In an effort to make the loading/unloading zones safer and for security purposes, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly voted 6-1 to raise the fine for those who are not actively loading/unloading at the Juneau International Airport during its regular meeting at Assembly Chambers Monday.
The ordinance, which would increases the fine from $25 to $100, does not have a set date for implementation, and Airport Manager Patty Wahto said it will be something the airport makes well-known before officially enacting.
“Hopefully, we don’t have to write any of these tickets,” Wahto said. “We want to get the word out and educate people. We have talked about putting a billboard up or a lighted sign stating that the fine is $100.”
The raise for the fine came after plenty of discussion.
Airport Board David Epstein said if people keep disobeying the laws for the loading/unloading zones, the airport may hear from the Federal Aviation Administration. Epstein explained the 300-foot parking zone that was enacted after 9/11 could once again be implemented and federal fines and sanctions could also be in order.
“It could impair FAA funding,” Epstein said.
Epstein also added that the law is there as a safety measure.
“Imagine how you would feel if a member of your family needed emergency medical service and first responders could not get through,” Epstein said.
Assembly member Jesse Kiehl — who cast the dissenting vote — supported a raise to $55 and said he thought the fine of $100 did not commiserate with other parking laws in Juneau. He pointed out parking at red curb (fire parking) is $55 and blocking a fire access road is $50.
“I can’t support this ($100 fine), Kiehl said. “It is more than a fine for a dog menacing a human for the second offense. It is out of whack.”
Assembly member Norton Gregory asked the Airport Board if there is any set time frame on what constitutes parking in the zones.
Epstein shared an anecdote that when he picks up his wife, he waits in the cellphone area until she calls him and then drives up, picks her up and drives off. He added when he drops her off, he helps her get her bags off to the curb, gives her a kiss goodbye and they are both on their way. He said there is no real time frame.
“It is subjective,” Epstein said. “You know it when you see it,”
Assembly member Loren Jones supported the $100 fine, but also added he would like to see more enforcement during early morning and evening times.
“If you don’t have enforcement, the fine doesn’t matter,” Jones said. “I think with active enforcement, issuance of any fine would be effective.”
City tables discussions on riverbank stabilization project
The Assembly decided to table an ordinance, by a 6-1 vote, that would appropriate nearly $5.1 million for a riverbank stabilization project for erosion along Mendenhall River between 9399 Rivercourt Way and 3463 Meander Way after hearing public testimony Monday.
City Manager Rorie Watt said that the homeowners have been contacted and nine oppose the ordinance, nine approve it and six have not yet been heard from.
During testimony on the ordinance, Joyce Goehring, who opposes the ordinance and lives in the riverbank area, pointed out that she and her neighbors in both directions do not have any problems with erosion. She said the reason for the erosion in other areas is due to a lack of action by homeowners. Goehring also pointed out she was against the project because homeowners would be subjected to pay $80,000 over ten years because the plan does not include costs associated with maintaining the riverbank protection structure, as would be required.
“Should we get extra jobs?” Gehring said. “Should we take our daughter out of college? Should we lower how much we spend on groceries?”
Traci Heaton, who is in favor of the ordinance and also lives near the eroded riverbank, said she wanted the project to be done because, otherwise, any work she may have done on her house could be subject to legal action if her neighbors are concerned.
“If this is not done on the whole,” she said. “I don’t think it will be done. You will get patchwork being done. I think it will be difficult for homeowners to get financing.
Kiehl said he would like a full Assembly in attendance before voting. Assembly members Jerry Nankervis and Maria Gladziszewski were not in attendance.
Gregory, who had the lone dissenting vote, said he wanted the board to act Monday because the people in that area have been waiting long enough.
“We have a waited a long time (to move on this) and the show must go on,” Gregory said. “It is incumbent for us to act quickly.”
• Contact reporter Gregory Philson at gphilson@juneauempire.com or call at 523-2265. Follow him on Twitter at @GTPhilson.
Airport Board David Epstein speaks to the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly at its regular meeting Monday night, (Gregory Philson | Juneau Empire)
