Juneau committee approves private‑dock security funding, debates Wi‑Fi procurement and other passenger‑fee amendments

The Finance Committee on May 6 conducted a detailed review of the marine passenger fee package and considered a string of amendments addressing waterfront projects, crossing‑guard funding, an ambassador program and procurement concerns about the city’s public Wi‑Fi contract.

Director Pierce reviewed the packet and noted staff recommendations. Mayor Weldon proposed removing item 11 (waterfront covered shelter with restrooms) from the package; that amendment failed on a roll call (3 yes, 5 no). A sequence of subsequent amendments produced mixed results. Notable outcomes included:

- Private docks restrooms/security: After legal and policy discussion referencing the CLIA settlement, the committee approved an amendment to add $180,000 each for Franklin Street and AJ private dock restrooms/security, offset by a reduction to the Seawalk allocation (roll call passed 5–3).

- Crossing guards: Assemblymember Kelly proposed increasing the crossing‑guard allocation; an alternative motion from Assemblymember Smith requested a transfer from the marine passenger fee fund balance of $99,728 to increase crossing guard services for the remainder of FY26. Staff interpreted that direction as authorization to draft an ordinance and the committee approved the transfer by unanimous consent (no objections recorded), instructing staff to return with ordinance language.

- Downtown Business Association ambassadors: Assemblymember Hall sought a recurring $37,500 line for the DBA ambassador program and direction for DBA, JEDC and Travel Juneau (Bridal Juneau) to coordinate on a long‑term delivery model. After discussion and an amendment to reduce and refine the request, the committee approved a $37,500 allocation and directed the three groups to coordinate moving forward (passage recorded 6 yes, 2 no).

Procurement and public Wi‑Fi: Assemblymember Brooks raised concerns that the current public Wi‑Fi contractor had not delivered the full coverage originally proposed and suggested switching to an alternative provider that claimed materially lower operational costs. City Attorney Wright and staff advised that it would be illegal for the assembly to cancel and reassign a live procurement award directly. The chair allowed a motion to request a staff review of the current public Wi‑Fi contract and potential alternatives; that amendment was put to a roll call and failed (1 yes, 7 no). Attorney Wright recommended staff return with documentation of the procurement, appeal and contract provisions if the assembly wanted further review.

Director Pierce warned the committee that multiple passenger‑fee amendments would require offsets and adjustments to the proposed fund balance and recommended careful bookkeeping so the fund did not go negative. Staff estimated the marine passenger fee fund would end FY27 with approximately $591,000 under the current proposal; the private‑dock additions and other approved amendments require offsets that will reduce project allocations such as Seawalk.

What happens next: staff will draft the ordinance language for the crossing‑guard transfer, prepare the passenger‑fee budget reflecting approved amendments, and report to the committee on any procurement documentation if requested.

Representative quote: Attorney Wright advising on procurement law: "It would not be legal for the assembly to cancel a contract and designate a different contract. It would violate our... finance codes and how we issue contracts and what we do."