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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-08-11 Harbor Commission SummaryKENAI HARBOR COMMISSION AGENDA August 11, 1997 Kenai City Hall 7:00 p.m. Chairman Will Jahrig 1. ROLL CALL 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA m APPROVAL OF MINUTES - June 9, 1997 and July 7, 1997 m PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD None 5. OLD BUSINESS None g NEW BUSINESS ~. Commercial Use of Ramp Floats and/or Dock Floats 1. Tour Boats 2. Guide Boats 3. Work Boats b. Potable water use for boats that do not use our services. c. Dip netting on the beach... Bookey d. Reconnaissance Study m INFORMATION a. Kornelis memo to K. Howard ref: Snug Harbor w COMMISSION COMMENTS & QUESTIONS a. City Council Agendas 9. ADJOURNMENT KENAI HARBOR COMMISSION August 11, 1997 - 7:00 p.m. City Hall Council Chambers Chairman- Will Jahrig MINUTES ® ® ® ® ROLL CALL: Chairman Jahrig called the meeting to order at 7'05 p.m. Members Present: Ray McCubbins, Will Jahrig, Michael McCune, George Spracher, Tom Thompson (arrived at 7:10 p.m.) Members Absent: Barry Eldridge Others Present' Keith Kornelis, Swede Freden, Carol Freas, Councilman Bookey, Paul Dale (Snug Harbor Seafoods) APPROVAL OF AGENDA COMMISSIONER SPRACHER MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. COMMISSIONER MCCUBBINS SECONDED THE MOTION. AGENDA WAS APPROVED. APPROVAL OF MINUTES COMMISSIONER MCCUNE MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JUNE 9, 1997. SPRACHER SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUTES FOR JUNE 9, 1997 WERE APPROVED. SPRACHER MOVED TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JULY 7, 1997. MCCUBBINS SECONDED THE MOTION. MINUT~ FOR JULY 7, 1997 WERE APPROVED. PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD Chairman Jahrig added Drew Sparlin to the agenda. Drew Sparlin, a 30 year resident of Kenai and a commercial fisher, expressed his concern with the fuel prices at the City dock. Sparlin stated since he sold his fish to Snug Harbor Seafoods, who is based at the dock, he is forced to buy his fuel from the City. Sparlin added, he could change buyers but he is happy with Snug Harbor. In addition, Sparlin didn't feel he should have to pay launching fees as he believes the City gets enough from property taxes, raw fish tax, etc. Sparlin asked the Commission to adjust the cost of fuel or offer some type of credit to commercial fishers. HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 11, 1997 PAGE 2 Discussion was held on the price of fuel at other locations and the following prices were noted: Salamatof- $1.05/gallon; Kodiak- $1.10/gallon; Anchorage - $1.04/gallon; Homer- $1.27/gallon which includes marine and sales tax; Seldovia- $1.31/gallon which also includes marine and sales tax. Discussion was also held on the tax attached to the cost of fuel at the City dock. Komelis reported the City pays 18.3 cents federal tax for gas and $.05/gallon marine tax for both gas and diesel' He went on to say the City contacted the IRS regarding this tax and was told it had to be paid. However, fishers were eligible for an IRS refund by filing the necessary forms. It was noted it is common practice for fishers to file for a fuel refund. During this discussion it was pointed out that other areas were not paying taxes for fuel. Jahrig reported that buyers at other canneries are charged for their fuel at the end of the season rather than per fueling and in most cases fuel tax is not applied. ,I~~ It~rri~, a commercial fisher, stated that she also delivers fish to the City Dock and is concerned and disappointed with the substantial increase in fuel prices. Harris further stated the fuel receipt she receives from the City dock does not indicate the type of tax charged other than sales tax so she didn't feel she could receive a refund from IRS. Harris asked the Commission to consider a rebate for commercial fishers .who deliver fish to the City dock. Freden stated the federal, marine and sales tax are itemized on the fuel slips at the City dock. A lengthy discussion was held on the increase of fuel and the pros and cons of offering rebates to commercial fishers who utilize the City dock. Jahrig asked Kornelis for a breakdown of the City's fuel purchases over the past three years, the associated taxes, and selling prices in order to do a comparison. Jahrig stated the Commission will discuss the issue again after review of the documents. Discussion was held on available manpower at the dock for fueling and crane operation at night. Freden reported that dock personnel are instructed to contact him should they become overloaded. Dale stated that Snug Harbor can assist with the fueling at night as they have a 24-hour staff during the salmon season. It was also pointed out the City fueling schedule, which is timed with the tides, sometimes causes difficulty. McCune asked Dale if he had a fuel tender. Dale answered no, they had in previous years and if it was an option available to him this year he would have considered it. HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 11, 1997 PAGE 3 ® Phil Squires, a fisherman for Snug Harbor, stated he appreciates the nice facilities at the City dock but he feels they are too expensive. Squires further stated he is a Kenai resident and he wants to keep bringing his fish back but, from a business standpoint, there are other options. Sparlin asked if the City was responsible for the markings at the entrance of the river. It was pointed out the Coast Guard is responsible and work in the area should be underway at this time. OLD BUSINF~S- NONE NEW BUSINESS Commercial Use of Ramp Floats and/or Dock Floats 1. Tour Boats 2. Guide Boats 3. Work Boats Kornelis reported that tour, guide and work boats are utilizing the ramps and dock facilities at no charge. Kornelis recommended a rate schedule be developed for these services. Freden pointed out this becomes a real problem when the slips leased by Snug Harbor are used and the vessels are left unattended. It was suggested that Administration research what other areas are charging for the same type of services and fuel. Potable water use for boats that do not use our services. Kornelis reported a similar situation exists at the potable water pump. Vessels are filling up with potable water at no charge and are not purchasing fuel or utilizing other services. It was noted it is common to charge for potable water at other locations and the City should consider a charge since the water treatment cost is high. Dale expressed concern with vessels taking up valuable dock time for water when other vessels are waiting for fuel. He added, this is costing the City revenue. Dip netting on the beach. Bookey provided photos of this year's dip net activities. These photos emphasized the mess the beaches had been left in. Bookey reported that several meetings were held with the Mayor and State officials to discuss the problem and possible solutions. Council felt this issue needed to brought to the Harbor Commission because it is on the beach HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 11, 1997 PAGE 4 ® and is part of the harbor. It was noted that Fish and Game will assist Administration in writing a Change of Agenda for the Board of Fish meetings to be held in February. Changes to be considered or implemented include closing a section of the river to dip netting; assuring private property owners take more responsibility for their areas; place dumpsters in key areas, and provide signage to educate users. Bookey pointed out there is no effort stop the fishery. MCCUNE MOVED TO SUPPORT THE CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE OF THE BEACHES AND TO ALSO SUPPORT COUNCIL IN THEIR EFFORTS. THOMPSON SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION PASSED WITH NO OBJECTION. C® Reconnaissance Study Jahrig reported the Army Corps of Engineers is seeking $200,000 from the City of Kenai to go towards a reconnaissance study. It was pointed out the City is trying to obtain a grant for the study. The Corps indicated that a recent reconnaissance report showed economic reason to go ahead with the study. This study will include dredging the Kenai River's navigational course and will address erosion problems. Discussion was held on various studies already made and whether or not they can be used in this effort. It was recommended this be forwarded to Council to determine if there is a need to go forward and also if there are funds available for such a study. Discussion was held on who would be responsible for the cost of any work performed. Kornelis reported it would be a 50/50 split with the Corps as noted in the Harbor Commission May 12 meeting minutes. It was also noted in those minutes that if there were erosion control done Government will carry 65%, the City 35%. Kornelis added, the proposal required a draft cost sharing agreement if the City expressed interest in sponsoring the study. THOMPSON MOVED THAT CITY COUNCIL REVIEW THE CORPS PROPOSAL AND ESTIMATED COST TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THE STUDY SHOULD MOVE FORWARD. MOTION WAS SECONDED BY SPRACHER. UNANIMOUS VOICE VOTE. MOTION PASSED. INFORMATION a® Kornelis memo to K. Howard re: Snug Habor HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 11, 1997 PAGE 5 Kornelis reported that Council agreed with the Harbor Commission's recommendation to issue a special use permit to Snug Harbor for the parking area. It was also recommended that the rate be increased and the term changed to one year. Kornelis reported those items were ratified and an agreement with Snug Harbor was signed. ® COMMISSION COMMENTS & QUESTIONS Commissioners had no comments. Dale congratulated Freden on the parking and traffic flow plan. He stated that because the traffic was so thoughtfully routed and planned there were no problems encountered this year. Freden stated information outlining the City's expectations was handed out to users this year and it proved to be very helpful. Freden added that he would like to see three, 8-hour shifts at the dock during the dip net season to better organize the commercial boat and dip net traffic. Freden reported the revenue on the ramp was $19,500. Discussion was held on how the ramp was kept free of silt. Freden reported there was a lump of dirt at the end of the ramp by the water that caused the silt problem. The dirt was removed a.nd the ramp remains dry now except for a small section by the water. Freden also reported that users were very good this year with regard to ramp and dumpster usage. He added, additional dumpsters would have been helpful. 9. ADJOURNMENT The next meeting is scheduled for September 8, 1997. THOMPSON MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING. MCCUNE SECONDED THE MOTION. MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 9:05 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Carol Freas City Clerk (prepared by Barb Roper, Contract Secretary)