The Haines Borough Assembly discussed and made amendments to the $13.3 million 2019 fiscal year budget Tuesday—which included voting to allow children under 18 years old free admission to the pool, approving a $40,000 online government engagement platform, and deciding whether to hire an additional employee in the planning department. The assembly unanimously approved member Heather Lende’s […]
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Assembly questions attorney’s past decisions
Last week, the Haines Borough put the word out that it’s seeking a new municipal attorney. The assembly directed borough manager Debra Schnabel to put out an RFP last month, but offered few reasons why they were unsatisfied with the current attorney, Brooks Chandler. In interviews last week with assembly members, they offered few specifics. Assembly member Heather Lende […]
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Assembly advances moratorium on Chilkoot tour permits
The Haines Borough Assembly voted 4-2 to develop a resolution placing a moratorium on issuing new tour permits on Chilkoot Lake and river corridor. Overcrowding on the road has led to potentially dangerous encounters with bears over the past several years. An Alaska Department of Fish and Game technician quit his job last year after a crowd of bear […]
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Assembly gets existential
The Haines Borough Assembly met Monday and discussed their effectiveness as a body and as individual representatives. The special meeting, which is slated to occur the third week of each month, is the latest effort from the assembly to increase its efficiency and engage in productive discussions. The meeting opened with assembly member Heather Lende proposing they […]
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Unexpected revenues cushion borough budget
Haines Borough Manager Debra Schnabel previewed her $13.3 million draft budget for the coming fiscal year, which includes a small increase in townsite property tax rates and an unexpected increase in tax revenues that helped the borough reduce its use of savings to balance the budget. Despite a roughly $60,000 increase in personnel costs, which includes hiring […]
Posted inNews, Timber
Public packs assembly chambers during timber sale meeting
The Haines Borough Assembly heard from more than 40 people Tuesday about the University of Alaska’s proposed 13,000-acre timber sale, but more questions were raised than answered. Assembly member Heather Lende said until the university sends a representative to Haines, the community is in the dark. “I think that even by announcing this sale in the media […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Committee bashes fuel, bridge tax levy proposal
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 […]
Posted inNews, Haines Borough
Assembly approves Glacier Point ATV tour with conditions
The Haines Borough narrowly approved a new Glacier Point ATV tour permit proposed by a Skagway tour company. The borough assembly voted 3-3 to approve the tour permit, on the condition that they review the tour after one year, with the Mayor breaking the tie. Assembly members Tresham Gregg, Stephanie Scott and Brenda Josephson supported the permit. Gregg told the CVN […]
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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 […]
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Assembly questions mayor on commission appointments
A Haines Borough Assembly member and a public safety commission applicant are pushing to seek its board appointments after Mayor Jan Hill stopped scheduling meetings. At last Tuesday’s assembly meeting, Hill said the commission wasn’t working, in part, because the assembly rejected a public safety commission proposal to change its name and membership make-up. “The manager and I, because the […]