Report Presented to the Chamber of Commerce on January 20, 2021 by John Leach, Municipal Administrator. Please click this link for the Report
Regular Assembly Meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in Harrigan Centennial Hall. Agenda and supporting documentation is available at https://sitka.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx or by contacting the Municipal Clerk's Office at City Hall.
Public comment on agenda items is encouraged and welcomed. Citizens may provide comment in-person or by phone. To sign up for telephonic testimony, call the Municipal Clerk’s Office at 747-1826 or email clerk@cityofsitka.org prior to 4:00 p.m. the day of the meeting and specify the item you wish to testify on. Staff will do its best to accommodate requests received after 4:00 p.m. For discussion/direction/decision items, citizens are encouraged to sign up for telephonic testimony in order to have the opportunity to comment if a formal motion is made.
Assembly meetings are livestreamed through the City's website, YouTube Channel, and Facebook page. Livestreaming links may be found on the homepage of the City’s website at www.cityofsitka.com. In addition, regular meetings are aired live on KCAW FM 104.7, and broadcast live on local television channel 11. To receive Assembly agenda notifications, sign up with GovDelivery on the City website.
For more information contact the Municipal Clerk's Office at 747-1826 or 747-1811.
To livestream an Assembly meeting through our website, click on the "Assembly Videos" link under City Assembly (on the right-hand side of this page). This will take you to the calendar page for all Assembly meetings. To watch a live Assembly meeting, click on the right-hand side, "In Progress". To view previous meetings, click on any "video".
To livestream an Assembly meeting through our You Tube channel, click on the "City of Sitka YouTube Channel" link under City Assembly (on the right-hand side of this page).
You can also visit our Facebook page and stream the meeting. Click here: CBS Facebook
Good afternoon. This is John Leach, your Municipal Administrator.
Today, I am declaring a local disaster emergency in accordance with AS 26.23.140 to help prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus, to open emergency funding, and formally request State and Federal support.
It is important to note, there are still no known cases of the COVID-19 virus in Sitka.
Click here to see the Municipal Administrator's entire statement.
Click here to see the Declaration of Disaster Emergency
Click here to see Resolution 2020-31 continuing the declaration of a local disaster
The SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC), the City and Borough of Sitka (CBS) and the Sitka Fire Department continue to closely monitor information being provided by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (ADHSS) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to plan and prepare for a local response to the coronavirus threat. Sitka has yet to see any confirmed cases of the 2019 novel coronavirus, now known as COVID-19, however State of Alaska Governor Dunleavy announced the first confirmed case in Anchorage late yesterday, March 12.
“We have a comprehensive COVID-19 response plan in place. Collaborating leadership from SEARHC, CBS and EMS communicate regularly with Alaska DHSS and the state emergency operations center,” said CBS Fire Chief and Emergency Manager Dave Miller.
The City and Borough of Sitka is closely monitoring and recommends Alaska Department of Health and Social Services guidance on community mitigation - a set of actions that persons and communities
can take to help slow the spread of respiratory virus infections. Examples include avoiding large gatherings and crowded places as much as possible; when in public try to maintain at least 6 feet distance from people; and consider adjusting or postponing large meetings or gatherings.
SEARHC Vice President and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Elliot Bruhl stated, “We have established a unified command structure for this event working with our local partners. SEARHC has developed careful protocols for screening and caring for patients in our facilities, inline with recommendations from scientists and doctors at the state and national level. The safety of patients and staff are our highest priority.”
Symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to those of the flu. Fever, sneezing, coughing, etc. can be attributed to both diseases. Contact your healthcare provider if you are experiencing these conditions and are elderly or have chronic conditions such as COPD, cancer, diabetes or high blood pressure. Testing is available at all SEARHC locations, and will be available to patients displaying symptoms and meeting exposure risk criteria.
If you are concerned you might have contracted the coronavirus, don’t panic, as the flu or another respiratory virus is still the most likely cause. Contact your healthcare provider for advice. If you choose to visit an emergency department, call ahead to alert staff of your coronavirus concerns and request a mask be brought out to you prior to entering to reduce the risk of exposure. For additional information, visit covid19.searhc.org. For health questions or concerns outside of normal clinic hours, patients can contact the SEARHC 24/7 Nurse Advice Line at 1.800.613.0560 to be triaged by a registered nurse.
Residents are encouraged to prepare for any local emergency by ensuring each family member has a 14- day emergency supply kit, including any necessary medications.
The SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC), the City and Borough of Sitka (CBS) and the Sitka Fire Department are closely monitoring information being provided by the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (ADHSS), the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to plan and prepare for a local response to the coronavirus threat. Sitka has yet to see any confirmed cases of the 2019 novel coronavirus, now known as COVID-19.
“Together, we have strategically planned a response to EMS calls and reviewed emergency procedures,” said CBS Fire Chief and Emergency Manager Dave Miller. “Emergency response has implemented updated 9-1-1 dispatch protocols to screen for potential coronavirus on all calls. Hospital teams have set up an Incident Command System to ensure constant communication throughout the event.”
Dr. Elliot Bruhl, SEARHC Vice-President and Chief Medical Officer, shared that SEARHC providers received COVID-19 screening protocols in early February and all locations have been given direction to screen all patients meeting symptomatic requirements. COVID-19 symptoms are similar to those of the flu – fever, aching, cough, and shortness of breath.
“Sitkans can help prevent the threat by washing hands thoroughly and often; covering coughs and sneezes; cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects; and getting a flu shot to eliminate concerns, as COVID-19 symptoms are similar to those of influenza,” said Dr. Bruhl. Bruhl also recommends people stay home when sick.
If you are concerned you might have contracted the coronavirus, don’t panic, as the flu or another respiratory virus is still the most likely cause. Contact your healthcare provider for advice. If you choose to visit an emergency department, call ahead to alert staff of your coronavirus concerns and request a mask be brought out to you prior to entering to reduce the risk of exposure. For health questions or concerns outside of normal clinic hours, patients can contact the SEARHC 24/7 Nurse Advice Line at 1.800.613.0560 to be triaged by a registered nurse.
Residents are encouraged to prepare for any local emergency by ensuring each family member has a 14 - day emergency supply kit, including any necessary medications.
The Public Works Department has created an interactive map that exhibits changes from the currently adopted 2010 FIRM when compared to the updated 2019 FIRM, click here to go to the Public Works page to view interactive map.
The city is now introducing a web feature which citizens can use online to initiate commonly requested work items from city crews. Please to to the following link:
City of Sitka iWorq Request Webpage
When you submit the request a ‘request number’ displays; you can check the status of that request by clicking on the “check request” button and entering the request number.
The City and Borough of Sitka encourages local vendors to submit quotes for purchases made by the City and Borough of Sitka. For more details click here:
Volunteer positions are available with various Municipal Boards, Commissions, and Committees. Interested persons are asked to submit a letter of interest and board application to the Municipal Clerk's Office (click here to download an application). To see the current vacancies please click on the following link: Vacancies