Juneau committee backs short-term support for Mendenhall Glacier visitor center operations

The Committee of the Whole voted to advance an appropriating ordinance and a supporting resolution to the full assembly aimed at keeping the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center operating on public lands, while exploring a coordinated staffing model with local partners.

City Manager Andrew Kester summarized staff thinking: the city would not directly staff the visitor center long term but could provide a short-term grant or coordination funds to support either the Central Council of Tlingit & Haida (Tlingit & Haida) or Discovery Southeast — or both — to hire or coordinate employees who would manage volunteer or partner staffing at the site. Visitor industry director Tracey Pierce was in the room for questions; Discovery Southeast’s executive director and a Tlingit & Haida program manager were also present or online.

Pierce told the committee the Marine Passenger Fee fund balance is about $1.5 million and that the $200,000 figure proposed in the ordinance is not “magic” but would allow roughly one full coordinating position and flexibility to respond this summer if staffing shortfalls arise. Pierce said staff expect to lapse much of any unused appropriation back to the passenger fee fund for larger priorities such as shore power and seawall projects.

Assembly members asked whether the $200,000 would jeopardize other long-term passenger-fee projects; Pierce said it would not and that the figure was designed as an insurance policy to avoid a collapse of visitor center services while federal and nonprofit options are worked out. Kester said the delegation (Sen. Murkowski) had requested a resolution in support of keeping the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area publicly managed.

Assemblymember Kelly asked how a city coordinating grant would work; Kester said it would be a typical grant with a memorandum of understanding and standard finance template. Kester reported Tlingit & Haida supports a solution to keep the visitor center open on public land.

Mayor Weldon moved the ordinance to the full assembly for public hearing; the motion was adopted. She later moved a resolution supporting keeping the Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area publicly managed; Assemblymember Wall offered and the committee accepted an amendment that removed a broader reference to the Tongass National Forest and focused the language on the recreation area. The resolution as amended was forwarded to the full assembly.

Ending: The ordinance will proceed to a public hearing at the full assembly; staff will continue to pursue grant opportunities and coordination with nonprofit partners and the U.S. Forest Service.