REGULAR MEETING
Session 08-06 A Regular Meeting of
the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission was called to order at
PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS ULMER, VELSKO, MARTIN, HOGAN, HARTLEY
ABSENT: COMMISSIONER KILCHER,
CARROLL (EXCUSED)
STAFF:
DEPUTY
HONORARY MEMBER:
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.
Commissioner
Hogan confirmed that there was no May meeting. It was reported there was no
quorum.
Vice
Chair Ulmer arrived at
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
A.
Regular
Meeting Minutes of
HOGAN/HARTLEY
– MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.
There was
no discussion.
The
minutes were approved by consensus of the Commission.
RECONSIDERATION
None.
VISITORS
Ed Bagley,
a new resident asked if anybody thought of installing wind turbines on top of
the light poles. He noted that there is encouragement and funding available
from the Federal Government and the State for alternative energy sources. He
also suggested offering parking for out of area boat owners in the unused
parking lots to increase revenue in the winter.
Commissioner
Martin asked to have on a future agenda the topic of turbines using wind for
power or energy alternatives. Port & Harbor Director Hawkins stated he did
some research and the energy required to run the lights was 9kw/hr. He
explained that many of the questions were answered last year in the Climate
Action Plan. He agreed that looking into alternative energy sources would be a
good thing.
There was
no further discussion.
Vice Chair
Ulmer thanked Mr. Bagley for coming to the meeting and sharing his ideas.
STAFF & COUNCIL
REPORT/COMMITTEE REPORTS/BOROUGH REPORTS
(Chair set time
limit not to exceed 5 minutes)
A.
Port & Harbor Director’s Staff
Report – May and June 2008
a.
Administration -
b.
Operations
c.
Fish Dock/Ice Plant
d.
Sulfur Shipment
e.
Port Facility Security Plan
f.
Port & Harbor
Director Hawkins gave a brief summary on his June report. He commented that Matt
Clark was promoted to Harbor Officer II Deputy Harbormaster position. He will be interviewing
applicants for the Harbor Office I position next week. Port & Harbor staff
is involved in creating a manual that will contain best practices for harbor operations.
Commissioner
Velsko commented on what the auditor was referring to at the last City Council
meeting that the Port & Harbor is losing money. He would like to know if
anyone has considered allocating the sales tax generated on the Spit as belonging
to the Port & Harbor.
Commissioner
Hogan asked how much was generated and would like to see that report to discuss
at the July meeting. Vice Chair Ulmer confirmed that the clerk could make those
records available. Commissioner Hogan recognized Mr. Vanderbrink’s arrival to
the meeting. Commissioner Hogan asked if it has been considered to offer the
seasonal halibut boats a deal to stay in port over the winter. Port &
Harbor Director Hawkins confirmed that the small boat harbor is empty during
the winter but that most of these boats would be too large for that area. Port & Harbor Director
Hawkins added clarification that the small boat harbor is not empty, but that
some of the 32 foot and 24 foot stalls do empty out.
Commissioner
Hogan asked if the rules could be suspended to allow the visitors to speak. The
Commission agreed by consensus to suspend the rules.
Vice Chair Ulmer
invited them to step up and address the Commission.
B. Lease Committee Report
None.
PUBLIC HEARING (3 minute time limit)
None.
PENDING BUSINESS
A. Memorandum from Deputy Harbormaster
Hawkins Re: Spit Parking
a. Minutes from
b. Notes taken by Acting Chair Sharon Minsch on
the joint worksession
c. Recommendation from Staff to
form Committee to focus on action items from the joint worksession.
Port & Harbor
Director Hawkins asked if there was anything new from the Commission on the
Spit Parking, he did not have anything. It was agreed that once the season
starts it’s hard to accomplish much during the season. Commissioner Martin stated the only
impression he received from the joint worksession minutes was agreement on
creating a committee; nothing has come from that meeting although there were
many great ideas. He would like to see the committee formed to address the
parking as recommended.
Commissioner
Hogan does not feel that they should wait for something to be done. The
Commission should submit to Council that there are grounds for an emergency
ordinance addressing the following:
- No
parking within 30 feet of the crosswalks. If the crosswalks are used for
loading zones they get ticketed.
-
Businesses must establish loading zones and use them.
-
Vehicles 25 feet and over prohibited from parking anywhere between
-
Vehicles 18 feet and over are prohibited from parking on the north shoulder
of
-
Establish 12 or 24 hour parking limits between Fishdock and Freightdock roads.
Commissioner
Velsko believes that City Manager Wrede has not had a chance to make an
agreement with the Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT). The DOT
representatives stated the signs currently in the right of way were illegal.
The crosswalks are not crosswalks as far as the DOT is concerned. They did not
paint them. It was discussed that more pressure must be put on the City Manager
and the City Council to act.
Deputy City Clerk
responded that there was an ordinance 08-22, introduced at the last Council
meeting, which will start the process to get the parking problems resolved.
This ordinance addressed the Spit Comprehensive Plan.
Vice Chair Ulmer
stated she does not remember agreeing to spend $50,000.00 on a study. She
agrees with Commissioner Hogan that an emergency exists and should be
addressed.
HOGAN/HARTLEY -
MOVED TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING TO COUNCIL IN THE FORM OF AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE.
THE
- No parking
within 30 feet of the crosswalks.
- Businesses must establish loading zones
and use them.
- Vehicles 25 feet and over prohibited
from parking anywhere between
- Vehicles 18 feet and over are
prohibited from parking on the north shoulder of
- Establish 12 or 24 hour parking limits
between Fishdock
NOTIFICATION
VELSKO/- OFFER
AMENDMENT TO ADD THAT THE
Amendment died
for lack of a second.
VOTE. (Main
Motion)YES. HOGAN, VELSKO, ULMER, HARTLEY
NO.
MARTIN.
Motion carried.
Commissioner
Martin reminded the Commission that they should be addressing the recommendation
to form a task force.
d. Submitting
a resolution in support of the Planning Department and Planning Commission to
create a Spit Comprehensive Plan.
Port & Harbor
Director Hawkins pointed out where in the Worksession minutes where the
discussion on agreeing to support a Spit Comprehensive Plan. There was
discussion on where the $50,000 funds would be best spent on a comprehensive
plan or a spit parking plan. A comprehensive plan could take up to three years
to complete. A good comprehensive plan would cover long term parking needs. It
was agreed that a Spit Parking Plan would be more focused on the immediate
issues.
There was no further
discussion.
e.
Submitting a resolution to
Council requesting approval of issuing a request for proposal on Spit Parking
Needs – Current and Future
Commissioner
Martin stated that it is time to hire a professional parking consultant and the
money would be well spent. It was distinguished that the City supports the
parking infrastructure for private businesses. Commissioner Martin gave some
history on the area (Coal Point) in question. Commissioner Hogan asked if the
area was “grand-fathered in” since there is an exemption in the City parking
ordinance. Commissioner Martin stated that the parking needs to go back where
it should be, on the other side of the road. It has been complained about but
nothing has been addressed. Commissioner Hartley proposed establishing a
parking lot that was within reasonable walking distance from the shops.
Installing metered parking would keep traffic moving and create revenue for the
City. A parking area for the commercial fishermen would still be needed. Vice
Chair Ulmer was in favor of using a fraction of the $50,000.00 to buy a couple
of shuttle buses. Commissioner Martin noted that while everyone has their own
ideas on how to solve the parking issues it would be better to get someone to
perform the study who is not personally involved.
There was no further
discussion.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Formation
of Committee to Address Spit Parking
1. Who should be on the committee?
2. Decide on a meeting date and time.
3. Strategic Plan
(1) What will
the Committee’s goals be?
(2) What time
limit should the Committee set to accomplish the goals?
(3) Select or
appoint member from the Port & Harbor Commission.
(4) Determine
who the other members should be.
The Commission
discussed who should be on the committee and agreed that the committee should
be composed of seven or less members; it should have a representative for
public safety, DOT, Port & Harbor Commissioner, and administrative staff as
required. It was mentioned that they can only ask for representation from DOT
to be on the Committee or at the meetings. Commissioner Martin offered to fill
the Port & Harbor Commission spot on the committee. The Commission
discussed reaching a point where some action can be taken before someone gets
seriously hurt. It was noted that keeping the problem in front of Council and
not letting them forget about it is what will make it happen.
MARTIN/HOGAN –
MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF TO CREATE A RESOLUTION THAT
There was a brief
discussion on the motion.
VOTE. YES.
NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion
carried.
B. Regional
Economic Development Analysis of Harbor Navigation
Improvements in Homer,
HOGAN/VELSKO- MOVED TO BRING TO
DISCUSS ITEM B.
There was no discussion.
VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS
CONSENT.
Motion carried.
Clarification of who ordered the study,
which was the City, was requested by the Commissioners. There was a question on
the cost to have this study prepared. Commissioners noted that there were many
glaring holes in the material. Port & Harbor Director Hawkins stated that
this was a draft copy and Northern Economics who was looking for feedback.
Commissioner Hartley asked if the company would be able to do a presentation.
Port & Harbor Director Hawkins stated he would check to see if they would
be willing and if there was funding if required. They will be doing a re-write
and have revised document in August.
Commissioner Hogan requested
clarification from staff if this study was submitted under the RFP process or
administrative direction. Port & Harbor Director Hawkins stated it was
probably done by the RFP process. The Commissioners discussed the probability
of it being sent out for RFP and there were not many proposers. Comments were
offered regarding running a losing operation now, responsibility of building
new harbor and implementing suggestions.
The Port & Harbor Director
stated that this document was included in the packet for review and comment by
the Commissioners. The DOT has commented on this document. They will accept
comments until the end of July. They agreed that they do not want special
meeting if possible to have this presentation set on the normal meeting date.
The clerk will contact the Commission with the information that the Port &
Harbor Director finds out. Commissioner Martin would like to email this report
to a number of contacts. It was discussed the number of responses received in
comparison to sent out. The commission discussed how the City was able to use
this information in disseminating the figures contained in the report.
There was no further discussion.
INFORMATIONAL
MATERIALS
A.
Harbormaster’s
Monthly Statistical Report for April and May 2008
B.
Weekly
Crane and Ice Report
C.
Pioneer
Dock
D.
Pioneer
Dock Ferry Landings
E.
Deep
Water Dock
F.
Thank you
from the Homer Chamber of Commerce
Commissioner Martin requested
clarification on the Sulfur shipments. Port & Harbor Director Hawkins
reported that they will start loading the ship on Sunday and should be
completed the following Sunday. The goal is to load 15,000 tons; there will be
three load outs this year. Only one load out per year after this one. He has
received only one complaint regarding dust and it being too dry.
Discussion on application of
calcium on the Spit roads ensued.
COMMENTS OF THE
AUDIENCE
Mr.
Vanderbrink commented that if he had sat closer he may have heard everything.
He heard the clerk’s cough quite well; but it’s like a City Council meeting
where they could have secret meetings right in front of everyone because the
sound system in the chambers is not worth a damn. He commented that he read this
current packet until page 43 when he found out that the north shore is the
extreme southwestern tip of the
He stated
that parking has been discussed by committees for 20 years. It will not go away
until someone grabs it, and does it and figures out the mistakes later. He
commented on the sulfur trucks, the parking at the little park next to
COMMENTS OF THE
Deputy City Clerk Krause had no
comments.
Port & Harbor Director Hawkins
asked that each Commissioner review the document and submit their comments
since it is obvious it needs help. He thanked them for their help.
COMMENTS OF THE
COUNCILMEMBER (If one is appointed)
None.
COMMENTS OF THE
CHAIR
Vice Chair Ulmer thanked Mr.
Vanderbrink for his comments and attending the meeting tonight. She thanked
Port & Harbor Director Hawkins for doing a great job.
COMMENTS OF THE
COMMISSION
Commissioner
Hogan commented that during the EDC meeting on
Commissioner
Martin stated he will use his time to stress that the Spit has been treated
like the ugly stepchild, and if the parking and safety problems were on
Commissioner
Velsko had no comment.
Commissioner
Hartley had no comment.
There being no further business
before the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission Vice Chair Ulmer adjourned the
meeting at
Renee Krause, Deputy City Clerk I
Approved: