Chapter 14.03
ADMINISTRATION

Sections:

14.03.005    Harbormaster and employees.

14.03.010    Harbormaster’s powers and duties.

14.03.015    Disclaimer of liability.

14.03.020    Wrangell port commission.

14.03.025    Absence from meetings.

14.03.030    Election of chairperson.

14.03.035    Quorum – Voting.

14.03.040    Regular meetings.

14.03.045    Special meetings.

14.03.050    Executive session.

14.03.060    Authority.

14.03.005 Harbormaster and employees.

A. The borough manager, with advice and consent of the Wrangell port commission, shall appoint, and may discharge, a harbormaster who shall administer the harbor with the powers provided by this title. As a peace officer of the borough, the harbormaster is empowered to enforce the provisions of this title. The harbormaster may issue regulations not inconsistent with this title for the operation and use of the harbor.

B. The borough manager shall appoint, and may discharge, such technical and administrative employees as shall be necessary to carry on the functions of Wrangell harbor and port facilities.

C. The Harbormaster’s salary shall be established by the commission subject to the assembly approval. Positions and salaries of other technical and administrative employees shall be established in accordance with the position classification and pay plan of the borough. [Ord. 625 § 5, 1996.]

14.03.010 Harbormaster’s powers and duties.

The harbormaster shall be the director of the Port of Wrangell. He shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be imposed upon harbormasters, port directors, and administrative heads of harbors and ports by federal, state, or local law. The harbormaster shall be authorized to enforce WMC Title 14. The harbormaster may, in his discretion, refuse moorage to any vessel which in his opinion, constitutes a fire hazard, a nuisance, or a threat to the safety or welfare of other vessels or persons who use harbor and port facilities. When harbor and/or port facilities are overcrowded, the harbormaster may refuse moorage to any vessel. [Ord. 625 § 5, 1996.]

14.03.015 Disclaimer of liability.

The authority granted to the harbormaster shall not create an obligation or duty requiring the harbormaster to take any action to protect or preserve any vessel or property located within or utilizing or attempting to use Wrangell harbor and port facilities. The City and Borough of Wrangell shall not be liable for any loss or damage to real or personal property in the port or harbor resulting from fire or other casualty, theft, or vandalism. [Ord. 625 § 5, 1996.]

14.03.020 Wrangell port commission.

There is established the Wrangell port commission which shall consist of five members who shall each hold office for a period of three years ending on the first Monday following the annual municipal general election, or until their successors have been appointed and have qualified. Commissioners shall have the same qualifications as assembly members, except that commissioners shall be 21 years of age, and they shall serve without pay. Commissioners shall serve staggered terms, with the minimum of one commissioner elected annually. Filing shall be by declaration of candidacy filed with the borough clerk within the time periods as prescribed for assembly members. No petition is necessary. Vacancies shall be filled by appointment by the mayor until the next annual election, at which time candidates may file for the remainder of the vacant term. [Ord. 625 § 5, 1996.]

14.03.025 Absence from meetings.

If any port commissioner is absent from more than one-half of all meetings, regular and special, held within any period of four consecutive months, the port commissioner shall thereupon cease to hold office. [Ord. 625 § 5, 1996.]

14.03.030 Election of chairperson.

The port commission, at its first meeting following the municipal annual election, shall elect from its own members a chairperson who shall serve for one year to preside over meetings. [Ord. 625 § 5, 1996.]

14.03.035 Quorum – Voting.

Three port commissioners shall constitute a quorum. Any number less than a quorum may adjourn to a later date. An affirmative vote of a majority of the port commission is required for a subject’s passage or enactment. [Ord. 625 § 5, 1996.]

14.03.040 Regular meetings.

Regular meetings of the port commission shall be held on the first Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, Wrangell. If any such Thursday falls on a legal holiday as defined by the laws of the state, the meeting scheduled for that day shall be held at the same hour on the next succeeding day which is not a holiday. [Ord. 973 § 2, 2020; Ord. 668 § 4, 2000; Ord. 639 § 4, 1998; Ord. 625 § 5, 1996.]

14.03.045 Special meetings.

Special meetings of the commission may be called by the chairperson, any two port commissioners, or the harbormaster. Notice of special meetings shall be given in the same manner as special assembly meetings. [Ord. 625 § 5, 1996.]

14.03.050 Executive session.

The port commission may, after its agenda is otherwise completed, recess for the purpose of discussing, in a closed or executive session, only those subjects permitted by law pursuant to AS 44.62.310 to be discussed in executive session. In all cases, the meeting must be convened as a public meeting and the question of holding an executive session determined by a majority vote of the body. No subjects may be considered at the executive session except those mentioned in the motion calling for the executive session unless auxiliary to the main subject. No action may be taken at the executive session. [Ord. 625 § 5, 1996.]

14.03.060 Authority.

The port commission shall advise the harbormaster and borough assembly on all matters regarding supervision and control of Wrangell harbor and port facilities. The port commission shall recommend regulations, rates and charges for use of all harbor and port facilities to the borough assembly. The borough assembly may adopt the port commission’s proposed regulations, rates and charges by ordinance. [Ord. 625 § 5, 1996.]