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14 hours ago

Residents press borough to block towers near homes; assembly declines immediate site-redirection Dozens of residents told the assembly April 13 they oppose new communications towers and data centers in residential areas. The assembly debated directing staff to propose alternate borough-owned sites for a Title Network tower but rejected that motion while approving a separate letter of support for Title Network’s grant-extension request.

Residents packed the assembly to voice their strong opposition against communications towers near homes, urging for stricter regulations to protect their neighborhoods.

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14 hours ago

Assembly clears way for federally funded Skow Bay haulout; leaseholders warned to prepare for relocation The Petersburg Assembly voted unanimously to declare four Skow Bay leases terminable to allow construction of a federally funded haulout and boatyard project, drawing concern from existing leaseholders about short-term business disruption and questions about relocation assistance.

Petersburg Borough Assembly has given the green light for a major haulout and boatyard project, but leaseholders are raising alarms about the economic fallout and potential relocation challenges.

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14 hours ago

Petersburg assembly unanimously backs resolution supporting return to defined-benefit pensions After hours of public testimony, the Petersburg Borough Assembly voted unanimously April 13 to adopt a resolution backing House Bill 78 as originally written prior to a recent amendment, citing recruitment and retention concerns for teachers and public employees.

The Petersburg Borough Assembly has taken a bold step to support public employees and educators by unanimously urging the state to restore a defined-benefit retirement system, highlighting serious recruitment and retention challenges.

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1 month ago

Assembly approves 10-year agreement for body cameras, Taser 10s and digital evidence system The assembly approved Resolution 2026-O-03 authorizing a contract with Accent Enterprise, Inc. for body-worn cameras, Taser 10 devices, in-car cameras, evidence storage, training and related software in an amount not to exceed $378,897.58 over 10 years; Chief Kerr described technology refreshes and AI-assisted report-writing safeguards.

Petersburg Borough Assembly unanimously approved a groundbreaking 10-year agreement for cutting-edge body cameras and Taser 10 devices, enhancing safety and accountability for officers and civilians alike.

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1 month ago

Borough manager outlines housing projects, warns infrastructure costs could top $45 million Borough manager Steve Giesbrecht outlined progress on housing lots and multifamily planning, including a 20-lot airport addition (nine lots to be sold by the borough) and the Skylark project; he said some infrastructure options could cost about $45 million and that the borough is seeking designs and developer partnerships.

Petersburg Borough's ambitious housing and infrastructure plans are moving forward, but with a staggering $45 million price tag looming, will they find the funds to make it happen?

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1 month ago

Petersburg Medical Center seeks transformation funding, pursues shared services with other rural hospitals Executives described outreach to state legislators and multiple grant tracks — including an HRSA networking grant and a March 11 LOI deadline for rural health transformation funds — and said they will seek shared credentialing and group‑purchase arrangements with three Alaska critical‑access hospitals.

Petersburg Medical Center is on a mission to secure vital transformation funding while collaborating with three rural hospitals to enhance healthcare services in Alaska!

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1 month ago

Petersburg schools project $278,000 pro forma deficit; district highlights $26M in facility needs Finance director Shannon Baird told the borough and school board the district expects to spend down reserves and is modeling a $278,000 FY27 pro forma deficit; the district's code-and-condition survey identified roughly $26 million in deferred capital needs, prioritizing substructure, HVAC and electrical work.

Petersburg School District faces a $278,000 budget deficit while uncovering a staggering $26 million in urgent facility needs—how will they balance the books and ensure student safety?

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1 month ago

Petersburg Borough reviews alternative sites, FAA lighting and timelines for proposed broadband towers At a borough work session, Title Networks reviewed mapped candidate parcels for a proposed tower network including Rory's Road, Mental Health Trust and DNR land and private parcels; the assembly pressed on FAA lighting rules, construction costs and a tight grant timeline tied to a possible no-cost extension.

The Petersburg Borough assembly is wrestling with the complexities of site selection and FAA lighting rules for new broadband towers, with time running out to meet federal grant deadlines.

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1 month ago

Petersburg Borough Assembly approves housing parcel vacation, 10% harbor-fee hike and zoning reading; several contracts awarded At its Feb. 17 meeting the assembly passed a third-reading ordinance vacating part of 7th Street to create a residential lot, adopted a 10% harbor-fee increase effective March 1, and approved a second reading to rezone a tideland parcel into the Marine Industrial Overlay; the body also approved two public-works awards.

The Petersburg Borough Assembly just took significant steps for housing development and harbor operations, but are residents ready for a 10% fee hike?

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1 month ago

Petersburg Medical Center reports stronger cash position as MRI revenue awaits state decision Board financial report shows days cash on hand rise to 134 and accounts receivable days fall toward industry norms, but MRI services remain offline pending staffing and a state certificate‑of‑need decision after 29 public callers testified.

Petersburg Medical Center is seeing a financial turnaround with cash on hand rising and accounts receivable dropping, but the future of MRI services hangs in the balance as they await a crucial state decision.

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1 month ago

State representative briefs Petersburg on education funding task force and major-maintenance priorities Rep. Rebecca Hemshutt told Petersburg officials the legislature's education funding task force is studying the formula and expects recommendations this fall, and she said major maintenance will likely be a near-term funding focus; she noted Petersburg has several projects on the state'wide list.

Alaska's education funding task force is set to unveil crucial recommendations this fall that could reshape how state dollars are allocated to schools, including a focus on major maintenance needs.

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2 months ago

Auditors give Petersburg Medical Center a clean opinion; board hears operating pressures from work-building and pension entries Auditors (DZA) issued an unmodified (clean) opinion on PMC's FY2025 financial statements, reporting positive operating cash flow, large capital grants tied to the work building, and no material internal control findings; board discussed operating loss driven by pension/OPEB accounting and the need for formal grants-management policies.

Petersburg Medical Center received a clean audit opinion, but the board faces challenges from operating losses tied to pension accounting and rising expenses from their new work building.

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2 months ago

Petersburg Medical Center board affirms support for phased hospital development, urges public input at state MRI hearing The Petersburg Medical Center board unanimously affirmed Resolution 2026-01 to continue phased planning for a new hospital and participation in Alaska's Certificate of Need process, and encouraged letters and testimony ahead of a Feb. 4 state hearing on an MRI suite.

The Petersburg Medical Center is taking a significant step towards a new hospital, emphasizing community involvement as they prepare for a crucial state hearing on vital health services!

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2 months ago

After months of heated debate and public outcry, the Petersburg Borough Assembly is set to vote on a controversial land sale for telecom towers that could reshape the community's future.

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2 months ago

Petersburg residents press Title Network on three proposed towers; company says towers are needed for fixed wireless broadband At a Petersburg Borough informational session, residents raised safety, health, zoning and process concerns about three proposed Title Network towers. The company representative said the towers will use Starlink backhaul and 5G fixed wireless to deliver broadband (about a 2.5-mile radius), offered heat maps, and agreed to work with the borough on alternate sites and timelines.

Petersburg residents voiced strong concerns over Title Network's proposed utility towers, questioning safety, health impacts, and the choice of new construction over existing infrastructure.

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#PetersburgBorough #AK #PetersburgBroadband #CitizenPortal #CommunityInvestment

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2 months ago

Petersburg residents press Title Networks on tower siting, safety and transparency; assembly seeks answers Monday Residents at a Petersburg Borough listening session raised health, safety, property-value and legal concerns about proposed Title Networks towers, questioned grant compliance and transparency, and the Planning and Zoning Commission urged the assembly to pursue talks about relocating at least one site.

Petersburg residents are raising serious concerns over proposed wireless towers, questioning their safety, impact on property values, and the need for transparency from Title Networks.

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#PetersburgBorough #AK #InfrastructureTransparency #PublicSafety #CommunityConcerns

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2 months ago

Petersburg Medical Center details replacement-campus plan and funding strategy as Alaska prepares to obligate RHTP funds Petersburg Medical Center presented a phased replacement-campus plan, condition-report findings describing the existing facility in "managed decay," and a funding strategy that leans on grants and the state's rollout of Rural Health Transformation Program funding, which Alaska has been awarded for distribution.

Petersburg Medical Center is gearing up for a vital phased replacement of its aging campus to enhance patient safety and care, all while tapping into new federal funding opportunities.

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#PetersburgBorough #AK #RuralHealthTransformation #CommunityEngagement #CitizenPortal

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2 months ago

SEPA reports 2026 wholesale rate hold and turbine work as Petersburg manages high winter loads SEPA approved holding wholesale power rate at $7.30/kWh for 2026, awarded audit and helipad contracts, and advanced the Taiyi third turbine work; borough staff said December cold snaps required diesel generation and the third turbine will increase capacity when managed within water constraints.

SEPA has locked in the wholesale power rate for 2026 while tackling winter demand challenges, but is the borough ready to invest in new energy solutions?

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#PetersburgBorough #AK #ClimateResilience #EnergyManagement #CitizenPortal #InfrastructureDevelopment

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3 months ago

Planning commission recommends land exchange with Title Networks to relocate proposed tower after public opposition After extensive public testimony expressing health, aesthetic and property-value concerns, the commission voted to recommend that the borough assembly pursue a land exchange with Title Networks for the Rory Road property to relocate a planned communications tower to a lower-impact site, with specific references to removing language that named borough parcels.

After heated public debate over health and property concerns, the Petersburg Borough Planning and Zoning Commission has recommended a land exchange to relocate a controversial communications tower to a lower-impact site.

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3 months ago

Planning commission advances draft wireless-communications zoning and schedules special meeting to refine setbacks and standards Commissioners reviewed a draft ordinance to regulate communication equipment and wireless facilities, debated definitions, setbacks (double tower height vs fixed 1,500–3,000 feet), exceptions for "significant gap" coverage, and agreed to a special meeting on Feb. 23 to review sample codes and finalize recommendations to the assembly.

Petersburg's Planning and Zoning Commission is diving deep into the future of wireless communication, debating critical policies that could reshape local infrastructure.

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#PetersburgBorough #AK #ZoningReform #PublicPolicy #WirelessRegulations #CitizenPortal

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5 months ago

Resident urges caution on proposed cell towers; commissioner says she reversed course after assembly testimony A Petersburg resident urged the planning commission to adopt stricter rules for proposed towers by Tlingit Haida; Vice Chair Heather told the commission she changed her prior support for a Tlingit Bridal Tower after hearing assembly testimony and signed a letter of concern.

Local resident Judy Ulmer is raising alarms about proposed wireless towers too close to homes, urging the commission to rethink their plans for the sake of community safety.

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5 months ago

Assembly advances rezoning (Ord. 2025-14) and approves supplemental budget adjustments The assembly gave first reading to Ordinance 2025-14 to rezone parcels connected to the proposed sale of Government Lot 21 to Skylark Park LLC and unanimously approved a set of supplemental budget adjustments including $78,000 in external revenue for the Banana Point breakwater project and funding for wastewater engineering and downtown streetlight

Petersburg Borough Assembly just took a major step forward by approving key budget adjustments and moving to rezone land for new development—what does this mean for the community's future?

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5 months ago

Petersburg assembly rejects a work session on proposed Title Network towers after weeks of public concern After extensive public comment expressing health and zoning worries, the Petersburg Borough Assembly voted down a motion to schedule a public work session with Title Network about proposed communications towers and related borough land negotiations. Members and staff explained the borough's limited immediate regulatory options, the ongoing land‑neg

Petersburg's Assembly voted down a public work session on controversial communications towers, leaving residents concerned about health risks and zoning regulations.

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5 months ago

Petersburg Medical Center board adds $100,000 to capital budget amid building project, approves amendment unanimously The Petersburg Medical Center hospital board voted Oct. 30 to increase the capital budget by $100,000 to cover unexpected equipment failures. The vote came as staff reported steady revenues, about 100 days cash on hand and ongoing uncertainty over MRI revenue while the state certificate-of-need review continues.

The Petersburg Medical Center board has taken a proactive step by adding $100,000 to its capital budget to tackle unexpected equipment failures while gearing up for an exciting new facility project!

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5 months ago

#NoKings 2.0
(10/18/2025)

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5 months ago

Residents press borough for more public process on Title Network broadband towers Multiple residents urged the Petersburg Borough to hold public work sessions and require clearer siting rules after learning that Title Network/Tlingit Haida plans to erect 150-foot towers in several neighborhoods; assembly agreed to put a discussion item on the Nov. 3 agenda and consider a work session Nov. 13.

Petersburg residents are raising alarms over proposed broadband towers that could loom over their neighborhoods, demanding more public engagement and safety regulations.

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#PetersburgBorough #AK #CitizenPortal #PetersburgBroadband #PublicProcess #InfrastructureTransparency

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6 months ago

Petersburg Medical Center CEO outlines health-care funding opportunity and MRI timeline Phil Hofstetter, CEO of Petersburg Medical Center, briefed the assembly on a pending state health care transformation submission and the center’s MRI certificate-of-need process. He said statewide funding could be substantial if allocated; the center expects the MRI to be operational cautiously within December–January pending certificate-of-need.

Petersburg Medical Center's CEO reveals a potential $100 million funding opportunity for healthcare transformation and an MRI set to launch soon—how will this impact local health services?

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6 months ago

Petersburg Harbor Prepares for Winter with Vessel Monitoring and Maintenance Updates Harbor monitors winter stallholder schedules as the tour ship season concludes.

As the summer tourism season wraps up in Petersburg, the harbor gears up for winter with exciting plans to accommodate vessels seeking shelter and storage!

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#PetersburgBorough #AK #TourismManagement #CitizenPortal #WinterOperations #HarborMaintenance

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6 months ago

Petersburg Assembly Passes Resolution on Urgent Sea Otter Management for Fisheries Assembly approves resolution to manage sea otters affecting Southeast Alaska's fisheries.

The Petersburg Borough Assembly's recent meeting highlighted a surprising lack of engagement from the community, raising questions about the future of local governance.

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#PetersburgBorough #AK #CitizenPortal #PublicParticipation #CommunityEngagement #FisheriesManagement

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6 months ago

Petersburg Borough Moves Forward After Contract Decline by Local Resident Petersburg Borough manager receives a formal contract withdrawal from a local resident.

In a surprising twist, a local contractor's withdrawal from a key project has sparked a renewed determination in Petersburg Borough's assembly to keep community progress on track.

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