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Haines Borough Assembly restores FEMA funds for Porcupine Road appeal, adopts two ordinances
Summary
The Assembly received a manager report noting a restored FEMA award (about $1.4 million for phase 1), heard about a sunken vessel salvage, and voted to adopt two ordinances: FY26 line-item amendments (25-10-722, passed 5–1) and a code amendment on heavy-equipment definitions (25-10-724, adopted unanimously).
Manager Fullerton told the Assembly the borough’s appeal for restoration of FEMA funding for Porcupine (Quarketine) Road phase 1 was granted and staff are working to get approximately $1,400,000 to the Haines Borough. "That was a... welcome Christmas present for the Haines Borough," Fullerton said. She also reported the borough successfully salvaged an 86-foot tender (the Pavlov) after it sank in the harbor and described prompt harbor response and volunteer help.
Fullerton proposed a town-hall discussion in early January with American Cruise Lines (ACL) about a proposal to contribute funding toward replacement floats at Letnikoff Cove, noting ACL had written to the borough and indicated it could provide substantially more than $2,000,000 but that any contribution would carry negotiable conditions. She also described the borough’s eligibility for a Tier 1 state harbor grant (a 50% match program with a state maximum contribution around $5,000,000) and cautioned the Assembly about matching-fund requirements.
On ordinances, the Assembly held a third public hearing for ordinance 25-10-722 (FY26 budget line-item amendments) with no public testimony. Assembly member Thomas moved to adopt; roll call showed the motion passed 5–1 (Assembly member Smith voted No). Later the Assembly held a second public hearing on ordinance 25-10-724 (amending code definitions of heavy equipment to create a smaller-bus category) and adopted it on roll call unanimously. Clerk and finance staff also reported that the new passenger-vessel fee implemented in 2024 generated approximately $590,000 in revenue this past summer for the Port/Chilkoot Dock Enterprise Fund.
Next steps: staff will continue work on FEMA reimbursement; the manager proposed a January town hall on Letnikoff Cove and will bring additional information on matching funds and grant timelines to upcoming meetings.
