I. FLAG SALUTE
II. ROLL CALL
III. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS
A. Employee Recognition
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. January 7, 2008 – Regular Meeting 2008-01
V. MANAGER’S REQUEST FOR AGENDA CHANGES
VI. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS.
(Not to exceed a total of 20 minutes nor more than 5 minutes for any individual).
VII. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Public Requests for Consent Agenda Changes, Other Than Ordinances for Introduction
B. Assembly Requests for Consent Agenda Changes
C. Assembly Action
1. Ordinances for Introduction
The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) provides both mandated and optional Senior Citizen and veteran property tax exemptions as required or allowed under State statutes. Each year the Assessor’s Office receives a number of late-filed exemption applications. Under State statutes, only the Assembly, has the authority to accept late-filed exemption applications. The Assembly, for good cause shown, may direct the Assessor to accept the late-filed applications.
CBJ currently has no provisions in place defining “good cause” or how far back late-filed applications can be accepted. This issue was brought before the Assembly Finance Committee on December 12, 2007. A draft ordinance defining “good cause” and a time-period were also presented to the Finance Committee at that time. The Finance Committee reviewed the late-filed exemption application issue and the draft ordinance language. The Finance Committee approved changes to the draft ordinance and recommended the revised ordinance be brought forward to the Assembly for action.
The ordinance as presented defines “good cause” as: “…extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the claimant, including but not limited to a medical condition or disability, impaired mental capacity, illiteracy, family emergency, death in the family, or other similar serious condition or event, that substantially impaired the claimant’s ability to file a timely application.”
The ordinance goes on to define the period for which late-filed applications can be accepted as: ”Not…more than one year after the date the application was due for the assessment year for which the exemption is sought, regardless of good cause.”
I recommend this ordinance be introduced and set for public hearing at the next regular meeting.
This ordinance would appropriate $8,142,712 to be provided by Passenger Facility Charges, intended for the following projects: $1,082,580 to match a federal grant for airfield construction, $7,052,632 for terminal construction, and $7,500 to match a federal grant for the purchase of snow removal equipment.
Other funding for these projects will include federal and state grants as well as local sales tax for the terminal construction.
The Airport Board approved this action at its January 9, 2008 meeting.
I recommend this ordinance be introduced and set for public hearing at the next regular meeting.
2. Resolutions
This resolution would provide the required authorization to submit an application for U.S. Department of Energy grant funds that are being administered through the Alaska Energy Authority. If the Airport is successful in receiving this grant, funds will be used toward the construction of a new energy-efficient heating and cooling system for the terminal that utilizes ground source heat pump technology.
I recommend this resolution be adopted.
3. Transfers
There are numerous ramps within this portion of roadway that do not meet current ADA standards. Franklin Street, from Manila Square to Fourth Street, is to be overlaid as a repair for the failing asphalt pavement. These additional funds will improve the safety of Franklin Street for pedestrian and motorized traffic. Work will be completed in the spring of 2008. The result of the transfer will be to close the South Franklin Widening CIP and the Franklin Street CIP will have $238,000 available for completion.
The Public Works and Facilities Committee approved this request at its November 19, 2007 meeting.
I recommend this transfer be approved.
CBJ would use these funds to establish a Reimbursable Services Agreement with the Alaska Department of Transportation (ADOT) to design the Basin Road Trestle Bridge project through the bridge design phase. CBJ will work with ADOT’s bridge engineers to ensure this project is bid-ready by late summer.
The Lakeside project is mostly complete and this transfer will not adversely affect that project’s progress.
The Public Works and Facilities Committee heard this request at its January 14, 2008 meeting.
I recommend this transfer be approved.
4. Bid Award
a. Statter Harbor Planning and Permitting Services Contract Approval
As part of its work on the Statter Harbor Master Plan, the Docks and Harbors Board solicited proposals from consultants to provide planning and permitting services for the public improvements contemplated in the plan. These services include meeting the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as called for in the Alaska Department of Fish and Game grant that is providing $250,000 of funding for this project. The Board selected PND, Inc as the best of the three proposals received during the solicitation. This action will approve a contract with PND, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $300,000. CBJ Ordinance Title 85 requires the Docks and Harbors Board to receive Assembly approval for all contracts in excess of $100,000.
I recommend award of this contract to PND, Inc., in the amount bid, not to exceed $300,000.
VIII. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Ordinance 2008-01
An Ordinance Relating To Traffic Impact Analysis Under The Land Use Code.
DOT Reports Notice of Decision PC Staff Report
As part of the update of Title 49, the portion of Chapter 40 dealing with traffic has been reviewed and a number of revisions are proposed. The amendment would provide standards for when a traffic study is required and what needs to be included in a traffic study. This new text reflects how, in practice, the existing code has been implemented.
One other important revision being proposed is a recommendation to change the minimum acceptable level of service (LOS) from a C to a D. Community Development Department’s consultant, after reviewing the existing code, traffic conditions in Juneau, traffic codes for similar communities, and based on his 30 years of experience with Juneau's traffic, made a recommendation to lower the minimum acceptable LOS.
The Title 49 Committee, the Planning Commission, and the Law Department have all considered these proposed revisions and the result is the ordinance before you.
I recommend this ordinance be adopted.
IX. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
X. NEW BUSINESS
A. Senior Citizen Application for Hardship Exemption
The following individual filed for the Hardship Exemption late. Applications for the Hardship Exemption were due in the Assessor's office by April 30, 2007.
Alaska Statute 29.45.030(f) and CBJ Code 69.10.020(1)(B) provides, "The governing body of the municipality for good cause shown may waive the claimant's failure to make timely application for exemption and authorize the assessor to accept the application as if timely filed."
1. William H. Ahrensfeld, 7B0901000030
Reason for Filing Late: Mr. Ahrensfeld did not know about the Hardship Exemption.
Pending Assembly Approval:
Total Assessed Value for 2007 $288,500.00
Total Senior Citizen Exemption Authorized 150,000.00
Taxable Value After Exemption $138,500.00
Tax Amount for 2007 before Hardship Exemption $1,436.26
Tax Amount for 2007 after Hardship Exemption 273.04
Hardship Tax Deduction $1,163.22
I recommend denial of this exemption.
B. Senior Citizen/Disabled Veteran Real Property Tax Exemption, Late Filed Applications
The following individuals filed late for the Real Property Tax Exemption. Applications were due in the Assessor's office by March 31, 2007.
Alaska Statute 29.45.030(f) and CBJ Code 69.10.020(1)(A) provides, "The governing body of the municipality for good cause shown may waive the claimant's failure to make timely application for exemption and authorize the assessor to accept the application as if timely filed."
1. Judith C. Covey, 5B2501370010
Reason for Filing Late: Ms. Covey was not aware she was eligible for a property tax exemption.
Pending Assembly Approval:
Total Assessed Value for 2007 $266,200.00
Total Senior Citizen Exemption Authorized 150,000.00
Taxable Value After Exemption $116,200.00
Tax Amount for 2007 before Senior Exemption $2,760.48
Tax Amount for 2007 after Senior Exemption 1,205.00
Tax Deduction $1,555.48
I recommend denial of this exemption.
2. Kenneth L. Wingo, 7B1001100232
Reason for Filing Late: Mr. Wingo received his 2007 PFD and therefore, was eligible to receive the senior exemption
Pending Assembly Approval:
Total Assessed Value for 2007 $248,100.00
Total Senior Citizen Exemption Authorized 150,000.00
Taxable Value After Exemption $ 98,100.00
Tax Amount for 2007 before Senior Exemption $2,572.80
Tax Amount for 2007 after Senior Exemption 1,017.30
Tax Deduction $1,555.50
I recommend approval of this exemption.
XI. STAFF REPORTS
XII. ASSEMBLY REPORTS
A. Mayor’s Report
B. Committee Reports
C. Liaison Reports
D. Presiding Officer Reports
XIII. ASSEMBLY COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
XIV. CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS
XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION
XVI. ADJOURNMENT
Note: Agenda packets are available for review at the Juneau Municipal Libraries and online at www.juneau.org.
ADA accommodations available upon request: Please contact the Clerk’s office 72 hours prior to any meeting so arrangements can be made to have a sign language interpreter present or an audiotape containing the Assembly’s agenda made available. The Clerk’s office telephone number is 586-5278, TDD 586-5351, e-mail: city_clerk@ci.juneau.ak.us
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