Planning Commission looks at vacant property ordinance

The Nome Planning Commission met Tuesday evening, Nov. 10, with an hour and a half work session preceding their regular meeting. In the work session the commission looked over the proposed Survey Monkey questionnaire which is to be submitted to Nome citizens in an effort to get a better feel for want the citizens want in shaping the city’s new comprehensive plan. For example, the question “What environmental issues in Nome concern you?” had a list of 11 optional concerns, with the citizen instructed to choose three. Included were “fluoride in the drinking water,” “lingering effects of historic gold mining,” and “noise.” There was much discussion of minute detail in the questions and the work session ran right up until time to open the regular meeting.

During the regular meeting most of the discussion focused on efforts to get a list of vacant properties in the city. “The idea was to make sure we have a name and address to go to for any issues with the structure,” said Commissioner Ken Hughes. “And who to communicate with regarding it.” Another commissioner pointed out that it’s been a problem when the city can’t identify who the owner of a particular property is. Confusion ensued about what the purpose of making such a list is. Does it have something to do with abatement? And there is the danger of encroachment on owner’s rights. One commissioner pointed out that in many cases a structure is used for storage. It was explained that the idea is to have a contact when there are safety issues. There are vacant properties around town that have been broken into and in which squatters are living. If a structure is compromised in this fashion, the city would like to be able to contact the responsible party to suggest they board it up. It was suggested that a work session on the topic was needed.

There was no unfinished business and no citizen sallied forth to make a statement.

City Planner Eileen Bechtol reported on the Historic Preservation Grant and the status of the Comprehensive Plan Survey.

City Manager Glenn Steckman in his report said that there are around 280 people who arrive at the airport per week. NSHC is introducing electronic forms at Ted Stevens International Airport to travelers that are used for both the city and the hospital. This should reduce city staffing at Nome Airport to two.

The Nome Public Safety Advisory Commission was scheduled to meet but failed muster a quorum. Another meeting will be scheduled.

The City has begun an aggressive effort to recruit police officers, Steckman reported. “We are getting resignations from police officers who are tired with the stress,” said Steckman. “Some police officers’ homes were egged over Halloween. Whether you like the police or not they do protect the community and they have a very difficult job up here in Nome. This year, so far, we have 128 sexual assault or abuse cases. That is about 35 percent more than we had last year. It’s a tough job being a cop. Remember these guys and women do have a tough job up here.”

“We are planning for Iditarod to happen,” he said. “You probably will be seeing some limits on some of the activities. I’ll be very surprised if you see a major basketball tournament.”

“I just want to announce Stage 5 of the CARES money is going to be a little bit different this time,” said Steckmann. Anybody who has been impacted by the pandemic will fill out a form. There will be checks of $500 for individuals and $100 for children. The emergency ordinance has been extended to June 30.

The next meeting of the Planning Commission is scheduled for Tuesday Dec. 1, 5:30 p.m. for the work session and 7 p.m. for the regular meeting.