Thread by @ANCDEADBEAT

Just arrived at the Assembly Chambers for the September 17 Regular Meeting! Interested to see what the tone of the meeting is after the Special Meeting yesterday where the Assembly approved cold weather sheltering plan that included the Golden Lion and Sullivan Arena. #ANCgov

LaFrance gavels us in, calling the room to order. Madame Clerk calls the role. Everyone is present in Chambers except Perez-Verdia (one the phone) and Quinn-Davidson (who will join us soon). #ANCgov

We are led in the pledge, then Dunbar reads the land acknowledgement. Quinn-Davidson joins us. A motion to approve minutes of previous meetings is made and seconded. No opposition. Approved. #ANCgov

Onto the Mayor's report. Bronson says on Friday he will roll out the 2023 Operating Budget. Safety and key services will be prioritized. More info coming later. Later this week he will also be giving a state of the city address to the Chamber of Commerce. #ANCgov

He says the PAC has announced their upcoming schedule of performances, including Hamilton. He challenges the Muni Manager, Assembly, and others to get their "Library Yoda Card." That's that for his report. #ANCgov

Chair's report. LaFrance speaks to support for Alaskans affected by the storms and flooding in Western Alaska. Then, she speaks to advances in tech in the Chambers, however, yesterday's meeting had some hiccups. IT is working on getting a clean version of the meeting up. #ANCgov

Last week, the assembly got an audit report on the previous two elections. Results show the elections were accurate and reflected the will of the voters. They used sophisticated audit techniques, which showed the strength of our local election system. #ANCgov

She also encourages everyone to get a library card, and describes a variety of library benefits and functions. Finally, she speaks to last night's meeting. She acknowledges everyone's hard work to get this plan through. Thanks everyone for thoughtful questions. #ANCgov

She thanks the Mayor and admin, says that this shows we can put politics aside to help out our community. Now she turns to Rivera, who will address the plan. #ANCgov

He throws up a presentation on the projector. First, the approved plan had one amendment, which increased capacity at BFS (20 ind.), Covenant House (25ind), and Beans Cafe (45ind). It also approved the Golden Lion and Sullivan for usage. #ANCgov

Onto the financials. He shows the Not To Exceed costs for sheltering as 2.866mil across all locations. Says we need to think of that from a per facility basis. He gives a breakdown of each facility's per individual per day cost. (He goes fast!) #ANCgov

Notably, the Golden Lion has a cost of $39 per person/day. Rivera says these numbers and patterning should look familiar, because housing first policies are least expensive/most effective/have least community impact. #ANCgov

He says the next steps include acknowledgement and action on concerns of the community, including appropriations for additional security, etc for areas around the facilities. #ANCgov

Also, working towards finding other facilities that can support sheltering/housing, to take the pressure off of the Sullivan. He says through the facilitated process, they've also brought more buildings into the process. #ANCgov

Unknowns include the future of the Nav Center and Assembly Retreat outcomes. Finally, Rivera thanks everyone for the thoughtful plan. #ANCgov

Back to LaFrance, who reminds everyone about the rules of the Chambers (respect, quietude, etc). Onto reports from the members. #ANCgov

Rivera says at the last Muni Audit Committee they heard on the annual committee financial review, which he'll speak to later. Cross reads the new mission statement for one of his committees, but mostly assures the audience that they're working on downtown parking #ANCgov

Zalatel says the AMATS committee found a project on Rabbit Creek has ballooned in price, which provokes a necessary discussion on what it means when project costs increase. #ANCgov

Dunbar speaks for the budget and finance committee, notes that the ARPA funding resolutions must go to the public for comment. #ANCgov

Petersen describes two upcoming meetings but I was tweeting furiously and missed which committees they are for. #ANCgov

Onto the consent agenda, but first: laid on the table items. One is supplemental, two require a vote. Constant notes that the supplemental item lists, misleadingly, the name of assembly members as submitters, but it is actually from the legal department/administration. #ANCgov

Small pause while this element of the item is adjusted. LaFrance asks the admin if they want it to be reflected that they have submitted it? Demboski says yes. LaFrance reads it into the record. It concerns the Eklutna River item discussed at the special meeting yesterday.#ANCgov

Next, an item about legiatlative consultants brought by the administration. Demboski says that there was an error, which this amends, as well as addfessing confusion with the contractor who was under the impression their contract was a yearly one. #ANCgov

Laying that item on the table is approved unanimously. Next, an item that would appropriate funding for emergency medical services at the Aviator Hotel ($589,969). Demboski says they are also working towards fund certs for two other providers, but they don't have them now.#ANCgov

Zalatel is confused as to why this needs to be laid on the table as opposed to presented at the next meeting? Demboski says if they approve it, they can get funds to the vendor/get em paid. #ANCgov

Quinn-Davidson reminds everyone that laid on the table items are for things that are urgent and must be passed immediately. She says unless they can demonstrate that, she will vote no to lay it on the table. Voting commences. Laying on the table passes 8-4. #ANCgov

A motion to incorporate the addendum to the agenda and laid on the table items is made, and passed. Now onto appearance requests. Robert Alexander is the only appearance request, but he is not present. Onto initial audience participation. #ANCgov

Firstup, Charles McKee, a staple lately. I don't usually follow exactly what he is speaking to. So far, he's discussing tier 1, 2, and 3 entities. I believe he has given the assembly members a packet to follow along with, so I might be at a disadvantage. #ANCgov

He reads from Genesis to end. Next, Brenda from district 3. She recites the Lord's prayer. She thanks the Lord for faith leaders and what not, asks forgiveness for not holding the line. Speaks of perversions and what not. References "the Enemy," and "groomers." #ANCgov

She also prays for those who have been affected by severe weather. Then she prayers that every enemy here be cast up and out, as they aren't welcome.

I wonder who she means in these Chambers? Hm.

#ANCgov

Next, Eric Gooden form Girdwood. He's here to encourage the assembly to pass the Eklutna River restoration item. It is not time to repair this Salmon stream. It needs natural water flow and pathways for juvenile and adult fish. Says it used to run at levels near that of..

Eagle River. The hydro-power project has affected that. It shouldn't be passed onto the public the effects of this. He says by passing the resolution, the assembly shows their leadership and dedication to the issues caused by the project. #ANCgov

Next, John Ispanta (sp?)? He is also speaking in favor of the Eklutna River restoration item. He says the tension over the last few years in Anchorage has become palpable. This item is an opportunity for collaboration, growth, and doing right by the first peoples of the area.

He says that Muni ownership of the hydro project came under the expectation that effects would be addressed. Now's the time to do so. #ANCgov

Christian Harrison testifies next. He says that it is crazy the things that have happened to people working for the city have never been accounted for. References a rape at the Sullivan. Says that when he was completing his substance abuse program, security was... #ANCgov

...instructed to stop body searching. Later, Harrison was attacked with a box cutter and it was caught on camera. He wants to know why they stopped screenings. #ANCgov

That ends initial audience participation. Now onto pulling items from the consent agenda. I'll BRB! #ANCgov

Alright, the consent agenda is passed unanimously, minus the items that were just pulled, which will now be discussed. First, a resolution recognizing the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples Day in Anchorage. Passes unanimously. #ANCgov

Quinn-Davidson reads, Rivera presents. President Leggett of the Tribal Council of Eklutna accepts, thanks the city for acknowledgement of this important day. #ANCgov

Next, a resolution recognizing October 2022 as Disability Employment Awareness Month. Passes unanimously. Sulte reads, Petersen presents. Sigourney Walker accepts, she is an Athabascan woman, climber, as well as a TBI survivor. Her injury requires flexible work conditions.#ANCgov

Annette Alfonsi, of Unmasking Brain Injury, also speaks. She says that Walker recently signed a law establishing that people with disabilities must be paid at least minimum wage. She also describes other accomodations that can be made for people experiencing disabilities. #ANCgov

The next item would've acknowledged 100 years for First National Bank, but they've asked that it be pushed back one meeting, so it will be represented next time. #ANCgov

Next, an item approving changes to the concept for the Port modernization program. Zalatel moves the postpone to October 25, cites needing a briefing in order to make that decision. Voting on postponement commences, passes 9-2, Allard and Sulte oppose. Perez-Verdia absent.#ANCgov

Next, a Memorandum approving Women's Commission appointments of Monica Elkintom and Andrea Nester. Allard moves to bifurcate, Sulte seconds. Allard says she has some information that must be addressed in a private session, doesn't want to state here. Bifurcation passes. #ANCgov

Allard moves to approve appointment of Andrea Nester. Constant seconds. Zalatel says that she wonders if any municipal employee is a good fit for this kind of commission as they already know how to utilize government/access these committees. #ANCgov

Rivera says he appreciates her comments, but he served on a board as well as in the Mayor's Office, says that all perspectives are valuable. Boards and commissions should reflect everyone, including Muni employees. Is hesitant to exclude those people. #ANCgov

Allard says her concerns have nothing to do with Nester being a Muni employee, notes that excluding them would exclude 3000 people. Sulte says for diversity, boards need to look at who is on them already and find what's missing. "[So they] Don't get trapped in groupthink."#ANCgov

Voting commences on Nester's appointment, approved unanimously. Constant moves to approve the appointment of Elkinton. He says he found her to be professional. Allard says sometimes people don't want to apply cu they may be lambasted publicly, encourages more to apply #ANCgov

Voting commences, she is approved 10-2, Allard and Sulte opposed. Next, a memorandum amending a contact with Neeser Construction for East 16th Ave Storm Drain Improvements. Volland wants to go through the questions for conflict of interest, though he thinks he has none. #ANCgov

We go through the questions, LaFrance determines he doesn't have a conflict of interests. There's a motion to approve and second. No discussion. Voting commences. Passes but I missed by what margin. 🙃 #ANCgov

Next, this item. Zalatel motions to approve, Constant seconds. Then Zalatel moves the amendment proposed by the admin, Constant seconds. Constant asks Trombley if they still plan to issue a report from the contractor? Yes. #ANCgov

There's a question if that should be amended into this amendment. Demboski says they would appreciate it. Constant makes such an amendment (requests a final report from the contractor), seconded by Zalatel. Voting on the amendment to the amendment commences, passes unanimously.

The amendment itself passes unanimously. Now onto the item itself. Zalatel asks why there was work performed after the date of the contract? Demboski says there was an admin mistake in the contract, the contractor viewed it as an annual contract, so spread the word out. #ANCgov

She says her hope is that the legislative contract is put on a yearly basis so that this problem doesn't happen again. Says it was an honest mistake. Discussion ends. Voting commences. Passes unanimously. #ANCgov

Next, a resolution revising and reallocating ARPA funds. Dunbar motions to introduce and set a public hearing for October 11. That ends the consent agenda. Now we take the dinner break. #ANCgov

I just got a call and there's been a family emergency. I have to sign off for the nifht. I love you Anchorage, stay safe and tell your friends and family you love them

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