City and Borough of Juneau Regular Assembly Meeting - October 28, 2025

The Juneau Assembly convened on October 28, 2025, to conduct routine business, hear extensive public testimony regarding the proposed demolition and redevelopment of Telephone Hill, vote on several ordinances, and hold an executive session to set compensation for the city manager and city attorney. The meeting included the swearing-in of a new assembly member, election of the deputy mayor, and approval of the 2026 meeting calendar.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the September 22, 2025 regular assembly meeting by unanimous consent.
• Moved the protest of El Sombrero liquor license renewal from new business to consent after receipt of outstanding sales tax payments.
• Adopted the remainder of the consent agenda as presented without objection.

Public Comments & Testimony

Over a dozen members of the public spoke during public participation on non-agenda items, all opposing the planned demolition and redevelopment of Telephone Hill. Key points included:

• Carol Bookless (Douglas) argued that the city owns over 100 million square feet of land designated for residential development, questioning why a housing crisis exists when ample land is available. She claimed properties on Telephone Hill are undervalued by the assessor's database.
• Tony Tangs (Downtown) recalled that in 2022, the city manager promised the planning process would include a "do nothing" option, which he feels has been abandoned.
• Joe Carson (Downtown) presented a petition with 847 signatures asking the assembly to pause evictions and demolition until a credible plan is developed.
• Mary Ann McKean (Downtown) stated that no geotechnical analysis has been done to confirm the site can support 150 housing units, and that demolition costs of $5.5 million plus a $3.5 million road cost lack confirmed developer funding.
• Larry Talley (Flats) quoted the city's own 2024 market analysis stating "there is no scenario that breaks even" for Telephone Hill development.
• Joshua Adams (incremental developer) argued that the government should not build houses but rather regulate short-term rentals, claiming that would free up hundreds of units.
• Jackie Farnsworth (Douglas) noted the site contains a house built in 1882 eligible for historic district designation.
• Paige Bridges (Downtown) reported that the Alaska Historical Commission contacted the Coast Guard about a Section 106 historic review, warning that the city's workaround plan could be litigated.
• Kim Metcalf (Basin Road) urged selling the homes as-is with right of first refusal to tenants, using the $5–9 million for fire, safety, education, and recreation.
• Bruce Simonson (Star Hill) said the city bypassed normal process by not issuing an RFI for 150 units before evicting tenants, and that 847 people oppose the plan versus only nine (the assembly) in favor.
• Caitlin Riley (Downtown) demanded binding guarantees for affordable housing before any demolition, citing unkept promises and the loss of a 72-unit apartment building elsewhere.
• Michael Busey (Downtown) described the decision as "pell-mell and opaque" and questioned how destroying 15 units helps the housing crisis.
• Susan Clark (Flats) detailed costs: $5.5 million demolition, $52 million total projected, plus $500,000 in consultant fees and $2 million from sales tax since 2022.
• Skip Gray (Twin Lakes) emphasized the historical and botanical value of the hill.
• Nancy Speer (Fritz Cove) noted over 250 registered Airbnbs and asked how the city would ensure new units remain for residents.
• Paul Burke (on top of the hill) emotionally described the toll on long-time residents, including health issues.

Discussion Items

• Manager's Agenda Changes: City Manager’s office requested removal of Ordinance 2025-01 (BM) related to sobering center funding because Bartlett Regional Hospital has approved full funding, making the general fund portion unnecessary. The item was removed. The El Sombrero liquor license renewal protest was moved to consent after sales tax payment was received.
• Marine Park Improvements (Ordinance 2025-01BE): A proposal to transfer $3 million (amended from $3.5 million) from the waterfront seawalk CIP to Marine Park improvements. The total project cost is $10 million, partly due to the stage being built over water. After debate, the ordinance passed 5-4 (Hughes-Candies, Adkisson, Steininger, Kelly, Smith yes; Wall, Hall, Brooks, Mayor no). A companion resolution (4030) amending the title passed unanimously.
• HESCO Barriers (Ordinance 2025-01BR): Transferred $5 million from the Capital Civic Center CIP to HESCO barrier installation and maintenance along the Mendenhall River. Passed unanimously.
• Sobering Center Renovations (Ordinance 2025-01BN): Appropriated $762,900 from hospital funds for renovations at St. Vincent de Paul. Declarations of interest were made but no recusals. Passed unanimously.
• Outside Employment Reports (Ordinance 2025-29): Codified timelines for reporting outside employment by borough employees. Passed unanimously.
• PERS Contribution (Ordinance 2024-01BBB): Appropriated $4.26 million from the state for PERS contributions. Passed unanimously.
• Cold Weather Emergency Shelter (Ordinance 2025-01BJ): Appropriated $125,000 in additional general funds for shelter operations, totaling $435,000 for FY26. Passed unanimously after declarations of interest from Hall and Steininger.
• MEBA Wage Increases (Ordinance 2025-01BH): Appropriated $1.857 million for negotiated wage increases and lump-sum payments. Passed unanimously.
• Airport ADA Elevator (Ordinance 2025-01BL): Appropriated $15,000 from airport capital reserves for design of an ADA elevator in the departure lounge. Passed unanimously after questions about funding and need.
• Air Traffic Control Tower (Ordinance 2025-01BO): Appropriated $25,000 from airport capital reserves for preliminary design to compete for federal funding. Passed unanimously.
• Non-Departmental Office (Ordinance 2025-38): Amended code to establish a non-departmental office for capital project fund transfers. Passed unanimously.
• Election Report: The municipal clerk noted 28,000 registered voters on the state list, but acknowledged many are outdated due to slow removal processes. No fraudulent voting was identified.
• 2026 Meeting Calendar: Adopted with a note that the assembly retreat will be December 6, 2025 at the airport Alaska Room. Public access was addressed (parking passes available).
• Committee and Liaison Appointments: Approved for 2025–2026, with a reminder that liaison roles are not advocacy positions.
• Mayor's Report: The visitor industry task force item was pulled. A planned Washington D.C. trip was canceled due to the government shutdown. A GLOF (glacial outburst flood) meeting is scheduled for October 30.
• Committee Reports: Reports from Committee of the Whole (Sept. 29), Finance (no meeting), Public Works & Facilities, Human Resources (no meeting), and liaison reports including Planning Commission, Campus Council, Eaglecrest, Parks and Rec, Commission on Aging, School Board, CSWA, Housing and Homelessness Coalition, Travel Juneau, Docks and Harbors, Juneau Economic Development Council, and Title 49 rewrite.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance 2025-01BE (Marine Park): Adopted (5-4; see roll call above).
• All other ordinances on the agenda: Adopted unanimously.
• Executive Session – Personnel Compensation: The assembly entered executive session to discuss compensation for City Manager Katie Kester and City Attorney Emily Wright.
  • City Manager: Approved a 3% COLA wage increase and a one-time $2,750 lump sum effective July 14, 2025, plus a 3.5% merit increase effective September 8, 2025, resulting in an annual salary of $236,371.20 retroactive to September 8, 2025. Passed unanimously.
  • City Attorney: Approved a 3% COLA wage increase effective July 14, 2025, and a 7.75% merit increase effective August 25, 2025, resulting in an annual salary of $208,665.60 retroactive to August 25, 2025. Passed unanimously.
• Deputy Mayor Election: Mr. Smith was re-elected Deputy Mayor by acclamation.
• New Assembly Member: Mr. Brooks was sworn in as a new assembly member.
• Meeting Calendar: The 2026 meeting calendar was adopted.
• All committee and liaison appointments: Approved.