Last night, city council discuss the status of various utilities projects and said goodbye to a longtime police officer.

While meeting convened at 7pm, it wasn’t open to the public until 8 o’clock. For the first hour, city council met in executive session to discuss talks with both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice. Just last week, the DOJ filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the city and the State of Alaska over wastewater discharge.

Following the executive session, council issued a series of proclamations, including one recognizing National Health Center Week and another honoring Sgt. Matt Betzen, who retires this Friday.

During the work session, Public Utilities Director Dan Winters described the proposed amendments to Title 10, which covers the city’s utilities ordinances. Additionally, the changes would cover what the city should do if a resident’s meter fails.

City council adopted the consent agenda without objection. Resolutions that define the City of Unalaska’s policy on involvement in funding of electric, sewer, and water utility extension costs for primary lines were passed. Additionally, resolutions that would allow the city manager to agree to contracts with two lobbying groups were accepted. The last resolution established funding and construction of the wastewater treatment plant as the city’s number one priority for the coming fiscal year.

Council also handled two items of unfinished business. One was an ordinance that revised the schedule of fees charged by the city for things like PCR locker rentals and utility rates. That measure passed unanimously. The second changed the tariff collected at the city dock. The council approved a 4.8% increase on the Unalaska Marine Center tariff without dissent.

Four resolutions were introduced during the new business portion of the meeting. Two involved housekeeping issues. One addressed accounting issues involving the billing of the now-defunct Harbor Crown processing plant. The other established the “closing and completion of various capital projects and purchases.” Both passed unanimously.

The two other resolutions addressed construction contracts. Council approved a resolution that would alter a contract related to the installation of a new generator at the powerhouse. They also unanimously approved a resolution that lets the city manager assign the sediment separator installation project to Northern Mechanical at a cost of about $300,000.

Last night’s meeting was the first one of June, due to lack of a quorum. Council member Katherine McGlashan served as mayor pro tem with council members Dave Gregory, Dick Peck, and Zac Schasteen in attendance. Mayor Shirley Marquardt and council members Roger Rowland and Dennis Robinson were absent.