not wanting it to be his life; he just wanted
the rules to be followed.
Commissioner
Carroll asked if the Commission was going to address the dredge-parking issue
at the next meeting. He state his reason for this question was he drove out to
the view the berm on the west side and picturing them filled with gravel and
realized how much parking that would create. He noted it was above the high
tide line and he does not believe it will wash away.
Commissioner
Velsko wished Steve Dean a happy retirement. Enjoy himself.
Commissioner
Ulmer thanked Steve for his work.
There being no further business
before the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission Chair Kilcher adjourned the
meeting at
Renee Krause, Deputy City Clerk I
Approved: