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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-04-08 Harbor Commission SummaryKENAI HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING APRIL 8, 2002 KENAI COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M. AGENDA ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER & ROLL CALL ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- March 11, 2002 ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM 5: OLD BUSINESS ITEM 6' NEW BUSINESS ao Discussion -- Request to Lower Lease Rate/R&J Seafoods Discussion -- Council Meeting Action Agendas ITEM 7: REPORTS ao Director Dock Foreman City Council Liaison ITEM 8' COMMISSIONER COMMENTS/QUESTIONS ITEM 9' INFORMATION ao Kenai City Council Action Agendas of March 6 and 20, 2002. ITEM 10: ADJOURNMENT KENAI HARBOR COMMISSION' MEETING APRIL 8, 2002 KENAI COUNCIL CHAMBERS 7:00 P.M. CHAIRMAN TOM THOMPSON~ PRESIDING MINUTES ITEM 1' CALL TO ORDER/~ ROLL CALL Chairman Thompson called the meeting to order at 7'00 p.m. Kathleen Graves announced she was married on March 13, 2002 and her name is now Kathleen Simon. Members Present: Eldridge, Rogers, Simon, Spracher, Thompson, Barrett Members Absent: Foster Others Present' Councilman Bookey, Public Works Director Kornelis, Contract Secretary Roper ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL MOTION: Commissioner Eldridge requested that the handouts provided by Kornelis prior to the meeting be added under Old Business, Item 5.a. Eldridge MOVED to approve the amended agenda and Commissioner Spracher SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES- March 11, 2002 MOTION: Commissioner Eldridge MOVED to approve the minutes of January 7, 2002 and Commissioner Rogers SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD - None ITEM 5' OLD BUSINESS Update Discussion -- Kenai Coastal Trail and Bluff Erosion Project/Status Councilman Bookey announced the City just learned the initial funding of $500,000 for the Kenai Coastal Trail and Bluff Erosion project was included in the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill for the Corps of Engineers to conduct a study of Kenai River bank stabilization needs. Bookey added, although the City is disappointed the funds were not direct to the City, future funding may be easier to obtain if the Corps determines the need for bank stabilization exists. The Corps has a problem with the current design' but will work on modifications to make it more permit worthy. Kornelis reported the Corps representative from Anchorage would visit Kenai on April 9t~ to discuss the project and look at the area. Simon recommended the City have the Corps and Kenai River Center be involved in staff meetings regarding the Kenai Coastal Trail. Simon added, she met with the local Corps person and that would be a good place for the City to start. Kornelis reiterated the Corps representative from Anchorage would be onsite on April 9t~ and it is possible the local person would be involved. Bookey expressed concern that Peratrovich, Nottingham & Drage (PND) would not be the low bidder and the City would have to start over. Eldridge recommended all the information compiled by PND be made available to the Corps. Kornelis assured the Commission the City would be involved completely with the project and the information obtained to date will be utilized. Kornelis also added the money spent to date is money well spent as the City can now logically explain their desires to the Corps. A lengthy discussion ensued and it was determined the only option at this point was to wait and see what the Corps develops. Bookey noted the Mayor submitted another $500,000 request for federal funds for the project. ITEM 6: NEW BUSINESS Discussion- Request to Lower Lease Rate/R&J Seafoods. Kornelis reported R&J Seafoods submitted a request for a 25% rate reduction on their leases due to the poor fishing seasons. Kornelis explained the current leases and the dollar amount of each. Kornelis added, the leases expire in September and October of 2002 and after discussions with the City Manager and Finance Director, it was the City's desire to keep the rate the same. Eldridge thought consideration should be given to the 25% rate reduction due to the poor fishing industry. Simon agreed a reduction was necessary but thought a counter offer of 15% should be made. Councilman Bookey stated there were a couple of issues to consider when discussing this request; first, the City's budget is in serious trouble and the dock in particular, as revenues were down by $70,000 last year; second, the City has to be careful with allowing the rate reductions, especially for an operator who resides outside the City of Kenai. HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING APRIL 8, 2002 PAGE 2 Spracher thought a five percent (5%) rate reduction could be made in an effort to show some compassion to the situation. MOTION Commissioner Simon MOVED the City reduce the R&J Seafoods lease rate by vie percent in recognition of the poor conditions of the fishing industry and Commissioner Spracher SECONDED the motion. Simon stated She interviewed users on the dock and the chief gripe is that the City charges too much. Bookey explained the dock doesn't generate enough revenue to keep operating and at this time, the General Fund is subsidizing dock operations. Discussion continued on the cost of operating the dock. AMENDMENT TO MOTION: Commissioner Simon MOVED to amend the main motion that the City reduce R&J Seafoods lease rate by ten percent (10%) in recognition of the poor conditions of the fishing industry and Commissioner Spracher SECONDED the motion. Discussion took place on the difference with both a five and ten percent reduction to the leases. WITHDRAWAL OF MOTIONS: After discussing further the reduction, Simon withdrew both motions with the second's concurrence. Discussion -- Council Meeting Action Agendas Councilman Bookey stated there were some Commissions who do not want the Council action agendas included in the meeting packets and asked if Harbor would like to see them continue. The general consensus was the Harbor Commission would like to see the agendas included. ITEM 7: REPORTS 7-a. Director-- Kornelis reported the road to the dock was plowed but the gate was locked and anyone requiring access could get the key from City Hall. Simon asked if one is allowed to walk out to the dock and Kornelis replied, it was allowable. Dock Foreman -- No report. 7-c. City Council Liaison -- Councilman Bookey reported that budgets work sessions were scheduled for April 9, 10 and 16th and will be held in Council Chambers. Bookey added, the City Council meeting agendas are posted on the City's website as well as department quarterly income and expense reports. HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING APRIL 8, 2002 PAGE 3 ITEM 9: COMMISSIONER COMMENTS / QUESTIONS Commissioner Spracher suggested the City look at how Long Beach, California handles dock revenue. Commissioner Barrett stated he was pleased to be serving on the Harbor Commission. ITEM 10: INFORMATION 10-a. Kenai City Council Action Agendas of March 6 and 20, 2002. ITEM 11' ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Commissioner Spracher MOVED to adjourn. There were no objections. ORDERED. SO The meeting adjourned at 8'20 p.m. Minutes recorded and transcribed by: Barbara l~oper, C~t~/-~t Secretary HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING APRIL 8, 2002 PAGE 4