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,
PRESENT: COMMISSIONERS VELSKO, HARTLEY, WEDIN, AND ULMER
ABSENT: COMMISSIONER CARROLL, ZIMMERMAN (EXCUSED)
STAFF: PORT & HARBOR
DIRECTOR HAWKINS
DEPUTY
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
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.
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,
Renee Krause, Deputy
City Clerk I
Approved: