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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2023-29Sponsored by: Gabriel CITY OF KENAI RESOLUTION NO. 2023-29 A RESOLUTION DEFERRING THE ANNUAL CITY FEE FOR TIDELAND LEASES FOR SHORE FISHERIES TO PROVIDE RELIEF FOR SET NET OPERATORS LEASING TIDELANDS FROM THE CITY FOR COMMERCIAL SETNET OPERATIONS IF SETNET FISHERIES REMAIN CLOSED IN THE UPPER COOK INLET EASTSIDE SET NET FISHERY SALAMATOF BEACH SECTION. WHEREAS, the City of Kenai owns tidelands that it leases to commercial set net operators in the Upper Cook Inlet Eastside Set Net Fishery, Salamatof Section; and, WHEREAS, pursuant to KMC 11.20.790-Tideland Lease for Shore Fisheries, the City charges an annual rate of $300 for each lease as provided in the City's Schedule of Rates, Charges and Fees; and, WHEREAS, the City currently has ten shore fishery leases for eleven tracts of land producing annual revenue of $3,300; and, WHEREAS, the State of Alaska Department of Fish and Game has preemptively closed the Upper Cook Inlet Eastside Set Net Fishery for the 2023 season; and, WHEREAS, the only means for upper Cook Inlet Eastside Set Net Operators to participate in the fishery is if it is opened by emergency order; and, WHEREAS, due to the unlikelihood of the fishing opportunity for the 2023 season, many set net operators may choose not to chance compounding their losses by spending additional funds to prepare for the season; and, WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the City to reduce the economic burden to its shore fishery lessees that likely will not be able to operate this summer by deferring the annual $300 shore fishery lease fee for the ten City of Kenai shore fishery lease holders in the Salamatof Beach Section of the Upper Cook Inlet East Side Set Net Fishery. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA: Section 1. That the annual lease fee of $300 per track as provided for in the City's Schedule of Rates Fees and Charges due July 1, 2023 for lease holders of shore fishery leases from the City of Kenai in the Salamatof Beach Section of the Upper Cook Inlet Eastside Set Net Fishery is deferred with no payments due until and unless further action is taken by the City to reestablish a fee for 2023 based on unexpected fishing opportunity. Section 2. That this Resolution takes effect immediately upon passage. PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, THIS 3RD DAY OF MAY, 2023. Brian Gabriel Sr., Mayor New Text Underlined; [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] Resolution No. 2023-29 Page 2 of 2 Michelle M. Saner, MMC, City Clerk New Text Underlined; [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] A I City of Kenai 1 210 Fidalgo Ave, Kenai, AK 99611-7794 1907.283.7535 1 www.kenaixity MEMORANDUM TO: Council Members FROM: Mayor Gabriel DATE: April 27, 2023 SUBJECT: Resolution 2023-29 — Eastside Set Net Fishery The Upper Cook Inlet Eastside Set Net fishery has been preemptively closed by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. The City leases tracts of tidelands to set net operators in the Salamatof Beach Section of this fishery for an annual fee of $300 per tract. The fishery closure will have significant financial impacts to local set net operators. This Resolution proposes to defer the annual fee for the City's tideland leases for shore fisheries to help offset some of the economic impact of this closure for fishery participants with City tideland leases. If the fishery is opened by emergency order and fishing time is allowed, the Resolution allows for implementing a prorated or reduced fee at a later date. The economic impact to the City of deferring or eliminating these fees is not large, and while the fees are relatively small, anything the City can do to help its local set netters during this unprecedented time is meaningful. Your consideration is appreciated.