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Council votes to seek renewal of ski‑area lease and advances sale agreement with Native Village
Summary
After public concern about potential sale of ski‑hill recreation land, the council directed the city manager to apply to renew a 55‑year state recreation lease and took first‑reading action on an ordinance authorizing a purchase‑and‑sale agreement with the Native Village for several lots.
Public comment at the March 18 meeting focused on the ski hill and a pending state lease that affects roughly 209.86 acres of recreation land. Steven Viking, a Cordova resident who spoke during audience comments, warned the council that redesignating recreational land to settlement or selling parts of the ski area would permanently remove public access. “These lands that are accessible and that are set aside for recreation should be an important, not just to us, but to future generations because once they're sold, they're sold,” Viking said.
Council discussed agenda item 15 — whether to direct the city manager to apply to the state to renew the existing 55‑year lease for the recreation area so the city retains flexibility. Councilmember S13 moved to direct the city manager to apply for renewal; Councilmember S4 seconded. Council members repeatedly described renewal as a precautionary first step that preserves options and public use, with Mayor Smith saying it “doesn't seem like it's an option not to renew it.” The motion carried by voice vote; council recorded the outcome as carried with support from the voting members.
Separately, council considered Ordinance 1238 (first reading), which would authorize the city manager to enter a purchase‑and‑sale agreement with the Native Village for lots 19–25, Block 6, original town site. Councilmembers said the agreement had undergone legal review by both parties and that the document contains a 15‑year completion clause. Councilmember S7 moved to adopt the ordinance on first reading; a roll call vote recorded affirmative responses for the members present.
Council members said the lease renewal and the PSA are distinct actions: renewing the lease preserves public land while the purchase‑and‑sale ordinance, as drafted, would advance a negotiated sale of discrete lots to the Native Village for development of a cultural center, contingent on conditions in the agreement and future construction timelines. Staff told the council that further public input and additional steps would occur before final sale or disposition of any city property.
Next steps: the lease application will be filed per the council direction, and the ordinance will proceed through the normal second‑reading/public hearing process before final adoption.
