Juneau assembly approves package of transfers and appropriations, including $3.0M for Marine Park improvements

The City and Borough of Juneau assembly adopted a slate of ordinances and resolutions covering capital transfers, appropriations and housekeeping code changes, including a $3.0 million transfer to the Marine Park improvements project and multiple appropriations for shelter operations, public-employee retirement and contract wage adjustments.

Ordinance 2025-01bE: The assembly approved a transfer of state marine passenger-fee funds to the Marine Park improvement CIP. Staff explained the full project estimate is approximately $10,000,000 and that the appropriation in the ordinance title had been reduced from $3,500,000 to $3,000,000. Deputy Director Varelli said the higher cost reflects stage construction over water and associated structural work. After limited debate focused on project cost and phasing, the assembly voted 5-4 to adopt the ordinance (ayes: Hughes Scandies, Adkisson, Steininger, Kelly, Deputy Mayor Smith; nays: Wall, Hall, Brooks, Mayor).

Consent-package items and other ordinances: By unanimous consent or without recorded objection the assembly adopted several items including: a $5,000,000 transfer from the Capital Civic Center CIP to Hesco barrier CIPs for additional phases and maintenance; an appropriation of $762,900 (hospital funds) to renovate the Saint Vincent de Paul Teal Street facility to support the Capital City Fire and Rescue sobering center (staff said Bartlett Regional Hospital approved funding for renovations); an ordinance codifying timelines for employee reports of outside employment; a state-funded PERS backfill appropriation of approximately $4.26 million; a $125,000 appropriation for cold-weather emergency shelter operations (additional personnel costs explained); a $1,857,300 appropriation for FY2026 wage adjustments for MEBA and unrepresented employees; $15,000 for architecture work on a departure-lounge ADA elevator (airport capital reserve); $25,000 for preliminary air-traffic-control-tower design work (airport capital reserve); and an ordinance designating a non-departmental code office for capital projects and debt service. Several members declared potential conflicts of interest for items involving Saint Vincent de Paul but did not recuse.

How the votes fell: The only recorded roll-call vote in open session was the Marine Park transfer (5-4). All other items were adopted by unanimous consent or without recorded objection as part of the consent agenda.

Next steps and context: Manager and staff said sufficient funds will remain in the waterfront CIP for anticipated work; staff recommended adoption on grounds that passenger fees are an eligible use for Marine Park improvements. The assembly directed staff to continue coordination and to provide details requested by members during committee discussions.