The Wrangell Port Commission has decided to hold off on plans to increase space rates for work and storage at The Marine Service Center. At the recommendation of the Harbor Department, a 50 percent raise to 75 cents per square foot was being considered. But after the latest public workshop held on March 9, commissioners decided now would not be the best time to roll out the proposed increase.
“It’s been basically put on hold,” said Clay Hammer, chairing the commission at its March 11 evening meeting. Over the past several months’ meetings, vendors had largely appeared to be opposed to the rate increases, and the commissioners’ decision not to pursue the change reflected that.
“The timing right now just isn’t real good for raising the rates,” Hammer said. Rather than looking at adding a new operator position, in light of future budget concerns across the state he said it would be better to wait until the situation becomes clearer.
“If demand continues to go, we can document that,” he said. At that point, a better case could be made in favor of raising the rates.
However, requiring a reservation fee of prospective customers was agreed upon. When scheduling service at the service yard, boat owners will be required to submit a $100 deposit to alleviate scheduling problems caused by cancellations and no-shows.
Speaking for Superior Marine Services, owner Don Sorric updated commissioners on his business’ doings in order to continue improving communication between the city and private contractors.
“We’re going to experience an early spring rush,” he said, due in part to the warming weather.
Along with that, he raised an issue with surprise schedulings at the yard, where boats are being lifted without prior notice to Sorric or other vendors. He reported having to pull staff from other projects in order to provide services, and Sorric would prefer if boat owners were required to contact vendors before being lifted.
“Planning is just so helpful to us,” he told commissioners. “We have to be Johnny On-the-Spot. We want to know so that we can perform.”
Sorric also reported concerns about security at the yard, with equipment reported stolen from several operators and boat owners.
“There’s people prowling in the yard that don’t belong there,” he said. One incident late last month ended up bringing in the police to address a trespassing individual. “We caught him in a boat,” related Sorric. “The police found him on another boat.”
However, he said law enforcement was having difficulty in making any charges stick beyond trespassing. Wrangell Police Department was not forthcoming with any information about the incident as there is an ongoing investigation.
The incident was news to the Port Commission and city staff alike.
“The police department hasn’t contacted us on anything that has happened,” said Steve Miller, speaking for the Harbor Department.
“We have cameras now,” Sorric said of Superior Marine’s property. However, he wanted commissioners to consider upgrading security at the yard, whether that be through better fencing or other measures.
Commissioners also received a letter from Carol Rushmore, letting them know the Economic Development Committee has begun preliminary interviews for its marine service industry survey. The survey seeks out local contractors and shipyard vendors and gauges their economic impact as well as their needs and wants for the yard.
The survey itself will begin in April and will take about three months to complete.
Assisting with the preliminary interviews, Sorric commented positively on the survey.
“We really feel like that’s opening up communication,” he said. Sorric explained this should improve collaboration between public and private individuals, and so benefit the community as a whole. “We feel like partners in that respect.”
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