By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Besides a report from Alaska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink, items on Tuesday’s Assembly agenda include an ordinance on first reading that calls for an advisory vote by the public on whether the city should sell the old Sitka Community Hospital building and grounds.
The ordinance, which would put the advisory question on the Oct. 5 election ballot, is sponsored by Valorie Nelson and Thor Christianson.
The city is already in the midst of a call for proposals on sale or lease of the hospital property, and the 60-day period for submissions closes Wednesday this week, when the city’s review of offers begins. The RFP process was approved by the Assembly in May, and is the result of the interest expressed by SEARHC in purchasing the property.
City Administrator John Leach has submitted a memo to the Assembly explaining how the proposed advisory election would interact with the results of the RFP process, which will be reported to the Assembly Aug. 24.
Tuesday’s Assembly meeting starts at 6 p.m. at Harrigan Centennial Hall. The meeting is open for live attendance, or remote attendance through cityofsitka.com.
The presentation by Zink is near the top of the agenda.
The advisory question proposed for the ballot asks:
“Should the City and Borough of Sitka sell the two buildings and surrounding four lots at 209 Moller Drive, 202 Brady Street, 204 Brady Street, and 302 Gavan Street, Sitka, Alaska, known as the Sitka Community Hospital Site, as contemplated by the ordinance authorizing the sale previously passed on first reading by the Assembly? Yes or No.”
The purpose section of the ballot ordinance says “The intent is to have the advisory ballot question reference the Property sale, as established in the ordinance authorizing the sale. The decision by the Assembly on the ordinance authorizing the sale shall be stayed pending the outcome of the election.”
“I just think it’s a good idea to do it and it will get an opinion of the voting public if they favor a sale or not,” Nelson said.
Other items on Tuesday’s meeting agenda include:
– first reading of an ordinance proposing repealing the landslide area management section of the city “environmentally critical areas” section of the city code. (More details on this ordinance will be in Tuesday’s Sentinel.)
– reappointing Brandon Marx to the Sitka Parks and Rec Committee.
– a citation for U.S. Coast Guard Day, August 4.
– an ordinance for supplemental appropriations for the Cross Trail Phase 6 project, with proceeds coming from a Western Federal Lands Grant.
– a change in parking regulations for boat launch ramps in Sealing Cove and Crescent harbors. Staff has asked the item to be postponed.
– an ordinance authorizing a lease to Marble Island LLC to operate Granite Creek Lease Area 5 as a public overburden disposal site.
