City councilors got a look at the next five years of major spending at an early meeting last night.

City manager Chris Hladick walked the council through a draft of the new Capital and Major Maintenance Plan, or CMMP. It lays out extensive upgrades to the city’s water storage facilities and big equipment purchases through fiscal year 2019.

On top of that, city councilors heard pitches from the Department of Parks, Culture and Recreation. The department's considering major renovations at the aquatics center and the library.

More space is at the top of the library’s wish list. Librarian Dan Masoni said they're running out of room for books and patrons alike.

“The children’s room should at least double in size, more reader seats, the creation of a discovery center,” Masoni said. “And also there should be more spaces in the library supporting that community commons concept for meetings, community interaction -- and they should be flexible.”

The last construction estimate for the project was $5.5 million, but Masoni said it may be outdated. Grant funding might be available from the State of Alaska and the Rasmuson Foundation. Masoni said those awards could defray more than 75 percent of the cost of construction.

Councilor Dennis Robinson said he would support the project, but other councilors were skeptical. Mayor Shirley Marquardt inquired as to who, exactly, is filling up the library and what services they’re using.

“I know you’ve got amazing numbers, so I should probably just look at that a little bit more,” Marquardt said. “But it almost sounds like it’s about 50 percent just making sure that there’s internet access there for folks who float through town, who want to access information that way. I’m really looking at this try and -- I really want to see the benefit to the community.”

The library provides the fastest internet on the island, and Masoni acknowledged that it’s the primary draw for most patrons. About 140,000 people visited the library last year.

Aquatics manager Brina Lynch told council that the city pool could also stand to grow. But Lynch said PCR staff would support a moderate upgrade of the aquatics center that doesn't require any expansion of the actual building. The $1.8 million plan includes a new family locker room, better drainage and sanitation in the locker rooms and pool, a bigger sauna, and new classrooms and meeting areas.

Councilor Zoya Johnson asked if the aquatics center could hold some activities across the street at the community center instead. Lynch said that would require program participants to run back and forth between the facilities. She pointed to the city’s lifeguard training course.

"We’re often in and out of the water, moving from the classroom space to the pool within just a few hours," Lynch said. "And often, the participants are still wet from the skill training -- from the water portion of that program."

In addition to those projects, council also considered $1.1 million in funding requests from nine community non-profits and organizations.

Every year, the city of Unalaska reserves a percentage of the average revenue in the general fund and bed tax fund over a five-year period to fund community groups. For this first time, the requests exceed the amount of money that the city's set aside for grants. Most community groups requested the same amount they received last year -- or in some cases, less. But four groups are seeking an increase in support.

Unalaska Community Broadcasting asked for a bump of $2,500 to provide television services. The Community and Visitors Bureau requested an additional $18,000 to help pay salaries and increased shipping expenses. The Museum of the Aleutians asked for $20,000 more than last year for fuel. And Unalaskans Against Sexual Assault and Family Violence is seeking $33,000 in additional grant funding. Most of that money would go toward part-time employee salaries and personnel costs.

The council didn't have to take action on the requests at last night's meeting. Marquardt said it may not be a stretch for council to cover the additional grants, since the finance department has included them in a draft of the upcoming budget.

After about two hours of presentations, council reconvened to a regular session to take care of zoning proposals, tax appeals, and contracts. The council unanimously approved an $8.8 million contract with Eklutna Services LLC, to build a new water treatment plant in Pyramid Valley. They’ll replace the existing chlorination system and add a new ultraviolet unit for removing cryptosporidium from the city’s drinking water. The council also signed off on a contract with Electric Power Systems Incorporated to replace the powerhouse control system.

Council approved Marquardt’s request to spend up to $10,000 on travel to Finland this summer. The mayor will be attending an Arctic summit sponsored by the Institute of the North. The focus is on industry and networking, Marquardt said.

Councilor Dennis Robinson expressed interest in attending, or at least contributing talking points for the mayor. City manager Chris Hladick will travel to the Finland meetings, along with his fellow members of the Alaska Arctic Policy Commission.

Council also approved a waiver for Rita Hawley, who applied too late to receive an exemption from personal property tax in the city of Unalaska. The exemption is for senior citizens. It was publicized in town, according to city clerk Elizabeth Masoni. But Hawley was away at her home in Arkansas and missed the application period.

Once they established that Hawley is an Unalaska resident, the council voted 4-1 to approve the waiver. Johnson was the dissenting vote.

Councilor Roger Rowland was excused from the meeting.