[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6534277,"mediaKeyId","3633269-6b39659d82f7df31e347d1f74c399c17","parentId",3633269,"title","Assembly authorizes staff to prepare ordinance for up to $50,000 for public information on potential ballot measures","audioSeconds",1484,"startMs",9182000,"endMs",10666000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633269-6b39659d82f7df31e347d1f74c399c17&start=9182&end=10666","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633269-6b39659d82f7df31e347d1f74c399c17/thumbnail_9182000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6534277/Juneau-City-and-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-authorizes-staff-to-prepare-ordinance-for-up-to-50000-for-public-information-on-potential-ballot-measures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534277-73f5ecc57cf90202cdcbf70151b2a1b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154729&Signature=UyI87QlwHyZiMJdn1s2KyPFUSM1LwkDAsAH9bl43ZA6TqewjfqiIE1uvBKyKCtU6PBQ7TT3bnTA3Yi7ZIUyYbmBEOE97bFDDHN1LyvRo0xSS3jxo01SvounIEnhSup2pbUcZDvweechQX1kXl~8FrngFhFfnK16YfeuDdIWuFlYPgzzykgLgpiWgpDuYkRMr9NXQCAP18GUmWBbwKnIDH0moItJNkSLxEGPscPTxDBAdefGuStdm4t2-nmk2B5Vy~XkllE1a4w78vLnMuoPFcoJnbeMkjNzDOMRyq1sggTyu5VIPjOttt7iLkZsg~reXruCOWVWDutltefN9HGH8Wg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Juneau City and Borough","date","2025-06-03T17:21:20Z","article","The Committee of the Whole on June 2 voted to direct staff to introduce an ordinance at the June 9 meeting and a corresponding resolution for July 28 to provide up to $50,000 for public information about potential ballot propositions.

City Manager Kester briefed the committee on the issue, noting multiple citizen-initiated measures circulating at the time — including petitions for a seasonal sales tax, an exemption of sales tax on food and utilities, and a mill-rate cap. Manager Kester said staff must register with Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) and appropriate funds if the city wishes to run anything beyond fact-based, neutral information. \"An exemption on food and utilities is about a $10 to $12 million hit to our budget,\" Kester said. He urged the committee that, without staff funding, the city’s ability to provide more than a neutral fact sheet is limited.

Why it matters

Citizens are circulating proposals that would materially affect the city budget and tax policy. Staff told the committee a municipal advocacy campaign requires a timely decision because ballot deadlines and campaign preparation windows are short. Manager Kester recommended introducing an ordinance next week to preserve the option and suggested contracting with an outside consultant for media, direct mail and digital outreach if the Assembly chooses to proceed.

Action taken

Assemblymember Wall moved for the ordinance authorization. After discussion and several members expressing reservations about using public funds for advocacy, the motion passed.

What staff said they would do

If the Assembly moves forward, staff proposed hiring a third-party consultant with experience in voter education to produce materials, run social and radio ads and perform direct mail outreach. If the Assembly chooses not to appropriate funds for an advocacy campaign, staff said they would continue to provide FAQs and respond to public inquiries but avoid proactive advocacy activities to remain in compliance with campaign finance and disclosure rules.

Ending

The committee’s direction preserves the Assembly’s option to spend public funds for a targeted public-information push and starts a timeline for drafting ordinance language; the Assembly did not yet adopt specific advocacy messaging.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 2, 2025 Assembly Committee of the Whole Worksession","oneSentenceSummary","The Committee of the Whole voted June 2 to have staff introduce an ordinance to appropriate up to $50,000 for public information about potential ballot measures and directed staff to prepare materials and guidance on compliance and outreach options.","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},6534281,"Assembly advances ranked-choice voting ordinance to full Assembly; staff to run public education",36,3221000,3257000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633269-6b39659d82f7df31e347d1f74c399c17&start=3221&end=3257","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633269-6b39659d82f7df31e347d1f74c399c17/thumbnail_3221000.jpg","/articles/6534281/Juneau-City-and-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-advances-ranked-choice-voting-ordinance-to-full-Assembly-staff-to-run-public-education","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534281-f48f649a7206a7bad18ce121857e2e11/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154729&Signature=dQ-LsY0zJ2ca9X7h2lUKFRki7520MMs7pZi7NSjvPDwFyCuIZ9nLwdXgd-2MExvosepLUKfitPsFGITXhpQXn4PBV2QV41KrqTFrcPAjefAcYFsZsWxjFmnyMyiVbv-cLOaJ02FfJ5nHqOwI~Y0bBSQTrEeGySxNql7wUBb8uNgTmQTX2nE7lQrpyDxxZK0MSTXFA2UqC9H1hx0RJlWoWh6fxU2zuyy-WiQ5ZpKqrKHJQuxCo5e1T4epsjtLIEqDmKPVy10QJGVcofD2T5d8YAH6WvR7Hgex0QGqp-a23yKmaEynCAbu-GwByxfVuwWRCwU09KXrT-Q1VPKB0Di~Iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Juneau Assembly’s Committee of the Whole on June 2 voted to forward the proposed ranked-choice voting ordinance (No. 2025-13) to the full Assembly for introduction and asked staff to develop a public education campaign explaining how ranked-choice voting would function locally.

Deputy municipal clerk Andy Hirsch explained the operational impacts for voters and election timing. \"If we move to ranked choice voting, we will have the ability to produce first-rank results similar to the state of Alaska,\" Hirsch said, adding that full ranking rounds that eliminate lower candidates and determine final winners cannot be run until after the canvass review board certifies ballots. For races with one or two candidates or ballot propositions, early results will generally reflect final outcomes; close multi-candidate races could change after full ranked-choice tabulation.

The ordinance includes a cascade-style option to permit ranked-choice voting in multi-member races (for example, school board seats or assembly districts with multiple openings) without designating separate seats. City staff said Dominion (the voting system vendor) can implement the cascade counting method without requiring designated seats.

What the Assembly decided

- Motion to introduce ordinance 2025-13 (cal version with clerk amendments) at the June 9 regular Assembly meeting: approved by the Committee of the Whole and scheduled for introduction.

- Motion directing staff to develop an educational outreach plan on ranked-choice voting (sample ballots, video, and public information): adopted; staff will prepare materials and suggested public events.

Questions from members

Members asked whether the cascade approach could affect ballot counting speed and whether the Assembly’s reorganization timing would shift. Deputy clerk Hirsch said that first-rank data would be available quickly but final ranked outcomes and subsequent winners in multi-seat races would not be available until after the canvass board completes its review; that process could be delayed by several days under existing code, and the timing could compress reorganization tasks but would not prevent the Assembly from meeting after certification.

Ending

The ordinance will be introduced at the June 9 meeting; staff will prepare and later present public outreach plans and sample ballots in advance of full Assembly deliberations and any public hearings.","The Assembly moved ordinance 2025-13 (ranked-choice voting) to the full Assembly for introduction, accepted clerk amendments, and directed staff to design a public educational outreach plan on how ranked-choice voting works locally, including multi-seat cascade rules and result timing.",{"_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},6534286,"Juneau staff recommend transfer station; Assembly approves planning steps and up to $100,000 for operational study",3692,5497000,9189000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633269-6b39659d82f7df31e347d1f74c399c17&start=5497&end=9189","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633269-6b39659d82f7df31e347d1f74c399c17/thumbnail_5497000.jpg","/articles/6534286/Juneau-City-and-Borough/Alaska/Juneau-staff-recommend-transfer-station-Assembly-approves-planning-steps-and-up-to-100000-for-operational-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534286-9034f16c296f1a8013b9c486d0db932d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154729&Signature=RVqkfEoc5EcxfiR~lSItC0OEEf~zOUiVbMdMjavQRjuraTXU869ZkYiX70n5-KuomE6y0~rAg2XIii2bx9nmFiUhbpvLfK3JHGCe8vnBRUAxaRmMsimF2eTjflwpjYFO5N6Lnu~lYDOnSnPHI2ZMd~HuIzeStolehWFycOW3iSLrmQ~WhZRpx7AOkL-demZ-WYq1RPgrBj2V09pRKrSR~kID4FC2gWhoJp2cz4naVbANOF2LsRlKY7wqC7OqHGL2qiS6TQH5dnAuPc4Prz0oVvxfAGHOzexb6tiIobjWTdnlrSi27EEVJNFjxX~k9XQcEZleaLn6FFHfbL7BjZkVzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Juneau staff and consultant Jacobs presented a high-level feasibility and capital-cost study on June 2 exploring three broad solid-waste disposal scenarios: a new local landfill, off-site shipment via a transfer station, and a waste-to-energy facility. The Assembly directed staff to include a transfer station with room for growth at the proposed Lemon Creek “0-waste campus” and approved up to $100,000 from a CIP account to fund additional operational cost analysis.

Tara (Jacobs) summarized key findings: a transfer facility is a common component of all scenarios and would act as an interim solution while the borough evaluates long-term disposal options and helps handle surges in volume (tourism or disaster debris). Jacobs estimated a smaller transfer facility (9,000–13,000 sq ft) would have capital costs of roughly $9 million–$20 million; a larger facility designed to hold 7–14 days of material while awaiting barge service was estimated at $14 million–$40 million.

Jacobs also provided order-of-magnitude costs for other disposal options: a 50-year landfill was estimated at $50 million–$162 million (with a 100-year option roughly double that), and a small waste-to-energy plant sized to process roughly 30,000 tons per year was estimated around $90 million. Jacobs cautioned that waste-to-energy plants typically require much larger waste streams to be cost-effective and that Juneau’s nearly 100 tons per day is small compared with typical U.S. projects.

Why it matters: the privately owned Waste Management landfill serving Juneau has limited remaining lifespan. Staff said the borough has little direct control now over hours, rates or materials accepted at the private landfill; establishing a transfer station or other municipal capacity would provide CBJ more control over diversion, materials handling and contingency management.

Assembly direction and funding

Assemblymember Kelly moved for and the Assembly approved a direction to Engineering and Public Works to include a transfer station with possible growth in the 0-waste campus planning footprint in Lower Lemon Creek.

Mayor Weldon then moved and the Assembly approved directing staff to use up to $100,000 from a CIP line (0-way CIP D12-103) for a high-level solid-waste facility operational cost study to refine operational costs, shipping rates and funding models. Several members said the follow-up study should include resident cost impacts and environmental footprint estimates.

Consultant recommendations and next steps

Jacobs recommended the borough: (1) consider building a transfer facility at the Lemon Creek site as an early, flexible step in any scenario; (2) engage shipping partners and prospective off-site landfills to get operational cost estimates; and (3) pursue deeper cost and lifecycle studies for 1–2 preferred scenarios once the Assembly selects a level of municipal control. Jacobs underscored that capital estimates are preliminary and that the borough should pursue vendor and partner discussions, permitting and public engagement in the next phase.

Ending

Staff will return with an operational-cost analysis funded by the approved CIP allocation, more detailed permitting and siting work for the Lemon Creek site and follow-up public engagement. No final procurement, ownership model or construction funding was approved at this meeting.","A Jacobs feasibility study presented three broad solid-waste scenarios for Juneau. The Assembly directed staff to include a transfer station in Lemon Creek planning and approved up to $100,000 from CIP for additional operational cost analysis and outreach.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6534291,"Juneau assembly directs staff to develop LID concepts for Haskellberry phase 1b; service-area planning also advanced",3038,196000,3234000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3633269-6b39659d82f7df31e347d1f74c399c17&start=196&end=3234","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3633269-6b39659d82f7df31e347d1f74c399c17/thumbnail_196000.jpg","/articles/6534291/Juneau-City-and-Borough/Alaska/Juneau-assembly-directs-staff-to-develop-LID-concepts-for-Haskellberry-phase-1b-service-area-planning-also-advanced","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6534291-3ba239efea371df81534cbdeabd50a72/orig.mp4?Expires=1771154729&Signature=mGzd8x1Y~MdevD~KneXwXyidme~qRFfwvFqED31JeuL3Xc8hiTC24VvfdCEkw1VLB4OyG9wYqwlUHUbMOkK0EWq9C16~~fOW6-ltL1KVHcJ6~nqPVjiloB~hlodQO2dyLayJSOTXSf8JNHyxxauCgf1xS~qQCQSK9cmFvhQ5B7tOdOyE8KYv~uzcSNvxlTdEPu3nNYuI6bIkE1udxAfsXah2ziLO12OlYLt0QIkw3nORy2oIUP9kISZlZJMob~ERyx7eMHUg8xoLSatlzh-FSR~99vT-048gsn85C8BcjhcEGiV9rZhF8YUSf~DGmhQ0wV55G-FeE1B14HR0j1PXQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Juneau City and Borough Assembly on June 2 directed staff to develop Local Improvement District (LID) concepts for phase 1b of the Haskellberry HESCO barrier project and to continue developing concepts for a long-term service area to fund flood mitigation work.

Manager Custer, who presented the staff memo, told the committee phase 1a — a near-complete HESCO barrier project — protected substantial public property and that extending barriers through phase 1b would protect an additional 96 parcels (about 90 housing units) but raises technical, ownership and cost questions. \"Extending that we don't have time to do any armoring there, and it needs about $1,400,000 of armoring along that bank,\" Custer said, adding the unarmored riverbank raises the risk of failure in a catastrophic event.

The memo and committee discussion laid out trade-offs: the continuous HESCO line is the most effective short-term flood fight, but armoring the riverbank to protect the barriers is costly and involves parcels owned by ADOT and private entities that aren’t uniformly receptive to armoring. Staff told the committee they had contacted every property owner along the proposed 1b route; all except Riverview Senior Living consented to placement of HESCO barriers on their property.

Why it matters: the Assembly is weighing near-term flood-fighting steps against longer-term, higher-cost solutions. Staff estimates put phase 1 HESCO work (1a and related operations) in the low millions, continuing 1b as HESCO-only at roughly $850,000, armoring for 1b at about $1.4 million, and a full phase 2 long-term armoring solution at roughly $17 million — a combined rough estimate of about $23.5 million for phases 1 and 2 in earlier staff materials.

Discussion and staff response

Committee members pressed staff about neighborhood-specific impacts. Custer said 1a, at 17 feet, protects many parcels but at an 18-foot event the continuous 1a line diverts flow and would adversely impact nine homes on Meadow Lane; staff proposed deployable \"super-sack\" sandbag barriers across a trail to mitigate that localized flow in high-release events and said DOT had granted temporary placement permission.

View Drive, a low-lying cluster of roughly 20 private homes (22 parcels including two CBJ-owned vacant parcels), drew sustained attention. Staff said some View Drive homes have flooded repeatedly in smaller releases and that two homes sit inside the defined floodway, which triggers more stringent permitting. Army Corps of Engineers personnel have been asked to perform a feasibility analysis for View Drive; staff also said they had petitioned the Natural Resources Conservation Service for program assistance, including buyout options.

On Corps assistance: staff reported the Corps has provided HESCO barriers and technical assistance to date but signaled limits. \"They are still providing technical assistance for the long term solution, but there may be restrictions on additional free HESCO supply and flood-fighting support above the historical event,\" Custer said, noting that if the Corps declines to provide barriers the city could procure them at municipal expense.

Assembly actions

- Moved by Mayor Weldon, the Assembly voted to \"direct staff to further develop concepts and an LID for phase 1b aiming for construction next season.\" The motion passed after some objections and discussion about timing and fairness of cost allocation.

- The Assembly also voted to \"direct staff to continue developing concepts of a service area for the long-term solution,\" a non-financial direction to explore a special tax district or similar mechanism to fund future mitigation work.

What was not decided

The Assembly did not adopt any funding commitment for armoring or construction at the June 2 meeting. Staff told members they could pursue armoring this season only if permitting and contractor availability allowed, but staff later clarified they do not have permitting time this season to complete armoring for 1b. Staff said an LID cannot be applied retroactively to improvements already installed, which complicates assessments for work already completed.

Ending

Staff will return with more refined cost models, public outreach results, and ordinance language if the Assembly wants an LID or special tax district on a future ballot. Meanwhile the Assembly directed further study of phase 1b and service-area concepts while continuing work on broader phase-2 options and View Drive feasibility assessments.","The Juneau City and Borough Assembly directed staff to develop Local Improvement District (LID) concepts for the Haskellberry phase 1b HESCO barrier installation and to continue developing a long-term service-area approach for flood mitigation after staff outlined costs, risks and site-specific impacts including Meadow Lane and View Drive.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Assembly authorizes staff to prepare ordinance for up to $50,000 for public information on potential ballot measures

Assembly advances ranked-choice voting ordinance to full Assembly; staff to run public education

Juneau staff recommend transfer station; Assembly approves planning steps and up to $100,000 for operational study

Juneau assembly directs staff to develop LID concepts for Haskellberry phase 1b; service-area planning also advanced