An Anchorage-based architect estimates a new “muniplex” including Haines Borough offices, a fire hall, police station and assembly chambers would cost the Haines Borough about $8.5 million to build. The estimate does not include design, construction administration, furniture, fixtures, building permits, geological investigation or hazardous clean-up (if necessary). Jason Gamache, an architect with McCool Carlson Green, provided estimates for […]
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Assembly retains parking rules
The Haines Borough Planning Commission will have to go back to the drawing board to address parking requirements, as the assembly on June 25 struck down an ordinance endorsed by the commission to relax the rules. The ordinance would have allowed commercial business developers to allow adjacent, on-street parking to count toward parking space requirements with the permission […]
Heli map committee seeks 22 changes
The Haines Borough’s ad-hoc heli-ski map committee is recommending 22 alterations to the current boundaries, including the expansion of areas in the Takhin Ridge and removal of lands in the Kicking Horse area. Of the 22 proposed changes, eight involve contraction of areas due to wildlife concerns and lack of use. Arguments for increased areas […]
Borough adopts roster-style ballot
Elections for positions on the Haines Borough Assembly and school board will no longer pit candidate vs. candidate for specific seats. Mayor Stephanie Scott broke a 3-3 tie Tuesday to establish a roster-style ballot, eliminating the current system in which candidates vie for designated, individual seats. Assembly members Debra Schnabel, Joanne Waterman and Norm Smith supported the change; Dave Berry, Steve Vick and Jerry Lapp were opposed. “This system simply […]
Culbeck cleared of conflict
Haines Borough attorney Brooks Chandler says assistant to the manager Darsie Culbeck should not be prohibited from working for an exploratory mining company while maintaining employment with the borough. Culbeck is working up to 10 hours per week for the borough while also working as camp manager for Constantine Metal Resources, a company performing exploratory […]
Borough may offer early retirement
The Haines Borough may offer an early retirement incentive program to its employees in order to recoup some of the lost funding from state and federal sources. The assembly voted Tuesday to forward the draft program plan to the Government Services Committee and Finances Committee for review. The program would be available to employees who have worked […]
Borough staffers fill in as acting manager
The Haines Borough is playing musical chairs with its top position until July 3, when manager Mark Earnest will return to work from a two-and-a-half week vacation. Earnest left June 17, putting second-in-command clerk Julie Cozzi in the acting manager position. Cozzi, then, left June 25. As the third and final borough officer, chief fiscal officer Jila Stuart would […]
AP&T drops effort for Connelly hydro
Alaska Power and Telephone pulled the plug on the Connelly Lake hydroelectric project, surrendering its Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) preliminary permit for the project June 13. The primary factor in the company’s decision is that existing demand for power isn’t sufficient to build the project and maintain or lower local rates, said project manager Glen […]
Election ballot likely to change
The push to change local election procedures continues with the Haines Borough Assembly still split down the middle on whether to switch from a seat system to a roster-style ballot. Mayor Stephanie Scott has repeatedly broken ties between the assembly members on whether to advance the ordinance which would make the change. Members Debra Schnabel, Joanne Waterman and Norm Smith have consistently voted for […]
Redistricting on assembly agenda
Haines Borough Mayor Stephanie Scott said this week she will ask the assembly whether it wants to weigh in on where Haines should fall in new redistricting plans. The Alaska Redistricting Board is currently holding map work sessions to redraw district boundaries ruled unconstitutional by the Alaska Supreme Court. Initially lumped in with Juneau, Skagway and Gustavus, Haines […]
