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

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}}]