Author: kfskadmin

Petersburg’s city-owned assisted-living facility could become an independent non-profit organization. That’s one of several ideas city officials are considering as they struggle with the facility’s operating losses. In their special meeting friday, the mayor and council decided they should form an ad-hoc committee to take a closer look at the issue.

Petersburg’s borough consultant met with a skeptical audience in the city of Kupreanof this week. A small group of Kupreanof councilors and residents had a mostly cordial but critical response to the consultant, who laid out some of the city’s plans and answered questions about the proposed borough.

Petersburg voters will decide whether to prohibit smoking in most workplaces and public spaces. In a five-to-two vote Monday, the city council gave its final approval for a smoking ordinance to go on the ballot this fall.

School officials in Petersburg are hoping more money will become available to support a reading teacher at the elementary school. The district cut the half-time position for next year because of budget concerns. But at least for the summer, early learners are getting some reading encouragement from the public library.

If they want to form a borough, Petersburg officials will have to do a better job of reaching out to residents outside city limits. That was one of the messages from the city’s borough consultant who asked for direction from the council this week. Some councilors and city officials wanted more details on the costs and benefits.