By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
With a vote in favor assured, Alaska Trollers Association members on Tuesday thanked the Assembly for its financial support in fighting a lawsuit that threatens Southeast king salmon troll fisheries.
“I don’t remember anything like this, going to different communities getting resolutions,” ATA board president Matt Donohoe said. “Thank you for the leadership this Assembly has shown... You are there when we need it and we won’t forget.”
Donohoe spoke just before the Assembly granted ATA’s request for $25,000 for legal expenses in a lawsuit filed by the Wild Fish Conservancy against the National Marine Fisheries Service, related to protection of the southern resident killer whales.
The State of Alaska and ATA are intervenors on the side of NMFS, which is the defendant in the civil lawsuit filed by the nonprofit WFC.
The case is currently before a federal judge in Washington state. The most recent report and recommendation by a federal magistrate judge would invalidate the current management of migrating stocks of king salmon, threatening the livelihood of trollers in Southeast Alaska.
This is the third time the lawsuit and related issues have been before the Assembly in as many regular meetings. The Assembly have voted unanimously in favor of a resolution supporting the ATA position and for a city donation of $25,000 for legal expenses.
Other Southeast communities also have contributed, and on Tuesday the Alaska House Fisheries Committee passed a resolution in support.
Sitka troller Jacquie Foss expressed thanks to other gear groups, advisory councils and communities.
“And most of all thanks to the individual fishermen who have been there with us since 2019, and who are with us today,” Foss said.
On the contribution from city tax funds, Thor Christianson said, “This is one I’m not second guessing myself on.”
Kevin Mosher took note of Alaska’s united front on the issue, by the governor, the Legislature, the Congressional delegation, and individual cash donations from around Alaska.
Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz said the profile of the case has gone up in recent months, was mentioned frequently at the recent Southeast Conference meeting, and has garnered support through resolutions passed by local governments and organizations in Southeast.
“I think the State of Alaska is now on strong standing for this, and I think Alaska Trollers Association is going to be a spearhead on this strong fight we have in front of us,” he said.
Turning to another spending item on the agenda, the Assembly also voted unanimously to allocate $92,615 from the general fund for the new city Parks and Rec program. The program received $209,000 in startup funding in the current city budget, and the additional funds will cover such expenses as supplies, an online platform, referees and other temporary employees. Participant and rental fees are expected to raise $40,000 for the program this year.
Only one comment came from the public. Richard Wein said he favored taking the $92,615 from the marijuana sales tax proceeds, not from the general fund.
The budget ordinance passed 7-0 on final reading.
Green Lake Bond
In a discussion about financing Green Lake hydro upgrades, the Assembly agreed that the city should go ahead with its original plan to take $4 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture even though the interest rate has gone up, from 1.9 percent when the loan was approved in 2020 to the current 3.54 percent.
The increase will add $1.2 million in interest costs over the 30 years of the loan.
No vote was taken, but the Assembly generally agreed to go forward despite the added cost.
In the end, they weighed the benefits of freeing up the electric capital fund for future matching funds and other programs, versus saving in interest expenses.
The loan funds will be used to replenish the electric department funds taken out for Phase I of the hydro project, which has been completed.
Rodney Peach, the supervisory general field representative for USDA rural development rural utility service electric program, was on hand to answer questions.
He noted that the recent Inflation Reduction Act, a billion dollar federal program for local infrastructure improvements, may provide the opportunity for debt forgiveness or grants to help cover cost of Phases II and III of the Green Lake project.
Peach said those opportunities will be “much more streamlined moving forward.”
The Assembly was in favor of going ahead with the loan.
“Having spent a career in mechanics and maintenance, I can say we’re either going to spend it now or we’re going to spend a lot more later,” said Assembly member Tim Pike, who teaches vocational classes at Sitka High. “I think there is no good time to spend money on maintenance except to have done it 10 years ago. ... spending the money early makes more sense than stretching this out. And I think more opportunities are going to come available for grants that we need to have capital available for.”
In other business, Tuesday night the Assembly:
– approved liquor license renewals for Pizza Express, Triple C Ventures, and House of Liquors.
– appointed KK Prussian to the Parks and Recreation Committee and Dionne Brady-Howard to the Historic Preservation Commission as the STA representative.
– reappointed Joel Hanson to the Local Emergency Planning Committee and Lauren Howard to the Gary Paxton Industrial Park Board.
– discussed whether to continue with the current property tax and utility expense exemption for the Sitka Historical Society’s museum in Harrigan Centennial Hall. The Assembly weighed services provided to the city versus the value of utilities and lease, and asked for more information from historical society director Hal Spackman.
