Skagway civic affairs committee to explore community endowment funded by potential port revenues

On May 6, the Skagway Municipality Civic Affairs Committee discussed Resolution 26-15R, which would direct the city manager to work with legal counsel to evaluate options for a dedicated community endowment to benefit Skagway.

Chair Charity Pomeroy opened the item by summarizing the referral from the assembly and asking the committee to consider language and next steps. Assembly member Deb Potter said the measure is meant to be exploratory and noted attorney Robin Brenna had helped craft a draft and had established a similar fund in Valdez. "He does think it's a good idea, and, yes, he has created one for Valdez," Potter said, describing the proposal as a way to protect a clump of money for community 'good stuff' rather than general sales-tax spending.

Assembly member Dan Henry urged caution in moving too far ahead of concrete agreements with prospective industrial users. Henry laid out several conditions he said the city should insist on before allowing large-scale shipping through the Port of Skagway: limits on truck volumes per hour, defined hours of operation, covered containerized shipments to avoid contamination, and a guaranteed revenue stream to the city. "If you give it legs early on, it will be similar to someone in town 30 years ago building an addition onto the house without a permit but asking for forgiveness later rather than asking for the permit upfront," Henry said, arguing that negotiating those terms should precede tapping any new revenue source.

Committee members discussed distinctions between a PFD-style payout to residents and a designated endowment or infrastructure fund. Potter offered a concrete example of local need, saying a routine clinic consultation generated a $787 bill that residents sometimes cannot afford; she suggested the endowment could fund targeted local aid for medical or mental-health needs that are not covered by existing budgets.

Several members said the group needs clearer, narrower language about the fund's purpose and funding sources. The committee agreed Chair Pomeroy would arrange a working session with City Manager Emily Deitch and attorney Robin Brenna to refine the draft resolution and identify specific options and legal implications. Members did not vote on the resolution itself at the meeting.

The meeting ended after members agreed to the follow-up step. No formal action on Resolution 26-15R was taken at the May 6 civic affairs meeting; the chair will return refined options to the assembly after the manager and counsel have reviewed potential structures and language.