The summer construction season means busy times for the Department of Public Works, as a presentation at last night’s city council meeting made clear. 

The bulk of the meeting was devoted to an update on capital projects. Public Works Director Nancy Peterson announced that the city had completed three different projects since the last update. The powerhouse expansion project, the third phase of the Geographic Information System – or GIS – project, and the East Point road blow project have all been wrapped up. Now, the city is busy with other work. The installation of a third engine at the powerhouse began on July 12, and construction at the new 8-plex on Loop Road continues, despite some delays due to the discovery of contaminated materials and excess water on the property. Work on the Illulaq Lake and Delta Way Drainage projects is already factoring in contaminated materials.

City council will convene for a brief meeting tonight to discuss capital projects.

During the work session, Public Works Director Nancy Peterson will be giving an update on the status of the Carl E. Moses Small Boat Harbor project and all related roadwork. According to City Clerk Elizabeth Masoni, Peterson is also expected to talk about the construction of a new 8-plex off of Loop Road and give an assessment of the new powerhouse, which went online this winter.

Last night, city council discuss the status of various utilities projects and said goodbye to a longtime police officer.

While meeting convened at 7pm, it wasn’t open to the public until 8 o’clock. For the first hour, city council met in executive session to discuss talks with both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Justice. Just last week, the DOJ filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the city and the State of Alaska over wastewater discharge.

City council will meet tonight to discuss progress on various capital projects.

The first order of business is a discussion of EPA and Department of Justice issues that will take place in executive session. The city has long been in talks with the two agencies over the wastewater treatment plant, and last week, the DOJ filed a lawsuit against the city and the State of Alaska, alleging that nearly 5,000 violations of the Clean Water Act were made between 2004 and 2010. The city holds that matter stems from complications with the permitting process, not excessive pollutant discharge.

Today, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a complaint against both the city and the State of Alaska on the EPA’s behalf, charging that the city repeatedly violated the Clean Water Act between 2004 and 2010.

The complaint lists over 4,800 violations. The DOJ alleges that the city frequently exceeded its discharge permit and released pollutants, including partially treated sewage, into Unalaska Bay. According to the complaint, the city could be held liable for over a hundred million dollars -- up to $37,500 per violation per day.

Unalaska’s fire chief has been removed from his position after less than three months on the job, and city hall isn’t saying why.

Fire Chief Andrew Palmeri was hired in April to oversee the fire department’s two paid drivers and volunteers. But on Monday, a message went out informing volunteers he was no longer chief and that his day-to-day responsibilities are being handled by Fire Capt. Gary Gray.