Suggested Guidelines for Speakers and Attendees for Eaglecrest Board of Directors (EBD) Meeting

Information and Suggested Guidelines for Speakers and Attendees

Eaglecrest Board of Directors (EBD) Meeting 

June 6, 2024 5:30 Downtown Library Conference Room

Overview:

The Eaglecrest’s GM resignation has precipitated discourse concerning Eaglecrest’s 2024-25 ski season and construction of the area’s gondola.  

A petition was widely circulated highlighting Eaglecrest’s users and supporter’s concerns.  To all the petition supporters thank you for helping raise awareness of the changes at Eaglecrest by signing the petition and allowing your name to be submitted to the EBD.  The names of over 420 Eaglecrest supporters who signed the petition have been provided to the EBD. 

Please continue to show your support for our mountain by being at the meeting, in person and if so inclined, consider public testimony.  If you are in the audience, please be courteous so the EBD and city officials can explain their plans to launch the 2024-25 ski season and gondola construction.  If you offer public testimony, please offer ideas that will further Eaglecrest’s mission and avoid suggestions for punitive actions.  

The EBD has invited select CBJ employees, who are subject matter experts to explain the EBD and City’s plan. The EBD meeting agenda and meeting packet can be found at  https://juneau-ak.municodemeetings.com/bc-eb/page/eaglecrest-board-directors-11

The Eaglecrest users should:

• Recognize that a new GM will have to be recruited.
• Listen carefully to the information and schedules provided, draw your own conclusions if Eaglecrest is on a path to success. 
• Feel free to ask the EBD and city staff to address any questions or concerns, or offer constructive suggestions. 
• Support forward-looking timelines and actions contributing to a smooth transition to meet the 2024-25 ski season and gondola construction schedules. 
• Encourage Eaglecrest’s supporters to coalesce around the EBD plan and program to show investors and Eaglecrest employees that Eaglecrest has broad community support.
• Eaglecrest supporters should engage in constructive involvement, request transparent information flow on schedules, hiring and operations and gondola construction updates.

Forward-Looking Public Considerations – What to Watch For 

Eaglecrest Board of Directors:

The EBD is leading the transition.  Do they have a plan to meet Eaglecrest’s mission and goals and are working with the public to achieve success?  

Is there a plan and schedule to fill EBD vacancies?

Will current EBD continue serving; and will those whose terms are expiring renew their public service?  

CBJ City Manager, Assembly and EBD:

Does the EBD, the City Manager and Assembly have a comprehensive transition strategy assuring Eaglecrest users and ticket purchasers that the area open as soon as weather allows?  

Has the City Manager and the Assembly been candid about their commitment to support Eaglecrest?

How will CBJ Ordinance 2024-04 may materially change the duties, roles and responsibility of the EBD, if at all? 

GM Qualifications, Experience, and Recruitment: 

A consensus is that:

• The new GM recruitment must begin immediately; following the well-established process for hiring the Eaglecrest General Manager.  
• The recruitment should solicit applications from individuals with considerable hands-on experience and proven leadership capabilities. 
• The acting GM and other employees are encouraged to apply.  Acting positions should not, by default, become permanent positions without going through the hiring process.  
• The new GM must be empowered to operate Eaglecrest, including selection of the GM’s own management team.  

Eaglecrest Seasonal Operations and Gondola:

Seasonal skiing operations and gondola construction follow critical paths.  Failure to achieve critical path schedules will result in cost overruns and delays in opening the ski season.  

Is the EBD, the Acting GM, and the City Manager committed to providing regular progress regarding achievement of the critical paths and proposed remedial actions if delays are expected?  

Conclusion: 

Transparency, informing the public and allowing public involvement will be the cornerstone of a successful outcome.

The EBD and the Acting GM are the interface with the public and Eaglecrest supporters.  The EBD and Acting GM should encourage constructive suggestions and guidance during the transition period. 

Finally, the supporters of Eaglecrest want to express their appreciation for Dave Scanlan’s work at Eaglecrest over the past several years.