Ketchikan Gateway Borough offices are in the White Cliff building. (KRBD file photo)

The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly will hear a presentation by the U.S. Forest Service on the South Revillagigedo Integrated Resource Project during its regular meeting Monday night.

Ketchikan Misty Fjords District Ranger Susan Howle will make the presentation.  The Forest Service is proposing to initiate the National Environmental Policy Act process for the South Revilla project which will impact areas along Carroll and George Inlets, including Shoal Cove and Shelter Cove. Community input is sought regarding recreational and development opportunities.

Also Monday, the assembly will hold a public hearing on an ordinance that would allow certain gardening uses on residential properties.  The proposed ordinance would amend borough code to define types of gardens and allow commercial activity with appropriate permits. The ordinance passed in first reading during the assembly’s June 4th meeting.

On the consent calendar, the assembly is scheduled to introduce an ordinance amending the FY 2018 budget to appropriate approximately 100,000 dollars for a grandstand cover at the Esther Shea Track and Field. This would provide a required local match to a grant received through the Land and Conservation Fund. If introduced Monday night, the ordinance will be placed on the assembly’s June 18th agenda for a public hearing.

Also on the consent calendar is the award of a sole source contract with Interlocked Filtration Systems, LLC, for the installation of a new high rate sand filter system at the Gateway Aquatic Center. The contract is not to exceed $225,000. 

When the aquatic center opened in 2012, Nemato regenerative media filters were installed in each pool. According to a memo, staff was informed that the filters would only need to be changed every five years, however they have continued to fail. The manufacturer went out of business in 2017, and parts are no longer available.  Staff recommends awarding a sole source contract to Interlocked so construction can begin in the summer to avoid impacts on the Ketchikan Killer Whales and High School swim teams and other fall programs.

Under new business, the assembly will hold a work session to discuss the Tobacco Excise Tax Grant Program.  The borough’s FY 2019 budget includes an appropriation of approximately $151,000 to be used for smoking cessation programs, tobacco cessation education and/or tobacco-related healthcare purposes, in accordance with borough code. If the assembly wishes to use the funds for other purposes, a code amendment would be required.

Monday’s meeting begins at 5:30 p.m. in Borough Assembly Chambers at the White Cliff building. There will be time for public comment at the beginning of the meeting and during public hearings.