Update on the Volunteer Program at the Sitka Animal Shelter
11/20/2024
The Sitka Police Department (SPD) and Friends of the Sitka Animal Shelter (FOSAS) continue to work on revitalizing and relaunching the volunteer program at the Sitka Animal Shelter. The joint work group has successfully outlined updated volunteer vetting and training processes, a software-based approach to scheduling, and processes for ensuring volunteer and animal safety through the animal intake and observation periods. Further conversation in early December will continue the discussion on animal care and adoption processes, with SPD and FOSAS anticipating a complete agreement by the end of the year.
The SPD would like to thank FOSAS and the volunteers who took part in the cleaning day November 2, for their time, dedication, and hard work. The SPD looks forward to currently approved volunteers scheduling shifts for continued cleaning and organizing. Additional animal care shift information will be provided to FOSAS as need arises.
Health Needs and Human Services Commission
11/15/2024
The Health Needs and Human Services Commission will meet at 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at Harrigan Centennial Hall, 330 Harbor Drive. Agenda items include: Presentation from Betty Eliason Childcare Center Board, President Joel Markis and Working Group Updates. The meeting is open to the public.
Planning Commission
11/15/2024
The Planning Commission will hold a meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at Harrigan Centennial Hall. More information on these agenda items can be found at https://sitka.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx or by contacting the Planning Office at 100 Lincoln Street.
Individuals having concerns or comments on any item are encouraged to provide written comments to the Planning Office or make comments at the Planning Commission meeting. Written comments may be dropped off at the Planning Office in City Hall, emailed to planning@cityofsitka.org, or faxed to (907) 747-6138. Those with questions may call (907) 747-1814.
Investment Committee
11/15/2024
The Investment Committee will meet on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. in Harrigan Centennial Hall, 330 Harbor Drive. Agenda items include: APCM Portfolio Review. The meeting is open to the public.
Parks and Recreation Department - Public Meeting
11/15/2024
The Parks and Recreation Department will host a public meeting on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at Harrigan Centennial Hall, located at 330 Harbor Drive. The meeting will include a presentation on the Draft Land Use Plan. This meeting is open to the public.
Teen Nights at Blatchley Middle School
11/14/2024
The City and Borough of Sitka Parks and Recreation invites all youth ages middle school and up to our free Teen Nights at Blatchley Middle School from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 16th and Saturday, December 14th. Enjoy free open recreation, including basketball, ping-pong, board games, skating, and Mario Kart. Teen Nights are sponsored by CBS Parks and Recreation, Sitka Counseling, and the H.O.P.E. Coalition. No registration required.
For more information, contact Sitka Parks and Recreation by emailing recreation@cityofsitka.org or by calling 907.747.4031.
Greyhound Cowboy Book Event
11/14/2024
Reading Wonderland at Sitka Public Library
11/13/2024
Sitka Public Library is hosting the annual Reading Wonderland on Saturday, December 7 from 10:30 am to noon. The public is invited to get free nearly new books for children and young adults to give away as gifts this Holiday season.
For more information call 907.747.4020 or e-mail Maite at maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org.
Boards, Committees, and Commission Opportunities
11/13/2024
• Sustainability Commission
For more information, please call the Deputy Municipal Clerk at 907-747-1826. Interested persons must submit a letter of interest and a board application to the Municipal Clerk's Office.
Afterschool Program Community Meeting
11/12/2024
The City and Borough of Sitka Parks and Recreation will be hosting an afterschool program planning meeting on Wednesday, December 4 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Room 5, the Chum Room at Harrigan Centennial Hall. Organizations offering afterschool youth activities in the spring and/or summer are invited to coordinate schedules and program offerings. Those unable to attend the meeting can email their details to recreation@cityofsitka.org.
For more information, please contact Parks and Recreation at recreation@cityofsitka.org or 907.747.4031.
Senior Activity Meeting
11/8/2024
City and Borough of Sitka Parks and Recreation invites all seniors and organizations offering senior recreation and leisure activities to a planning meeting Monday, November 25th from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Swan Lake Senior Center, 402 Lake Street. Discussion will include sharing current and future senior programs, updates to Swan Lake Senior Center Facilities, and identifying gaps in recreation needs. All interested parties are invited to attend. For more information, contact Sitka Parks and Recreation by email at recreation@cityofsitka.org or by phone at 907.747.4031.
How to Participate in Assembly Meetings
11/8/2024
Regular Assembly Meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in Harrigan Centennial Hall. The agenda and supporting documentation are available at https://sitka.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx, the Sitka Public Library, or by contacting the Municipal Clerk's Office at City Hall. Public comment on agenda items and “Persons to be heard” is encouraged and welcomed. Citizens may provide comments by email, in person, or by phone. Regular and special Assembly meetings are live-streamed through the City's website and YouTube channel. In addition, regular meetings are aired live on KCAW FM 104.7. To receive Assembly agenda notifications, sign up with GovDelivery on the City’s website.
For more information, visit https://www.cityofsitka.com/CityAssembly or contact the Municipal Clerk's Office at 747-1826 or 747-1811.
Local Emergency Planning Committee Meeting
11/8/2024
The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) will meet on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at noon in Harrigan Centennial Hall, 330 Harbor Drive. Agenda items include: Updating ICS Forms and opening CBS EOP All Hazards Administrative Overview. The meeting is open to the public.
2024 Sales Tax Free Days
11/6/2024
Salty Spoke Bike Clue Registration Open
11/1/2024
Sitka Public Library Geo Quiz
11/1/2024
Community Food Assessment Presentation at Sitka Public Library
10/29/2024
Callie Simmons will share the results of the 2024 Sitka Community Food Assessment on Thursday, November 21st at 6:30 p.m. at Sitka Public Library. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Margot at 747-4020 or email margot.oconnell@cityofsitka.org.
2025 Public Outcry Auction for Vendor/Outfitter Space at Harrigan Centennial Hall
10/21/2024
The City and Borough of Sitka will hold a public outcry auction for obtaining a 2025 Plaza Vendor Space Permit and/or Plaza Outfitter Space Permit in 2025 for commercial operations of tours and excursions at Harrigan Centennial Hall, 330 Harbor Drive. This auction will be held for any vendor with an expiring permit and any other tour or excursion operation seeking a 2025 permit. The auction will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 10 and will be held in Meeting Room 6 of Harrigan Centennial Hall.
The application must be filed by Thursday, January 9 at 4:30 p.m. at the office of the Harrigan Centennial Hall Manager. For application and procedures, visit www.cityofsitka.com/cbsforms or contact Harrigan Centennial Hall Manager at 907.747.4090.
Volunteer Program at Sitka Animal Shelter
10/21/2024
The Sitka Police Department, in collaboration with Friends of the Sitka Animal Shelter, is excited to announce plans to revitalize and relaunch the volunteer program at the Sitka Animal Shelter. As part of this effort, a group of dedicated volunteers will soon return to assist with the care of surrendered animals, with the full program set to resume once all preparations are complete. More information regarding the volunteer program will be shared when available.
Automatic Payment Transactions Not Processed
10/16/2024
The City and Borough of Sitka is addressing an issue affecting communication between our utility billing system and the system that processes automatic payments. As a result, autopay transactions have not been processed for the past two weeks. Payments made in person or over the phone have not been impacted.
We want to assure the community that we are actively working with our IT team and billing system engineers to resolve this issue. Our priority is to ensure the system functions reliably and securely before resuming automatic payments. We expect to resolve the issue within the next few days, and autopay transactions will be processed as soon as we confirm the system is fully operational.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding. If you have questions, need to update your payment information, or wish to change your autopay settings, please contact the CBS payment office at utilities@cityofsitka.org or 907.747.1818.
Big Breath In Book Event at Sitka Public Library
10/12/2024
John Straley will discuss his new book Big Breath In at 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 16th at Sitka Public Library. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served, and copies of the book will be available for purchase and to be signed by the author. For more information, please call Margot at 747-4028 or email margot.oconnell@cityofsitka.org.
Senior Walking Hours
10/3/2024
The City and Borough of Sitka Parks and Recreation in collaboration with the Senior Activity Coalition presents Senior Walking Hour at the Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall, 223 Katlian St. Seniors are welcome to come walk indoors every Wednesday in October from 2:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. This program is free! For more information, please contact City of Sitka Parks and Recreation by email at recreation@cityofsitka.org or by phone at 907.747.4031.
Storytime Programs for National Native American Heritage Month at Sitka Public Library
9/27/2024
Sitka Public Library will honor Native American Heritage Month with a series of Storytime's focused on Baby Raven Reads picture books based on the cultural themes of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian. The programs include a read a-loud, followed by literacy activities related to the reading. Dates and times for the Storytime series are Thursday, November 7, November 14, and November 21 at 10:30 am. Everyone is welcome.
For more information call 907.747.4020 or email Maite at maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org.
Stay and Play Program at the Library Fall Calendar
9/24/2024
Sitka Public Library’s Stay and Play fall schedule will be November 12 to December 10. Babies, toddlers, and siblings up to six-years-old are invited to the Stay and Play Program at Sitka Public Library. Self-guided programs run every Tuesday from 3.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. at the Sitka Public Library's multipurpose room. Families will have access to a variety of tinkering toys and activities.
For more information call 907.747.4020 or email Maite at maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org.
Airport Hold Room Exit Modification
9/16/2024
Beginning October 1, 2024, and continuing through late Spring of 2025, construction at the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport will alter the exit from the passenger hold room to accommodate the installation of a jetway foundation. Passengers will no longer exit the breezeway. Instead, they will pass through a secure corridor adjacent to baggage claim to access the airfield. Please follow instructions provided by airline staff when boarding and moving onto the airfield.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding during this construction period. For questions, please contact the City and Borough of Sitka Airport Terminal Manager at 907.747.1803 or by emailing airport.project@cityofsitka.org.
Free Public Wi-Fi Available at Swan Lake Senior Center
9/11/2024
The City and Borough of Sitka Parks and Recreation is now offering free public Wi-Fi at Swan Lake Senior Center. The Wi-Fi is available every Sunday, Wednesday, and Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. through the end of September.
For more information, please contact Sitka Parks and Recreation at recreation@cityofsitka.org or call 907.747.4031.
Ground Loading and Unloading for Passengers at the Airport
6/19/2024
Starting July 15, the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport will undergo improvements affecting how passengers board and exit planes. For approximately 10 months, until late Spring 2025, passengers will embark and disembark the aircraft from the tarmac using portable stairs or ramps, as the current jet bridge will be out of service.
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience during this timeframe. Please contact the City and Borough of Sitka Airport Terminal Manager with any questions at 907.747.1803 or by emailing airport.project@cityofsitka.org.
Leads/Requested/Suspended Operations for Missing Person
12/24/2023
Sitka, Alaska – Jedidah Kowchee, 28 years old, 5’ 4”, 155 pounds was last seen leaving AC shopping center on December 13, 2023, at approximately 4:07 p.m. He was wearing a black hat and black jacket, light colored hoodie under his jacket. Tan khaki pants, black running shoes with black and white soles and clear framed glasses.
Sitka Police Department (SPD), Sitka Fire Department (SFD) Search and Rescue and Sitka Tribe of Alaska (STA) volunteer teams were dispatched and searched during daylight hours on Saturday, December 23 and again on Sunday, December 24 until early afternoon.
Despite their concerted efforts, Jedidah’s whereabouts remain unknown. A joint effort to locate Jedidah Kowchee, the SPD, SFD Search and Rescue, and STA volunteer teams emphasize the critical need for additional leads from the community.
Anyone having contact or information regarding Jedidah, is asked to contact the Sitka Police Department 907.747.3245 or the anonymous tip line 907.747.8980, or Sitka Fire Department Search and Rescue 907.966.5770, or STA by phone 907.738.7622 or text the keyword AKTIPS followed by your crime tip to 847411.
Anyone interested in volunteering, please report to Sitka Tribe of Alaska headquarters at 204 Siginaka Way or contact Mary Ferguson at 907.738.9229.
The City and Borough of Sitka’s mission is to provide public services for Sitka that support a livable community for all. Stay connected to the City and Borough of Sitka! Visit us online at www.cityofsitka.com; like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cityandboroughofsitka/; follow us on Instagram @cbsitka; and Twitter @cbsitka; or call Administration, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday at 907.747.1812.
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Katlian Street Closed to Pedestrian Traffic in the 400 Block
09/29/2022
The City and Borough of Sitka opened Katlian Street to two-way vehicle traffic in the 400 block. Pedestrian traffic remains closed. Please use caution and follow all signage. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience during this timeframe. Please contact the CBS Public Works Department with any questions. 907.747.1804.
