Tonight, the Sitka Assembly meets in regular session to talk electric rates, erosion, and city management.
See the full agenda here: 170328_AssemblyAgenda
Utility Director Bryan Bertacchi withdrew his application for city administrator yesterday. Sitka Fire Chief Dave Miller and Homer Public Works Director Carey Meyer are the only two candidates remaining. The Sitka Assembly will discuss next steps tonight and may go into executive session. Over the phone with KCAW, four expressed interest in re-opening the hiring process to allow for other applications.
On second and final reading, the Assembly will also revisit a proposed 15% increase to electric rates, effective April 1st, 2017, to meet bond obligations for the Blue Lake dam project. See ordinance here: Ord 2017-05S
The Assembly also wants to implement a seasonal rate structure, effective October 1st, 2017. If passed, Sitka’s electric rates would be higher in the summer (19 cents/kWh) and lower in the winter (12 cents/kWh). See that ordinance here: Ord 2017-06S
On first reading, the Assembly will consider an ordinance (Ord 2017-08) to loosen sales tax penalties. The ordinance says that if a business is in good standing – with no outstanding debt – and pays their sales taxes late by accident, the city will waive the 5% penalty fee.
In a memo to the Sitka Assembly, Chief Administrative and Financial Officer Jay Sweeney said staff have seen multiple examples of taxes coming in late by a day or two because of human error. This policy, which Juneau also has, is intended to cut those businesses a break.
The Assembly will also consider freeing up funding for the Gary Paxton Industrial Park to address shoreline erosion. In February, the GPIP board toured the shoreline in front of Lot 4 and Lot 9a, where the structural integrity of the buildings may be jeopardy. GPIP wants to access its contingency fund for a quarter million dollar shoreline erosion project, but will need Assembly permission.
Raven Radio will join the meeting live in progress at 6 p.m., after Alaska News Nightly.
