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Record of Proceedings

Joint Assembly, Airport Board, and Hospital Board Meetings - February 25, 2026

Assembly Meetings — Thursday, February 26, 2026
BodyJuneau, Alaska
SessionAssembly Meetings
DateThursday, February 26, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:55:06

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
5:13

He's not brave.

5:18

I just lost everybody.

5:19

I had everybody and now they're gone.

5:39

Good evening.

5:40

This is the special assembly meeting for February twenty fifth, twenty twenty six.

5:45

Uh, Madam Clerk, will you note actually you better call the role because we do have a few missing members?

5:52

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

5:54

Ms.

5:55

Wall.

5:56

Present.

5:57

Mr.

5:58

Kelly.

5:59

Absent.

6:01

Ms.

6:01

Adkisson is absent.

6:03

Mr.

6:04

Scheinger.

6:05

Here.

6:06

Ms.

6:06

Hall.

6:07

Here.

6:08

Mr.

6:09

Brooks.

6:10

Here.

6:11

And we have Ms.

6:12

Hughes Scandys and Deputy Mayor Smith are also absent as well.

6:15

You have quorum.

6:17

And I'm here too.

6:21

Um, so okay, folks.

6:24

The mighty five is left.

6:26

So agenda topics, Madam Clerk.

6:31

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

6:33

Resolution four zero three nine, a resolution ratifying the labor agreement between the city and borough and the public safety employees association for fiscal years twenty twenty-six, twenty twenty-seven, and twenty twenty-eight.

6:46

Thank you, Madam Clerk.

6:47

Uh Madam Andrew is just coming to you.

6:49

Yes.

6:49

Thank you.

6:50

This resolution uh ratifies uh an agreement between the City and Bureau of Juno and the Public Safety Employees Association for a collective bargaining agreement.

6:59

Uh that will go into effect as of July one, two thousand twenty-five and expire June thirtieth, two thousand twenty-eight.

7:05

Uh that we've been waiting and working on this for quite some time, so it's great to see it.

7:09

The details of that uh agreement are also in the manager's recommendation, but I will not read them to you.

7:15

I recommend uh that you adopt this resolution.

7:19

Okay, before we go to the assembly, we do have a typo, I believe, on the second line of the second paragraph.

7:25

I think it should be three percent, three percent, and five.

8:24

Uh through the through the mayor.

8:25

So the in the manager's report in the second paragraph.

8:29

It states that the tentative agreement includes economic modifications of annual wage increase of five three five for sworn officers.

8:36

That's correct.

8:37

And then after that, it should say three three five for all other bargaining units.

8:42

I'm just making sure we're all on the same page.

8:44

With that, um, I will go to um I don't see any public signed up to testify on this, so we'll go to the assembly, Ms.

8:53

Wall.

8:54

Thank you, Madam Mayor.

8:55

I move the assembly approve resolution four zero three nine, and I ask for unanimous consent.

9:01

Is there any objection?

9:04

See none, the resolution has passed.

9:07

And I don't believe, madam clerk, that nobody signed up for public participation on non-agenda items.

9:12

Okay, with that, we are adjourned.

20:05

Call the special assembly finance committee meeting to order.

20:11

Um we will skip roll calls since we'll do introductions in a second.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Airport Management████████████████████████████████████████████44%
Healthcare Management█████████████████17%
Healthcare Finance████████████12%
Personnel Matters██████6%
Budget Equity Analysis██████6%
Procedural█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure██2%
Technology and Innovation██2%
Affordable Housing██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Joint City and Borough Assembly, Airport Board, and Hospital Board Meetings - February 25, 2026

The meeting began with a special assembly session to ratify a labor agreement, followed by a finance committee meeting, and then joint sessions with the Airport Board and Bartlett Regional Hospital Board. Discussions focused on budget projections, capital needs, and operational risks for both the airport and hospital.

Consent Calendar

  • Resolution 4039: Unanimously approved, ratifying the collective bargaining agreement with the Public Safety Employees Association for fiscal years 2026-2028. The economic modifications include annual wage increases of 3%, 3%, and 5% for sworn officers and 3%, 3%, and 5% for all other bargaining units (after a typo correction noted by the mayor).

Public Comments & Testimony

  • No members of the public signed up to testify during either the assembly or joint meetings.

Discussion Items

Airport Board Joint Meeting

  • Budget Overview (FY26-27): Airport Manager Andres Delgado presented a projected under-spend of approximately $110,000 in FY26 due to a mild winter reducing de-icer use (savings of ~$300,000) and reclassification of runway/taxiway painting as federally eligible (historically $225,000 annual operating cost). FY27 budget assumes full encumbrance of de-icer (inventory ~$800,000) and creation of a Deputy Airport Manager position for continuity and operational backup. Personnel costs are driven by CCFR contract increases; travel/training jumps $100,000 for required certifications.
  • Revenue Adjustments: The airport financial model was updated to correctly allocate benefits to airfield leases and commercial parking, shifting costs from Part 135 operators (e.g., Alaska Seaplanes) to Part 121 carriers (e.g., Alaska Airlines). This resulted in lower fuel flowage fees and higher landing fees. Passenger enplanement growth of 2.8% annually is projected through 2030 (from ~460,000 to over 600,000 by 2043).
  • Passenger Facility Charges (PFC) Swap: $1 million from airport fund balance was used to purchase an ARF truck after an FAA grant was rescinded due to procurement method. PFC revenue will replenish the fund balance.
  • Capital Improvement Projects (CIP): Major projects include a $25 million reconstruction of Runway 26/25 approach lighting (full 2,400 feet) — awaiting FAA environmental review — and three grant applications totaling $5 million for control tower electrical/mechanical work. The airport expects $300,000 reimbursement from the state for Mendenhall River bank stabilization.
  • ARF Truck Crisis: The airport currently has three ARF trucks: a 2016 model, a 2003 model (out of service), and a 1992 model (surplused). Two loaner trucks — from Palmer (leased) and Gustavus — are in use. The Gustavus truck must return by May 1, while the new truck arrives in April (in service June/July). In late February, the 2016 and Palmer trucks both failed (turret and pump seal issues), leaving only the Gustavus truck operational. A second flat tire would have caused an ARF Zero status, halting all air carrier service. The airport seeks to acquire a second new or used truck quickly, with possible funding from the city’s fleet reserve and PFC reimbursements. The FAA will not support a new truck until 2031. A 10-year replacement policy is being developed.
  • Fund Balance: Airport policy requires a three-month operating reserve (~$3 million). The proposed FY27 budget maintains just above this target. A potential $900,000 to $1 million in unrestricted funds from terminal project closeout could boost the cushion.

Bartlett Regional Hospital Board Joint Meeting

  • FY26 Financial Performance: CEO Joe Warner reported that expenditures are exceeding budget due to expansion of primary care clinics (Family Practice and Glacier Pediatrics), new specialty providers (GU, ophthalmology, orthopedics), and one-time costs. A $1.2 million impact from delayed Wildflower Court rate setting and $3.2 million in unrecovered pharmaceutical revenue (to be captured in second half) affect the bottom line. The hospital projects a net income of $5 million for FY27, excluding the lost Rural Demonstration Program ($4.2 million annually, not extended).
  • Reimbursement Challenges: The hospital is exploring alternative Medicare/Medicaid payment models (e.g., critical access, rural health clinics) to offset the loss of the demonstration program and mitigate impacts from rural health transformation (Medicaid reduction expected ~35% in expansion population).
  • Facility Master Plan: An aging facility (average age 18–19 years) requires significant upgrades. A master plan is being finalized to address services for an aging population, with a 5–10 year capital roadmap. Emergency department renovation design is nearly complete; construction starts April 2026 (~18 months).
  • Housing: $3.5 million is budgeted for potential expansion of Bartlett House (doubling size) to provide patient and employee housing. Currently, 15 new employees rescinded offers in 2025 due to housing issues.
  • Hospice and Home Care: Hospice loses ~$30,000/month and home care ~$50,000/month due to Medicare reimbursement changes. The board committed to continuing these services for five years, focusing on increasing average hospice length of service.
  • Wildflower Court: As of December, census averaged 55 patients; a pipe burst in January closed 8 beds (expected to reopen mid-March). Current census is 47 of 51 beds. New rates bring the facility to break-even.
  • Strategic Relationship with CBJ: Board member Max Mertz called for an intentional review of the charter relationship (last updated 1974) to improve efficiency in procurement, CIP, interfund cash management, and shared services. The hospital completed its first separate audit, which identified a significant deficiency in timely interfund reconciliation — a plan is in place to resolve it.
  • Employee Engagement: Annual survey shows improvement to the 39th percentile (up from teens two years ago), with a goal of reaching the 75th. Focus is on preventing burnout from rapid change.
  • Community Engagement: The board is developing a plan for broader community dialogue on the value of the community hospital and encouraging local use of services.

Key Outcomes

  • Resolution 4039 passed unanimously.
  • Airport ARF Truck: The assembly and airport board agreed to pursue rapid acquisition of a second used ARF truck, leveraging the city’s fleet reserve for quick purchase, with subsequent reimbursement through PFC collections or an assembly ordinance. A policy for 10-year replacement cycles will be established.
  • Joint Meeting Schedule: Next AFC meeting set for March 4, 2026 at 5:30 PM. Assembly members reminded of March 15 deadline for community grant requests and April 16 deadline for budget reduction proposals.

Meeting Transcript

He's not brave. I just lost everybody. I had everybody and now they're gone. Good evening. This is the special assembly meeting for February twenty fifth, twenty twenty six. Uh, Madam Clerk, will you note actually you better call the role because we do have a few missing members? Thank you, Madam Mayor. Ms. Wall. Present. Mr. Kelly. Absent. Ms. Adkisson is absent. Mr. Scheinger. Here. Ms. Hall. Here. Mr. Brooks. Here. And we have Ms. Hughes Scandys and Deputy Mayor Smith are also absent as well. You have quorum. And I'm here too. Um, so okay, folks. The mighty five is left. So agenda topics, Madam Clerk. Thank you, Madam Mayor. Resolution four zero three nine, a resolution ratifying the labor agreement between the city and borough and the public safety employees association for fiscal years twenty twenty-six, twenty twenty-seven, and twenty twenty-eight. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh Madam Andrew is just coming to you. Yes. Thank you. This resolution uh ratifies uh an agreement between the City and Bureau of Juno and the Public Safety Employees Association for a collective bargaining agreement. Uh that will go into effect as of July one, two thousand twenty-five and expire June thirtieth, two thousand twenty-eight. Uh that we've been waiting and working on this for quite some time, so it's great to see it. The details of that uh agreement are also in the manager's recommendation, but I will not read them to you. I recommend uh that you adopt this resolution. Okay, before we go to the assembly, we do have a typo, I believe, on the second line of the second paragraph. I think it should be three percent, three percent, and five. Uh through the through the mayor. So the in the manager's report in the second paragraph. It states that the tentative agreement includes economic modifications of annual wage increase of five three five for sworn officers. That's correct. And then after that, it should say three three five for all other bargaining units. I'm just making sure we're all on the same page.

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