The Petersburg Borough Assembly is scheduled to convene on November 20th in the Assembly Chambers to determine the price for the sale of a plot of Borough-owned tidelands. The land in question is currently occupied by Wikan Enterprises Incorporated, a diesel engine repair facility, who had applied to purchase the land from the Borough earlier this year.
This particular case marks a significant departure from previous practices, as the Assembly has granted permission for the sale of leased tideland property to proceed. Negotiations were initiated in August, with Borough Manager Steve Giesbrecht tasked with spearheading the process, based on an appraisal valuing the land at $100,000.
Manager Giesbrecht has proposed a selling price of $154,000, while Wikan Enterprises countered with an offer of $83,000. The Assembly’s decision, to be made during the upcoming meeting, will determine whether they will accept Manager Giesbrecht’s proposed price or make adjustments accordingly.
Apart from the tidelands sale, another key agenda item for the Assembly is considering a letter of support for Petersburg Medical Center’s request for funds to construct a new hospital. The medical center has requested $37 million from Governor Dunleavy’s 2025 Capital Budget to finance the main building of the facility.
Additionally, the Assembly will appoint members to the Southeast Alaska Power Agency Board of Directors, with two voting member seats and two alternate seats to be filled. While Assembly Member Bob Lynn and Utility Director Karl Hagerman have expressed interest in retaining their voting member seats, Mayor Mark Jensen seeks an alternate member seat, and Assembly Member Thomas Fine-Walsh has expressed interest in either a voting or alternate member position.
The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the Assembly chambers and can be attended in person, via phone, or through Zoom. KFSK will broadcast the meeting live and archive recordings on its Borough Assembly Archives. Further information can be found on KFSK’s community calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the purpose of the November 20th Borough Assembly meeting in Petersburg?
The purpose of the meeting is to determine the price for the sale of Borough-owned tidelands and make decisions regarding support for Petersburg Medical Center’s request for new hospital funds, as well as the appointment of members to the Southeast Alaska Power Agency Board of Directors.
2. Who applied to purchase the tidelands from the Borough?
Wikan Enterprises Incorporated, a diesel engine repair facility, applied to buy the land beneath their business from the Borough.
3. What is the proposed selling price for the tidelands?
Borough Manager Steve Giesbrecht has proposed a selling price of $154,000, and Wikan Enterprises has countered with an offer of $83,000.
4. How much funding does Petersburg Medical Center request for the construction of a new hospital?
Petersburg Medical Center has requested $37 million from Governor Dunleavy’s 2025 Capital Budget for the main building of the new hospital.
5. Where will the Borough Assembly meeting be held?
The meeting will take place in the assembly chambers, but it can also be attended remotely via phone or Zoom.