[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6509134,"mediaKeyId","5442698-28b261f305462c3893e48186404579ad","parentId",5442698,"title","Votes at a glance: Assembly approves budget, assessment and land actions; sales-tax extension set for ballot","audioSeconds",688,"startMs",1725000,"endMs",2413000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5442698-28b261f305462c3893e48186404579ad&start=1725&end=2413","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5442698-28b261f305462c3893e48186404579ad/thumbnail_1725000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6509134/Ketchikan-Gateway-Borough/Alaska/Votes-at-a-glance-Assembly-approves-budget-assessment-and-land-actions-sales-tax-extension-set-for-ballot","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509134-56f3186b4e85d452a7351a194a0bc0c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509681&Signature=JXTt8zMTxmkdwEYWgjfkGmjLNOAU~8f2ygP~1gzLz5oq2--9WJosHais1A4PmXfFlrRPxUnfPuqBQ65cON9VoXjOwqx1ZoaBaKRAEMirK6bT0tzMzO0kf2NX9zvbGZI9DcRvWyAVqs5U75B5lic1r8kIuDUHxNdaTc0Ix-~6MayRgwryv8-Kg9joGeCKQMaCMyY7WmbU7lBtLTqzjpLi~QkdPpRw1KVf8matPwhvfPeMkX0BKJlq5XNyU1DRBzF~93GFdt06tyw749bKokPCJbXUTj7k6p--NYizmaURcg-IoB3uFtTr4MTlCMg04wNvSjcsfg0F8N2DYDCMEDxC7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ketchikan Gateway Borough","date","2025-07-21T00:00:00Z","article","The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly voted on several ordinances, supplemental appropriations and land actions during its July 21 meeting. Most measures passed by unanimous roll-call votes.

Highlights
- Ordinance 2075 (amending KGBC 4.05.0.015 and 4.05.0.020) — Adopted as amended. The assembly amended the substitute ordinance to require the assembly resolution that defines the format and content of the budget message to also define the format and content of the borough budget document. Amendment passed 7–0; final ordinance passed 7–0.

- Ordinance 2076 (amending KGBC 4.45) — Clarifies assessment-appeal filing requirements, provisions for revised assessments following disaster or catastrophic loss and reduces the business/personal property nonfiling penalty from $200 to $100. Adopted by roll call 7–0.

- Ordinance 2077 — Supplemental appropriation of $350,000 to purchase Lot 6A-2, Herbie 2013 Subdivision (parcel used for transit vehicle staging and staff parking). Adopted by roll call 7–0. Funding will come from Land Trust Fund (with a general-fund transfer representing 80% and remaining 20% from CPV) per staff presentation.

- Ordinance 2078 — Placing a question on the Oct. 7, 2025 borough election ballot to extend a half‑percent sales tax dedicated to school capital projects for five additional years (ending Jan. 1, 2031). Assembly voted 7–0 to adopt the ordinance to place the question on the ballot. Staff reported the tax produces an estimated $3.2 million in FY2026 and funds district-wide capital projects.

- Ordinance 2079 — Rezoning (introduction only) of Lot 158B-1, Manatee Subdivision (239 Cranberry Road) from split zoning to suburban residential; introduced and set for second public hearing Aug. 4, 2025 (vote to introduce 7–0).

- Introduction of Ordinance 20 80 (transient occupancy tax change) — Assembly introduced an amendment to KGBC section 4.55.0.044.d removing the borough exemption on transient occupancy taxes charged on lodging located within the city limits; amendment passed on introduction 7–0.

Other actions
- Acceptance of claims totaling $1,691,754.86 and acknowledgement of interim financial statements for March and April 2025 — approved 7–0.
- Consent calendar (as amended) — adopted 7–0. Items included awards of contracts (Dawson Construction LLC for Salmon Walk extension design-build construction phase for $494,856; Merchants Credit Corporation for collection services), resolution authorizing purchase of Lot 6A-2, and review of alcohol license renewals.
- Acquisition direction: Assembly directed the borough manager to enter into a purchase and sales agreement with the Alaska Mental Health Trust Land Office for Lots 3 and 4 Block 1, Berry Patch Subdivision in the amount of $269,330.96 — passed 7–0.

Why it matters: These measures adjust borough budget procedures, clarify assessment and disaster provisions, secure land needed for transit operations and public access, and place a school-capital financing question before voters. Several items affect near-term capital spending and fund balances.

Full list of recorded motions and results (selected)
- Ordinance 2075 (amendment): Passed; roll-call 7 yes, 0 no.
- Ordinance 2075 (as amended): Passed; roll-call 7 yes, 0 no.
- Ordinance 2076: Passed; roll-call 7 yes, 0 no.
- Ordinance 2077 (supplemental appropriation $350,000): Passed; roll-call 7 yes, 0 no.
- Ordinance 2078 (place ballot question to extend 0.5% sales tax): Passed; roll-call 7 yes, 0 no.
- Ordinance 2079 (rezoning introduction): Introduced and set for next hearing; roll-call 7 yes, 0 no.
- Approval of claims totaling $1,691,754.86: Passed; roll-call 7 yes, 0 no.
- Consent calendar as amended: Passed; roll-call 7 yes, 0 no.
- Purchase & sale agreement direction for Lots 3 & 4 Block 1 (Berry Patch): Passed; roll-call 7 yes, 0 no.

Next steps and follow-up
- Ordinances that were introduced will return for final hearing or further action as scheduled (e.g., ordinance 2079 on Aug. 4). Staff will bring back an ordinance to add transient occupancy tax revenue to the Local Education Fund (requested on the floor; requires five votes for passage). The school capital sales-tax question will be on the Oct. 7, 2025 ballot per the adopted ordinance.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ketchikan Gateway Borough - Assembly - Regular - Jul 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly enacted multiple ordinances and resolutions July 21, including amendments to budget procedures, a $350,000 supplemental appropriation to buy land for transit use, and placing a school-capital sales-tax extension on the Oct. 7, 2025 ballot.","taxTitle","Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska","taxId",27492,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6509137,"ADOT says Ketchikan airport ferry-berth project nearing final work; topping slab, steel fixes planned",359,1019000,1378000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5442698-28b261f305462c3893e48186404579ad&start=1019&end=1378","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5442698-28b261f305462c3893e48186404579ad/thumbnail_1019000.jpg","/articles/6509137/Ketchikan-Gateway-Borough/Alaska/ADOT-says-Ketchikan-airport-ferry-berth-project-nearing-final-work-topping-slab-steel-fixes-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509137-d4ed551b150e496d7b99118a15cdc222/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509681&Signature=HlrZ52GooRrP2P8aOIGr4RkA5q6M1oVc56KTUeHsYCFgkGCqDqOFuYa05J7vcLv1T0MsBQSZjpzJLldyOm3esh618eNHMT2iBBXaP2~S2kgKP6pj9YhFlmFZAEn39hsGZlf8slFt8Zy7sGoGfScWLkMYl624aWEx6YG5yEG2eQt2d9jgwT7gWL~Wjunjxh~8bppodbyobp3ik~TWKBDzc0vO1D2pl99tD7kAPEjUAiPqjkXaxEe69tgFEogyCUzhMmZ2JjFeHIyjbFa-TG7MkcHr5k0dZfadkyU6jcrN7al~TzZAbQGuQVqDjnyz-4yaY5GYZv70biuA6XoDLOaLjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","David Lowell, construction engineer and project manager for the Alaska Department of Transportation’s South Coast region, told the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly July 21 that the long-running Ketchikan Airport ferry-berth project is in its final steps, with planned concrete and steel fixes this summer and a final inspection and ribbon cutting anticipated in the fall.

Lowell said the original contract for the project was awarded June 19, 2020, for $51 million and that the project achieved substantial completion of uplands work and several structures in 2022. The project team deferred some refurbishment work and is preparing to rebid the remaining refurbishment projects next spring; much of the material for that work has been procured and is staged at the airport.

Why it matters: The new berths and uplands work were intended to improve ferry operations and passenger access; the assembly received details on cost-management choices, structural remediation and a targeted schedule to remedy vehicle-scraping issues affecting long-overhang vehicles such as ambulances.

Problems encountered and fixes
Lowell described differing site conditions and construction challenges that required close coordination with contractors and designers. When long pilings arrived on site the contractor had to splice some piles in the field to fit equipment parameters. Field splice welds were inspected; some were found inadequate. To address that without redoing installed work, engineers installed a smaller-diameter, thicker‑walled pile inside the existing pile and grouted the annulus to create a composite pile. Lowell said the team is confident in the structural integrity of the finished portions following those repairs.

Vehicle scraping at the top of the transfer bridge
After the new berths were finished in July, the contractor and DOT found that some vehicles (ambulances with long overhangs) were scraping the bridge during certain tidal conditions. DOT ran as-built surveys and vehicle-turning simulations (AutoTurn) and designed a fix consisting of a topping slab on local areas of the concrete docks to change approach geometry, plus steel modifications to apron areas. Lowell said crews expect to begin the concrete topping work in August and complete steel welding modifications in September, with a final inspection and ribbon cutting thereafter.

Schedule, costs and procurement
Lowell said the project experienced some cost increases but that the team removed refurbishment work from the original contract to keep the new-berth uplands within available funding and limit change orders. He reported change orders remained under a 20% level for the project to date. The team anticipates rebidding refurbishment projects for construction availability in spring; material purchases already staged will reduce lead time once a contractor is selected.

Questions from the assembly
Assembly Member Thompson asked about confidence in the ambulance fix; Lowell said testing included AutoTurn simulations across tide cycles and that the topping slab and approach geometry change are designed to remove a hard knuckle at the top of the bridge. Assembly Member Bailey asked whether adding the topping slab would create structural issues; Lowell replied no, the topping is accounted for in structural load analyses and is intended as a geometry correction.

Next steps
DOT anticipates the concrete work beginning in August and steel welding in September, with a final inspection and ribbon-cutting ceremony soon after completion.

","Alaska Department of Transportation project manager David Lowell updated the assembly on construction progress on the Ketchikan Airport ferry berth project, described earlier cost management decisions, piling splice remediation and a concrete topping-slab fix for vehicle scraping; finish and final inspection expected by September/October.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6509143,"Assembly approves 20-year lease to Shellfish Growers Cooperative for borough property at 8900 South Tongass Highway",3731,387000,4118000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5442698-28b261f305462c3893e48186404579ad&start=387&end=4118","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5442698-28b261f305462c3893e48186404579ad/thumbnail_387000.jpg","/articles/6509143/Ketchikan-Gateway-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-approves-20-year-lease-to-Shellfish-Growers-Cooperative-for-borough-property-at-8900-South-Tongass-Highway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509143-5bd5fe9266c69b33f9c40e975f1a7a7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509681&Signature=kO~ONrvPd1hmnbOl6-dnlpqT5qGTuGWgnJXMHYiflvs7pyD4V4PgobApTCmxR0xHTTwiCAdzdyB-sQEvIACJ3KpUc~LjKjZasb-wozX27b5Y9JaIA6~r7g9ojtcy3N6W5yQMNWRU9~f3pKpqMa5uBw3SHQ9tYtA59iiVg4PJYCFvHkLwyifi~c2ExUuVuB0t-9EYLdcPbw533ogYLZWd0bbfxabQCOFZXmJDkrEBWrEcFj8qL7LwisZ7fpaPJyHuEOe8RTgaTITQKpqIsqrB42uCwTdkyEtUXWvLCSi7yMKvf78QRNTEjPVgZ1KT6nhrfxok6sYTUKPEYze9jy8hBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly voted unanimously July 21 to enter into a lease with the Shellfish Growers Cooperative for roughly 7,400 square feet of borough-owned land at 8900 South Tongass Highway.

The assembly approved a motion to enter into an agreement in substantially the same form as presented and adopted an amendment to set monthly rent at $740, with the rent to be adjusted for inflation over the lease term.

The action follows public comment from Paul Foos, president of the Shellfish Growers Cooperative of Ketchikan, who spoke to the assembly before debate and said the cooperative supports a 20-year term so long as renewal clauses remain in the lease. \"Primarily, the lease would be 20 years and that's okay with us as long as there's renewal clauses, which there are,\" Foos said. He told the assembly the reduced land area in the draft lease meets the cooperative's needs and that the project requires seed availability to scale operations.

Why it matters: The lease is intended to enable a local mariculture operation that proponents say will produce seed and aquaculture jobs. Assembly members pressed the cooperative and staff on financial safeguards and whether the lease would cover borough costs; the assembly included a 24-month financing requirement and other conditions in the lease as part of the package.

Details and debate
The assembly discussion focused on ensuring the borough recovered costs and on protections to avoid repeating what some members called previous favorable leases granted without sufficient safeguards. Assembly Member Thompson, who offered the rent amendment, said the $0.10-per-square-foot framing discussed earlier in the meeting was reasonable for a commercial operation and noted the borough must ensure leased properties contribute to required local revenues. \"This is a commercial operation, and so I think it really should pay its own way,\" Thompson said.

Paul Foos said the cooperative is organized as a nonprofit and initially expected lower early-year revenue, but after clarification that the amendment equated to $740 a month he indicated the cooperative could incorporate that into its business model. \"Well, then I'm not going to object to it. I think we're okay with that. We can build that into our model,\" Foos said after the amendment vote.

Vote and outcome
- Amendment (set rent to $740/month, adjust for inflation): moved by Assembly Member Thompson, seconded by Assembly Member Palmer. Roll-call vote: 7 yes, 0 no; amendment passed.
- Main motion as amended (enter into lease in substantially same form): final motion passed by roll call 7 yes, 0 no.

Key terms and clarifications
- Lease term: 20 years with renewal clauses (stated by Paul Foos).
- Leased area: approximately 7,400 square feet (assembly summary).
- Monthly rent as amended: $740 per month; rent to be adjusted for inflation (CPI) over the lease term.
- Financial safeguards included in the lease: 24-month financing requirement and adjustments to the borough valuation of the leased land (as captured in the assembly packet and staff responses).
- Entity: Shellfish Growers Cooperative of Ketchikan (nonprofit cooperative).

Next steps
Staff will finalize the lease documents consistent with the amended terms approved by the assembly and proceed with execution.

","The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly voted unanimously to enter a 20-year lease with the Shellfish Growers Cooperative for about 7,400 square feet at 8900 South Tongass Highway after amending rent to $740 per month adjusted for inflation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6509129,"Ketchikan school board introduces interim superintendent PJ Ford Slack; assembly requests detailed fund-balance report",332,595000,927000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5442698-28b261f305462c3893e48186404579ad&start=595&end=927","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5442698-28b261f305462c3893e48186404579ad/thumbnail_595000.jpg","/articles/6509129/Ketchikan-Gateway-Borough/Alaska/Ketchikan-school-board-introduces-interim-superintendent-PJ-Ford-Slack-assembly-requests-detailed-fund-balance-report","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6509129-dcaeb9885008d1212cdf1b347c7fe0e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770509681&Signature=hzthMQrwXkJkh8aZM5vsJMnTWuEABjhv44jl-atKpdS6Y-Pi0grZZ2xFwcTCP-3oOzip72nT9MNJgZIGPlNUx0BUQmeN74TB1K3HfxLsYr4NvJvlZxm7j3cJIin2wJHtOStqnTwTVgm9FzEqQLvkwvRPxEjJN9ebcqN8O~9wDDAOz8NZGPpaA8j1PagbCXGbQ4fotmG6SDxayUdI0wA7tTeBseSnJ56KihiOD3dHiTF7AK7T1v0nzmowkYRyhz9g~f4arOA3nR4fT0goWubVNepCY19cNMgaI7-ybfYdvFTrmhL4YYX101eD-uJ4lD1s7iGnWDpDV6EvA8YU-ytgqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Catherine Tatsuta, president of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School Board, introduced interim superintendent P.J. Ford Slack at the borough assembly meeting July 21. Ford Slack described her prior work with the district dating to 1998 and said she will support the district until a permanent superintendent is hired.

Ford Slack told the assembly she has worked with the district on special education and personnel issues in the past and reviewed the staffing and recruitment challenges facing Alaska schools. \"I have every intention of working as much as the board needs me to,\" she said.

Assembly response and requested follow-up
Mayor and assembly members expressed appreciation and requested additional financial transparency from the district. The mayor asked for a detailed report on fund balances and any required repayment plans affecting the FY2025 budget. Ford Slack said auditors will be on site in August and that she will confer with district staff and provide additional information. \"I will certainly do the best I can,\" she said. Ford Slack said she has reviewed two recent budget reports and sees no significant findings but wants to clarify why certain things were not cited in the front of audits.

Context and why it matters
The superintendent introduction comes as the district works through staffing shortages and uncertain state and federal education funding, which Ford Slack described as one of the \"strangest financial times\" she has seen in education. The assembly requested monthly written reports from the district to improve oversight and assist planning.

Next steps
Ford Slack and school board leadership will provide a more detailed fund-balance report to the borough and meet with auditors in August; the assembly will follow up as part of budget monitoring.

","The Ketchikan Gateway Borough School Board president introduced interim superintendent PJ Ford Slack to the assembly. Assembly members asked the district to provide a detailed, transparent report on fund balances and audit questions raised about FY2024.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Assembly approves budget, assessment and land actions; sales-tax extension set for ballot

ADOT says Ketchikan airport ferry-berth project nearing final work; topping slab, steel fixes planned

Assembly approves 20-year lease to Shellfish Growers Cooperative for borough property at 8900 South Tongass Highway

Ketchikan school board introduces interim superintendent PJ Ford Slack; assembly requests detailed fund-balance report