Petersburg assembly schedules March 16 consideration of proposed land sale to Title Network after months of public pushback

After five months of public testimony and extensive debate, the Petersburg Borough Assembly on Feb. 2 voted to schedule formal consideration of a proposed sale of borough land to the Tlingit Haida Central Council d/b/a Title Network for its March 16 meeting.

The move came after dozens of residents and assembly members pressed for more information about proposed Title Network towers, lease terms and community impacts. Assemblymember Gregor (Vice Mayor Stanton Gregor) and others said they wanted more time and fuller assembly participation; assemblymember Mucci moved to place the sale on the March 16 agenda and the motion carried after roll call.

Why it matters: Residents and assembly members said the land sale could lock in a tower location that may affect nearby homes, property values and community character. Many speakers also raised procedural concerns — including claims that Title used a categorical NEPA exclusion and redacted its federal grant application — and urged the borough to explore alternate sites or land swaps before approving a sale.

What happened in the meeting: Public commenters included multiple Packies/Rory Road neighbors and community members who said they had been seeking relocation of a proposed tower at Packies Landing. Becky Knight, a longtime resident, said Tlingit Haida Central Council received federal funds to build tribal connectivity infrastructure and urged the borough to request an unredacted copy of Title Network’s grant application and to consider NEPA challenges. “There’s $50,000,000,” Knight said while calling for a fuller environmental review and greater local oversight.

Tribal and technical context: Brandon Ware, a local resident, told the assembly that a 2.5 GHz license had been leased from the Petersburg Indian Association (PIA) to Title Network, and said the tribal grant structure allowed Title to operate under that spectrum lease. Ware urged the public to comment on proposed changes to the Federal Subsistence Board and emphasized the interrelated nature of federal, tribal and local processes.

Assembly process and manager’s role: Borough staff said they have been negotiating with Title and that a contract could be finalized for assembly consideration after tonight’s scheduled meeting with Title representatives. The borough manager noted that any final contract will be brought back to the assembly for public readings and a vote; several members emphasized that the assembly can approve, reject or amend any contract when it returns.

Closed-session effort blocked: Several members proposed an executive session to provide the manager private direction on negotiation strategy; other members and the manager opposed using a closed session before the community hearing with Title. The motion for an executive session on Title negotiation strategy did not carry and no such session was held.

Next steps: The assembly scheduled formal consideration of the proposed sale for its March 16 meeting. Staff also indicated they will continue discussing potential site alternatives, ordinances related to tower siting and options for service-area adjustments with planning and zoning staff and the public.

Who spoke (examples): Assemblymember Mucci moved the scheduling motion; Vice Mayor Stanton Gregor and others debated timing; Borough Manager (unnamed in the transcript) said the manager and attorney expected to finalize a contract after tonight’s meeting with Title Network; public commenters included Becky Knight, Brandon Ware and multiple Packies/Rory Road neighbors.

The assembly adjourned the public portion of the meeting and recessed to set up an executive session later in the agenda to discuss the borough manager’s evaluation.