Assembly backs moving Mendenhall Glacier visitor‑center measures to full assembly; $200,000 passenger‑fee support proposed

The Committee of the Whole voted May 5 to advance both an appropriating ordinance and a resolution concerning operations at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center to the full assembly for public hearing and further action.

Manager Andrew Kester and Visitor Industry Director Pierce summarized staff thinking and funding options for keeping the visitor center open and on public lands. Staff briefed the assembly on a concept to use CBJ marine passenger fees to help fund a coordination position — potentially housed at either Tlingit and Haida or Discovery Southeast — to manage volunteer operators and coordinate staffing when U.S. Forest Service capacity is limited. “It’s not … that CBJ funds staffing of the center,” Kester said; the intention is to support partners who already operate at the site.

The assembly discussed a $200,000 figure; Director Pierce told members the passenger‑fee fund balance was about $1.5 million and described the $200,000 figure as conservative, intended as an insurance policy to pay for a coordination position or temporary staffing needs, with the expectation that much would lapse back to the fund balance if unused.

Why it matters: The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center is a high‑profile visitor infrastructure point. The Forest Service is evaluating staffing and resource allocations; the federal delegation asked for local support and a resolution emphasizing continued public management of the recreation area. The assembly’s actions keep options open for CBJ to help preserve public access and basic maintenance while the Forest Service and local operators pursue longer‑term solutions.

Actions taken - Ordinance: Mayor Weldon moved to forward ordinance "2024‑01B AL" (appropriating ordinance as introduced in the packet) to the full assembly for public hearing; the motion passed with no sustained objection. - Resolution: Mayor Weldon moved to forward the new Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area resolution to the full assembly. Assembly Member Wall offered an amendment narrowing the text to focus on the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area rather than broader Tongass National Forest policy; the amendment was adopted and the assembly moved the amended resolution to the full assembly.

Funding context and partners Staff and multiple speakers noted that Discovery Southeast and Tlingit and Haida (program manager Duville attended in person; Discovery Southeast executive director Eiseley was on‑line) have existing operating relationships at the visitor center. Pierce said Discovery Southeast was applying for grants and that USFS was still seeking internal resources; the CBJ proposal would be a short‑term bridge to protect safety, basic maintenance, trail and restroom upkeep and to preserve public ownership.

Speakers highlighted possible tradeoffs: Miss Wall asked what other passenger‑fee projects (SeaWalk, shore power) might be delayed; Pierce said the $200,000 would not endanger current planning for larger projects and described the amount as unlikely to force a large change in long‑term planning. "We do say that remaining funds we would split between, like, the SeaWalk and Shore Power," Pierce said when asked about priorities.

What happens next The ordinance and the amended resolution will proceed to the full assembly for public hearing and final action. Staff said grant applications, federal staffing decisions and negotiations with nonprofit partners are ongoing; the assembly did not appropriate the $200,000 at the Committee of the Whole but left the funding concept available for consideration at the full assembly.

Speakers and organizations referenced below are cited from the meeting transcript.