Nome Common Council mulls legislative priorities

The Nome Common Council postponed most of the actionable items on Monday’s regular council meeting. The second reading of an ordinance to lease land at the NomeBeltz property to a cell tower company, an ordinance amending curfew hours and a resolution to purchase a CAT grader were pushed to the December 11 meeting.

The council passed a resolution supporting the Nome Kennel Club’s Topkok Shelter Cabin as the organization is in the process to renew its DNR lease. Also, the council passed a resolution supporting the full funding of the State’s harbor facility grant program for FY 2025, in the state capital budget.

City Manager Glenn Steckman reminded people of a recent dog food recall of Victor dog foods due to salmonella and that the city’s Public Works department can assist to properly dispose of the tainted food.

He also received reports of foxes in town and asks people to contact the Nome Police Department or Animal Control to deal with wildlife in town.

After the regular session, the Council continued a work session on mulling state and federal priorities. On the list are the teacher/police officer housing complex, the request to the state to provide incentives to stimulate affordable housing projects in Nome, the covering of the ice rink – the number rose from $950,000 to an estimated $1.4 million, funding for phase 2 and 3 of the port expansion project, power infrastructure and a new youth facility. As for federal priorities, Steckman said Joy Baker is renewing conversations with the Coast Guard and the Navy what their needs would be and what it would take to have a cutter here in Nome year-round.