Council approves visitors bureau funding amendment, accepts resignation and handles routine business

KETCHIKAN — At its July 16 meeting the Ketchikan City Council approved multiple housekeeping and budget items, including a funding amendment for the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau and acceptance of a council resignation.

The council voted to authorize Amendment No. 1 to the 2026 funding agreement with the Ketchikan Visitors Bureau Inc., adding up to $68,600 to offset a public restroom rate increase and bringing the bureau's total authorized amount to $374,600. The motion specified $68,600 in funding from the commercial passenger vessel excise tax fund other contractual services account and authorized budget transfers of $34,300 from the commercial passenger vessel excise tax fund appropriated reserves and $34,300 from the port fund appropriated reserves to the contractual services account. Staff said those transfers come from reserves and are available for the purpose.

Council accepted the resignation of council member Jay Mitani and agreed to leave the seat open until the next regular election in October, saying the timeline favored letting voters fill the vacancy. The council also approved the consent agenda, including minutes from the June 18 special meeting and the July 2 regular meeting.

Public comment at the meeting included concerns about bear encounters and requests to coordinate police responses with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game; a resident said beanbag rounds had been used against a bear near Creek Street and urged non‑routine use of force. Council members thanked the public commenters and staff for bringing items forward.

The council adjourned after completing business.