§ 16.16.010. Purpose.

The purpose of this chapter is to carry out the duty of the city as expressed in the Alaska Land Act, Article III, Sec. 5(3), as follows:

h. Each municipal corporation receiving such conveyances (of tide and submerged land lying seaward of the city) shall by ordinance provide for reasonable regulations governing the filing and processing of applications, publication of notices and the adjudication of disputes between claimants by the governing body of the corporation. Any party aggrieved by its determination shall have a right of appeal to the Superior Court.

The intent of the council in enacting this chapter is:

A.

To expedite granting conveyances to qualified occupants who are entitled to and who exercise their preference rights in accordance with the provisions of law and of this chapter.

B.

To provide due process and sufficient notice to all parties who qualify as occupants of such lands and who are entitled to exercise preference rights, of applications filed, disputes and conflicting claims and of approved applications.

C.

To provide simple procedures by which occupants may exercise their preference rights.

D.

To equitably apportion the costs of administering and processing applications, hearing disputes, costs of appraisal, transfer, and survey among those who will benefit therefrom.

E.

To limit the issue to be determined by the council in adjudication of disputes to rights conferred by the Alaska Land Act and this chapter.

F.

To safeguard and protect the interests of the city and its citizens in tide and submerged lands conveyed to the city not subject to preference rights, or where preference rights were or will not be exercised in the time allowed by law, by providing for rules and regulations for the administration of such lands in the best interests of all of the residents of the city.

(Prior code § 45.30.010)