Finance Committee backs up to $660,000 in rock-safety work, flags budget amendment

The Skagway Municipality Finance Committee recommended proceeding with two related rock-safety contracts: a Rock Supremacy rock-repair proposal with a not-to-exceed amount of $534,760 and a Shannon & Wilson geotechnical services contract for $125,207 to provide construction observation and instrumentation maintenance.

Manager Deetsch explained Rock Supremacy’s bid is variable and day-rate based because actual work hours on the slope will depend on field conditions. Using the vendor’s maximum-day estimates—15 days for combined scaling ($138,000), up to 26 days for the lower attenuator (not to exceed $239,200), and crane support estimated at $96,435—staff presented a maximum combined cost of $534,760. Deetsch said port contractual funds exist (approximately $575,000) but the capital projects budget for the item is $450,000, so pursuing the high-end estimate would require a budget amendment.

Shannon & Wilson’s proposal includes construction observation while Rock Supremacy works and maintenance/replacement for monitoring instrumentation (including a failing power pack on a TEMSCO building sensor). Staff presented Shannon & Wilson’s total as $125,207 and said that expense could be taken from port contractual funds or included in a future budget amendment.

Assembly members discussed the technical skill of the Rock Supremacy crew and the likelihood that actual days could be fewer, which would lower the total cost. Deb Hanson moved to recommend both proposals to the assembly and the committee approved them by voice vote. Staff said that if approved by the assembly, the municipality would process any needed budget amendment and proceed with mobilization so work could be completed before the season.