News Item – Page 4 – City and Borough of Juneau

GLOF Mitigation Updates, Eaglecrest Gondola, and Disposal of City Hall on Agenda for May 4 Committee of the Whole Meeting

The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) Assembly will get a detailed technical update on near-term GLOF mitigation efforts, including flood modeling and Phase 1 and 2 HESCO flood barrier construction, followed by a discussion on project funding the Committee of the Whole (COW) meeting scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, May 4. Also included on the agenda are discussions of the future paths for both the Gondola project and the existing City Hall building.

The Assembly moved to terminate the revenue sharing agreement with Goldbelt for the gondola project, however, additional discussion regarding next steps is needed. Identified options include termination of the project (sell all parts and equipment), or to seek potential investors to take over the project.

The Assembly will also discuss an ordinance authorizing the City Manager to sell the current City Hall (155 Heritage Way). Possible methods of disposal range from sealed competitive bid to authorizing negotiations with an interested party.

While Assembly Committee Meetings do not include public testimony, residents are encouraged to share their input by emailing the assembly at [email protected] or by testifying at an upcoming Regular Assembly Meeting on May 18.

Join in person in assembly chambers or online at juneau.zoom.us/j/95424544691. Meeting materials can be viewed at juneauak.portal.civicclerk.com/event/4843/overview.

For more information, please contact [email protected].

May 4th, 2026|

Scott Ciambor Announced as Director of Community Development Department

The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Ciambor as the new Director of the CBJ Community Development Department (CDD). Ciambor is no stranger to public service – he has spent the last five years as Planning Manager. Ciambor’s first day in his new role was Monday, April 27.

“Mr. Ciambor’s passion for and experience in creating an environment that facilitates the development of housing will be a great asset to CBJ as we navigate our housing crisis in the years ahead,” says CBJ City Manager, Katie Koester. “We look forward to his leadership in the role of Community Development Director.”

Originally from Laurel, Maryland, Ciambor moved to Juneau with his family in 2007. Ciambor was drawn to roles that seek to address Juneau’s housing challenges after seeing the impacts firsthand as a teacher at Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi High School. “I had one class where six of eight students were unhoused,” he recalls. “It felt like housing and homelessness were the key issues in community that I wanted to work on… and I have ever since.”

Prior to serving as Planning Manager, Ciambor worked as the worked as the CBJ Chief Housing Officer for six years, during which he led the implementation of the Housing Action Plan, including the CBJ Mobile Home Down Payment Assistance Program, Accessory Apartment Incentive Grant Program, Juneau Affordable Housing Fund, and COVID-19 Short-Term Rental Assistance Program. His professional experience also includes work in local economic development and state planning.

In his new role, Director Ciambor looks forward working with the CDD staff to provide continuity and build on the new opportunities for development associated with more modern permitting software, the rewrite of Title 49, and the community-sourced Comprehensive Plan update, which will set the stage for the next 20 years.

“From our building inspectors to the long-range planners,” notes Ciambor, “The CDD team provides a great – if behind the scenes – service with the health and safety of the community in mind.”

Director Ciambor replaces Jill Lawhorne who concluded 10 years of dedicated service to the people of Juneau, more than seven of those as Director, this spring. During this time, Director Lawhorne played a key role in strengthening the CDD team, advancing modernization of permitting systems, and building support for major long-range planning efforts, including the update to the comprehensive plan and the revision of the Land Use Code.

For more information, contact [email protected].

April 29th, 2026|

CBJ Participates in USACE Spring Training to Prepare Local Agencies for 2026 GLOF

Last week, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) – Alaska District hosted a multi-day training in the Mendenhall Valley for staff from the City and Borough of Juneau, Tlingit & Haida and other local agencies in preparation for a 2026 glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF).

Nearly 50 people from CBJ, USACE and Tlingit & Haida took part in both classroom and in-the-field training to gain a practical understanding of the flood fighting equipment and materials provided by the USACE Emergency Management Advance Measures program. Staff from the CBJ Streets and Parks and Recreation departments received instruction on everything from how to operate the dozens of industrial-grade pumps that will be deployed ahead of the next GLOF, to how to operate the sandbag-filling machine on loan from USACE for the summer.

While last week’s hands-on training was targeted to the operational needs of CBJ and Tlingit & Haida staff, USACE will return to Juneau to provide similar training for Juneau residents later this summer. Dates for upcoming sandbag distribution events, like those offered in 2025, will be announced later this spring.

The three-day training also included multi-agency discussions and scenario-planning, with the goal of aligning common understandings and defining roles and responsibilities ahead of the 2026 GLOF.

CBJ appreciates the continued resources and expertise provided by the USACE to prepare and protect the community. This early planning and coordination between agencies will strengthen Juneau’s resilience in the face of the evolving and recurring hazard of glacial lake outburst floods.

For more information, contact [email protected].

April 24th, 2026|

Countdown to Election Day: What Happens When?

The October 6, 2026 CBJ Regular Election may feel far away, but election season is already underway! Here’s a quick look at what’s happening (and when you should take action):

March – May – Petition deadlines & ballot measures take shape

July 17–27 – Candidate filing period

August – Ballots are finalized

September 6 – Voter registration deadline (Don’t wait – Register HERE)

September 18 – Ballots are mailed to all qualified registered voters

Late September – Vote centers and drop boxes open

October 6 – Election Day

Want all the details? Check out the 2026 Municipal Election Overview and Deadlines memo, the Quick Reference Dates for October 6, 2026 CBJ Municipal Election, or contact the Municipal Clerk’s Office at 907-586-5278 option 1 or [email protected]

April 14th, 2026|

Regular Planning Commission meets April 14, 2026. Here’s how to weigh in.

The Regular Planning Commission meets Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Assembly Chambers. This meeting will be a hybrid meeting held both in person and via Zoom Webinar link, and will be to discuss a final plat review for Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority and flood zone exception for Echo Ranch Bible Camp.

This hybrid meeting will be held in person and by remote participation. Join the virtual meeting online at https://juneau.zoom.us/j/85421744892 or call: 1-346-248-7799 or 1-669-900-6833 or 1-253-215-8782 or 1-312-626-6799 or 1-929-436-2866 or 1-301-715-8592 and enter Webinar ID: 868 4722 1296. If you’re giving public comment while participating virtually, you shall state your name and place of residence before beginning your testimony, and will be asked to stay on the line after your testimony to answer any questions from the Commission. For more information about the procedure, contact the Community Development Department at 907-586-0715.

The public is encouraged to submit written comments to [email protected] by 12 noon, April 10, 2026, or testify at the meeting. Read the Planning Commission Meeting agenda at https://juneauak.portal.civicclerk.com/.

Final Plat Review (SMF2026 0001)

Tlingit Haida Regional Housing Authority (THRHA) requests a final plat review for the first 21 lots, and one Tract (phase one) of single-family development in a D18 zone.

Flood Zone Exception (FZE2026 0001)

Applicant requests a Flood Zone Exception for construction of a gymnasium/agricultural structure at Echo Ranch Bible Camp in an unnumbered Velocity (V) Zone.

April 3rd, 2026|