TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA

Transcription

1 Interior Alaska The Place To Do Business 100 Cushman St., Suite 102 Fairbanks, Alaska Phone (907) Fax (907) Call to Order TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA Denny s Restaurant Meeting Room Thursday, October 23, :00AM ACTION INFO Notes 2. Conflict of Interest Disclosure X Only related to actionable items on the agenda. Declaring a conflict does not prevent a member from participating in discussion; it ensures the Chamber is operating in a transparent manner. 3. Approval of Agenda X 4. Approval of Minutes a. October 16, 2014 X PRESENTATION 5. Chena Flood Control Project/Moose Creek Dam a. Dave Frenier, Chief of Engineer Division US Army Corp of Engineers OLD BUSINESS 6. Support for Knik Arm Crossing Draft Memo X 7. Discussion: Alaska Transportation Infrastructure Fund next steps X Memo attached NEW BUSINESS Committee Program of Work X Due in November REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS 9. Highway X 10. Rail X 11. Aviation X 12. Marine X 13. Staff Reports X Committee Q report due 10/ Committee Chair Reports X 15. Committee Member Comments X 16. Guest Comments X REVIEW ACTION ITEMS FROM MEETING & RESPONSIBLE COMMITTEE MEMBERS(S) and/or STAFF UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

2 17. Scheduled Presentations a. Oct 30 Commissioner Balash b. Nov 6 - Airport Way West improvement project update 17. Committee-hosted General Membership Luncheons a. Nov 4 (or TBD) DOT Transportation Projects: from Design to Construction & the Public Process X X 18. Adjourn X

3 Interior Alaska The Place To Do Business 100 Cushman St., Suite 102 Fairbanks, Alaska Phone (907) Fax (907) TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Denny s Restaurant Meeting Room Thursday, October 16, :00AM Committee members present: Guests present: Staff present: Bill Brophy, Roger Burggraf, Donna Gardino, Tom George, Stan Halvarson, Sarah Lefebvre, Jim Little, David Miller, John Phillips Jim Simko, Ken Collette, Bob Tilly, Ken Hall, Gabe Schutte, Mike Hamm Jonni Roos 1. Call to Order Sarah Lefebvre, Transportation Committee chair, called the meeting to order at 7:00am. A quorum was established. 2. Conflict of Interest Disclosure No conflicts of interest were noted. 3. Approval of Agenda A motion was made by John Phillips and seconded to approve the meeting agenda. Motion carried. 4. Approval of Minutes a. October 9, 2014 PRESENTATION 5. Tour of Alaska West Express facilities OLD BUSINESS 6. Support for Knik Arm Crossing Draft Memo A motion was made by Stan Halvarson and seconded to approve the minutes of the October 9, 2014 committee meeting. Motion carried. Ken Hall with Lynden Transport, Gabe Schutte with Alaska West Express and Mike Hamm Lines discussed the business of shipping in the Interior and provided a guided tour of the Alaska West Express facility The topic was tabled to the October 23, 2014 committee meeting. NEW BUSINESS 7. Discussion: Alaska Transportation Infrastructure Fund next steps REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS 8. Highway, Rail, Aviation, Marine The topic was tabled to the October 23, 2014 committee meeting Reports were held to the next meeting

4 9. Staff Reports The 3 rd Quarter committee report is due 10/23 and will be discussed at the Board of Directors meeting on 10/27. A reminder to committee members to be sure to RSVP for the last candidate forum on October Committee Chair Reports None 11. Committee Member None Comments 12. Guest Comments None UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS Scheduled Presentations a. Oct 23 - Chena Flood project / Moose Creek Dam b. Oct 30 - DOT projects - from concept to construction c. Nov 6 - Airport Way West improvement project update Committee-hosted General Membership Luncheon a. Nov 4 DOT Transportation Projects: from Design to Construction & the Public Process 18. Adjourn Sarah adjourned the committee meeting at 8:04am. Respectfully submitted, Jonni Roos

5 Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Proposed Memo DRAFT REGARDING THE KNIK ARM CROSSING PROJECT AND ITS PROPOSED FUNDING: To the Governor, Alaska State Legislators, and the DOT&PF; The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) has, in general, been quietly supportive of the Knik Arm Crossing project and the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority over the years that this enormous and expensive undertaking has been under consideration. We fully recognize the importance of the project to the State of Alaska and its various stakeholders within the State; but are also aware that the endeavor has some aspects with significant and sobering downside potential. We appreciate the administration s and legislature s close involvement in molding this transportation project, and are pleased that the project administration was transferred back to the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (ADOT&PF), because they are the most expert and experienced in this transportation development realm. We are not similarly convinced that the adoption of the restructured funding package, which altered the program s fiscal stream from private sector/toll funding to State Government/toll funding is adequately assured of a successful result. The Chamber willingly, often eagerly, supports responsible transportation infrastructure development in Alaska and the facilitation of improvements to the transportation links between our communities. But given the circumstances and immense extent of the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority project, and despite the fact that the project has already been approved by the Legislature and initiated by the Governor and the DOT&PF, we recommend the following cautious oversight steps be taken: A. That the cost benefit analysis of the project to the State be carefully reviewed before funding commitments are made and that it be enhanced to review and address some of the benefits claimed by the project are redundant when compared with those already gained by funding the Port McKenzie rail project. B. That the project s cost benefit analysis include analysis and inclusion of the cost of the construction of the roadway(s) necessary to connect with the Parks Highway to the point where the new route significantly reduces travel time to Fairbanks. C. That the projected toll program and anticipated stream of revenues be reviewed by an independent consultant under contract to ADOT&PF.

6 D. That the most current and realistic string of annual cost numbers for the entire design/construct/inspection project be analyzed for impact to the projected annual statewide, primarily FHWA funded highway program. E. That the 30+ year array of revenue projections be analyzed relative to the obligations they are budgeted against, to include bond repayments and ongoing maintenance & operations costs. F. That the DOT&PF carefully review and satisfy itself as to the accuracy of the current project cost estimate, and that such estimate include the selection of a realistic markup percentage to cover potential cost overruns. We, the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce understand that the Knik Arm Crossing project would provide substantial benefits to the state, if built, but it may be that the projects that are precluded from completion by the pursuance of this mega project will cause harm or economic failures that exceed the benefits envisioned.

7 Interior Alaska The Place To Do Business 2014 TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE PROGRAM OF WORK Chair: Meeting Time: Mission Statement: Advocate Sarah Lefebvre, Exclusive Paving 7:00AM 8:00AM at Denny s Restaurant With the goal of enhancing Fairbanks as the Alaska and Northern Region transportation hub, and increasing the capability to service international traffic, the Transportation Committee educates itself by monitoring transportation-related needs and infrastructure in Alaska. This includes, but is not limited to: roads, railroad, aviation, terminals, and water access, with the goal of recommending action to the Board of Directors as needed. The Transportation Committee also advocates for the adopted priorities of the Chamber Board. Monitor and track transportation legislation related to the adopted legislative priorities of the Board of Directors. o 2014 Legislative Priorities include: Re-establish state funding for the Fairbanks Metropolitan Area Transportation System (FMATS) Support development of an urban rural connection to Tanana In addition, obtain pertinent information from specialists, promoters, sponsors, or other knowledgeable spokespersons, and advocate through letters of support, resolutions, or other means to support responsible transportation-related policies or actions, pending Board approval. Form work groups, when needed, to further research and bring forward recommendations to the committee. Educate Invite guest speakers to at least one committee meeting a month Topics of interest include: railroads, highways, aviation, marine (refer to addendum for list of identified areas of interest) Recommend general membership luncheon (GML) programs and/or panel discussions Monitor transportation-related bills and issues and make recommendations to the Board of Directors, as needed Provide a quarterly committee report to the Board of Directors Utilize Chamber resources (general membership luncheons, newsletters, Chamber Chatter, News-Miner op-eds, etc.) to inform the general membership about transportation-related topics and upcoming meetings Collaborate Engage with government agencies and transportation-related associations and organizations (refer to addendum for suggested organizations) Support and promote local and statewide transportation conferences Work with other Chamber committees and the Board, as needed 2014 Transportation Committee Program of Work

8 2014 Transportation Committee: Program of Work Addendum Suggested Presentations & Areas of Focus Highways and Roadways Aviation Railroad Shipping Other transportation issues Suggested transportation related associations and organizations for collaboration Alaska Railroad, Alaska Airlines, Alaska Airmen s Association Alaska Department of Transportation, Alaska General Contractors, Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce 2014 Transportation Committee Program of Work

9 CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE FORUM & DEBATE FOR AL ASK A S U. S. SENATE & HOUSE SEATS ONLINE RESERVATIONS M A R K B E G I C H D A N S U L L I V A N F O R R E S T D U N B A R J I M M C D E R M O T T D O N Y O U N G D R D L R Ask questions. Get answers. Hear issues defined. FEATURING U.S. Senate Candidates Mark Begich (D) Dan Sullivan (R) U.S. House Candidates Forrest Dunbar (D) Jim McDermott (L) Don Young (R) THANK YOU, CO-SPONSORS: Tuesday, October 28, PM - 1:30PM Carlson Center, Main Arena Doors open at 11:15AM RESERVATIONS REQUIRED $250 for table of 8 ** $20/person BEFORE 11am, Friday, October 24 ** $25/person AFTER 11am, October 24 and day of ** $5/person listening-only **includes lunch buffet TO MAKE RESERVATIONS: Call or online at: FAIRBANKSCHAMBER.ORG QUESTIONS? Lisa Herbert at Lisa@FairbanksChamber.org SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES are still available Call to sponsor today FORUM MODERATOR Lorna Shaw, Sumitomo Metal Mining Pogo, LLC HOSTED BY: The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that represents our members by advocating for a healthy economic environment and by building partnerships that promote the greater Fairbanks area as an attractive place for business and community. F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n, c a l l f a i r b a n k s c h a m b e r. o r g