By: KINY
Juneau, Alaska (KINY) A federal court judge Thursday granted the CBJ request to end the three-year-old lawsuit.
City Manager Rorie Watt said this will allow the CBJ and the Cruise Lines International Association to move forward together, “Our town, port, natural setting, and tourism opportunities are world class. It is our position that we charge fair fees and provide excellent services. Judge Holland’s ruling gives both parties the room to navigate their differences. We invite CLIAA to join us productively in planning for the future.”
Federal District Court Judge H. Russel Holland issued the order January 24 in the lawsuit Cruise Line International Association Alaska vs. the City and Borough of Juneau. Following Judge Holland’s December 6 decision, the CBJ requested that Judge Holland issue a final judgment to end the current lawsuit. CLIAA objected and asked Judge Holland to allow CLIAA to keep litigating.
CLIAA wanted to challenge future CBJ expenditures and force CBJ to reduce its passenger fees. Judge Holland disagreed with CLIAA. Judge Holland stated, “looking to the future, the court has no way of knowing what projects and/or expenses [CBJ] will approve for the 2019 tourist season.” Judge Holland also disagreed with CLIAA’s suggestion that CBJ was ignoring his December 6 decision that fees associated with cruise ships entering the Juneau port must be spent on projects and services that benefit the vessels.
The CBJ has various items on the January 28 Regular Assembly Meeting that demonstrate CBJ is adjusting how it spends passenger fees in a way that continues to create the top destination port that CLIAA members rely on.