REGULAR MEETING
MAY 27, 2009
Session 09-04 A
Regular Meeting of the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission was called to order
at 6:00 pm on May 27, 2009 by Chair Cathy Ulmer at the City Hall Cowles Council
Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer,
PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS ULMER, HARTLEY, WEDIN, AND CARROLL
ABSENT: COMMISSIONERS HOGAN, VELSKO (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 April 22, 2009
Chair Ulmer requested a motion to approve the minutes.
Commissioner Hartley noted on page 10 in the packet, line 10, that the
motion made by Ulmer/Wrede should read Ulmer/Velsko.
There were no further amendments.
The amended minutes were approved by consensus of the Commission.
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 – May 2009
Port
& Harbor Director Hawkins gave a brief summary on his monthly report. He
reported that the City Council approved the Underway Policy with a few changes.
The request for proposal on the Harbor Wi-Fi is still in the works. He attended
the Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon. Sean Martin attended representing the
Charter Boat, Captain of the Hickory, and Don Lane. The topic was What Would
Homer Be without a Harbor. The second cruise ship of the season in dock was the
Silver Shadow. No additional ships are expected the rest of the season. The 2010
season Homer will have nine landings.
There
was one response to the Spit Lease Request for Proposal, which will be later in
the agenda for discussion. The repairs to the Deep Water Dock are in the
process.
He
responded to questions regarding the permitting for Home Run Oil and spillage
contingency and ownership of the dock outside the harbor. He confirmed that the
City owns the land and Petro Marine owns the rest, docks, tanks, etc. He
explained the revenue amounts the City receives from a cruise ship docking is $450.00
landing fee and $2.20 per foot and a percentage of the head tax from the State
of Alaska. On a foreign flag vessel, the crew cannot do the required security.
A TWIC card is required to perform security checks. The harbor is ill prepared
to accommodate this since there is no provision for people to stand around in
the weather waiting to have their identification verified in response to a
question from Commissioner Ulmer.
Commissioner
Ulmer commented that the local businesses complain about making money and she
saw a perfect opportunity to make money. She has not taken a cruise where at a
landing they were not greeted by a “reception” committee for the passengers.
Commissioner
Carroll related experience in southeast Alaska with respect to the cruise ships
bringing their own souvenir shops, buses, etc. He also noted that one time
following a ship there was a most awful stink and the ship had pumped its
sewage since there was no one around at 4:00 a.m. He is not fond of having
cruise ships in the harbor.
Dock
arrivals for the cruise ships are scheduled through the Harbor office. It was
noted that a business opportunity was available for someone interested in
providing a security check service.
There
was no further discussion.
1. Budget Talk with Finance Director Regina
Harville
Regina Harville stated she was going to be attending the
next several meetings to get the commissioners familiar with the budget
process. She will try to answer any questions they may have during her presentation.
It was recommended for the commissioners to bring their copies of the budget to
the next meeting.
Mrs. Harville first explained what some of the common
terms were and how they affected the budget. She addressed depreciation line
item on page C-27 of the budget. This is not a true cash amount; capital
contributions are items purchased from state and federal grants, it is not
actual money spent from the funds and it is recognized as a revenue item;
change in net assets - if you pull out depreciations and capital contributions,
which wash themselves out there is still a half a million dollar loss.
Page C-27 is one of the most important in the budget
process.
Mrs. Harville explained transfers to reserves, fleet reserves,
leave cash out bank line items on page C-33 in the budget, and noted the line
item for administrative costs. She briefly explained the debt payment line item.
On page D-19, she explained the budgeted amount in
comparison to the actual amount and what encumbered meant. These amounts are
carried over for three-year period then have to be applied for again.
Port & Harbor Director Hawkins explained it as
having a lump sum of money and then deduct projects from that amount. He used
dredge spoils as an example.
These amounts are split between different funds and earning
interest, which is considered income.
Page D-20 in the budget shows a detail of the
expenditures for equipment.
On page A-16 in the budget it shows the percentages and
amounts that are charged to the different funds. The amounts were determined
using a study that was conducted a few years ago and it may be necessary to
complete another study in the near future.
The total amount of overhead expenses allocated to Port
& Harbor is $433, 236.00 out of a $3,319.223.00. These amounts are broken
down based on work effort by each department.
She further explained where the numbers on the monthly
reports are generated from the data entered into the accounting software sued
by the finance department. These are not always accurate because at month’s end
they may not have received all bills in a timely manner. All receipts and
purchase orders are entered in to system. The process for approval and payment
may seem like a lot of back and forth but they create great checks and
balances.
She requested the commissioners to review their budgets
and to write down questions and give them to Bryan or her, and she will have
answers prepared for the next meeting. Her door is always open and will gladly
meet one on one with the commissioners to discuss concerns and or answers their
questions. The Port and Harbor is an Enterprise Fund and the commission should
be more involved in the budget process.
She explained that it was not possible to get individual
reports for sales taxes from the Borough. She will contact them to see what
information she can obtained in response to questions by Commissioner Wedin.
There was a brief discussion on the general
misconception that the Harbor is costing the City money, and the harbor taking
over duties related to leases.
Chair Ulmer thanked Mrs. Harville and looked forward to
the next meeting.
B. Lease Committee Report (if a meeting was held since the last Commission
meeting)
a. Meeting Minutes for April 9, 2009
Regular Meeting and May 18, 2009 Special Meeting
Port and Harbor Director Hawkins informed the commissioners
that there would be a joint worksession with the Economic Development Advisory
Commission on the Lease Policy. This meeting is scheduled for June 1, 2009 at
6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers.
He reported the status of Ocean Beauty and Snug Harbor.
Ocean Beauty has packed up and left the Spit. They provide a valuable service,
planning has voiced concerns regarding the buildings. A long-term lease would
probably force them out. He feels strongly that they would be agreeable to a three
or 5-year lease.
Commissioner Carroll recommended asking them what the
City could do for them to encourage them to sign a lease.
Commissioner Ulmer felt they would be glad to entertain
that conversation.
Commissioner Wedin suggested if the City was
entertaining cruise ships then something could be done for these businesses.
Port and Harbor Director Hawkins reported that the fuel
dock leases are still under review by the City Staff and Attorney.
There was no further discussion.
PUBLIC
HEARING (3 minute time
limit)
None.
PENDING
BUSINESS
A.
Strategic
Plan
Chair Ulmer requested
comments on the strategic plan as presented.
The commission
approved of the strategic plan by consensus.
B.
Draft
Overslope Ordinance and Homer City Code
The Commission
reviewed the draft overslope ordinance and did not find any concerns as
written. There was a brief discussion regarding parking in conjunction with
overslope development.
HARTLEY/WEDIN - MOVED
TO RECOMMEND THE DRAFT OVERSLOPE DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE BE FORWARDED TO CITY
COUNCIL FOR FINAL APPROVAL AS WRITTEN.
There was no
discussion.
VOTE. YES. WEDIN,
HARTLEY, ULMER, CARROLL.
Motion carried.
C.
Rescue
21 – Future plans Q & A
They
were a no show.
There
is no agreement in writing between Rescue 21 and the City. They are not paying
moorage but they are paying for the shore power. It was agreed that if they
performed 1-2 rescues a month it would be well worth the moorage. If the Quanah
P is becoming derelict then not worth the free moorage.
The
Commissioners recommended Port and Harbor Director Hawkins pursue a written
agreement with Rescue 21, the Quanah P vessel and have an executed agreement by
June 24, 2009.
There
was no further discussion.
D.
Tariff
Increases – Memo from City Manager Wrede dated May 21, 2009
Chair Ulmer requested a motion to discuss.
Discussion ensued regarding the necessity to
address this issue any further by the Commission. Comments were made by the
commission regarding the rates in comparison to other harbors as being very
reasonable; the appearance of the commission being a bunch of grousers; making
sure from this point forward the policies are adhered to by council; and offer
more opportunity for public input.
There was no further discussion.
NEW BUSINESS
A.
Review
of Seldovia Village Tribe (SVT) Proposal for Lot 21 –
Review and submit recommendations to
Lease Committee.
Port and Harbor
Director Hawkins reported that the Lease Committee had a few concerns with the
proposal submitted by the Seldovia Village Tribe (SVT) for Lot 21.
The Lease
Committee has requested Port & Harbor Commission recommendations.
The Commissioners
reviewed the proposal drawings.
Port & Harbor
Director Hawkins explained that the ramp will eventually be under direct
ownership of the City and it should be built as the City would build it. He
explained that although this would be an easier ascent for wheelchairs it presents
a cut off to boat traffic. The second ramp is due to the uncertainty of the
existing ramp handling the weight. He has not spoken to anyone since receiving
the proposal. A brief discussion on having a wheelchair lift/ elevator would be
a great asset but further liability. Further discussion regarding the proposed
ramps ensued.
Discussion did
include the plans by SVT for a visitor center on another location on the Spit
and running a shuttle bus to the ferry location.
The commissioners
did address the issue of overslope development for this project should be
strongly encouraged. It would open up so many opportunities. It was agreed that
this proposal was workable, and to ask what the City could do for Seldovia to
assist them too. The commission did discuss some possible impact to smaller
entities for transportation across the bay.
CARROLL/HARTLEY -
MOVED TO RECOMMEND STAFF CONTINUE DISCUSSION REGARDING THE CONCERN PREVIOUSLY
EXPRESSED DURING REVIEW BY THE LEASE COMMITTEE.
There was no
further discussion.
VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
Motion carried.
B.
Election
of Vice Chair
Chair Ulmer opened
the floor for nominations.
Commissioner Wedin
nominated John Velsko. Commissioner Carroll seconded the motion.
VOTE. YES.
HARTLEY, ULMER, WEDIN, CARROLL
Motion carried.
C.
Discussion
Item: Maintenance of Fish Dock
There was no discussion.
INFORMATIONAL
MATERIALS
A.
Harbormaster’s
Monthly Statistical Report for April 2009
B.
Weekly
Crane and 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.
Memorandum
09-XX to Planning Commission Re: Caretaker’s Residence
dated
May 1, 2009
I.
Memorandum
09-75 to City Council and City Manager Re:
Deep
Water Dock Buoy Repair
J.
Letter
to Petro Marine Services dated May 13, 2009 Re:
Fuel
Prices at the Port & Harbor
K.
Letter
from Petro Marine Services dated May 14, 2009 Re:
Response
to Letter from City Manager
There was no further
discussion.
COMMENTS
OF THE AUDIENCE
There were no comments.
COMMENTS
OF THE
Port and Harbor Director Hawkins stated that Lloyd Moore was retrofitting
a dumpster to accommodate recycling materials. He then shared the results from
the Feasibility Study for the current harbor. It is annually predicted to
generate $75 million locally and $95 million peninsula wide. This is on a $3
million dollar budget. He told the Commissioners to keep tabs on the reserves
when it is down to $1 million that is very slim. He stated that money was
approved to perform the dock inspections.
Deputy City Clerk Krause commented it was a good meeting. She requested
clarification on what zincs were.
COMMENTS
OF THE COUNCILMEMBER (If one is appointed)
None.
COMMENTS
OF THE CHAIR
Chair Ulmer was glad
to have the budget training and appreciated the openness and availability of
information. She was so happy to see the overslope ordinance that has been 10
years in the making. She was proud of the staff and the commission.
COMMENTS
OF THE COMMISSION
Commissioner Wedin wanted to thank who ever got the
additional dumpster. He was wondering when the recycling dumpster would be
available. He noted that there was talk at the borough regarding recycling
efforts. He requested clarification on hardship with regards to derelict
vessels. He is happy to be here.
Commissioner Carroll commented on an alternate ramp
design for the ferry.
Commissioner Hartley thanked the Chair for affecting
a good meeting and wanted to thank Commissioner Velsko for serving as Vice
Chair. The ferry will generate business for Seldovia and offer alternative for
shipping purchases.
There being no
further business before the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission Chair Kilcher
adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for
6:00 p.m. on June 24, 2009 at City Hall, Cowles Council Chambers, 491 E.
Pioneer Avenue, Homer,
Renee Krause, Deputy
City Clerk I
Approved: