When the Sitka Assembly meets tonight (8-13-24) it will take up its first recommendation from the short-term tourism task force. It will consider, on first reading,  whether to create a permanent tourism commission. 

The assembly established the tourism task force last year, and the group was assigned the job of identifying a tourism management strategy in the middle of unprecedented growth in Sitka’s cruise tourism industry. After a year, the group came back with 32 recommendations, and establishing a permanent commission was one of them.

If approved, the commission will be made up of seven members appointed by the assembly. They’ll be tasked with advising the assembly on strategies to “enhance the social, economic, and environmental well-being of Sitka’s residents in relation to tourism.” 

In other business, the assembly will consider the annual goals from the Health Needs and Human Services Commission. Topping the commission’s list this year are childcare, community transportation and elder services.

The Sitka Assembly meets at 6 p.m. tonight. Raven News will broadcast the meeting live, following Alaska News Nightly.