Nome City Budgets Not Yet Finalized; Resolution On Sexual Assault Postponed for Discussion
At Monday’s council meeting, City Manager Tom Moran said Nome is currently projected to be almost $2 million “in the hole” for FY ’19. Those numbers could change, as the City budgets are not finalized yet. Also on Monday, both council members and Nome citizens supported postponing a resolution on improving local responses to sexual assault, so that the wording of the resolution can be revised.
Old Museum and Library Building to Be Sold, City Council Decides
Tom Moran explained that Mason Evans, the interested buyer, plans to turn the old museum and library building into a retail marijuana dispensary. Councilman Mark Johnson took issue with selling the historic building for the purposes of furthering the marijuana industry in Nome, but the rest of the Council voted in favor of selling the property.
In 3-2 Vote, City Council Declines to House Sex Offenders at Nome’s Halfway House
After more than an hour of discussion, the Nome City Council decided not to allow sex offenders who are actively receiving treatment to stay at the Seaside halfway house.
Public Intoxication Ordinance Fails; City Seeks To Buy Old Masons’ Property
An ordinance to prohibit intoxication in public right-of-ways was voted down. For $20,000, the City of Nome could buy the west half of the Masonic and City cemeteries, providing more space for community members to be buried until a new cemetery area is designated.
Alcohol Related Ordinances Postponed, City Manager’s Contract Unofficially Renewed
Councilman Stan Anderson requested that an ordinance limiting the hours of liquor sales and an ordinance for a ten percent excise tax on alcohol be kicked off the agenda. The Council unanimously approved, with the intention to bring them back after holding a work session on August 14th.
Nome City Council Approves FY ’18 Budgets, Lease Agreement, and Port Commission Candidate
Besides approving all City of Nome budgets, the Council also voted in favor of authorizing a lease agreement with Alaska Marine Lines. For a period of five years, beginning September 1st, Alaska Marine Lines will pay the City $1,540.86 a week for two blocks of property at the Port of Nome.