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Assembly approves rezoning, budget changes, harbor grant application and several equipment and project actions
Summary
At its July 21 regular meeting the Petersburg Borough Assembly approved two ordinances, two resolutions, several procurement and personnel items, and directed public-sale action on one land-purchase application. Most measures passed unanimously; one land-sale step passed 3–2.
The Petersburg Borough Assembly voted on a package of ordinances, resolutions and municipal actions during its July 21 regular meeting.
Among the measures the assembly approved were final adoption of a zoning map amendment for a Sandy Beach Road parcel and an adjustment to the borough’s FY 2026 budget. The assembly also approved two resolutions — one authorizing a local nonprofit to collect and sell aluminum scrap and another authorizing submission of a harbor facility grant application for a South Harbor finger-float replacement project — and a set of procurement and personnel actions including engineering services, heavy-equipment purchase and a representative appointment to the Southeast Alaska Solid Waste Authority.
Why it matters: These votes advance capital and operating programs for borough utilities, harbors and streets, free up funding for property development activities and enable local nonprofits and contractors to proceed with planned work. The assembly’s votes also set the next procedural step for one land-purchase application.
Key outcomes (votes at a glance): - Ordinance 2025-11 (third and final reading): Rezoned parcel 01-014-010 (1016 Sandy Beach Road) from rural residential to single-family residential. Outcome: approved, roll call recorded as 5–0.
- Ordinance 2025-12 (third and final reading): Supplemental FY 2026 budget adjustments (adds $50,000 to provide utility connection stubs for future borough lot sales, reassigns $15,000 of under-budget survey expense to local match for a Safe Streets grant, adds $17,222 for library facility expenses, and transfers $90,000 from a school deferred-maintenance fund to the borough debt service fund). Outcome: approved, roll call recorded as 5–0.
- Resolution 2025-15: Authorized the Friends of the Bike Park to collect and sell aluminum scrap from the Bay Baylor facility as a fundraiser. Outcome: approved, roll call recorded as 5–0.
- Resolution 2025-16: Authorized submission of a grant application to the State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities for $617,000 for the South Harbor sea-float finger-float replacement. Outcome: approved, roll call recorded as 5–0.
- Authorization to engage PND/P&D Engineering for design and permitting services for anticipated replacement of South Harbor finger floats. Outcome: approved (roll call 5–0); the assembly discussed permitting approaches including recent changes in marine-mammal permitting (Alaska Slope/GRAMA reference) and project cost drivers.
- Approval to award purchase contract for replacement of the Public Works CAT 950 loader to NC Machinery (expense accounted for in FY 2026). Outcome: approved, roll call recorded as 5–0 (purchase amount listed in the packet).
- Dave Omer land purchase application (Lots 5 & 6, Block 78, Southeast Addition): The assembly voted to move the application forward to a public outcry auction (authorize public sale). Outcome: motion to schedule an outcry auction passed 3–2 (three yes, two no). Assembly discussion referenced public-safety concerns and lot size; members who voted no cited traffic and safety near the site.
- Appointment to Southeast Alaska Solid Waste Authority (CSAW): Incoming public-works director Aaron Murrell appointed as Petersburg’s representative; outgoing director Christopher Cotta appointed as alternate through his termination date. Outcome: approved, roll call recorded as 5–0.
Roll-call tallies and procedure: Most votes were unanimous (5–0). The Dave Omer lot-sale procedural motion passed by a 3–2 margin after members voiced both support for additional housing and concerns about traffic and child safety at the site.
Context and next steps: Several approved items (the South Harbor grant application and P&D engineering work) are preparatory steps: the grant application must be considered and awarded by the State of Alaska and engineering/permitting work will inform a later construction procurement. The outcry-auction decision for Lots 5 & 6 begins the public-sale process; final sale terms and any negotiated sales will return to the assembly as required by borough code.
