Tran Withdraws Bid for City Council
Tuesday, March 26 2013
Doanh Tran has withdrawn her name from consideration for a vacant city council seat after questions arose about whether she met the residency requirements for the post.
Tran declined to comment. In a letter to the city, Tran wrote that her withdrawal is in response to a legal opinion from the city’s attorney regarding residency.
City clerk Elizabeth Masoni wouldn’t release the opinion without city council approval. KUCB has filed a public records request for the document, and other correspondence related to the appointment process.
Tran’s decision not to run leaves Earl “Skip” Southworth as the only contender for the seat. But that doesn’t mean he will automatically be appointed. Council actions have to be taken by a supermajority, which means four out of five councilors will need to support Southworth in order for him to win the spot.
The seat has to be filled by Thursday because city code reads “the council shall, within thirty (30) days of vacancy, appoint a qualified person to fill the vacancy.” Zac Schasteen vacated council seat F on February 26.
If council can’t make a decision tonight, they will have to call a special meeting for later in the week.
In addition to the appointment, council is set to consider two contracts at tonight's meeting.
The first is for the development of a new city website. Staff received five bids, and after scoring, narrowed the field to aHa! Consulting and CivicPlus. aHa! Consulting, based in Lake Oswego, Oregon, quoted $17,000 for the project. That includes a visit to Unalaska to consult with city staff and develop the new website, plus one year of web hosting and technical support.
The other firm, CivicPlus is headquartered in Kansas, and specializes in municipal websites. Their quote was closer to $25,000 and didn't include a visit to Unalaska. In a presentation on the project, manager Chris Hladick will advise council to select aHa! Consulting.
Council will also hear a presentation from ports director Peggy McLaughlin on the emergency mooring buoy. McLaughlin will broadly explain the buoy’s maintenance requirements, and she’ll present a contract with PND Engineers to write a formal maintenance and inspection plan. The no-bid contract is for an amount not to exceed $18,000.
During work session, council will discuss cliff blasting at the site of the wastewater treatment plant.
Council has a short consent agenda for tonight. The Supply Division is seeking approval to sell off about $25,000 worth of goods at a surplus sale. That sale would be held April 20. Council will also vote on the appointment of Peter Sturdivant to the planning commission and platting board.
Council meets at 7 p.m. in their chambers at City Hall.
me too on Friday, March 29 2013:
"KUCB, the radio portion of our organization, receives no funding from the City of Unalaska"
Oh my gosh! I apologize. I just assumed the City of Unalaska was funding KUCB 88.9 radio and KUCB.org but not enough for full time DJs, news reporters, community, events, etc.
"We are constantly looking for ways to improve our services, including KUCB.org"
Can not the City of Unalaska fund more money to KUCB?Is not KUCB a not-for-profit organization?
ps... KUCB is doing an excellent job! I for one, support you.
Lauren Adams on Thursday, March 28 2013:
@me too, to look closer Thanks for the follow-up. Let me take the opportunity to clarify where the funding comes from for our website, and the rest of organization.
When we launched kucb.org 10 years ago, we received initial start up funds from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Since then, all of our website fees have been covered using station fundraising dollars -- the money that you contribute during our pledge drives.
Unalaska Community Broadcasting, the parent organization for KUCB and Channel 8 television, received $89,500 in fiscal year 2013 through the City of Unalaska Community Support Program. That money goes exclusively to operational expenses for Channel 8 TV -- specifically Channel 8's electricity, employee salaries, benefits, and payroll related expenses. KUCB, the radio portion of our organization, receives no funding from the City of Unalaska. If you would like to take a look at our organization budget, it's available here: http://kucb.org/about/financials/
We are constantly looking for ways to improve our services, including KUCB.org, and we would welcome your feedback on specific features that you would like to see on our website. Please feel free to reach out to us via email -- info@kucb.org, or by telephone 581-1888.
edit on Thursday, March 28 2013:
By the way my favorite start page is Yahoo.com. And my second favorite website is kucb.org!
me too, to look closer on Thursday, March 28 2013:
Yes I see your side of the story now. Just what I was trying to say was that Tran, residency, member of City Council seat story was the one I clicked on and wanted to read.
And by the way $17,000 doesn't sound too bad for a well designed, easy to navigate, friendly website.
Yet imho the most popular and needed website to develope is kucb.org. Both websites are funded by the City of Unalaska (tax payers). Develope both websites? Combine both websites?
Yes the silent majority should go to city council meetings speak and listen. But soon we can do this online?
By the way favorite start page is Yahoo.com
Stephanie Joyce on Thursday, March 28 2013:
Hi, folks -- Thanks for your feedback on the headline, and the story.
Before every council meeting we try to do a 'council preview' story covering the issues that are scheduled to come up at the meeting. This story was a preview of Tuesday night's council meeting, and as several of you noted, the headline should have more clearly reflected that.
Please feel free to reach out to us directly with your comments on our coverage at news@kucb.org or by giving me a call - 581-6944. We always appreciate feedback on our work.
Look closer. on Wednesday, March 27 2013:
www.ahaconsulting.com
It's a company.
The article was covering the council meeting. To the folks who say the subject was abruptly changed, I'm sure the council abruptly changed the course of the conversation that night.
Pathetic on Wednesday, March 27 2013:
This false accusation about Tran knowing the council seat was open, thus changed her voter registration is completely unfounded. I personally know this young lady and her decision to participate had nothing to do with the prospect of serving as council member nor did any 'corruption' take place within the City and Council in seeking someone to fill the seat.
My closeness with the Tran family would defy this myth. Be clear that ONE THING CAME BEFORE THE OTHER.
This is the problem with media and people who are MISINFORMED. Unprofessionally written 'news' and fools who eat this junk up.
Disgrace
Just Saying on Wednesday, March 27 2013:
I too agree with the other two posts. The issue of residency and fulfilling the requirements within the city code has received a lot of thought from the community. To simply offer a slims print of what occurred is poor news reporting. We, the members of the community deserve to be given the full print. Please do a better job!!!
I will add, I am not surprised one withdrew her application for consideration. I know...as those who participated in it, this was a very strong example of the corruption within our own council, city and more. You cannot tell me Tran did not know the seat was going to be vacant before deciding to register here in Unalaska. Those that pushed you to this false presentation should step forward and take responsibility. We know who you are.....
Just saying
me too... not well written. on Wednesday, March 27 2013:
I was reading this interesting news and then all of a sudden the subject is abruptly changed... "narrowed the field to aHa!" ?!? ouch
Terribly Written on Tuesday, March 26 2013:
The content of this article does not satisfy the title. These authors need to learn how to write. Poor job.