Council breezes through light agenda
With only one action item in front of the Nome Common Council at the regular meeting on Monday, the council breezed through a light agenda.
The action item concerned a resolution for an agreement between the Nome Police Department and the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve to formalize cooperation between the park rangers and the Nome police. “Both parties desire to provide mutual aid and assistance during law enforcement emergencies which may temporarily overwhelm the resources of either agency,” reads the agreement in part.
The council voted unanimously in favor of adoption.
In other business, the council received a letter from the Alcohol and Marijuana Control Board giving notice to the City about the renewal application for the Liquor package store at Hanson’s. The City may protest the approval of the application with a clear statement of reasons, to be submitted within 60 days. Mayor John Handeland advised that if the city were to protest, they must give the applicant an opportunity to defend their application in a city council meeting. The item will be added to the next Council meeting agenda.
The next regular Common Council meeting is rescheduled from its normal date on April 11 to be held on April 4. City Manager Glenn Steckman asked for the rescheduling as he and Mayor Handeland are participating in an infrastructure grant workshop organized by Senator Lisa Murkowski to inform Alaskans on opportunities to apply for grants through the Infrastructure Bill.
In reports, NJUS Manager Ken Morton informed the Council that the installation of replacement meters around town is nearly complete and that this new modern metering system provides NJUS with more useful data. Morton also reported that the fiber cable between the Banner Peak windfarm failed and will be repaired – hence even on windy days, the two windmills are not spinning.
The bulk of council member comments were joyful congratulations to the Nome Boys Basketball team, winning the State Championship, the first in 40 years.
The Council then went into executive session on union negotiations. No action was taken after the session.
The next meeting will be April 4.