PUBLIC SERVICES DEPARTMENT REPORT TO

Northwest Arctic Borough

Mayor & Assembly

MAY 12, 2005

Capital Projects

Buckland Water & Sewer Project   The Department has made contact with individuals from ADOT to further inquire whether it may be possible to acquire a bridge fro the community of Buckland.  The Borough is seeking to identify an existing bridge somewhere in the State’s inventory, that could be disassembled and shipped to Buckland  for re-assembly.  Staff has already visited several bridges near Palmer which are not currently in use, however the best prospect at this time appears to be a bridge near Kenai, which is scheduled to dismantled within the next few months.   Given the price of steel in the aftermath of the Iraq war, this approach to acquiring a bridge for Buckland may have significant cost savings.

Kivalina Relocation / Erosion   Borough staff were vigorously criticized by several Kivalina leaders for the letter that was sent to Senator Stevens and others, requesting funds for Relocation and for Interim Protective measures.   It would appear that when the Borough takes a back seat on these matters, we are criticized, and when we take the lead, as we have been asked to do by the City of Kivalina, we are also criticized.  With day to day affairs of the City government  in Kivalina now being run by the IRA office, it is unclear how the Borough should proceed.

Borough Office Improvements As a result of the recent budget revision, work has now resumed on the completion of the garage and the second floor improvements.

Northwest Arctic Borough Infrastructure Project  A report on the feasibility study is due by the end of May.

PUBLIC SAFETY

Public Safety Commission  The Public Safety Commission has not met during this reporting period.  The next meeting is scheduled for May 23, 2005.

Fire Department Development  The Shungnak Battalion of the Northwest Arctic Borough Fire Department has successfully responded to a single family home fire.  The fire, which occurred at the home of Wallace and Erma Mitchell , was apparently started by children playing with matches.  The structure was saved but the master bedroom was totally destroyed.  Battalion Chief Billy Lee reported that 18 fire fighters  responded to the blaze.  Community fire assets were successfully deployed and utilized to combat and extinguish the fire.   This is a remarkable improvement for the community of Shungnak, which had experienced several major fire incidents over the past 5 years with very little organized response.  Battalion Chief Lee attributed the success of this fire response to the Borough’s implementation of the Borough Fire Department. With training, equipment, and administrative support provided by the Borough, Shungnak Fire Fighters have managed to sustain an active, engaged  group of volunteers who were able to provide effective and timely response to this fire.  Job well done, Shugnak!

Local Emergency Planning Committee  The LEPC has not met during this reporting period. The next LEPC is scheduled for May 26, 2005.

Public Works

Water/ Sewer Problems

Kivalina Washeteria  Repairs have been made to the City of Kivalina Washeteria using materials purchased by the Borough.

The City of Deering Water & Sewer Crisis continues.  The Borough has requested funds from  the State Legislature for repair of the sewer system.  The Borough and Maniilaq are still collaborating on the delivery of potable water to elders and infants. 

Bulk Fuel

The Borough has advertised an Invitation To Bid for a bulk fuel purchase for members of the new Bulk Fuel Consortium.  Bids were received and opened on May 11, 2005.  Two bids were received, from Crowley Marine Services and Yukon Fuel.  Both bids appeared to be non-responsive, in that they did not provided complete information requested.  Further evaluation of the bids is being conducted at this time, and a course of action will be determined within a week. 

OTHER

Kivalina Financial Crisis    The Borough has had no communication from the City of Kivalina.

Revenue Sharing Grant Program  The Department has published invitations along with program guidelines to each Borough Village local government to participate in the  new Revenue Sharing Program.  We have received three responses to date. 

By Tom Bolen

Public Services Director