A Ketchikan Gateway Borough bus. (KRBD file photo)
The Ketchikan Gateway Borough is getting about $1.3 million worth of new buses for public transit, at a local cost of about $11,000.
The Borough Assembly on Monday will vote on appropriating two grants – one federal and one state – to purchase two paratransit buses, three 35-foot buses and a replacement engine for an older bus.
The two grants total $1.29 million, and require less than 1-percent in matching local funds from the borough. That local match is $11,249, and already has been appropriated. 
Monday’s vote appropriates only the two grants.
The Assembly also will vote on a resolution supporting Akeela-Gateway’s application for a state grant to operate a sobering center out of the former Ketchikan juvenile detention center, which closed this fall.
In his report to the Assembly, Borough Manager Dan Bockhorst notes that the McDowell Group has completed and submitted its Ketchikan Cruise Industry Survey report.
About 300 cruise passengers were surveyed this summer, and about 55 percent reported they were very satisfied with their visit to Ketchikan. Bockhorst writes that 43 percent report they were satisfied; and about 2 percent said they were unsatisfied.
Passengers, crew members and local business owners also were asked about the value of various local public services to the cruise industry.
Here is a PDF of the full report: 4386_Exhibt A -Ketchikan Cruise Survey Report 11_22
Monday’s meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. in Borough Assembly chambers at the White Cliff building. Public comment will be heard at the start of the meeting.
