Electrical Outage After Action Report from July 17

7/24/2025

As part of the efforts to align with industry best practices, the Electric Department has recently committed to performing root cause analysis for all outages, when they occur. In alignment with our commitment, and as follow-up to the outage that occurred on July 17 at 7:57 a.m., the Electric Utility Department examined circumstances that led to the said outage. Findings from the analysis concluded that the outage was caused by an inadvertent hydropower unit shutdown influenced by poor equipment labeling and a lack of equipment verification redundancy. Moving forward, the utility has developed and implemented a series of procedural and equipment labeling modifications to help prevent similar outages in the future.

As always, the Electric Utility Department is committed to providing reliable electric utility services for our community.

Voter Registration Reminder for Municipal Election

7/24/2025

The regular election of the City and Borough of Sitka is October 7, 2025. You must be a registered voter in Sitka to be eligible to vote in the Municipal Election. If you plan to vote but aren’t registered to vote in Sitka, you must complete registration by September 7, 2025. To check your voter registration status click HERE. To register or update a voter registration record click HERE or visit the Municipal Clerk’s Office in City Hall at 100 Lincoln Street, 3rd floor. Election questions? Contact the Municipal Clerk’s Office at 907.747.1826 or 907.747.1811. Voter registration questions? Contact the Division of Elections Region I Office at 1.866.948.8683 or 1.907.465.3021. 

Sitka Public Library Temporary Interruption to Payment Services

7/23/2025

The Sitka Public Library at 320 Harbor Drive will be unable to process payments on Friday, August 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. due to a scheduled system upgrade. The library will remain open, and all other services will be available during this time.  

For questions, please contact the library at 907.747.4020.

Temporary Utility and Payment Office Counter Closure

7/22/2025

The City and Borough of Sitka Utility and Payment Office, located on the first floor of City Hall, 100 Lincoln Street, will be closed on Friday, August 1 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to complete the transition to a new payment system. During this time, in-person and phone services will be unavailable. For questions or more information, please contact 907.747.1818 or email utilities@cityofsitka.org.

End of Summer Library Program

7/22/2025

The 2025 Summer Reading Program at Sitka Public Library ends on Saturday, August 2. Participants are invited to claim their final reading prizes before that date. The name of the Tween/Teen winners of the summer program drawing will be announced through the library's social media on August 2.

For more information call 907.747.4020 or email Maite at maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org. 

Big Ideas Book Club at Sitka Public Library

7/17/2025

The public is invited to explore big ideas through short stories and small books with the Big Ideas Book Club, hosted by Garrett Faulkner from Outer Coast and Margot O’Connell from Sitka Public Library. The group will meet five times starting August 28th and ending on September 25th, with each meeting focused on a different short story or novella. Books will be provided free of charge thanks to the generous support of the Friends of Sitka Public Library. Space is limited and registration is required. For more information, please call the library at 907.747.4020 or email margot.oconnell@cityofsitka.org.

Sitka Babies and Books at Sitka Public Library

7/16/2025

Sitka Babies and Books and Sitka Public Library invite babies, toddlers and preschoolers to a “Moo Moo in a Tutu” program at the library on Saturday, August 2 at 10:30 am, at Sitka Public Library. This event will be led by professional ballet dancer and teacher Juls Bicki. Pre-register children will receive a free new book.

For more information call 907.747.4020 or e-mail Maite at maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org. 

Armchair Travels with Mike Morris and Gary Bagley at Sitka Public Library

7/17/2025

The public is invited to hear Mike Morris and Gary Bagley talk about forty years of paddling trips on the Yukon River on Thursday, August 21st at 6:00 p.m. in the Sitka Public Library Multipurpose Room. This event is part of Sitka Public Library’s Armchair Travel Series and will complete the story they began sharing last year. No registration is required. For more information, please contact Margot at 907.747.4028 or email margot.oconnell@cityofsitka.org.

Road Closure Notice: Siginaka Way

7/16/2025

A section of Siginaka Way is currently closed to all through traffic as part of the Thomsen Lift Station Improvement Project. The closure is expected to continue through Monday, August 4.

Motorists and pedestrians are advised to seek alternate routes and avoid the area. Traffic control and detour signage are in place to guide local access.

The work is being performed by K&E Alaska, Inc. For contractor-related questions, please contact their office at 907.747.3838.

We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this important infrastructure improvement. For more information, please contact the City and Borough of Sitka Public Works Department at 907.747.1804.

Traffic Flow Modification at Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport Terminal

7/15/2025

Starting July 21, traffic flow in front of Rocky Gutierrez Airport will be modified to accommodate construction of frontage improvements as part of Phase 2 of the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport Terminal Improvement project. Traveling public should expect partial closures of the loading zone and are advised to use the parking lot for loading and unloading during these closures. Please refrain from stopping in the Drive Through Lane or Turning Lane during this time. 

Impacts to the traffic flow are anticipated through the end of September 2025. 

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding during this construction period. For questions, please contact the City and Borough of Sitka Airport Terminal Manager at 907.747.1803 or by emailing airport.project@cityofsitka.org.

Tiny Tin Library Program for Tweens and Teens

7/15/2025

Tweens and teens are invited to create their own tiny tin library with supplies provided at Sitka Public Library. Once they build their mini library, they can keep it at home, or they can bring it back to the library to put on display until August 9. Interested tweens and teens can ask for a bag with the supplies at the circulation desk. Bags are free, and they will be available until they are gone.

For more information call 907.747.4020 or email Maite at maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org. 

Dragonkeepers Scavenger Hunt at the Library

7/9/2025

Sitka Public Library invites youth of all ages to become Dragon keepers and participate in a self-directed scavenger hunt. The library Dragon masters have decided to let all the library baby dragons loose and dragon keepers must find their assigned dragons to earn points for their teams! Each set of dragons is worth star points and the team with the most star points will win. Points will be counted on Saturday, August 1.

For more information ask at the library’s circulation desk or email Maite at maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org. 

New Utility Payment System Launches August 1

7/9/2025

The City and Borough of Sitka will be transitioning to a new payment system for utility bills paid online or at the utility counter. The new system will launch on August 1, 2025. 

The updates include:

• A new, secure online payment portal that is more user-friendly
• Updated card terminals at the utility counter for in-person payments

If you are currently enrolled in autopay for utilities, you will need to re-enroll through the new portal after August 1. Moorage payments are not affected. 

For further information or questions, please contact 907.747.1818 or by email at utilities@cityofsitka.org.

Non-Profit Organizations Annual Grant Funding Applications

6/27/2025

Grant applications are available for non-profit organizations to apply for annual funding from the City and Borough of Sitka FY26 General Fund. $45,000 is available for disbursement. Applications are available at City Hall, 100 Lincoln Street, 3rd Floor (Municipal Clerk’s Office), and online HERE.

Submit completed applications to the Municipal Clerk’s Office by 5:00 p.m. Friday, August 15, 2025. Applications received after the time fixed for receipt will not be considered. Applications will be awarded in September at an Assembly Special Meeting.

For more information, contact the Municipal Clerk’s Office at 907.747.1826 or clerk@cityofsitka.org.

Updated Fees at Harrigan Centennial Hall - Effective July 1
6/26/2025

The City and Borough of Sitka would like to inform the public that rental rates at Harrigan Centennial Hall will increase effective July 1, 2025.

Harrigan Centennial Hall is a state-of-the-art facility and a vital community gathering space, hosting everything from weddings and cultural events to public meetings and performances.

This is the first comprehensive fee update in 9 years, and it reflects increased operational costs, facility enhancements, and our commitment to maintaining an accessible and high-quality venue for the community.

What’s changing?

• Updated hourly and daily rates for meeting rooms and the auditorium
• Revised kitchen and equipment rental fees
• Adjustments to rehearsal, set-up, and alcohol service charges
• New rates for holiday and after-hours use

Whether you're planning a birthday party or a multi-day conference, Harrigan Centennial Hall remains one of Southeast Alaska’s most flexible and welcoming venues.

To view the full rate schedule and policy, visit: www.cityofsitka.com/departments/HarriganCentennialHall. 

Please contact Harrigan Centennial Hall Manager for information or questions at 907.747.4090.

Thank you for supporting the continued care and use of this premier community facility.

Alaska Public Media PBS Kids Space Summer Camp at the Library
6/20/2025

Alaska Public Media PBS Kids is partnering with Sitka Public Library to host a space exploration themed summer camp for kids 7 to 12 years old. Through games and activities, the kids will work their way up the ranks to receive their space badges, from building comfortable living facilities on mars, to watching balloons deflate on a string to measure air pressure. The camp correlates with PBS’s TV program, Ready Jet Go.

The camp will run on Wednesday, July 30 and Thursday, July 31 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. Snacks & materials will be provided. To register call the library at 907.747.4020. For more information e-mail Maite at maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org. 

Alaska Public Media PBS Family Engagement Program at the Library
6/17/2025

Alaska Public Media PBS Kids and Sitka Public Library invite parents and/or caretakers of children 3 to 8 years old to attend a PBS Kids Growing Up Well: Supporting your child’s Social-Emotional & Character Development program on July 31 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Sitka Public Library.

This program will help children develop their social & emotional skills & habits with their favorite characters like Daniel Tiger and Sesame Street. Join the PBS team to learn techniques that will help your child become more Self-aware & have more Self-control.

To register call the library at 907.747.4020 Snacks & Refreshments will be provided! Note: Each family that attends will receive a $50 dollar gift card. For more information call 907.747.4020 or e-mail Maite at maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org. 

Section of Maksoutoff Street Closed Through September
6/2/2025
The City and Borough of Sitka will close a section of Maksoutoff Street from Lincoln Street to the Wells Fargo driveway to accommodate restroom facilities beginning Thursday, June 5. This upper section of Maksoutoff Street will be closed through the end of September.