Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-10-07 Harbor Commission SummaryKENAI HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 7, 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 -- September 9, 2002 ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD ITEM $: OLD BUSINESS ao Discussion -- Boating Facility Operation Alternatives and Budget Review Privatization/Legal Exposure ITEM 6. NEW BUSINESS ITEM 7: a, REPORTS Director Dock Foreman City Council Liaison ITEM 8: COMMISSIONER COMMENTS/QUESTIONS ITEM 9' INFORMATION a, Kenai City Council Action Agendas of September 4 and 18, 2002. 9 / 20/02 Kenai Coastal Trail Status Report 2002 Kenai River Personal Use Dipnet Fishery Report ITEM 10: ADJOURNMENT KENAI HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 7, 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. confirmed as follows: Roll was taken and Present: Absent: Others Present: Eldridge, Rogers, Foster, Barrett, Simon, Thompson Spracher Councilman Bookey, Public Works Director Kornelis, and Contract Secretary Roper ITEM 2: AGENDA APPROVAL Commissioner Simon requested a discussion on Coastal Trail Culverts be added under New Business. MOTION: Commissioner Eldridge MOVED to approve the agenda with the addition and Commissioner Barrett SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM 3: APPROVAL OF MINUTES -- September 9, 2002 MOTION: Commissioner Eldridge MOVED to approve the minutes as written and Commissioner Barrett SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. ITEM 4: PERSONS SCHEDULED TO BE HEARD -- None ITEM 5: OLD BUSINESS Discussion -- Boating Facility · Operation Alternatives · Privatization/Legal Exposure Commissioner Simon provided an overview of a subcommittee meeting held on September 25, 2002. The following options were suggested and discussed: · Continue dock operations status quo -- Simon stated she liked the idea of continuing the dock as is, using the General Fund to pick up the shortfall, and on an operations level, continue operating the dock with various measures to enhance revenues and decrease expenses. Simon asked if there were any other options and Thompson suggested leasing the dock to a private operator as an option and closing the dock, the final option. · Reallocate revenues generated at the harbor to the boating facility rather than the General Fund. Bookey indicated no discussion had taken place by council to this regard, however, the budget hearing process would begin next week and that's where the discussions will take place. Commissioner Foster stated what probably needed to be done was defining exactly what the harbor area is; it may then be easier to determine what revenues should be reallocated. Bookey agreed and added, since Parks is involved in some of the areas, this should be a key issue. Enhance revenues -- Foster suggested all revenues go to the General Fund and the Fund pay for the dock. Bookey stated that would be his pitch to Council adding, he had two directions to go in: (1) segregate the funds to show the boating facility can be profitable or at least a break-even operation; and (2) show the dock is an intricate part of the community needing to be funded 100% by the General Fund. Bookey added, he would not want to see privatization of the dock as it would do nothing for the City. He also noted the Salamatof Dock was originally intended to be a public dock but the city lost it for 99 years due to privatization and he did not want the same thing to happen with the city dock. Thompson suggested the revenue from the personal taxes on the boats and the fish tax could be applied back to the harbor. Bookey stated he wants Council to understand, without the dock, those two sources of revenue would not be available and consideration needs to be given to at least crediting the deficit at the dock. (It was noted the dock is a special revenue fund rather than an enterprise fund.) Kornelis explained the difference was depreciation is not taken out. Eldridge noted the finance director indicated that might change next year. · Decrease expenses -- Thompson noted, the use of noncommissioned officers handled the policing of the dock area during the dipnet fishery was a great savings in labor costs. He suggested a private contractor might lease the dock for a period of time with some substantial labor savings to the City. Kornelis noted the noncommissioned officer sala~ was not an expense of the Harbor. Thompson stated he used that as an example of how a private contractor may provide labor at a lower rate than the City. Replacement of the current dock manager (Freden) for someone at a lower salary was discussed. Kornelis explained, the Freden's salary isn't high compared to other positions within the City structure. Bookey noted, Freden's experience level is worth a lot to the City and one would have to be careful when talking about utilizing a less experienced employee as that could end up costing the City a lot more money because of the inexperience. Bookey added, there are situations at the dock with a lot of HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 7, 2002 PAGE 2 liability such as the fueling operation, spill situations, dealing with the floats, etc. Simon noted she raised the question as she felt it needed to be discussed. Bookey agreed it should be discussed but Freden's experience is invaluable to the City. Make the dock work at a break-even point. · Dock Expansion -- Discussion followed regarding expansion of the dock and various funding sources to purchase the Dragnet property. Displaying an enlarged aerial photo of the dock area, Simon stated Mr. Jim Walsh is acting as an intermediary for Dragnet and she would contact him to check the status of the property. Bookey thought a group was negotiating with Dragnet for purchasing the property at this time. Simon suggested perhaps the area past the Warren Ames Bridge and down river could be marketed more or sold because of the beautiful views. It was noted there was very little property available in that area. Simon also suggested (if appropriate) she contact the Congressional Office regarding availability of grant funds made available by Congress for economically displaced fishermen to use toward the purchase of the Dragnet property for use as a restaurant or other economic venture. Bookey noted, all the ideas were great, but the City is unable to fund anything for the next two to three years. Bookey added, it would also be difficult to provide the funds for the necessary manpower. · Leases -- Thompson suggested use of short-term leases as an option and Barrett thought it would be fine as long as they remained very short-term. Foster suggested short-term leases on some of the liabilities at the dock such at the fueling facility. Eldridge suggested another consideration would be to go out with some RFP's to lease a couple dock sites, lease the dock, and the operation of the fueling facility. Eldridge added, the proposals would be evaluated and the City could accept the best one. It was noted these would be three to five-year leases. Bookey indicated this would be one of the conversations Council would have regarding the boating facility. Kornelis referred the Commission to the spreadsheet included in the packet outlining the revenue generated from the dock operations to identify the impact if the dock operations, including the fueling, would be leased out, excluding the ramps. · Increase Launch and Parking Fees-- Barrett suggested increasing the launch and parking fees at the dock and Kornelis stated he thought that could be done without too much ramification. Discussion ensued regarding the additional revenue the City would receive with the increases and Bookey stated, if the revenues were redirected to the boating facility rather than to the General Fund, the dock could operate status quo. Barrett recommended the dip net parking fees be increased as well and Thompson suggested season passes for the dip net fishers could be another HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 7, 2002 PAGE 3 option. Kornelis stated he would recommend the pay station be moved to the road at the entrance next year as that would reach more users. The list of options was amended as follows: f~es. · Continue dock operations status quo. · Justify the revenues going to the General Fund and reallocate them to the boating facility. Increase or enhance dock revenue. Decrease services. · Expand dock operations. · Pursue grants. · Consider three to five-year private leases, excluding ramp and parking Increase fees from $10 to $15. Bookey suggested the items be prioritized and included in a motion for Council's consideration and Kornelis suggested the recommendation include increasing the launch fees as well. MOTION: Commissioner Foster MOVED to maintain current dock operations, attempt to increase the revenue at the dock, cut the liabilities wherever possible, increase the fees, and bring some of the other revenues of the other harbor related activities under one umbrella. Commissioner Eldridge SECONDED the motion. A very lengthy discussion followed on how the motion could be amended. Bookey recommended a short recess to finalize the motion. MEETING RECESSED AT 8:19 P.M. MEETING RESUMED AT 8:34 P.M. Commissioner Foster withdrew his motion with concurrence from Commissioner Eldridge, who seconded. MOTION: Commissioner Simon MOVED to recommend to Council to continue dock operations as in the past, leasing a portion of the dock and maintaining the city's management over that portion the same as it is at present; credit the boating facilities fund with all harbor-related revenues, including the north and south side dipnet parking fees, boat taxes, and fish taxes; and recommend increasing the fees for launching and parking. Commissioner Eldridge SECONDED the motion. HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 7, 2002 PAGE 4 VOTE: Eldridge Barrett Thompson Yes Yes Yes Ro§ers Yes Foster Yes Simon Absent Yes Spracher MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. Bookey stated he liked the motion but more than likely the Council would say the fish tax and other revenues have other expenses, so the harbor may only get a portion. Eldridge stated the Commission had discussed other means of access and egress at the dock to enhance its usability and since the Dragnet property is available, the City should consider purchasing it to enhance economic development and perhaps install more ramps. MOTION: Commissioner Eldridge MOVED the City Council pursue having some type of economic development committee look at the Dragnet property and, working with the Arts Council, Harbor Commission, and Economic Development, determine some uses for that land where the City may obtain industrial development grants so that the facility doesn't have to stand by itself, landlocked as it is with only one means of access and egress and to also make the waterfront more attractive and useable. Additionally, Eldridge recommends that consideration be given to additional dock access and egress. Commissioner Simon SECONDED the motion. Eldridge added, something should be done now with regard to obtaining the Dragnet property as it is available and the price is a bargain at $750,000. Foster stated there is probably already some revenue related to the Dragnet property with the trailers, boats, buildings being leases, etc. Simon asked if it would be appropriate for her, as a Harbor Commissioner, to contact the congressional office regarding availability of grant funding and Kornelis recommended contact go through the City Manager or the Mayor. Bookey stated this was discussed previously and if Simon wanted to do this as an individual, she could but not as a Harbor Commissioner. Bookey recommended it be discussed at this level and then it go to Council. Council would give direction to Administration if they choose to pursue the issue. Simon indicated she would research this as an individual and report back to the Commission. VOTE: There were no objections. SO ORDERED. HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 7, 2002 PAGE 5 Chairman Thompson drew attention to the memo from the City Attorney regarding the legal exposure should the dock be privatized. It was noted the City has discussed the possible overlap of insurances with lessees. ITEM 6: NEW BUSINESS Discussion -- Coastal Trail Culverts- Environmental Impacts Simon provided photos of the culverts used at the Beaver Creek project and explained she was brainstorming ways of building the coastal trail and she thought the same culverts used in Beaver Creek could be utilized at the Coastal Trail project. Simon suggested, this design feature be discussed with the engineers on the coastal trail. She continued, only a small portion of the bluff erosion and erosion control project would actually be in the actual flow of the Kenai River and it might be conceivable to actually build a trail on top of culverts such as those at Beaver Creek. With the culverts placed parallel to the bluff, the flow of the Kenai River could go through and provide for habitat for fingerlings and fry. Thompson stated he thought the Commission would be out of sequence in discussing the issue at this point, as the Corps should be involved. Thompson recommended the issue be set aside until the Corps' status of the project is known. ITEM 7' REPORTS 7-a. Director-- Kornelis reported the pilings would be pulled and the dock closed for the winter on October 8, if weather allows. 7-bo Dock Foreman -- No report 7-c. City Council Liaison -- Bookey noted the following: · The first budget meeting will be held on October 14. He invited the Commission to attend. · The Council was happy Proposition 4 failed and explained some of the problems if it had passed. ITEM 8: COMMISSIONER COMMENTS/0UESTIONS Eldridge asked if a meeting was scheduled for the coastal trail' and Kornelis reported he was not aware of any. Barrett suggested use of the Visitors Center when a meeting is scheduled. · Barrett thanked Simon and the other Commissioners who prepared the report of options. Kornelis noted the November Harbor meeting falls on a City holiday and HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 7, 2002 PAGE 6 asked if the Commission would like it postponed or cancelled. The consensus of the Commission was to request postponement of the meeting. MOTION: Commissioner Barrett MOVED to postpone the next Harbor Commission meeting to Friday, November 15~. Commissioner Foster SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. Bookey stated he would take the issue to Council for approval. ITEM 9: INFORMATION Kenai City Council Action Agendas of September 4 and 18~ 2002. 9/20/02 Kenai Coastal Trail Status Report. 2002 Kenai River Personal Use Dipnet Fishery Report ITEM 10: ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Commissioner Barrett MOVED to adjourn and Commissioner Eldridge SECONDED the motion. There were no objections. SO ORDERED. The meeting adjourned at 9' 10 p.m. Minutes prepared and transcribe by: i3arbara L. Rc~per,/]Contracr Secretary HARBOR COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 7, 2002 PAGE 7