Sitka assembly members aren’t happy that Mayor Gary Paxton included an unauthorized letter in a packet to Alaska’s congressional delegation last year, but they see no need to censure him for what he admits was a mistake.
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The Sitka Assembly is not ready to declare a “climate emergency,” or to take specific action to reduce carbon emissions in local government.The controversial resolution had significant support from the public -- especially students -- but the standing-room-only audience at this week’s assembly meeting (2-25-20) couldn’t persuade a majority of members to agree to the strongly-worded document.
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After a break from rate increases last year, Sitka residents may be paying more for utilities this year, across the board.
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US Senator Lisa Murkowski took time during the congressional recess to make a swing through Sitka this week. She did all the expected things, like addressing the Chamber of Commerce and meeting with community leaders to discuss funding priorities. And the senator did one unexpected thing: She spent the afternoon in a talking circle with just over a dozen students at Pacific High School -- where one of the most influential voices in Washington had to wait her turn.
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A lengthy delay in delivering Sitka’s official position on the proposed “Roadless Rule” exemption to Congress has left some residents wondering if city hall hoped to downplay the resolution. Recently-released public records indicate that only one member of Alaska’s delegation received the “No Action” resolution following a vote by the Sitka Assembly last fall, and it was delivered with a letter that had not received assembly approval.
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The city of Sitka has paid $30,000 to settle the second of three lawsuits brought by former police department employees. Noah Shepard had sued, claiming he was pushed out of his job at the Sitka Police Department.
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The Sitka Assembly is looking to sell the city-owned Marine Services Center. When the assembly met on Tuesday (2-11-20), it voted to draft a Request for Proposal, but even those who voted on the process weren’t married to the idea of off-loading the facility.
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The Sitka Assembly wants to make room for tiny houses in city code, but the process to create regulations around them is moving at a snail shell’s pace. At a meeting on Tuesday (2-11-20) the group passed an amended version of new rules and regulations for tiny houses, but now the code has to come back to the assembly two more times.
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When the Sitka Assembly meets tonight it will, for the second time, consider making room for tiny houses in city code.
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Childcare is filled with contradictions: It’s an expensive service, but a low-paid profession. Childcare centers are full, with long waitlists, but struggle to meet costs. It is a community problem, borne mostly by working parents who have to scramble to find options that fit.
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