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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-05-12 Harbor Commission SummaryKENAI HARBOR COMMISSION AGENDA May 12,, 1997 Kenai City Hall 7:00 p.m. Chairman Will Jahrig m e e am ROLL CALL APPROVAL OF AGENDA APPROVAL OF MINUTES - April 7, 1997 PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD a. Richard M. Geiger, Regional Economist, C.O.E. Reconnaissance Study of Navigation Improvement on the Lower Kenai River OLD BUSINESS a. Kenai River Comprehensive Management Plan - Draft Memo from Ja~ La Shot NEW BUSINESS None INFORMATION a. Dock Rate Schedule - Approved by City Manager COMMISSION COMMENTS & QUESTIONS a. City Council Agendas ADJOURNMENT Harbor Commission ***Minutes*** May 12, 1997- 7:00 p.m. City Council Chambers Chairman Will Jahrig le CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Members Present: Will Jahrig, Ray McCubbins, George Spracher, Barry Eldridge Members Absent: Mike McCtme, Tom Thompson Also Present: Keith Komelis, Jim Bookey, Debby Fahnholz, Wayne Freden 0 APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Eldridge MOVED to approve the agenda. Commissioner Spracher SECONDED the motion. Motion approved by unanimous consent. e APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Eldridge MOVED to approve the minutes as written. Commissioner Spracher SECONDED the motion. The minutes were approved by unanimous consent. e PERSONS SCItEDULED TO BE HEARD Richard Geiger, Army Corps of Engineers, Anchorage - Richard Geiger responded to the City's request for assistance with navigation control and erosion problems on the Kenai River. He stated they did a reconnaissance study at the request of the Harbor Commission. He stated that there are navigational constraints on the lower fiver and fiver congestion around the buoys is a considerable problem and there is risk of grounding. Commissioner Jahrig stated that the fiver is filling in, especially around Salamantof and Dragnet. Geiger stated that there are also erosion problems and a risk to the Senior Center with the risk of potential contamination to the fiver. He stated that the Corps doesn't normally get involved in private property problems, but can become involved if it is public property, such as in the Senior Center. Harbor Commission May 12, 1997 Page 1 Geiger discussed mooring space problems and suggested dredging a foot (on average) or more in some places. He stated that the only way to keep the channel open would be to put in a jetty which isn't going to happen, or dredge the fiver every year. He stated another possibility would be to create some marsh enhancemem by placing dredge materials to create more habitat. Commissioner Eldridge stated that would create a stronger current on the outer bank, which already has erosion problems. Geiger agreed and responded that both problems would have to be addressed at the same time. Geiger asked if it would help by creating a larger mooring area. Wayne Freden stated that he felt the rocks were more of a navigational problem. Eldridge stated that the Coast Guard can get involved if there is a navigational problem. Jahrig stated that unless the erosion problem is addressed, there won't be a dock because the fiver is depositing so much silt in from of the dock it will make the dock unusable. He stated it has been more severe in the last three years than in the last 15 years. He felt if there was some channeling done upriver and the material put behind a dike, it wOuld take care of most of the problem. He stated that at low tide the docks are now cut off. Jahrig stated that water has taken out about 200' of the dunes and was concemed that the city road was going to be taken out soon. Geiger stated that there could be a possibility of artificial reeds, but wasn't sure if it would work in Alaska. Jahrig stated that there is a concem about the lighthouse also since the dunes that protected it are being washed away. Geiger asked if the dunes are disappearing. Jahrig responded that it is definitely being washed away. He stated that three years ago there was a storm that took 100' of the dunes and now the bluff is just disintegrating. He liked the idea of a dike but was concerned about how long it would have to be. Geiger responded that for marsh formation they would not be talking about putting in rock. Jahrig stated, if it was anything soft, the fiver would just tear it out. Wayne Freden stated that a food of dredging wouldn't be much help. Geiger stated that the foot would be an average and that in some areas there would be more and other areas may not need dredging at all. Councilman Bookey asked about the city's financial obligation. the financial aspects shortly. Geiger stated he would get to Geiger stated that the Corps is looking at the area by the Senior Cemer. He stated that in Dillingharn they drove in sheet piling at the high tide mark and backfilled into it. Jahrig stated that the high tide mark is at the base of the bluff. He suggested if piling was put in at Harbor Commission May 12, 1997 Page 2 the low low tide mark it wOuldn't be undermined. Geiger stated it couldn't be done without a tow in that case. He stated that rock placemem would increase the cost dramatically. Geiger that if sheet piling was put in it would need to be done the whole stretch at once or it would get undermined and would fail. He stated that Ryan's Creek was also part of the problem at the Senior Center. He stated it could be just as destructive, causing bank erosion as much as the fiver. Jahrig suggested a French drain system to get the grass growing again. Geiger stated that a rough cost estimate for dredging a foot of the fiver and marsh creation would mn about $800,000, with annual maintenance at about $650,000. He stated this would only be at the Senior Center. He felt to do it correctly it would need to be done clear to the mouth of the fiver, at someone elses expense. He stated to go deeper the costs would have to be cubed, not doubled. Geiger stated that sheet pile costs were estimated at $3,051,000 and to put rocks or rip rap in instead of dredge material would increase the costs drastically. Commissioner Bookey asked if the marsh creation was only going to cost $150,000. stated it was assumed that the pilings would already be in place. Geiger Geiger stated they estimated reducing the delay costs by $143,000. He stated it was assumed that on average a base cost of $15 an hour was used and an average of 2 gallons of fuel an hour. Councilman Bookey stated that boats sometimes have to leave 12 hours early to get to where they need to be when the fish are in and felt that the figures were inaccurate. He stated that with a foot of dredging it would only cut that time by two hours. He also felt the figures were not including cannery costs. Geiger stated that damage costs were estimated at $151,000 and these were estimates on replacement and repairs to damaged props, etc. Councilman Bookey asked if product quality was considered in the figures. Geiger stated that he hadn't gotten that information from those he talked to. Freden suggested he talk to the canneries. Councilman Bookey was concerned about the safety factor. He was concerned that if someone were to get hurt out there they possibly couldn't get in because of low water. Jahrig stated that there are concemrations of boats during peak periods. He stated that there have been times that they all try to come in at once. Geiger stated that the Corps is restricted in how they address loss of life issues. Jahrig stated that a few years back the Kenai River was 'within the top five producing rivers in the United States and that it is consistently within the top ten. He stated that economically they keep being passed over and asked who to go to next. Harbor Commission May 12, 1997 Page 3 Geiger stated that they need to keep at the Corps and the City of Kenai. He stated that he was aware the figures he presemed are low and stated they are assuming the erosion will continue at 9 feet per year and the building would fail in about nine years. He stated a cost ratio needs to be 1 and is now estimated to be at 0.4 before the Corps can address it. Geiger stated that the Corps sent out a flyer requesting .input and got back from the homeowners many requests for help. The response from the resource agencies told them to leave it alone. He stated they would need to get willingness from the resource agencies to address the problems. Geiger stated the preliminary recommendation from the Corps is a feasibility study with costs shared by the City of Kenai. He stated the next steps would be to receive a letter of intern from the City or another non-federal sponsor to share the costs of a detailed feasibility study. He estimated the total study cost to be approximately $400,000. Jahrig asked who did the staking recemly along the fiver. oil company doing seismic work. Freden stated that there was some Geiger stated it would be a 50/50 split with the Corps and if there were erosion comrol done it would be 65/35 split with the government carrying 65%. Jahrig asked how Bethel managed to come up with the money to get done what they are doing. Geiger responded that Ted Stevens had been instrumental in getting state and federal money to work their project after many years of pounding the issue. Geiger stated that Fish and Game did not support sheet piling in the Kenai because of habitat concerns. Jahrig stated that there will be a lot of public outcry no matter which approach is taken. Geiger stated that Fish and Game's concern was that if sheet piling were allowed by the Corps, then how would they deny sheet piling to others up and down the fiver. Jahrig stated that Fish and Game is putting in ramps and walkways and curremly won't allow private citizens to do the same. Eldridge suggested they address the damage to boats and fish also. He stated that the value of the fish decreases as the fish sits. Councilman Bookey stated that the Kenai is a major producer of red salmon and stated that they need to come at it from that direction also. He stated that there are three markets for fish - fresh, frozen, and canned. The fresh fish is the highest value and is nearly non-existent here due to the access problems. Eldridge stated that the dredging needs to be done from the navigation lights out and probably 4-5 feet needs to be dredged out. Jahrig stated that a jetty was not an issue and predicted a lot of problems there. Geiger responded that the Corps probably wouldn't even consider it without one. Harbor Commission May 12, 1997 Page 4 Jahrig stated that if there isn't something on the bank to stop the fiver from dumping, then it will just continue to happen. Bookey asked if the initial cost was an ongoing 50/50 split. be picked up by the Corps. Geiger stated that O&M would Geiger stated that if it is considered a mooring area the Corps doesn't cover it and also won't dredge the dock. He stated the City would have to pay the costs of dredging the dock area. Jahrig stated he felt if it was done fight, nature would probably flush it out itself. Geiger stated that at this point it is up to the City to decide whether they want to pursue it or not. Jahrig was concerned about all the regulatory issues on the Kenai. 5. OLD BUSINESS Kenai River Comprehensive Management Plan - Jahrig asked if this plan has been accepted by the City. Keith Komelis stated that it has been included within the Overlay. Jahrig stated the first issue was whether to include the Warren Ames. Bridge to the mouth of the fiver. Eldridge stated that it looked like they were concentrating on the commercial time frame only and were not looking at the whole picture. He stated that geophysical work can go on as late as the first of November. He felt industrial activity should cover from May first to November first. Komelis stated that he thought their position was that the area should be included in the management plan. Commissioner Eldridge MOVED to recommend to Council that the area from the Warren Ames Bridge to the mouth of the Kenai not be included in the Kenai River Management Plan. Commissioner Spracher SECONDED the motion. The motion was passed with unanimous consent. Jahrig was concerned about fuel costs at the dock. He stated that there were several instances where there were boats that went elsewhere to get fuel because of the increased cost rates. Freden stated that there were a couple of instances where they could have sold 18,000 gallons of fuel and they went elsewhere. Eldridge stated for under 500 gallons we are charging 25 cents a gallon more. Komelis stated that the cost of our fuel is 27% over cost and that they do give a five cent break after 500 gallons. Jahrig felt they would probably buy fuel if the overhead was around five cents a gallon. Bookey asked how many times this has happened. they have approached him for that much fuel. Freden stated that this was the first time Harbor Commission May 12, 1997 Page 5 Jahrig stated if the city took off another 15 cents after the first 1,000 gallons, it would take the cost down to about $1.10. Bookey didn't feel there would be a problem to drop another 5 cents but wasn't sure about dropping 10 cents. He felt the liability issue is still there and felt it would take forever to unload that much fuel. Komelis stated the new fuel vendor is insisting on making the city pay an 18 cent a gallon federal tax. He felt this may have to be passed on to the consumer. He stated he had called the IRS and they are supposed to send him a written response. Jahrig stated he would like to sell the fuel if possible. happen once or twice a year when the tenders come in. Freden stated it would probably only Jahrig suggested they drop a dime off for anything over 2,000 gallons per vessel for a season and see how it works. Bookey asked if the fuel is for the tender or if they are going to pass it on. Eldridge thought they were transferring to their own fleet. Eldridge suggested dropping the fuel cost five cents a gallon at 500 gallons and dropping another ten cents a gallon at 2,000 gallons, per vessel. Jahrig suggested that Komelis look at the cost and not go under a ten cents a gallon profit. e NEW BUSINESS Jeannie Munn Resignation Commissioner Eldridge MOVED to accept Jeannie Mulm's resignation from the Commission. Commissioner McCubbins SECONDED the motion. The motion was passed with unanimous consent. 7. INFORMATION Dock Rate Schedule - Jahrig felt Council had pretty much gone with what was suggested by the Commission. Komelis stated that Council had suggested adjusting the annual dock fee to $60 instead of the Commission's recommended $75. ge COMMISSIONER COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS Jahrig stated that at this point it is still in the budget to add on at the dock. Harbor Commission May 12, 1997 Page 6 9. ADJOURNMENT The next meeting was scheduled for June 9. Commissioner McCubbins MOVED to adjourn. the motion. Commissioner Eldridge SECONDED The meeting was adjoumed at 9:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Debby J. Fahnholz Harbor Commission May 12, 1997 Page 7