Borough assembly finance committee chair Tom Morphet’s proposals this week to levy two new taxes to pay for bridges and roads fell largely on deaf ears. The borough’s Finance Committee, comprised of Morphet, Brenda Josephson and Stephanie Scott, discussed the proposals Tuesday night. Morphet cited large future infrastructure replacement costs for roads and the Excursion Inlet […]
Search results
Posted inNews
Question raised about Open Meetings Act after public excluded from briefing
The Haines Borough manager and police chief on Wednesday uninvited the assembly to a meeting aimed at developing a local response plan for active shooter situations. The meeting invitation initially included assembly members, but specified the event would be closed to the public and the media. After it was pointed out that a meeting attended by more […]
Posted inNews
Lutak dock repairs remain uncertain after second joint committee meeting
Haines committees struggled to choose between immediate safety or long-term goals as they reviewed repair and replacement options for the deteriorating Lutak Dock. Members of the borough assembly, port and harbor advisory committee and the planning commission met Feb. 22 to give borough staff direction on how to move forward with plans to fix or replace the […]
Posted inNews
Assembly scrutinizes Alaska Excursions tour
Before approving an ATV tour permit at Glacier Point, the Haines Borough Assembly decided this week to investigate unsafe practices by Skagway tour company Alaska Excursions after former employees criticized the company. Alaska Excursions, owned by Skagway resident Robert Murphy, operates a canoe tour at Glacier point and recently applied for a new ATV tour permit in […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Clay resigns as fire chief
Haines Volunteer Fire Department Chief Brian Clay resigned his position Feb. 12, two days after his arrest for driving under the influence. Borough manager Debra Schnabel announced Clay’s departure during last week’s borough assembly meeting. Clay told the CVN he resigned for personal reasons. On Feb. 10, Haines Police officer Chris Brown stopped Clay’s vehicle after he failed to […]
Posted inNews
Joint committees to review Lutak Dock ramp report
A condition assessment for the roll-on roll-off ramp at Lutak Dock was finalized and will be up for review by several borough committees this month. The Port and Harbor Advisory Committee was the first to review the final report last week, which outlines the condition of the existing ramp and provides suggestions and cost estimates for repairing […]
Posted inNews
Harbor contractor prepared for litigation
Pacific Pile & Marine representatives said last week they’re willing to fight in court over the company’s $1.2 million adjustment request for last summer’s boat harbor dredging, according to Haines Borough Manager Debra Schnabel. The Haines Borough and PND Engineers disputed the contractor’s claim that the dredge basin was harder than described in contract documents, Schnabel said. The borough manager, Mayor Jan […]
Posted inNews, Police
GAS committee wants to cut borough minor offense list
A borough advisory board will pare down Haines’ list of 299 minor offenses, pending borough assembly approval. The Government Affairs and Services Committee approved a recommendation Monday that the Code Review Commission identify which minor offenses should go. The only municipality in Southeast Alaska that has more minor offenses in its code is Juneau. Petersburg […]
Posted inNews
Borough sharpens disaster plan
Borough staff are dusting off and re-tooling their emergency management plans after last week’s tsunami scare. Public Facilities Director Brad Ryan is the borough’s Incident Commander, a job description that includes overseeing agencies and individuals who respond in a disaster and directing contingency plans. During last week’s tsunami warnings, Ryan was on his way home […]
Posted inNews
What happened to the solid waste group’s proposal?
The Haines Borough is giving Community Waste Solutions an opportunity to “prove itself” before putting out-of-town waste disposal up to a boroughwide vote. Borough manager Debra Schnabel, mayor Jan Hill and Solid Waste Working Group chair Darsie Culbeck recently met with CWS owner Tom Hall by phone about a solid waste proposal presented to the assembly in the fall. The […]