[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,87,98],{"_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",6541664,"mediaKeyId","5906956-5e4e6fa110559bc1695d5b339a0e6537","parentId",5906956,"title","Votes at a glance: key assembly actions Oct. 6 — property, elections, contracts","audioSeconds",1391,"startMs",943000,"endMs",2334000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906956-5e4e6fa110559bc1695d5b339a0e6537&start=943&end=2334","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906956-5e4e6fa110559bc1695d5b339a0e6537/thumbnail_943000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6541664/Ketchikan-Gateway-Borough/Alaska/Votes-at-a-glance-key-assembly-actions-Oct-6-property-elections-contracts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541664-b04fe2cee11cda3c404c64838ffd482b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150761&Signature=F0FkNc51~y90a6HfR-pBh~HJ5znZhb3L5VcZ0DtWuPqX~L8e-cJJR5Gg-9xEkfpBY23GjCpDSUvavbZHygj0SS0xKGSp3CaaWUfTVyW9EWcljnSoInJJuVFTqofm7kE4FZzOvtJ0d7VgAz9SDukXy1iRo-lxkjl62EU-0NjOUH1muuBfMfu3tYSXwgJNJrGP0HniWwv6ZYRELAO-C0BH1o5YizKjj2RYZXt5c~UDfZ78~pbd2m~XUC7owx0dTi3L~Rlu5EF6kucha8Q5Mtr2h6LVRdRsc6L6s9zzWmcErEtxtNpDWAX4uJ8RvC5squ1iTRuYYpcGVkFLp0xTh7nbqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ketchikan Gateway Borough","date","2025-10-06T00:00:00Z","article","The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly on Oct. 6 took several formal actions. This summary lists each adopted ordinance, major contract/consent calendar items, and vote outcomes recorded at the meeting.

Ordinance 20-86 — Tax-foreclosed property declared surplus and listed: The assembly adopted Ordinance 20-86 declaring Lot 10, Block 32, USS 1652 (Bear Clan Street, City of Saxman) as surplus and setting a listing price of $37,200. Assistant manager Cynna Smith told the assembly the borough acquired the parcel by clerk's deed on Dec. 3, 2024, after the taxpayer was four years behind in taxes; staff said the ordinance complies with Ketchikan Gateway Borough Code (KGBC) provisions and Alaska statute. The motion to adopt was moved by Assembly Member Arntzen and seconded by Assembly Member Thompson; the assembly recorded unanimous approval and passed the ordinance.

Ordinance 20-88 — Appropriation for Point Higgins diesel-spill remediation: The assembly adopted Ordinance 20-88, appropriating $2,400,000 from general-fund reserves to fund response, remediation and long-term mitigation for the Aug. 15 diesel spill at Point Higgins Elementary School. Finance Director Charlene Thomas presented the item; the borough will pursue reimbursement from insurers and may pursue costs from contractors if needed. The motion was moved by Assembly Member Bailey, seconded by Assembly Member Palmer, and passed by roll call.

Ordinance 20-89 — Special election appropriation: The assembly adopted Ordinance 20-89, appropriating $30,200 from general-fund reserves to cover special election costs tied to certified recall petitions and a November 18 special election (ballot printing, equipment programming, poll-worker pay, notices, and related expenses). The borough clerk explained absentee/early voting windows and the planned canvass and certification timeline. Assembly Member Otis moved the ordinance; Assembly Member Palmer seconded it; the motion passed.

Acceptance of claims and interim financials: The assembly approved presented claims totaling $7,610,287 and acknowledged interim financial statements for July 2025. The motion to approve claims was moved by Assembly Member Thompson and passed.

Consent calendar (approved in one motion): The assembly approved the consent calendar, which included: approval of minutes (09/15/2025), introduction of Ordinance 20-90 (amending FY '26 budget with a $125,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant for Lund Street Park improvements), Resolution 3147 (ratifying a Port Infrastructure Development Program grant application for $25,643,675 toward the Saxman Seaport AMHS ferry dock and terminal), contract award to JAG for dry-docking and passenger-vessel inspection of the motor vessel Oro Freeman, an agreement with the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District for hot-lane transformer replacement design and inspection services, and a contract amendment with R&M Engineering for Roosevelt Drive water main replacement design and inspection services.

New business item 9A: The assembly approved a separate motion (reported above) to cancel the manager's authority to sign a lease with the Shellfish Growers Cooperative for failure to provide requested information; staff said the RFP was issued Feb. 28 and that multiple deadline extensions and requests for documentation had not produced the full packet required for lease execution.

How the assembly voted: The clerk recorded roll-call votes for each ordinance; items listed above were adopted. Where roll calls were recorded in the transcript, the assembly recorded unanimous or majority affirmative votes as indicated.

Ending: Staff will proceed with the cleanup work funded by Ordinance 20-88, prepare for the special election tied to Ordinance 20-89 and the Nov. 18 ballot, and continue standard contracting and grant activities reflected in the consent calendar. Assembly members requested follow-up details on insurance recoveries, reserve balances and next steps for the lease parcel at 8900 South Tongass Highway.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Assembly - Regular","oneSentenceSummary","At its Oct. 6 meeting the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly adopted multiple ordinances and routine items, including surplusing a tax-foreclosed lot in Saxman, funding diesel-spill cleanup, and appropriating money for a special election tied to certified recall petitions.","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},6541679,"Ketchikan Gateway Borough approves $2.4 million appropriation for Point Higgins diesel spill cleanup",595,1293000,1888000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906956-5e4e6fa110559bc1695d5b339a0e6537&start=1293&end=1888","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906956-5e4e6fa110559bc1695d5b339a0e6537/thumbnail_1293000.jpg","/articles/6541679/Ketchikan-Gateway-Borough/Alaska/Ketchikan-Gateway-Borough-approves-24-million-appropriation-for-Point-Higgins-diesel-spill-cleanup","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541679-abfb56d58996415c04950c0f5f4080a0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150761&Signature=a5UlQSlvXWMHPOJQpwmdk9ssDYxsZ5zdnoRXzqvytO6jexzIPRbNnZNqhlvlT4PWypAoU0KMFYbqe6GjM1HuEIUg5CVWiGXypJxBzOgQFnCnheg7z2XWhcu46drztw-WdGG6l6tyS~0uPfK5KcPXp9xr~1TEDXa0i8BJ5g00UdpAYwsjgrIZBG-nOpLbxdNqT5rQnm-Dnl75CEw5iH8-Su1zlK9Jt2guqY67U5qgEP5eG~AnSDO9OaNQ7dbKJFkenRNEDIPWeFsjf98GRswtucVZSh6dZ4J9CtH7Eplz4qI0fNzJFzPhSHiCNxtR7bkNMxRzsFtJnAlt~bQzoSr1Pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly on Oct. 6 approved Ordinance 20-88, appropriating $2,400,000 from general-fund reserves to pay immediate cleanup and long-term mitigation costs tied to a diesel spill at Point Higgins Elementary School.

Finance Director Charlene Thomas told the assembly the borough manager made the written findings required by borough code to declare the incident an emergency and that the appropriation will allow remediation to proceed without delay. \"This ordinance will provide appropriation authority to ensure remediation proceeds without delay,\" Thomas said.

Why it matters: Borough staff said the borough is advancing cleanup costs from reserves to maintain public safety and environmental protection and will pursue reimbursement from insurance carriers and, if necessary, from contractors involved. The assembly approved the ordinance by roll call.

Officials said two insurers are evaluating coverage. In response to questions from Assembly Member Thompson, the borough attorney said, \"I expect a coverage determination from Iron Shore... and for the other carrier, Scottsdale, they expect to make a determination by the end of next week,\" and added, \"I think we'll go into pay status in the next few weeks, honestly.\" The attorney also warned insurers often contest claims, and the borough may pursue recovery from the contractors if carriers deny or only partially pay claims.

Finance staff said the borough is using general-fund reserves now and will submit invoices to insurers for reimbursement; the finance director told the assembly the appropriation will leave about $100,000 in unreserved general-fund balance. Borough management clarified the borough maintains a separate reserved balance equal to roughly 30% of expenditures and said they expect reserves to be replenished as reimbursement arrives.

Assembly debate and vote: The motion to adopt Ordinance 20-88 was moved by Assembly Member Bailey and seconded by Assembly Member Palmer. Members raised concerns about drawing down the unreserved balance and asked how insurance and contractor recovery would be pursued. The assembly voted to approve the appropriation; the clerk recorded seven affirmative votes and the ordinance passed.

What happens next: Borough staff will proceed with remediation, continue coordination with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, and submit costs to the borough's and the contractor's insurers. The borough attorney said staff is documenting work and costs so the borough can justify reimbursement requests.

Clarifying details from the meeting: The appropriation amount is $2,400,000; finance staff said the borough will have approximately $100,000 in unreserved general-fund balance after the appropriation; the borough maintains an additional reserved balance (about 30% of expenditures) that staff said totals several million dollars and will be replenished pending insurance reimbursements.

Assembly members requested follow-up on insurer determinations and potential premium impacts; the attorney said it was too early to tell whether the borough's insurance premiums will be affected.

Ending: The assembly moved quickly to fund cleanup to maintain public safety and environmental protections while pursuing reimbursement; officials said they will return with updates as insurer decisions and contractor recoveries proceed.","The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly on Oct. 6 approved Ordinance 20-88, appropriating $2,400,000 from general-fund reserves to pay immediate cleanup and long-term mitigation costs tied to a diesel spill at Point Higgins Elementary School.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":44,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6541670,"Ketchikan superintendent PJ Ford Slack announces November departure; district reports enrollment and program updates",589,354000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906956-5e4e6fa110559bc1695d5b339a0e6537&start=354&end=943","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906956-5e4e6fa110559bc1695d5b339a0e6537/thumbnail_354000.jpg","/articles/6541670/Ketchikan-Gateway-Borough/Alaska/Ketchikan-superintendent-PJ-Ford-Slack-announces-November-departure-district-reports-enrollment-and-program-updates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541670-21cebe1a770205977ebefa549fa19a46/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150761&Signature=kqscyW4A1~veBCeGKJ1z7uT~X0kD5~d79q4ky7ZGXw0ricnemmwuWzyqsh75cvRXI1RLx9hH4~SVglXxGdqNj9Xelcidu57tjTUexwYipHg12XGeqQDjGEbqBWscWo-DeANAZV~BdR4YNRLHSvWCI4iOblRzOzAvY2htF376DR9vZO4vUaVPwddJ~ddGpmOLFLmo5yOawcg6lol2iUJmnSsnRkgUS1pmtgl~Y0g~lXAMQHjtF9LerAw4Ldhi2lQR0AfVaY14bE6~D3eV1LgX-gJMFe9vUQ3I0sT39oPgvMWklE7O0zpdRT525z-a6D4syM3kJIPbHHZZ7C3cgQLJDw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent PJ Ford Slack told the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly on Oct. 6 that she will leave her post in November and that a superintendent-search committee will begin work the following Wednesday.

Ford Slack, who identified accomplishments she attributed to district staff and maintenance crews, said she remains proud of the district's facilities and student programs. \"I am going to be leaving in November. We have a plan that we're working on, and it's time to begin the transition for your next... superintendent,\" she told the assembly.

Enrollment and funding: Ford Slack said the state bases funding on average daily membership (ADM) rather than simple enrollment and that the district budget had been prepared for 1,980 students. \"We're currently at 1,948,\" she said, adding the count has fluctuated recently (the district was at about 1,966 earlier and close to 1,985 weeks before). She explained some families who began school Sept. 2 have since moved away as the cruise-ship season winds down, and some students may return in March or April; the district will educate returning students but may not receive state funding for the interim absence.

Facilities and student activities: Ford Slack said the district will repair the boys' locker room at Ketchikan High and check the girls' locker room to maintain Title IX parity. She also said Point Higgins Elementary was affected by a fuel spill but praised the building's design and staff. She announced Ketchikan Middle School had been honored as one of the outstanding middle schools nationally; staff and representatives will travel to Indianapolis in November to receive an award and to present.

Special education: When asked about special-education intensive placements, Ford Slack said levels are \"about the same\" as last year. She said the district's overall special-education share is substantially higher than federal expectations in many places: \"We're never gonna be what the federal government expects... they think we should be at 9%... But we're more like 24%.\" She said the high percentage may reflect students who arrive with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and other factors; staff will continue to track the intensive-count numbers.

Audit and oversight: Ford Slack said the annual audit report should be available around mid-November, depending on the auditor's schedule, and said she will remain available to the district until her departure.

Ending: The superintendent's departure sets in motion a transition process and a superintendent-search committee; Ford Slack said she will remain engaged with the district during the handover and thanked staff and assembly members.","Superintendent PJ Ford Slack told the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly Oct. 6 she will leave in November; she outlined student counts, facility work including planned locker-room repairs at Ketchikan High, special-education trends, and upcoming honors for the middle school.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6541674,"Assembly cancels manager's authority to sign lease with Shellfish Growers Cooperative after missing documentation",1008,2566000,3574000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906956-5e4e6fa110559bc1695d5b339a0e6537&start=2566&end=3574","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906956-5e4e6fa110559bc1695d5b339a0e6537/thumbnail_2566000.jpg","/articles/6541674/Ketchikan-Gateway-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-cancels-managers-authority-to-sign-lease-with-Shellfish-Growers-Cooperative-after-missing-documentation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541674-8e2823ce3c6f2e1a281c6b205e770413/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150761&Signature=Ah4yfEuP95c~YTmVptd6tcN5ReZ0gUOo9224gCnNn60gPZdPie1O8RDFmH8R7ULmhf4hALGmycewToEKQ-6q0CYS490xGsGlBkbjU61yKrtFyJudGQYSplk7xeDxS4ipQXJZ1g~A1wF~KUlhsewcmHWqioE9TdxRk0NbzutbwSoyh1VUYWlDr4q0gf3usCGnTH35MnRaA0x5CBI5J8mjTCtF77~mMFLU8Egg8QsSQcgd7S-FH7k1CsLvBMR6j211rnHSgiDngthuGK8GG~ahjrfzn8653T3gLjqNX4dciA8DOWUqKc58JA3nNhhW8FVwov6r6QBighn2ibDYKA~pRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly on Oct. 6 voted to cancel the manager's authority to sign a lease with the Shellfish Growers Cooperative for a portion of borough property at 8900 South Tongass Highway, after staff said the cooperative repeatedly failed to provide required documentation.

Assistant Borough Manager Cynna Smith summarized the history, telling the assembly the borough issued a request for proposals Feb. 28, 2025, and one proposal came from the Shellfish Growers Cooperative. Negotiations produced a draft lease presented to the assembly on July 7 and amended July 21. Smith said staff required additional information from the cooperative—financial statements, IRS 990 forms, and formal acknowledgments of required materials—and set a September 30 deadline. \"Since publication of the packet for tonight's meeting, the shellfish growers has submitted multiple emails with miscellaneous documents attached, none of which addresses the outstanding information,\" Smith said, and staff therefore recommended cancellation of the manager's authority to sign the lease.

Why it matters: Staff said the cooperative's outstanding documentation blocked the borough from negotiating in good faith with other potential users of the property. The parcel includes uplands adjacent to a breakwater and potential seasonal-dock uses; staff said unresolved questions about scope and use impede parallel negotiations.

What the assembly decided: Assembly Member Palmer moved and Assembly Member Bailey seconded the motion to cancel the manager's authorization to sign the lease. The assembly debated the timeline and the type of documentation requested. Smith and other staff said the requested documents are the same materials lenders and state agencies typically require. The motion passed; staff said the cooperative may resubmit a complete application in the future.

Requested documentation: Staff said they were seeking business financial statements (balance sheet, income statement, cash flows), a pro forma for the hatchery project, IRS filings (the cooperative indicated it could provide IRS forms but the borough had not yet received them), proof of signatory authority for the cooperative's president (received Sept. 12), and an insurance quote (provided and accepted as sufficient for now because a lease had not yet been executed). Staff recommended cancellation after multiple follow-up letters dated Aug. 8, Sept. 11 and Sept. 17 and a final notice on Oct. 1 flagged the failure to meet the Sept. 30 deadline.

Assembly comment and outcome: Supporters of cancellation said staff and the assembly had allowed ample time and assistance, including referrals to Grow Ketchikan for help preparing financial information, but the cooperative did not supply documentation that would permit the borough to proceed. Assembly Member Palmer said the process had continued too long without a full packet of documentation and the borough should open the property for other interested parties. The motion passed; the assembly recorded the item as adopted.

Clarifying details: The RFP for the property was issued Feb. 28, 2025, with the first review April 1; a draft lease was presented July 7 and amended July 21; staff set a September 11 deadline and later extended to September 30; staff received proof of the president's authority to sign on Sept. 12; staff said the cooperative provided an insurance quote but did not supply full financial statements or IRS 990s by the deadline. Staff advised that if the assembly cancels authority the cooperative may reapply with a complete package.

Ending: The assembly's cancellation frees staff to consider other proposals for the property; the Shellfish Growers Cooperative may resubmit documentation for future consideration.","The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly voted Oct. 6 to cancel the borough manager's authorization to sign a lease for borough property at 8900 South Tongass Highway with the Shellfish Growers Cooperative, citing repeated failures to provide required financial and regulatory documentation after months of negotiation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: key assembly actions Oct. 6 — property, elections, contracts

Ketchikan Gateway Borough approves $2.4 million appropriation for Point Higgins diesel spill cleanup

Ketchikan superintendent PJ Ford Slack announces November departure; district reports enrollment and program updates

Assembly cancels manager's authority to sign lease with Shellfish Growers Cooperative after missing documentation