Skagway Borough Assembly Meetings

Borough Assembly - December 18, 2025

• Season 2025 • Episode 33

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0:00 | 1:56:08
  • Call to Order
  • Roll Call
  • Approval of Minutes
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Reports of Officials and Committees: 
    • Mayor’s Report 
    • Assembly Committee Reports 
    • Treasurer’s Report 
    • Manager’s Report 
  • Communications to the Assembly: 
    • Correspondence 
    • Hear Citizens Present
  • Ordinances, Resolutions, & Proclamations: 
    • Public Hearing and Adoption of Resolution No. 25-30R: Amending Port of Skagway Tariff No. 3 
    • Public Hearing and Adoption of Resolution No. 25-31R: Updating Accounting Policies and Procedures 
  • Unfinished Business
  • New Business:
    • Consideration of Liquor License Renewal Applications: 
      • BPO Elks Lodge #431, Club License #356 Combined Renewal Notice 
      • Alaska Liquor Store, Package Store License #4749 Combined Renewal Notice 
    • Approval of Recreation Center Van Purchase from Special Funds & Unexpended FY25 Capital Outlay Funds 
    • Consideration of 1st Regular Meeting Date in January 2026 
  • Mayor and Assembly Discussion Items
  • Executive Session
  • Adjournment

Packet

Mayor Hanson:

Call to order the assembly meeting for Thursday, December 18th, 2025. Respect that we're

Unidentified Speaker:

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the

Assemblymember Burnham: Here. Deputy Clerk Carr:

Pomeroy.

Assemblymember Pomeroy:

Present.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Weddell.

Assemblymember Weddell:

Present.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Potter.

Assemblymember Potter:

Here.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Hillis.

Assemblymember Hillis:

Here.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Mayor Hanson.

Mayor Hanson: Here. Deputy Clerk Carr:

And Assemblymember Henry is absent. You have five

Deputy Clerk Carr:

And Assemblymember Henry is absent. You have five members present and a quorum We don't have any minutes, so we'll move on to item four. Approval of agenda.

Assemblymember Burnham:

Move we approve the agenda.

Assemblymember Pomeroy:

Second.

Mayor Hanson:

Motion by Burnham, second by Pomeroy to approve the agenda. Any discussion? Roll call.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Potter.

Assemblymember Potter:

Yes.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Hillis?

Assemblymember Hillis:

Yes.

Deputy Clerk Carr: Burnham? Assemblymember Burnham:

Yes. Deputy Clerk Carr: Pomeroy? Assemblymember

Mayor Hanson:

All right. That brings us on to official reports and committees, mayor's report. Uh, And then the Don Hather tournament starts that Friday and runs through Sunday, and they'll be, you Um, having to get, you know, something from seaplanes the other day and the first plane in 10 So, um, much appreciated. Alright, moving on So, um, much appreciated. Alright, moving on to committee, uh, reports. We'll start with finance. I move we approve the check run.

Assemblymember Hillis:

Second.

Mayor Hanson:

Motion by Burnham, a second by Hillis to approve the check run in the amount of $1,578,276 Discussion.

Assemblymember Burnham:

Did you say 76 or 67? Mayor Hanson: I think you're right. I think I said 67. I should have said $1,578,267 and 40 cents. Thanks for catching that. Roll call.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Weddell.

Assemblymember Weddell:

Yes.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Hillis?

Assemblymember Hillis:

Yes.

Deputy Clerk Carr: Potter? Assemblymember Potter:

Yes. Deputy Clerk Carr: Pomeroy? Assemblymember

Assemblymember Burnham:

Finance met Wednesday, December 17th at 5:00 PM. Under new business was After discussion, finance recommends assembly approval. That is all from finance and while I have the floor, public works has not met. So nothing from public works.

Mayor Hanson:

Thank you. Assemblymember Burnham, uh, civic affairs?

Assemblymember Pomeroy:

Nothing at this time, your Honor.

Mayor Hanson:

Thank you.

HEW? Assemblymember Pomeroy:

Nothing at this time, your Honor. Mayor Hanson: Alright. Thank you. Parks

Mayor Hanson:

Alright. And does anyone from public safety have anything to report since, uh, Chair Okay. Moving right along, uh, treasurer's report. We have one in the packet. Uh, Deputy Borough Manager

Deputy Borough Manager Kameika:

I don't have anything to add. Mayor Hanson: Hey, Deb, I forgot

Assemblymember Potter:

No, I just wanted to, to thank Assemblymember, um, Burnham for, uh, um, being

Mayor Hanson:

All right. Thank you. Thanks. Thanks for, uh, allowing me to forget you and then come Um, so treasurer's report, um, it's in the packet. Anybody wants to review that? Moving on to the

Deputy Borough Manager Kameika:

No, I helped Borough Manager Deach put this together. So, um, I have nothing else to add.

Mayor Hanson:

And Borough Manager Deach, I believe you're on the phone. I know you're not feeling well, but is there anything else you would like to add to your report? You received a board report from the Ports and Harbors Advisory Board, as well as a, um, memo from Thank you. Alright, that moves us on to six B, hears citizens present. If you would please come up to the State your name for the record. If you're representing someone other than yourself, some Hi, my name's Mark Saldi. Um, I wanna thank you for the opportunity to come speak here. The only time I I don't check the city's webpage, all that stuff. You know, I just wish that there was like an email

Mark Saldi:

How about now? Hi, my name's Mark Saldi. Um, I wanna thank you for the opportunity to come I don't check the city's webpage, all that stuff. You know, I just wish that there was like an email But I think expenses are the, is the other half of the balance sheet. And for the record, I'm against How about now? Hi, my name's Mark Saldi. Um, I wanna thank you for the opportunity to come But, um, first I was wondering how much the, uh, the boat harbor fee study costs just for the small boat You could leave all the other fees the same. This seems like less at the boat harbor, we get picked on This seems like less at the boat harbor, we get picked on a lot, but, uh, just because we're not'Cause that's how they tie up. They just ram the boat, boat into the thing and put a line on and they And then you got the tens of thousands of tourists that walk over the dock. And us regular users, the This seems like less at the boat harbor, we get picked on a lot, but, uh, just because we're not I leave every Saturday afternoon, come back every Tuesday, you know, and all I do is tie up. And for This seems like less at the boat harbor, we get picked on a lot, but, uh, just because we're not I leave every Saturday afternoon, come back every Tuesday, you know, and all I do is tie up. And for And, and did you guys know that the crane is still on the Skagway webpage and that crane hasn't been And when the crane was last operational in 2014, it was $50 a year to buy an annual pass to use the Yeah. From what I get off the city's website, the latest numbers were in 2024. It looked Why is the harbor always getting, you know, you're wanting to fill it in for a RV park, take the I mean they got a huge overhead that they gotta pay for. We just got a truck and a, in a couple of Yeah. From what I get off the city's website, the latest numbers were in 2024. It looked You know, all these other towns, Sitka, Juneau, Ketchikan, Wrangell, they all got Alaska Airlines to And the two rate increases, the two biggest rate increases that you guys are proposing, it's 25% Yeah. From what I get off the city's website, the latest numbers were in 2024. It looked And, uh, and it seems like the last mayor here was ousted 'cause some KHNS, I don't know the details, I can't pass any of those costs on and the way it's been for me, my income's been flat for the last 20 Yeah. From what I get off the city's website, the latest numbers were in 2024. It looked You know, the 144,000 and I was on the harbor committee for about 15 years and the, when I got off And I just keep going. Why is the harbor always getting, you know, you're wanting to fill it in for You know, all these other towns, Sitka, Juneau, Ketchikan, Wrangell, they all got Alaska Airlines to You go to those things of all the trucks and cranes and harbor staff. I mean they got a huge overhead

Sherry Corrington:

Sherry Corrington, citizen. I don't think I said anything last time about how So I just wanna say to the people that are out there who don't come in, you get over speaking in public, Sherry Corrington, citizen. I don't think I said anything last time about how And now it's starting to take away from our quality of life in ways that are becoming exponential. I'm But I do think we need to have a town. We need multiple town halls. Sitka did multiple. Juneau did We need these voices and then we need to do one in April before things get crazy. That's when all the We can get a more well-rounded conversation that includes them as well. And then we can look at this Our residential areas are getting squeezed out by businesses coming in, buying housing and shutting it We can't keep this up and did we learn nothing from the pandemic? It can all be taken away. We could We can get a more well-rounded conversation that includes them as well. And then we can look at this And I can tell you that we had a lot of great financial assistance during the pandemic that we There's public safety issues involved with this, but I see this as the tip of a huge incoming wave that There's public safety issues involved with this, but I see this as the tip of a huge incoming wave that And when we have a premier up in Yukon who is trying to throw weight around saying federal, federal And so thank you in advance for making this come together soon. Have a great holiday and happy

Mayor Hanson:

Thanks, Sherry. Pat? Okay, did I miss anyone? Okay, moving along. Seven A, public hearing 25-30R amending Port of Skagway Tariff No. 3. Assemblymember Potter: I move for, um, sorry. Um, I move for, uh, adoption of Resolution 25-30R.

Assemblymember Pomeroy: Second. Mayor Hanson:

A motion by Potter and a second by Pomeroy, uh, to

Mayor Hanson:

A motion by Potter and a second by Pomeroy, uh, to adopt Resolution 25-30R. Would And, um, the only thing really that was discussed was, um, that this was withdrawn for legal review.

Paul Taylor:

Thank you. And, uh, good evening. My name is Paul Taylor. I'm a longtime Skagway So my question or, or my ask is, uh, I'll, I'll, I'm listening for, uh, your discussion, uh, about what, I, I get that. That's fine. But I'm also wondering, um, it, it, it could also be a change that would be I'm just, I'm just, I'm just looking for and listening for discussion. Thank you very much. Mayor

Mayor Hanson:

Thank you. Would anyone else like to speak to 25-30R? Okay. Public hearing is now closed. Um, so we had hired, um, two firms earlier in the year, to do a new tariff, um, a revision to the

Deputy Borough Manager Kameika:

Um, Deputy Borough Manager Kameika here. I'm happy to. So, and we also Um, so we had hired, um, two firms earlier in the year, to do a new tariff, um, a revision to the And then we also had a separate rate study done. Um, and so these were gonna get combined together, the It was just gonna be a formatting changes. So tariff, that would be tariff number four. That one So the rate study not only, um, looked at comparisons to other harbors, but also looked at, So while that's being held up, we are wanting to move forward with So the rate study not only, um, looked at comparisons to other harbors, but also looked at, And so that was a huge expense. So anything that's coming down the pipeline, any capital improvement So that's where they're seeing, hey, we need to actually increase rates so that when that time Um, these projects you can pay for them. The, uh, the, the suggestion was I think a 62% rate increase. So, um, ports and harbor advisory, uh, board decided that to have a more reasonable rate increase to 25%. If it's, uh, Chair, if I could pipe in. Mayor Hanson: Absolutely. Borough Manager Deach: Okay. Um,

Borough Manager Deach:

Okay. Um, my understanding is that we were, the, the rates that we had in the So we need to change those. We need to, and I don't know how that looks, and maybe Harbor Master O'Boyle can speak to it a little And right now we're not moving ore through. So my understanding is that we're just, we're taking those We just need to revisit it later. So that was my understanding of, of those rates. Mayor Hanson:

Assemblymember Weddell:

Thank you. I have a follow up in, um, what you just, what I just heard, I, I And if that's the case, how does that actually help with future accounting practices for business plans? So establishing, um, you know, a metric ton when there could be tens of millions, if not, you know,

Mayor Hanson:

Um, I'm, I'm gonna jump in here because I think part of the reason why this is being So establishing, um, you know, a metric ton when there could be tens of millions, if not, you know,

Borough Manager Deach:

And if I, if I could, I'm sorry. Um, I, I think the intent is just to leave a I think that, you know, um, if you don't make that change, I don't think it really does anything, um, Um, so I guess, you know, if something, if you wanna change it in a way that's clearer, um, I think the

Assemblymember Burnham:

As, as far as that goes, would it make any sense if you're trying to hold the That way you've got a, a placeholder for it and it shows that it's still there. Mayor Hanson: Does

Deputy Borough Manager Kameika:

I mean, I guess I'm kind of an expert. We can do whatever, whatever

Mayor Hanson:

Okay. Um, further discussion from the assembly. Assemblymember Weddell, Assemblymember I, um, will openly admit I do not consider myself in any means, um, an expert on going the lawns of the So hearing public testimony from a local small fisherman saying that it's going, this increase is So is there anybody at the table or perhaps Harbor Master O'Boyle who might speak to that if, if the Uh, Deputy Borough Manager Kameika. Would you allow Harbor Master O'Boyle to answer some questions? Potentially,

Deputy Borough Manager Kameika:

Yes. I'm okay with, um, Harbor Master O'Boyle answering the questions.

Mayor Hanson: Thank you. Harbor Master O'Boyle:

Thank you, your Honor. Yeah. Um, yeah, so in talking

Harbor Master O'Boyle:

Thank you, your Honor. Yeah. Um, yeah, so in talking about the crane, I mean Mark was the big benef, uh, benefit, our user for the I only have two people that use that service, um, in the small boat harbor for moving their nets around. Um, the workaround that was to utilize the, the loader with a jib in order to, um, still provide a So when you say you have two users and there's a workaround, are you saying that there's two users No, there's only two commercial fishermen that are, uh, utilize a small It, the, the, the benefit of, of it didn't pencil out.

Assemblymember Weddell:

May I ask another question? Mm-hmm. Um, could you, um, speak to maybe the reasoning of the increase to the user fee?'Cause it looks like it's going from $20 an hour and a hundred per year to, where'd it go? A hundred So cost of labor, like Mark says it, it's a pretty quick process. So we just have that in the half

Harbor Master O'Boyle:

Yep. So the harbor labor services was just for, for labor. And so that's what So cost of labor, like Mark says it, it's a pretty quick process. So we just have that in the half So, um, just so I think I understand, we're taking away the use fee altogether that's just gone because And this document is speaking to the current practice of what it costs to run the loader, to have So the crane use fee, we're getting rid of that crane use fee because we're not So if, so, if I have to go pump out a boat or whatever, um, or if I have to go do something for

Assemblymember Weddell:

May I ask another question?

Mayor Hanson:

Yeah, go ahead.

Assemblymember Weddell:

Um, thank you for, mm-hmm.

For, Harbor Master O'Boyle:

Sorry if I'm not Assemblymember Weddell: No, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm like, Are there, or is, I mean, is, is the answer everybody, and I guess I'm trying to, to figure out

Assemblymember Weddell:

No, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm like, the boating world is this whole other, um, um, area Are there, or is, I mean, is, is the answer everybody, and I guess I'm trying to, to figure out And if that's the case, are we trying to find like a balance between the two or, I, I mean, this is the

Harbor Master O'Boyle:

It's, uh, not a differentiation between commercial use, private use, It's just a, a, a labor fee for, um, doing the, the net portion of it, moving somebody's, you know,

Assemblymember Weddell:

Thank you. Um, for labor services for like public works to do something, I It wouldn't be within a tariff document obviously, but do, do you know, or does Borough Manager Deach Um, I actually don't think there is. I think like if you wanted your, um, ground thawed, I think there's like a charge just 'cause of the So, um, Mayor Hanson is okay if Borough Manager Deach might chime in. Mayor Hanson: Absolutely.

Borough Manager Deach:

I, um, so way back, we probably need to revisit this. We do have a But I don't remember the last time we looked at that. It might have been, you know, in the 20 teens sometime. And I, I can find that for you and give it

Mayor Hanson:

Thank you. Borough Manager Deach. Mm-hmm. Uh, Assemblymember Potter. Would you like'Cause I know you're on the ports and harbors and, uh, have been engaged in this and, um, I'd love to

Assemblymember Potter:

Yeah, for sure. Thank you. Um, if, if I can start off by asking Harbor Master O'Boyle a question before he goes too far. Mayor Um, my, just looking at this document, my understanding is that that harbor labor

Is that a new addition or, Harbor Master O'Boyle:

Uh, no, it's not a new addition. Um, so there's no strikethrough or whatever it was. Right, okay. Uh, $60, um, in the previous.

Harbor Master O'Boyle:

So I went back and looked like what the rates were, um, for increase, and When you, when you look at that 25%, it, it seems like a, uh, a monumental increase, but over a five So I went back and looked like what the rates were, um, for increase, and So in 2020, there was a time when 2020, we didn't wanna raise it. Working with, uh, Brad Ryan, um, we didn't raise in 2020 or 21. In 22, we raised it, uh, 14.60 a foot, When you, when you look at that 25%, it, it seems like a, uh, a monumental increase, but over a five

Assemblymember Potter:

Thank you for bringing up that important point. Um, at the last ports and Thank you for bringing up that important point. Um, at the last ports and Thank you for bringing up that important point. Um, at the last ports and Um, I think it talked about sewer maybe and Haines and we are really on the low side, so it proposed a Thank you for bringing up that important point. Um, at the last ports and As noted in the, um, ports and harbor board report, I just did some Chair LaVoi, did some, uh, a little Thank you for bringing up that important point. Um, at the last ports and Um, I think that's pretty, personally, I think that's pretty, I think it's pretty reasonable and, Um, um, not that, you know, $144 is, is nothing to a lot of people, but I think considering we haven't Thank you for bringing up that important point. Um, at the last ports and Um, and it is totally out of commission for at least the last year, maybe a little bit longer. Um, so I, Um, um, not that, you know, $144 is, is nothing to a lot of people, but I think considering we haven't

Mayor Hanson:

Thank you. Assemblymember Potter. Uh, I did serve on ports and harbors for a long time, Um, this, you know, as, uh, Chair LaVoi did some quick math, you know, on a 40 foot vessel, you know, Thank you. Assemblymember Potter. Uh, I did serve on ports and harbors for a long time, But going back to other departments, solid waste didn't raise the rates for years. And we did that at Um, so, you know, uh, 34 foot vessel, it's about$126, you know, so, I mean, these are, yes, it's So if it's going to be changed, you have to give Harbor Master O'Boyle time to do that. Um, and he doesn't have a lot of time, but he's prepared for it. Um, just gimme a nod. Um, better

Assemblymember Weddell:

Thank you, your Honor. Um, if all right, I'm, I'm sorry to keep asking about So in the last year, have those fees already been charged at that rate or, because those words harbor

Mayor Hanson:

If, if I can just clarify something. The ferry float sank in 2014. That's when the crane If, if I can just clarify something. The ferry float sank in 2014. That's when the crane The, the crane does not, it does, it, it's, there's some rusty parts down there, but the crane doesn't When it sank, that was it.

Assemblymember Weddell:

So, so as a follow up since 2014 we, how have we been charging for the net

Harbor Master O'Boyle:

I've just been charging for the labor to do it. Assemblymember Weddell: So you I've been charging that every year.

Assemblymember Weddell:

Changing that. This document isn't changing that practice?

Harbor Master O'Boyle:

No.

Assemblymember Weddell:

It's just removing the words crane fee for nonoperational crane. That's, Harbor So that isn't changing with this resolution, is that correct? Harbor Master O'Boyle: The rate is going,

Harbor Master O'Boyle:

The rate is going, it is gonna be a hundred dollars for labor. Um, before the labor cost code was, um, 60 bucks an hour, I think.

Assemblymember Weddell:

So he was getting charged 30 bucks for a half hour?

Harbor Master O'Boyle:

Yes.

Assemblymember Weddell:

So when I go to the municipal website and I pull up the tariff document, Is that document inaccurate?

Harbor Master O'Boyle:

I don't know what document

Assemblymember Weddell:

tariff document number three, um, so, and, and in this draft that we have

Harbor Master O'Boyle:

So have I been charging less last year for crane and I should have been charging Or we can look into that. I mean, if that's. Assemblymember Weddell: I, I don't necessarily, uh,

Assemblymember Weddell:

I, I don't necessarily, uh, need to look into it. I'm just trying to, to like And we, we chose as a community not to do that. So we do have to come up with other solutions. And this I, I don't necessarily, uh, need to look into it. I'm just trying to, to like However, I'm, I'm also, you know, trying to represent and listen to people who are coming here But I mean, uh, ultimately you guys get to, to make the decision too. If this is something that we wanna do to make sure that, you know, our commercial users are sought

Assemblymember Burnham:

Thank you, your Honor. Um, I was gonna bring up what Assemblymember Weddell Thank you, your Honor. Um, I was gonna bring up what Assemblymember Weddell Um, yeah, it seems like we are spending a lot of time on this and that if it takes us this long to Thank you, your Honor. Um, I was gonna bring up what Assemblymember Weddell brought up about the, the tax increase and saying Um, then again, I was also gonna say that I think the last time that a utility tried to raise the rate I just, I guess I'm saying that I, I don't know enough about this. And to drop it from 62% to 25%

Assemblymember Potter:

Um, thank you. I was just trying to do some math. Um, this is the work of Um, thank you. I was just trying to do some math. Um, this is the work of Um, and I think I would just. I kind of want to, I, I just wanna emphasize that Ports and Harbor Advisory Board, as, as you can Um, I'm trying to do some math. If they had gone with the, what the study recommended, the 63% So if they had gone with a 63% recommended increase from the study, that would be a $368 per year, um, Um, and instead we are looking at a $144 per year. That's not even $11 a month increase. Um, I, I, I Um, so I'm gonna, I'm gonna stand by that. Mayor Hanson: Assemblymember Weddell. Assemblymember

Assemblymember Weddell:

Thank you. I, um, feel like that could be a compromise within this document to And I am open to keeping it at that rate for another year until this can be revisited maybe in tariff

Mayor Hanson:

Assemblymember Burnham. Assemblymember Burnham: After I seconded that, I thought about

Assemblymember Burnham:

After I seconded that, I thought about everything else that's going, 'cause That, or, or I guess ask the question if, if that was what we were going for is making it less That's getting to be what things are going for nowadays. But yeah, I just was wondering if, if that

Mayor Hanson:

Uh, the motion is to change it from a hundred dollars an hour to $60 an hour. It's not

Assemblymember Hillis:

A hundred dollars an hour for a loader and an operator is an absolute steal and I Plus there's all that other stuff that none of it looks particularly enjoyable. And I think paying anybody a hundred dollars an hour to do it is pretty affordable still. So don't see a Um, I agree with Assemblymember Hillis and it made me think of the new mechanic that we have in town, So I think a hundred is, um, I think it's reasonable and probably also on the low side.

Mayor Hanson:

Deputy Borough Manager Kameika. Deputy Borough Manager Kameika: Yeah. Um, I just wanted to

Deputy Borough Manager Kameika:

Yeah. Um, I just wanted to say that this was, uh, the a hundred So, um, $60 an hour does not cover all those, um, expenses that would go into paying an individual.

Mayor Hanson:

Thank you. Roll call on the amendment.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Pomeroy?

Assemblymember Pomeroy:

No.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Potter?

Assemblymember Potter:

No.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Weddell?

Assemblymember Weddell:

No.

Deputy Clerk Carr: Hillis? Assemblymember Hillis:

No. Deputy Clerk Carr: Burnham? Assemblymember

Motion fails. Mayor Hanson:

One last go round. If anybody has any final statements, roll call on 25-30R.

Assemblymember Hillis:

Yes.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Burnham?

Assemblymember Burnham:

No.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Pomeroy?

Assemblymember Pomeroy:

Yes.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Potter?

Assemblymember Potter:

Yes.

Deputy Clerk Carr: Weddell? Assemblymember Weddell:

No. Deputy Clerk Carr: Three yeses. Motion fails. Moving on to seven B, public hearing and adoption of Resolution 25-31R. Updating accounting policies and procedures.

Assemblymember Potter:

I move for public hearing and adoption of Resolution 25-31R. Assemblymember

Mayor Hanson:

We have a motion by Potter and a second by Hillis for public hearing and adoption of Would anyone from the public like to speak on this issue? Okay. Hearing none, public hearing is closed. Back to the table. Discussion. Assemblymember Potter: Your

Assemblymember Potter:

Thank you, your Honor. Um, finance talked about this at our December 3rd Thank you, your Honor. Um, finance talked about this at our December 3rd Um, you will see the three new policies that are in there that are pretty basic. The enterprise fund net Thank you, your Honor. Um, finance talked about this at our December 3rd It's, most of it is housekeeping. Um, you will see the three new policies that are in there that are The enterprise fund net policy, um, is probably the, the most, uh, complicated one if, if there is such a Um, uh, that's, uh, since 2012, um, the main thing is we just routinely review and update accounting Um, the, my understanding from Treasurer Roig is that the net, um, the enterprise fund net position

Borough Manager Deach:

Um, I think Assemblymember Potter put it pretty well. Um, these are the Um, and I, I guess that's all I have to add, unless anyone, anyone has questions? Mayor Hanson: Uh,

Mayor Hanson:

Uh, Borough Manager Deach, I do have a question. Um, this, this is a guideline. Is that, It's more or less a guideline.

Question. Borough Manager Deach:

Sorry, I was muted. Um, yes, if it's, we will strive to do it. The, we Um, I mean, and you're looking at the enterprise fund net position, correct?

Mayor Hanson:

That's correct.

Borough Manager Deach:

Okay. Um, so

Mayor Hanson:

Go ahead. I've got a, I mean, yes, it, it's a guideline. It's, it's a, you know, it's Go ahead. I've got a, I mean, yes, it, it's a guideline. It's, it's a, you know, it's It's not, it's, it's, it's a policy, but it's not in code. But I think my question is there's a reason for doing that, and that's to save for large expenses

Borough Manager Deach:

Y yes. So in this case, um, and you'll see spend under spending order in a fund. And so those, all those funds under by code are, can be spent in a certain way, but we have said 5 And so this is an internal way that we can track that. If that, I don't know if that answered your question though.

Mayor Hanson:

It, it does, but that 5 million is, is, is based off capacity. It's not, that's, that's, that's based off the head count.

Borough Manager Deach:

Well, so the vessel impact fee, we, it's um, is it $5 a head?

Mayor Hanson: Yes. Borough Manager Deach:

I'm trying to think. Or is that the 13? Mayor Hanson: It's in

Borough Manager Deach:

Yeah. Yeah. So it's just, so right now what we're charging, a portion of that is So we're just ensuring that 5 million of it, that core bit is going towards that project. Code tells

Mayor Hanson:

And, and one more que question here, when it's written here, committed, is that referring

Borough Manager Deach:

Um, so committed fund balances… not necessarily. Um, let's see.

Mayor Hanson:

Would that be all expenses… insurance… all the stuff.

Borough Manager Deach:

That would be… well committed funds are, you've taken a formal action to establish So in other words, um, I don't know. Like for the PIDP grant, That would be… well committed funds are, you've taken a formal action to establish That's, those are committed, that balance is being tracked as committed funds. The assigned funds are

Mayor Hanson:

I, I guess just one thing for clarification is that we're saving money for a I, I guess just one thing for clarification is that we're saving money for a Yes. We're not saving for the, just the feel good of saving this. Assemblymember No. That scold us about, um, we're saving money so that we can afford major infrastructure projects within And I think, I don't, I don't correct know that that's clear in this document. To me, it isn't, it, Um, that's the reason we're saving, so that we have

Borough Manager Deach:

Correct.

Mayor Hanson:

money accrued so that we can, uh, put significant savings towards dredging. Things that

Borough Manager Deach:

Right. Um, so I mean this is, we have this sort of, um, policy for, and I think Um, those all, they are, they need to be able to pay for themselves. And so when we're setting aside that Right. Um, so I mean this is, we have this sort of, um, policy for, and I think So we're not just talking port, we're talking solid waste fund, water fund, uh, harbor fund. Um, those all, they are, they need to be able to pay for themselves. And so when we're setting aside that money in the port fund, it's being set aside to pay for something

Yes. Mayor Hanson:

And I know I'm kind of dominating this conversation, but you bring up the solid waste.

Mayor Hanson:

The, the, you know, the port is, is a very unique enterprise fund compared to the other Um, and I don't know that, I mean, the other enterprise funds are, as you just said, very So trying to have a target of saving 25%. I don't, I don't know how that works. I don't think it does. I listened to the finance committee conversation about it from December 3rd. It was less than five I move that we send this back to finance committee.

Assemblymember Pomeroy: Second. Mayor Hanson:

We have a motion by Weddell and a second by Pomeroy to

Mayor Hanson:

We have a motion by Weddell and a second by Pomeroy to send 25-31R back to finance. Discussion. Assemblymember Hillis. Assemblymember Hillis: Just curious if there's any timelines on

Borough Manager Deach:

Um, no, we, we wanted to get this through. We've been accumulating different Um, we are still, you'll see in the budget FY26 budget, for example, in the port fund we're, we So that's sort of what we do in the meantime to, to do the same thing basically. But, um, no, this can,

Assemblymember Burnham:

Thank you, your Honor. There was just one, I mean, we've talked a lot about this,'Cause I thought that there was discussion that it might be helpful to be somewhere around 50,000 or Or if it does go to like a 50,000 approval, that could maybe be the finance chair and the manager to

Assemblymember Potter:

Uh, I do. Thank you. Um, I, I will say, yeah, the, uh, Assemblymember Weddell is So got a little weeded down with that. Um, so certainly, uh, willing to explore this more at finance.

Mayor Hanson:

Hearing no further discussion, roll call to send back to finance.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Potter.

Assemblymember Potter:

Yes.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Weddell.

Assemblymember Weddell:

Yes.

Deputy Clerk Carr: Burnham? Assemblymember Burnham:

Yes. Deputy Clerk Carr: Hillis?

Assemblymember Hillis: Yes. Deputy Clerk Carr:

Pomeroy? Assemblymember Pomeroy: Yes. Deputy Clerk

Mayor Hanson:

Okay, thank you. That brings us to nine A, consideration of liquor license renewal Liquor, I move we protest liquor license 356 of the BPO Elks Lodge 431.

Assemblymember Weddell: Second. Mayor Hanson:

We have a motion by Potter and a second by Weddell to Discussion. Roll call.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Burnham.

Assemblymember Burnham:

No.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Hillis.

Assemblymember Hillis:

No.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Potter.

Assemblymember Potter:

No.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Pomeroy.

Assemblymember Pomeroy:

No.

Deputy Clerk Carr: Weddell. Assemblymember Weddell:

No. Deputy Clerk Carr: Five nos. Motion fails. Mayor

Mayor Hanson:

Thank you. That means moves us to nine A two, Alaska Liquor Store package store license We protest, uh, package store license number 4749, uh, for the Alaska Liquor Store. Assemblymember Any discussion?

Roll call. Deputy Clerk Carr:

Potter.

Assemblymember Potter:

No.

Deputy Clerk Carr: Hillis. Assemblymember Hillis:

No.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Pomeroy.

Assemblymember Pomeroy: No. Deputy Clerk Carr:

Burnham.

Assemblymember Burnham: No. Deputy Clerk Carr:

Weddell. Assemblymember Weddell: No. Deputy Clerk

Mayor Hanson:

Thank you. That brings us to nine B, approval rec center van purchase from special funds

Assemblymember Burnham:

I move for the approval of rec center van purchase from special funds and

Assemblymember Hillis:

Second.

Mayor Hanson:

Could I have some clarification on that in terms of the amount?

Assemblymember Burnham:

Not to exceed $40,000? Mayor Hanson: Thank you. The second concur? Yes. We have a

Mayor Hanson:

Thank you. The second concur? Yes. We have a motion from Burnham, a second from Hillis to approve purchase of a rec center van from FY25 Um, this is using money in the packet. You can see the four van options. He's actually gonna be, it's,

Assemblymember Potter:

Thank you. Uh, we discussed this last night at finance meeting. Um, this is a So there's some extra money there. Um, some of it was planned to purchase a new Conex, a snowblower, Thank you. Uh, we discussed this last night at finance meeting. Um, this is a So there's some extra money there. Um, some of it was planned to purchase a new Conex, a snowblower, Thank you. Uh, we discussed this last night at finance meeting. Um, this is a He's actually gonna be, it's, um, available up in Anchorage. Um, he is, would be, um, traveling up Um, and this, as noted, this is using unused 2025 funds. Uh, some of that came from, I, I did ask the Um, we did also talk last night, I brought up that, especially considering something is going on with, So the committee kind of agreed that picking up a spare set of tires at the same time would be a good Um, and so this kind of, so I'm really proud of the success of, especially not just the kids program So this seems like a, um, a great idea. Mayor Hanson: Assembly. Assemblymember Weddell. However, I do not feel that this constitutes any kind of conflict and will be voting on this issue.

Assemblymember Burnham:

In the, uh, pictures of the four things, it says 12 seats. Just backing up, Assemblymember Potter.

Mayor Hanson:

Any further discussion? Roll call.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Weddell.

Assemblymember Weddell:

Yes.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Burnham?

Assemblymember Burnham: Yes. Deputy Clerk Carr:

Hillis?

Assemblymember Hillis: Yes. Deputy Clerk Carr:

Pomeroy? Assemblymember Pomeroy: Yes. Deputy Clerk

Mayor Hanson:

Thank you. That moves us on to nine C, consideration of first regular meeting date in January, 2026.

I'd like to speak to you for a moment. Mayor Hanson:

Okay. Uh, let's take a five minute break. 'Cause we

Okay. Calling back to session at 8:

40. Okay.

Calling back to session at 8:

40. Assemblymember Burnham: Thank you, your Honor. Uh, I'd like to move to reconsider Resolution number

25-30R. Assemblymember Weddell:

Second. Mayor Hanson: We have a motion by Burnham and a second by Weddell to reconsider Resolution 25-30R. Discussion. table from, um, votes after they've been completed. However, that did happen tonight and I'm glad it neighbors. Um, the people who are using this, the small boat harbor, to me, is a really good example of like a functioning budget. They always like operate within their means. They never need extra money. And this basically is bringing, it's just reopening it back to that moment when before the, the roll call was don't remember who the first and second was from an hour and a half ago. But, um, roll call on adoption of Resolution 25-30R.

Mayor Hanson:

Okay. Roll call. Roll call on, and I don't remember who the first and second was from an hour and a half ago. But, um, roll call on adoption of Resolution 25-30R.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Hillis.

Assemblymember Hillis:

Yes.

Deputy Clerk Carr: Pomeroy? Assemblymember Pomeroy:

Yes. Deputy Clerk Carr: Potter? Assemblymember So I very quickly reached out to the clerk and got this on the agenda. And I think, uh, Vice Mayor

Mayor Hanson:

Thank you. That brings us now to nine C, consideration of first regular meeting date in And I think, uh, Vice Mayor Potter has spoken with our manager and we've had some correspondence Um, the response was this will not affect payroll. If there's only one assembly meeting, there might be

Assemblymember Potter:

Thank you. Um, you are correct in, um, in all of that. Uh, I did shortly Um, she mentioned that, um, we've only got one, I think contract for dredging, I believe, if memory Thank you. Um, you are correct in, um, in all of that. Uh, I did shortly before the meeting reach out, um, uh, Um, uh, there is a section of code 404101(C). The borough clerk shall prepare a listing of all Um, so as long as we meet once, then um, there are no negative consequences. Um, I checked in with Manager Dee, uh, a couple days ago asking if there was anything pressing, um, Um, she mentioned that, um, we've only got one, I think contract for dredging, I believe, if memory Um, obviously we wouldn't, we wouldn't be meeting on January 1st. Um, so that would leave our, our one Is that, do I have that right?

Assemblymember Potter: Yep. Mayor Hanson:

Discussion. Assemblymember Pomeroy. Assemblymember

Mayor Hanson:

Deputy Borough Manager Kameika, do you see any, uh, fiscal issues with that? I know it's okay with code, but is there any concerns with doing it on the 22nd? Deputy Borough Oh, okay. This is not for the 15th. This is, nevermind, nevermind. Motion was for the 22nd, only in January. Any further discussion?

Assemblymember Burnham:

Are you still with us? Mayor Hanson: Uh, is, are you asking if the manager's I was just wondering if the manager had any concerns. I know the deputy manager

Mayor Hanson:

I could read code that the manager sent to us if you need me to do that, but I think

Deputy Borough Manager Kameika:

Oh, um, I mean, it's fine if she chimed in, but, uh, we were on an, she

Borough Manager Deach:

And I'm, I'm still here. If, if you, if you want me to answer. But I'll wait to be called. Mayor Hanson: Borough Manager Deach. Do you have any comments on having one meeting in January on January 22nd? Borough Manager Deach: Um, Um, the eighth wouldn't have been, or it would've been too early. Um, and then I guess the only other Um, no, I think that works fine. We, we need to award a contract, um, and you Um, the eighth wouldn't have been, or it would've been too early. Um, and then I guess the only other thing is that our, uh, AP accounts payable, we're just going to'Cause we'll have a little bit more time in there. But it, I, I think it should be fine. We've, we used to, you know, in the past there have been plenty of years when we've had one or no So I think it'll work.

Mayor Hanson:

Sounds good. Finance Chair will have to exercise their check writing hand in the next five weeks.

Assemblymember Potter:

Pretty warming up.

Mayor Hanson:

Uh, roll call.

Deputy Clerk Carr:

Weddell.

Assemblymember Weddell:

Yes.

Deputy Clerk Carr: Potter? Assemblymember Potter:

Yes. Deputy Clerk Carr: Pomeroy?

Assemblymember Pomeroy: Yes. Deputy Clerk Carr:

Hillis? Assemblymember Hillis: Yes. Deputy Clerk

Assemblymember Weddell:

Thank you, your Honor. Um, items are not often brought back to the table from, It's, it's a conflicting issue for me because I really wanna represent the people of this community, They never need extra money. And so I struggle with wanting to ask them to pay more when I don't think But I also recognize that the community has asked us to find ways to fund our infrastructure and maintain So I'm glad that came back and was reconsidered and I hope that in the future we can find a way to make

Thank you. Mayor Hanson:

Thank you. Assemblymember Hillis? Assemblymember Hillis: Nothing at this time,

Mayor Hanson:

Thank you. Assemblymember Burnham.

Assemblymember Burnham:

Uh, thank you, your Honor. Um, there was just one thing that popped into my head after she said the days are gonna get shorter. I saw on Facebook that there's supposed to be an awesome meteor shower on the longest Uh, thank you, your Honor. Um, there was just one thing that popped into my So if we got a clear night and you don't have anything to do on the 20th, the night of the 20th, Okay.

That's it. Mayor Hanson:

Thank you. Assemblymember Pomeroy. Assemblymember Pomeroy: Thank you, your

Assemblymember Pomeroy:

Thank you, your Honor. Um, I would also like to thank, uh, Assemblymember Burnham Um, something more specific to them. Um, but what I wanna talk about is, um, I went to Alaska Municipal Thank you, your Honor. Um, I would also like to thank, uh, Assemblymember Burnham Um, something more specific to them. Um, but what I wanna talk about is, um, I went to Alaska Municipal Um, except that what is presented at that meeting is, uh, an opportunity to hear what other people are And so I, I would really like for anybody listening in the world to please just read through my report Thank you, your Honor. Um, I would also like to thank, uh, Assemblymember Burnham It's a bad feeling to ever raise rates on anyone, especially these days. But that is an important thing, um, uh, to plan for our future. And, um, and if we don't do incremental, And so I, I would really like for anybody listening in the world to please just read through my report

Assemblymember Potter:

Thank you, your Honor. Boy, um, one of, strangely enough, one of the things on They, they put in a lot of time and not that an assembly should always just rubber stamp when an Thank you, your Honor. Boy, um, one of, strangely enough, one of the things on Um, hang in there Skagway, we all almost made it. It's almost the, uh, almost the shortest night, the Thank you, your Honor. Boy, um, one of, strangely enough, one of the things on It's almost the, uh, almost the shortest night, the days will start to get longer. Um, uh, thank you

Mayor Hanson:

Thanks for bringing that up. Appreciate that. I'm glad everybody knows that Deb and I are in a heated battle. Um, uh, we had a Um, it's certainly something we should be keeping on our radar because it's a concern I have of the Thanks for bringing that up. Appreciate that. I'm glad everybody knows that Deb Um, and, uh, I welcome, I welcome the discussion. Um, face to face, government to government. And I, I Thanks for bringing that up. Appreciate that. I'm glad everybody knows that Deb Um, I think there's a lot of momentum, there's a lot of excitement in the mining community and I think There's a lot of, uh, really fun, just camaraderie. You know, you go to the different businesses and, Uh, the Santa Giveaway through the, the Eagles has, you know, been going on for 80 or 90 years where So one of the reasons why, uh, I think this is a really special, special place to live, um, I would Motion by Weddell. Second by Pomeroy. Discussion. Roll call.

Deputy Clerk Carr: Pomeroy. Assemblymember Pomeroy:

Yes. Deputy Clerk Carr: Weddell. Assemblymember

Deputy Clerk Carr: Burnham? Assemblymember Burnham:

Yes. Deputy Clerk Carr: Hillis. Assemblymember

Assemblymember Hillis: Yes. Deputy Clerk Carr:

Potter? Assemblymember Potter: Yes. Deputy Clerk

Motion passes. Mayor Hanson:

Thank you.

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