REGULAR MEETING
Session 08-09 A Regular Meeting of
the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission was called to order at
PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS VELSKO, ULMER, HARTLEY, KILCHER, MARTIN, CARROLL, HOGAN
STAFF:
DEPUTY
APPROVAL OF THE
AGENDA
VELSKO/HARTLEY
– MOVED TO ACCEPT AGENDA AS WRITTEN.
There was
no discussion.
The
agenda was approved by consensus of the Commission.
PUBLIC COMMENT
REGARDING ITEMS ON THE AGENDA (3 Minute Time
Limit)
None.
RECONSIDERATION
None.
APPROVAL OF
MINUTES
A.
Regular
Meeting Minutes of
ULMER/VELSKO
– MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS WRITTEN.
There was
no discussion.
The minutes
were approved by consensus of the Commission.
VISITORS
None.
It was
noted Commissioner Martin and Carroll arrived at
STAFF & COUNCIL
REPORT/COMMITTEE REPORTS/BOROUGH REPORTS
(Chair set time
limit not to exceed 5 minutes)
A.
Port & Harbor Director’s Staff
Report – September 2008
Port & Harbor Director Hawkins elaborated on the teleconference
regarding the status of the East Boat Harbor Expansion Feasibility study. He
was able to give better direction in some of the areas. The bottom line concern
is the construction costs. A local source for armor rock to build the
breakwater is needed. There are a few sources that are being looked into in the
The Commissioners discussed the options that could be looked into for
the required materials which included Seldovia and Nanwalek; if there would be
any additional projects that could be dove-tailed onto that project; a rumor
regarding linking a water/hydro power generation project to the harbor
expansion project. Port & Harbor Director Hawkins explained that there were
discussions regarding linking those two projects. There have been discussions
concerning what to do with the left over power.
There was no further discussion.
B. Lease Committee Report
Commissioner Velsko reported that there was a
worksession with the Economic Development Advisory Commission on
There was no further
discussion.
PUBLIC HEARING (3 minute time limit)
None.
PENDING BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Dedicated
Sales Tax Funding for Port & Harbor Revenue Fund
Memorandum from City
Clerk, Re: Dedicated Sales Tax Funding for Port & Harbor Revenue Fund
MARTIN/HARTLEY – MOVED TO DISCUSS ITEM A.
There was no discussion.
VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
Commissioner Martin
requested clarification on increasing revenue for the shoulder seasons and
reconfiguring the floats how those two went together.
Commissioner Velsko and
Hogan explained what the Commission discussed at the last meeting.
Further discussion regarding
seasonal rates on moorage fees; overslope development; rearranging floats to
accommodate larger vessels; city council talks on raising harbor fees;
conservative approach to price increases were recommended; incentives to make
Homer a more attractive option for mooring; target marketing the 50-75 foot
vessels; overall fairness to local and long term customers of the harbor; removal
of derelict boats and status of these vessels; using the derelict vessels for
reef building (scuttling); total space used by these vessels and which vessels
were paying the moorage fees.
Commissioner Martin would
like to have further information on the costs or processes for removal (scuttling)
of the derelict vessels in the harbor.
Commissioner Hartley
recalled there was winter and summer rates for transient vessels at one time
and consideration of re-establishing that practice should be considered. A
brief discussion on a few different scenarios regarding pricing for
consideration of establishing “hotel rates”. Higher during season and lower in
the off season.
Commissioner Hogan pointed
out that raising rates does not increase revenue. They must concentrate on
lowering rates to increase revenue. Further discussion on the effects to
private enterprise was discussed and it was noted that although the intention
would not be to cause a loss of revenue for private enterprise they must focus
on increasing the revenue for the port.
It was agreed to keep this
on the Commission radar and to relay any ideas to the Port & Harbor
Director to bring to the next meetings.
There was no further
discussion.
B. Changing
Harbor Overhead Lights to LED
MARTIN/HARTLEY – MOVED TO BRING TO
THE FLOOR TO DISCUSS ITEM B.
There was no discussion.
VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
Commissioner Velsko opened the
topic to explain that there was an article in the Anchorage Daily News on the
Port & Harbor Director Hawkins
stated that they have contacted the supplier for
Further comments from the
Commissioners regarding placement of the lights; the initial expense for
installation; possible installation of LED lights set lower on poles to be used
at certain times; the benefits of having the dock in a u shape and that the one
side will not be used; limitations on LED lighting.
The Commissioners requested further
research on the change over prospect to LED lights.
Discussion ensued over alternative
energy sources and new technology. They agreed it was a topic to keep on their
list to discuss periodically.
There was no further discussion.
INFORMATIONAL
MATERIALS
A.
Harbormaster’s
Monthly Statistical Report for August 2008
Commissioner Martin commented on
the figures was down for a number of items compared to last year. Port &
Harbor Director commented he noticed the shoulder seasons were shorter this
year. Commissioners offered that folks were being a bit more cautious this year
with their trips.
B.
Weekly
Crane and Ice Report
C.
Pioneer
Dock
D.
Pioneer
Dock Ferry Landings
E.
Deep
Water Dock
F.
Memorandum
From Port & Harbor Commission, Dated
Commissioner
Velsko commented on Item F., it was
requested to elevate the Port & Harbor Enterprise Fund, he referred to
resolution 99-53 that was written to establish the Water Sewer program and if
the Commissioners should direct staff to draft a resolution that would be
submitted to Council. He explained it would not be increasing the sales tax
just allowing the Port & Harbor Reserves to collect the sales tax raised by
the Harbor.
HOGAN/ULMER – MOVED TO DIRECT STAFF
TO DRAFT A RESOLUTION TO BE REVIEWED BY THE
The Commissioners discussed staff
drafting a resolution and submitting at the next meeting for review and
additions or corrections. They also addressed which revenues to include and
discussed including all revenues generated by the Port & Harbor.
Commissioner Ulmer called for the
vote.
VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS
CONSENT.
Motion carried.
G. Memorandum from
Port & Harbor Commission, Date
H. Memorandum
from Deputy City Clerk dated
Commissioner Hogan questioned when
the RFP would be advertised for this parking study. Port & Harbor Director
Hawkins stated he would check with the City Manager.
Further discussion on the Spit
Comprehensive Plan and the Parking Study ensued regarding the relationship of
each document to the other. The Commissioners agreed by consensus that the
Parking Study should be done prior to the Comprehensive Plan and then
incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan. Discussion then turned to placement
of dredge spoils and creating a large parking area which would then solve all
parking problems for the spit.
The Commissioners then turned their
focus on the Dredge Spoils and Port & Harbor Director Hawkins reported on
the entities that purchased the product as follows:
-
Lands End
-
-
Sunland Development
-
Dan Young
-
Some was used on outer berm of sand
lagoon.
The Commissioners requested the
status on Kenai River Seafoods. Port & Harbor Director Hawkins has not new
information on that lease. The Commissioners then discussed the parking issues and
the issue that was raised by Commissioner Hogan regarding the size of the
building in comparison to the lot size.
There was no further discussion.
COMMENTS OF THE
AUDIENCE
There
were no comments.
COMMENTS OF THE
Deputy City Clerk Krause had no
comments.
Port & Harbor Director Hawkins had
no further comments.
COMMENTS OF THE
COUNCILMEMBER (If one is appointed)
None.
COMMENTS OF THE
CHAIR
Chair Kilcher thanked the Clerk for
all her hard work and making sense out of everything the Commissioners said.
COMMENTS OF THE
COMMISSION
Commissioner Hogan requested water usage, volume, charges
and meter review and the budget to be on the agenda next month and commented
that it was a great meeting.
Commissioner Carroll and Martin commented it was a
good meeting.
Commissioner Hartley commented it was a good
meeting.
Commissioner Ulmer thanked the creative minds and the
good meeting.
Commissioner Velsko commented on the Tesoro Spill
drill.
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: