The Annual Arctic Small Business Gathering took place at our Borough Assembly chambers last week, including the annual art competition that we sponsor. A variety of guest speakers, a small business workshop, and a review of our arts and crafts marketing and small business grant and loan programs highlighted the two-day event.

Fifteen participants enrolled in the two-day small business training workshop that preceded the Gathering each day. Training focused on basic money management and self-investment, tax preparation (including the use of one's home for business), and a review of the specific business plans for some participants. The group also discussed all the different opportunities that are available to those in the villages, including small bakeries, bulk food distributors, seasonal gifts, and more.

The Gathering began with a presentation by Quana Tickett of Selawik, who started a small business in her home last January. Her business enterprise includes renting videos and the sale of a wide variety of snacks and grocery items. Having recorded gross sales of over $9,000 in a single month recently, her business is an excellent example of the opportunities that exist in each village.

On Thursday, Charlie Lein of the National Park Service in Nome discussed commercial opportunities for the sale of sheefish from our region. The present quota for the commercial take of sheefish is presently 25,000 pounds for the Kotzebue district and no one is currently utilizing that opportunity. The key for those who want to sell our high quality product is to line up buyers in advance. While there are restaurants in Anchorage that might be anxious to have a fresh winter product, the best potential may lie with Native stores in villages that do not have a local winter stock of the fish.

Other presentations on Thursday afternoon included a review of the new Job Start program that has been created by the Division of Public Assistance and a review of the design of the new Cultural Heritage Center that is planned for Kotzebue by architects from Rim Associates.

Friday afternoon was dedicated to the developing art industry in the region. Holly Nordlum discussed the opportunities for artists to create work to decorate new schools in the region. A small portion of the budget for each new facility is dedicated for artwork and the school district would like to see that funding go to local artists.

Borough staff reviewed progress in the development of the Kotzebue Art Center as well as plans to help create art work places in villages. Currently, the old Tupiq building on Third Street is being evaluated for possible renovation with a grant that has been obtained by Chukchi College's Ruth Iten.

There were five categories in the 2003 art competition. The top honor in Atikluks went to Margaret Frazier, with Emma Ramoth placing second and Gladys Adams third. The Jewelry category's top prize was awarded to Delano Barr, with Zona Lie-Ito and Donald Ferguson placing second and third respectively. In Birch Bark Basketry, the winner was a beautiful oval basket by Mercy Cleveland. Clara Lee and Ada Cleveland took second and third places. The Antler Carving winner was Donald Ferguson, with Jack Frankson second and Tony Owens third.

In the highly competitive sculpture category, Enoch Evak's graceful and detailed ivory eagle took top honors. Lowell Ward's "Tunaguq" mask of birch wood, moose antler, baleen and ivory earned second place. Third place went to Jack Frankson for a seal hunting scene in ivory and whalebone.

Mayor Ross Schaeffer, Sr. served as one of the judges for the art competition this year.
"It is really exciting to see the work of our region's artists," said Schaeffer. "They continually expand their range and quality of work. I would like to thank Sue Norton and Willie Goodwin for accepting our invitation to act as judges for the competition also.

Among those in attendance at the Gathering this year were most of the Resource Specialists from the region. Village residents are encouraged to talk to their representative so that they can learn about all the topics that were discussed.

Congratulations to all the art competition winners and all those who completed products to enter in the competition. We enjoyed seeing your work!

Mayor Promotes Frank R. Ferguson Scholarship Program
May 14, 2003

It was a special pleasure to speak at the May 17 graduation ceremony at Kotzebue High School. I spoke about the college scholarship program that the Borough offers for our students and encouraged them to make full use of it. The Assembly appropriated $55,000 for the program for the coming year and the application deadline is August 15 for the Fall Semester and January 15 for the Spring Semester.

Individual awards can be up to $750 per semester or $500 per quarter. Payment of the scholarship amount will be made to the financial aide office of the college or university that the student attends. Funds can be used for tuition, books, fees and other college related expenses.

Applicants are required to submit the following information on their initial application: documentation of acceptance at a college or university; a complete budget forecast from that school; proof of residence in the Northwest Arctic Borough; and three letters of recommendation for first time applicants. Students must also be enrolled full-time with 12 or more credits for the semester.

There are also special qualifying considerations for part-time students at our local Chukchi College. If a student is carrying a minimum of three credits per quarter that lead toward a degree or certificate, they may also qualify for the scholarship.

After initial scholarship approval, the student may continue to receive funding as long as they remain in good standing with their school and maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average. A full application will no longer be required.

Our generous scholarship program is an indication of the importance we place on higher education. Those who attend college and complete a degree will not only have more choices available to them when they consider a vocation - they are likely to have a higher income as well.

There are many jobs available to residents of our borough if they simply get the education needed to qualify and succeed. Within the region, there are many jobs with the Northwest Arctic Borough School District, Maniilaq Association, and other businesses and organizations that require specialized education and certification. Dozens of employees are hired from outside the region each year to perform those jobs because we don't have enough educated people here to fill them.

I would like to congratulate all of our 2003 high school graduates and wish them all success in chasing their individual dreams. If college is in your future, and I hope it is, the Borough stands ready to help you.

Borough and AIDEA Close to Agreement
May 21, 2003

At its April 29 meeting, the Borough Assembly addressed our concern about the financial arrangements between Teck-Cominco and AIDEA, the state's business development banking agency. As the source of funds for construction of the Red Dog haul road, AIDEA has been collecting annual payments from Teck-Cominco since the inception of the mine. Because those yearly payments total about $7 million more than the actual debt service, the state is receiving more direct revenue from the mine operation than either the Borough or NANA Corporation, the owner of the property on which the mine operates. As the Borough has extended its current bonding capacity to the limit while building schools in area villages, we have been exploring means of financing an additional $24 million for a Kotzebue High School addition.

After extended negotiations with AIDEA officials, we received word today that AIDEA is prepared to assist our borough with this additional financing. This is great news and we are appreciative of the efforts of all involved in this important outcome.

Personnel Update
Last month the Borough put a grant writer, Cheryl Winkler, on contract in order to allow us to assist villages with preparation of capital improvement funding applications. On behalf of Ambler, Cheryl just completed and submitted an application to the Denali Commission for a new multipurpose facility. She will be taking on a variety of new projects in the months ahead as a temporary hire.

Valerie Romaine, the Borough Clerk for several years before working as a special assistant to the mayor for the last two years, resigned from her position as of May 3, 2003. The vacant position may be filled in July.

Tom Bolen, the Public Services Director, continues to be on leave to recover from cancer treatment. All indications are that he is progressing very well and he hopes to back to work by early June.

Borough Planning and Economic Development Directors Noah Naylor and Lee Stoops completed their volunteer work as Junior Achievement instructors during the past month. Naylor taught a five-day unit on "Communities" for Mrs. Cunningham's June Nelson Elementary School second grade class. Stoops' presentation over the same duration focused on "Families and Jobs" for Ms. Jackson's first graders. It included a May 20 field trip to the Borough office where the class worked from the seats of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly and even spoke through the microphones.

It was the second year of volunteer instruction for both. They report a special joy in getting to know the young people, who will forever greet them as friends whenever their paths cross in the future.

The Borough is a major supporter of Junior Achievement and contributes both staff and funding for the program. We encourage everyone to find time to get involved in such a valuable program.

ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS
KOTZEBUE, AK May 28, 2003 - 1:00 P.M.

AGENDA A. CALL TO ORDER

B. INVOCATION / MOMENT OF SILENCE

C. ROLL CALL 1. Introduction of Staff & Guests

D. ASSEMBLY & ELECTED OFFICIAL VACANCIES, OATH OF OFFICE & ELECTION OF OFFICERS

E. AGENDA APPROVAL

F. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
1. April 29, 2003 Regular meeting minutes
2. May 7, 2003 Special Teleconference minutes

G. COMMUNICATION & APPEARANCES

H. BOARDS, COMMISSIONS & COMMITTEES
1. B.A.F. Committee
2. Land Selection Committee
3. Healthy Communities Committee

I. PUBLIC HEARINGS, ENACTMENT OF ORDINANCES & EMERGENCY ORDINANCES
Ordinance 03-03 an ordinance of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly establishing a Fire Department and for related purposes.

Ordinance 03-06 an ordinance of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly providing for the establishment and adoption of the line item budget for the Fiscal Year 2004.

J. MAYOR'S REPORT

K. TIME & PLACE OF NEXT MEETING
1. July 21 & 22, 2003

L. INTRODUCTION OF ORDINANCES

M. RESOLUTIONS
Resolution 03-12 a resolution of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly confirming Judith A. Hassinger as the Borough Treasurer and authorizing a contract for services and for related purposes.

Resolution 03-13 a resolution of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly authorizing a contract for legal services and for related purposes.

Resolution 03-14 a resolution of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly adding and authorizing signatories on borough checks.

Resolution 03-15 a resolution of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly authorizing a professional contract with Wendy Mulder for consulting services to the mayor's department.

Resolution 03-16 a resolution of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly approving the Ardor work plan for FY04 and accepting the State grant in the amount of $47,220 to develop and implement a regional economic development strategy.

Resolution 03-17 a resolution of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly in support of the Alaska Coastal Management Program.

Resolution 03-18 a resolution of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly authorizing a professional contract with Lori Henry to perform key planning and coordination of the Arctic Economic Development Summit in February 2005.

Resolution 03-19 a resolution of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly authorizing the Assembly Members, Mayor, Special Asst. to Assembly, EDC Director, Planning Director, Public Services Director and the Borough Clerk to renew the annual credit charge cards for business purposes.

Resolution 03-20 a resolution of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly approviing a contract with Alaska Permanent Capital Management Company and for related purposes.

N. OTHER BUSINESS

O. AUDIENCE COMMENTS
1. Village Comments

P. ASSEMBLY COMMENTS

Q. MAYORS COMMENTS

R. ADJOURNMENT

Assembly Work Session Agenda
ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS KOTZEBUE, AK May 28, 2003 - 9:00 A.M.
AGENDA

A. CALL TO ORDER

B. INVOCATION / MOMENT OF SILENCE

C. ROLL CALL
1. Introduction of Staff & Guests

D. AGENDA APPROVAL

E. COMMUNICATION AND APPEARANCES
1. Jeanne Gerhardt-Cyrus, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
2. Paul Stang, Leasing & Environment

F. ENACTMENT OF ORDINANCES
1. Ordinance 03-03 an ordinance of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly establishing a Fire Department and for related purposes.
2. Ordinance 03-06 an ordinance of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly providing for the establishment and adoption of the line item budget for the Fiscal Year 2004.

G. RESOLUTIONS
1. Resolution 03-12 a resolution of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly confirming Judith A. Hassinger as the Borough Treasurer and authorizing a contract for services and for related purposes.
2. Resolution 03-13 a resolution of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly authorizing a contract for legal services and for related purposes.
3. Resolution 03-14 a resolution of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly adding and authorizing signatories on borough checks.
4. Resolution 03-15 a resolution of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly authorizing a professional contract with Wendy Mulder for consulting services to the mayor's department.
5. Resolution 03-16 a resolution of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly approving the Ardor work plan for FY04 and accepting the State grant in the amount of $47,220 to develop and implement a regional economic development strategy.
6. Resolution 03-17 a resolution of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly in support of the Alaska Coastal Management Program.
7. Resolution 03-18 a resolution of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly authorizing a professional contract with Lori Henry to perform key planning and coordination of the Arctic Economic Development Summit in February 2005.
8. Resolution 03-19 a resolution of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly authorizing the Assembly Members, Mayor, Special Asst. to Assembly, EDC Director, Planning Director, Public Services Director and the Borough Clerk to renew the annual credit charge cards for business purposes.
9. Resolution 03-20 a resolution of the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly approviing a contract with Alaska Permanent Capital Management Company and for related purposes.

H. OTHER BUSINESS

I. ADJOURNMENT

Art Work For Sale

Artwork Currently FOR SALE at the Northwest Arctic Borough Office
For Telephone Sales, contact Vika Owens at (800) 478-1110 (toll free in Alaska) or (907) 442-2500 M-F 8:00-4:30

Northwest Arctic Borough Staff Directory

Mayor's Department
Ross Schaeffer Sr., Mayor
Vacant, Assistant to the Mayor
Jake Stoops, Information Coordinator

Finance Department
Tula Lie, Comptroller
Judy Hassinger, Finance Director

Planning Department
Noah Naylor, Director
Kim Franklin, Associate Planner

Public Servies
Tom Bolen, Director
Toni Evak, LEPC/PSC
Angela Joule, Receptionist/DMV

Economic Development
Lee Stoops, Director
Vika Owens, Arts & Crafts Coordinator

Borough Clerk's Office
Helena Hildreth, Borough Clerk

Northwest Arctic Borough P.O. Box 1110 Kotzebue, AK 99752 (907)442-2500 (800)478-1110 Fax:(907)442-2930

(c) 2001 Northwest Arctic Borough All rights reserved