The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly on Monday will again consider a proposed lease for a new trail that would be used for tour groups.
The trail would be built on borough land near the already-established Pipeline Trail. Developer Marcus Martin of Alaska Bio-Tours Adventures initially wanted to keep the new trail closed to the public while tours are taking place. However, concerns from assembly members prompted a proposed amendment that would allow public access to the parcel at all times.
The only limitation would be a set of privately-owned stairs leading over the pipe from Pipeline Trail to the proposed new trail. The owner has told borough officials that those stairs will be open to the public only during business hours.
Martin says he has an agreement with the private owner to use those stairs to access his proposed trail.
Also Monday, the assembly will vote on a resolution asking the federal government for an exemption to regulations that currently prevent the Vigor Alaska shipyard in Ketchikan from bidding on maintenance and repair work for naval vessels, including U.S. Coast Guard vessels.
The resolution also requests $41.5 million to complete the shipyard conversion hall. That’s the last piece of infrastructure improvement planned for the local shipyard, which is owned by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority. Vigor Industrial operates the site.
The resolution’s third request is for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to homeport its survey vessel Fairweather in Ketchikan.
The resolution comes in conjunction with an invitation for borough officials to attend a White House conference with Alaska leaders on Oct. 23rd. Assembly Member Rodney Dial will be representing the borough at that conference. Assembly Member AJ Pierce has requested travel cost assistance to also attend the conference.
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.
