[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6632887,"mediaKeyId","2669831-5a2faa491cc57503bc5073b3ad8cfc7d","parentId",2669831,"title","Juneau committee advances updated commercial-use guidelines for parks and trails","audioSeconds",1281,"startMs",375000,"endMs",1656000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2669831-5a2faa491cc57503bc5073b3ad8cfc7d&start=375&end=1656","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2669831-5a2faa491cc57503bc5073b3ad8cfc7d/thumbnail_375000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6632887/Juneau-City-and-Borough/Alaska/Juneau-committee-advances-updated-commercial-use-guidelines-for-parks-and-trails","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632887-4ca71db781ce5ed2af5758168df92128/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194709&Signature=RylY-ej9SOmF0pAJSGbWdxJUoUPom7W~UK2JRSb-NhMPQ~zpC1jkOOCJ77eBT80kRJASl-H0y4LEz185T6psjxKxmh7vZI33UU9jDAyqNOMas6lEzBaUyjSqjaNxklPcdhvDVdnLrNQw5AZjv6AM1q747vHLxGQyF2Fx1Nkbtg~hlOfWwFz-nNNTfc2vcT~Dp4Eb3ikTP7H8yusNdfeYKHmnUqAbULGoqoS2wr2MXgYEx8sKnwX9AXxtWNwXpLMYyTwduaBdY-Wwj9SlLGyZ7ZWOpQ724eoGdFpf~d49v61qDjCNXZCNAQZFBmHsZyPodrg89Bu0iwp6pdHnFN04mA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Juneau City and Borough","date","2025-03-18T07:04:54.21Z","article","The Committee of the Whole voted to move draft commercial-use guidelines for parks and trails to the full assembly for adoption after a staff presentation and public outreach summary.

Parks and Recreation Director George Schaff told the committee the department updated rules last revised in 2004 to respond to growing visitation and new types of commercial use, especially vehicle-based tours. \"This process ... gives us new tools that will allow us to be more adaptive and more flexible as we see changes in tourism, changes in the industry, and changes in the community going forward,\" Schaff said.

The proposed analysis, developed with consultants and multiple CBJ departments, classifies parks and trails into four commercial-use categories and would prohibit commercial activity in 24 parks and on 38 trails — roughly 85% of CBJ-managed trail miles — while allowing commercial activity on about 15% of trails. Schaff said Rainforest Trail and Last Chance Basin have historically accounted for the bulk of commercial permits and revenue. \"The reality is that 95% of the commercial use is confined to 2 locations, and over 95% of the trail use is at the Rainforest Trail,\" he said.

Why it matters: Committee members said the rules give the city more predictable tools to manage conflicts between residents and tourism, to assess infrastructure needs such as restrooms and parking, and to spend commercial-use fee revenue on improvements. The guidelines also add an \"adaptive management\" element: the department would review use data and update the rules every three years or sooner if required.

Key details and debate
- Public outreach: Parks staff held five neighborhood meetings and an open house and received feedback from more than 200 people (roughly 300 participants overall). The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee reviewed a draft last summer; only two people testified and neither opposed the analysis, Schaff said.
- Fee history and revenue: The department has charged a flat $3.50 per-person commercial-use fee since about 2016; Schaff said that fee generated more than $380,000 last year — a revenue high for the program.
- New and removed locations: The draft would remove all beach-access trails and the city-managed Bridal Ditch access from commercial permitting and would remove Perseverance Trail and Sunshine Cove from commercial use. Telephone Hill Park, Under Thunder Trail and Evergreen Cemetery (for historic walking tours) were added as permitted locations.
- Managing vehicle-based tours: The draft recognizes a change since 2004 — vehicle-based tours now target parks (Overstreet Park, Brotherhood Bridge and Homestead Park) and were not contemplated in the older rules; the new categories account for vehicle-based use.
- Data collection: Staff proposed using aggregated cell‑phone and mobility datasets (non‑identifying) to better measure trail and park visitation and correlate visitor origin with facility use.

Action taken
- Motion: \"I move that the assembly move forward with the proposed guidelines that would prohibit commercial use in the 56 CBJ parks and trails as the recommendation is written, and I ask for unanimous consent.\" (Mover: Assemblymember Bryson.)
- Outcome: Motion carried by unanimous consent; the committee referred the guidelines to the full assembly for adoption.

Speakers (attributed in this article)
- George Schaff — Parks and Recreation Director, government (CBJ Parks and Recreation).
- Pierce — Visitor Industry Director, government (CBJ Visitor Industry; first reference during Q&A).
- Assemblymember Bryson — Assembly member (mover of the motion).
- Assemblymember Hall — Assembly member (questioner).

Discussion vs. decision
- Discussion: Committee members asked for clarifications about which parks/trails would be restricted, how future sites might be added, and how state or federal lands (Forest Service) were considered. Staff explained the plan's focus is CBJ-managed lands and recommended cross-coordination when trails cross jurisdictional boundaries.
- Decision: The committee formally advanced the guidelines to the full assembly for adoption; staff will pursue infrastructure assessments and return to the assembly as recommended.

Clarifying details
- Trails: About 85% of CBJ-managed trail miles would be off-limits to commercial use under the draft; roughly 15% would allow commercial activity.
- Parks: 24 parks would be prohibited from commercial use; 7 parks would have some commercial use allowed (as reported during Q&A).
- Fee revenue: A flat $3.50 per-person commercial-use fee produced about $380,000 last year (highest on record), per the director.
- Public input: Staff reported more than 200 written feedback responses and roughly 300 total participants in outreach events.

Community relevance
- Geographies: Downtown Juneau; Rainforest Trail; Last Chance Basin; Overstreet Park; Brotherhood Bridge; Homestead Park.
- Impact groups: Local residents, tour operators, visitors (cruise-related and independent), park users.
- Funding sources mentioned: marine passenger fees, commercial-use fees.

Searchable tags:[\"parks\",\"trails\",\"tourism\",\"commercial use\",\"Parks and Recreation\",\"Juneau\",\"visitor industry\"]

Provenance (selected transcript evidence)
- topicintro: {\"block_id\":\"block_375.495\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":196,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Thank you very much. My name is George Schaff. I'm parks and recreation director, and I apologize for my voice. Thanks for bearing with me. I hope it, bears with me as well as I get through the short presentation.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"}
- topfinish: {\"block_id\":\"block_1626.305\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":150,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"I move that, the assembly move forward with the proposed guidelines that would prohibit commercial use in the 56 CBJ parks and trails as the recommendation is written, and I ask for unanimous consent.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}

Topics:[{\"name\":\"parks and recreation\",\"justification\":\"Primary subject is CBJ Parks and Recreation commercial-use guidelines for parks and trails.\",\"scoring\":{\"topic_relevance\":0.95,\"depth_score\":0.80,\"opinionatedness\":0.05,\"controversy\":0.30,\"civic_salience\":0.70,\"impactfulness\":0.60,\"geo_relevance\":1.00}}]","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Assembly Committee of the Whole Worksession","oneSentenceSummary","The Committee of the Whole voted to move draft commercial-use guidelines for parks and trails to the full assembly for adoption after a staff presentation and public outreach summary.","taxTitle","Juneau City and Borough, Alaska","taxId",13703,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6632879,"Committee advances Huna Totem tidelands lease ordinance to full assembly after lengthy debate and amendments",9216,7230000,16446000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2669831-5a2faa491cc57503bc5073b3ad8cfc7d&start=7230&end=16446","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2669831-5a2faa491cc57503bc5073b3ad8cfc7d/thumbnail_7230000.jpg","/articles/6632879/Juneau-City-and-Borough/Alaska/Committee-advances-Huna-Totem-tidelands-lease-ordinance-to-full-assembly-after-lengthy-debate-and-amendments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632879-02ed591dd89d63b420a816a9d4208bb4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194709&Signature=FpxgNbeqAs-xKBBNlQrfcwB4pnrcn-1kD3d4UM~8xK3LMJVRdUlGbbMK-kDpTTeTDJYZu86bomGBh0aseKNl7S~t8f6q7Fsh8JgGp2ZER4fAHTebHzbjiwD7MMtiVdiG9pBI6tTcpHguEXZ3ixHz2PCAPW5tO0dD0gloiHEF2W3ifSy2LxnzpUYn9qcAxo9uMOb-DhKih8LKcW2TgK9s2UWFhhhwmH5yyd0FIjxgQjY51DYC8rMXSsbxAdrUa4x7lQ0LXehbv9vZ6ddB-2WpZB1XqxXiex5L0Vw-1OHs7UGy9A8cmE2xH2P3JhY6cqPRMPY~kxDs93-P06r78fFdqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee of the Whole voted to forward an ordinance authorizing the manager to negotiate and execute a tidelands lease for waterfront commercial activities (the Huna Totem dock proposal) to the full assembly, after multiple amendments, roll‑call votes and extended debate.

The ordinance authorizes the manager to negotiate a lease for tidelands as shown in the packet and sets out minimum essential terms and conditions to be included in the final lease. Deputy Manager Barr and Visitor Industry Director Pierce briefed the committee; the packet contained multiple proposed amendments from assembly members and extensive public and applicant engagement.

Why it matters: The lease would enable construction and operation of a new commercial dock and associated uplands development in downtown Juneau. Committee members debated the project’s implications for cruise‑ship scheduling, community impacts, the Coast Guard’s ability to berth a new icebreaker, workforce hiring and participation, revenue and potential community mitigation strategies.

Votes and key amendments
- Coast Guard assurance (Assemblymember Smith amendment): The committee added a requirement that Huna Totem provide written assurance from the U.S. Coast Guard that the project \"will not impede icebreaker docking in Juneau\" before the lease proceeds; the amendment passed 8–1. The amendment also included a line stating Huna Totem may begin work \"at their own risk.\" (Roll call: 8 ayes, 1 no.)
- Affordable housing whereas (Assemblymember Kelly): A proposed whereas directing that a portion of lease proceeds be allocated to the affordable housing fund failed, 3–6.
- Environmental/clean fuel incentives (Assemblymember Kelly): An amendment to \"identify lease incentive options to increase clean fuel usage and shore power development\" failed 1–8.
- Right of first refusal (Assemblymember Wall): An amendment to include a city right of first refusal to buy the dock and adjacent upland property failed (ayes 4–5; close vote — motion failed).
- Vessel capacity cap (Mayor Weldon): An amendment limiting vessels at the Huna Totem dock to no more than 4,400 lower‑berth passengers (industry standard double‑occupancy measure) passed 5–4.
- CWOC unobstructed (Assemblymember Bryson/Hughes Candice): Committee added language requiring the Coastal Walk/Coastal Walkway (CWOC) remain unobstructed by commercial activities except for special events; passed by unanimous consent.
- No peer‑to‑peer car rentals (Mayor Weldon, with Hall): Amendment to prohibit rental‑car marketplace operations (e.g., Turo) at Auk Landing and require a circular pickup/drop‑off for licensed commercial passenger vehicles — adopted by unanimous consent.
- Build‑at‑own‑risk (Mayor Weldon): The committee approved language permitting Huna Totem to begin work on city tidelands \"at their own risk\" while the parties await the state tidelands conveyance; adopted by unanimous consent.

Applicant and finance concerns
Representatives of Huna Totem told the committee the project is large (the applicant estimated construction approaching $200 million) and that loan and equity partners will consider lease terms. Huna Totem’s president said provisions that limit revenue (for example, strict vessel‑size caps or large above‑market lease requirements) could materially affect financing prospects: \"Anything that limits or restricts our ability to generate revenue, which this would, impacts our ability to finance this project. It's that simple,\" the applicant’s representative said.

Related resolution: Resolution 3098
The committee also moved Resolution 3098 — a supporting resolution for the CBJ to apply to the State of Alaska for conveyance of the tidelands — to the full assembly. Staff noted the state required a formal resolution to accompany the tidelands application.

Speakers (attributed)
- Russell (Huna Totem representative) — Huna Totem Corporation (applicant representative).
- Mike (Huna Totem representative) — (applicant representative on financing remarks).
- Deputy Manager Barr — City and Borough of Juneau (provided process overview).
- Pierce — Visitor Industry Director, City and Borough of Juneau (briefed the committee on background).
- Mayor Weldon — Mayor, City and Borough of Juneau (moved several amendments and spoke to limits).
- Assemblymembers Smith, Kelly, Bryson, Wall, Hughes Candice and others (introduced and voted on amendments).

Discussion vs. decision
- Discussion: Committee members debated trade‑offs between encouraging significant private investment, protecting community priorities (limits on vessel size, housing and environmental mitigation), protecting existing city dock operations, and preserving the city’s ability to acquire waterfront property in the future.
- Decision: By majority and unanimous procedural votes the committee approved several amendments and referred the modified ordinance and resolution 3098 to the full assembly for a public hearing.

Clarifying details
- Applicant estimate: Huna Totem representatives characterized the project as approaching $200,000,000 in development costs.
- Vessel limit: Amendment adopted limited vessels at the Huna Totem dock to no more than 4,400 lower‑berth passengers (double‑occupancy measure); staff said that number corresponds to the largest ships currently expected in Juneau.
- Appraisal/lease pricing: Committee discussed obtaining a fair‑market appraisal; members were split on whether to require rents above fair market value to capture community impacts. Staff said lease negotiation and appraisal would follow committee direction and would be returned with a final lease.
- Tidelands conveyance: Lease signing is conditioned upon state conveyance of the tidelands to CBJ; staff noted the conveyance timing is a state decision and could be months or years.

Searchable tags:[\"tidelands\",\"dock\",\"Huna Totem\",\"Juneau waterfront\",\"lease\",\"cruise ships\"]

Provenance (selected transcript evidence)
- topicintro: {\"block_id\":\"block_7170.0347\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":70,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Thank you, madam mayor. This is ordinance 20 25 dash 22, an ordinance authorizing the manager to negotiate and execute tidelands lease for the purpose of waterfront commercial activities.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"}
- topfinish: {\"block_id\":\"block_16386.68\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":80,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Any objection? Seeing none, that motion passes.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}

Topics:[{\"name\":\"waterfront development\",\"justification\":\"Ordinance authorizes lease for waterfront commercial dock and related uplands; multiple amendments address community impacts and conditions.\",\"scoring\":{\"topic_relevance\":0.98,\"depth_score\":0.95,\"opinionatedness\":0.20,\"controversy\":0.90,\"civic_salience\":0.95,\"impactfulness\":0.95,\"geo_relevance\":1.00}}]","The Committee of the Whole moved an ordinance authorizing a tidelands lease for a proposed commercial dock (Huna Totem) to the full assembly for public hearing, approving several assembly amendments and rejecting others. The committee also voted to send a supportive resolution for CBJ’s tidelands application to the state.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6632885,"Juneau committee backs introduction of ordinance to set timeline for releasing body‑worn camera footage in officer‑involved incidents",4104,2016000,6120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2669831-5a2faa491cc57503bc5073b3ad8cfc7d&start=2016&end=6120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2669831-5a2faa491cc57503bc5073b3ad8cfc7d/thumbnail_2016000.jpg","/articles/6632885/Juneau-City-and-Borough/Alaska/Juneau-committee-backs-introduction-of-ordinance-to-set-timeline-for-releasing-bodyworn-camera-footage-in-officerinvolved-incidents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6632885-de962772dc96639d1adeffa2cf4c01ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771194709&Signature=Wf1AK6Dz7FUNm4obX4uoFn7faz4Qy6Ibzm4W5~IMAgHD41cTmFJ3t8iFQRfguOkODNA46u8VX1eRZGNi6Blnv1DiO7QISkqbiQVgNmmwMdOWxnzO-W2lwq7eb5QCKdEeRx29Zy5UcdpaxnpaP7pzv3gXsDs8P-PeU9fa6rAsAXpW0u9DvYhHAESiBUAwgiaD6-A~M~FYBJ69ZSipO6y1gcJdTM4aDofP6jz0ZAvEa-QJoaGBHEY~jEm7N~w4GNbzFMyVZPfhTL-Q5diTYYchmVH1Qf5XtmiImRWca6DhWoHrKu5mZZzZWAkplkLV8OrZyjnLvL3vyAsDbnq3FWsSLQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Committee of the Whole voted to introduce an ordinance that would set a timeline for the release of body‑worn camera footage following police traumatic incidents and to return the draft to the committee for further refinement.

The proposed ordinance would require release of body‑worn footage 30 days after a defined \"traumatic incident\" with a single possible 10‑day extension if requested by the reviewing prosecuting office. The draft before the committee would define traumatic incidents by reference to existing JPD policy, and committee members asked staff to add an explicit cross‑reference to that policy text.

Why it matters: The proposal seeks to balance the community’s desire for transparency after officer‑involved shootings with prosecutors’ and investigators’ concerns about preserving the integrity of active investigations. Angie Kemp, director of the Criminal Division at the Alaska Department of Law, told the committee that the Office of Special Prosecutions (OSP) tries to review officer‑involved shootings but often faces delays caused by central crime‑lab processing, medical examiner reports and other investigative steps. \"There's no rigid timeline that I could give you... it's gonna be 60 days when all of those things are in place such that we can ensure that we're protecting the integrity of the investigation,\" Kemp said.

Key points from the discussion
- Draft timeline and exceptions: The ordinance in the packet requires release at 30 days with a single 10‑day extension available at the request of the prosecuting authority. Staff presented examples from other jurisdictions (Anchorage, Colorado, Minnesota) and recommended cross‑referencing JPD policy.
- Prosecutor perspective: Angie Kemp (Alaska Department of Law) emphasized the variety of investigative steps (crime lab testing, medical examiner reports, interviews) that often make a fixed short timeline impractical, but she said the Office is aiming to complete reviews within 60 days where possible.
- Local law enforcement: Chief Boas (Juneau Police Department) said body‑worn video is only one piece of evidence among many and supported reasonable, defined timelines.
- Policy vs. ordinance: City attorney and staff described the proposal as a legislative decision on transparency vs. investigative integrity; Anchorage and other jurisdictions use policies with carve-outs while the draft before the committee was intentionally tighter to provide less \"wiggle room\" for administrative delay.

Actions taken
- Motion: Assemblymember Hughes Candice moved an amendment directing law to further define \"traumatic incident\" by cross‑referencing JPD policy (to make the scope explicit).
- Outcome: Amendment adopted by unanimous consent.
- Motion: Assemblymember Kelly moved to introduce the ordinance at the next full assembly meeting with noted revisions and to refer it back to the Committee of the Whole (to allow more technical refinements). The motion passed by unanimous consent.

Speakers (attributed)
- Angie Kemp — Director, Criminal Division, Alaska Department of Law (spoke on prosecutor timelines and evidence processing).
- City Attorney (Wright) — provided legal framing and noted the ordinance was written to limit administrative \"wiggle room.\"
- Chief Boas — Juneau Police Department (commented on body‑worn footage as one evidentiary piece).
- Assemblymember Hughes Candice — moved amendment to cross‑reference JPD policy.
- Assemblymember Kelly — moved introduction and referral to the full assembly.

Discussion vs. decision
- Discussion: Committee members asked about how release affects prosecutions, whether fixed timelines can be met given current capacity, and what carve‑outs (ongoing investigation, confidential sources, privacy interests) should be included.
- Decision: The committee voted to (a) ask law to insert a cross‑reference to the JPD policy definition of \"traumatic incident\" and (b) introduce the ordinance at the next full assembly meeting with revisions and refer it back to the committee for further work.

Clarifying details
- Staff and prosecutors said Alaska has one statewide crime lab (Anchorage) and a single medical examiner's office; evidence processing and medical examiner reports can introduce delays measurable in weeks or months.
- Prosecutors stated an internal goal of completing OSP reviews of officer‑involved shootings within about 60 days when feasible, though they warned some cases require longer.

Community relevance
- Geographies: City and Borough of Juneau.
- Impact groups: Victims' families, involved officers, general public seeking transparency, law enforcement and prosecutors.

Searchable tags:[\"body cameras\",\"police transparency\",\"officer involved shooting\",\"Juneau\",\"policy vs ordinance\"]

Provenance (selected transcript evidence)
- topicintro: {\"block_id\":\"block_2016.185\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":100,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"Who is starting with this? Mister Barr or miss Wright?\",\"reason_code\":\"topicintro\"}
- topfinish: {\"block_id\":\"block_5960.1\",\"local_start\":0,\"local_end\":120,\"evidence_excerpt\":\"I move that we introduce the ordinance at the next assembly meeting with, Ms. Yuskandy's, revisions and refer this back to the committee of the whole following that and ask for unanimous consent.\",\"reason_code\":\"topicfinish\"}

Topics:[{\"name\":\"police transparency\",\"justification\":\"Ordinance defines timing and exceptions for public release of body‑worn camera footage in officer‑involved incidents.\",\"scoring\":{\"topic_relevance\":0.95,\"depth_score\":0.85,\"opinionatedness\":0.05,\"controversy\":0.80,\"civic_salience\":0.90,\"impactfulness\":0.70,\"geo_relevance\":1.00}}]","The Committee of the Whole advanced an ordinance that would require Juneau Police Department body‑worn camera footage in officer‑involved traumatic incidents be released 30 days after an incident, with one possible 10‑day extension; the committee asked law to cross‑reference JPD policy and work with prosecutors on narrow exceptions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Juneau committee advances updated commercial-use guidelines for parks and trails

Committee advances Huna Totem tidelands lease ordinance to full assembly after lengthy debate and amendments

Juneau committee backs introduction of ordinance to set timeline for releasing body‑worn camera footage in officer‑involved incidents