By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
The Assembly will be asked at tonight’s meeting for direction on a draft request for proposals related to the sale of the old Sitka Community Hospital properties.
The regular meeting starts at 6 p.m. at Harrigan Centennial Hall, with online viewing available through cityofsitka.org. A YouTube link also is available from the city website.
The meeting will be preceded by a work session at 5 p.m. between the Assembly and the Planning Commission on a Tourism Master Plan to prepare for the influx of some 400,000 cruise visitors in 2022.
The Assembly on March 9 approved asking the commission to develop the plan. The main purpose of the work session is for the Assembly and commission to determine the scope, process and timeline for the effort.
The hospital item is the final item on the agenda. Included in the Assembly packet is a proposed 22-page request for proposals, and a summary of the survey results on whether members of the public want to sell the properties at 209 Moller Drive, 302 Gavan Street, 202 Brady Street, and 204 Brady Street.
SEARHC currently leases the properties and buildings and provides health services there, including long-term care, various outpatient care and rehabilitation services. The health care consortium expressed interest last fall in purchasing the city-owned properties, and owns some of the neighboring properties.
Two town hall meetings drew some participation and 221 weighed in a paper and online survey, with a slight majority in favor (52 percent) of selling the property; 28 percent opposed (28 percent) and the rest (20 percent) “unsure.”
Those responding made suggestions for preferred and non-preferred uses, and many expressed a desire that Sitka get “a fair return on the property/selling for at least fair market value.”
City Administrator John Leach in his memo to the Assembly asked members to review the town hall comments, survey results and draft RFP, and asked:
“Is the Assembly comfortable with the RFP as attached, or would they prefer an additional work session to incorporate additional concerns?”
The survey results and draft RFP are available online in the Assembly packet, through cityofsitka.com and under Assembly Agenda and Minutes, and Meeting Details for 4/13/21.
In other business, tonight’s agenda includes appointments, Health Needs and Community Services Commission goals, and resolutions for two historic preservation fund grants for the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society and Alaska Arts Southeast (Sitka Fine Arts Camp).
Although the city is the entity that applies for the historic preservation grants, most of the funds are passed through to the organizations, city staff said.
The materials from the SFAC grant application says the “main component is to contract a heating engineer to calculate requirements, do long-range cost estimates and design a complete heating system” for Fraser Hall. The exterior, windows and roof have been repaired over the years, and wiring upgraded in 2021. Also, the entry, main hallway, stairs and a large classroom have been completely restored, the materials say.
The resolution before the Assembly is to approve AAS’ application under the FY21 historic preservation fund grant program for certified local governments.
The Assembly will also consider a resolution to support the maritime heritage society’s application under the FY21 historic preservation fund grant program for certified local governments. The grant application is related to the Japonski Island boathouse timbers, wall and addition interior.
An ordinance up for first reading is related to extending an ordinance previously approved in 2020 related to refinancing a 1979 Alaska Energy Authority loan. The purpose of the ordinance is to extend the expiration date for refinancing the city’s AEA loan.
The city staff memo says “All bond bank activity was halted before the planned re-funding deal could take place because of an Alaska Supreme Court decision that put the role of the Alaska Municipal Bond Bank into question. This concern has now been resolved and the re-funding refinancing is moving forward.”
The refinancing is expected to save the city more than $500,000 for the next 12 years, “but ultimate savings will be determined only upon final pricing,” Finance Director Melissa Haley said in her memo.
In other business, the Assembly will consider:
– the Health Needs and Human Services Commission 2021 goals.
– an ordinance for supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2021 (Pet Adoption – Veterinary Services).
– an ordinance for supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2021 for Harrigan Centennial Hall audiovisual.
