PORT & HARBOR ADVISORY COMMISSION                                                              UNAPPROVED

REGULAR MEETING                                          

SEPTEMBER 23, 2009

 

Session 09-07 A Regular Meeting of the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission was called to order at 6:00 pm on September 23, 2009 by Vice Chair John Velsko at the City Hall Cowles Council Chambers located at 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

PRESENT:                    COMMISSIONERS VELSKO, HARTLEY, ZIMMERMAN, CARROLL, AND HOGAN

 

ABSENT:                      COMMISSIONER ULMER AND WEDIN (EXCUSED)

 

STAFF:                         PORT & HARBOR DIRECTOR HAWKINS

                                    DEPUTY CITY CLERK KRAUSE

 

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

 

Vice Chair Velsko requested a motion to approve the agenda.

 

Commissioner Hogan requested Item C be moved up to Item A, Item A then moves to Item C and so forth. There was no further discussions.

 

HARTLEY/HOGAN – MOVED TO APPROVE THE AMENDED AGENDA.

 

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 comments.

 

RECONSIDERATION

 

None.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES       

           

A.         Meeting Minutes of August 26, 2009        

 

Vice Chair Velsko requested a motion to approve the minutes.

 

HOGAN/ZIMMERMAN - MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

                                                             

VISITORS       

 

Mr. Jeff Erickson with Home Run Oil reading from a prepared statement - announced that he has become aware of a growing desire to have a competitive fuel service in the Homer Harbor. Home Run Oil would like to provide that service. He would like to begin discussions with the Port & Harbor Commission concerning this possibility and potential location. In order to provide a viable competitive operation they will first need to develop a terminal to receive fuel by barge. Without this facility Home Run Oil will not have the necessary position in the market to provide the competitive price and service the community desires. A fuel terminal is a serious venture, constructed and maintained, will serve several generations. It must be located, managed and funded properly in order to achieve a lasting benefit to the community. Mr. Erickson expressed the desire to contact each of the Commissioners in the near future with a preliminary description of the scope of the project and proposed location. Further progress in this endeavor depends on agreement on the desirability and location of this project.

 

He then thanked them for their time.

 

A brief discussion included the size of the storage tanks required, which lot or lots they were currently interested in; if there was a planned service station for the future; time frame for completion of the project. Vice Chair Velsko stated that for further discussion this subject needed to be placed on the next agenda. He noted the impending meeting schedule changes. Port & Harbor Director Hawkins commented he will have this on the Lease Committee agenda for September 8, 2009. Mr. Erickson stated they did require ˝ acre or more. A pipeline would be needed for the deep water dock. The terminal would service trucks that would service a separate facility. Included in the brief discussion was a permitting time frame for the project and arranging a longer lease term considering the average life for a business like this was approximately 70 years. Mr. Erickson stated they were interested in lot 13B. Port & Harbor Director Hawkins indicated that the City Manager is fully aware of this proposal.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

STAFF & COUNCIL REPORT/COMMITTEE REPORTS/BOROUGH REPORTS

(Chair set time limit not to exceed 5 minutes)

 

A.            Port & Harbor Director’s Staff Report – September 2009

           

Port & Harbor Director Hawkins summarized his report for the Commissioners. He commented that it was discussed that since the recommendations for the budget were submitted for review that it was unnecessary to have the Finance Director Harville attends the meeting tonight. He stated if the Commissioners had any questions to let him know and he will get answers for them.

 

In response to a question on the derelict vessels, he responded that the Orace and Sally Ann were sold and leaving town. He did not believe the new policies were the reason for the sale. They were purchased from an outside buyer. The past due moorage was forgiven along with the lien with the understanding they were to never darken the harbor again. The City lost approximately $130,000, this amount included the damaged ramp and unpaid moorage.

 

There was a brief discussion on getting an engineer to approve the usage of the ramp in a harbor. The staff is still working on the remaining derelicts in the Harbor. They have even received calls from a broker in New York. There are two boats that are in arrears that do not move and one in arrears that does go in and out.

 

There was a brief clarification that the 2010 Budget did not have any fee increases; and the Port & Harbor is debt free as of last month.

 

There was no further discussion.                                                                                                

 

1.             Budget Talk with Finance Director Regina Harville

 

There was no discussion. 


 

B.         Lease Committee Report (if a meeting was held since the last Commission meeting)           

 

The next meeting is scheduled for October 8, 2009.

           

There was no discussion.

 

PUBLIC HEARING (3 minute time limit)

 

None.

 

PENDING BUSINESS

 

A.         Memorandum of Agreement with Coast Guard Auxiliary and the City of Homer Port & Harbor          

 

Craig Forrest, President, Rescue 21 stated that they are a private non-profit corporation that assists the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. They own the Quanah P and offer assistance to the Coast Guard Auxiliary as needed.

Mr. Forrest gave a brief history on how the Quanah P was purchased and equipped. The City agreed to provide moorage and electricity since 1984. It has been off and on a primary rescue boat since then when the US Coast Guard safe boat is unavailable or in for repairs.

 

Port and Harbor Director Hawkins explained that when reviewing files there was no indication regarding the gifting by City Council of the electricity and moorage to Rescue 21. This agreement will give direction for future Harbormasters.

 

There was a brief discussion on the separation of Rescue 21 and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary; the need of a reserve slip due to the nature of the operation; and corrections to the MOU Agreement; if there was a more preferable berthing location.

 

Vice Chair Velsko asked for a motion to accept the changes to the Memorandum of Agreement and submit to City Council.

 

HOGAN/ZIMMERMAN – MOVED TO RECOMMEND HARBORMASTER HAWKINS FINALIZE AGREEMENT WITH RESCUE 21 AND SUBMIT TO CITY COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL.

 

There was no discussion.

 

VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

C.         Proposed Ordinance 09-39(S) Amending the Meeting Schedule to Every Other Month

 

Vice Chair Velsko requested a motion to discuss.

 

ZIMMERMAN/HOGAN – MOVED TO DISCUSS.

 

Commissioner Hogan stated that the EDC voted not to support this change. There are too many time sensitive subjects and discussions that would not be addressed and he felt that this commission governs themselves in a responsible manner and that it would not be conducive to addressing important issues. There were other ways to cut costs besides cutting out meetings that stop the commissions from doing their work.

 

Commissioner Zimmerman agreed and used as an example the proposal that would be upcoming from Home Run Oil. He agreed with recommending against changing the meeting frequency.

 

Commissioner Hartley agreed that there are things that come up that need to be acted on and so the Commission should meet every month.

 

Vice Chair Velsko commented that the City does have some valid concerns on the some committees and commissions as it does take money to take the minutes but that this commission is one of the more important ones and should meet every month however in the spirit of saving money and cutting costs this commission should endeavor to hold meetings to no longer than two hours.

 

HOGAN/ZIMMERMAN - MOVED TO send a memorandum to city council that the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission DESIRES tO maintain the same MEETING schedule.

 

There was further discussion on being mindful of the budget and each commission should have their own budget. That they should be watching what is requested from the Clerk since she is on overtime. That there were too many time sensitive issues that would put off people from dealing with the City.

 

VOTE. YES. NON-OBJECTION. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

 

Motion carried.

 

B.         Memorandum to Port & Harbor Advisory Commission Re: Fish Grinder Information Request

 

Vice Chair Velsko requested a motion to discuss.

 

HOGAN/CARROLL – SO MOVED.

 

Discussion ensued on the status of the EPA permit and who the permit belonged to – City of Homer. The language in the Lease Agreement; it was noted that the DEC manages the process for the EPA. There were no changes to the permit. The number of totes that the Fish Factory put through the grinder was brought up however that information was not immediately available.

The peak operating season would require 2 full time personnel.

The Fish Factory currently uses the City’s facility. It would be nice to hear the numbers as it appears the Fish Factory is getting a pretty good ride from the outside. It was noted that immediate equipment required would be a fork lift. Monies originally came from a grant for the building of the facility.

It was questioned if there were performance and maintenance standards for the facility. There were concerns expressed about the existing conditions of the facility.

More discussion including total dollar amounts for the Charter industry usage.

There is oversight on throwing carcasses in the bay.

 

There was a brief discussion on the charter and commercial companies using the fish cleaning tables. If there was anything that could be done to prohibit people from feeding the birds. It may be a mistake from putting a roof over the table. Also discussed was the frequency that the tables were cleaned and trailers were dumped, getting more control over people flicking bits into the parking lot.

 

Commissioner Carroll felt it would be interesting to get the perspective from a biologist. He felt that there was an over abundance of crows and they are voracious. Further comment was inaudible to the Clerk for transcribing.

 

There was no further discussion.
 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Vice Chair Velsko asked if there was anything to add for the next agenda.

 

1.         Proposal from Home Run Oil

2.         Discussion on Water Meters on the Floats

3.         Discussion on Parking Meters

 

There was a brief discussion regarding the Parking Meters and if it would be appropriate to have on the agenda since a consultant was working on the Spit Comprehensive Plan. It was determine that a 15 minute discussion would not hinder any progress.

 

INFORMATIONAL MATERIALS

A.                  Harbormaster’s Monthly Statistical Report for August 2009                                   

B.                  Weekly Crane & Ice Report                                                                                     

C.                  Deep Water Dock                                                                                          

D.                  Pioneer Dock                                                                                      

E.                   Ferry Landings                                                                                                 

F.                   Water Usage                                                                                              

G.                  Commissioner Attendance Schedule for Council Meetings 2009                        

H.                  Lease Expiration Schedule Updated 08.31.09                                                                           

I.                    Port & Harbor 2009 Strategic Plan                                                                             

J.                    Memorandum to May & City Council Dated August 28, 2009 Re: 2010-2015 CIP       Recommendations

K.                  Ordinance 09-44 Overslope Development

L.                   Press Release – Tustumena’s Mechanical Malfunction Dated September 14, 2009

 

There was a brief discussion on the cause of the breakdown of the Tustumena, the status of the Overslope ordinance, the Deep Water Dock usage, scrap iron shipment going out and possible extension, revenue from SERVS, and the repairs on the Tustumena were conducted here by their own repair technicians.

 

There was no further discussion.

 

COMMENTS OF THE AUDIENCE

 

Jeff Erickson asked if there was an estimate for the amount of fish carcasses that was ground up and dumped into the Bay? Harbormaster Hawkins answered that approximately 1-2 million pounds.

 

Commissioner Carroll inquired about another use of the product from the fish grinder. Using it for fertilizer. The Harbormaster commented he looked forward to the day it is pumped into a truck instead of the Bay. The quantities do not make it lucrative enough to have a business.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CITY STAFF

 

Deputy City Clerk Krause commented that the Commissioners have done very well addressing the long term goals in the strategic plans but have overlooked the short term goals. She complemented them on holding more efficient meetings. She commented that they could change the meeting times to earlier in the work day.

 

Harbormaster Hawkins inquired who was going to attend the Council meeting to show support and answer questions on the overslope ordinance. He will distribute the email address for Pat Coleman on the Spit Comp Plan. He put out a survey to city staff regarding the parking on the spit. He received good responses.

 

Commissioner Carroll commented on an article in the paper regarding paid parking only created an empty parking lot. It moved everyone over and created a worse situation. It did not solve anything in his opinion. He mentioned a brown truck by the Salty Dawg that went from one parking lot to another.

 

Commissioner Zimmerman commented on paid parking for the daily rate, leaving and have to pay again.

 

The City is looking into the right of way paid parking issue.

 

COMMENTS OF THE COUNCILMEMBER (If one is appointed)

 

None.

 

COMMENTS OF THE CHAIR

 

Vice Chair Velsko thanked everyone for bearing with him conducting this meeting. It’s been a learning curve.

 

COMMENTS OF THE COMMISSION

 

Commissioner Hogan updated the status on the Lease Policy with the EDC. They thought they were done but he went to a Chamber of Commerce meeting and there were a few issues that came up. There are improvements He thanked Harbormaster Hawkins and Deputy City Clerk Krause for their efforts.

 

Commissioner Carroll comments were inaudible.

 

Commissioner Hartley commented that it was a good meeting and very excited about the prospect of the proposal from Home Run Oil.

 

Commissioner Zimmerman echoed Commissioner Hartley’s comments and also stated he would not mind seeing a gas station on the Spit where people can buy fuel on the Spit.

 

ADJOURN

 

There being no further business before the Port and Harbor Advisory Commission Vice Chair Velsko adjourned the meeting at 7:30 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on October 28, 2009 at City Hall, Cowles Council Chambers, 491 E. Pioneer Avenue, Homer, Alaska.

 

                                                           

Renee Krause, Deputy City Clerk I

 

 

Approved: