At a glance: Key votes and motions from the Feb. 3 Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly meeting

The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly took multiple formal actions on Feb. 3. Below are the key motions, motions' outcomes, vote tallies where recorded and brief context.

Ordinance 2059 — Rezoning (Adopted) - Action: Adopted Ordinance 2059 rezoning lots 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 of Benton View Subdivision from Future Development (FD) to Suburban Residential (RS). - Motion: Moved by Assemblymember Bailey; seconded by Assemblymember Thompson. - Vote: Passed 7–1 on roll call; yes votes recorded for Arntzen, Bowling, Otis, Bailey, Matson, Palmer and one additional member; Thompson cast the lone recorded no vote.

Acceptance of claims (Approved) - Action: Approved presented claims totaling $3,835,697.89. - Motion: Moved by Assemblymember Thompson; seconded. - Vote: Passed on roll call; recorded yeas include Bailey, Matson, Palmer, Arntzen, Bowling, Otis and others (roll-call recorded in meeting minutes).

Congressional directed spending requests — Resolutions 3106, 3107, 3108 (Approved; 3108 substitute adopted) - Action: Assembly approved resolutions authorizing submission of requests for congressionally directed spending (CDS) to Senator Lisa Murkowski for FY2026. Items included funding requests for North Tongass Fire Station No. 6, Forest Park Drive wastewater main replacement, and Gateway Recreation Center expansion. - Procedure note: The assembly divided the package to consider items individually and adopted Resolution 3106 and 3107 following debate. Resolution 3108 was adopted as a substitute after clerical corrections and softened recital language. - Votes: Each resolution carried; some members voiced opposition to earmarks generally (Thompson recorded several “no” votes during debate on earmarks).

Federal policy issue statements (Approved) - Action: The assembly approved a set of federal policy issue statements for use by borough staff and officials in advocacy with federal agencies and the borough's congressional delegation. - Notable debate: Assemblymember Thompson moved to strike a childcare stabilization item from the list, arguing child care is primarily a state/local issue; the motion to strike failed. The final motion to approve the federal policy statements passed (five yes, two no recorded on final motion).

Consent calendar (Approved as amended) - Action: The consent calendar was approved as amended. Staff removed one resolution for separate consideration and the assembly approved the remaining routine items including minutes, liquor license reviews and administrative matters.

Ordinance 2060 — Cruise-ship onboard sales tax exemption (Introduced; public hearing set) - Action: The assembly introduced Ordinance 2060 to remove the borough sales-tax exemption for sales of goods occurring aboard cruise ships. - Motion: Moved by Assemblymember Bowling; seconded by Assemblymember Palmer. - Amendment: Assemblymember Thompson moved and the body adopted an amendment to require a public hearing on Feb. 24, 2025. - Next step: The ordinance was introduced and will return for public hearing on Feb. 24, 2025 for further debate and possible adoption.

Consent-item notes and process: Several consent items, including resolutions authorizing submission of CDS requests, were pulled and considered individually at the request of assembly members. Where staff recommended clerical changes or substitutes (for example Resolution 3108), the assembly adopted substitutes after clarification by the clerk and staff.

Ending: For items adopted without final funding specifics (for example CDS requests), staff noted further project-level details would be provided if and when federal funds are awarded. The assembly also requested staff follow up on fiscal and implementation specifics for items such as the Gateway Recreation Center expansion and cruise-ship sales-tax changes.