City council will hear public testimony and take action on an amendment to a controversial trucking law at their meeting tonight.

Since July 2012, it's been illegal to operate a tractor-trailer with the fifth wheel -- a hydraulic loading tool -- in the raised position. The law was intended to help extend the structural life of paved roads around town. But representatives from the shipping industry have said there’s no clear connection between fifth-wheel position and road wear. And they're also pushing back against the amendment that's up for consideration tonight.

The new language would require drivers to operate their tractor-trailers with the hydraulic fifth wheel in the "lowest possible position." It would also ban modifications that keep the fifth-wheel from reaching that position.

During enforcement stops, public safety officers have seen trucks with metal blocks welded onto the fifth wheel's frame. Horizon Lines operations manager Jennifer Tungul wrote to city council to explain the practice. According to Tungul, the metal block is a buffer to prevent damage caused by driving on bumpy surfaces. 

"Horizon Lines is in no way trying to work around the ordinance set in place or find loop holes," Tungul wrote.

A broad budget package is also up for a public hearing and second reading. The budget amendment includes $1.4 million for new high mast lighting at several city docks, along with $561,000 for a new control system at the city power house. According to a funding application from the Department of Public Works, the department intends to award the contract to Electric Power Systems, Inc. of Anchorage.

In a work session, council will also consider whether to give Title 3 employees a raise of 2 to 3 percent. A recent compensation study that compared Unalaska to other municipalities around the state showed that Title 3 workers may be underpaid.

Fox Lawson and Associates, the consulting firm that did the analysis, recommended significant changes to the way Unalaska's municipal employees are categorized and paid.

Council will likely implement some of those recommendations during contract negotiations with unions. But because Title 3 employees don't belong to a union, city council could act to adjust their salaries now.

Liquor licenses are also up for consideration at tonight's meeting. Council will review active licenses up for renewal by the state of Alaska.

According to a memo from city clerk Elizabeth Masoni, local package stores, restaurants, and bars hold a total of nine licenses. But the state would allow for 12 liquor licenses in the city, based on Unalaska’s population.

A new business is applying for one of those unused licenses -- the Norwegian Rat Saloon, part-owned by Rogue Properties and Weak Link. According to their application, the businesses are limited liability companies with post office boxes in Dutch Harbor and local cell phone numbers.

Council is planning to review the Norwegian Rat Saloon application, along with the other licenses up for renewal. They’ll decide whether to lodge a complaint about any of them with the state liquor board.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in City Hall.