Monday December15 the Assembly Public Works Committee meets at noon in the City Chambers. One of the items is a proposed increase in water/sewer fees. The proposal is to increase rates by $2.59 per month for 2009 and again for 2010. For details see http://www.juneau.org/clerk/PWFCAGENDA/documents/Utility_Rates.pdf There will also be a presentation for a Downtown bus “circulator.”
The Lands Committee meets Monday at 5pm Several important ongoing issues will be addressed: the proposed West Douglas highway extension, how the Southeast Alaska Land (SEAL) Trust deals with environmental mitigation, and updating of the comprehensive Land Management Plan, including city land disposal proposals in a number of areas including land between Auke Lake and Mendenhall river, unsold Lena point lots and land in Switzer and Lemon Creeks. http://www.juneau.org/clerk/2008-12-15_Lands_Index.htm
An Assembly/Docks and Harbors Board joint committee met December 5 to hear the results of a Juneau Harbor Navigation Study on possible new cruise ship dock options. The study discussed how ships move in and out of the Juneau harbor and where an additional dock would be feasible. The study looked at possible expansion of the current city docks, a dock perpendicular to Merchants Warf and a proposal for a perpendicular dock at Gold Creek. The joint committee will report to the Assembly at some time in the future. We are still struggling with the issue of new ships too big for Steamship Warf, and other ships anchoring in the channel and lightering passengers into town. This has been an ongoing controversial issue.
As most of you know, site work, including blasting, for the downtown transportation center/parking garage has begun. Heavy blasting mats cushion the impact and noise from the surrounding area. More information including a construction webcam are at http://www.juneau.org/engineering/DTC/DTC.php
Other ongoing city projects include sewers on North Douglas and north of Industrial Boulevard in the Valley, and initial construction of a consolidated public works facility at 7 mile. The Diamond park pool only received 50% of its Rasmussen grant request for ground source heat pumps. Failure to secure additional grant money will result in increased city funding. Construction is expected next year. The Assembly will hear a request this Friday noon 12/19 for an additional 1 million for upgrading city computer infrastructure. This is an ongoing expensive project known as PRISM whose increasing cost is of great concern to the Assembly.
The Assembly continues to be concerned about spending in general as we head into uncertain economic times. The upcoming Spring budget cycle is likely to be “lively.”
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
“We must recognize the full human equality of all of our people – before God, before the law, and in the councils of government. We must do this, not because it is economically advantageous – although it is; not because the laws of God command it – although they do; not because people in other lands wish it so. We must do it for the single and fundamental reason that it is the right thing to do.” – Robert Kennedy, June 6, 1966