Juneau Daily News Online

Wednesday,  January 9, 2002

Juneau facing escalating insurance hikes
Insurance rates are going up nationwide and the City and Borough of Juneau's budget will be impacted.

During last night's School Board meeting, Superintendent Gary Bader told the panel that city officials recently told him, that along with other city departments, the districts' insurance rates will increase dramatically. Bader said the district is looking at over $500,000 a year increase in insurance charges that would be assessed by the city.

Bader says in his talks with city officials there are two things happening. First is the tight insurance markets.

Secondly, in the past, there were large reserves in the city's risk management accounts which the Assembly used to pay the insurance rates the last two fiscal years. Those reserves are now drawn down.

Bader told the Board members that the budget for the next two fiscal years was close to being in balance.
Now, he says, he's not sure how this current financial situation will work out for the district or the city.

City Manager Dave Palmer told us this morning that insurance consultants are saying to expect increases between 40 and 70 percent on general liability and property insurance this year.

He doesn't know the exact dollar impact on the city yet. He says there will also be an increase in health insurance costs. Palmer says the increases will have to be dealt by the Assembly during its budget work.

He says in addition to premium increases, the school district is also looking at the cost of covering new buildings and the increased value of the other structures.

Budget to dominate next legislative session, according to Elton
Juneau Senator Kim Elton says the budget and recommendations of the Fiscal Policy Caucus will highlight the work in the next legislative session that convenes Monday.

Elton, who was a guest on KINY's Capital Chat this morning, predicted a mixed bag approach will emerge to address the fiscal gap estimated a more than a billion dollars. He says the magnitude of the problem is too big. As a result, he doesn't think there's any one pocket lawmakers can reach in to fill that size of a hole.

On another issue, Elton says there's a certain amount of optimism that the subsistence issue can finally be resolved next session, but he's skeptical. He believes it may be an issue that's more easily resolved following this year's elections and the swearing in of a new Legislature.

Elton is encouraged about the possibility of obtaining funding for a new high school in the upcoming session since there will be a serious discussion for the first time in about 20 years on a bond issue. Governor Knowles is proposing general obligation bonds for school construction.

The Governor has also included in his package money for a joint facility housing a recreation center for UAS and an Alaska Army National Guard armory and Elton says he's optimistic that project will be funded.

Big increase in cats and dogs and one horse reported at Juneau's animal shelter
Juneau's non-profit animal shelter has seen a huge increase in the numbers of dogs and cats turned over to the facility since September.

Many of the animals were shipped by air to Juneau from other communities, according to Gastineau Humane Society Executive Director Chava [Hava] Lee. Interestingly, she says they have been inundated ever since September 11th. The count is 42 dogs and 38 cats, which is far more than usual. In addition, donations to the shelter have also dropped off dramatically since 9-11, a phenomena that is shared by many non-profits.

Donations are needed and Lee says they can take many forms. They can include cat and dog food, bleach, laundry detergent and, of course, money.

On top of it all, the shelter is also caring for a horse named Cinnamon. The 25-year-old mare became the city's responsibility after a district court judge ordered the owner to give the horse up after it was found emaciated and neglected in December. Its health is improving. When it was found it had not eaten in about three days.

Anyone wishing to make donations can call the humane society at 789-0260.

Ice rink name and Pocket Park restrooms okayed by advisory panel
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee signed off on a proposal during its meeting last night to place two restrooms at Pocket Park downtown.

Parks and Recreation Director Kim Kiefer says most of the members of the public who testified supported the proposal, but voiced concerns about security, safety and proper maintenance of the facility.

She says the committee approved the proposal providing the restrooms are properly managed and maintained and does not take funds from other parks and recreation projects.

The committee also endorsed naming the new ice rink to be built at Savikko Park as the Treadwell Arena. That was the recommendation of the Douglas Fourth of July Committee which has spearheaded the project. The recommendation will now be forwarded to the Assembly.

New smoking law challenged
Juneau's city attorney is taking a closer look at what constitutes a private club. A pull tab operator in the city says he's turned his operation into a private club. The move would allow him to get around the city's tough new smoking ordinance. But city officials have said the Hidden Treasures pull tab operation is not in compliance with the law.

Planning Commission reviews new subdivision street scheme
The Juneau Planning Commission considered a proposal last night that would change the standards for residential streets in very low density subdivisions.

It would narrow the width of streets from 28 to 22 feet, but adding a sidewalk to one side according to Community Development Director Dale Pernula. He says these very low density subdivisions, generally, have lots larger than 12 thousand square feet.

Pernula says the Planning Commission will likely schedule a public hearing on the proposal next month.

Pedestrian killed in Anchorage
The name of a 66-year-old man killed when he was struck by a pickup truck in Anchorage this Tuesday morning has been released.

Dick Evan was hit by a truck driven by 33-year-old Todd Srala on Fourth Avenue near Karluk Street shortly after seven a-m.

Witnesses told police that Evan had just gotten off a bus on the south side of the street and was attempting to cross. They said Evan apparently noticed the eastbound pickup truck in the center lane and attempted to hurry across. The pickup struck Evan in the north lane.

Police continue to investigate and say alcohol does not appear to have played a role. They have issued no citations.

Refund sought on wireless licenses
Alaska Native Wireless wants the Federal Communications Commission to refund more than $550 Million the company paid for wireless licenses.

The licenses won at auction a year ago are now mired in a legal battle. As a result, the company says it's losing about three million dollars every week in interest payments on the money, which the government is holding.

Alaska Native Wireless is a joint venture of A-T-&-T Wireless and three Alaska native corporation. They include Sealaska, the corporation in Southeast; the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation; and the Interior's Doyon Limited.

The licenses originally belonged to NextWave Communications, which defaulted on payments to the F-C-C. NextWave has challenged the F-C-C's re-auction of the licenses in court.

A decision on the licenses could ultimately come from the U-S Supreme Court or from Congress.

Plan okayed for linking Ketchikan to airport
The state is recommending two bridges touching on Pennock Island as the best way to link Ketchikan with its airport on Gravina Island. State officials say the project could cost 190 (m) million dollars. The announcement starts a 60-day public comment process.

Eaglecrest remains open despite warm weather
It's been unseasonably warm in Juneau. Yesterday's high of 41 degrees was just three degrees below the record high for the date. And it will be in the mid-40s today. It was 43 at the airport early this afternoon. The record for this date is 45 set back in 1981.

What's the impact on the Eaglecrest ski area? Business Manager Gary Mendivil says it appears the Platter Lift for beginners will not be opening tomorrow, but the two lifts on the upper mountain will be running. He says there is a thin snow cover on the bottom, but seven feet on top.  

Meanwhile, a wind advisory is in effect for Juneau today with winds from southeast gusting up to 45 miles per hour.

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