Juneau, Alaska Development News
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July 13, 2026 Assembly Committee of the Whole Worksession
Published: Jul 13, 2026
Juneau Assembly Committee Reviews Expanded Public Safety MOA with Tlingit and Haida Tribes
The Assembly Committee of the Whole discussed an amendment to a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) and the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Tlingit and Haida) for public safety services. The original MOA in 2024 focused on emergency mitigation and response for glacial lake outburst floods. This amendment expands the scope to include police and fire protection, specifically to cover the newly opened Two Coppers Casino. Tlingit and Haida will compensate the city for these services. The MOA outlines the need for police and fire protection, a separately negotiated compensation amount, and 30-day notice periods for either party to exit the agreement. The Two Coppers Casino is located on sovereign tribal land, outside the city's fire service area, necessitating specific operational protocols to manage resources. The city fire marshall has conducted a walkthrough to provide guidance. Tlingit and Haida has proposed to pay an equivalent of property taxes based on the structure's value, which will be negotiated separately. The agreement emphasizes the shared responsibility as neighbors and citizens for providing these essential services.
Huna Totem Project Update: Revisions to O Landing Development presented to Assembly Committee
The Assembly Committee of the Whole received an update on the Huna Totem project, also known as the O Landing or subport property development. The project has undergone revisions to its uplands plan, resulting in a scaled-down building size of approximately 18,000 square feet, down from a previous approval of up to 50,000 square feet. Parking has been moved to grade from underground, and the project will still include a welcome center, waterfront retail and dining, a cultural center, and a seawalk. The assembly's approval of an amendment to the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) will be required before the lease can be further amended. The estimated project cost for the revised design is $150 million. Key aspects discussed included traffic flow at the Egan and Whittier intersection, which is expected to remain similar to previous studies, year-round usability of certain facilities like the dining and retail spaces and the cultural center, and the navigability study which informed the dock's design. Lease provisions from the assembly's work were summarized, including coordination with the Coast Guard and simulations for vessel compatibility. The primary driver for the design changes was cost, with escalating material costs (like steel) and the challenges of building on tailings contributing to the need for revisions. Future steps include a pre-application meeting with the planning commission and a public hearing, after which the project will return to the assembly for lease amendment approval.
Juneau Assembly Committee Adopts Rules Changes, Rejects Mandatory Public Testimony at Committee Meetings
The Assembly Committee of the Whole considered three proposed changes to the Assembly Rules of Procedure. Attachment A proposed requiring public testimony at all committee meetings, which was ultimately not adopted. Attachment B, which allows for strategic filling of board vacancies, was adopted. Attachment C, a housekeeping resolution amending rules to reflect revised start times and other minor changes, was also adopted. Significant debate occurred around Attachment A, with concerns raised about logistical feasibility, potential for meetings to run over, and whether it was the best way to encourage public engagement. Many members felt that existing avenues for public input were sufficient or that committee meetings should remain focused on work sessions. Other discussions included the comparison of public comment policies in other Alaskan municipalities and the effectiveness of the proposed 10-minute limit per meeting. The failure of Attachment A indicates a consensus that while public input is valued, incorporating formal testimony at committee meetings was not deemed the most effective or practical approach at this time.
Juneau Assembly Committee Advances Two Options for City Hall Disposal
The Assembly Committee of the Whole discussed the disposal of 155 Heritage Way, the current City Hall building. Two primary options were presented: a sealed competitive bid with a minimum of $2.5 million, or a negotiated sale with Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) for $1.5 million. SHI has proposed using the building as an extension of the arts campus, potentially including a city museum. The committee debated the merits of each approach, considering factors like maximizing financial return versus community benefit, year-round use, and the potential for SHI to provide ongoing community programming. The possibility of raising the minimum bid for the sealed competitive bid was discussed, with an amendment proposed to increase it to $5 million, which ultimately failed. Ultimately, the committee decided to move forward with two ordinances to the full assembly: one for a sealed competitive bid with a $2.5 million minimum, and another for a negotiated sale with SHI for $1.5 million. This approach allows the public to weigh in on both options. Mothballing costs for the building were also outlined as an alternative if no sale is achieved.
Burns Building Renovation Update: Extended Lease and Potential Funding Gaps Reported
An update was provided on the Burns Building project cost, noting that bids have not yet been received. The current budget includes $1.3 million in alternates for upgrades such as flooring, ceilings, paint, restroom doors, and mechanical system controls. A significant development is the need for an additional six-month lease with Marine View building, extending the project completion timeline beyond the original end-of-year target. This extended lease will impact the project's contingency funds, drawing from the general fund portion. The city anticipates needing to award the bid on the 27th and may communicate any funding gaps to the assembly then. A potential funding source suggested is the transfer from the lands fund, to be repaid by the sale of City Hall. The manager expressed hope that bids will come in under budget, but acknowledged the possibility of needing to award alternates, questioning whether essential items like ceiling tiles should be considered alternates. The significant increase in rent for the Marine View building due to new ownership was also highlighted.
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The Juneau News archive
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