Under a current draft of the fiscal year 2018 budget, Nome Public Schools (NPS) would receive $2.5 million from the City Council. That funding amount was discussed at a work session in Council Chambers last night.
Councilman Mark Johnson mentioned that funding coming from the State is still up in the air and discussed the City’s options for giving money to NPS with Finance Director Julie Liew.
Johnson: “So the question I have is, if we allocate some money to the school, can we amend our budget at some point to add money to the school?”
Liew: “It will have to be a voluntary wish list amount, because the school has to report what the City’s appropriation is.”
Johnson suggested that the Council could amend the budget in July after giving Nome Public Schools money but before the school year begins. City Manager Tom Moran stated that had not been done in the past, but he believes it is possible and could be done.
After the work session concluded, the Council discussed a letter they received from Nome resident Josie Bourdon requesting the City’s curfew be changed. Bourdon suggested that curfew be set at 8:30pm on school and Sunday nights for the benefit of children playing on the playground near Old St. Joe’s.
However, the Council decided to not take action on the request, but instead, Moran said, “we’ll start a file and keep an eye on it.”
An ordinance to require property owners to remove snow and ice from public sidewalks adjacent to their property has failed. John Handeland spoke as a public citizen as he voiced his contention with the proposed ordinance.
“I’m concerned that this is actually public property in most cases, every place, really, where I’ve seen sidewalks is State of Alaska property. And it seems onerous on the adjoining property owner. While it’s great to have a sidewalk there…” Handeland continued, “I guess I’m just concerned that it transfers liability, potentially, to a private citizen.”
Handeland also pointed out that these sidewalks are located on other streets besides Front St., such as along Seppala Drive and Steadman. Councilman Jerald Brown proposed a solution for the Council which was ultimately adopted.
“Even if all we do is kill this, I’d still like to hear the answers to those liability questions. What I’d like to do is postpone the question, and/or table it, or whatever the correct terminology is, until the next meeting and have the City attorney take a look at it,” said Brown.
Brown’s motion to table the snow and ice ordinance passed unanimously. All new ordinances on the agenda also passed, including one authorizing the City to purchase property from Arctic Gold Mining, which is moving on to the second reading phase.
Before adjourning the meeting, the Council declared Municipal Clerk’s week as May 7th through May 13th. City Manager Tom Moran explained Monday night that this resolution recognizes municipal clerks who have their own “fiefdom” separate from other desk clerks and assistants.
Nome’s City Council will assemble again on Thursday at noon for a work session, while their next regular meeting is scheduled for May 22nd at City Hall.
