Water shortages are a problem for the fish processing plants in Unalaska, which have their peak season in winter, when surface water on the island is mostly frozen.  A resolution on tonight’s City Council agenda would start the process of developing additional groundwater sources to increase the city’s available water supply during the winter months.

If approved, the Seattle-based consulting firm Shannon and Wilson will receive a $35,000 contract to decide where to put in new wells. The city estimates that there needs to be an additional 4 million gallons of water a day to meet demands during peak season.

Council will also consider a resolution accepting a $3 million grant from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation for a new water treatment plant.  The city has to upgrade the current system - which only uses chlorine as a disinfectant – by October of 2014.  The new system will add a second layer of water disinfection via ultraviolet light.  The project is expected to cost $9 million.

In a separate agenda item Council will decide whether to accept $716,000 from the Environmental Protection Agency to help fund the water treatment plant.  That ordinance also includes several budget amendments, notably ones that move $4.5 million dollars from the general fund to the landfill waste storage tank and Summer Bay road realignment projects.  

Under new business, Council will set a property tax collection schedule for the fiscal year 2013.  They’ll also consider a resolution approving a $7,500 bonus for City Manager Chris Hladick.

The meeting starts at 7 o’clock in City Council chambers and is expected to last 45 minutes.