City Council will meet tonight to vote on new traffic regulations and the fee schedule for the coming year.

The meeting will open with a public hearing over those two issues. The road ordinance has been a contentious issue previously, and if passed it would create a prohibition on the use of tire chains by truck-trailers, barring any special exceptions by the Department of Public Works. That ordinance would also require commercial vehicles to operate with fifth wheels in the bottom position. The purpose of the amendment is to reduce wear and tear on the city’s roads.

During the work session, council will hear presentations on electric utility extension participation and city housing costs. They will also discuss a resolution that would provide an easement to Delta Western for the purpose of constructing a new pipeline. That resolution is up for approval as part of the consent agenda.

Also on the consent agenda are two resolutions that would allow the city to enter into contracts with two lobbying groups. One contract is with Robertson, Monagle & Eastaugh for the purposes of retaining Brad Gilman as their lobbyist in Washington, DC. The contract is for $76,000, plus reasonable expenses. The other contract is with Ray Gillespie of Gillespie and Associates. Gillespie is based in Juneau, and the city’s contract with him would be in the amount of $79,000 plus reasonable expenses.

During the new business portion of the meeting, council will consider six separate resolutions. One involves a contract for road re-paving and resurfacing, with an amount to be specified. Another would allow the city manager to update a contract with Bristol Engineering Services to include the final design of the wastewater treatment plant in an amount not to exceed $1.6 million. One pair of resolutions would define the city’s policy on electric, sewer, and water utility costs for primary line extensions. Another resolution would set aside a yet unspecified amount of money to sponsor a luncheon for the Resource Development Council. The Resource Development Council is an Alaska-based interest group focused on expanding the state’s oil, gas, mining, timber, and seafood sectors.

After voting on those resolutions, council will discuss travel to Washington, DC, for its fall lobbying trip.

The meeting will close in executive session, where council will discuss negotiations with the city’s labor organizations. According to the city manager’s report, negotiations are mostly complete and council will be discussing any changes to its Public Safety Employees of Alaska contract.

The meeting will convene at 7pm in City Hall council chambers.