Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-05-27 Harbor Commission SummaryKENAI HARBOR COMM I SS I ON P. O. BOx 580 .. KENAI, ALASKA 99611 AGENDA - May ~27, 1980 REGULAR HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING- May 27, 1980 - 7'00 p.m. Public Safety Building, at the Kena i HARBOR COMMISSION MEMBERS' Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr. Mr. Robert Peterkin, Chairman John Williams, Vice-Chairman Tom Ackerly Tom Wagoner W.~ M, Burnett Ron Issacs Marvin Dragseth EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS' Mrs. Mr. Betty Glick, Councilwoman Vince O'Reilly, Mayor A-G-E-N-D-A 1. Call to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Approval of Minutes of April l, 1980 4. Introduction of Guests a. Mayor Don Gilman b. JoAnn Elson, Borough Assembly President c. Jim Arness, Assemblyman d. Karen McGahan 5. Communi cations a. Royce Weller, Senator Malone's Office (telecon) b.. Letter from Mr. Harlan E. Moore, Corps of Engineer C~ Letter from Ike Waits, ref: Borough Coastal Development Act (~ossi.',b!e letter to Kramer, Chin and Mayo)., d. Don Statter, Introduction to Dry Marinas e. Letter from Murray Walsh to Mayor O'Reilly 6. Reports a. Public Hearing on Borough Ordinances - Mayor O'Reilly & Commissioner Williams , b. Senator Gravel Meeting - Commissioner Williams ~ ~ , : Harbor Commiss.ion Agenda Page 2 6. Reports (Continued) c. Port Commission Ordinance - Commissioner Burnett d. Budget and Port of Entry - Commissioner Burnett 7. Old Business a. Contract between City and Gary Davis b Pacific Northwest Waterways Association c. Senator Gravel - Letter to Commissioner Peterkin d. Wince-Corthell Study 0 e. Governor's Transportation Commission New Bus i ness a. Alaska Coastal Policy Council (May 29-30 Juneau) b. Coastal Zone Management Situation 9 Persons present not scheduled to be heard 10. Adjourn · ® ® e KENAI HARBOR COMMISSION P. O. BOX 580 Kenai, A1 aska 99611 May 27, 1980 REGULAR HARBOR COMMISSION MEMBERS: EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS: OTHERS PRESENT: CALL TO ORDER Mr. Robert Peterkin, Chairman Mr. John Wi 11 i ams, Vice-Chai rman Mr. Tom Ackerly Mr. W. M. Burnett Mr. Tom Wagoner Mr. Ron Issacs Mr. Marvin Dragseth Mrs. Betty Glick, Councilwoman Mayor Vi nce O' Re i 1 ly Gary Davis, Ben Delahay, 'Bill Brighton, Borough Mayor Don Gilman and Mrs. Gilman, JoAnn Elson, Carl Hille, Dick Morgan, Barbara & Elmer Banta, Jim Arness, Ruby and Waldo Coyle. Chairman Peterkin called the meeting to order at 7'10 p.m. ROLL CALL Present- Chairman Peterkin, Vice-Chairman Williams, Commissioner Ackerly, Commissioner Dragseth, Commissioner Issacs. Absent' Commissioner Burnett and Commissioner Wagoner (excused). APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes of the April l, 1980 meeting were approved as read. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS Chairman Peterkin introduced the above mentioned guests. He stated that they were invited so that we could get some background on Borough Ordinance 80-34. He asked Mr". Hille to outline the intent of the Ordinance. Mr. Hille stated that the basic concept behind that Ordinance was to create a service area so you have a broader tax base. The Qlties would have the option · to go join· that power or stay out. This Ordinance was withdrawn. Chairman Peterkin asked if he was speaking of a deep draft harbor to unload common cargo both waYs. Mr. Hille confirmed that it was one of the thoughts and that they also had airports i n mind. Chairman Peterkin questioned if this service area would go down as faP as ~lam Gulch and above the North Road facilities? Page 1 Harbor Commission Meeting May 27, 1980 Mr. Hille confirmed that and added that it would include the Beluga coal fields. Mr. Hille stated that we are in desparate need of a good port and airport. For years we have talked and nothing has been done. Councilwoman Gl ick asked if the airport was also part of the intention, why was it not put in the Ordinance? Mr. Hille replied that Port and Harbor Authority no.rmally includes airport. There was some discussion on changing boundaries on 80-34. Mr, Delahay stated ~the Borough does have_the authority to alter boundaries after a public hearing. Mrs. Banta asked what is the difference between a service area and the Borough assuming the port and harbor area. Mr. Delahay replied that there are 3 separate powers that a Borough can get. One is an area~wide power which would include the cities. The second is an non-area wide power which would include all of the Borough except the cities. Where the Borough doesn't need the power throughout the Borough, or perhaps the entire area outside of the cities would not favor such a power, but where it is needed in one select area, that area can form a service area, such as the North Kenai fire service area. Mrs. Banta stated that regardless of how you get there, your end result is entrusted with port and harbor authority or whether an entity from the service area has the power. Mr. Delahay added that the Borough Assembly is going to have control of any one of these 3. In one they can tax the entire Borough, in another they can tax the Borough outside cities, and in the 3rd area they just tax the areas in the service area boundaries. Mayor Gilman added that if the intent of the Ordinance was to include .airports, it would have to be'written into it, it will be on the written proposition. There are 27 specific services a city can perform according to the State statutes. One service it says port and harbor, another says airports. Chairman Peterkin asked if on the Ordinance, on the part about the airpo~rt, would that mean after a vote of the public, would the City have the option to further control the airport al ong with the harbor. Mr. Delahay answered that if the service area, outside the City~ was adopted with the airport power in it, and the City turns over it's powe?, then i't would no longer have the power to operate the airport, tt wou!d~e.~-in the servi.~ce area, Mr', Delahay added that he believed that the Borough., 'if the City refusesl· to turn over it's powers, should offer the chance to Operate thi's., area .jointly, Commissioner Williams raised the question if the City choses to turn over the operation of the airport, would that also mean the City would also tu'rn over all the lands that go with it? Page 2 Kena i Harbor Commi s s i on May 27, 1980 Mr. Delahay expl~ained that the City has title to the land under FAA's control. Therefore, it would require the acceptance of the FAA. He assumed that the FAA would expect them to get the lands which are supposed to support the Chairman Peterkin asked Mr. Arness if on his upcoming ordinance on the Kenai-North Kenai areas, if the intent was for the cities to .have the option to turn over their powers. Mr Arness stated that he did not like the term turning over. He felt that both would be throwing something into the pot. He felt that we should be air freighting & that is why the airport was incorporated into it. Commissioner Williams made three comments of historical fact. For a long time many.people have avocated an increase sharing of revenues from the major tax base in the Borough to the City based on a population figure to support the services inside the City, rendered for support of services outside the City. The CitY of Kenai shouldered the responsibility of the Airport and turned it into an asset when no one else wanted it. Now the City of Kenai is embarking on a small boat harbor, which no one else wants to give us cr, edit for or help.us along. Now we are faced with a situation whereby others a.re lookin~ at the City of Kenai and want to share what we have. He was not su're how it would settle with the people of Kenai. Chairman Peterkin said he was seeking answers to tell the people of North Kenai. Mr. Hille voiced his concern that the entire area would benefit if we would be' able to get freight and raw products, why should the people of Kenai foot the bill? He felt we need a bigger tax base. Chairman Peterkin p~oposed that the City itself wouldn't be footing much of the bill. Funds are available from the State and ~ederal governments, Commissioner Williams added that it was the Commission~ intention to increase the tax base by the development of i~ndustrial lands in the River, primarily by the installation of the boat harbor. It is not economically feasible to have 'a deep water port, but we do need the small boat harbor to increase the industrial base. Mr, Morgan stated that there is no question of the need for a smal1 boat harbor, They are taking the first step towards establi~shing a deep water dock, The only practical place is Nikiski, Mr. Hille stated that he had to leave but would like to make a~few.f!nal comments, The name of the game is North Kenai deep water port, where we have a chance for private industry to give us a port, It didn't make a difference whether the airport was included, or whether it was inside or outside the cities, It wasn~'t up to him to decide. Page 3 Harbor Commission iqeeting May 27,~ 1980 e Mayor Gilman stated it remains to be seen as far as the 3 options. He attended every public hearing at the time Woodward/Clyde did their study, and the question kept coming up about "does this City have to give up it's powerjetc'Z.'' The over-riding testimony was that those areas didn't want to relinquish their powers. He felt that there would be a hearing July 1 and the assembly would vote to place it on the ballot. He didn't know if the people in Moose Pass, Cooper Landing, etc.~would see enough ~enefitto them, only to .the central area. Commissioner Williams stated that we didn't really want to get outside of our own City. The Borough needs to be involved, but we want to retain the right to control our own. Mr. Delahay asked to speak as a citizen. The law on service area is very vague. We are never going to get very far if we don't put~ the idea of Kenai versus North Kenai behind us. It seemed to him the introduction and adoption by the Borough of the non area-wide plan would have a better chance of passing. Once that is passed, the City may or may not turn-over their powers. If they don't, you can go ahead without them because you will have the authority and industr.ial bonding capacity. If the Borough passes the law and you will have a tax base, so you can do it without State help if you want. He stated that he would advise the City Council not to go into a service area and turn over our tax base over to the Borough. He felt there could be a joint effort if a good contract is' drawn up, with certain elected officials running .it.. (a) One~ the telephone conversation with. Royce Weller~Mayor O'Reilly reported that there was a review of projects coming to the City from the Capital Improvements budget. He stated that there was nothing new from Juneau. The $500,000 is still in there. (b) Moved to 7 (f) (lc) Commissioner Will'iams reported this was- in response' to the letter sent to the Borough to keep us informed of Coastal Zone Management. He suggested waiting on the letter because of the Borough's inabi'lity to consummate, a contract. Commissioner Williams added that we have been advi'sed by the Alaska Coastal Zone Management Process that we must work as a unit through the Borough to obtain funding for special projects. Mayor O"Reilly elaborated 'stating that they~ had'met in Juneau with Murry Walsh on CZM. They poi'nted out that we .would be hopefully-receiving the $500,000 and use it on a 80.- 20% matching basils with CZM planning money to continue the adminiStrative planning effort. Walsh indicated he would be receptive to receiving such an application. ~Howmuch planning effort we are talking about is not know-at this point. (d) MOved to 7 (g) (e) Mayor O'Reilly commented that the letter from.Mu.rray Walsh was self- explanatory, it .reviewed 'what was discussed at that meeting. : Commissioner Williams cOmmented there is an indication if the grant is approved, it could be a 90 10 rather than 80 - 20 if leg!'slation is approved. Page 4 Harbor Commission Meeting May 27, 1980 e ® (a) Mayor O'Reilly reported that there was a memorandum dist.ributed this evening that discussed the Public Hearing on Borough Ordl'nances. He said he i:ried to reflect the thinking of the Harbor Commission at thi's time. (b) Commissioner Williams reported that he had several conversations with Senator Gravel. Senator Gravel's office stated that they will give us all the help they can. Mayor O'Reilly added that he had Mark Mayo with him who would be the adm'inistrative assistant in Gravel's offi'ce, that would oversee if the Harbor Commission and the City ran into any unusual differences with Fish & Wildlife and COE permit process. He suggested keeping the Senator's office, particularly Mr. Mayo informed. Chairman Peterkin stated that he spoke to Mr. Mayo quite frequently on the telephone. (c) C~mmissioner Burnett was not present to report on the Port Commission Ordinance. (d) Commissioner Burnett was not present to report on the budget and Port of Entry. -. Commissioner Wil~liams asked if Gary Davis had been involved with the budget? Gary Davis stated that he had somewhat, and that he had some other items to discuss. Mayor O'Reilly commented that we must have a clear understanding of Mr. Davis's position. Chairman Peterkin proceded to item 7, _(_a~ on the agenda, (a) 'Mayor'O'Reilly explained the situation that led to the h~ring, of Gary..Da,vip's, He stated that the thinking is that probably, wi thiln the next month the. Hard. or Commission should b.e i'n a posi'tion to know. h. ow-the $50.0,0(I(] planni'in~ effort. was to come and what part of that can be used for further staff support, ' ,: There was further discussion on t. he duties of the Admin. Assistant & of Mr. Davi's. Gary DaVis 'stated the way he unde.rstood it, his duties would include coo.rdinati'ng State, Federal and Borough. grants, reports, correspondence as directed, and mis-cellaneous duti'es to th.e harbor project. Gary Davis reported that he talked to Mark Stephans, of CZM, He indicated they are receiving grant appli'cations until July 1, fo'r one year fundi~ng, Mr, Da'vis has been working with Phil Waring of the Borough, Page 5 MOTION AMENDED MOTION e Harbor Commission Meeting May 27, 1980 Mr. Davis requested the approval of the Harbor Commission on a letter. The Harbor Commission will request the Borough submit a grant application for administrative staff support. He and Jim Hendricks', planner at the Borough, will put the grant together. There was some discussion on the letter and it was agreed that the letter should go to Council first. Commissioner Williams moved for the drafting of a letter to be presented to the City Council for application to be made for'Coastal Zone Management funds for a planning position. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ackerly. There was some. discussion on the motion. COmmissioner Williams moved for the drafting of a letter to be presented to the City Council requesting permission to submit application to be made to Alaska Coastal Zone Management for funds for a planning effort. Commissioner Ackerly seconded the motion. 8 (a) Alaska:Coastal Policy Council meeting of May 29 - 30 was discussed at this time. Chairman Peterkin moved and asked for unanimous consent to send Mr. Davis to Juneau for the ACPC meeting. Unanimous consent was granted. Chairman Peterkin stated that he would contact the Public Works Director in the morning to confirm it with him. (b) Chairman Peterkin reported that there was a letter sent to PNNWA requesting to send $100.00 for membership fees., (c) The letter from Senator Gravel is self-explanatory and is in the packet, (d) On the'Wince-Corthell Study, Commissioner Williams reported the sub-. committee, after due consideration, elected-to move the report to the full committee without any action. The Harbor Commission took no action on the matter. (e) Chairman Peterkin explained the purpose'of the Governor's T.ransport~tt~on Commission and expressed that we should try to get someone appoi'nted on that commission. Commissioner Williams would get the list of members, to Gary Davis, (f) The letter from Harlan Moore [COE) was moved from 5, Cb')_, by Chairman Peterkin, Page 6 Harbor Commission Meeting May 27, 1980 e Chairman Peterkin explained the letter from Mr. Moore. It stated, the monies available are going to be for maintenance on the boat har'bor and will run about $545,000 per year. The C'ity's share will be $245,000 per year. The COE needs a letter from the City stating that they are aware maintenance costs are high and the City will accept the responsibility of the money. There was considerable discussion on this matter and it was the general con- sensus that the City Council should send such a letter. (g) Chairman Peterkin proposed a dry marina in conjunction with a wet harbor would work and would be money producing. It would also satisfy Mr. Statter. He confirmed that the small boat harbor will be on Tract D. (a) Alaska Coastal Policy Council meeting has already been discussed. (b) The Coastal Zone Management Situation has p~eviously been discussed. Commissioner Williams proposed the Commission discuss the budget so that Councilwoman Gl ick would understanding what we are asking, Mayor O'Reilly suggested someone be at the June 4, Council meeting to make presentation. Chairman Peterkin agreed to make the meeting. Chairman Peterkin stated that Commissioner Burnett would be at the Thursday night budget session. It was agreed that the following recommendation be made to the Kenai City Council in regards to Borough Ordinance 80-33. Concerning the Kenai Peninsula Borough Ordinance 80-33, the City of Kenai Harbor Commission recogni'zes the Borough's need to.aquire powers necessary to provide ports and harbors in various areas outside the cities of the Borough. However, it is the Harbor Commission's feelings that we should not transfer from the City those powers granted to us to operate ports and harbors within our boundaries. The following a~e our'reasons for not wanting to transfer these powers' 1. The most immediate and pressing problem of ports and harbors is the establishment of a small boat harbor in Kenai of which so much effort and energy has been put forth, and to join in anoth, er effort would dilute manpower, energies, and finances of what we consider to be the most immediate problem. 2, If the City gives up authori'ty to the Borough, it .would no longer have immediate authority to pursue a small boat harbor. Page 7 Harbor Commission Meeting May 27, 1980 ADJOURN The next scheduled meeting of the Harbor Commission is June I0, With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12'30 a.m. 1980. Respectful ly submi~tted, Kim Howa'rd Administrative Assistant Page 8