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PHAC debates Letnikov Dock repair, Turnagain contract cancellation and funding options
Summary
Committee members and the public discussed the assembly's cancellation of a Turnagain Marine contract for Letnikov Dock, a recent sinkhole repair, concerns about steel fabrication, questions over ownership of Turnagain designs, and public appeals to pursue cruise-related and other funding for harbor projects.
At its Oct. 23 meeting, the Ports and Harbor Advisory Committee reviewed recent developments around Letnikov Dock repair work and the borough's cancelled contract with Turnagain Marine, heard public frustration over the contract's handling, and discussed funding and safety items tied to the harbor capital list.
Staff told the committee that the borough assembly passed a resolution to cancel the Turnagain Marine contract for convenience and that staff would provide assembly meeting materials and seek direction at the upcoming assembly meeting. Documents related to the assembly meeting were to be published the same day.
Several attendees criticized the decision to cancel the contract and the way the project has been handled. One attendee said Turnagain Marine is a highly regarded engineering firm and that the borough had been "embarrassed" by pulling the contract; another urged the borough to pursue available funding rather than restart design work. Those comments reflected frustration that repair work was delayed despite funds having been available earlier in the process.
Staff also reported a sinkhole near the dock that was excavated and filled; the area was poured and made safe for personnel. Staff and committee members said they planned a boat inspection of the dock face to assess conditions and would share findings with the assembly.
Committee members raised technical concerns about materials and fabrication. One member asked whether the steel ordered for piles had been fabricated in the same batch associated with weld failures at a Skagway job, saying that prior fabrication problems had caused structural failures elsewhere and that inspection and specification of steel should be explicit if steel piles are used again.
A member of the public asked whether a finance department memo had concluded that the PC Floating Dock would be a substantial financial stretch for the borough and whether design work previously paid for (Turnagain's designs) was now borough property and could be reused; staff said the assembly meeting packet was the right venue to clarify ownership and funding details.
Public commenters urged the committee and borough staff to pursue cruise-ship-related grant funding and other sources rather than assume projects would not qualify; staff said the assembly meeting would include related documents and public comment would be welcome at that meeting.
The meeting closed with committee comments, including an announced resignation from a long-serving member, and scheduling the next PHAC meeting for Nov. 26 at 10:30 a.m.
Next procedural step: staff will publish assembly packet materials and the assembly will consider further direction on the Letnikov Dock contract and possible reuse of prior design work.
