The City of Akutan (Petitioner), a second class city in the Aleutians East borough, has filed an annexation petition by local action with the Local Boundary Commission (LBC).  The petitioner’s representative is Akutan Mayor Joseph Bereskin.  The territory proposed by the city for annexation consists of approximately 130.02 square miles of land and water.  The territory contemplated for annexation is generally described as lands and submerged lands in the areas of Hot Springs Bay and Valley, Loud Creek, Open Bight, Akun Straight, Lost Harbor, Surf Bay, Trident Bay, and Akutan Bay. 

The legal description of the territory proposed for annexation is set out in the Petition. A map of the area proposed for incorporation can be seen at Akutan City Administration Building, City of Akutan - Anchorage Office, Aleutians East Borough Sand Point Office, or LBC website (listed below).  

Standards governing the annexation to cities are established in Article X, Constitution of the State of Alaska; AS 29.06.040 – 29.06.060; 3 AAC 110.090 – 3 AAC 110.150; and 3 AAC 110.900 – 3 AAC 110.990.  Procedures governing city annexation by the local action method are set out in Article X, Section 12 of Alaska’s constitution, AS 29.06.040, and 3 AAC 110.400 – 3 AAC 110.700.

The petition and related documents are available for public review at the following locations, days, and times: Akutan City Administration Building,                 P.O. Box 109, Akutan, Alaska 99553, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m; City of Akutan - Anchorage Office, 3380 C Street, Suite 205, Anchorage, Alaska 99503, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m; Aleutians East Borough Sand Point Office, P.O. Box 349, Sand Point, Alaska 99661, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or LBC website,  http://www.commerce.state.ak.us/dca/lbc/petersburg_incorp.htm, available anytime.

Questions concerning the proposed annexation may be directed to LBC staff at the mailing address, email address, or fax number listed above.  The LBC relaxed 3 AAC 110.700(d) so that the public is not required to send an original if an electronic comment has been filed. Any interested person may file with the LBC written comments regarding the annexation petition.  Additionally, a person with the capacity to sue may file with the LBC a responsive brief in support of or in opposition to the petition.  Responsive briefs must be filed in accordance with 3 AAC 110.480 and 3 AAC 110.590(4).  A person who files a responsive brief (as distinguished from written comments) gains certain procedural rights and duties during the petition proceedings.  The deadline for filing responsive briefs and written comments with the LBC is 4:30 p.m., December 30, 2011.  See 3 AAC 110.480 and 3 AAC 110.590(4) for the procedural requirements to file written comments, or responsive briefs.  Responsive briefs and written comments must be received in the office below by that deadline:

Local Boundary Commission staff, 550 West Seventh Avenue, Suite 1770, Anchorage, AK 99501-3510

Phone: 907-269-4587 ● Fax: 907-269-4539 ● Email: LBC@alaska.gov

Questions concerning the proposed annexation may be directed to LBC staff at the mailing address, email address, or fax number listed above.  Additionally, inquiries may be directed to LBC staff by telephone at (907) 269-4587.

After the Petitioner has an opportunity to answer any responsive briefs and comments, the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development (Commerce) will prepare a report on the proposal.  Procedures governing departmental reports are set out in 3 AAC 110.530.  The LBC will then hold a public hearing on the proposal. The LBC may conduct the hearing by teleconference. The decisional meeting for this proposal will follow the public hearing.