The Juneau Assembly has authorized city staff to push in favor of the introduction of a new city hall..
In an extraordinary Assembly meeting on Monday night, members voted to authorize the city manager to invest $50,000 to inform the public about the project.
Its style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”Clearly that we will be attempting to influence the outcomes of the election,” said City Manager Rorie Watt. “We consider that the construction of a brand new City Hall is best in interests of our citizens. .”
Voters narrowly rejected a bonds proposal to fund the project in 2013, and they’ll likely get another chance to consider the issue in October. In the past the Assembly rejected spending $25,000 to promote the project.
The Alaska Public Offices Commission requires the Assembly to allocate funds via an ordinance in the event that it wishes to allow employees to have an influence on elections.
City hall of Juneau is in need of several improvements. It’s also too small to accommodate all the city’s staff which is why the city rents additional offices. A new building to be purchased in Juneau isn’t an alternative as per a real estate expert employed from the Assembly.
Watt stated that the $50,000 will cover the costs of staff already in place to deliver presentations, share information on social media and perform other tasks related to advocating for the cause. The only additional cost is likely to be postcards that voters would receive via mail.
“We’re not looking for anyone new to do these issues,” Watt said.
Five people attended Monday’s meeting, all of them in against the budget.
“span” style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”The community has said”no” to this proposal,” said North Douglas resident Scott Spickler. “The project must be judged by its merits.”
Auke Bay residents Wayne Coogan said he was worried about the city “advocating politically to support a plan which was rejected by a majority of citizens.”
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”They decided to vote no on the proposal,” he said. “We’re making use of their money to fight voting against the plan.” .”
The Assembly is still required to decide on whether or not to place the proposal for a city hall bond on the ballot for October. The public is invited to make comments during the meeting on July 10.
