By MARIA DUDZAK, KRBD Community Radio -- Without discussion, [Alaska's] Ketchikan City Council on Monday night approved various budget transfers to pay for overtime expenses for the city’s port and harbors, fire department, and Ketchikan Public Utilities’ electric and telecommunications divisions. The transfers totaled approximately $124,000.
The council also voted to cancel a contract and reject all bids and proposals for a subsea fiber-optic cable construction project. The proposed cable would run from Ketchikan to Prince Rupert, British Columbia.
In a memo, KPU Telecommunications Division Manager Ed Cushing writes that successful construction and completion of the project would require a contract be awarded in January, 2019, but required permits have not been obtained. Also, a funding source for the project hasn’t been identified. City Manager Karl Amylon explains.
The council voted unanimously to cancel the contract.