Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Letnikoff Acl topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee endorses Harbor Master to negotiate with American Cruise Lines on Letnikoff LOI
Summary
The advisory committee agreed to support the Harbor Master in negotiations with American Cruise Lines (ACL) after reviewing an ACL Letter of Intent for Letnikoff Harbor; staff noted ACL may increase commitment, assist design costs and the project is eligible for a 50% Tier 1 harbors grant match.
The Ports & Harbors advisory committee voted to endorse the Harbor Master to continue negotiations with American Cruise Lines (ACL) on an LOI related to Letnikoff Harbor development.
"ACL is interested in partnering with us...to bring as many as five of their vessels to Haines for the next few years," Harbor Master Henry Paul told the committee, describing ACL’s offer to increase financial commitment and to pay for necessary design alterations to fit their expedition‑style vessels. Paul said Letnikoff is eligible as a Tier 1 harbors grant project with a 50% match up to $5,000,000 (a full $10,000,000 project) and that the current package of parking, ramp, floats and alternates is estimated at about $8.3 million.
Committee members raised questions about how the facility would affect local commercial fishing and whether in‑kind assets could count toward grant matching. Paul said the areas ACL would use are underutilized and that staff have reached out to Fish and Game and plan further contact with the Coast Guard; he said current information indicates a Coast Guard track line would not be required for the proposed vessel sizes and operations.
A motion to authorize or support the Harbor Master in negotiations with ACL was moved, seconded and carried by voice vote. The committee said it will bring the project to the planning commission for review and continue public transparency as negotiations proceed.
