Resolution 21-09 inspired the majority of correspondence received by the Municipality in the run-up to Thursday night’s Assembly meeting. That resolution, as drafted by the Health Education Welfare committee, would have required face-coverings to be worn inside all businesses licensed by the municipality.
That resolution had already been adopted once on a technicality, then was later vetoed by the mayor. The resolution was back before the Assembly on Thursday night in a very similar form. But before a long debate could happen, Assemblyperson Jay Burnham, recognizing the outpouring of public opposition to the measure, offered an amendment to the resolution.
“I would like to move we amend resolution 21-09 by replacing all occurrences of the words “Requiring,” “Requirements,” and “Required,” with the words “Recommending,” “Recommendations,” and “Recommended,” said Burnham.
That amendment, adopted unanimously, meant that the resolution no longer required face-coverings to be worn inside publicly accessible businesses, but recommended them. The new language more closely aligns with federal CDC guidelines. The amended resolution was adopted by a 5-1 vote.
Assemblyperson Reba Hylton said she did support the original resolution because as a mother she wants the safest possible environment to raise her child. But she offered her support to the amended resolution as a way to achieve the goal of safety with a less divisive piece of legislation.
“Even if it’s not required, and if it is just recommended, if that’s the message we send to our visitors, then I fully support that,” said Hylton.
Also on the agenda at Thursday night’s meeting was the Borough Manager’s Economic Stimulus Program. That plan would offer a host of full-time and part-time municipal jobs, an air handler upgrade for the school, funding for the local food bank, a positive graffiti project, trail upgrades, and projects for contractors.
The Stimulus Program passed with a 4-2 vote. Assemblyperson Orion Hanson was one of the two dissenting “No,” votes.
“There are some things in this stimulus package that I think are absolutely necessary. The air handler, supporting the Food Bank. There are some things in here that are not necessary. $25,000 for a trail to Denver Glacier that we have not surveyed, we haven’t flagged, we don’t have a trail, we don’t have a plan for it. I don’t think that should be in this budget. A cabin that we budgeted $50,000 for, we know good and well, six months ago it cost a lot more than that. Seems kind of silly. It’s not going to get built,” said Hanson.
Assemblyperson Sam Bass said he understood the idea of reigning in spending while revenues are low, but he noted the strong level of savings the Municipality has in reserve and feels the spending would benefit Skagway’s overall economy.
“Due to the health of our savings and the very real desire of this assembly to provide as much opportunity as we can to our economy, I believe this expenditure is prudent and needed,” said Bass.
