Assembly approves disaster debris processing funds
The Haines Borough Assembly approved unanimously at its Tuesday meeting up to $110,000 for residents who need to dispose of construction debris caused by the December storms. The funding will be reimbursed by FEMA. The Haines Long Term Recovery Group has estimated costs of upwards of $1 million.
The borough will enter into a contract with Community Waste Solutions to provide a transfer station near the wastewater treatment plant next to the landfill. A list will be provided of resident eligible to dump construction debris. They have a month to drop it of based on FEMA requirements and the starting date begins in early August.
“Regardless of FMEA participation, this contribution is essential to help those individuals who are facing so many other expenses,” recovery group member Vince Hansen said.
Sales tax ordinance goes to public hearing
The assembly introduced a draft ordinance for its first Aug. 10 public hearing that would allow the voters to decide on a seasonal sales tax. If approved by voters, the current 5.5% sales tax would be 4% in the winter and 7% in the summer.
The ballot question would also ask whether the 1% sales tax for tourism and economic development should be decreased to .5%.
A third question would ask whether to decrease the sales tax dedicated to areawide capital projects from 1% to 1.5% during the winter and increase the areawide capital projects from 1.5% to 3% in the summer.
Winter months are from Oct. 1 through March 31 and summer months are from April 1 to Sept. 30.
GAS committee to consider lifting permit cap for heliski operators
The borough assembly denied an appeal by Idaho-based heliski company Stellar Adventure Travel for a heliski permit. Borough code currently has a three-permit limit for heliski operators. The assembly unanimously approved a motion to send the issue to the government affairs and services committee to consider removing or increasing the limit.
Assembly member Cheryl Stickler was among the majority of assembly members who seemed generally supportive of allowing more operators in the spirit of free enterprise. Before making any decision, though, she said she wanted to know why the rules were established in the first place.
“I want to know what the history and rationale is for why it was set up for what it currently is and I’ll do my due diligence to look at unintended consequences,” Stickler said.
Local heliski operator Sean Brownell and a guide that works for him both cited safety concerns should too many operators be allowed fly and compete for limited terrain, issues that were discussed in 2011 when the code was approved.
Another former heliski guide, Mark Kelly, disputed the claim that it would cause safety concerns.
The issue will be discussed on Aug. 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the assembly chambers.