When the Sitka Assembly meets tonight (8-11-26), it will consider a major overhaul of the city’s commercial transportation code.
The current taxi code has been largely unchanged for nearly three decades. In a memo, Municipal Administrator John Leach says the change reflects more than three years of staff analysis, community engagement, and legal review.
If approved, the code updates would introduce an endorsement system divided into three classes – taxis, shuttles and tours, and human-powered vehicles, like pedicabs. It would not allow taxi operators to hold any other endorsements, a change the memo says is intended to ensure dedicated public taxi service. The new code would also update the existing fare structure to a flat-rate system based on pick-up and drop off zones, rather than metered.
In other business, the assembly will consider an updated agreement with the Sitka Recreation Foundation for the creation of a Parks and Recreation Master Plan. It will also consider, on second reading, a fee waiver program for some winter events at the city’s convention center. And at the end of the meeting, it will go behind closed doors in an executive session to screen candidates for the municipal administrator position.
The Sitka Assembly meets at 6 p.m. tonight at Harrigan Centennial Hall. Raven News will broadcast the meeting live, following Alaska News Nightly.
