Votes at a glance: Assembly adopts FY25 budget amendment, zoning overlay, property conveyance, prorated tidelands lease and other measures

PETERSBURG, Alaska — The Petersburg Borough Assembly on April 21 approved a series of ordinances, resolutions and administrative actions. Key outcomes follow.

Ordinance 20-25-03 (FY2025 supplemental budget) — Approved in second reading The assembly approved Ordinance 20-25-03, a supplemental adjustment to the fiscal year 2025 budget. During the meeting the finance director requested an amendment to add bond proceeds to the ordinance; the assembly adopted an amendment to add a revenue and expense line for bond proceeds reported in the meeting record as approximately $3.56 million (transcript includes inconsistent figures; see clarifying details). The councilpassed the amended ordinance unanimously on roll call.

Ordinance 20-25-04 (Zoning: Marine Industrial Overlay) — Approved in second reading The assembly adopted Ordinance 20-25-04, which amends chapter 19 of the Petersburg municipal code to create a marine industrial overlay zone. A motion to amend caretaker-quarter maximum size from 800 square feet to 400 square feet failed for lack of a second; the ordinance passed unanimously as written.

Resolution 20-25-08 (Conveyance to Clinton Haida Regional Housing Authority) — Adopted The assembly approved conveyance of a group of borough-owned lots in the Airport Addition Subdivision to the Clinton Haida Regional Housing Authority; the chair noted the number of lots discussed in the meeting had increased to 22 (13 to the authority; nine retained by the borough). The resolution passed unanimously on roll call.

Resolution 20-25-03 (Temporary tidelands lease amendment — Andra/Andy Rutherford) — Adopted The assembly approved an amendment to a previously authorized temporary tidelands lease at the Skow Bay turnaround to prorate the annual lease rate to reflect the actual, shorter land use (the applicant requested a three-month effective use). The amended resolution passed unanimously.

Fuel adjustment charge for 2025 (Municipal code 14.16.72) — Approved The assembly approved implementing a fuel-and-purchase-power adjustment charge for the billing period between May 27 and June 27, 2025 to recover costs related to the SEPA maintenance shutdown and an anticipated 10-day diesel plant run. The charge will appear on July 2025 electric bills. Utility Director Hagerman explained a calculation variable (referred to in the discussion as “13.5”) and corrected the record to say it represents the number of kilowatt-hours obtainable per gallon in the utility’s calculation.

Nordic Real Estate LLC — Lot 4A Skylark 2 lease approved by direct lease The assembly approved a direct lease to Nordic Real Estate LLC (applicant Sarah Holmgren) for Lot 4A, Skylark 2 Subdivision (parcel ID 110737). Holmgren told the assembly she bought The Narrows in January and requested access to an adjacent borough parcel to complete siding and maintenance work, remove hazardous trees and relocate a propane tank that the applicant’s survey indicated sits on borough land. The Planning Commission recommended approval; the assembly approved the lease by roll call.

Other administrative actions - The assembly adopted an amended lease renewal for Virtual Properties LLC (Tidelands lease) through May 15, 2030, at an annual rate of $6,810 (consent agenda). - Christine Lynn was appointed to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board without objection. - The assembly scheduled a budget work session for Thursday, May 1 at 5 p.m.

Votes and roll-call notes: The meeting record shows multiple unanimous roll-call votes for the ordinances and resolutions noted above. The land-purchase application for Greg and Heidi Johnson (Item 11.e) was a separate vote that passed 5–1; Member Stan Greger was recorded as opposing that motion.

Sources and next steps: Ordinances and resolutions approved in second reading will be effective according to borough code; the finance director and borough manager will implement the budget amendments and execute conveyance or lease documents as authorized. The manager is directed to negotiate final sale terms for the Johnson application and return them to the assembly for approval.