ITEM TITLE:
#26-40 - Establishing Rates and Fees for Valdez Harbors and Repealing Resolution 26-29 Formerly Naming Such Rates and Fees
SUBMITTED BY: Sarah Von Bargen, Harbormaster
FISCAL NOTES:
Expenditure Required: N/A
Unencumbered Balance: N/A
Funding Source: N/A
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve Resolution #26-40, establishing rates and fees for Valdez Harbors.
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
Harbor staff completed a comprehensive review and reorganization of the rates and fees for use of Valdez Harbor facilities. The updated Rate Schedule incorporates changes developed through customer feedback and staff experience administering the current rate structure.
The revised schedule consolidates Harbor rates, fees, billing standards, operational requirements, and enforcement provisions into one comprehensive document. Its purpose is to provide greater clarity and consistency in how fees are applied while ensuring Harbor users are treated fairly and equitably based on their actual use or impact on public Harbor facilities.
In addition to the updated format, the schedule clarifies several areas that generated questions or concerns under the current rate structure, including billing and interpretation standards, auxiliary vessels and seine skiffs, upland storage and parking, annual rate adjustments, and Harbormaster discretion. For example, the approved schedule treats seine skiffs and other auxiliary vessels associated with a parent vessel as part of that vessel for moorage purposes when operational and navigation requirements are met.
The Ports & Harbor Commission reviewed the proposed rate schedule and recommended approval of the document and associated changes. The schedule will become effective upon approval by the Valdez City Council and will be reviewed annually by the Valdez Ports and Harbors Commission for accuracy, operational impacts, billing alignment, and consistency with City Code and adopted policies.