Municipal Government

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Nanibaa’ Frommherz, a student at Thunder Mountain High School, testifies about a proposal to help the Juneau School District with its financial crisis during a Juneau Assembly Committee of the Whole meeting Monday night at City Hall. The meeting was moved from the Assembly Chambers to a conference room toward the end due to technical errors that disrupted the live online feed.

Little public reaction to city’s bailout of school district this year, but big questions beyond loom

Only two people testify Monday about proposed $4.1M loan and taking over $3.9 in “shared costs.”

Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire Nanibaa’ Frommherz, a student at Thunder Mountain High School, testifies about a proposal to help the Juneau School District with its financial crisis during a Juneau Assembly Committee of the Whole meeting Monday night at City Hall. The meeting was moved from the Assembly Chambers to a conference room toward the end due to technical errors that disrupted the live online feed.
Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon (right) discusses the Juneau School District’s financial crisis with school board Vice President Emil Mackey (right) and City Attorney Robert Palmer during a meeting Thursday night at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Meetings to comment on Assembly’s proposed $9.6M of help to school district scheduled next two Mondays

Plan includes $4.1 million no-interest loan, picking up “shared costs” this year and next.

Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon (right) discusses the Juneau School District’s financial crisis with school board Vice President Emil Mackey (right) and City Attorney Robert Palmer during a meeting Thursday night at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Steve Bradford (left) and Mark Kissel, both vice presidents of the Riverside Condominiums Homeowners Association, discuss repairs to two of the complex’s buildings on Aug. 9 as a bulldozer places rock fill under a corner of one building exposed by erosion during record flooding of the Mendenhall River on Aug. 5. Repairs to both buildings ultimately were successful. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Bill increasing state disaster aid for individuals to $50K, up from $21K, introduced by Kiehl

Legislation also expands eligibility for condos as part of remedies sought after Suicide Basin flood

Steve Bradford (left) and Mark Kissel, both vice presidents of the Riverside Condominiums Homeowners Association, discuss repairs to two of the complex’s buildings on Aug. 9 as a bulldozer places rock fill under a corner of one building exposed by erosion during record flooding of the Mendenhall River on Aug. 5. Repairs to both buildings ultimately were successful. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
This photo shows a Capital Transit bus en route along Glacier Highway in the Mendenhall Valley in June of 2022. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire file photo)

City looks at increasing buses between downtown and Mendenhall Glacier area during peak tourist season

Proposal would use marine passenger fees for extra buses after locals stranded at stops last year.

This photo shows a Capital Transit bus en route along Glacier Highway in the Mendenhall Valley in June of 2022. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Illustrations of four preliminary development options for the Telephone Neighborhood are presented in a report that states the “mid-rise apartments” option (C), bordered in yellow, was narrowly favored in a survey among residents. A total of 29.76% of 1,865 people surveyed said they favored that option, compared to 29.06% of respondents favoring the “mixed infill” option (D), and 24.99% “attached townhomes and walk-up apartments” (B). (Images by the City and Borough of Juneau)
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Building up to 200 new Telephone Hill residences, the most of four options, gets early Assembly OK

Option favored by 29.76% of residents in survey, barely edging out proposal keeping existing homes.

Illustrations of four preliminary development options for the Telephone Neighborhood are presented in a report that states the “mid-rise apartments” option (C), bordered in yellow, was narrowly favored in a survey among residents. A total of 29.76% of 1,865 people surveyed said they favored that option, compared to 29.06% of respondents favoring the “mixed infill” option (D), and 24.99% “attached townhomes and walk-up apartments” (B). (Images by the City and Borough of Juneau)
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Juneau Assembly members and city administrators confer during a finance committee meeting Wednesday night about specific wording for portions of a proposed financial bailout package for the Juneau School District. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Assembly members back $4M loan, taking over 3.9M in costs to fix school district’s 7.9M deficit

District still facing steep cuts such as school consolidations to prevent future shortfalls.

Juneau Assembly members and city administrators confer during a finance committee meeting Wednesday night about specific wording for portions of a proposed financial bailout package for the Juneau School District. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Venietia Bingham, owner of V’s Cellar Door, testifies in opposition to a resolution seeking to nearly double the number of licenses for establishments allowed to serve alcohol during a Juneau Assembly meeting on Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Proposal to nearly double places in Juneau able to serve alcohol delayed by Assembly until November

Existing establishments worry about impact of seasonal operators; supporters cite new opportunities.

Venietia Bingham, owner of V’s Cellar Door, testifies in opposition to a resolution seeking to nearly double the number of licenses for establishments allowed to serve alcohol during a Juneau Assembly meeting on Monday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Juneau School District administrators and board members listen to a presentation about the district’s multi-million deficit during a Jan. 9 meeting. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

School board asks city to take over $4 million in ‘shared costs,’ provide zero-interest loan

Request to be evaluated by Assembly members Wednesday as district tries to fix budget crisis.

Juneau School District administrators and board members listen to a presentation about the district’s multi-million deficit during a Jan. 9 meeting. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Members of the Juneau Assembly and Juneau Board of Education, along with top administrators for the city and school district, meet jointly to discuss the district’s financial crisis on Tuesday night at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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City leaders say they’ll help school district solve financial crisis, but express anger at situation

Loan and taking over millions in service costs proposed — which could result in a mill rate increase.

Members of the Juneau Assembly and Juneau Board of Education, along with top administrators for the city and school district, meet jointly to discuss the district’s financial crisis on Tuesday night at City Hall. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
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The Michael J. Burns Building, whose tenants include the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., is being evaluated as a relocation site for some or all of the City and Borough of Juneau’s downtown offices, including the Assembly Chambers. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Moving city offices to ‘PFD building’ gets conceptual OK from Assembly members

Search for existing space to relocate follows failed ballot measures to fund new city hall.

The Michael J. Burns Building, whose tenants include the Alaska Permanent Fund Corp., is being evaluated as a relocation site for some or all of the City and Borough of Juneau’s downtown offices, including the Assembly Chambers. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Juneau School District Superintendent Frank Hauser, left, provides an update about the district’s financial situation to Juneau Assembly members and administrative leaders on Monday night at City Hall. A joint meeting of the Assembly and Juneau Board of Education to discuss possible solutions to the district’s financial crisis is scheduled Tuesday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Assembly gets first look at $8M school district deficit they are being asked to help solve

Follow-up meeting of Assembly and school board Tuesday to consider sharing costs, other options.

Juneau School District Superintendent Frank Hauser, left, provides an update about the district’s financial situation to Juneau Assembly members and administrative leaders on Monday night at City Hall. A joint meeting of the Assembly and Juneau Board of Education to discuss possible solutions to the district’s financial crisis is scheduled Tuesday night. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The sun sets on snow-covered boats in Auke Bay on Jan. 10, 2022. On Jan. 1, 2024, most local docks and harbors fees will increase 9%. (Photo by the City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors Department)

Changes in state minimum wage and alcohol laws, local harbor fees and sales taxes coming Jan. 1

Free IDs for released prisoners, lifetime trapping licenses for disabled vets also start in 2024.

The sun sets on snow-covered boats in Auke Bay on Jan. 10, 2022. On Jan. 1, 2024, most local docks and harbors fees will increase 9%. (Photo by the City and Borough of Juneau Docks and Harbors Department)
Juneau City Manager Katie Koester (center) discusses options for additional office space for city workers during a Juneau Assembly Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday night as Deputy City Manager Robert Barr (left) and City Attorney Robert Palmer listen. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

City to yet again consider office space options after voters twice reject new City Hall

Trio of options range from space for all staff to moving just those in one troublesome building.

Juneau City Manager Katie Koester (center) discusses options for additional office space for city workers during a Juneau Assembly Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday night as Deputy City Manager Robert Barr (left) and City Attorney Robert Palmer listen. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
A crane unloads a car from a used gondola after its arrival in Juneau last year. Eaglecrest Ski Area officials say they are hoping the gondola will be operational by the 2025-26 winter ski season. (Photo courtesy of Eaglecrest Ski Area)

Eaglecrest gondola needs more parts than expected as prices for them soar

Ski area manager says installation possible without extra city funds via ‘alternative procurement.’

A crane unloads a car from a used gondola after its arrival in Juneau last year. Eaglecrest Ski Area officials say they are hoping the gondola will be operational by the 2025-26 winter ski season. (Photo courtesy of Eaglecrest Ski Area)
Paul Voelckers (left) offers farewell remarks along with Michael LeVine (right) during their last Juneau Planning Commission meeting Tuesday night. Listening to their remarks are commission members Mandy Cole — who was appointed to the board Thursday — and Erik Pedersen. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Three members appointed to both the planning commission and hospital board

James Kohn joins two incumbents on Bartlett board; Lacey Derr, Jessalyn Rintala new to commission.

Paul Voelckers (left) offers farewell remarks along with Michael LeVine (right) during their last Juneau Planning Commission meeting Tuesday night. Listening to their remarks are commission members Mandy Cole — who was appointed to the board Thursday — and Erik Pedersen. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
An illustration shows the conceptual design for Gastineau Lodge Apartments in downtown Juneau, which the project’s applicant hopes will be ready for occupancy by the summer of 2025. (Image from documents submitted to the Juneau Planning Commission)

Apartment building on Gastineau Avenue gets Planning Commission OK despite fire department concerns

Project in landslide zone also shows effect of Assembly’s vote to eliminate development restrictions.

An illustration shows the conceptual design for Gastineau Lodge Apartments in downtown Juneau, which the project’s applicant hopes will be ready for occupancy by the summer of 2025. (Image from documents submitted to the Juneau Planning Commission)
An overhead view of Telephone Hill in downtown Juneau. (Photo courtesy of the City and Borough of Juneau)

City conducting online survey until Jan. 9 about development of the Telephone Hill

Previous public comments factored into questions about future of downtown area, CBJ says.

An overhead view of Telephone Hill in downtown Juneau. (Photo courtesy of the City and Borough of Juneau)
Dozens of people fill the Assembly chambers to testify during a Juneau Assembly meeting on Monday night. Most of the people spoke about either a proposed municipal compost facility, or an ordinance updating landslide and avalanche zone maps. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Assembly roundup: Seawalk barriers go off the rails, compost proposal trashed, McEwen clerk of the year

Crowd defends private composter as city weighs own facility; dock rails stall with 2 members absent.

Dozens of people fill the Assembly chambers to testify during a Juneau Assembly meeting on Monday night. Most of the people spoke about either a proposed municipal compost facility, or an ordinance updating landslide and avalanche zone maps. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
The borders of the proposed Xunaa Borough are seen in a state map. Xunaa Borough — spelled Hoonah in the map — would incorporate more than 10,000 acres of surface area, mostly water, if the Local Boundary Commission and Hoonah voters approve it. (Alaska Division of Community and Regional Affairs map)

Xunaa Borough would be Alaska’s 20th, under Hoonah city proposal

Area would include 49 people outside of Hoonah, wouldn’t include other Southeast Alaska cities

The borders of the proposed Xunaa Borough are seen in a state map. Xunaa Borough — spelled Hoonah in the map — would incorporate more than 10,000 acres of surface area, mostly water, if the Local Boundary Commission and Hoonah voters approve it. (Alaska Division of Community and Regional Affairs map)
Cruise ship passengers walk around in downtown Juneau in late May. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Public suggestions for spending cruise ship passenger fees being accepted starting Monday

More than $21.6M available after record season, but proposals limited to cruise-related projects.

Cruise ship passengers walk around in downtown Juneau in late May. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)