Press Releases and Public Service Announcements

Utility and Payment Counter Closed and Library Payment System Unavailable
6/11/2025

The City and Borough of Sitka will be testing new credit card terminals at the Utility Counter and the Sitka Public Library on Monday, June 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. During that time, we will be unable to process utility or library payments in our system.

The Utility Counter will be closed and the Library will be unable to accept payments in person, by phone, or through the Utility Services Portal. Harbors and Parks and Recreation will not be affected by this outage.

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


Community Meet-and-Greet with Police Chief Candidate
6/11/2025

The City and Borough of Sitka invites you to meet Police Chief Candidate Michael Hall in a Meet-and-Greet from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17 at Harrigan Centennial Hall in meeting room 3.

For additional information contact the Human Resources office at 907.747.1816.


High Hazard Evacuation Drill Scheduled June 17 at GPIP
6/10/2025

The City and Borough of Sitka’s Electric Department will be conducting a Full-Scale High Hazard Evacuation Drill Functional Test on Tuesday, June 17 between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. This test will consist of activating the sirens and systems within the Blue Lake Campground, Blue Lake Powerhouse, and Gary Paxton Industrial Park (GPIP) area.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Project and Regulatory Engineer Kord Christianson at 907.747.1886.


Tree and Landscape Committee Meeting June 17
6/6/2025

The Tree and Landscape Committee will meet on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at noon in Harrigan Centennial Hall. Agenda items include: Future projects. The meeting is open to the public.


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.



Planned Power Outages for Island Electrical Grid Work
5/30/2025

The City and Borough of Sitka (CBS) Electric Department has planned intermittent electrical outages from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Monday, June 9 through Friday, June 13 as crews work on the island electrical grid. The following islands will be affected: Aleutski, Anderson, Bamdoroshni, Beardslee, Breast, Galankin, Gillmore, Marne, Sheep, Twin, Whale, Guertin, Dove and Ring. During this time, the Electric Department will have electric crews physically present on each island throughout the day. 

In addition to working on the electrical grid, the Electric Department will also be contacting property owners regarding an underwater cable sign/labeling project. Property owners on these islands are encouraged to contact the Electric Department at 907.747.4000 to discuss the details of the project. 

CBS Electric Department thanks our customers for their patience and understanding during this time. For more information, please contact the Electric Department at 907.747.4000. 


Blatchley Pool Closed
5/28/2025

The Blatchley Middle School Pool is closed until mid-June for maintenance. No public activities will be held until Saturday, June 21 at the earliest. Reopening date is subject to change, based on maintenance needs. Look for the Blatchley Pool schedule post-closure online at http://www.recreation.cityofsitka.com/ in June.

For any questions or updates, contact the City and Borough of Sitka Parks and Recreation at recreation@cityofsitka.org or 907.747.4031.


Stay and Play Program at the Library 
5/24/2025

Babies, toddlers, and siblings up to five-years-old are invited to the Stay and Play Program at Sitka Public Library. The program will run from 3.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. at the Sitka Public Library's on Tuesday, June 10, June 17, and June 24. This is a self-guided program. Families will have access to a variety of tinkering toys and activities. Materials will be available to use until 4:25 p.m. to allow for clean-up time.

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


Free Summer Breakfast at the Library
5/24/2025

Sitka Public Library's free grab-n-go Summer Breakfast program starts every Wednesday, starting June 4, and ending July 30. Youth are welcome to pick up a free bagged snack at the library’s ocean side window. 20 bags are available first come, first served. There is no limitation based on family income or sign up necessary. This program is offered in partnership with Sitka Conservation Society.

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


Color Our World: Art and Kids Program at Sitka Public Library
5/24/2025

Sitka Public Library is offering a Color Our World: Art and Kids hands-on program about artists and art, with readings, and an art activity for primary school kids, rising 1-3. The program will run Tuesdays, June 10, 17, and 24 at 10:30 am at the Sitka Public Library’s multipurpose room. The program is free, and materials will be provided. Pre-registration is required for each session.

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


Dungeons and Dragons Self-Directed Quest at Sitka Public Library
5/24/2025

Sitka Public Library invites youth to dive into an adventure by testing their will and wit as they solve brain-teasing puzzles and mysterious cryptograms. They can complete the self-directed activities on their own or with a friend. The program is best for youth aged 10 to 13 years. Those interested can ask for the first clue at the circulation desk anytime between June 7 and June 21.

This is a Color Our World summer program. For more information call 907.747.4020 or e-mail Maite at maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org


Summer Schedule: Preschool Storytime at Sitka Public Library
5/24/2025

Sitka Public Library’s Preschool Storytime will be offered the following Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. at the library’s multipurpose room: May 29, June 5, June 12, June 19, July 10, and July 24. The program includes readings, rhymes, songs, and a craft project. Everybody is welcome.

For more information call 907.747.4020.


How to Participate in Assembly Meetings
5/23/2025

Regular Assembly Meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in Harrigan Centennial Hall. The agenda and supporting documentation are available at https://sitka.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx, the Sitka Public Library, or by contacting the Municipal Clerk's Office at City Hall. Public comment on agenda items and “Persons to be heard” is encouraged and welcomed. Citizens may provide comments by email, in person, or by phone. Regular and special Assembly meetings are live-streamed through the City's website and YouTube channel. In addition, regular meetings are aired live on KCAW FM 104.7. To receive Assembly agenda notifications, sign up with GovDelivery on the City’s website.

For more information, visit https://www.cityofsitka.com/CityAssembly or contact the Municipal Clerk's Office at 747-1826 or 747-1811.


Reading Dragons and Friends Summer Reading Program Age 6-9 at Sitka Public Library
5/21/2025

Starting Saturday, May 31 at Sitka Public Library, kids aged 6 to 9 years-old can participate in the summer Reading Dragons and Friends program. This is a collectable card game that rewards kids for reading! Cards range from dragons to other mythical creatures, like unicorns and griffins. Participants can battle players with their cards or collect them just for fun! Readers can sign up at the library to get a DIY collector’s card box, three starter cards, a reading tracker and a checklist. This program is part of the Color Our World summer program at Sitka Public Library, and it runs through August 2. Registration is free and open to all community members. This program was designed by Dover Public Library in Dover, Ohio. For more information call 907.747.4020 or email Maite at maite.lorente@cityofsitka.org.


Boards, Committees, and Commission Opportunities
5/16/2025

Now is the time to make your voice heard!
Boards and Commissions play a crucial role in shaping the future of key topics within the city.

  • Current Vacancies:
  • Animal Hearing Board

  • Building Department Appeals Board

  • Health Needs and Human Services Commission

  • Historic Preservation Commission

  • Investment Committee

  • Local Emergency Planning Committee

  • Sustainability Commission

  • Tree and Landscape Committee

This is your opportunity to make a real impact on your city's growth!
Apply now – Time is ticking!

For more information, contact the Deputy Municipal Clerk at 907-747-1826.
Apply today at www.cityofsitka.com/boards-commissions.


City Hall HVAC Upgrade: Open During Construction
4/18/2025

The heating and ventilation system at City Hall, located at 100 Lincoln Street, is scheduled for an upgrade. Work is expected to begin in late spring and continue through the summer. While some construction activity will occur during regular business hours, City Hall will remain open to the public throughout the project during regular hours.

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this time. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Public Works at 907-747-1804.


Airport Hold Room Exit Modification
9/16/2024

Beginning October 1, 2024, and continuing through late Spring of 2025, construction at the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport will alter the exit from the passenger hold room to accommodate the  installation of a jetway foundation. Passengers will no longer exit the breezeway. Instead, they will pass through a secure corridor adjacent to baggage claim to access the airfield. Please follow instructions provided by airline staff when boarding and moving onto the airfield. 

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


Ground Loading and Unloading for Passengers at the Airport
6/19/2024

Starting July 15, the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport will undergo improvements affecting how passengers board and exit planes. For approximately 10 months, until late Spring 2025, passengers will embark and disembark the aircraft from the tarmac using portable stairs or ramps, as the current jet bridge will be out of service. 

We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience during this timeframe. Please contact the City and Borough of Sitka Airport Terminal Manager with any questions at 907.747.1803 or by emailing airport.project@cityofsitka.org