REGULAR MEETING
JUNE
24, 2009
Session 09-05 A
Regular Meeting of the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission was called to order
at 6:00 pm on June 24, 2009 by Chair Cathy Ulmer at the City Hall Cowles
Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer,
PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS ULMER, VELSKO, WEDIN, AND HOGAN
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS HARTLEY, CARROLL (EXCUSED)
STAFF: PORT & HARBOR
DIRECTOR HAWKINS
DEPUTY
APPROVAL
OF THE AGENDA
Chair Ulmer
requested a motion to approve 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 comments.
RECONSIDERATION
None.
APPROVAL
OF MINUTES
A. Meeting
Minutes of May 27, 2009
Chair Ulmer requested a motion to approve the minutes.
WEDIN/VELSKO- MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF MAY 27, 2009 AS PRESENTED.
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 – June 2009
Port
& Harbor Director Hawkins gave a brief summary on the following:
1. Underway Policy was approved by City
Council.
2. The changes to the Commissions Bylaws
were approved.
3. The RFP was advertised for WiFi
services for the Harbor.
4. Short term lease and terminal use
permit with Peninsula Salvage for 4 months for half of the chip pad.
There
was a brief discussion regarding some of the details of this short-term lease
including if they left a pile of metal on the lot.
5. Meeting with Rescue 21 over MOU.
6. Port Security Plan ready for submittal
in June.
7. Dredge Spoils 20 year plan.
8. Water Waste Management.
9. Pioneer Dock Lights.
10.
Mooring Buoy has been reinstalled.
11. Repair water leak; credit will be
extended.
12.
Saved one boat, lost one skiff.
13. Installed (placed) portable sign posts
around the Spit to control parking.
There
was a brief discussion on the status of the Spit Comprehensive Plan and Parking
Study. The installed signage prohibiting vehicles over 20 feet and camping. It
was noted the decrease in traffic, foot and vehicle, on the spit this summer.
Commissioner
Hogan asked about additional Disabled Parking spaces near the ramps.
Harbormaster Hawkins responded regarding the rules and limitations on disabled
parking.
14. A woman tripped on the boardwalk at the
Salty Dog had to medi-vac to Anchorage due to a spiral fracture. No liability
on the City’s part as far as the Harbormaster was aware.
15. Response received from Seldovia Village
Tribe on the questions submitted by the Commission and Lease Committee was
received.
16. Working on leases with Snug Harbor,
Sport Shed, Kachemak Port Services.
17. Appraisals on nine properties are due.
Letter sent to Lessees regarding opportunity to get discount.
18. Repairs completed on ice plant delivery
system.
19. Summer hire parking enforcement officers
will be writing tickets this season.
Commissioner
Hogan informed the Commission what the Economic Development Advisory Commission
was working on within the Lease Policy document in relation to the property
appraisals for lease property. The EDC is looking to delete that requirement in
its entirety.
There
was no further discussion.
1.
Budget
Talk with Finance Director Regina Harville
Finance Director Regina Harville presented the 2008
Audited Financial Statements for the Port & Harbor. She stated that for the
July meeting she would present budgeting documentation for the last six months
of 2009 and 2008 for the Commissioners to review to assist the Harbormaster in
creating the 2010 budget.
Mrs. Harville noted pages 3-14 provide an overview on
how well the City did regarding the budget. She recommended paying strict
attention to the figures located in the line items Loss before Contributions,
Transfers, and Special Item, for 2008 were (1,083,986) and 2007 were
(1,509,626) on page 76 of the report. These are key figures.
Mrs. Harville explained that the Port has a depreciation
line item amount of $1,411,020. This non-cash expense puts the Harbor in the
negative.
She noted that the Port did very well this past year. They
did pay off the bond on the dock this year so that will help rebuild the cash.
Mrs. Harville noted that the line item, unrestricted, is
currently a negative number and should reflect a positive amount that could
cover approximately two to six months of expected expenses for the year.
There is no cash in the receivables line item because of
the negative cash balance. The Port has been running in the negative for some
time now.
Mrs. Harville explained the difference between
depreciation expense, which takes care of the infrastructure repairs for
example, and depreciation reserves where you physically take money and set it
aside. She offered to provide the information on those items later.
Mrs. Harville answered questions from the Commission
regarding the status of each department’s depreciation reserves.
Mrs. Harville is not aware of how the original figures
were created for the depreciation reserves. She additionally responded to
questions from the Commission regarding all interest is allocated to funds that
have a cash balance; Withdrawals from these accounts require authorization from
City Council; these funds are to be used strictly for capital
expenditures/purchases; the Harbor will be debt free after the final payment of
the bond. These payments amounted to approximately $211,000.00.
Mrs. Harville offered to meet with Commissioner Hogan
separately since some information he was requesting was reviewed during the May
meeting that he missed.
There was a brief general discussion regarding specific
lines items shown in the budget.
Mrs. Harville pointed out the Statistical Section in the
handout contained some informational data that represents a period of 10 years
collected from the following sources:
Alaska
Department of Community and Economic Development
Kenai
Peninsula Borough
State
of Alaska Assessor Office
State
of Alaska Department of Labor
Kenai
Peninsula Borough School District
Alaska
Department of Labor and Workforce Development
City
of Homer
She recommended reviewing each page and pointed out that
the population figures for 2008 were 5390, which reflects a decline of 112 residents.
She commented that it causes some concern.
There were no further discussions.
B. Lease Committee Report (if a meeting was held since the last Commission
meeting)
There was no discussion.
PUBLIC
HEARING (3 minute time
limit)
None.
PENDING
BUSINESS
A. Memo to Planning Commission from Port & Harbor Commission Re: Overslope Ordinance
HOGAN/VELSKO – MOVED TO DISCUSS.
Port & Harbor Director Hawkins responded
that he was unable to obtain information regarding sheet piling. There was a
brief discussion regarding restrictions, obtaining information or
recommendations without expending funds.
HOGAN/VELSKO – MOVED
TO DIRECT STAFF TO RESEARCH AND BRING INFORMATION BACK TO THE NEXT MEETING,
EXPENDING LITTLE OR NO FUNDS, ON THE FEASIBILITY OF USING SHEET PILE CASINGS.
There was no
discussion.
VOTE. YES.
NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
B. Rescue 21 – Future Plans Q & A
There was no discussion.
C. Letter to Seldovia Village Tribe (SVT) Re: Requesting More Information on Lease Proposal
Chair Ulmer requested a motion to discuss.
VELSKO/WEDIN – MOVED
TO DISCUSS.
Commissioner Velsko
commented on the response submitted by Seldovia Village tribe that it appears
acceptable.
Port & Harbor
Director Hawkins stated that there were a couple of items to review. He noted
that the area of the approach ramp that is proposed actually comes in closer
access to the float. It does provide adequate foot traffic but not vehicle
traffic. He was seeking the Commission’s recommendations on the proposed ramp
approach to JJ float considering that this will be owned by the City. The new
diagram shows the ramp at 110 feet. The shelter that is proposed for the
passengers is comparable to a bus shelter. The option for future motorized
access would have hurdles to accommodate. There will be pedestrian access from
Lot 21 and in the future lot 22. They will be building two separate ramps, one that
is strictly acting in the capacity of a pier for a crane for the lifting and
placement of totes on the foredeck. Neither of the proposed piers would allow
vehicle traffic of any size due to width.
He confirmed that
SVT would construct the ramps and give to the City in return for unrestricted
use. The City had no plans or money to build ramps in this location in the near
or foreseeable future.
There was still a
concern regarding boat access under the pier at high tide. It would be limited
to smaller boats and no sailboats. SVT proposes to improve the float by
widening it to accommodate passenger approach. He will be meeting with SVT on
June 25, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. The Commissioners are welcome to attend this
meeting.
There was some
concern expressed regarding access into the Harbor with the proposed new pier
but there has never been an accident yet. SVT’s funding has not been reviewed
at this time.
Commissioner Hogan
expressed the concern that if the City will be the owner of this then they
should have more involvement in the design and there should be a higher concern
over the funding for the project.
VELSKO/HOGAN - MOVED
THAT STAFF BE DIRECTED TO CONVEY CONCERNS EXPRESSED BY THE PORT AND HARBOR
ADVISORY COMMISSION ON THE PROPOSED PUBLIC ACCESS BY SELDOVIA VILLAGE TRIBE
(SVT) AND FORWARD THESE CONCERNS TO THE LEASE COMMITTEE.
There was no
discussion.
VOTE. YES.
NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
A. Discussion Item:
2009 Capital Improvement Plan 2010
Recommendations
1. Staff Recommendations: Be Prepared to Have Ideas Ready by July Meeting
Port and Harbor Director Hawkins stated this
was informational in nature. He wanted the Commissioners to get their thinking
caps on and have suggestions ready the next meeting. There will be documents in
the July packet for review.
Chair Ulmer called a five-minute recess at
7:10 p.m. The meeting reconvened at 7:16 p.m.
B. Discussion Item: Maintenance of Fish Dock
1. Fish Dock/Ice Plant Maintenance Power Point Presentation
Port and Harbor Director Hawkins explained
that over the past winter a PowerPoint Presentation was created by Dan
Cornelius, George Tyrer and Matt Clarke, to show the ice plant on Fishdock. Information
included the maintenance, replacement cost, and life expectancy of the
equipment.
A brief presentation followed with
discussion and explanation of the various machines, when and if replaced, and the
expected cost to replace. It was noted that the life expectancy of most of the
equipment was 20 to 30 years old and the Ice Plant was 26 years old now. Much
of the equipment and machinery involved in the production of ice was quite
costly. Port and Harbor Director Hawkins wanted to bring awareness to the
Commissioners on the status of the ice plant. It was going to cost a large some
to bring back online if there was a serious failure.
He wanted to know what the long-term goals
would be for the ice plant. After the recent break down it brought it home.
There were a few more comments and
suggestions from the Commissioners on funding sources, the cost of new
technology and if it can be integrated into the current facility.
There was no further discussion.
C. House Bill No. 84 – Sharing Fisheries Business Tax with Municipalities
1. House Bill No. 84
2. Rep. Paul Seaton Sponsor Statement
3. 2008 Port of Homer Fish Data Report from Fish & Game
Discussion ensued regarding HB84 regarding
sharing fisheries business tax revenue with municipalities. It was explained
that if the fish brought into Homer were processed then Homer would benefit
from 25% of the taxes collected. It was agreed that what was required was
changing the meaning of what “processed,” meant. Since the fish is brought into
Homer but not “processed” Homer does not receive any portion of the tax levied
by the State. Need to change the word “process” to include “landing.” Any
mention to the State they immediately respond by saying Homer needs to
institute a landing tax. Points highlighted by the Commission were as follows:
1. Fish
landed in Homer and sent to Anchorage for processing, Anchorage would receive
50% of the raw fish tax. If the fish is taken to Kenai for processing the City
of Kenai gets 25% and the Kenai Peninsula Borough receives 25%. Homer receives
nothing.
2. If
not processed locally there is a formula used to distribute the amount based on
volume. Dutch Harbor and Dillingham have large volumes. This is shared with
Homer and the villages. Homer’s share is approximately $90,000.00
3. HB
84 failed.
4. Representative
Seaton stated he would attend the July meeting to answer questions.
5. The
fish tax law requires a total re-write due to changes over time to the
industry.
6. Homer’s
facilities get the wear and tear but have no benefits. The approximate amount
generated is $3.2 million dollars.
7. This
revenue is the second largest source of revenue for the state.
8. The
coastal cities provide the infrastructure for the industry and endure the most
of the costs to maintain that infrastructure.
9. Homer
has the highest value.
The Commissioners tossed around various
suggestions on what could be done to make the issue fair to the City.
The Commission then discussed the safety
issues presented on the Fishdock and possible remedies to correct these issues.
It was determined that it would be a good sized project, requiring the docks to
be closed. This was not budgeted this year so would have to be included in the
budget for next year.
There was a brief discussion on prior
repairs made to the dock area and if having an engineer reviewing the situation
would be beneficial.
There was no further discussion.
D. Discussion
Item: Video Surveillance
HOGAN/VELSKO – MOVED TO DISCUSS.
There was no discussion.
VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
Commissioner Hogan explained depending on
future developments on this topic he might have a conflict.
He is building a fish plant, want to bring
fish inside to weigh them, and a chain of custody is required on all fish, the
fish must be visible to authorities from the boat until landed. He would like
to install a video monitoring system with substantial Digital Video Recording (DVR)
capabilities so that they can view the boat and fish at all times. He has thoroughly
researched these systems. The issue is installing the system on a City dock.
This system will enhance cleanliness and improve quality and the overall process.
He does not see where this would intrude on Civil rights.
Commissioners discussed the liabilities to
the City and recommended strongly to get the City Attorney and City Managers position
on installation of these cameras.
VELSKO/HOGAN - MOVED TO HAVE STAFF CONFER WITH
CITY MANAGER ON ISSUES REGARDING PRIVACY AND LIABILITIES CONCERNING
INSTALLATION OF A VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM.
There was a brief discussion.
VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
INFORMATIONAL
MATERIALS
A. Harbormaster’s Monthly Statistical Report for May 2009
B. Weekly Crane & Ice Report
C. Deep Water Dock
D. Pioneer Dock Ferry Landings
E. Pioneer Dock
F. Water Usage
G. Commissioner Attendance Schedule for Council Meetings 2009
H. Lease Expiration Schedule
I. Port & Harbor 2009 Strategic Plan
J. Resolution 09-53 – Amending the Port & Harbor Advisory Commission Bylaws
K. Memo to Lease Committee from Port & Harbor Advisory Commission Re: Snug Harbor Lease
L. Letter to Petro Marine Services from City Manager Dated June 9, 2009 Re: Fuel Prices
There was no discussion.
COMMENTS
OF THE AUDIENCE
There were no comments.
COMMENTS
OF THE
Port and Harbor Director Hawkins thanked the Commissioners for their
service.
Deputy City Clerk Krause had no comments.
COMMENTS
OF THE COUNCILMEMBER (If one is appointed)
None.
COMMENTS
OF THE CHAIR
Chair Ulmer commented that she is proud of
the Harbor. She will trade attendance at City Council meeting with Commissioner
Hogan for September. She will attend the July meeting. She will not be
attending the September Commission meeting.
COMMENTS
OF THE COMMISSION
Commissioner Wedin thanked Bryan Hawkins.
Commissioner Velsko had no comments.
Commissioner Hogan stated that the Ferry has no
plaque on the boat. He also stated that if Homer is the homeport then it should
also sell them fuel, etc. There should be some return.
There being no
further business before the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission Chair Ulmer
adjourned the meeting at 8:09 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for
6:00 p.m. on July 22, 2009 at City Hall, Cowles Council Chambers, 491 E.
Pioneer Avenue, Homer,
Renee Krause, Deputy
City Clerk I
Approved: