HOMER, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 00-79
A RESOLUTION OF THE HOMER CITY COUNCIL OPPOSING THE STATE'S LOCAL BONDING REQUIREMENT TO PAY FOR DEFERRED HARBOR MAINTENANCE.
WHEREAS, the State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) has the authority to sell public harbor facilities to an incorporated city; and
WHEREAS, the condition of the harbors and the ownership costs associated with major repairs and replacement have been a road block for communities to want to take over ownership of these state facilities; and
WHEREAS, in 1992, the State of Alaska DOT&PF initiated a transfer program that included appropriations for deferred maintenance purposes to communities who were willing to assume ownership of the facilities; and
WHEREAS, since 1992, 17 facilities have been transferred, with a total state appropriation of $20,624,100; and
WHEREAS, in 2000, 8 communities with 19 facilities were prepared to execute transfer agreements, subject to an appropriation of $26,885,800; and
WHEREAS, last minute changes in HB 281 requires local communities to issue bonds to pay for the deferred maintenance with reimbursement subject to legislative appropriation; and
WHEREAS, the local communities do not support the revised legislation that shifts the burden of bonding for the funds onto the local communities who are accepting ownership of the State's poorly maintained facilities; and
WHEREAS, these communities have cooperated with DOT&PF for many years to develop the transfer program, have invested substantial funds in planning and design in preparation for the completion of the needed maintenance and repairs, have worked directly and cooperated fully with legislators for many years in the process of drafting alternative legislation, and deserve to be treated equally with other communities who have already received the deferred maintenance appropriations since 1992.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Homer City Council opposes the State's local bonding requirement to pay for deferred harbor maintenance, which includes Seldovia.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, this 14th day of August, 2000.
CITY OF HOMER
__________________________ ATTEST: JACK CUSHING, MAYOR
_______________________
Mary L. Calhoun, CMC, City Clerk
Fiscal Note: NA