Submitted By:

________________________

Duncan Rorie Watt

City and Borough Manager

This ordinance would appropriate $5,900,000 as partial funding for CBJ’s required debt service in FY21. This subsidy is necessary as a result of the State of Alaska reimbursing 0% of the current fiscal year’s school construction bond debt, as the current debt service mill rate does not generate sufficient revenue to cover CBJ’s FY21 debt obligations.

Funding for this request is provided by the General Fund’s Fund Balance.

The City Manager recommends the Assembly introduce this ordinance and set it for public hearing at the next Assembly meeting.

This ordinance would increase the easement application fee from $15 to $100 and adjust the easement valuation standard to fair market value as determined by the Manager. If the Manager, or designee, is unable to determine the fair market value, the applicant would still be required to pay for an appraisal. These amendments were proposed because the existing appraisal requirements discourage easements when the cost of the appraisal exceeds the cost of the easement.

The Lands Committee reviewed this ordinance on November 9 and recommended it be introduced at the next regular Assembly meeting.

This ordinance would enable the CBJ to regain title of the Hurlock property at no cost to the CBJ. Upon the CBJ receiving title to the Hurlock property three notable things occur: (1) the CBJ would retain the $35,000 down payment paid by Alaska Legacy Partners, (2) the debt owed to the CBJ by Alaska Legacy Partners would be extinguished, and (3) the senior assisted living facility condition on Ordinance 2018-42 would terminate. 

The Committee of the Whole reviewed this topic on November 9, 2020, and recommended the Assembly introduce this ordinance.

Upon regaining title to the Hurlock property, this ordinance would enable the CBJ to lease the property to Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority for less than fair market value for youth services. While this ordinance would authorize a lease for $100 per year, this ordinance does not require or suggest that the CBJ would provide other financial support; Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority would be required to improve, operate, and maintain the property at its own expense.

The Committee of the Whole reviewed this topic on November 9, 2020, and recommended the Assembly introduce this ordinance.

The City Manager recommends the Assembly introduce this ordinance and set it for public hearing at the next regular Assembly meeting.

Project ideas were solicited from the community for a grant from the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program administered in Alaska by the State Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (DCCED).   Grant proposals must be sponsored by a local government and sent to DCCED by December 4, 2020, where the proposals will be reviewed and compete against each other on a statewide basis.  A local government has the choice of generating its own project ideas or soliciting ideas from the general public.  CBJ has successfully used this method in the past.  This year we received one proposal from the Glory Hall. Staff’s recommendation is to apply on behalf of the Glory Hall.

The Assembly Committee of the Whole reviewed the proposal at its meeting on November 9, 2020, and made a recommendation to the Assembly to support the Glory Hall application and submit a Community Development Block Grant application to the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development.

The Glory Hall proposes to use CDBG funds to construct a new emergency shelter for low to moderate income individuals, especially those experiencing homelessness or extreme disability.

The 2020 Juneau Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan is an update to the 2015 Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan and successfully meets all federal requirements in order for Juneau’s transportation providers for seniors, people with disabilities, and people from low-income households to qualify for federal funding administered by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.

The 2020 plan describes current ‘coordinated human services’ and the organizations that operate these services; provides an analysis of Juneau’s senior, disabled and low-income population; describes the process followed to gather information on current barriers to services and identifies some potential strategies to overcome these barriers. The plan finishes by identifying top priority projects to tackle some of the issues identified. These were voted on by participating agencies and ranked in order of priority.  This plan is an operational guide to improve coordinated services in Juneau.

The health and safety of our community remains priority one.  This resolution would extend the existing local emergency declaration enacted with Res. 2884. 

A local emergency declaration allows CBJ access to state and federal resources to help Bartlett Regional Hospital, Capital City Fire and Rescue, and the Juneau Police Department. A local emergency declaration opens financial support and reimbursement options to aid businesses and local government in addressing COVID-19.

The Committee of the Whole reviewed and approved this resolution at its meeting on November 9, 2020, and moved it to the Assembly.

This resolution amends the Assembly Rules of Procedure adopted by Resolution 2887(am) which will expire on November 24, 2020. This resolution would continue to allow telephonic participation by members of  the CBJ Assembly, boards, and committees.  It also provides reasonable COVID-19 prevention and mitigation measures by encouraging the public to participate remotely and submit comments in writing.  This resolution, if adopted, will expire on May 11, 2021.

This resolution recommends full funding for the State of Alaska Department of Transportation’s Harbor Facility Grant Program. CBJ has been a beneficiary of approximately $11 million in harbor grant funding since the program’s inception. Most recently, CBJ has received a $125K grant for zinc anode installation at Harris Harbor, which is planned for construction this winter.

Docks & Harbors has submitted an application this year for $2M for the next phase of Aurora Harbor. The City & Borough of Juneau along with the municipalities of the City and Borough of Sitka, the City of Cordova, the City of Seward and the City of Sand Point are poised to contribute $14,049,988 in local match funding for FY2022 towards five harbor projects of significant importance for Alaska. The Docks & Harbors Board reviewed this resolution at its regular board meeting on October 29, and has recommended forwarding it to the full Assembly for approval.

At its November 2, 2020, meeting, the Assembly Finance Committee heard an update from the administrator of CBJ’s Non-Profit Sustainability Grant Program. The Committee requested that staff work with the grant administrator to draft an amendment to the program to allow the grant administrator to proportionately distribute remaining funds to the eligible applicants. This resolution amends the COVID-19 Nonprofit Sustainability Grant Program to accomplish the supplemental distribution of funds. This resolution would not change the total amount appropriated with Ordinance 2020-36.

The City Manager recommends the Assembly adopt this resolution.

The Assembly created the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Grant Program with Emergency Appropriation Resolution 2912 (Oct. 1, 2020). That program appropriated $3M for individual grants of up to $1500 for rent or mortgage and $500 for utilities. After receiving feedback from the grant administrator that the $3M appropriation is sufficient, the grant administrator also identified that there is substantially more financial need from the existing eligible grant recipients. This resolution would increase the eligible grants from $1500 to $2500 for rent or mortgage, in addition to the $500 provided for utilities.

The Assembly Finance Committee reviewed this resolution at its meeting on November 10, 2020, and recommended the Assembly adopt this resolution at its next regular meeting.

This ordinance would authorize a $1.5 million grant to Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) to construct the Sealaska Heritage Arts Campus. Located downtown, the campus would serve as an attraction for both locals and tourists. The arts campus is the second phase of SHI’s vision to make Juneau the Northwest Coast arts capital of the world.

The full cost of the project is estimated at $13 million. Of this amount, nearly $11 million has been raised from over 1,000 individuals, businesses, and corporations. Additional anticipated support from Rasmuson Foundation is pending. If approved, funding for this project would be provided from the General Fund’s fund balance.

This request was reviewed by the Assembly Finance Committee as a pending list item during the FY21 budget process. Due to CBJ’s financial position at the time, SHI chose to withdraw the request in hopes that the Assembly may support future petitions for funding. The Assembly Finance Committee reviewed this request again at the September 2 and September 30, 2020, meetings, and moved the ordinance to the full Assembly for introduction and public hearing.

The City Manager recommends the Assembly adopt this ordinance.

This ordinance appropriates $2,300,000 of CARES Act funding for a grant program to provide additional financial support to businesses that lost more than 50% of their revenue as a result of COVID-19. Grant awards are intended to offset eligible business expenses from November 1 through December 30, 2020. This program supplements the COVID-19 Business Sustainability Grant Program, and will be administered by the Juneau Economic Development Council.

The Assembly Finance Committee reviewed this request at its November 10, 2020 meeting.

This ordinance appropriates $2,000,000 of CARES Act funding for a financial assistance program for individuals residing in Juneau who have been financially harmed by COVID-19. These assistance payments are intended to assist individuals in paying for food, healthcare, nondiscretionary transportation, utilities, and housing from March 1 through December 30, 2020.

The Assembly Finance Committee reviewed this request at its November 10, 2020 meeting.

This emergency appropriation resolution would authorize an additional $30,000 for the Juneau ArtWorks Grant Program. The program was initially appropriated $300,000 for the purpose of supporting artists who have been substantially negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. After applications were received, it was determined that an additional appropriation was needed in order to fund all eligible awards.

This request would be funded by the CARES Act Special Revenue Fund.

The Assembly Finance Committee reviewed this request at the November 10, 2020 meeting.

The City Manager recommends the Assembly adopt this emergency resolution.

The Eagles Edge Homeowners Association has offered to donate a 9,000 square foot lot located in Lemon Creek to the City along with $100,000 to fund upgrades to the park.  In 2012 voters approved $250,000 in temporary sales tax funding for the planning and construction of a neighborhood park in Lemon Creek. This funding is still available for this use and will be utilized for improvements to the park to meet the CBJ standards of safety including ADA accessibility and fall protection. 

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee reviewed this donation request at its March 3, 2020, meeting and provided a motion of support.  The Lands and Resources Committee reviewed this request at its June 1, 2020 meeting and passed a motion of support to the Assembly for the acquisition by donation.

This ordinance would appropriate $100,000 as partial funding for the Lemon Creek Park CIP for park maintenance and upgrades to Lot 16, Block D of the Eagles Edge Subdivision. In 2012, voters approved $250,000 in temporary sales tax funding for the planning and construction of a neighborhood park in Lemon Creek. This appropriation would supplement this preexisting funding to be utilized for improvements to the park to meet CBJ standards of safety including ADA accessibility and fall protection. The adoption of Resolution 2898 would authorize CBJ to acquire this parcel of land for use as a playground.

Funding for this request is provided by donations from the Eagles Edge Homeowners Association.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and the Lands and Resources Committee provided motions of support for this request at the March 3 and June 1, 2020 meetings, respectively.  

The City Manager recommends the Assembly adopt this ordinance.

This ordinance would appropriate $14,858,227 in FAA grant funding to service the Airport’s terminal construction revenue bond debt obligation. Revenue bonds were issued to fund construction costs at the commencement of the project, as federal funding was not available at that time. It was the intent to service the bond debt with Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) revenue. FAA has now awarded two AIP grants for this purpose. The funds appropriated with this ordinance will be reserved to repay the revenue bond debt associated with the capital improvement project. Matching funds are provided by PFC revenue in the amount of $534,055, which has been previously appropriated with Ordinance 2019-06(G).

The Airport Board approved this request at its October 8, 2020 meeting. The Assembly Finance Committee and the Public Works & Facilities Committee reviewed this request at the November 4, 2020 and November 9, 2020 meetings, respectively. 

The City Manager recommends the Assembly adopt this ordinance.

The Juneau Police Department has been awarded $31,047 in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice for various training opportunities.

The JPD leadership team has identified the following training opportunities to apply this funding to in FY21: property and evidence management, continuing education for polygraph examiners, missing persons, cultural sensitivity, developing standard operating procedures, crimes stats and National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), Writing NIBRS reports, NIBRS specialized reporting, retention and destruction for evidence and records, and managing police records and redaction.

No local match is required for this grant.

The City Manager recommends the Assembly adopt this ordinance.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT) has requested CBJ move the generator building at the Gruening Park Sewer Pump Station on Glacier Highway, across from Renninger Drive. ADOT has identified the building to be in conflict with their new roadway construction plans and has agreed to reimburse the CBJ for the costs to relocate the building out of the right-of-way and on an ADOT provided parcel of land. The construction project for the relocation of the generator building and renovation of the sewer pump station will be a component of the Glacier Highway Sewer – Anka to Walmart CIP, and is ready to advertise for construction bids with the intention of completing the work ahead of ADOT’s project, which is scheduled to begin next summer.

The Public Works and Facilities Committee reviewed this request at its September 14, 2020, meeting and forwarded it to the full Assembly for approval.

The City Manager recommends the Assembly adopt this ordinance.

This ordinance would appropriate $160,500 for Eaglecrest’s FY21 supplemental operating costs, estimated to be spent in the following categories:

This supplemental funding would enable Eaglecrest to operate the winter season in compliance with the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) industry best practices developed in accordance with CDC and WHO COVID-19 health guidelines. Operating in compliance with the NSAA best practices will require Eaglecrest to run the Black Bear chair for more days during the season to accommodate social distancing on the mountain, requiring additional personnel to operate the lift and perform more ski patrols. This request also includes propane costs for heated outdoor seating to accommodate social distancing after December 30.

Funding for this request would be provided by the General Fund’s fund balance.

The Assembly Finance Committee reviewed this request at its September 30, 2020 meeting.

The City Manager recommends the Assembly adopt this ordinance.

This ordinance would appropriate $73,100 for Eaglecrest’s FY21 supplemental operating costs, estimated to be spent in the following categories:

This supplemental funding would enable Eaglecrest to operate the winter season in compliance with the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) industry best practices developed in accordance with CDC and WHO COVID-19 health guidelines. The request for equipment would fund the purchase of tents, tables, and propane heaters for socially-distant outdoor seating, as well as two WeatherPort ski patrol shelters to ensure the safety and health of ski patrollers. This request also includes propane costs for the outdoor seating area prior to December 30.

Funding for this request would be provided by the CARES Act Special Revenue Fund.

The Assembly Finance Committee reviewed this request at its September 30, 2020 meeting.

The City Manager recommends the Assembly adopt this ordinance.

This ordinance would authorize a $300,000 grant to Family Promise of Juneau to purchase a building to support vulnerable families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Family Promise’s current day center is housed at Chapel by the Lake, in conjunction with their family sheltering space. The purchase of a building would allow the organization to move their day center to an independent location to free up space for sheltering at Chapel by the Lake, while maintaining a stable facility with staff offices to continue providing social service and case management support for children and families experiencing homelessness.

Funding for this grant is provided by the CARES Act Special Revenue Fund.

The Assembly Finance Committee reviewed this request at its November 10, 2020 meeting. 

The City Manager recommends the Assembly adopt this ordinance.

Given the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic, the Alaska Committee is investigating ways to support the Alaska State Legislature during its 2021 legislative session. This grant will enable the Alaska Committee to coordinate and support all aspects of the Capital City’s public accommodations required by visiting legislators and staff.

Funding for this request is provided by the General Fund’s Fund Balance.

The Assembly Finance Committee reviewed this request at its November 4, 2020 meeting.

The City Manager recommends the Assembly adopt this ordinance.

This ordinance would enable the CBJ to regain title of the Hurlock property at no cost to the CBJ, and then lease the property to Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority for less than fair market value for youth services. Upon the CBJ receiving title to the Hurlock property three notable things occur: (1) the CBJ would retain the $35,000 down payment paid by Alaska Legacy Partners, (2) the debt owed to the CBJ by Alaska Legacy Partners would be extinguished, and (3) the senior assisted living facility condition on Ordinance 2018-42 would terminate.

The Assembly Committee of the Whole discussed this item on November 9, 2020, and recommended splitting this ordinance into two separate ordinances (Ord. 2020-57 and 2020-58). Those ordinances were set for introduction tonight.

The City Manager recommends the Assembly permanently postpone discussion of this specific ordinance by moving to lay Ordinance 2020-53 on the table. Such action would allow the Assembly to consider Ordinances 2020-57 and 2020-58 at a later meeting.

The CBJ has regulations governing onsite wastewater treatment and disposal systems at 03 CBJAC 41. This regulation would amend who can service the systems and how much the CBJ Public Works department charges for inspections and maintenance, if any. This draft regulation was posted for formal public comment between October 5-26, 2020. No public comments have been received.

The Assembly’s review is guided by CBJC 01.60.260. Notably, the Assembly cannot amend the regulations tonight. However, the Assembly may do one of the following:

1. Not take up consideration of the regulations by moving the regulations with orders of the day, which means the regulations are approved;

2. Discuss the regulations and move to adopt the regulations;

3. Discuss the regulations and direct the Manager to consider reasons to review the regulations again; or

4. Direct the Attorney to prepare an ordinance or resolution for consideration of the substance of the regulations.

This appeal relates to a Planning Commission decision granting a conditional use permit for transitional housing at 6205 Alaway Avenue (Lemon Creek/Midtown) for the Central Council of the Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. The Assembly accepted this appeal and appointed Mr. Bryson as the Presiding Officer. The parties met for a prehearing conference. The hearing date is currently set for 5:30 p.m. via Zoom on March 8, 2021.

On May 13, 2020, the CBJ Planning Commission granted a conditional use permit to the Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) for an arts campus building and plaza. SHI timely filed an appeal of that Planning Commission decision. On June 8, 2020, the Assembly accepted the appeal and assigned it to a hearing officer. Just after that Assembly meeting, SHI and the Planning Commission filed a joint request that the Assembly stay the appeal by not taking any action though December 15, 2020, to see if there was any chance for SHI to resolve this without an appeal. After consultation with the City Attorney, the Mayor granted that request.

The parties appear to have made progress and are requesting the Assembly stay the appeal for another four months for SHI to gather more information and publicly present something to the Planning Commission.

The City Attorney recommends the Assembly grant this second continuance.