Unalaska, AK – After months of review, city council has finally adopted the comprehensive plan.

The Comprehensive Plan 2020 is meant to guide the future growth of the city, and it addresses issues such as infrastructure development and the housing shortage. The council unanimously approved the adoption of the comp plan, but not before a turbulent discussion took place.

Councilmember Dick Peck had some qualms about language concerning the future of renewable energy development. He thought that the existing language was too pessimistic and contained factual inaccuracies.

Mayor Shirley Marquardt responded to this concern by saying that the issue wasn't whether wind energy could be harnessed in Unalaska, but whether it could be done in a way without financial risk.

"The ability for manufacturers to warranty the type of equipment that we would need under our weather patterns don't exist," says Marquardt. "So, I think what this is saying is that the risk the city would be taking in losing a huge investment in a high-wind situation would be something that the city definitely has to take into consideration."

The language was ultimately altered to reflect that more than two studies on wind energy had been conducted on the island.

References to the Ounalashka Corporation's position as a landowner on the island were also altered in the comp plan, as was language related to "land-use conflicts." Council intends to consider an amendment related to the comp plan concerning vehicle taxation in future meetings.

Council also unanimously passed an ordinance that would reduce the number of taxicab permits available to 19.

In addition to handling this unfinished business, council also passed a number of items on the consent agenda without opposition. Mayumi Conwell and James Dickson were reappointed to the library advisory committee, and Matt Lightner was reappointed to the PCR advisory committee. The city also accepted a $5 million legislative grant for powerhouse expansion, a $15,000 Rasmuson Foundation development grant for the city's library collection, and an Alaska State Library grant for improving broadband capability at the public library.

An ordinance that would amend the FY2011 budget moved ahead to second reading and public hearing. This ordinance would increase the library budget with grant funding, bump up the planning department budget for surveying, grow the utility administration budget in response to the recent PCB settlement with the Department of Defense, increase budget revenues and expenses for the powerhouse project, fund a capital project for electrical upgrades to Bering Sea Fisheries, and increase the budget for 8-plex excavation -- among other things.

Five city council members and the mayor were present for the meeting. Council member Katherine McGlashan's absence was excused.