PORT & HARBOR ADVISORY COMMISSION                                                              UNAPPROVED

REGULAR MEETING                                          

NOVEMBER 18, 2009

                                   

Session 09-09 A Regular Meeting of the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission was called to order at 6:05 pm on November 18, 2009 by Chair Cathy Ulmer at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

PRESENT:                    COMMISSIONERS VELSKO, HARTLEY, WEDIN, AND ULMER

 

ABSENT:                      COMMISSIONER CARROLL, ZIMMERMAN (EXCUSED)

 

STAFF:                         PORT & HARBOR DIRECTOR HAWKINS

                                    DEPUTY CITY CLERK KRAUSE

 

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

 

Chair Ulmer requested a motion to approve the agenda.

 

VELSKO/HARTLEY – 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

 

HARTLEY/WEDIN - Moved to suspend the rules to address Item A under Reconsideration after New Business, Item A.

 

There was no discussion.

 

The motion was approved by consensus of the Commission.

 

A.   2010 Meeting Schedule

 

The Commission had a brief discussion and review on the 2010 meeting schedule approved at the October meeting.

 

The Commission agreed by consensus to approve the 2010 Meeting schedule with the meeting time changed to 5:00 p.m.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES       

           

A.         Meeting Minutes of October 28, 2009      

 

Chair Ulmer requested a motion to approve the minutes.

 

HARTLEY/VELSKO - MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES 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 – November 2009

           

Port & Harbor Director Hawkins summarized his report for the Commissioners. He commented that he attended the Trade in Transportation seminar held by the World Trade Center Alaska on November 12, 2009 in Anchorage. He reported that the cost was $125.00 and consisted of 20 speakers with 20 minutes each. He was able to speak with a few people he recognized. He additionally reported a few interesting items were:

-       Cargo shipments have increased in the last month.

-       There were record sales in jet fuel. There were 3.2 million gallons sold three days in a row.

-       The Port of Anchorage has $7 million dollars in ongoing projects.

-       Building a sheet pile retaining wall.

-       Port Mackenzie is progressing. There is a Deep Water Dock, Barge Dock, and Prison complex in progress.

-       A $75 Million Ferry is nearing completion. This is a joint venture between the US Navy and Port. A test project/proto-type of a catamaran vessel that the Navy is testing and then will gift to the City when they are done.

 

B.         Lease Committee Report (if a meeting was held since the last Commission meeting)                                   a.            Special Meeting November 16, 2009

           

Commissioner Velsko reviewed the highlights of the Special Lease Committee meeting. The Committee reviewed the draft letter that was to be sent to the El Pescador Restaurant. It was agreed that the sub-lease could not be approved with the current zoning and the committee established a deadline for removal of the building. They recommended April 30, 2010.

The Committee did not approve use of Lot 13B due to its proximity to the Deep Water Dock and the potential for future need.  The recommendation was that Home Run Oil base their proposal on Lot 8D1.

A recommendation was to be sent to City Council to let the lot out for proposal. There was a brief discussion on one lot over the other by the Commission.

 

PUBLIC HEARING (3 minute time limit)

 

None.

 

PENDING BUSINESS

 

A.         Teleconferencing

 

Chair Ulmer commented that she felt it would be a good idea and this may elicit more response and willingness to serve on a city commission from residents. There was a brief discussion on the process and expense of teleconferencing. It was noted that a quorum must be present without the telephonically participating member. Commission Velsko commented that it’s not the best system at this time but it works. The clerk gave an example of what is currently being done.

 

The Commission was in agreement to add teleconferencing to the by-laws. This will be on the January agenda again for formal review and approval.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

A.         Meeting Time Change

 

HARTLEY/WEDIN - MOVED TO CHANGE THE MEETING TIME TO 5:00 P.M.

 

There was a brief discussion on changing the time the Commission meets each month to 5:00 p.m.

 

VOTE. YES. ULMER, WEDIN, VELSKO, HARTLEY.

 

Motion carried.

 

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

A.                  Harbormaster’s Monthly Statistical Report for October 2009                                             

B.                  Weekly Crane & Ice Report                                                                      

C.                  Deep Water Dock                                                                                                     

D.                  Pioneer Dock Ferry Landings                                                                                                            

E.         Pioneer Dock                                                                                                    

F.                   Water Usage                                                                                              

G.         Memorandum to Lease Committee dated November 10, 2009                   

H.                  Lease Expiration Schedule - UPDATED                                                                    

I.                    Port & Harbor 2009 Strategic Plan                                                                       

J.          2009/2010 Commissioner Council Meeting Attendance Schedule                

 

A brief discussion was held on water consumption, the Port budget assuming some or all of the two positions to be cut from the summer help for Public Works. Commissioner Velsko commented that he would approve taking the two positions which can stay under Parks and Rec but just pick up the expense.

Commissioner Hartley suggested the consideration of Harbor Police Force.

Port & Harbor Director Hawkins stated that the budget has assumed the summer parking enforcement officers since they have assisted tremendously with parking issues.

They reviewed the strategic plan and requested it to be on the January agenda. It was noted what items have been completed. Commissioner Wedin asked if anything has been addressed regarding the recycling efforts on the spit. He recalled being told that the city vendor, Moore & Moore would provide a dumpster for recycling. Port & Harbor Director Hawkins will check on the possibility and status of the dumpster.

It was agreed that each Commissioner will review and hammer away at the Strategic Plan and come to the January meeting to make revisions. There were some items that have been completed and can be removed from the list.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

 

Mr. Carl Nostrand, former high school soccer coach gave a brief personal history. He spoke on a couple of different projects concerning interest in establishing a boat building enterprise, and multi-use sports complex with year round fields that kids can use to play soccer and other sports. He elaborated on his interest and love of boat building. He related, very emotionally, to the Commissioners his family’s involvement in the boating industry. He came to the meeting tonight to gain support from the  Commission for installation/creation of a maritime ship building/training facility.

 

Commissioner Velsko stated that this idea should be on a later agenda where it can get the proper notification and possible public support. They thanked Mr. Nostrand for coming tonight.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY STAFF

 

Port & Harbor Director Hawkins thanked everyone for coming out tonight and to keep warm.

 

Deputy City Clerk Krause commented that December 14th was the final council meeting for discussing the budget.

 

COMMENTS OF THE COUNCILMEMBER (If one is appointed)

 

None.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CHAIR

 

Chair Ulmer appreciated the Commissioners and their input and apologized for the long meeting.

 

COMMENTS OF THE COMMISSION

 

Commissioner Wedin thanked staff and having a great place to park his boat.

 

Commissioner Hartley had no comments.

 

Commissioner Velsko commented that he did not want to go further into discussion with Mr. Nostrand because the general public was not aware of his coming to the meeting and may want to have some input. He felt it would be best if have it on another agenda to discuss.

 

ADJOURN

 

There being no further business before the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission Chair Ulmer adjourned the meeting at 7:23 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on December 16, 2009 at City Hall, Cowles Council Chambers, 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

 

                                                           

Renee Krause, Deputy City Clerk I

 

 

Approved: