Docks and Harbors approves 1.8% moorage increase

Moorage rates will see a small increase next year on all city-owned Juneau docks.

The Docks and Harbors board approved a 1.8 percent increase, which it evaluates every year. The rate increase is slotted to occur every year, and technically the board doesn’t have to approve the increase.

“When we passed the rate restructuring several years ago and the Assembly sent it back, it turned it into a three year phase in,” said board chairman Jim Preston. “In part, the (Consumer Price Index) rate is adjusted annually and the board would take a look at that, whether or not that would be approved. If there is no action taken, an automatic increase would happen.”

The rate increase is adjusted on the Anchorage Consumer Price Index as reported by the Alaska Department of Labor. This increase only affects moorage per foot, no other fees.

So, on a 27-foot boat in a downtown harbor, a person pays $1,200.42 this year; next year they will pay $1,215.81.

For the same size boat in Auke Bay harbors, a person pays $2,000.70 this year; next year they will pay $2,031.48.

In other business, the board approved summer moorage promotions for the downtown harbors. It authorized Port Director John Stone to promote a buy two months, get one free and 5 percent discount on moorage plus two one-day permits to use a city launch ramp in May or June with three months moorage purchase. Other conditions apply.

“This is to encourage use of moorage space that would otherwise go unused,” said board member Eric Kueffner.

The board also approved a $7,900 contract with NorthWind Architects for office building programming for the proposed Bridge Park building.

The proposal includes working with Docks and Harbors, the Parks and Recreation Committee and city engineering to design public and city spaces inside the new building and what programs it will offer. Part of it will examine Docks and Harbors office needs, other tenant space allocations and public areas — including lobby services, elevator and rest rooms. It will also address parking requirements and site adjacencies. The final report would include a conceptual design.