A draft City and Borough of Juneau Assembly decision sides with the Planning Commission’s decision to approve the 16B cruise ship dock project.
The Docks and Harbors project would build two new cruise docks downtown near Fisherman’s Memorial and Taku Fisheries Dock. The dock would accommodate larger panamax cruise ships.
The Planning Commission approved permitting for the project in Juneau. Arthur and Linnea Osborne co-owners of the Mongoose fishing vessel appealed the commission’s decision shortly after. Osborne was joined in the appeal by the Alaska Commercial Fisherman’s Memorial in Juneau.
Linnea Osborne has testified that the dock would not allow safe maneuvering around the Taku Fisheries dock for fishing vessels. She said the city could have picked a better option.
The Planning Commission’s decision was upheld in an appeal hearing. The Assembly then took up the issue in executive session in November. They asked a lawyer to write up their decision. The Assembly discussed a draft version of its decision in executive session Monday. An executive session was called due to the nature of the topic. Assembly members decided it could reveal sensitive information about CBJ finances.
No decision was announced by press time.
Comments (9)
Add commentShouldn't city finances be
Shouldn't city finances be public information?
?
Who is paying for 16B and how? Hopefully the voters will get a say in this matter; and even more, hopefully the funding will fall through. Do not obligate for something not wanted or needed.
@haineschris
When I was gathering information about the specifics of things going on around Juneau I also learned about 16B. From what I was told, the cruise industry is going to pay for this project; and that is why they are voicing their opinion against it.
However, I am curious why CBJ finances are mentioned in the article. Even the representative from the cruiseship industry that I spoke with said the whole project would be paid for by the industry; via head tax, etc. So I think that it is true, but now it seems I do not have a piece of the puzzle.
Fishermen's Memorial
I was also under the impression that there were no plans to remove, place elsewhere, or obstruct the Fishermen's Memorial. The Assembly thought it too important to the community to not disrupt this memorial. Since their committee was there to protest, I hope that this remains true.
Why spend all that money on
Why spend all that money on something that is not needed or wanted - something to do?
The Cruise Industry's "dime"
Having members of the cruise industry claim money from the head tax their customers pay is no more ethical than the owner of PP's Douglas Inn keeping and spending the CBJ tax money he collected from his customers. I think it's very telling if anyone in the cruise industry is claiming that that money belongs to them, or that they are funding the 16B construction. It's tax money.
My understanding is that the cruise industry does not want to have to pay the city moorage to tie up to a city dock. They prefer their own private docks. Fine. Unless they decide to build a new dock. Maybe they want the city to make improvements to "their" docks with the head tax income.
I don't want a new dock there. People claim they see no need for it. Fine. Even if the need presents itself, I don't want it. I think a million-odd passengers per year is enough.
All meeting are supposed to
All meeting are supposed to open to the public and the public is supposed to have an opportunity to be heard. It is our right to speak up to be heard. This is a "Home Rule" municipality.
However:
Section 3.12 Meetings:
(d) "the assembly may recess a meeting or proceeding for the purpose of discussing in a closed or executive session any matter the immediate knowledge of which would adversely affect the finances of the municipality or would defame or prejudice the character or reputation of any person, provided that the general subject matter for consideration is expressed in the motion calling for such session, and that action thereon shall not be taken by the assembly in executive session. The mere disussion of persons or finances SHALL NOT be cause for an executive session. An assemblymember who calls for an executive session in violation of the provisions of this section shall be deemed to have acted in violation of this Charter.
http://www.juneau.org/law/charter/documents/charter.pdf
It is up to the public to hold our elected officials accountable and responsible
Update
The assembly wrapped up its executive session Monday at around 9:50 p.m. Members asked legal council to finalize their draft decision. A final draft is expected by Jan. 7.
@sheqelim
Usually what you are saying would be correct. However, the head tax collected from cruise ship passengers can only legally be spent back into the industry; i.e. improving sidewalks, the docks, etc. The Assembly's hands are tied on that one.