Assembly discusses energy, AKBC
coalition, training
At the June 23 meeting of the Wrangell Borough Assembly regional energy issues, including the possible formation of an AKBC coalition topped the agenda, along with the resignation of a particular member of the Wrangell Medical Center Board of Directors.
In Petersburg, Cascade Creek LLC gave a public presentation outlining the status of their projects and their goals in Southeast Alaska. The meeting was both an informative opportunity for decision makers and a forum for the public to voice concerns and have questions answered. According to Wrangell’s Borough Manager Bob Prunella, who attended the meeting, “I found that Cascade Creek LLC did a good job presenting their case. Both sessions were well attended. The purposes of these meetings are environmental and there are some financial concerns from people in Petersburg. I thought it was a worthwhile meeting and we can expect pretty much the same thing if we get the Ruth Lake permit,” said Prunella.
Assembly member Warren Edgley indicated that the meeting was certainly useful, but in a very specific light. “It was mostly an opportunity for the public to blow up some steam I guess. I thought it was valuable because any project developed in Thomas Bay is going to face the same procedures that Cascade Creek has had to deal with. It’s a mandated thing so you do it. It gave me an idea of what you have to face when it comes to these scoping meetings,” said Edgley.
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Assembly approves utility rate hikes:
water by 25%, electrical by 10%
Wrangellites will see an increase in their utility rates soon as the Wrangell Borough Assembly voted in a rate increase at the last Borough Assembly meeting.
Rates for water will increase by 25% from $24.36 to $30.45 and electrical rates will increase by 10%.
The water treatment plant, according to a report put forward by City Finance Director Jeff Jabusch, has steadily grown since its opening in 2002 and, as it has aged, has required an increase in man hours and maintenance. This coupled with an increase in State regulations and testing requirements have led to a consistent shortfall in the budget. Without the proposed rate increase the shortfall in the Water Department will be approximately $78,000.