PORT & HARBOR ADVISORY COMMISSION                                                              UNAPPROVED           

REGULAR MEETING                                          

DECEMBER 16, 2009

 

                                                                                                           

Session 09-10 A Regular Meeting of the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission was called to order at 6:05 pm on December 16, 2009 by Chair Cathy Ulmer at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

PRESENT:                    COMMISSIONERS CARROLL, HARTLEY, WEDIN, ZIMMERMAN,

                                    HOTTMANN AND ULMER

 

ABSENT:                      COMMISSIONER VELSKO (EXCUSED)

 

STAFF:                         PORT & HARBOR DIRECTOR HAWKINS

                                    DEPUTY CITY CLERK KRAUSE

 

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

 

Chair Ulmer requested a motion to approve the agenda.

 

HARTLEY/WEDIN – MOVED TO APPROVE THE 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)

 

There were no public comments.

 

RECONSIDERATION

 

There were no items for reconsideration.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES       

           

A.         Meeting Minutes of November 18, 2009   

 

Chair Ulmer requested a motion to approve the minutes.

 

WEDIN/HARTLEY - MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.

 

There was a brief discussion and compliments on the Clerks minute writing.

 

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 Director’s Staff Report – December 2009

           

Port & Harbor Director Hawkins summarized his report for the Commissioners. He commented on the following:

 

1.         Homeland Security Grant for the Security Gates, permitting requirements. No install date as yet.

2.         Tentative 2 year contract from the Corps of Engineers for dredging. This will get through the interim until 20 year plan is fleshed out.

3.         Recycling container has been approved by the Borough. An Invitation to Bid was released and will close on 12/29/09. This will be the standard recycling dumpster for plastic, cardboard, glass, etc. A brief discussion was held on the quantity of cardboard that is produced on the Spit.

4.         Representative Seaton and Senator Stevens met with Department Heads and Mayor to speak about Capital Improvement Projects. A driving tour of the Harbor was performed.

5.         Bering Industries has been contracted by the Roanoke Island to replace their water line.

6.         A meeting was held with planning personnel regarding the need of a Conditional Use Permit for a bunkhouse on the Fish Factory lease. A brief discussion was held that this has been an existing issue. It falls under both zoning and Lease requirements. Commissioners expressed concern with application of the code be conducted “fairly” and accommodation made to existing Lessees. Harbormaster Hawkins explained that people do not live within a set area they get “stuff” and spread their “stuff” out. He expressed his opinion that it does not have a place on the Spit. He would prefer to have it clearly stated in the Lease. Comments were offered on one property owners “home” that has been photographed and questioned by many.

7.         Progress is slow but steady on the lease between SVT and the City. A copy of a recent letter was reviewed by the Commission. Harbormaster Hawkins clarified points in the letter for Commissioners regarding ownership of the ramp, gangway and crane pier.  Concern was expressed by the Commissioners that the pier would not be wide enough to accommodate totes and personnel safely. Further discussion included maintenance and removal.

8.         The new Fish Dock Supervisor is George Tryer.

 

B.         Lease Committee Report (if a meeting was held since the last Commission meeting)                                  

There was no report.

 

PUBLIC HEARING (3 minute time limit)

 

None.

 

PENDING BUSINESS

 

A.         Bylaws Meeting Time Change.

            Draft Resolution

 

The clerk explained to the Commission that a motion was needed to make the changes to the by-laws to change the meeting time. Then a Memorandum can be submitted to the City Council for the January 11, 2010 agenda.

 

ZIMMERMAN/HARTLEY - MOVED TO CHANGE THE REGULAR MEETING TIME ON THE FOURTH WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH TO 5:00 P.M., WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER REGULAR MEETINGS WHICH WILL BE ON THE THIRD WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH AT 5:00 P.M.

 

There was a brief discussion regarding the bylaws reflecting the changes made to the November and December meeting dates.

 

VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

B.         Bylaws – Teleconference

            Draft Resolution 10-XX

 

Chair Ulmer requested a motion to change the bylaws.

 

HOTTMANN/ZIMMERMAN - MOVED TO ALLOW TELECONFERENCE AS AN ALTERNATIVE MEANS TO ATTEND COMMISSION MEETINGS.

 

There was a brief discussion on the requirement of having a quorum present. A Commissioner attending via teleconference has full voting privileges. This has been presented to all Commissions and Board and the Economic Development Advisory Commission was the first to pass and request approval from Council.

 

VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

A.         Welcome to New Commissioner

 

Chair Ulmer welcomes Mark Hottmann to the Commission and volunteering his time. Commissioner Hottmann inquired about the mission statement of the Commission and Harbor.

 

The Clerk responded that information items were available and would be distributed to him.

 

B.         Homer Spit Comprehensive Plan – Draft Framework Plan Presented to Homer Advisory Planning Commission on December 2, 2009.

 

A discussion was held regarding the draft framework and the information contained represented the recommendations offered at the public meetings held to date. The Commissioners reviewed the proposed drawing of relocating the road to put curves in as traffic speed deterrents. A few of the Commissioners expressed concern regarding the effect of tides, storms, etc. to the beach and boardwalks and businesses. It was recommended to split the road with angled parking in the center, and speed tables. It was noted that this currently represents the recommendations so far submitted.

 

Harbormaster Hawkins noted that discussion started on the Comprehensive Plan and evolved into parking. Everyone agreed that if parking was solved it would solve many problems on the Spit.

 

Discussion continued touching on the following: Parking, Shuttle buses, iron maidens, parking enforcement, no free parking; preferential treatment to residents being allowed on a project using Federal funding; changing to allow so many spaces per boat slip, auction the closest parking spaces to the highest bidder. Designate a RV parking only area and make sure it is enforced. How to effectively administer a plan to organize the parking. Examples such as Seward were offered for comparison. Harbormaster Hawkins answered questions from the Commission regarding the number of parking spaces currently available; using new technology to control parking; presenting ideas to the Consultant hired to draft the Spit Comprehensive Plan.

 

Commissioner Carroll commented going the opposite direction he recommended adding dredge spoils to the base of the spit near Mariner Park and use that as parking for the Spit. All ideas seem focused on paving the end of the Spit and making people pay.

 

Further comments by the Commissioners regarding the safety aspect of pedestrians and vehicular traffic; not paving the end of the Spit; the season is 5-8 weeks that is the main concern; focusing summer 2010 on parking issues. Habits are changing slowly and funding is not available to make it happen fast. The Port & Harbor budget will be funding the two parking enforcement officers for 2010.

 

Discussion ensued on extending the parking area next to the Mariner Memorial, designated entrances and exits to parking lots; then parking in general. It was noted that discussions did not address the different user groups.

 

Chair Ulmer questioned what could the commission do as an action item to keep the momentum on this project. If something should be sent to City Council or send the Consultant. Harbormaster Hawkins pointed out that to submit a recommendation to Council would elicit a response from them referring to the Spit Comprehensive Plan. Commissioner Wedin recommended sending the consultant a letter from the Commission that they support the expansion of parking on the east and west sides of the boardwalk. The Clerk will draft a letter via email and then submit to Commissioners via email for review and submittal to the consultant.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

C.         Maritime Park

 

Chair Ulmer asked if there were any comments on this suggestion that was received at the November meeting.

 

Commissioner Wedin liked the idea and suggested that the memorandum be forwarded to the USKH Consultant. Commissioner Zimmerman suggested that this could also include the Wooden Boat Society. It was noted that there were a number of events throughout the year that could benefit from a large protected pavilion, maybe not a soccer field. It was noted that a large part of the population would be needed to support a project like that; a facility like that could also generate revenue such as rentals for parties, weddings, etc. It was not know if it would be self supporting but definitely could be an asset to the Spit.

 

WEDIN/ZIMMERMAN – MOVED TO ADD MARTIME PARK FACILITY TO THE 2010 STRATEGIC PLAN.

 

Discussion followed on whether to include the Wooden Boat Society in this project. Advice on how to proceed was given by the clerk on whether to add as an amendment to the motion. Further discussion on whether it was prudent at this time to include the Wooden Boat Society. It was pointed out that the ideas presented were just that, very broad, ideas and they could be included in the strategic plan for discussion. It was noted that someone could call for the question since the discussion was getting convoluted. It was clarified that this was to add this project to the strategic plan. It was not fully endorsed by the Commission. Commissioner Wedin explained the Strategic Plan process and timeline to Commissioner Hottmann. It was further elaborated on that this was only a motion to add it to the strategic plan and in January the Commission will decide where it should be placed within the plan for action.

 

Commissioner Carroll called for the question.

 

VOTE. YES. HOTTMANN, ZIMMERMAN, HARTLEY, ULMER, WEDIN, CARROLL.

 

Motion carried.

 

There was a brief discussion on contacting the Wooden Boat Society or waiting until it comes before the Commission. It was noted that if it comes before the Lease Committee it will more than likely come before the Commission for their recommendations.

 

It was agreed by consensus to wait.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

 

A.         Harbormaster’s Monthly Statistical Report for November 2009                                          

A.                Weekly Crane & Ice Report                                                                      

B.                 Deep Water Dock                                                                                                      

C.            Pioneer Dock Ferry Landings                                                                                                            

D.            Pioneer Dock                                                                                                    

E.                 Water Usage                                                                                                                  

F.                  Lease Expiration Schedule - UPDATED                                                                    

G.            Port & Harbor 2009 Strategic Plan                                                                       

H.            2009/2010 Commissioner Council Meeting Attendance Schedule                

 

There was a brief discussion on commissioner attendance at Council meetings. It was clarified that only one meeting needed to be attended and it was the Commissioners choice on which meeting to attend. Commissioner Hottmann noted he would not be able to attend a council meeting in June, July, or August. Commissioner Hartley said he would trade September for June. There were no other changes.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

 

None.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY STAFF

 

Port & Harbor Director Hawkins distributed a laydown on a News Release from NOAA dated December 1, 2009 proposing Critical Habitat for Cook Inlet Beluga Whales. Kachemak Bay would be included in this designated area. Concern was expressed by the Commissioners on the effect to commercial fishing if this is put into effect.

 

Deputy City Clerk Krause had no comments.

 

COMMENTS OF THE COUNCILMEMBER (If one is appointed)

 

None.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CHAIR

 

Chair Ulmer commented on the performance and speech given by Deputy City Clerk Krause at the council meeting on Monday. That she did really good and was a nervous wreck.

 

She thanked everyone and welcomed Commissioner Hottmann once more.

 

COMMENTS OF THE COMMISSION

 

Commissioner Wedin apologized for not attending the Council meeting. He welcomed mark Hottmann and thanked the Clerk and Harbormaster.

 

Commissioner Hartley thanked the Chair for keeping the Commission focused.

 

Commissioner Zimmerman welcomed Mark Hottmann and thanked the Clerk for getting them through the meeting. He was concerned about the proposed designation on Kachemak Bay and did not think it would be beneficial.

 

Commissioner Carroll commented on the proposed Beluga Whale Critical Habitat. He did not want to see it go the way of the Sea Lion issue which he opined was adverse to the commercial fisherman. He thanked the Commission for his absence from the meetings.

 

Commissioner Hottmann thanked everyone for the welcome. He has a strong conviction to read through his handouts. He is very used to paper. He believes designation will be worth following.

 

ADJOURN

 

There being no further business before the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission Chair Ulmer adjourned the meeting at 7:57 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. (5:00 p.m.) on January 27, 2010 at City Hall, Cowles Council Chambers, 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

 

                                                           

Renee Krause, Deputy City Clerk I

 

 

Approved: