School heat pump repairs top Sitka Assembly discussions Tuesday

• News Home
• More from News of the North

Tuesday, August 9th, 2022 8:54pm

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Whatsapp

Sitka, Alaska (KINY) - The City and Borough of Sitka Assembly unanimously passed an ordinance Tuesday to make a $600,000 supplemental appropriation for heat pump system repairs at Blatchley Middle School.

In July, the Sitka School District told the borough about the need for potential heat pump replacement at the school, after a "catastrophic failure" of the system.

According to City Administrator John Leach, district concerns were supported by findings from a system diagnosis that was performed by outside contractors. A report was produced identifying the need to repair one of the five systems, and to replace the remaining four systems.

An estimate was provided by White Knight Refrigeration detailing costs associated with replacing all five systems at $389,937.69.

Costs estimates associated with purchasing, shipping, and installing a new heating system, plus a 40% contingency add-on, add up to $600,000.

The funds for the replacement will be provided from the Sitka General Fund for FY23, and any funds remaining at the end of the work will go back to the borough.

Due to the fast-approaching school year, the Assembly is working to schedule a special meeting in the coming weeks to finalize the repairs.

More from News of the North

• Coast Guard Cutter Stratton crew meets with local leaders in Savoonga

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - During their current Arctic patrol, crew members from Coast Guard Cutter Stratton met with leaders in Savoogna, Sept. 22.

• Annual Crime in Alaska report shows 14.5% decrease in crime

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Department of Public Safety has released the 2021 Crime in Alaska Report, its annual publication detailing crimes reported in Alaska, which reveals a 15.2% decrease in Alaska’s overall crime rate.

• Fund for Western Alaska storm recovery raises over $1 million

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Since The Alaska Community Foundation established the Western Alaska Disaster Recovery Fund on September 17th, over 2,400 individuals, families, small businesses, local foundations, statewide associations, Alaska Native organizations, and corporate sponsors have contributed.

• New coding program available statewide for Alaskan students

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development announced Monday statewide availability for a program that uses the popular game Minecraft to teach coding.

• Alaska Legislature’s new social media policy nixes banning and blocking

  (Alaska Beacon) - If Alaska’s state legislators remove constituents’ comments or block them on social media, they may forfeit state-paid legal protection, according to a new social media policy adopted Friday.

• It's flu vaccine time and seniors need revved-up shots

  (AP) - Doctors have a message for vaccine-weary Americans: Don't skip your flu shot this fall.

• Municipal Election Day is tomorrow in Juneau

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Voting in the 2022 Juneau city election ends on Tuesday night.

• Public comment open on request to withdraw Mendenhall Glacier land from mineral exploration

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The public comment period is open to provide comments on a Forest Service request to withdraw 4,560 acres adjacent to the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area from mineral exploration and mining.

• Governor Dunleavy establishes Office of Energy Innovation

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy signed Administrative Order No. 340 last week, creating the Office of Energy Innovation aimed at addressing evolving energy needs in Alaska.

• Sen. Murkowski unveils 'Working Waterfronts Framework'

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski publicized a legislative framework Monday seeking to address working waterfront project needs in the state.

• National Weather Service Juneau wraps up September trends

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Rick Fritsch, one of the lead forecasters and the climate focal point for Southeast Alaska, National Weather Service Juneau summarized one of the wettest months of the year, September, with temperatures, rainfalls, and trends.

• 'Healing' totem, Native screens unveiled on Saturday

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Tlingit master carver Wayne Price unveiled his healing totem, Kaasei Satú on Saturday afternoon.