Kodiak council to vote on $300,000 state grant for Water Dock and Pier II repairs

Interim City Manager Tim Putney told the state Kodiak wants an engineer to evaluate whether its Water Dock is **structurally sound** before repairs that may include new piling or decking. The Saint Paul Harbor dock, used to lighter cruise ship passengers ashore when vessels anchor in port, would get $168,130 under a $300,000 state grant the City Council is scheduled to vote on accepting Thursday, Aug. 20.

"The condition of the current electrical infrastructure is questionable," Putney wrote the Division of Community and Regional Affairs on August 11. New lighting would be a safety measure, he wrote.

The Water Dock share covers $18,130 in engineering, $25,000 in design and $125,000 in repairs, maintenance and strengthening. Another $65,000 goes to engineering and repair of the Pier II fender curtain system, which serves cruise ships that berth at the dock. City staff support draws $10,000. A contingency of $56,870 is set aside, enough to replace a second fender curtain if funding allows.

The money comes from the state's commercial vessel passenger tax account, which state law restricts to port facilities, harbor infrastructure and services for cruise vessels and their passengers. The Alaska State Legislature appropriated $37.5 million from that account for FY2027 and divided it among 16 municipalities affected by cruise operations. Skagway received $9 million, Ketchikan $6.875 million and Juneau $6 million.

The city plans to bid the work in winter 2026, award contracts in spring 2027 and begin repairs in summer 2027, subject to supply availability. Adding piling would require permitting that could push the schedule. Long-lead items are due by June 30, 2028.

The Alaska Municipal League has said such appropriations fall short of the need. It cited a survey of member ports finding at least $500 million in work needed to repair and replace former state-owned harbors.

The special meeting is at 12:30 p.m. in the City Conference Room, 710 Mill Bay Road. **Public comment opens the meeting**, limited to three minutes per speaker.