REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY
27, 2010
Session 10-01 A
Regular Meeting of the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission was called to order at
5:08 pm on January 27, 2010 by Chair Cathy Ulmer at the City Hall Cowles
Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer,
PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS CARROLL, VELSKO, WEDIN, ZIMMERMAN,
HOTTMANN AND
ULMER
ABSENT: COMMISSIONER HARTLEY (EXCUSED)
STAFF: PORT & HARBOR
DIRECTOR HAWKINS
PLANNING
TECHNICIAN ENGEBRETSEN
DEPUTY
APPROVAL
OF THE AGENDA
Chair Ulmer
requested a motion to approve the agenda.
VELSKO/ZIMMERMAN –
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 December 16, 2009
Chair Ulmer requested a motion to approve the minutes.
ZIMMERMAN/HOTTMAN - MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.
There was no discussion.
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 – January 2010
Port
& Harbor Director Hawkins summarized his report for the Commissioners. He
commented on the following:
1. The scrap metal on the Chip Pad will load out next
week.
2. There was a fire in harbor on the deck of the Arctic
Bear on January 20, 2010. No injuries. No cause known at this time.
Island Tug & Barge will be hauling out the scrap
metal there will probably be two shipments.
There was a 911 call a dock worker had a heart condition
EMS responded. The dock worker is in good condition.
There was no further discussion.
B. Lease Committee Report (if a meeting was held since the last Commission
meeting)
The
next meeting is January 28, 2010 in the Mayor’s Conference Room at 3:00 p.m.
Those
present were invited to attend that meeting.
There
was no further discussion.
PUBLIC
HEARING (3 minute time
limit)
None.
PENDING
BUSINESS
A. 2010 Strategic Plan
1. Add Maritime Park Facility
VELSKO/CARROLL –
MOVED TO ADD MARITIME PARK TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN UNDER THE SECTION OF LONG
TERM.
There was discussion
on the aspects of a maritime park on the spit and the benefits it might provide.
The question was noted whether it would fall under Marine Industrial for zoning
purposes and whether that had to be discussed before adding it to the strategic
plan. Due to the economic picture it was agreed that this should be placed
under the long term goals. The Commission discussed the presentation given to
them at the November meeting and that it was a very broad concept containing
many ideas.
Planning Technician
Engebretsen and the Clerk explained that a Strategic Plan can be updated
throughout the year and it is very fluid, not hard and fast document. Ms.
Engebretsen continued by suggesting the wording can be changed to investigate
and further research on a location preference to be done on a Maritime
facility.
VOTE. YES.
NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
ZIMMERMAN/VELSKO –
MOVED TO ADD RESTROOM FACILITIES AT RAMP 7 TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN UNDER SHORT
TERM GOALS ONE TO THREE YEARS.
Lively discussion
was held regarding the possibility of funding and building a restroom facility
near this ramp. It was suggested that there may be grant monies available for
the construction and that the costs would not be as high since they did not
need a large restroom even two stalls would be beneficial to the users in that
area of the Spit. Port and Harbor Director Hawkins commented that more research
could be done.
VOTE. YES.
NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Kachemak Bay Wooden Boat Society
(Society) Proposal
The following members of the Society gave verbal
testimony regarding the direction and intent of the group regarding a spot on
the Spit.
Clint and Patricia Lillibridge
Dave Seaman
Mike Kennedy
Brenda Hayes
The Society would like to submit a proposal for Lots
9 & 10 at the corner of Fishdock Road and the Spit Road. The Society is a
non-profit organization dedicated to the history and culture if wooden boats.
It is firmly rooted in the history of local fishing and marine transportation.
They bring awareness to the public in the form of the annual Kachemak Bay
Wooden Boat Festival. The Society needs an appropriate space to hold the
Festival.
The space requirements are as follows:
1. Close
proximity to the harbor to facilitate launching and retrieval of crafts.
2. Storage
for equipment and small boats, tents, flags.
3. Display
area for videos, books and maritime items
4. Meeting
space for seminars, and special presentation or meetings
5. Building
to house projects (a restorable Bristol Bay double-ended sailing hull recently
acquired)
The intent of the Society is to construct a
permanent building within five years and they are asking the city to provide a
long term lease rate for $1.00 per year. The group validated the request by
adding the benefits to the social and economic well being of the City and area
residents.
Discussion and points made by the Commissioners were
the unlikelihood of the Lease Committee supporting that request for those high
value lots. The time period until a permanent facility was constructed. The
Commission recommended the east side of the spit. The Society felt that area
was too distant from the Harbor and having to deal with traffic. They also
pointed out the need for visibility and foot traffic.
Further discussion regarding other possible
locations that would serve well centered on the Pier One Theater lot.
VELSKO/ULMER – MOVED TO RECOMMEND THE KACHEMAK BAY
WOODEN BOAT SOCIETY ENTER INTO NEGOTIATIONS ON A SUBLEASE FOR TRACT 1-A THE
FISHING HOLE SUB NO. 2, Parcel #18103117 WITH THE CITY OF HOMER.
Discussion followed regarding the Society performing
a visual inspection of the location of the lot and access to and from the
Harbor. It was noted that there was plenty of room for expansion on this lot
and the City already accepts a lease rate of $1.00 from Pier One Theater group.
It was noted that the Society is looking for a permanent home that is geared
for local residents.
VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
There was no further discussion.
Commissioner Wedin arrived at 6:00 p.m. He
apologized and totally “spaced” the time change for the meeting.
B. 2010
Land Allocation Plan
Planning Technician Engebretsen summarized the
format of the Draft 2010 Land Allocation Plan. She explained that it has been
broken down into sections. The Commission may want to review each section and
make recommendations to Council or focus their time to the section and lots
that pertain strictly to the Spit. The Commissioners agreed that it made sense
to make recommendations on the uses of property that affected the Harbor and
Spit in general.
Port & Harbor Director Hawkins updated the
Commission on the status for Lots 19-21. He further noted the recent Request
for Proposal on Lot 8-D-1 as requested by Home run Oil. He further noted that
Home Run Oil had some interest in Lots 19 and 20.
Commissioner Zimmerman was concerned that there was
no accommodation for small businesses. He used the recent problems with Smoke
Wagon Water Taxi. His intent was to establish an area where businesses like
this one; less than 500 square feet with minimal service requirements could be
placed. He realizes that the City is trying to stay away from short term leases
but businesses such as this provide valuable services to the Spit.
The Commissioners tossed ideas on the best location
to accommodate small seasonal businesses. It was noted that some revenue earned
via a short term lease was better than an empty lot where people just parked.
ZIMMERMAN/CARROLL – MOVED TO DESIGNATE THE NORTHWEST
CORNER OF THE HARBOR FROM FREIGHTDOCK ROAD TO WITHIN 150 FEET OF RAMP FIVE FOR
SHORT TERM LEASES, ONE TO TWO YEARS, FOR SMALL KIOSK BUSINESSES UNDER 500
SQUARE FEET.
There was brief discussion on the exact details
needed to include this in the Land Allocation Plan or if the recommendation was
enough.
VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
C. Selling City Owned Property on the Spit
Commissioner Velsko gave a brief summary on the
request from the Lease Committee and stating a recommendation from a previous
Commissioner. However, after care considerations and conversations with Port
& Harbor Director Hawkins he has changed his opinion regarding the City
selling any property on the Spit or elsewhere. He did not believe there was any
additional benefit to selling property to add the revenue earning from the tax
rolls. The City can earn revenue from leasing the property too.
VELSKO/HOTTMANN – MOVED TO FORWARD A RECOMMENDATION
FROM THE PORT AND HARBOR ADVISORY COMMISSION THAT CITY COUNCIL DOES NOT SELL
ANY CITY OWNED PROPERTY.
There was no further discussion.
VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
INFORMATIONAL
MATERIALS
A. Harbormaster’s Monthly Statistical Report for December
2009
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 to Pat Coleman at USKH, Inc. Re: Spit Comprehensive
Plan Draft
J. Resolution 09-126(A) Establishing the
Meeting Dates for 2010
K. Resolution
10-07 Request for Proposals for Lot 8D1 on the Homer Spit
L. Resolution
10-08 Change the Meeting Time from 6:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
M. Resolution
10-09(A) Change Bylaws to add Teleconferencing
N. Commission
Bylaws Revised 01-2010
O. Letter
to Smoke Wagon Water Taxi
Commissioner Velsko stated he did not attend the last City Council
meeting. Chair Ulmer advised him that a Commissioner could attend either
meeting schedule during the month. It was not a requirement to attend both
meetings.
Port and Harbor Director Hawkins commented that his office was currently
working with the Smoke Wagon Water Taxi and trying to locate alternate
location.
There was no further discussion.
COMMENTS
OF THE AUDIENCE
Mike Kennedy, City Resident commended the Commissioners on the decisions
made for the Kachemak Bay Wooden Boat Society. He commented that if the City
ever sells the land on the spit he is interested in the Chip Pad for the value
it was assessed for, about $600,000.00
COMMENTS
OF THE
Port & Harbor Director Hawkins had no comments.
Deputy City Clerk Krause clarified the removal from the strategic plan of
selling city owned property.
COMMENTS
OF THE COUNCILMEMBER (If one is appointed)
None.
COMMENTS
OF THE CHAIR
Chair Ulmer thanked
staff for their input and direction.
COMMENTS
OF THE COMMISSION
Commissioner Wedin commented he likes starting at
5:00 p.m. and promises to arrive on time next month.
Commissioner Zimmerman comments were not in the
Clerk notes.
Commissioner Carroll requested the strategic plan be
on the agenda for February. He felt the Commission has done some really
important work and made great progress. He really thinks it’s a great idea
helping out the Wooden Boat People.
Commissioner Hottmann and Velsko had no comments.
There being no
further business before the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission Chair Ulmer
adjourned the meeting at 6:50 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for
5:00 p.m. on February 24, 2010 at City Hall, Cowles Council Chambers, 491 E.
Pioneer Avenue, Homer,
Renee Krause, Deputy
City Clerk I
Approved: