News Item – Page 2 – City and Borough of Juneau

Citizens Petition Update: Mill Rate Cap Charter Amendment Petition Certified

The Municipal Clerk has certified the proposed Mill Rate Cap Charter Amendment Petition as sufficient under the requirements of the CBJ Charter. The petitioners’ committee submitted petition books containing 2,986 signatures, and after review and verification by the Clerk’s Office, the petition met the required threshold of 2,566 certified signatures.

The Certification of Petition has been issued and is available on the CBJ Elections webpage. Unlike initiative petitions, charter amendment petitions are not subject to Assembly action following certification. Pursuant to the CBJ Charter, the proposed Charter Amendment will be placed directly before the voters at the next regular election.

The Mill Rate Cap Charter Amendment will appear on the October 6, 2026 Municipal Election ballot.

For petition documents, certification materials, and the latest petition status updates, visit the CBJ Elections webpage or contact the Municipal Clerk’s Office at 907-586-5278 (Option 1).

June 25th, 2026|

Replacement of Cope Park Water Utility Pump Station Starts This Week

The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) will begin construction on the replacement of the CBJ Water Utility’s aging pump station at Cope Park later this week. The new pump station, to be completed by early 2027, will increase both the pumping capacity and reliability of the water distribution system in downtown Juneau’s higher elevation areas. Cope Park will remain open and accessible for park users throughout construction.

The Cope Park Pump Station Replacement project consists of a new pump building, new pumps and controls, an emergency generator, underground pipe work, paved parking areas, site drainage, lighting, and demolition of the old pump station. The $1.6 million construction project is funded by the CBJ Water Utility Water Fund which supports water utility infrastructure projects throughout Juneau. The Cedar Park Pump Station in West Juneau was also recently upgraded using this fund.

The Cope Park access road will be accessible to pedestrians throughout construction. Vehicular access may be restricted to a single lane at times, and there will be periodic short closures to all vehicles as dictated by construction activities. Alternate pedestrian access via the 7^th Street stairs will not be affected. Park users are asked to obey all traffic control signs and flaggers and be alert for construction workers and equipment throughout construction.

CBJ appreciates the community’s patience during the implementation of these critical upgrades to Juneau’s water distribution system.

For more information about the project, contact CBJ project manager Alan Steffert at [email protected] and 907-586-0800 ext. 4190 or the project construction contractor Henricksen Constructors, Inc. at [email protected] or 907-321-5921.

June 23rd, 2026|

CBJ Solicits Construction Bids for Municipal Offices, Assembly Chambers at Burns Building

The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) posted a solicitation for bids to perform construction work on the first two floors of the Michael J. Burns building. The project will accommodate CBJ offices for 147 personnel, an accessible Assembly Chambers and central public service counter. The cost-based bid solicitation materials include a summary of work, site layout and list of alternates should budget allow. The solicitation period closes on July 13.

The primary scope of work addresses critical updates to the building’s mechanical and electrical systems that are out of code and at risk of needing constant repairs if not updated. There will also be limited renovations to the first floor for an Assembly Chambers, public service counters and restrooms. Some office spaces will receive minor renovations, including replacing partitions and limited finishes. At this time, the current budget does not include paint and flooring updates, however, should bid come in below budget, these are included among several items that could be added as alternates to the scope.

“We took a very frugal approach to this project,” explains CBJ City Architect Liam Knecht. “We may not get updated paint or flooring, but this scope will get us to a safe, consolidated, and cost-effective workspace for municipal employees.”

The current City Hall houses about 40% of CBJ office staff and faces major renovation and repairs estimated at nearly $10 million for immediate health and safety repairs, and over $45 million for full structural repairs. Additional CBJ offices are spread throughout the city in private commercial buildings and are subject to increasing lease costs and needed repairs. In the current arrangement, annual operating costs–including for maintenance, utilities and lease–total approximately $1.3 million. Annual operating costs for municipal services to operate out of the Burns Building will be approximately half that at $650,000 and include utilities, maintenance, and capital reinvestment costs.

In September 2025, the Juneau Assembly formally approved the purchase of two floors of the Burns Building (801 W. 10^th Street) for use as the new CBJ Municipal facility. The plan structures the arrangement as a condominium association, with CBJ purchasing the first two floors while the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation retains the top floor. The building plans prioritize public accessibility and services, with the new Assembly Chambers being 3,530 square feet (versus 1,929 in the current City Hall) and a larger public counter to better receive and direct inquiries for all departments. The space will function as a one-stop shop for residents to interface with their municipal government.

The total budget to move and consolidate CBJ offices in the Burns Building is $20.5 million. This total cost includes the purchase of 46,000 square feet of commercial office space for $9.3 million and an upfront capital investment fund contribution of $2.7 million (similar to a deferred maintenance fund, to save for future capital project needs).

Interested contractors can find the solicitation and instructions on the CBJ Public Purchase website.

For more information about the future CBJ Municipal Offices and Assembly Chambers, visit juneau.org/manager/cbj-municipal-offices or contact [email protected]. For questions about the bid solicitation process, contact [email protected].

June 19th, 2026|

Mill Rate Cap Change Charter Amendment Petition Update: Review Underway

The Municipal Clerk’s Office is currently reviewing petition booklets and signatures submitted for the proposed Mill Rate Cap Change Charter Amendment Petition.

On June 17, the petitioners committee returned petition books containing 2,986 initial signatures. Under the CBJ Charter, 2,566 certified signatures are required for the petition to be certified. Clerk’s Office staff are now verifying signatures and reviewing petition booklets to determine whether the petition meets the certification requirements.

For the latest petition status and related documents, visit the https://juneau.org/clerk/elections or contact the Municipal Clerk’s Office at 907-586-5278 (Option 1).

June 17th, 2026|

Citizens Initiatives Update: 1% Seasonal Sales Tax Petition Certified

The Municipal Clerk has certified the proposed 1% Seasonal Sales Tax Initiative Petition as sufficient under the requirements of the CBJ Charter. The petitioners committee submitted petition books containing 3,231 signatures, and after review and verification by the Clerk’s Office, the petition met the required threshold of 2,566 certified signatures.

The Certification of Petition has been issued and is available on the CBJ Elections webpage. Pursuant to CBJ Charter Section 7.10(a), the Assembly has 45 days from the date of certification to adopt substantially similar legislation. If the Assembly does not adopt substantially similar legislation within that period, the initiative will be placed before the voters at the next regular election.

The Mill Rate Cap Change Charter Amendment Petition remains in circulation. Signature gathering is authorized through June 17, 2026, unless the petitioners committee submits the petition for certification sooner.

For petition documents, certification materials, and the latest petition status updates, visit juneau.org/clerk/elections or contact the Municipal Clerk’s Office at 907-586-5278 (Option 1).

June 12th, 2026|