2026-07-27 - Regular Assembly Meeting
Summary
Built from the official minutes of Regular Assembly Meeting No. 2026-15. No video is posted, so there is no transcript or timing.
- Called to order at 6:59 PM by Mayor Weldon after a power outage downtown delayed the start; adjourned at 9:52 PM. Christine Woll was absent; Neil Steininger and Maureen Hall joined by Zoom.
- Consent agenda approved by unanimous consent: five ordinances introduced (cruise ship daily limit, museum operations, FEMA flood funds, City Hall sale to Sealaska Heritage Institute, continuity of government), two harbor grant resolutions, the Assembly Rules of Procedure, the Systemic Racism Review Committee, liquor license actions, the Burns Building bid award ($4,416,700.92) and a $275,000 water transfer.
- School bond ordinance 2026-35 was referred to the Assembly Finance Committee for the FY28 budget process, 5-2, which keeps it off the October 6 ballot.
- Utility bond ordinance 2026-36 was referred to the same committee; an amendment to put it on the 2026 ballot failed 1-6.
- Temporary 3 percent sales tax renewal (2026-13), fire department interference (2026-11) and failure to appear (2026-23) were adopted by unanimous consent.
- Nonprofit sales tax exemption repeal (2026-32) was referred to the September 2 Finance Committee after five speakers raised concerns.
- Senior and disabled veteran hardship exemption (2026-34) was adopted as amended to a 300 percent poverty threshold; the amendment carried 5-2.
- Tlingit and Haida public safety agreement amendment and the AELP sales tax appeal were approved by unanimous consent; Juneau Housing First lease support carried 6-1.
- Mill rate cap charter amendment certified for the October 6 ballot (information only).
Public participation on non-agenda items
- Six speakers addressed the Assembly before the consent agenda; their topics are under the Issue sections below.
Paratransit Service Failures
- Deborah Craig, Chair of the Juneau Commission on Aging, described missed pickups, reservation problems and limited phone capacity at the paratransit provider, criticized the contract renewal and urged an immediate review and a user phone survey.
Telephone Hill Redevelopment
- Bookless raised concern about the planned demolition, along with the City Hall sale, housing land leases, wastewater costs and flood mitigation, and urged broader consideration of alternatives.
Fourth of July Parade Rules
- Metcalf, for Veterans for Peace Chapter 100, said parade organizers kept him from displaying a sign and asked for a committee to review parade speech rules.
- Mertz supported him and asked for an apology, a task force and civil rights consultation; Wilson asked for Resolution 2265 to be restated and an Assembly liaison in parade planning.
Cruise Ship Daily Limit
- Ordinance 2026-39, sponsored by Woll, Hughes-Skandijs and Kelly, introduced on consent: five ships over 950 passengers per day, referred to the Committee of the Whole.
City Museum Funding
- Ordinance appropriating $45,000 from a Norwegian Cruise Line donation for part-time museum staff introduced on consent; hearing at the next regular meeting.
Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Response
- FEMA appropriation of $526,602 introduced on consent (View Drive $102,281, Rivercourt Way $127,192, debris removal $246,629, Emily Way $50,500).
- Manager Koester reported the lake was forecast to fill August 8 to 12 and release August 9 to 18 at about 15.5 feet; Phase 2 barriers were complete and Phase 1 reinforced; evacuation, transit suspension, pumps, 7,500 sandbags, a hotline and text alerts were described.
City Hall Disposal
- Ordinance 2026-38 introduced on consent: negotiated sale of 155 Heritage Way to Sealaska Heritage Institute for $1,500,000, alongside the earlier minimum-bid ordinance 2026-15.
Continuity of Government Code
- Ordinance 2026-40 introduced on consent: the Assembly would appoint successors as needed rather than pre-designating them.
Airport Capital Reserve Appropriations
- $50,697 local match for the air traffic control tower roof project introduced on consent (FAA grant $963,247).
- Ordinance 2025-01(b)(AO), $118,407 for Runway 08/26 repairs, adopted by unanimous consent on a motion by Hall.
Harbor Facility Grant Applications
- Resolutions 4054 ($500,000, Echo Cove float) and 4055 ($2,000,000, Statter Harbor Phase IV) adopted on consent.
Assembly Rules of Procedure
- Resolution 4057 repealing and reestablishing the rules adopted on consent.
Systemic Racism Review Committee
- Resolution 4058 removing the sunset clause adopted on consent.
Burns Building Renovation
- Bid BE27-025 awarded to Carver Construction, lowest responsive bidder, for $4,416,700.92; the work consolidates eleven departments and about 147 staff.
Capital Improvement Program
- Transfer of $275,000 to Crow Hill water electrical upgrades approved on consent.
School Bond Proposition
- Braun urged delaying the bond because a crowded ballot could sink all measures.
- Hughes-Skandijs moved adoption. Deputy Mayor Smith moved to refer it to the Finance Committee; Hughes-Skandijs and Brooks objected, saying deferral lets school buildings deteriorate and voters should decide.
- Kelly said the ballot language would not qualify for state bond reimbursement; City Attorney Wright confirmed the bonds could still be issued but not reimbursed.
- Referral carried 5-2 (no: Hughes-Skandijs, Brooks); the main motion as amended carried 5-2.
Utility Infrastructure Bond Proposition
- Riederer suggested presenting the bond separately from mill rate measures.
- Brooks moved referral, then amended to place the bond on the 2026 ballot, citing the Blackerby water main failure. Smith objected, noting the Manager's view of spending capacity. The amendment failed 1-6; referral adopted by unanimous consent.
Temporary Three Percent Sales Tax Renewal
- Ordinance 2026-13 adopted by unanimous consent on a motion by Adkison, placing the renewal (July 1, 2027 to July 1, 2032) on the October 6 ballot. No public comment.
Fire Department Interference Ordinance
- Ordinance 2026-11 adopted by unanimous consent on a motion by Kelly; no public comment.
Nonprofit Sales Tax Exemption
- Speakers: Urata proposed an exemption threshold such as $1 million in revenue; Smythe urged tabling for community engagement; Garrison questioned audit capacity; Truitt said the Symphony would spend about $6,000 to collect about $12,500 and that an October 1 start was not feasible; Harris questioned the term social services and favored the City Attorney's alternative draft.
- Deputy Mayor Smith moved to refer to the September 2 Finance Committee; Hughes-Skandijs objected to repeated deferral and then withdrew; Hall supported. Adopted by unanimous consent.
Senior Citizen Disabled Veteran Hardship Exemption
- Ordinance 2026-34 as introduced set the income limit at 250 percent of poverty ($49,875 individual, $67,625 family) versus $120,000 now. Hall moved adoption.
- Mayor Weldon amended to 300 percent ($59,850 and $81,150; 143 eligible parcels versus 95 at 250 percent). Carried 5-2 (no: Hughes-Skandijs, Adkison); adopted as amended by unanimous consent.
Property Tax Exemption Changes
- Ordinances 2026-29 (historic repair exemptions repealed, Hughes-Skandijs), 2026-30 (aircraft flat tax, Brooks) and 2026-31 (vessel exemptions, Adkison) each adopted by unanimous consent with no public comment.
Agent Commission Sales Tax Exemptions
- Ordinance 2026-33 repealing the agent commission exemption adopted by unanimous consent on a motion by Kelly.
Bartlett Regional Hospital Operating Funds
- $12,000,000 appropriation adopted by unanimous consent. Weldon asked whether clinic revenue would end future supplements; CEO Wanner said rural health clinic status should make the clinics sustainable.
Failure to Appear Offense
- Ordinance 2026-23 adopted by unanimous consent on a motion by Hughes-Skandijs.
Tlingit Haida Public Safety Agreement
- Brooks asked about cost recovery for a voluntary contribution; Wright said an operating agreement will set cost obligations. Weldon asked about service outside the fire service area; Koester said the department responds for life safety and the building is sprinklered.
- Approved by unanimous consent on Brooks's motion.
AELP Sales Tax Appeal
- The Manager had denied a diesel fuel resale exemption on June 3, against a panel majority. The Assembly accepted the appeal and chose a presiding officer from its members by unanimous consent; Weldon appointed Kelly.
Late-Filed Property Tax Exemptions
- Five late-filed senior and disabled veteran exemption requests were approved by unanimous consent in two motions by Hughes-Skandijs (two, then three hardship cases).
Mill Rate Cap Charter Amendment
- Clerk Hendricks reported the petition had enough signatures; it goes on the October 6 ballot.
Juneau Housing First Collaborative Lease
- Proposal: lease part of a 7.65 acre city lot at the end of Commercial Boulevard for supportive one-bedroom housing at below market rent.
- Lovishchuk said the site came out of consultation with the Lands Department and is near an existing facility; units target people seeking sobriety, with referrals through coordinated entry.
- Weldon objected to the late request and the site's industrial surroundings. Carried 6-1 (no: Weldon).
Other business
- Proclamation for Coast Guard Appreciation Month in August; recognition of the Juneau fireworks crew and sponsors.
- Minutes of June 8 and June 24 approved by unanimous consent.
- Public participation also included speakers on animal and bear nuisance enforcement and a neighborhood encampment.
- Liquor licenses: two transfers and two renewals, no protest. State project review for an Egan Drive and Yandukin Drive intersection noted for information.
- Attorney Wright: CBJ ballot propositions will be lettered A, B, C from 2026 to distinguish them from state numbered ones.
- Mayor Weldon reported on a visit from a Japanese sister-city delegation and a state senator.