Sitka Assembly members set Oct. 21 meeting on taxi code rewrite

Two Sitka Assembly members will hold an informal public meeting Wednesday, Oct. 21, on a proposed rewrite of the city's taxi rules. Under the proposal, taxis would switch from meters to flat fares by zone, and shuttles, tours and pedicabs would come under the same rules.

Assembly Members Thor Christianson and Scott Saline will host the session at 6 p.m. in Meeting Room 1 at Harrigan Centennial Hall. They took over sponsorship Aug. 11, when members asked for more public input and a town meeting. The Assembly voted 7-0 to postpone first reading, its initial vote on the ordinance, to Nov. 24.

The ordinance would replace the city's "Taxicabs" chapter with one titled "Commercial Passenger Vehicles," which would also cover limousines, the administrator's memo says. Under draft fares, a ride within downtown would cost $10 and one from downtown to the airport $12. Under the current rules, taxi operators and drivers must hold municipal licenses or permits, and their vehicles must pass inspection.

The draft and supporting materials are posted on the city's Commercial Passenger Vehicle Ordinance page. Paper copies are available at the Municipal Clerk's Office on the third floor of City Hall, 100 Lincoln Street.

Residents who cannot attend may email written comments to [email protected]. The deadline is noon Tuesday, Oct. 20.