With the recent resignation of Clay Hammer from the Southeast Alaska Power Agency (SEAPA) board of directors, the City and Borough of Wrangell is seeking letters of interest to fill the vacancy.
SEAPA provides power to the communities of Wrangell, Petersburg and Ketchikan, using electricity generated by hydro projects at Swan and Tyee lakes.
A board of five voting members and five alternates is divided between the three by annual allotment, with Ketchikan always maintaining two pairs of seats, and Petersburg and Wrangell maintaining one apiece. The fifth seat moves around on a rotating basis, with Ketchikan selecting a
member for odd years and the other two alternating during even years.
2018 has been Wrangell’s year to occupy the extra seat, to which Hammer was appointed by Mayor David Jack with the consent of the Wrangell Assembly late last year. Previously he had sat on SEAPA’s board as Wrangell’s alternate. With him, Lisa Von Bargen and Lee Burgess were also named to the board as alternates, respectively being the city’s manager and finance director.
Long Wrangell Municipal Light and Power’s electrical superintendent, Hammer has recently accepted employment with SEAPA, precluding him from serving on its board.
With that vacancy, city clerk Kim Lane explained the mayor has power to appoint a replacement to fill Wrangell’s empty seat at the table, which lasts through the year’s end.
SEAPA CEO Trey Acteson explained that duties of a board member include reviewing financial and usage reports, approving annual budgets and operations plans, contributing input on renewal and replacement or other projects, and setting agencywide goals.
Board membership is on a voluntary, unpaid basis. SEAPA bylaws require at least quarterly meetings, customary travel and accommodations for which the agency would cover.
Meetings cycle between communities, so at least a couple of trips to Ketchikan and one to Petersburg could be expected.
Von Bargen and Burgess may also be considered for the main voting seat, with other candidates potentially considered for an alternate spot.
That would depend on the letter of interest provided and the background of the candidate, Lane explained.
Inquiries or letters can be addressed to her at City Hall, in person or by phone at 874-2381, or by email at clerk@wrangell.com.
So far no letters have been received by the clerk’s office. The hope is to have an appointment made at the time of the assembly’s next meeting on March 13.
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