Wrangell’s City and Borough assembly expects to approve the transfer of 9.12-acres to Tideline Construction, LLC. on Tuesday night.
The parcel is on public lands and tidelands at the deep water port site six miles out of town at the Old Mill property. Tideline Construction plans to expand its fabrication and recycling operations already on the site, where they will continue processing scrap metal.
The property is adjacent to other projects in the area that will include a shipyard and the location of the new freight barge ramp.
Wrangell administration says in a summary statement that this project builds on facilitating industrial development and economic growth on the property.
Fee and rates change
Additionally, at Tuesday night’s meeting, a public hearing will take place regarding the borough-wide fee and rates schedule in the Wrangell Municipal Code. Changes in rates are for electricity, Ports and Harbors, sanitation and the Nolan Center. In terms of residential electric rates, they would transition from a declining block structure to a flat rate.
The agenda states that the majority of residents would experience a decrease in rates. Those who consume the average amount of residential power – 900 kilowatt hours per month – could save approximately $10 monthly. Administration says if the assembly approves this, Wrangell would have the lowest residential electric rates in Southeast Alaska.
Additionally, the assembly will vote on implementing a 2.5% inflationary adjustment to moorage and port rates. This would include potable water service provided to cruise ships, outside dockage and port development fees.
The assembly will also vote on increasing lightering fees of cruise ships from $5 to $7 and passenger wharfage rates from $7 to $9 in the 2027-28 season.
The Wrangell Borough Assembly will hold its regular meeting on April 14 at 7 p.m. in the Borough Assembly Chambers at Wrangell City Hall.
There will be a presentation beforehand at 5:30 pm from an Alaska-based business called Structure. They’re working with the borough to advance and modernize Wrangell’s utility systems, like the power infrastructure, water and wastewater.
You can listen to the live broadcast of the Wrangell Borough Assembly meeting on KSTK-FM 101.7, or stream online at KSTK.org or on the city’s website.
