Session 10-02, a Regular Meeting of the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission was called to order at 5:09 p.m. by Chair Ulmer on February 24, 2010 at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

PRESENT: COMMISSIONER ZIMMERMAN, HOTTMAN, ULMER, WEDIN, HARTLEY

ABSENT: COMMISSIONER VELSKO, CARROLL

STAFF: HARBORMASTER HAWKINS

DEPUTY CITY CLERK JACOBSEN

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

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. Regular Meeting Minutes for January 27, 2010

The minutes were approved as presented by consensus of the Commission.

VISITORS

There were no visitors scheduled.

STAFF & COUNCIL REPORT/COMMITTEE REPORTS/BOROUGH REPORTS

(Chair set time limit not to exceed 5 minutes)

A. Port & Harbor Director’s Staff Report – February 2010

Harbormaster Hawkins reviewed the staff report.

There was discussion about the circumstances with re-advertising the RFP for lot 8D1. Harbormaster Hawkins explained that there was an issue with the advertisement. There was also discussion about the small business proposal for businesses smaller than 500 square feet. Harbormaster Hawkins explained that the recommendation will go to Land Allocation Meeting, then to Council.

Commissioner Wedin requested that the electrical system on ramp 5 be on the next meeting agenda. There was no objection.

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

1. Lease Committee Meeting Minutes from January 28, 2010

Harbormaster Hawkins reported that the Lease Committee endorsed the idea of the kiosk businesses on corner of Freight Dock Road and endorsed the concept of wooden boat group getting property around the Pier One Theater. Regarding the property being considered for the kiosk businesses, he explained that the City would have to legally describe the space, come up with terms and rate, and advertise for it. The lot has never been leased before and they are considering only offering a portion of it. There was discussion of the term of the short term lease being one to two years so people who are using it would know they can have it again if nothing else is happening, yet allow flexibility for the City not to renew the next year if they don’t like what was happening. The RFP process would have to be discussed further.

PUBLIC HEARING (3 minute time limit)

There were no public hearings scheduled.

PENDING BUSINESS

A. 2010 Strategic Plan

Harbormaster Hawkins advised that the City is waiting to hear from the Borough regarding the harbor recycling program. They expect to have an answer next month.

There was discussion of the erosion control issue at the harbor entrance. Harbormaster Hawkins explained that the Icicle property is being undercut and needs to be addressed. The DOT coastal engineers walked it last spring and talked about a system where you build groins to change the dynamic of the wave energy coming off the beach and move cobble to help reinforce that. Armoring the whole thing is not necessary. The work that Icicle had done years ago on their log revetment wall is almost destroyed now. He suggested the Commission could take an action to write a letter to the coastal engineers and start addressing the need as an effort to get funding for it. Because of the erosion they are losing property on the harbor side. One of the long term plans for the spit trail was that it would turn back on the outside of the Icicle property on to the beach to Coal Point, but there is not enough land there now. He said that the dredge spoils could be used if done properly, armor rock would be preferred as it absorbs the energy. The city would need funding from the state to help with this.

HOTTMAN/HARTLEY MOVED FOR STAFF TO PREPARE A LETTER TO THE STATE REGARDING THE REINFORCEMENT OF THE ENTRANCE TO THE HARBOR.

There was brief discussion that Harbormaster Hawkins would bring the letter to the Commission on their next agenda.

VOTE: NON OBJECTION: UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

Motion carried.

B. Spit Comprehensive Plan Review – Comments and Recommendations to Planning Commission

Pat Coleman from USKH participated telephonically with the Commission and reviewed the process and the plan to date.

The Commission provided Mr. Coleman with some feedback regarding parking concerns. They were supportive of establishing a Parking Task Force made up of user groups to help formulate a parking plan on the spit. Commissioner Zimmerman said he would be willing to participate on that task force.

NEW BUSINESS

There were no new business items scheduled.

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

A. Harbormaster’s Monthly Statistical Report for January 2010                                   

B.    Weekly Crane & Ice Report                                                                                     

C.    Deep Water Dock                                                                                          

D.    Pioneer Dock

E. Pioneer Dock Ferry Landings

F.    Water Usage                                                                                              

G.    Commissioner Attendance Schedule for Council Meetings 2010                        

H.    Lease Expiration Schedule - UPDATED                                                                        

I.     Memorandum dated February 4, 2010 to Lease Committee Re: Selling City Owned Property

J. Memorandum dated February 4, 2010 to City Council and City Manager Re: 2010 Land Allocation Plan Recommendations.

K. Memorandum from Lease Committee to Homer City Council and City Manager Re: 2010 Land Allocation Recommendations

L. Letter dated February 5, 2010 from Harbormaster Hawkins to Kachemak Bay Wooden Boat Society

Harbormaster Hawkins commented regarding the scrap iron shipping, and said that when the second barge leaves they will have shipped 6500 cubed cars from the peninsula, as well as other scrap.

The Commission was provided a laydown item, a letter from the City Manager and Harbormaster to Governor Parnell regarding the support of House Bill #329. Harbormaster Hawkins explained that the bill proposes taking road tax money and directing it toward marine transportation needs. The funds would be used for the State’s Municipal Harbor Matching Grant Program which is a 50/50 matching grant program strictly for harbors to be able to fund some of their projects, for example float replacement. The Commission discussed harbor projects.

It was the unanimous consensus of the Commission to ask the City Council to express their support of House Bill #329.

The Commission discussed harbor projects and the process to get funding for them. Harbormaster Hawkins said he would push for funding for work on ramp 3, the ramp approach and floats A, J, R, and S. The Commission also discussed the need for a work float so boats have a place to come in and work.

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

There were no audience comments.

COMMENTS OF THE CITY STAFF

Staff had no comments.

COMMENTS OF THE CHAIR

Chair Ulmer said she will be absent at the March meeting but plans to attend the worksession with the Planning Commission.

COMMENTS OF THE COMMISSION

Commissioner Hottman said he will be absent from the March meeting.

Commissioner Hartley thanked Commissioner Zimmerman for volunteering for the parking committee.

ADJOURN

There being no more business to come before the Commission the meeting was adjourned at 6:56 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for March 24, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. in the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers.

MELISSA JACOBSEN, CMC, DEPUTY CITY CLERK

Approved: