[0:02] May I? May I? May I? May I? I thought a while. That road was going to be. Good evening everyone. We'll call the Fairbanks North

[0:08] Sarbaro assembly meeting to order its six o'clock. To start, we'll start with a non-secondary in

[0:15] invocation in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. I offer these words as our invocation for the seat.

[0:23] We live in times of deep division, mistrust and violence. Open our hearts and minds to truth and

[0:29] New York commitment to justice and peace pursued through cooperation and love.

[0:34] Help us realize and accept that we are all members of the same human family and help us to restore justice, freedom and peace wherever we can.

[0:43] May the example of Dr. Keynes inspire us to see one another, sisters and brothers, with a common origin and destiny guided by the conviction that together we can nobly fulfill the promise of nation through service to our community.

[0:58] Please join me from Pledge of Allegiance.

[1:03] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic

[1:09] or which vaccines.

[1:11] What an Asian underdog.

[1:13] It is a little like liberty for justice for all.

[1:20] Madam Clerk, would you please call the roll.

[1:25] Mr. Guttenberg.

[1:26] Mr. Roterman.

[1:27] Here.

[1:29] Ms. Reyes Ramos.

[1:30] Here. Mr. Legionis.

[1:32] Here.

[1:33] Miss Kelly here. Mr. Cross here. Miss Haiti yes fam Miss Lutcher here

[1:42] City of Fairbanks representative mayor Proose. Here. School Board Representative Miss Moroni

[1:50] Here and Miss O'Neill present you have a form of the assembly. Thank you so much Madam Clerk for those and the chambers please note the exit

[2:01] if there's an emergency use those exits to exit the room.

[2:06] At this time I'll request any removal of items from the consent agenda

[2:10] and any other procedural motions.

[2:12] Does anyone need to declare a possible conflict of interest for items

[2:16] on the consent agenda?

[2:18] Miss Amy, I would like to make a request before item 20

[2:23] that we take a brief ed ease to be able to start our course.

[2:30] Thank you, Miss Amy.

[2:31] Are there any conflicts?

[2:32] Miss Amy, let's follow the law, I don't start.

[2:37] I have one.

[2:38] I have to go out there to use it.

[2:43] All right, seeing no possible conflicts of declaration,

[2:46] we'll move on to the citizens' comments.

[2:48] Each person is limited to three minutes.

[2:51] We'll start with citizens' comments A.

[2:54] A citizen may speak on agenda items not scheduled for public hearing.

[2:58] that's memorandums, but awards, unfinished business, items postponed from previous meetings,

[3:04] reconsideration or notice of intent to present resolutions, or ordinances being advanced to a public hearing on a different date.

[3:12] Citizens' comments on board of adjustment matters are not permitted.

[3:16] I do not have anyone signed up for Citizens' comments A. Is there anyone in the audience?

[3:25] All right. Seeing none, move a move to Citizens' comments B.

[3:29] these are items that are not scheduled on the agenda. First, I have Joe Woodward and second Bill Wright

[3:42] is Joe Woodward and the audience.

[3:45] I come on up.

[3:49] You can state your name for the record any, any tears fine.

[3:52] Thank you. State your name for the record. I'm Joe Woodward.

[3:56] Would you just spell it?

[3:58] Saw your last name?

[4:00] W. O. O. D. W. A. R. D.

[4:02] Thank you and your place of residence?

[4:05] I've lived 30277, all right, three minutes as yours.

[4:10] Thank you.

[4:11] The City Council member advised me Monday evening that my suggestion for Park and Ride at

[4:16] no cost for users working or shopping and Fairbanks and taking Max's best for transportation

[4:21] would no longer work during the summer months, do no plugs.

[4:25] Hopefully Max would wed best fees for Park and Rideers.

[4:29] My concern is our reducing use of fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions.

[4:34] It is imperative we do something now as soon as possible and not waiting to the government

[4:39] dated dates of 2030-2040-2050, which they are concluding or hoping for net zero.

[4:48] Carpooling would be an answer, subdivision, shuttles, etc.

[4:51] The framework of this suggestion is not concrete, it is only available during summer months,

[4:57] If only available during the summer months at Fairbanks, main entrances of highways would help

[5:03] in offering recycling bins offered would reduce fossil fuels and use of carbon abundantly.

[5:10] One service truck daily deemed to those recycling bins would be much less than the mini

[5:16] recyclers who drive their automobiles daily or by weekly to visit the daily center for

[5:21] drop-offs would be a lot less.

[5:23] Climate change is real and anyone in denial, I urge you to use a search engine to locate a global

[5:31] researcher on climate change and ask if they prove it to you.

[5:35] Alaska to the best amount of knowledge is experiencing climate change faster than any other

[5:40] state in the United States.

[5:42] Reducing auto-trafficking pharaoh bases, the idea, not trying to keep people out of pharaoh banks.

[5:48] We are the driver of climate change and we must reduce the carbon emissions.

[5:55] Two heads are better than one.

[5:56] We have a city mayor.

[5:57] We have a borrower mayor.

[5:58] Hopefully they could propose a solution that would reduce the traffic, which would reduce

[6:06] again, I say fossil fuels and carbon emissions.

[6:12] Thank you for your testimony.

[6:13] Are there any questions?

[6:15] Miss Fletcher. Miss Fletcher is online. Yes, thank you Miss Woodward for your testimony.

[6:22] I'm just wondering you mentioned at the start trying to reduce paid parking so there'd be more places folks who park and they get on max.

[6:30] I'm aware of a lot of spaces in Fairbanks at least with time limits on parking, but I'm not aware where do you find in town that need to pay for your parking?

[6:41] Well, if you were to use the warm, warm park, warm storage next to you haul, I believe they have plugs, but I'm sure it would cost to park there.

[6:55] Okay, the city or the borough, at main entrances into the city, off of main highways,

[7:03] parks, seas, or rich, on to best lines would offer park and ride somewhere along the way,

[7:11] along the highways where there would be no cost.

[7:16] I see, so just to clarify, you're asking that we create those kinds of park and rides.

[7:21] That is correct.

[7:22] Okay, thanks.

[7:24] Any other questions?

[7:25] for Ms. Woodward, Ms. Amy?

[7:27] Yeah, hi.

[7:28] Do you have that in writing?

[7:29] You look like you were kind of sort of...

[7:31] I did, I did.

[7:33] Can we get a copy of that, please?

[7:35] Surely.

[7:35] All right, thanks.

[7:36] You're welcome.

[7:37] I think if you give it to Mr. Kishikin.

[7:40] Copy and distribute it.

[7:41] OK, thank you.

[7:43] Thank you for your testimony.

[7:46] Mr. Wright, if you could state your name for the record,

[7:47] just by your last name, provide your area of residence

[7:49] through minutes for testimony.

[7:51] First.

[7:51] Thank you.

[7:52] Good evening.

[7:52] My name is Bill Wright's last name.

[7:54] W-R-I-G-H-T, and I am at 717 Farmers Loop Road here in Fairbanks.

[8:04] However, I'm here in my capacity as Director of Tourism and Meeting Sales for Explorer Fairbanks.

[8:09] Thank you for this opportunity to give an update from my department.

[8:12] Since my last report in late August, our tourism and meetings department has hosted nine

[8:18] your station tours and site visits that included more than 42 tour operators, travel agents

[8:24] and meeting planners, are total during the 2023 calendar year was 21 familiarization tours

[8:30] and 94 participants. This February will host our travel agent training fam and in March will

[8:36] welcome back our by annual European tour operator winter fam. As is typical of 1st quarter,

[8:43] We've hit the road to begin to rather to bring even more tourism and meetings business to

[8:48] Fairbanks.

[8:49] This month alone I have sales managers deployed to trade shows and consumer shows and

[8:54] key domestic markets like Chicago and Denver, as well as to a B2B tourism trade show in

[8:59] Nashville.

[9:00] Internationally we'll be conducting sales missions in Switzerland, Germany, India, and Australia,

[9:06] and New Zealand in February and attending B2B meetings with travel trade and airline

[9:11] route planners in South America and March. Speaking of air travel, passengers at the Fairbanks International Airport

[9:17] increased by more than 2% over 2022 and through November had edged a little closer to 2019 numbers hitting

[9:24] 944,1008 passengers for just over 93% of that record year. Forecast trends for 2024 indicate

[9:33] another robust year for air travel with record land cruise travelers driving the increased demand

[9:38] Alaska Airlines and Delta Airlines will both maintain their year-round presence, and United is expected to return for their seasonal Chicago direct flights.

[9:49] Hotel motel occupancy rates are trending down 2.7% over 2022, through November, and the $187 average daily rate is at 9.3% over 2022,

[10:01] at whopping 75% increase in daily rates over 2019's $107 average. This concludes my remarks.

[10:10] I thank you for your support and partnership and stewardship of our world-class destination,

[10:15] and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have. Thank you for your report,

[10:19] are there questions for Mr. Wright, Nathanie? I do. I'm wondering, I'm one of the,

[10:25] I mean, in November, I was at Maui, so. Okay. And there's a lot of people who were working

[10:30] tourism that are looking for employment. And while this time of year probably is very favorable

[10:38] for them, they do have an excessively warm summer. And the idea of Alaska seemed kind of attractive

[10:46] to some of them. So I was wondering if we've caught any kind of effort in that particular area

[10:52] for attracting seasonal work and perhaps some tourists.

[10:57] You mean like, so seasonal workers and tourists, that's part of your question?

[11:03] Yeah, we've not targeted Hawaii as a domestic market, but I think a great idea for tourism,

[11:11] it's an excellent idea for employee employment because all over the state there are challenges

[11:18] with that. And we do have a lot of opportunities to speak with statewide stakeholders.

[11:25] The last travel industry association, and I would be delighted to bring that up with them,

[11:30] and even share with my own colleagues how we can foster that discussion. Thank you for that

[11:35] recommendation. If I could follow up, then when I was, so I kind of into a astronomy kind of weird

[11:42] sky stuff. And when I was at the Mobservatory there were that actually I had a hard time

[11:50] kind of enjoying it at a certain point because they were interested in Alaska and the Northern

[11:54] Lights. Now it's thinking now that Alaska Airlines has this partnership with why it might be

[12:00] something another area up towards that we can piggyback off. Yeah, I think that's a brilliant idea

[12:06] and it will be a while before they get through all of the regulation and so on to make that happen,

[12:14] but it has some promise. Thank you for sharing. Thank you, Mr. Krabs.

[12:20] Yeah, with the, you know, I am sure you've seen some of the crazy videos online and stuff

[12:25] the Alaska Airlines flight. Is there, have you seen with the flight cancellations? Is there been,

[12:30] is that impacted visitors to Fairbanks?

[12:33] Or do you see foresee any downstream effects?

[12:37] I'm not sure in the past what, you know,

[12:41] well, publicized incidents in the air,

[12:43] that might have affected tourism.

[12:45] Right, it might have an impact in this short term right now,

[12:51] but it's a little early for us to see those numbers.

[12:54] However, I would also suggest that Alaska doesn't fly

[12:58] a lot of max 9s to Alaska. So, or any airline for that matter. So, I don't know that it will

[13:06] impact the schedule in Alaska, but all of those connecting flights definitely have had impact.

[13:12] We've had colleagues who were, unfortunately, if you will, stuck in Hawaii over the last few days,

[13:19] what a horrible, horrible thing for them. I think they're, they're going to have some PTSD from that.

[13:24] But otherwise, yeah, it's really the feeder flights that I think will impact it.

[13:28] And even United, when we've had discussions with them, they have some in their fleet,

[13:32] but they're able to move their schedules around and make it work.

[13:37] It's turmoil now, but I think that the plan is to get the max nine back in operation within

[13:43] the next few weeks.

[13:44] And hopefully in time for any of the United seasonal flights and so on, that that won't

[13:51] I'm going to be an issue for Alaska.

[13:56] Mr. Cottonberg.

[13:58] Thank you.

[14:00] Pull the tourist out of a ditch on New Year's New Year's Eve.

[14:03] Oh boy.

[14:05] And I was talking to some people involved in the car rental agency.

[14:09] And he was headed up.

[14:11] He was headed up to Murphy Dome.

[14:13] And I talked to some people who do car rentals.

[14:17] And they get a lot of people coming in.

[14:19] Well, I see a lot of toe bills for coming off places perish should be.

[14:26] We just had that horrible incident up on Eagle Summit.

[14:30] Is there anything in your literature that warns people, caution people to be safe?

[14:36] I mean, you can see the lights from a lot of places without going on top of Murphy Dome, or Esther Dome, or Clarice Dome, or any place.

[14:43] Sure, there are some materials in our literature for sure when it comes to marketing the self-driving experience of viewing the northern lights.

[14:54] We caution them on two things. One, the road conditions can be challenging and end.

[15:01] Not safe, so be aware of all that. And then also don't just randomly pull into somebody's driveway, you could, you know, run into danger there, rightly so.

[15:12] But, and then there are other things like, you know, traveling the Dalton highway, traveling the roads that are unpaved, maybe not as well maintained.

[15:20] But all of those are in our literature, but we could certainly hit it a little harder if we see that there are a need to,

[15:29] you know,

[15:29] to travel agencies that you need to advise your customers this. We also advise them in-person

[15:36] at the Morse Thompson Center when they're coming and asking about places to go to see the

[15:41] lights. Murphy Dome is a great spot and it is on our map of places that you can go, but it's true.

[15:48] It's one of those locations. It's got a little higher elevations. It's farther away from town.

[15:53] There could be some challenges there. But we'll I think we'll keep our eye on that

[15:57] And make sure that we're not sending the wrong message.

[16:02] Thank you.

[16:04] Mr. Legina.

[16:06] The state legislature announced the bills that are coming up in session.

[16:13] And one I know is here is for the bed tax to be established at 6%.

[16:20] How do you think that will affect tourism positively or negatively?

[16:26] I would only be able to give you my own personal opinion, you know, the board, I think since it just recently was introduced that the board of directors at Explore Fair banks and the CEO would need some more time to digest what it possibly means, but in my own personal opinion, I think it would be counterproductive to

[16:46] to tourism in Alaska, as a whole, I'm pretty sure the idea would be that they would fund the industry with that

[16:54] bed tax in the same way that we do here locally, but not sure how well the local, not the local,

[17:00] but the visitors would take what appears to be kind of like a double dip on a bed tax.

[17:08] But it's hard to say where it will go. It's been brought up before. This isn't the first time a bill

[17:13] this has been introduced. And I guess it just remains to be seen if it'll make its way out of

[17:18] committee. Thank you. No further questions. Thank you. Thank you. Popular guy tonight. Thanks a lot.

[17:27] All right. Mr. Stewart, you are next followed by Rita Hesselton.

[17:41] Joe most your STE-W-A-R-T and I

[17:46] live in talk of the Westgate. Is it really all that we said sensitive? It is. Okay, well good

[17:53] I'm Joe Mustard, I'm the President of the Fairbanks Economic Development Corporation.

[17:56] And if I may, I just wanted to give you a quick update, a relative to a large event.

[18:00] We had in the community, thus before Christmas.

[18:03] And that was the 2023 Winter Solstice Fest.

[18:06] The Winter Solstice Fest, of course, is a partnership,

[18:08] or offered as a partnership between the Downtown Association, ADC,

[18:13] the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center,

[18:15] and as well as your own intrepid staff at the Parks and Recta Park.

[18:19] This year was held on Saturday, December 16th.

[18:22] We had over 30 sponsors this year, which was a great top-to-bottom of all levels.

[18:29] Our top three sponsors, however, would have been a rally body felt of summers and

[18:33] celebrities' real-teas, as well as explore Fairbanks, our good friends at explore Fairbanks,

[18:37] with our top signature sponsor being Alias Capipelines, purpose company,

[18:41] who promises wonderful fireworks. Regarding the event offerings,

[18:47] regarding the moose on the loose small business scavenger hunt, our signature sponsor for

[18:51] That particular item was do-own-limited, we think them very much, along with in-kind support

[18:57] from interior graphics.

[18:58] We had some really great materials this year.

[19:00] We had a large increase in the number of participating businesses this year.

[19:03] Actually, it was a 30, which is up almost 50% from 2022, as well as up was the average visitations

[19:11] at 5.5 businesses per participant, which was a 39% increase over the previous year.

[19:17] The large holiday bizarre that was held by the Morris Thompson Center, also had just a booming year.

[19:24] They had over 2,200 visitors and visitations.

[19:27] They had 31 vendors, 2-thirds of which actually self-identified as either TCC, Dagnacanaga, or FNA members.

[19:35] That was great.

[19:37] We're going to the Parks and Wreck, which are lightswalk that you all host.

[19:41] We actually had a 50% increase in the number of trees this year up to 14

[19:46] from the previous year, got over 50% increase in the number of votes to just under 300 votes

[19:53] and a court's gave over $6,000 to one of our local nonprofits.

[19:58] That's actually how it works.

[19:59] They sponsor the tree and then the proceeds get donated by the winner to a nonprofit of their choice.

[20:05] And then finally regarding the downtown association, of course with the photos of the, with the reindeer,

[20:10] and there was a hot chocolate booth, they did over 200 pictures, gave way over 400 cups of coffee.

[20:16] It was a great, a cup of hot cocoa and thank goodness it was a little bit warmer than last year.

[20:22] And the fireworks lasted for 15 minutes and there were over 2,000 viewers.

[20:25] So again, a really great event, great time, so thank you all so much for your support.

[20:31] If I may make just one personal comment, I see on your agenda you have an item relative to the plating board.

[20:37] And I had the pleasure many years ago of serving on the planning board.

[20:40] And I would just encourage any resident.

[20:42] There are a lot of great ways that you can participate and help your community and also learn about how things work in the community and the planning board was a remarkable opportunity.

[20:51] I would recommend it.

[20:54] You Mr. Stewart.

[20:55] Are there any questions?

[20:58] All right.

[20:58] Seeing none, congratulations on a wonderful event.

[21:01] And being nice to see you here.

[21:06] All right.

[21:07] It's Hustleton, you are up next followed by Virginia McKee.

[21:11] Hi, my name is Rita Hustleton.

[21:13] Last name is H-E-S-E-L-T-O-N.

[21:17] I'm a resident of North Pole and employee at Fairbanks, North Harbouro,

[21:21] and I'm president of Fairbanks, North Harbouro, Employee Association.

[21:26] At the last January 4th Assembly meeting,

[21:28] you heard from the administration regarding the ongoing collective bargaining negotiation.

[21:32] I'm here to try and give you a little more information about some of the questions you have.

[21:36] That night, and a few more things to think about.

[21:40] One of the things we did, we did a Union Survey employee

[21:43] survey of our union members, some basic questions.

[21:49] Just like, you know, 5% of our members

[21:50] had to request food boxes from the food bank

[21:52] to feed their families.

[21:54] 6.3% of our members had to apply for government assistance.

[22:00] 25.4% of our members were unable to pay for basic living expenses.

[22:06] Fairway store store employees are not just numbers, they are residents of the burrows.

[22:11] The other pay property tax for home, they own or rent, which are most likely been raised

[22:16] in the last couple years.

[22:18] They have childcare and living expenses.

[22:22] Fairway store store borough has had a regular revolving door as far as employees' retention

[22:27] goes.

[22:28] The borough is known to be a private sector career training opportunity.

[22:34] Employees are vested in retirement of five years. Most employees are tier four, and therefore can take the retirement bullet five years.

[22:42] Hit per human resources, the average length of employment is five years and two months.

[22:48] Fairbiz next northervoro used to be able to attract employees with their pay and benefit package. Those are no longer the best employees.

[22:55] I'm here to gain experience to move into a better paying job with better benefits.

[23:01] Fairbaked Starster Board Administration has admitted to purposely not filling positions, which is management's rights, but bottom line is employees end up having to do two jobs.

[23:11] Question is what happens to the money which is budgeted for those open positions. Over the last three years, we know the borough has moved money from wages salaries benefits and over times to make hundreds of thousands of dollars in purchases.

[23:23] including travel, clothing, training, capital assets,

[23:27] office equipment, computer supplies, just to name a few things.

[23:30] I urge the assembly to ask more questions from the administration.

[23:35] Let's talk about safety.

[23:37] That was a big item that was brought up.

[23:39] I listen to the administration talk about safety items.

[23:42] The employees are requesting.

[23:44] The administration states that they disappointed.

[23:46] They do not feel that these items should be brought up in the negotiations.

[23:49] Reporting in a safety issue is like stepping on a hamster wheel that keeps going around and around and never gets anywhere.

[23:58] Fervis National Service has a health and safety program, which I brought with me.

[24:05] Programs written 2019 in this program there's supposed to be a safety committee.

[24:10] No record of any meetings have ever been found.

[24:13] We have requested to get back on track, reenact the safety committee and let's sit down at the table and talk.

[24:19] Fairbanks, North Sturboros stated that they are not interested in re-implementing the

[24:23] safety committee at this time.

[24:25] All you.

[24:26] Thank you for your testimony.

[24:28] Are there questions?

[24:30] Miss Hayney?

[24:31] What sort of positions the people who are like an aid or food box is what kind of position is

[24:38] do they have?

[24:40] Are we talking?

[24:41] I'm not quite understand.

[24:42] Well, sort of job positions to the right, they're applying for welfare or relying on food

[24:49] spots.

[24:49] So we didn't ask specifics.

[24:51] We didn't ask, we just did a general survey and anonymous survey.

[24:57] So we did not ask for their positions just what they're thoughts, what, what happened

[25:02] with them, what was going on with their life.

[25:04] All right.

[25:05] Thank you.

[25:06] Ms. Reeves, almost.

[25:11] Oh, the festival's on the answer to my question.

[25:14] Okay, okay.

[25:14] Okay. Okay.

[25:14] About the survey, so.

[25:15] It's Kelly.

[25:17] Thank you for your testimony.

[25:18] I was wondering, you talked about the revolving door

[25:23] and you intimated that it was due to the pay in the benefits.

[25:28] Am I understanding that correctly that that's the main issue?

[25:31] It is an issue.

[25:35] It is definitely an issue, is we're no longer competitive with the private sector and several

[25:43] things.

[25:44] And if you talk to a lot of the employees that they are here as a starting, it's how they

[25:51] get experience to go into the private sector.

[25:55] There are also several factors, there's also several other reasons,

[26:01] but that's something

[26:01] that really needs to talk to the administration or it has to do with policies of procedures

[26:09] and sometimes how employees are treated, they leave.

[26:14] Thank you, and you're welcome. Mr. Gottenberg.

[26:17] Thank you.

[26:18] Thank you, Mr. Evelty.

[26:21] Could you give us some more of your impressions on the vacancy rates and what your impression

[26:27] what those might be and how is affecting the work load of morale?

[26:33] Well that's one of the biggest problems that we've had is that it has gotten better,

[26:39] but our economy has changed.

[26:43] In 2020, as we know with COVID a lot of people left,

[26:50] we had a lot of people that were here for 10, 20 years, 30 years.

[26:56] this historical knowledge left. At one point we, I know that we will, well over 60 employees

[27:05] are more down and that's not, those are permanent full-time positions, not the Parks and

[27:12] Rec casual positions or anything like that.

[27:16] And because of that, employees were working two

[27:22] three jobs. The burnout was incredible. They couldn't get time off because they were working

[27:28] so many hours. They were working so many jobs. And that is one of the things and they

[27:35] can get, they like their jobs. A lot of them like where they work, but they just, they can

[27:42] get another job for the same dollar amount somewhere else and not have to work and still have

[27:48] Thank you. Mr. Crasse, I do see your pan and misclutcher.

[27:55] I wanted to ask about the safety equipment.

[27:58] You talked about, could you talk a little bit more about what specifically what safety equipment

[28:02] and what safety equipment you're hearing about?

[28:04] Well, without going into things with negotiations, there's just to put a general thing.

[28:09] There's even simple things that are in, like I said, in this, I encourage you to get a copy of this and read it.

[28:17] And there are things that are simply in this, whether it be, you know, flashlights and blankets

[28:25] for the cars, for emergencies, or safety vests,

[28:31] the biggest thing one of the things that

[28:32] they have is training,

[28:36] whether it be training around the opposite, very little training.

[28:39] And when the training is requested for, especially for employees that do go out in the field,

[28:46] They are meeting with wildlife, they are meeting with angry residents.

[28:53] There's dangerous areas where they go in and they don't have communication or the right equipment when they go in.

[29:01] And stuff that was trading was offered for these things, you know years ago when I've been with the Bureau for almost 10 years.

[29:07] training was offered then. It simply hasn't. We've been settled

[29:12] departments have been requesting it for, I know for at least a year and a half

[29:19] and we, they just can't get answers.

[29:23] You know, one thing I've noticed a lot

[29:26] and we've kind of pointed out in my workplace we do a lot of field work. I work

[29:29] at the Geologic Survey and retention and really becomes a safety issue for

[29:35] exactly that reason that you're talking about. You know, if you have something that's

[29:38] experienced in the field, they know what to expect and it makes everything a little bit safer.

[29:45] So just kind of going back to Mr. Gutenberg's land questioning here.

[29:50] Do you think it's the more of these salary or is it the benefits that we're not keeping up with the private sector?

[29:58] So we're losing those experience.

[30:02] Salary, salary for certain positions. There's, I mean, it's not across the board, salary for certain positions, but when the benefits, especially to help them when you, you know, let's let's put a basic thing, how can an employee that makes $13 an hour afford $600 in medical, you know, and living expenses and be able to pass in their car and pay for child care.

[30:27] You know, or even somebody nowadays at 20 dollars an hour, they can go work at Safeway.

[30:33] You know, I mean, I think Mr. Gutenberg had said in one of these similar meetings about a

[30:40] lifeguard that went to work at Starbucks because they made more money.

[30:47] I mean, that pretty much puts it in perspective right there.

[30:49] It does. Thanks.

[30:50] Yes, glad you're. Yes, thank you Miss Hessel tonight. I think you've said this in some ways. So, sorry. I can make you repeat yourself. But I guess if we want to show our staff that we care and we value them, what do you think is like the most important thing to get out of this negotiation? What is the most important thing? We should try and kind of improve as opposed.

[31:15] So one of the things talked about like with with the safety is stop the wheel from going around and around.

[31:22] Let's start seeing some results. Sit down with the employees.

[31:27] You created a program.

[31:32] You don't get in.

[31:34] Get the employees involved.

[31:36] Talk to them. Listen to what they say. Listen to the reason that they're out there.

[31:40] They're the ones that are either out in the field.

[31:41] they're the ones that are having a deal with the public.

[31:45] Listen to what they have to say.

[31:47] The other thing is the pay, you cannot go up.

[31:53] You know, the cost of living goes up so much.

[31:56] And if you raise the healthcare above that towards it's not affordable, it's you have other

[32:03] things that are involved in that with the healthcare and everything else, it all goes along.

[32:08] So make it competitive with the private sector.

[32:13] That's the biggest thing.

[32:14] Keep and retain the employees.

[32:18] And that's the only way you're going to do it

[32:19] is with competitive pay and at a bit of it.

[32:25] Great.

[32:26] Thank you for your testimony.

[32:27] Thanks for being here tonight.

[32:28] Thank you.

[32:30] Next we have Patrice Lee and Ms. McKee.

[32:36] My name is Virginia McKee, MCKE, I am speaking about ordinance 2023-55, and the amendment

[32:49] 2024-01 has to do with the property taxes that the people of two rivers plus a valley

[32:57] and now have no need, you well, now you guys have no need of that money and we want our money back.

[33:05] I understand the ordinance is here and I simply want to say, please read it, read it carefully and approve it.

[33:18] It's about time that Plezzabelli 2 Rivers had a little piece out there and getting our money back will be a big deal.

[33:27] I know I can spend my $196 and $17 and a lot better than you guys can.

[33:35] I don't need to go big or go home.

[33:39] Thank you.

[33:42] Thank you.

[33:43] Miss Lee.

[33:44] Good evening.

[33:45] Up to you.

[33:46] L.E.

[33:48] Hillcrest Drive area.

[33:49] Off to you.

[33:50] Hot Springs.

[33:52] Barbara, I want to let you know that I lost my auto start when she moved to college.

[33:59] I lost a couple that way too, so I'm here tonight to talk about a couple of items that

[34:09] are near and dear to my heart and no surprise air quality.

[34:15] So I wanted to let you know that citizens for clean air has revitalized added new members

[34:22] and is taking new direction in 2024.

[34:27] I want to let also let you know that I have sent you a letter from Citizens for Clean Air to Administrator Reagan and every official and the EPA.

[34:37] Just outlining how we feel about what their decision was, good, the good and the bad and the ugly.

[34:43] And there were some of all, and where we stand now, and what we think are some of his

[34:50] historical problems that continue to plague us.

[34:55] Right now, the state feels like they're going to make as much clean up of the air in the

[35:00] next six months as they were barely able to do in the last 14 years.

[35:05] I wish them all the luck in the world.

[35:07] But our highway dollars are in constraint, you know, we talked about that for a year and year and year and we gave examples.

[35:16] We went to the legislature, we showed what could be done like the state thing for the different between ULSD and a number one fuel.

[35:25] A long time ago getting rid of outdoor wood boilers on and I think many of aware of all the things that either didn't get done.

[35:34] One of the things that still drives me crazy the most is the fact that we had a citizens

[35:40] initiative called the Home Heat Initiative.

[35:43] And while that group legally checked all the boxes to have an initiative, first of all, it

[35:49] wasn't initiative.

[35:50] It was a referendum because it removed code from the borough.

[35:54] It left us without a borough air quality department.

[35:58] But more importantly, the state never stepped up or said anything and needed in any local

[36:03] a rural level about the fact that when you know something is going to hurt people or cause bad health effects

[36:09] or be a detriment to the community, you don't put that to a vote.

[36:15] The public doesn't get to vote on whether or not we have a need for school vaccinations for instance.

[36:22] And the science was well known at that point that we knew if we had no air quality local air quality to respond to hot spots

[36:30] to respond to needs that it was quite likely that the situation would continue to cause harm.

[36:38] So with that said, we're here and we're trying to work again to help the state move forward and clean up the air.

[36:46] We need clean air to breathe.

[36:49] So we would like to start by letting you know that citizens for clean air has joined a group.

[36:55] I don't know.

[36:56] It was fast, doesn't it?

[36:58] Yeah.

[36:58] Well, maybe there will be a question for you.

[37:00] Any questions, Mr. Gottberg?

[37:02] Thank you.

[37:03] So I'll try to put this in the form of a question.

[37:05] This is a first meeting of the year.

[37:08] And do you know that you have already set the bar pretty high for open liners?

[37:13] Or first line?

[37:16] Well, I'm glad I think it's fun to have a good open liner.

[37:20] I was inspired by Barbara and Mayor Pete Pruz.

[37:26] Can I just...

[37:29] Yeah, Kelly?

[37:30] It sounded like you were going to maybe invite us to a meeting

[37:34] or tell us about a meeting.

[37:37] Yes.

[37:38] Not quite.

[37:39] I want you to be aware that Citizensford Clean Air, a new group formed

[37:43] from people that you all recognize their name.

[37:46] They are called also known as A.K.A.

[37:48] And the Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition, and we're going to be going to the GVA Board meeting with three asks at their next meeting on the think the 23rd of January, and they'll be a friendly ticket before we want them to get the Delta Wind Farm Emirates go project online now.

[38:08] We need to displace the five million gallons of diesel that's being burned in North Pole every year and that amount of energy could do that

[38:17] We need to pick up every penny to clean up our air. There others and I'll talk next time. I come to testify. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Lee, Ms. Haney.

[38:26] Yeah, are you familiar with there's a young lady named Serena, she got a award of some kind for

[38:35] electrostatic precipitator inspired device that, like, glubs up the air, are you?

[38:45] Yes, and we'd like to continue to try to use any and all.

[38:51] We did have a big electrostatic precipitator project that went south, and if you would like to ever know about that,

[38:58] their specific reasons it did. I'd be happy to share. But this new technology, we are aware of it,

[39:04] we are aware of her research and we'll be reaching out to her. But there has to be a plan formed

[39:11] by the state and that's more difficult if we were at a local level. It would be a lot easier to pull

[39:17] in her ideas and her device and go for it. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[39:25] There are no more, nobody else signed up on my list, but he wants to make public comment

[39:31] for items not on the agenda.

[39:34] Thank you.

[39:34] Mr. Music.

[39:36] My name is Mike Music, MUSIC K. I'm from the Esther area.

[39:42] It has been estimated that residents of the Fairbanks North Star Burrough spend about a

[39:46] billion dollars a year on energy.

[39:49] A large percentage of those dollars immediately flowed to shareholders in Houston or London were in the lower 48.

[39:58] Very little of that money stays in Perbank to go around and around in our little town.

[40:04] While we pay some of the highest energy costs in the United States for gasoline, oil and electricity,

[40:12] we are also creating some of the most polluted air on the planet.

[40:17] So, in effect, we are receiving a double hit in the pocket book to drive our cars, heat and light our homes and businesses, and to pay for the health related effects of air pollution.

[40:31] I recently read that some 7 million people die from air pollution worldwide every year.

[40:39] How many of our children, loved ones, friends and neighbors suffer and die from air pollution?

[40:43] A long time local, pulmonary physician estimated that some 100 residents die from air pollution

[40:53] in Fairbanks every year.

[40:56] Our children also suffer rather from diminished cognitive growth while attending our schools,

[41:04] or playing outdoors in Fairbanks.

[41:06] In essence, we are paying millions and millions and millions of dollars to poison our children, our grandchildren and ourselves.

[41:17] We can do better, we must do better.

[41:22] The most effective way to clean up air in our community and save some of our $100 is to reduce the amount carbon that we burn in our air shed.

[41:31] We should be supporting wind farms in Delta and Shuttle Creek.

[41:36] Delta wind is Shuttle Ready.

[41:38] They're ready to break ground in Delta for a 34-megawatt wind-generated wind farm.

[41:49] Excuse me, wind generator electricity farm, if you will.

[41:53] As early as this March, this spring.

[41:58] This is enough to offset the fossil fuels being burned in North Pole that is as I write under a phase 2 air quality alert.

[42:08] GVA is in a position to play a major role in improving the air quality in our community rather when farms to the east and west of Fairbanks have the potential to significantly reduce the combustion of fossil fuels in the North Star Burl.

[42:25] well producing electricity in winter. This is exactly when we needed the most. In the summer,

[42:34] when less electricity is required, we can make up for diminished winter, so resources

[42:38] with solar PV, with long-term storage in batteries, or pumped hydro, or thermal devices. I have more

[42:47] saying how we might be able to do it, but at the bottom I have the PS. Don't give up your woodstones.

[42:53] Thank you very much.

[42:55] Thank you Mr. Music, are there any questions Miss Kelly?

[42:57] Thank you.

[42:58] I was wondering he'd be willing to share your testimony with us.

[43:01] The copy of that?

[43:02] Certainly, thank you.

[43:03] I think it's see the end of it.

[43:04] It's just one more paragraph.

[43:07] Thank you.

[43:08] The DBA Board of Directors should immediately sign a power purchase agreement.

[43:12] I'm sorry Mr. Music, I can't.

[43:14] Without it, we can't let you continue to testimony reading your testimony without a question.

[43:20] Well that wasn't a question.

[43:22] I do have a question.

[43:24] I am somewhat sympathetic to what you have to say regarding wind farms.

[43:30] I've looked at two recently.

[43:31] One was an Indianapolis, and one was an Maui.

[43:35] My question to you though, has nothing to do with wind farms.

[43:39] Why is it you are coming to the assembly to talk about GBA board policy?

[43:44] And the reason why I ask that is because GBA has its own elected board.

[43:52] We do not regulate that.

[43:56] Can I try to answer that question?

[43:59] Thank you.

[44:00] Thanks for the question.

[44:01] I intend to testify, but not with this.

[44:06] My thought is as a community, all of us, we need to find out how to clean up our

[44:14] air and it's incumbent on our leaders here to stand that what we've been trying for the

[44:23] last what 50 years that Ace knew's favorite. Look back 50 years ago at the burrow

[44:30] recognized there was an earthquake problem. So we're not getting there we're still not even

[44:37] halfway there in Fairbanks and we're not even closing our pool. So we need to be thinking

[44:43] out of the box, if you will.

[44:48] And the barrel has about 3 million square feet. Belving

[44:53] that we pay the provide energy to and so on.

[45:00] My ideas later on was that we need to insulate our buildings, get them ready for renewable energy, wind, solar, theothermal, whatever. So, that's why I'm here to treat the borough assembly, who, I think, put the plus, you know, the land, wing, elementary, deep energy retrofit.

[45:28] We need to do that on all our buildings, but who's in charge of that?

[45:32] Mr. Maldives, you will take that issue up later on in our agenda.

[45:36] I do understand.

[45:37] I have a, can I follow up?

[45:39] I'm going to go to Ms. Reeves Promise.

[45:43] Just to clarify what Ms. Kelly, I think she wanted to get a copy of that.

[45:47] Since we can't ask you, can you just to get a copy?

[45:51] If you can see my notes, and I appreciate that, and I'll be very happy to do that.

[46:00] Thank you. Mr. Miss Hayney?

[46:03] Yeah, please.

[46:04] Very briefly. Two quick questions.

[46:07] One, you realize the CBA service area is larger than the Perl.

[46:12] And that they are elected officials who are on that board, right?

[46:17] Okay, the other question I guess I have for you, do you follow much that is going on with the intertile?

[46:28] Please refer, I didn't quite follow.

[46:30] Do you know what the intertile is?

[46:33] Is that a person?

[46:35] The intertile?

[46:38] Okay, because it was my understanding, I don't know if you're familiar with this or not.

[46:44] there is something to do with the inter-tie and the ability of the inter-tie to handle

[46:50] of usable renewables, variable-based sources.

[46:55] Well, I'm saying this is a time for questions.

[46:57] Yeah, I don't know.

[46:59] I'm not asking questions.

[47:00] I'm not asking questions.

[47:00] I understand that.

[47:01] But I understand that the 34 megawatts is if it just replaces what's burning in or poll,

[47:09] then there's no difference.

[47:11] It's the same amount of electricity.

[47:12] It's got me from a different direction.

[47:15] Thank you for your money this evening.

[47:18] Thanks for being here Mr. Music.

[47:20] We have time for one more if there is anybody else in the audience that wanted to testify this evening.

[47:26] Okay, seeing none will close public testimony and move on to the approval of the agenda and consent agenda.

[47:36] Approval of the consent agenda passes all routine items indicated by an asterisk on the agenda.

[47:41] Consent agenda items are not considered separately unless an assembly member so requests.

[47:46] No, if the consent item to be removed is an ordinance up to be introduced, advanced or referred,

[47:51] it takes two assembly members to remove the item from the consent agenda.

[47:55] In the event of such requests the item is returned to the general agenda.

[48:00] Does anyone need to declare a possible conflict of interest for items on the consent agenda?

[48:06] Seeing none, are there any items to be removed from the consent agenda before it is read?

[48:12] Seeing none, Madam Clerk, would you please read the consent agenda?

[48:16] Thank you, Madam Chair.

[48:17] Approve of the minutes, regular assembly meeting minutes of December 14th, 2023.

[48:23] Communications to the Assembly, memorandum from Kellin Spillman, Director of Community Planning,

[48:28] regarding vacation of a portion of section line event, VA-00-24, located within the

[48:36] South East Quarter, South East Quarter, Section 34, Township, 3, South, Range, 3 East, Fairings,

[48:45] Meridium, on the old Beldese Trail in Skeletch Street.

[48:50] Memorandum from Mayor Ward, recommending the following reappointments.

[48:55] Amyville Croukes, to the Historic Preservation Commission, Patrick Buda, Mark Oldmixen,

[49:02] David Mongold and Kenneth Barrick to the Parks and Rec Commission, Randy Pitney to the

[49:08] Plating Board, Karen Wood, Starling and Supply to the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission.

[49:15] Consideration of the calendar, new business ordinances to be referred to committees or

[49:20] commission, ordinance number 2024-06, and ordinance amending the Fairbanks North Star

[49:26] for both 17.04.010 definitions to revise the definitions of communication utility site, public utility

[49:35] and public utility easement, and amending Fairbanks North Starbore, code 17.56.065.

[49:41] Exhibitions to road construction to include the requirement for a communication utility site,

[49:49] to the Planning Board on February 21, 2024 with our recommendation do back by March 1, 2024.

[49:57] Consideration of the calendar, new business ordinances to be introduced in advance to public hearing.

[50:02] ordinance number 224-01 and ordinance amending section 4 of ordinance number 223-55

[50:09] regarding the distribution of remaining fund balance of the Pleasant Valley 2

[50:14] Rivers by our service area, waiving Fairbanks North Star Road 7.04.190, related to the

[50:21] Burrell's right of offset waiving Fairbanks North Star Road Code 14.04.190, be related to the direct

[50:30] service fee and waving Fairbings Nurse Arboral Code 14.08.030i related to the Chief Financial

[50:39] Officer Certification Sponsored Mayor Ward, referred to the Committee of Paul and on January

[50:45] 18th, 2024 in advance to January 25th for public hearing.

[50:50] Hornus number 2024-02 and ordinance of meeting ordinance number 2021-21D as amended related to the federal coronavirus state and local fiscal recovery funds established under the American Rescue Plan Act to amend the scope of work for the Pioneer Park Utility Repairs and Improvements project and by amending the fiscal year 2024 capital improvement program by expanding the Pioneer Park Utility and

[51:19] repairs project scope of work to include playground improvements, sponsor Mayor Ward.

[51:25] Refer to the Finance Committee on January 18, 2024, advanced January 25, 2024 for public

[51:32] carrying. Ordnance number 2024-03 and ordinance of meeting Fairbanks and our star

[51:37] bro, code 14.04.070 regarding information for service area elections. Sponsors,

[51:48] a

[51:48] in 2024 advanced to January 25th, 2024 for public hearing.

[51:54] Ordnance number 2023-21O and ordinance

[51:57] admitting the fiscal year 2023-24 budget by appropriating $8,100,000

[52:03] from the solid waste disposal enterprise operating fund unrestricted net position

[52:08] to the solid waste disposal enterprise projects fund for self or expansion construction

[52:13] and Associated Projects, Sponsor Mayor Ward, referred to the Finance Committee on January 18, 2024,

[52:21] against the January 25, 2024 for public hearing, orness number 2023-21P, an ordinance

[52:28] omitting the fiscal year 2023-24 budget by appropriating $1,193,170. From the vehicle and equipment

[52:38] replacement reserve for the capital projects fund and or enterprise projects fund for vehicles

[52:43] and equipment purchases sponsored mayor ward refer to the finance committee on January 18, 2024

[52:50] and advanced to January 20, 2024 for public hearing ordinance number 2024 dash 04 an ordinance

[52:57] providing for an election for tax revenue, cap review, e-stone service area sponsor mayor board refer

[53:04] to the Finance Committee on February 1, 2024 and advanced to February 8, 2024 for a public

[53:10] carry.

[53:11] Ordinance number 224-05 and Ordinance providing for an election for text, revenue, cap revisions,

[53:17] to Olympic service area, sponsored by Ford, refer to the Finance Committee on February

[53:22] 1, 2024 and advanced to February 8, 2024 for public carry, and that concludes your consent

[53:27] and short tonight.

[53:28] Well done, Miss Tricky.

[53:32] All right.

[53:33] Can I get in a approval of the agenda?

[53:36] I move to approve the agenda and consent agenda.

[53:44] Motion made by Miss Haney.

[53:50] Madam Clerk, would you please call the roll.

[53:52] Mr. Rotorman.

[53:54] Yes.

[53:55] Miss Haney?

[53:55] Yes.

[53:56] Miss Kelly?

[53:56] Yes. Mr. Gutenberg. Yes. Miss Reeves Rommels. Yes. Mr. Cras. Yes. Mr. Lodinis. Yes. Miss Lutcher. Yes. Miss O'Neill. Yes. Anyone to change their votes?

[54:11] Seeing none. Nin zero. Nin zero. Our agenda and consent agenda is approved. At this time we'll take a five minute break and we'll be back at seven o'clock for our public hearing.

[1:04:16] Ready in the chambers.

[1:04:22] All right. We are ready in the chambers. We're going to call this meeting back to order. The Fairbanks North Star Burrow assembly is called back to order. We are on communications to the assembly, starting with.

[1:04:46] Okay, we actually are going to hold on to that very important item and we will start with messages from the borough mayor.

[1:04:55] Mr. Williams.

[1:04:56] Okay, well on behalf of Mayor Ward, thank you, Madam Chair and the Assembly.

[1:04:59] A couple of things before I get to the Mr. Mayor.

[1:05:03] Last night I went to the boards and commissions training hosted by the clerks and golf claps for the clerks.

[1:05:09] April, Ms. Tricky and her staff, knocked it out of the park.

[1:05:13] That was really excellent training.

[1:05:14] So if members of the community are ever interested in attending that boards and commissions

[1:05:19] training, if I want to do it for another year, I'm looking at Ms. Tricky, she's saying yeah.

[1:05:23] But we'll have that recording posted if folks want to go through it and listen to it.

[1:05:27] It's very informative.

[1:05:28] The questions that were asked in between the kind of topics that we went through.

[1:05:32] And we're very, very, very, very good questions.

[1:05:35] And the birth attorney and Ms. Tricky's office did a great job addressing that.

[1:05:38] So local government, right, affects most people and we have this governance structure where

[1:05:42] boards and commissions are at peace of that.

[1:05:44] If folks want to be on boards and commissions and they're interested in that, come see

[1:05:48] my office and move it up.

[1:05:51] What else is going on?

[1:05:52] I'd real quick shout out to Bill from Explore Fairbanks.

[1:05:57] I folks got an account last night about two in the morning and they wanted to come to see

[1:06:01] the Northern Lights 11 Texas and didn't appear ever in the winter.

[1:06:04] got off the plane, use their tools from the Explore Fairbanks on their webpaint's web page to find

[1:06:09] their own life. Before I even got them back to my house, we had to ignore them right now, so.

[1:06:13] And so they mission accomplished. Thanks, thank you Explore Fairbanks, those resources.

[1:06:19] Messages from the Mary should have had the copy of that, the biweekly copy you should have that,

[1:06:23] but I'll go through the highlights real quick for the general public. First and foremost,

[1:06:28] big thing happened this week. We have a new Parks and Rec director, Matt Boyer, Matt,

[1:06:33] stand up and be recognized. Matt comes to us from Washington area. He started on Monday and

[1:06:40] there were just really, really glad to have him. He's already making an impact in the organization.

[1:06:44] Welcome, Matt.

[1:06:49] Good news from Parks and Rec. We recognize Robin Dick, the Administrative Assistant for Parks

[1:06:55] and Recs, if there's anything going on in Parks and Rec operations, there's an administrative

[1:06:59] task to do. Robin's your person. She's probably got her fingers in it. She had a wonderful

[1:07:03] work and she was recognized that the January 2024 employee of the month.

[1:07:08] Animal control, we had quite the animal shelter since this toward the end of the holiday

[1:07:14] break there.

[1:07:15] We implemented a reduced adoption fee, cleared the debt, got the debt, got the pets in homes,

[1:07:21] the real fast, reduced the stress for staff, got everything kind of back to formalish, and

[1:07:27] it worked really, really well.

[1:07:28] So thank you to the public for responding to that reduction in that

[1:07:33] temporary reduction in fees.

[1:07:35] But we have a daily report cards.

[1:07:36] If you want to kind of see what the census count is

[1:07:38] and kind of how things are working operationally.

[1:07:39] It's some really big metrics.

[1:07:41] It's on the, there's a hyperlink to it

[1:07:43] and your report can just click on it,

[1:07:44] but just go to the Animal Control web page

[1:07:46] just scroll down to find it right there.

[1:07:48] A couple other big things you can read the report,

[1:07:51] assessing.

[1:07:52] So this is the time of year.

[1:07:54] We're starting to get ready for assessment notice.

[1:07:57] The whole tax season budgets, things like that.

[1:08:00] So we are working on a targeted campaign

[1:08:02] to get messaging out. You see some examples of that in your packet. But for the listening

[1:08:08] public and folks in the audience, just some key dates that are coming up. So we're projecting

[1:08:12] to mail assessment notice. This is not a tax bill. Please remember, these are not taxables.

[1:08:17] We're just assessment notices. They go out on, on or about January 30th. From there, once, once folks

[1:08:26] get their assessment notices, if you had any questions about that assessment notice, please. As soon as

[1:08:31] can make it a priority, contact the assessor's office at 4.5-9-1-2-4-8, or give them an email at

[1:08:40] assessingclurkset.fnsb.gov, and work through the questions or concerns you have with that,

[1:08:46] because your appeal deadline to the Board of the Equalization is 30 days after that. So you

[1:08:51] have to get your appeal. And if you want to, if you want to appeal, if you want to appeal,

[1:08:57] your assessment notice, February 29th is the deadline, and that's a hard deadline in the

[1:09:03] community. Okay, so I just want to get that out there. So check in with the assessing

[1:09:07] department and their webpage. We have pictures of the knowing library that construction project

[1:09:12] is coming along really nice. Go on there and look at the pictures for yourself. We're still on time

[1:09:17] for a spring opening. That's our best guess, right? We have no surprises so far, and so we're

[1:09:27] And that's it from the mayor's office. How do you take questions?

[1:09:31] Thank you Mr. Williams. Are there any questions?

[1:09:34] I'm the same. Are those assessment notices on the like what I go into the property part of the web page?

[1:09:44] No, no, no, no, no, no.

[1:09:45] I go to my property. No, they should come in to mail.

[1:09:48] If you need to duplicate assessment notice, we can get you one pair of out.

[1:09:52] Thank you.

[1:09:54] Mr. Reeves almost.

[1:09:55] I was just wondering how and when animal control decides to offer those reduced adoptions.

[1:10:07] Yeah, so we have a fee schedule and the fee schedule, we do our best to uphold that.

[1:10:13] Sometimes there's an overpopulation of animals in the shelter and we need to move them out to homes so they can make room for other animals.

[1:10:21] So we, from time to time, we reduced those fees.

[1:10:25] So it would be, we're at maximum census in the, in the shelter.

[1:10:28] And we need to kind of clear the deck and get animals out.

[1:10:32] That's, that's, that's the main reason we would do that.

[1:10:35] Hello.

[1:10:36] Because I guess just since I've been sitting behind the dias,

[1:10:39] this is the second time I've seen it,

[1:10:42] which I don't remember being that frequent recently.

[1:10:45] Your observation is correct.

[1:10:47] We have seen larger rates of animal drop-offs,

[1:10:51] longer since it's not just here if you are the morning day had actually article about that

[1:10:57] it's a nationwide issue not just us thank you thank you thanks for the report you're welcome and

[1:11:05] welcome to Parks and Rec mister Mike

[1:11:11] okay I'll get it all right okay moving on to reports from

[1:11:17] standing in special committees are there any seeing none reports from representatives will start with

[1:11:25] approved from the good city of Eric. Thank you very much. We just completed our 2024 budget and implemented it. Overall, we had an increase of expenses up to 2.2%. And that's as we put into, but the bargaining agreements with the FLCIO and the IBW and we also raised across the board for dollars an hour to all police officers without going into the CBA. At the same time, we dropped real estate taxes five percent.

[1:11:54] So we're really happy with that.

[1:11:57] Our police, like your head reporter earlier,

[1:12:00] we had an issues with retention,

[1:12:02] retirement, recruitment, so we got very aggressive.

[1:12:05] We instituted a $60,000 per person, a lateral higher bonus.

[1:12:10] Again, the $4,000 across board,

[1:12:12] salary increases without going into the CPA.

[1:12:15] Then we got creative.

[1:12:16] We put in a $10,000 insurance policy

[1:12:19] that went into an investment account.

[1:12:21] For retention, if a police officer stays 10 years,

[1:12:24] They get all their money upon leaving $10,000.

[1:12:29] And we have a pretty good interest rate that goes with that.

[1:12:31] And then we implemented a new hiring bonus for police.

[1:12:34] For people that weren't police officers that would send down the spica of $20,000.

[1:12:39] About two and a half months ago, we were down to 27 officers.

[1:12:42] Now we're up to 31.

[1:12:44] We have next month, three police officers going to sick up for training.

[1:12:48] Just got one back.

[1:12:49] We had not had a police officer go to sick in five years.

[1:12:53] So, these things are starting to work.

[1:12:56] We also are getting officers returning on a part-time basis.

[1:13:02] They're calling us still there.

[1:13:03] They've done their 20 years.

[1:13:05] They're retired, but they're coming back on a part-time,

[1:13:07] and they're really helping out the rack.

[1:13:09] So, that's going well.

[1:13:10] In the fire department, we just gave promotions.

[1:13:14] We increased our staff to one baton captain and three captains.

[1:13:19] And that's going in.

[1:13:20] but we also implemented a community paramedic and what that will be doing is a person who's

[1:13:28] a paramedic when we go in and make the house calls out of what I call the frequent flyers that

[1:13:32] take up a lot of the time and efforts of our ambulance drivers. So we're going to have one

[1:13:40] paramedic dedicated just to that. We're excited about that because of the better health service

[1:13:45] to the citizens of Fairbanks.

[1:13:49] Also, we are opening up a daycare center in City Hall.

[1:13:53] We took a portion of our building that was unoccupied.

[1:13:56] We have the Boys and Girls Club coming in.

[1:13:59] We're doing a remodel for them under their specific specifics.

[1:14:04] It'll be open for city employees first and then open to the public later after that

[1:14:09] for any spots available.

[1:14:11] We're estimating about 32 spots available for it.

[1:14:14] The ages of the people available for the daycare will be from six weeks to five years old once they start going to kindergarten

[1:14:21] then then they're graduated

[1:14:24] The it'll be operated by the boys and girls club

[1:14:27] What we will do is the boys and girls club will build the city of Fairbanks

[1:14:31] We will pay them and remove and deduct that from our employees

[1:14:35] Payments their checks and that opens them up for an up to $5,000 tax credit to federal government

[1:14:41] So we're excited about that trying to give trying to get our employees going on there our call center

[1:14:47] At this time last year we probably were at staff to 35% as of this morning. I walk through

[1:14:54] We're about 75% staffing. We're getting more we have more in training. It takes about nine months to train

[1:15:00] Someone in a call center in dispatch. A year ago, I'd walk through you to have two people in the call center. They're stressed out over work. This morning, I'll walk through there with five people in the call center, taken phone calls. But what you can see with that increase is the camaraderie, the working relationship, less stress, more smiles. So that is starting to work better.

[1:15:25] And then last, we have the, what is building demolition that is on time on budget so far

[1:15:32] anyway. The tower cost, the last portion of it, the bid was $9,9,965,000 to be completed

[1:15:40] by the end of October. All the abatements have been removed and I want to personally thank

[1:15:46] Mayor Carl Castle, Mayor Bryce Ward, and all members of past and present, the Fairbanks

[1:15:52] for several assembly members on your $1,000,000 credit for our

[1:15:56] typically fees that really, really helped out a lot.

[1:16:00] We really appreciate it.

[1:16:02] Last but not least, February 3rd, 2nd Avenue, you

[1:16:07] conquest starts in downtown Fairbanks.

[1:16:10] So next, open North American, here on my radar,

[1:16:14] we're going to go after you two.

[1:16:15] We want to have events downtown for Fairbanks and so we

[1:16:20] throw some snow out there and remove it, or I'll get with that. Thank you.

[1:16:25] Thank you for that report, Mayor Cruz. Are there any questions? Mr. the Giants?

[1:16:32] I'm Eric, thanks for your testimony there. I just curious sometimes like you're getting

[1:16:37] manned up with police and I've actually had the honor to work with some in relationship to

[1:16:45] animal control where animal control needs assistance from police and

[1:16:50] just kind of curious if there's been any, if you guys provided a training associated with animal

[1:17:00] be in a recovery or enforcement. I would have to say that yes they do before they get to

[1:17:07] us down at SIDCO or on a lateral hires and also when any lateral higher or new hires comes and they

[1:17:13] have a 12 week training period on everything.

[1:17:18] But let me find out specifically for you,

[1:17:21] I suddenly remember the Chinese,

[1:17:22] and I'll find out that answer.

[1:17:24] Yeah, I did work with one of them already,

[1:17:27] that they've been on staff, so just didn't know

[1:17:29] if it was just came like, you know,

[1:17:31] you know, they're a straightening,

[1:17:33] you've got a couple of red lungs,

[1:17:34] and they don't give me a gun.

[1:17:36] But they do, they do put a pull of proof

[1:17:38] that's on me, so.

[1:17:40] Thank you.

[1:17:43] Anybody else? All right. Thank you Mayor Bruce. Thanks for being here. Thanks for for the report and congrats of having a more events downtown Fairbanks.

[1:17:52] Next we have the report from the City of North Pole Councilwoman Sandra Clark.

[1:18:00] Good evening from the City of North Pole and happy New Year to everyone. The City of North Pole's meeting for our new year will be scheduled for January 16th.

[1:18:12] At this point we'll be looking at the ordinance 2024-01 and that ordinance is in consistent with the acceptance of the adjusted duties from the Fairbanks of North Pole rural to hear the decision approval of certain lands and

[1:18:34] prices that for us to go ahead and meet the decision on and that will be our first

[1:18:38] reading. Okay? From there, our next order book business that we've taken care of so far

[1:18:45] and I've had the honors of being in Mayor Cruz office today and trying to share our

[1:18:53] 2024 legislation priorities and that that would be about it. I know some of you still are

[1:19:00] asking and calling the city of North Pole about our ticket ticketing and traffic violations

[1:19:07] aspect. So on the fifth of February we're going to be trying to do a workshop and how

[1:19:16] old a conversation and that will start at 6 o'clock for anybody that is interested. Any questions

[1:19:22] for me? Thank you, Councilwoman Clark. Are there any questions? Thank you.

[1:19:28] I was just wondering where the workshop will be, it will be at City Hall.

[1:19:34] Thank you.

[1:19:35] Thank you.

[1:19:36] Great.

[1:19:36] Thanks for being here this evening.

[1:19:38] Oh, no problem.

[1:19:38] Thank you.

[1:19:40] And next we have the report from school board representatives, Miss Erin Moriani.

[1:19:47] Thank you so much for the opportunity to speak with you all tonight.

[1:19:50] I'm happy to share that our enrollment is at 12,453.

[1:19:55] and 53 are attendance is over 90% when our job at rate has decreased by 1.5% with this

[1:20:04] clear 22 to 23. All of this data can be found on our district's website under data

[1:20:10] dashboards and much more. The administration is currently working on the fiscal year 2025 proposed

[1:20:18] budget and expects to present that budget to the board when our proposed February 5th work session

[1:20:25] And then again, at the February 6th regular meeting.

[1:20:30] As you're aware, I'm sure the district is facing unprecedented deficits and will be forced to then make equally unprecedented,

[1:20:38] but if additional revenue is not provided.

[1:20:42] I want to personally take this opportunity to thank the Assembly is providing a presiding officer Savannah Fletcher,

[1:20:49] The Burrow Mayor and the Burrow WDChief of Staff for their time, their energy and their knowledge that they shared with me over the last month, while I prepared for the fifth day or 25 budget season.

[1:21:02] The board is looking forward to our work session later this month with the assembly and the Burrow administration to create and finalize a joint resolution showcasing the need for greater education funding.

[1:21:15] I personally look forward to partnering with the Assembly and Bureau of Administration this year and have confidence that we can come together for our community as a whole group.

[1:21:27] The school district has been meeting with legislators on a frequent and consistent basis to advocate for adequate education funding.

[1:21:36] Additionally, our board will have a regular present in Juno, throughout the legislative session that begins next Tuesday,

[1:21:45] but to help raise the voices of the Fairbanks or Sarbaro constituents.

[1:21:51] We're on January 19th and 20th.

[1:21:54] The board will participate in a board retreat, facilitated by the Alaska Association of School Board.

[1:22:00] The primary focus of the retreat will be to continue the tremendous work of reviewing and discussing

[1:22:06] all Fairbanks or Cerberals School District or Policies.

[1:22:12] Our kindergarteners through third grade students recently finished up their winter M-class assessment as part of the Alaska Reset.

[1:22:22] And I am proud to announce that all grade levels improve their proficiency levels from fall to winter.

[1:22:28] We'll have more details to share regarding this really exciting development at an upcoming board meeting.

[1:22:35] The school board's next regular meeting will be Tuesday, January 16th at 6 p.m. at the

[1:22:41] Admin Center, which is at 525th Avenue.

[1:22:46] Lastly, I want to thank again, Presiding Officer Savannah Fletcher for attending our regular

[1:22:51] school board meetings in order to share assembly information with us and updates with our

[1:22:56] board.

[1:22:57] And again, thank you to the assembly for having me here tonight.

[1:23:01] Thank you Ms. Moriatti.

[1:23:02] Are there questions?

[1:23:05] I'm saying not to appreciate you being a part of our, oh, Ms. Fletcher has a question.

[1:23:10] Yep.

[1:23:11] Thanks.

[1:23:12] The downside to being virtual.

[1:23:14] Ms. Morale, just a quick question.

[1:23:16] I briefly saw a new story on the University offering a program now, or scholarship, or

[1:23:22] folks who would have finalized their teaching degree.

[1:23:25] Do you have more information on that, or any other ways we're trying to encourage a bigger

[1:23:30] teaching workforce?

[1:23:33] Very large question that I would love to send more information to you about the email or we can make sure

[1:23:41] to have that information at your next meeting.

[1:23:44] But I do know that we have a lot of time and investment and effort into retention practices,

[1:23:50] and that is one of them.

[1:23:52] And we have several different ways that we do that.

[1:23:55] of them is through providing services, scholarships to our support staff to them to become certified teachers.

[1:24:05] Some of it is for more lateral transitions.

[1:24:09] If there are already a different type of teacher,

[1:24:13] say the specialized certification,

[1:24:16] then they can become a general teacher certification,

[1:24:18] and we'll help with that as well.

[1:24:20] There's so many,

[1:24:21] And I'd love to tell you all about them, and I'll make sure that you get that information in this in this possible.

[1:24:27] Thank you.

[1:24:28] Great.

[1:24:29] Thank you so much for being here this evening.

[1:24:33] Thanks for your report.

[1:24:36] Next on our agenda is our special orders, our public hearing.

[1:24:40] Starting with ordinance number 2023-65, an ordinance authorizing the mayor to lease by a competitive proposal process.

[1:24:49] In 19 acre portion of tract B, one A, conbi acres, subdivision known as Nubi Park, with a portion of Section 14, Township 2, South, range 2 east, Fairbanks, Meridian, located along Nubi Road and north of the Richardson Highway, and waving FNSB code 20.19.020D, related to Fair rental value appraisal.

[1:25:17] The sponsors are Mayor Ward and assembly member Haney.

[1:25:21] There is additional information in your yellow folders, and at this time, it likes to request a staff report from Mayor or Miss Haney.

[1:25:31] Thank you.

[1:25:31] Mr. Williams.

[1:25:32] Yep. Thank you, Madam Chair.

[1:25:33] We have Danny Welch, Natural Resources Manager for the staff report. Danny and Floorsiers.

[1:25:40] Thank you, Mr. Williams.

[1:25:41] Thank you, Assembly.

[1:25:43] I'll try to go brief through this PowerPoint.

[1:25:45] It was pretty short last time, but nonetheless, I'll go quicker.

[1:25:48] Again, this is for a lease of four more Navy Park.

[1:25:52] It is located off the Navy Road right north of the Richmond Highway.

[1:25:57] One thing to note, in this particular particular PowerPoint,

[1:26:04] is that the property was given to us through a patented process.

[1:26:09] We did receive property, turned it into a park pretty much initially.

[1:26:12] It was part of a larger parcel.

[1:26:15] but in the FY-2016-2017 era there was a cut to a budget and that removed it from the

[1:26:25] parks budget as well as from the parks management so it stopped being a park. The name

[1:26:30] remained there and especially within the thoughts of the citizens as well as even just

[1:26:38] by having a name for staff but that did it create a bit of an expectation and then

[1:26:44] right and so in this process is what we're doing is we're managing the land like we would do anything else

[1:26:51] within the borough under my division that includes land that is normally vacant land in this

[1:26:57] case is improved but nonetheless trying to find a way to manage this land in the most appropriate

[1:27:01] manner as well as for the greatest benefit for borough residents.

[1:27:21] So again there are a number of reasons

[1:27:24] why we're going this route for the RP as well as the request for reposal as well as for the

[1:27:29] leases that there's a number of randomism and overgrowth the limited maintenance that goes on

[1:27:34] the property there has been some licensing that's happened over time for different user groups to

[1:27:40] enjoy the property for their respective groups for various recreational opportunities but that does

[1:27:47] limit them in what they can do to the property and what they can fix on the property so for example in

[1:27:53] case the dugouts these have been removed. There was an amazing volunteer effort that has removed

[1:27:59] these. So it's no longer looking at like this but the opportunity to rebuild a dugout is not there.

[1:28:06] The license does not allow for that at least wood for example.

[1:28:12] So over time you can see how the

[1:28:14] property has essentially been slightly maintained to the extent of the fields themselves being like

[1:28:21] all the used space but a lot of the structures and whatnot have deteriorated over time and so

[1:28:26] this particular action would essentially provide a private management of the park area,

[1:28:32] and I keep saying park, even though it's not, but it will provide a private management

[1:28:36] of the facility in a manner that's supposed to benefit the public, and that's where the request

[1:28:41] for a proposal comes in is whatever we beam is.

[1:28:44] The intent has to be met by the people providing the proposal, and that would then hopefully

[1:28:51] creates some kind of cooperative private public partnership

[1:28:57] and providing the borrowers and something of value.

[1:29:01] Rather than a facility that is being used,

[1:29:04] but continually deteriorating with no opportunity to build

[1:29:07] a backup.

[1:29:12] So again, that goes into why we are leasing

[1:29:15] and why that's the suggestion is that without the expenditure

[1:29:18] of public funds via the the budget through Parks and Rec. This is next opportunity in which we

[1:29:26] can have a private public partnership in order to ensure this facility is maintained and used

[1:29:30] for some reason. It may not be strictly a park. It could be developed uniquely. That's why we're

[1:29:35] looking for proposals. But again, it's to benefit the rural residents and prevent the facility from

[1:29:40] continue to be great into something that becomes unusable. And that concludes my report.

[1:29:48] It's nothing further from the administration.

[1:29:51] Thank you.

[1:29:52] Ms. He needs to support.

[1:29:54] And what I would like to add is the model of the private public partnership to support

[1:29:58] very effectively.

[1:30:00] Many parts of the barrel, for example, two rivers, Esther, and then of course notably there's lots of little smaller rotary parks around town. And it seems that this model worked quite well. I don't know if any of them have been on the scale of this one, but this park was definitely something that was very meaningful to my kids growing up. I know Stanley Wright put a lot of effort into that park, and I don't know what I'd like to see, like to see this move forward.

[1:30:30] Thank you for that staff report, Miss Heaney.

[1:30:33] At this time, Molly will open public hearing.

[1:30:35] I have a few people on the list starting with Mike Music and followed by Jerry Million.

[1:30:40] You can take a seat if you're in the audience if you see an open chair.

[1:30:46] This is your music.

[1:30:47] Thank you.

[1:30:47] Mike Music, Esther Aria, I'd like to start by encouraging the assembly to vote unanimously

[1:30:56] in support of ordinance 2025.

[1:31:02] It's clearly a public purpose and which is defined as a present

[1:31:11] or a future purpose or use that will promote the health, safety, morals, general welfare,

[1:31:17] security, prosperity, and happiness that answer the borough as a community at large rather than

[1:31:22] as individuals. Whereas the property known as Nubi Park has, and like most recreational facilities,

[1:31:31] the TETA2 and provides benefits to the community, large, to include promoting the

[1:31:36] general welfare, happiness, and prosperity of our own residents through recreational

[1:31:42] opportunity. And I'd like to add them to that, that helps build community. We certainly

[1:31:49] discovered that in Esther, which is 40 miles or 30 miles, and my kids and grandkids all played

[1:32:01] soccer in baseball over the last since 1984, and we acquired our park in Esther just about

[1:32:11] the same time as the folks in Do We Park,

[1:32:18] and Billy Bob Allen was the mayor, and he hoped

[1:32:21] get it started through programs for progress. And then after our 30-year

[1:32:26] release ran out, which is just about the same time that the newbie part started

[1:32:33] having some sort of divorce process from the girl, we stepped up as a

[1:32:39] community and bought the part from the owner, which is a minor who lives in

[1:32:47] California, and she gave us a pretty good deal, but it was a lot of money for a small

[1:32:54] community. Though we started a program where we had mortgage emitters and asking people to

[1:33:03] step up and pay 20 bucks a month or something like that. Very similar to the Fairbanks Drama

[1:33:08] Association, and we're paying the mortgage every month, and I hope that we're full and come together

[1:33:16] in some way and put this together because it's really an important facility for all of the

[1:33:23] burn. Like I said, my kids play there and probably some of your kids want there too. So I

[1:33:29] encourage you to support it. So thank you very much. Thank you for your testimony. Are there any questions?

[1:33:36] Okay, seeing none. Is Jerry Million here?

[1:33:40] Okay, great. And hey, part of Bartos, you are next on the list. You're welcome to take a seat

[1:33:46] at the open chair here.

[1:33:47] Mr. Millian, if you could state your name for the record,

[1:33:50] spell your last name, provide area residents.

[1:33:52] You'll have three minutes for test tomorrow.

[1:33:54] Jerry Millian, M-I-L-L-I-O-N.

[1:34:00] 1950s, Fort Wright brothers came into North Pole

[1:34:03] and made residents Leonard Jack, Freeman, and Dawn.

[1:34:10] Dawn left, mosquitoes or cold weather,

[1:34:14] lost a woman, we don't know.

[1:34:15] I don't know what that was, but Leonard opened up Badger construction, built Badger Road,

[1:34:24] Jack Stade, married Virginia, raised a family in North Pole, and married Virginia in Fairbanks,

[1:34:33] and by the way, there were no auto starts at that time, and I decided to leave the car running,

[1:34:40] and when the marriage was done, they came back out, someone stole the car.

[1:34:44] So Jack ended up being a pretty significant force in North Pole came to be the mayor, raised

[1:34:52] a family there, wondered left, after built Badger Road sometime after that.

[1:34:57] And about 1980, Jack and Virginia got to a discussion about getting a semi-pro baseball

[1:35:05] team in North Pole.

[1:35:07] And so they put together a who's who in North Pole, Bartoses, Maven Counts, Brocklesby,

[1:35:13] carry an entrepreneurial guy from Fairbanks, Ralph Seacons, and it happened. And they're the ones

[1:35:21] that got this park going in 1980. And they put the sweat equity into it, and made it happen.

[1:35:29] And North Pole got the North Pole mix, and the gold patterns would play out there. And the

[1:35:34] Burl took it over. And I think they put $400,000 into that facility out there. And why

[1:35:41] ever got dropped from the Burl Rolls. I had no idea. My opinion it should have never been

[1:35:47] dropped, but that's history. So here we are now. We have a pretty good group, a symbol

[1:35:53] in North Pole with a little bit of horsepower to make the stain put the stain back in the map

[1:35:58] and put it back in shape.

[1:36:01] Okay, great testimony. Thanks. Questions? Mr. Gattenberg.

[1:36:07] Well first I appreciate the history. I always love history part of this town.

[1:36:14] It looks like one

[1:36:15] these fields is comparable to growings in size.

[1:36:19] Yes, well, you go in to the right, and that's the softball field, which a lot of

[1:36:24] people use, the other field in the back is a regulation field.

[1:36:31] The gold panels would play out there, the gold panels are mixed played out there in that

[1:36:35] field, and then the one to the right of the softball field is soccer field.

[1:36:41] High school still uses it. We have the high school on board. It's handy for the high school

[1:36:46] because they don't have to wait around for buses to take the kids all the way into Fairbanks

[1:36:51] and it's just a really handy thing. So they're completely on board to do what they call M-O-A

[1:36:57] with whoever gets it to the high school abuse.

[1:37:03] Any other questions? Mr. William.

[1:37:05] Thanks for being here this evening.

[1:37:08] Appreciate your testimony.

[1:37:10] Next, we have Mr. Bartos, followed by Philip Wyman.

[1:37:15] Hank Bartos, B-A-R-T-O-S, North Pole.

[1:37:20] I was one of the founding members of this ball field.

[1:37:26] We, as a group of concerned citizens, got together and said,

[1:37:31] The one of the biggest issues for the North Pole community at the time was the quality of life.

[1:37:38] I came up as a pilot when the ATNs came into Isleson, and when I retired at Isleson,

[1:37:47] we were looking for quality of life issues to keep the Air Force people and the people employed on the base with things to do.

[1:37:55] we had a good education system with the schools that we had there, but you know the recreation

[1:38:01] stuff was a little thin. And so we went out there as a volunteer group and it was amazing

[1:38:10] that the guys put as much time and effort in to build that ball field. At that time Erwis was

[1:38:19] the director of Parks and Rec, and I got on the assembly a about that same time and, you

[1:38:26] know, we worked together to make the field work. You know, we sold the signs that went

[1:38:34] on the back of the field for the people that hit home runs over. We had that North Pole

[1:38:41] We worked with John Larky and Ralph Seekin, who were running Fairbanks Goal Paners.

[1:38:48] We had games out there.

[1:38:50] In fact, the next did so good that they got to go to the National World Series for that

[1:38:59] type of league.

[1:39:01] And I think they came in second place, but you know, running a baseball team is pretty expensive.

[1:39:07] You know, the uniforms that we had, we had in the Green, North Pole uniforms, we had everything

[1:39:14] that was needed.

[1:39:16] And, you know, it's fallen into this repair now, as you heard earlier, and we needed to

[1:39:22] do something to make it come back.

[1:39:25] And so we had a meeting with a whole group of participants that would like to use the field,

[1:39:32] at the North Pole High School, the North Pole High School of Bale team and softball, they wanted

[1:39:39] to get involved in it again. They had been out there mowing the grass and we've had others

[1:39:44] trying to keep it. We think that we can develop this part into something that the North Pole

[1:39:51] community will be proud of in the future. You know, we really like to have more than nineteen

[1:39:56] but we got to spruce up the first 19 acres first and then we're going to come back to

[1:40:01] you and ask for more. I guarantee that will happen within a couple of years. We had hoped

[1:40:06] this would be settled before the summer ended so that we could get started with cutting brush

[1:40:13] and making things happen. But we've got people out there that will donate their time. We're only

[1:40:19] less than a half a mile from the new three-bayer store which is one of the biggest three-bayer

[1:40:25] in the state of Alaska, and we think that'll be beneficial to the entire community.

[1:40:31] Thank you, Mr. Bartos. Any questions?

[1:40:36] All right, seeing none, thanks for that history, too, and thanks for your testimony.

[1:40:40] Thank you. Mr. Wyman, followed by Petri Slee.

[1:40:46] Hello, I'm Philip Wyman. I have worked with the baseball team at the high school

[1:40:52] and been involved with a newbie field for 9 or 10 years as an assistant coach and just been,

[1:40:59] you know, constantly over the years as the depletion of the field has continued. Then we got involved

[1:41:04] with getting the community together and drawing people together to reduce the potential for,

[1:41:11] well, reduce the opportunity for vandalism by, you know, making it more open and knocking some

[1:41:17] of the trees down so that more visible, that kind of stuff and trying to do things to

[1:41:21] people. And you know, been working with the softball team. They're

[1:41:26] interested to come out. Really has to do with not having the dugouts built in

[1:41:32] the ones that we had were quite inadequate. We worked together to with the

[1:41:36] borough to tear out the other ones that were falling down and I'm not doing

[1:41:40] well. And so the goal while we were doing that, there's quite a bit of

[1:41:44] influx of the community that's well interested in being involved in bringing

[1:41:48] together, but with the limitations, with the burrow and things like that, it's been really hard,

[1:41:54] but we have been working directly with the burrow to show effort and show that we're trying

[1:41:59] to do things so that we can get it brought up and we're looking to try to work together to make

[1:42:07] that a continued thing for our community. And so, thank you. Any questions? Have a question.

[1:42:16] And so, the intended use is to stay as a baseball on softball and soccer field, and

[1:42:26] is the intent to be open to the public when it's not used by...

[1:42:31] 100%.

[1:42:32] Yeah, our goal, I'm a pastor too, so we've worked with the softball fields with the past

[1:42:38] choral groups and the church leagues and things have used that field and then the soccer

[1:42:43] and I've got five kids, so we're always carton and that's actually another reason why my

[1:42:48] man we have to drive to Fairbanks for every single sports event and if we could just use

[1:42:54] what's out in North Pole would be so much nicer for all the families in North Pole that always

[1:42:59] have to cart their kids all the way to Fairbanks to do any sports or whatever and that's why we

[1:43:05] believe in it so much as the need for our community to help the kids and things is such a big thing

[1:43:11] and families to not constantly have to drive to Fairbanks for every single sport event.

[1:43:17] Great. All right. Thank you for your testimony. Miss Lee. Petri,

[1:43:23] Hillcrest, Dry, Veria, LEE. Boy, I am really excited to hear about this project. I'm very much

[1:43:31] looking forward to seeing the new V-Park revitalized. My own kids did play there, soccer,

[1:43:36] And we actually had a couple of special Olympics training for track and field and softball

[1:43:43] throw.

[1:43:44] And it is fair for us to come to North Pole, not the North Pole to always have to come

[1:43:49] to fair ranks.

[1:43:50] And it was a lovely place you could stop and stay and have a picnic, and I had really feel

[1:43:55] bad that I didn't know it had fallen into disrepair.

[1:43:57] I think that additional public private partnerships might be available to really build out

[1:44:06] once they get it going.

[1:44:08] Mental health trust, Alaska Airlines, John Deere, the three bears, Costco.

[1:44:13] I can think of all kinds of people you could go to and ask to help in such a worthy project.

[1:44:20] Concessions.

[1:44:21] I mean, it was fun.

[1:44:22] We even had those out there and different teams took different times providing that.

[1:44:26] I do have one question and it's not meant to put a damper or anything but I just wonder if anybody has checked out to make sure under section 87 through 89.

[1:44:36] It says, whereas the vision's reviewed property records in there are, this thing, mining claims are other third party interests blah blah blah.

[1:44:44] Has it been checked for self-lain and PFAS just so you can take the proper precautions as you move forward.

[1:44:50] Thank you.

[1:44:51] Thank you, Miss Lee. Any questions?

[1:44:55] Okay, is there anyone else in the audience who would like to speak on this item?

[1:45:00] All right, seeing none, we will close public testimony and look for a motion to adopt.

[1:45:07] I've moved to adopt 2023 65.

[1:45:12] It would, ordinance to authorize the mayor to lease a competitive process.

[1:45:18] Love a block.

[1:45:19] Now, all second.

[1:45:20] All right, Mr. Rotterman with a hearty second.

[1:45:24] Okay, and now we're at debate and questions of staff.

[1:45:32] Ms. Kelly.

[1:45:32] I really support this ordinance, but I would like to know if by staff, if that, what Miss Lee brought up with the PFAS and the Solvenine, if that has been checked there.

[1:45:43] So through the chair, we generally address that I'll have Mr. Wells address the specifics of how we're going to handle that.

[1:45:53] So in this particular case, there has not been a test done because we had had improvements or what not done.

[1:45:59] For some reason involved in putting this through CIP, it likely would be based otherwise

[1:46:03] LSE can go through that process as well, it was required for any kind of construction.

[1:46:08] They are going to be required to follow any state regulations or any kind of any local state or federal regulations.

[1:46:17] Thank you.

[1:46:19] Ms. Lutter.

[1:46:23] Yes.

[1:46:24] Thank you.

[1:46:25] I was just curious.

[1:46:26] We got an email from our one of our Parks and Rec Commissioners.

[1:46:30] And I know this is currently in our natural resources development department and not in Parks and Rec.

[1:46:37] But I'm just curious, what was the kind of input we received prior to bringing this ordinance forward from Parks and Rec?

[1:46:46] Mr. Walsh.

[1:46:49] So there was some requests from Parks and Rec, from myself to get some of the local data and whatnot, but this was not brought before the commission,

[1:46:58] because it wasn't a park. It's not under the review of that. It's treated differently,

[1:47:03] which is why we have to go through this competitive lease process. If it was a park,

[1:47:08] there's actually provision and code that would allow us to avoid the competitive process

[1:47:13] because there's provision and code that allows us to do that. In this case, we're not able to

[1:47:18] avoid that because it's not a park. By name it is and by history, but it hasn't been funded or managed

[1:47:25] as a park for about, I would say, seven years.

[1:47:32] Okay, just additional, I mean, overall I agree with everyone here.

[1:47:36] I think this is a great idea.

[1:47:37] I'm really excited to see this park get rejuvenated

[1:47:42] and really used, yeah, I guess that's the only piece

[1:47:46] that gave me pause, I think from a process standpoint,

[1:47:49] I realize it's not currently in the Parks and Rec department

[1:47:52] and hasn't been since 2016 and I'm still so curious

[1:47:56] to better understand that history, it seems like no one really totally has it pinned down

[1:47:59] why that happened. But yeah, I think that's the only thing that gave me some heartburn.

[1:48:05] I feel like it still makes sense to get input from that commission in terms of making sure

[1:48:10] this request for proposals RFP, the folks in the meeting, do have that kind of public purpose

[1:48:15] intention in mind. It sounds like those who are interested in it today who are testifying,

[1:48:20] do have that in mind. But I would just hope if we have these kind of partnerships again in the future,

[1:48:25] we could have that kind of input, but I love this idea.

[1:48:29] So I'm not here to slow it down.

[1:48:32] I just want to flag that concern for the future.

[1:48:36] Mr. Cottonberg.

[1:48:37] Thank you.

[1:48:38] So can you expand on, I guess, the current of the past,

[1:48:44] you don't need to call a lease.

[1:48:45] I forget what you call it.

[1:48:46] But what this lease is going to enable the lease holder

[1:48:50] to do that couldn't be done before,

[1:48:53] or as far as improvements go,

[1:48:54] because I guess that's the question.

[1:48:58] All right, so as far as improvements go,

[1:49:00] when we have licenses,

[1:49:01] we have these licenses that are available well.

[1:49:03] Basically, you're allowed to use the property

[1:49:05] as very limited improvements are allowed to be made.

[1:49:09] When we're talking about capital improvements

[1:49:11] that could be made, things that are genuine structures

[1:49:13] or major renovations to the property,

[1:49:16] that's kind of that significant factor

[1:49:18] that change a license requirement of the license

[1:49:20] to be in a lease, for example, a lease allows

[1:49:24] for an individual that have interest in the property, it kind of holds them to hire

[1:49:28] standard holds us even as the actual landover to a hire standard, and allows them to create

[1:49:33] those property interest and in fact code demands that at least has enough time for the improvements

[1:49:40] to you, I mean that you can't build a $2 dollar property with a $2 or $2 lease because that

[1:49:47] then happens if whatever you have backing up that construction where to you would lose the

[1:49:54] Now you have an issue with a $2 million worth of improvements on property in the boroughs now, arguing with a bank on who owns what

[1:50:02] So in this particular case, what we're getting down to is like dugouts is one thing that was brought up multiple times

[1:50:08] You heard it in testimony as well and we just had no mechanism to allow those dugouts to be recreated and so this is that mechanism that would allow for the interest

[1:50:17] parties who say they want to put the dugouts, they're capable building dugouts, but there's no

[1:50:23] process allowed for yet this lease with them out for that process. You can see me too.

[1:50:30] One of these gentlemen gets the lease. What are their requirements or interacting with the

[1:50:35] borough to do those capital projects improvement? Let's say something as simple as as covered

[1:50:46] right? It's simply something that's simplest that or outhouses. What's the process that they're going to

[1:50:51] require to do with the borough? So our lease is 10 to spell it out in the sense that we have

[1:50:59] leases already with other park areas like partner park we have leases with in that and the less

[1:51:05] use are required to essentially ensure that they're meeting all local, state and federal codes

[1:51:10] and the other applicable construction or building codes that apply in this case is not in the

[1:51:15] these, so they have some of those, but they're also required to essentially get it any kind

[1:51:22] of construction or major improvements developed and designed and stamped if necessary.

[1:51:29] And I don't know if Douglass would follow any of that, but they'd have to get it developed

[1:51:33] and stamped and then reviewed by our own engineers because we have to protect our property

[1:51:37] in the sense that for the public's interest in the property in the sense that if they were

[1:51:41] build a pre-substantial structure.

[1:51:45] We want to make sure that the progressance

[1:51:48] are taking on an improvement that's something worth keeping,

[1:51:51] rather than something that becomes a burden later on,

[1:51:54] if the less he would delete property.

[1:51:57] By the name.

[1:51:58] So the take, for example, how it houses,

[1:52:03] something that in most places in this country

[1:52:04] just not allowed, but they want to build a septic tank

[1:52:08] but it's a slab on top of it.

[1:52:10] Some block, a little block shack on top of it.

[1:52:13] What would it give you there requirement to do that?

[1:52:15] How much trouble are they going to run into a DEC or the borough?

[1:52:19] So with the borough, our only requirements are going to be that you have a design that

[1:52:25] meets the requirements DEC as well as the design that can be approved by an engineer

[1:52:30] within the borough.

[1:52:32] So our borough engineer has to approve that design.

[1:52:34] So likely it needs another, has to look,

[1:52:37] has to design it as a good chance of that

[1:52:40] for that kind of project.

[1:52:41] Thank you.

[1:52:42] Miss Reeves, I'll move on.

[1:52:45] Assemblymember Fletcher, I question.

[1:52:48] Any other questions for staff at the other debate?

[1:52:53] Mr. Cras.

[1:52:55] It sounds a lot like there's some community

[1:52:57] where I said, or stay there in a path forward,

[1:53:00] that they've got envisioned.

[1:53:01] So I'm hopefully you could just subscribe for me a little bit more what the competitive proposal process would look like

[1:53:07] I'm just kind of worried about a rug bowl for some people that have expectations

[1:53:13] Sure, and I will admit that's not yet fully written

[1:53:16] One of the reasons being is that without the approval there was really no purpose in writing that

[1:53:22] And so that that process is going to essentially

[1:53:27] Keep in mind that this was a park and though we're not trying to create a new park

[1:53:31] are trying to create recreational facility. That's pretty broad. That allows for these proposals

[1:53:36] and innovation from the proposals to come forward with something that might be something that

[1:53:41] we normally wouldn't have in our parks and wrecks, but it would include a component of public access

[1:53:48] as well as public use, like what would, what would that look like? We don't want to necessarily

[1:53:53] lead any of the proposals down our particular link, but we certainly want to have an expectation

[1:53:58] that this is intended to be a recreational facility that benefits the public, which is why there's

[1:54:03] that section in the ordinance that allowed for it to potentially be less than term market value.

[1:54:09] The goal isn't necessarily the dollar amount, it's more of the use of the property and management

[1:54:13] of the property. I will say that there is existing user groups on those properties with licenses.

[1:54:20] Again, removal will. One of those reasons to revoke would be that we're going through with the lease.

[1:54:25] I will probably have something in the RFP that says how would you address ensuring that

[1:54:32] the user groups get a chance to essentially have a potential continued use or if you

[1:54:38] would consider having something to affect of ensuring that there is existing use and how

[1:54:44] are you going to address that?

[1:54:47] Thanks. Miss Kelly?

[1:54:49] more

[1:54:52] just a comment, but the testimony about having to drive in the town with kids and to go to a

[1:54:59] game really resonated with me and I lived out the hot springs road for many, many years and we'd

[1:55:04] have to drive a half hour in the town each way and it does get exhausting after a while. So I'm really

[1:55:10] excited about this project and I would like to be at it as a co-sponsor. Excellent. Mr. Roderman.

[1:55:19] Yeah, I think this is a great idea, this, this, this to me is like, you know, for whatever

[1:55:26] reason government kind of fell by the wayside here and so to the park. And now the community

[1:55:33] wants to step up and fix this. And it sounds like they've got a great group of volunteers already.

[1:55:40] I just think this is a great example of the public private sector working together to try to solve

[1:55:45] problem. I think this would be great for the people of North Pole and I too would like to be

[1:55:50] that it as a co-sponsor thank you. Great co-sponsor Liz.

[1:55:55] Co-sponsor anybody else for co-sponsor? Co-sponsor.

[1:56:00] Dromeon. The giant is Mr. Gotttenberg, Mr. Kass, Mr. Rouge Amos.

[1:56:07] Heck I'll do it too. All right you got 100 percent co-sponsors on this ordinance.

[1:56:14] So, if there's no further questions or debate,

[1:56:18] Ms. Madam Clerk would you call the roll?

[1:56:21] Ms. Amy. Yes. Ms. Kelly. Yes.

[1:56:25] Mr. Crasse. Yes.

[1:56:27] Mr. Lujainis. Yes.

[1:56:29] Mr. Ramos. Yes. Mr. Roterman.

[1:56:32] Yes. Mr. Gettinburg. Yes.

[1:56:34] Ms. Lutcher. Yes.

[1:56:37] Ms. O'Neill. Yes.

[1:56:38] Would anyone like to change the vote?

[1:56:42] 190, ordinance 2023-65 passed as the assembly.

[1:56:50] Next up, 13B ordinance number 2023-66, an ordinance

[1:56:55] amending FNSB code 4.84.030, composition to change the number of

[1:57:01] members for the planning board and amending FNSB code 4.84.050,

[1:57:08] rules of procedure and meetings to amend

[1:57:11] requirement, the sponsor is Mayor Ward. Is there a staff report from the administration?

[1:57:19] There is. Through the chair. So Mayor Ward brought this ordinance forward to address a problem,

[1:57:25] a pretty chronic problem we've been having the organization. So it's pretty common for us to not.

[1:57:33] It doesn't have it all the time, but it's a common thing and it's disruptive enough.

[1:57:37] But the planning board, we have a number of planning board members who conflict out of actions

[1:57:42] because it's a small town. Most of the planning board members are surveyors. They work for

[1:57:49] organizations that we may not actually be doing business with or for whatever reason there's

[1:57:52] conflicts. So the solution that's being presented for the problem is being submitted to the assembly

[1:57:59] basically does two things. It lowers the number of members on the planning board from nine to seven.

[1:58:04] So I just checked the membership of the planning board.

[1:58:08] We just added one a little while ago.

[1:58:10] So that'd be one, two, three, four, five.

[1:58:12] We have six now on the planning board.

[1:58:15] It's currently nine seats.

[1:58:17] So it starts to create problems when we're trying

[1:58:18] to meet quorum and get action and business items done.

[1:58:21] So this ordinance would remove the number of members from nine to seven.

[1:58:25] The next thing that this ordinance that's a little trickier,

[1:58:28] maybe install and can help me get it right.

[1:58:31] But when members are just qualified due to legal reasons,

[1:58:33] like conflicts, typically they can't vote and they still can't vote under this ordinance.

[1:58:39] But what that would do is if even if they were disqualified, they could count towards

[1:58:42] the corn requirements, at least they can get business done.

[1:58:46] The board would have to have at least three votes to make an affirmative decision on an

[1:58:51] action.

[1:58:51] What's put just in a better position to get business moving through the planning board process?

[1:58:56] So, Mr. Lund, do you have anything to add on that?

[1:58:59] If Mr. Lund doesn't, that concludes my staff report.

[1:59:02] The only thing I might add on the conflict provision is we do have that for the assembly,

[1:59:08] the board of equalization and the planning commission currently, so it's not unique to this board.

[1:59:15] Great.

[1:59:16] Thank you for the staff report.

[1:59:18] I don't have anyone signed up for public hearing.

[1:59:20] There's no one in the audience, so we will move on to a motion to adopt.

[1:59:26] Move to adopt ordinance number 2023-66.

[1:59:30] Second. Motion was made by Ms. Kelly and seconded by Mr. Cross. This time we'll have

[1:59:36] to be questions and discussion. Mr. Cottonberg. Yes, I have an amendment, I'll be being

[1:59:44] distributed at this point. There is a very fine part of this ordinance and that is dealing

[1:59:55] with basically...

[2:00:00] Amendment keeps the number of members at nine. And it keeps the section C, which

[2:00:15] is pretty interesting. And I, and I applaud the, the borough in the past and currently for think about it that if you have a quorum to start the meeting.

[2:00:27] But you have a surveyor, a re-liter, a land, somebody involved in the sub-delighting.

[2:00:34] They are, by law, conflicted out from voting.

[2:00:40] You've established your quorum, but theoretically you wouldn't have a quorum anymore.

[2:00:46] But it allows as long as the quorum is present, the other, you have to have three votes to

[2:00:52] the affirmative on it and ridges what the the the ordinance is doing and I'm keeping that in

[2:00:59] because I think that's a that's a significant thing ideally with it. I'm just keeping the

[2:01:03] members of the planning board at nine. That's all that's really the only change that I'm doing in this.

[2:01:11] All right is there a second? Okay. Who is that?

[2:01:19] Okay, so we have a amendment on the floor from Mr. Guttenberg, seconded by Mr. Crasse.

[2:01:26] Mr. Guttenberg to your amendment.

[2:01:28] So to my amendment, so it just to walk the members through it in the handwritten part of it.

[2:01:36] Right, so the bottom is page two line 49.

[2:01:39] Delete the word four and take the brackets off the five.

[2:01:44] So the five remains there, and the four is gone, and the rest of it, which

[2:01:50] changing the title, we're shortening the title, we're taking off the

[2:01:54] where is that we desire the planning board to be seven instead of nine, and

[2:02:01] that basically keeps that section C.

[2:02:16] Any questions, Mr.

[2:02:18] diversity, the opinion and backgrounds on the

[2:02:22] planning board is key part and also support this

[2:02:25] amendment.

[2:02:27] Ms. Letcher. Yeah, thank you. I would just

[2:02:31] like some more firm data from the administration

[2:02:33] if possible. How long have we been experiencing

[2:02:37] quorum issues and can we just get certain numbers on how

[2:02:42] often they've actually failed to meet quorum?

[2:02:46] I have, if I may.

[2:02:47] Mr. Gunmer asked that question for the clerk and she supplied me with a graph and since

[2:02:56] 2021, there are big no-corom issues. There are six times when they didn't help meetings

[2:03:06] for lack of agenda, and that could have been without really delve into the research on

[2:03:12] what happened at those meetings at the Agenda setting. They might have had one thing on

[2:03:16] agenda and they didn't bother to round up enough people.

[2:03:21] But right now in December 23, it shows that there is one vacancy on the planning board

[2:03:28] from the port from October and November there was three.

[2:03:33] And before that, there was no more than one vacancy going back to January 2021.

[2:03:43] So I think the issue is not that there hasn't been a quorum.

[2:03:47] It's just that there have been too many people conflicted out

[2:03:50] because they did the survey in work.

[2:03:53] They were the realtor and various positions that were involved

[2:03:58] in the planning issue that prevented them from voting

[2:04:02] and not having a quorum to vote.

[2:04:05] So this just allows the if there's a quorum in place

[2:04:10] to start the meeting that they don't need that full quorum to vote on the issue.

[2:04:16] Those people will be excused from voting, but thank you Mr. Gutmerg. Sorry, I just, you answered

[2:04:23] my question, so that's great.

[2:04:27] And if I could just keep the floor on that, I, with that,

[2:04:31] that does kind of answer my question, because what are we trying to fix here? And if quorum

[2:04:36] not truly a systemic problem, but perhaps just a fluke of a few things like our great

[2:04:41] deputy chief of staff now working at the burrow and whatnot and it's really more the

[2:04:46] conflicts that are causing the problem. I think I find those numbers really compelling.

[2:04:50] Unless there's something showing this is a trend going back much farther. I agree it's important

[2:04:55] to get a diversity of voices and as long as we can keep business going. I think my biggest concern

[2:05:00] here is plotting a so important as we're seeing new housing developments

[2:05:05] come forward, new subdivisions, and I don't want to slow up business, but if

[2:05:09] we're going to avoid those conflicts leading to slowing things down, then I

[2:05:13] think that still achieves the goal. So I support the cement.

[2:05:18] Mr. Williams.

[2:05:20] Mr. Gutenberg clarified the question I was going to ask was mostly in his comments,

[2:05:24] got to the point that it's not necessarily the meetings. It was the individual agenda items

[2:05:29] that we're having trouble getting through because of

[2:05:31] warm and voting requirements.

[2:05:33] So,

[2:05:36] is any?

[2:05:38] I have a question for Mr. Williams.

[2:05:40] Is this amendment something the administration

[2:05:44] could live with?

[2:05:46] Will it adjust the issue?

[2:05:47] I threw the chair.

[2:05:48] Honestly, I wasn't aware of this.

[2:05:51] I have not, obviously, I hadn't had a chance to confer

[2:05:54] with Mayor Ward or Mr. Sfilmot.

[2:05:57] I just, my own opinion is reading this quickly.

[2:06:01] It's not what Mayor Ward intended, but I think it would help.

[2:06:05] So I'll just leave it at that.

[2:06:09] For other questions, comments debate.

[2:06:11] You can tell it's already left, I take it.

[2:06:17] You don't see him sitting there any longer.

[2:06:23] So on the amendment to reduce the number of

[2:06:27] of plotting board members changing that, I'm sorry,

[2:06:31] keeping that from, keeping that at nine, from seven,

[2:06:39] and increasing the quorum from four to five.

[2:06:44] Madam Quirk.

[2:06:47] Mr. Roterman.

[2:06:48] Yes.

[2:06:49] Ms. Haney?

[2:06:51] Ms. Kelly?

[2:06:52] Yes.

[2:06:53] Mr. Guttenberg?

[2:06:54] Yes.

[2:06:55] Ms. Reeves Rommels?

[2:06:56] Yes.

[2:06:57] Ms. Cress?

[2:06:57] Yes.

[2:06:59] Mr. Guadillas.

[2:07:02] Mr. Luchin?

[2:07:02] Miss Luchin?

[2:07:03] Yes.

[2:07:05] Miss O'Neal?

[2:07:06] No.

[2:07:06] Would anyone like to change the vote?

[2:07:10] Eight-one.

[2:07:10] Seeing that, eight-one, the amendment is passed.

[2:07:14] And we're on to the main motion, as amended.

[2:07:18] Any further discussion on the ordinance?

[2:07:27] Seeing that?

[2:07:27] Madam Craig?

[2:07:28] Would you please call the roll?

[2:07:29] Mr. Gutenberg. Yes. Mr. Roterman. Yes.

[2:07:33] Mr. Rees Ramos. Yes. Mr. Lajonis.

[2:07:36] Yes. Mr. Cras. Yes.

[2:07:39] Ms. Kelly. Yes. Ms. Annie. Yes.

[2:07:42] Ms. Lutcher. Yes.

[2:07:44] Ms. Ria.

[2:07:47] Ms. Onio. Yes.

[2:07:50] Would anyone like to change the vote?

[2:07:52] Seeing them.

[2:07:53] 90. 90.

[2:07:54] or in its 2023-66 passes the assembly.

[2:08:00] Item 13C, ordinance number 2023-20-1L,

[2:08:05] an ordinance amending the FY 2023-24 budget

[2:08:09] by appropriating $1060,000 from the Summit Drive Service

[2:08:13] Area Fund balance to the Capital Project Fund

[2:08:17] for additional funding for Summit Drive Service Area Road

[2:08:20] Improvement Project.

[2:08:22] This sponsor is Mayor Ward, Mr. Rotterman.

[2:08:26] Yeah, just like to let everybody know that there's a potential conflict here.

[2:08:31] This is my service area.

[2:08:34] And it was kind of, I guess, involved in part of the funding project

[2:08:41] when I served with this flutter on our sack.

[2:08:46] I know it will help score that, but anyway, I just want to let people know this is my

[2:08:49] Service Area, this does affect me.

[2:08:52] Thank you, Mr. Roterman.

[2:08:53] As this is an issue that is of general nature to the area,

[2:08:57] a role that you do not have a conflict.

[2:09:02] At this time, we'll get a report from Mayor Ward,

[2:09:07] for Mr. Williams.

[2:09:08] I'll answer to both.

[2:09:09] We have Michael.

[2:09:10] First, thank you, Mr. Afroport.

[2:09:13] Good evening. Thank you.

[2:09:15] The Summit Service Area was awarded a grant

[2:09:18] with a maximum of $500,000, it went through design this in 2023 as they were going through design.

[2:09:28] It was understood that the $500,000 wouldn't quite make it for them to be able to complete the project.

[2:09:36] So this service area met in a publicly held meeting and voted to add an additional $160,000 to the project.

[2:09:44] If we were to get that money, then the project would be in construction this summer.

[2:09:51] That concludes my staff report.

[2:09:54] Nothing further from the administration.

[2:09:56] Thank you so much.

[2:09:58] Next we have public hearing.

[2:10:00] I don't have anyone signed up for public hearing.

[2:10:03] Not seeing anyone running to the desire to testify.

[2:10:08] So we will move to a motion to adopt.

[2:10:10] move to adopt ordinance number 2023-20-20-20-20.

[2:10:17] Second.

[2:10:18] Motion by Miss Haney, second and by Mr. Rotterman.

[2:10:22] Questions, comments, debate?

[2:10:26] I support this project.

[2:10:28] I knew some of the people outside of Mr. Rotterman who had been involved in a

[2:10:34] summit drive.

[2:10:34] I don't have any personal stake in the matter.

[2:10:37] But I've got a lot of friends who are up there.

[2:10:38] and they have all expressed to me concerned about this steep slope that this full attempt to address.

[2:10:45] So I'm all for it. Nobody likes to slide off into the ditch and I think this will help.

[2:10:54] Thank you Ms. Haney and Ms. Letcher.

[2:10:57] Yes, I also have some speaking strong support of this. Our sagted is she those $500,000 grants to those

[2:11:02] top scoring road service areas with project high project needs and this is definitely one of them

[2:11:09] but it's also a perfect example of what we're hoping to see from that kind of grant project

[2:11:13] where road service areas who saved up some funds but not enough to make the improvements entirely

[2:11:17] on their own could leverage that grant with the money they had raised themselves and I think this

[2:11:22] is a great example of that work and they come together to fix a pretty problematic road.

[2:11:27] So I'm in support.

[2:11:31] anything further from the assembly.

[2:11:35] Seeing none, Madam Clerk, would you please call the role?

[2:11:37] Mr. Loginous.

[2:11:38] Yes.

[2:11:39] Ms. Kelly? Yes.

[2:11:41] Mr. Kattenberg. Yes.

[2:11:42] Ms. Freeze Ramos? Yes.

[2:11:44] Mr. Roterman? Yes.

[2:11:46] Ms. Haney? Yes.

[2:11:48] Mr. Cras? Yes.

[2:11:50] Ms. Fletcher? Yes.

[2:11:52] Ms. O'Neill? Yes.

[2:11:54] Would anyone like to change their vote?

[2:11:56] Seeing none.

[2:11:58] 9000 or 920 23-20-1L passes a something.

[2:12:04] item 13D, ordinance number 2023-20-1M, an ordinance amending the FY 2023-24 budget by

[2:12:14] appropriating $7,606,606 dollars, and federal grant funding and $420,823 in local

[2:12:25] match funds from the Capital Improvement Program and Maintenance Reserve to the Capital Project's

[2:12:31] Fund for the Anne-Wine Elementary School of Renovation, Phase 2 Project, and by amending

[2:12:37] the FY 2024 CIP by expediting this project from beyond year to FY24, and increasing the estimated

[2:12:46] cost.

[2:12:47] The sponsor's Mayor Ward is there a staff report from the administration.

[2:12:51] We do. We have a design and construction manager Jonathan Shomare for the staff report. Jonathan Glad.

[2:12:59] Thank you Mr Williams. This project is a complete energy retrofit of the N-Win elementary school.

[2:13:07] That will increase efficiency and retain the building to a status of good repair.

[2:13:11] The improvements will support the school recent 46% increase in student enrollment due to

[2:13:21] closure of the neighboring schools. The renovation will replace the roof, eliminate

[2:13:27] some of the roof leaks, as well as some of the damages that they have experienced, and

[2:13:32] in a new exterior installation and replace all the windows and all the doors, as well as

[2:13:42] replace exterior LED lights, and as part of that, that will also improve air quality

[2:13:49] for the students and staff.

[2:13:51] And we in is one of the Title I schools in the school district, with 95% of students qualifying for reduced lunch and the school is also designed as one of the community shelters.

[2:14:12] A preliminary estimate from anticipated, at least we may experience at least 30% reduction

[2:14:22] in natural gas use in maybe 10% reduction in electricity, those are very preliminary.

[2:14:29] There may be improvements when we actually finish the project.

[2:14:35] And we also anticipate that the renovation will increase the life expectancy by roughly

[2:14:41] to 30% of the expected life experience of the building,

[2:14:47] and this project will, the borough

[2:14:52] will partner with Alaska to help us to some energy modeling as well as being some innovators.

[2:15:00] If research on how to make sure that we are doing the best way to do an energy retrofit.

[2:15:09] And participation with a neuroposive requirement by Department of Energy, they wanted us to partner with other entities, local entities or entities.

[2:15:24] be get a reward for this project.

[2:15:31] And also, as part of the reward,

[2:15:34] the borrower will have to participate.

[2:15:38] We have to do a community outreach with the diversity of

[2:15:43] the students as well as local labor unions.

[2:15:48] And also, this project is part of justice for me.

[2:15:51] And Justice 40 is a federal effort to try to deliver 40% of the overall benefits from the government to communities that this advantage.

[2:16:07] And as the next step for this project, if good approval is, we'll get approval from

[2:16:18] a set of Alaska ship to make sure that the building is not considered a historic building.

[2:16:27] And the tentative schedule will do design in 2024 and construction in 2025.

[2:16:39] That concludes my report.

[2:16:42] Nothing further from the administration.

[2:16:45] Thank you so much for that report.

[2:16:47] This time we will open public hearing.

[2:16:49] I have one person signed up, Mr. Music.

[2:16:51] the only person in my

[2:16:59] music, Esther Area actually it's a pleasure to come down here and be in

[2:17:04] favor of everything you folks are doing. I hope to keep this on a roll. So 9-0 would be wonderful.

[2:17:12] First of all I'd like to thank Chief of Staff and Ed Stath for pulling this off. 24 grants out of

[2:17:21] thousand requests or several hundred good quests. I don't know anyway, guys don't get it.

[2:17:26] And ladies, perhaps. I only learned about this Monday and the headline. The Burroughs

[2:17:34] putting on a new roof. You know, I just wondered if the author of the headline actually

[2:17:41] read the article. Because what we're talking about here is a deep, energy, retro fed up on

[2:17:47] huge and that's news and this is what we need on every birth of facility. I realize it. Uncle

[2:17:56] Joe's not going to be given money forever but I see this as a template for what can be the future

[2:18:02] and what we have to do to help clean up our air as I was saying earlier in the CD.

[2:18:12] Yeah, it's really, I'm really pleased.

[2:18:17] I had some recent correspondence with Bruno Grinnell at the end row and he wrote back when

[2:18:25] I asked him about this project, and I think he wouldn't mind if I read a couple of his bullet

[2:18:32] points here.

[2:18:33] And he said the converts, condense version of what I see as community benefits are colon, interdee efficiency and cause savings, enhanced interdee efficiency through retrofitting, leading to significant cause savings for the borough.

[2:18:52] to change, improve learning environment, better lighting and air quality expected to positively

[2:18:59] impact student performance and well-being.

[2:19:02] It's well known that poor air quality leads to diminishing cognitive processing.

[2:19:10] Community engagement, involvement of women and veteran-owned businesses, and collaboration

[2:19:16] with local organizations and tribes.

[2:19:19] I think that's critical that we get the whole community involved in our path to clean air and clean energy.

[2:19:29] Support for underserved populations focusing on serving students eligible for free and reduced price lunch and engagement with organizations representing these groups.

[2:19:42] Sustainable development

[2:19:45] Commitment to sustainable and energy efficient construction practice to that end. I had lived that to

[2:19:53] the

[2:19:56] Proposals in the state legislature for a state building code

[2:20:00] I'd like to see the Fairbanks and our star Burrow in the city of Fairbanks

[2:20:04] Sort of preempt that get ahead of the curve and a dopsie 20 24

[2:20:09] International Building Code, International Energy Code, and work with NREL on this retrofit,

[2:20:21] and another headline that caught my eye was the Polaris development.

[2:20:29] Thank you, Mr. Music. About those three minutes. Are there questions?

[2:20:33] Can I just say who I was holding?

[2:20:39] Okay, Bruno, just see, Bruno is a professional engineer,

[2:20:44] regional director of applied research for communities

[2:20:46] and extreme advice.

[2:20:49] Thank you for sharing that.

[2:20:52] Thank you.

[2:20:53] Any questions? Mr. Gunberg.

[2:20:56] Yeah, it's a little of topic, but could you remind me

[2:20:58] Assembly what years you served here?

[2:21:02] Do you repeat that question?

[2:21:02] Why is it you and assembly member?

[2:21:05] Oh, 2006 and 2012.

[2:21:08] Thank you.

[2:21:09] So we can't blame it for newly park.

[2:21:15] I could pass it with someone else.

[2:21:18] Alright, thank you for being here tonight.

[2:21:20] Thank you for your testimony.

[2:21:21] I don't see anyone else on the audience for testimony.

[2:21:24] So we'll close that and I'll look for motion to adopt.

[2:21:27] Move to the top ordinance number 2023-20-20-i-n.

[2:21:32] Second. Motion to adopt was made by Miss Kelly and seconded by Miss Haney. I read the wrong number.

[2:21:41] Uh, no, I think that's one. Yeah, one. One M, not N. Oh, yeah.

[2:21:48] Mama, I want to. Um, all right.

[2:21:51] To be questions staff.

[2:21:53] Thank you. A question to staff.

[2:21:56] I think this is a great project.

[2:21:57] I think winning this award so competitively is wonderful.

[2:22:04] So my question is concerning the amount of money it's going to take.

[2:22:12] How close are we and that's pretty much where my question is.

[2:22:17] I want to make sure that the federal money and our matching money accomplishes what we want.

[2:22:27] What we intend to do is we would try to design best on the edible fund and set in a week

[2:22:36] and not go back to the federal government and say we need more money so we'll be very

[2:22:41] strategic on how we structure the design so that we are able to stay within the budget we

[2:22:49] Yeah, at the same time, we don't want to leave money on the table.

[2:22:53] So we'll try to maximize as much as we get.

[2:22:56] Thank you.

[2:22:59] All right, Mr. Crass.

[2:23:01] Yeah, that's through the chair.

[2:23:03] First staff, you mentioned a 30% reduction in natural gas use

[2:23:08] in a 20% to 30% reduction in the life expectancy.

[2:23:11] I was wondering if you could tell us what the current natural gas

[2:23:14] uses and what the current life expectancy is.

[2:23:19] I don't have the data with me on the natural gas

[2:23:22] but I can provide you that when I have that information.

[2:23:29] The building is going to have such a condition index

[2:23:34] of I think 46 if I'm not mistaken,

[2:23:37] which is not a very good number.

[2:23:41] When most buildings is a way we use to the industry to see

[2:23:46] whether a building is in a good condition or not,

[2:23:49] deep that good buildings usually are in the range of 10%

[2:23:55] 20% sometimes when building starts getting around 30 and 40%

[2:24:00] they are not in good condition.

[2:24:03] So, and this number was provided to us from the school district

[2:24:07] who use a consultant to come up in that number.

[2:24:12] just to follow up. So will as we like go into this process, is there going to be the

[2:24:22] ability to compare sort of a before and after? I feel like this would be a great

[2:24:27] yardstick for a lot of folks who look at this as possible example for retrofitting

[2:24:32] other schools in the future and be great to have that in a real world. He's a

[2:24:37] And yes, and that's really part of the reason we are partner with Android, there will help us benchmark where we are, before we even start the renovation will benchmark, how much energy we are using, we have the information, how much energy we are using, I just don't have it with.

[2:24:57] And then we also do the part of the model kind of predict how much energy you're going to save.

[2:25:05] And then after that we also do a post about the how much energy we are actually saving.

[2:25:11] So we'll have three opportunities to see before during and after.

[2:25:19] Yeah, thanks. I hope we're able to share that far and wide. Yes, we're well.

[2:25:26] Yes, I'd like me at it as a co-sponsor.

[2:25:30] As I've indicated before, the school was very near to my heart.

[2:25:34] I have to tell you, because I kind of paused for a second when you talked about

[2:25:38] bee checking for it to be a historical building because I remember before there was

[2:25:42] new building and I don't really think of myself as being quite that historical.

[2:25:47] Yeah. I intend to vote for this. I had hoped it would be more than one school but I'll take

[2:25:55] one, one's better than none. But I would not, I would hope that others would not take that as

[2:26:02] me endorsing building codes because I don't. But I do endorse this and I think by providing an

[2:26:11] sample. We'll give us an opportunity to show other entities who are building what could

[2:26:21] be accomplished. I wish there was a solar component, but I'll take what I can get.

[2:26:28] Thank you, Ms. Haney. Ms. Kelly.

[2:26:32] I'm just wondering about the building season and was

[2:26:35] So being out, what are the projections of getting the stun in the summer seems like a huge

[2:26:41] wonderful project, but just worried about that?

[2:26:46] First, I would like to answer this any question, but he started building, it was a condition

[2:26:52] from DOE Department of Energy to make sure that they don't find a historic building, so that's

[2:27:00] requirements. But on the schedule, we have worked on schools before the last year was

[2:27:07] banished, so we are very familiar with working with the school district to respect their academic

[2:27:13] calendar. It will be tight, but at the same time I'm putting a flag for our local contractors

[2:27:22] in town here, we're very familiar with working with us on school projects. If for any reason

[2:27:30] we think we cannot complete the construction in one season where we have already put in a

[2:27:36] flag to the development of end that because of our climate we made new seasons because our

[2:27:42] construction season just so short compared to other schools in the lower 48. Follow up. So with that

[2:27:53] in mind are you doing the building like in sections so that you get one done and then start the

[2:27:59] one in case you do have to go over two seasons. We don't have a plan yet. We don't. We don't. We have

[2:28:05] not actually a style of the design because we we cannot we we are not allowed to start the

[2:28:11] design before we get approval in the money is already allocated but we we've been discussing we have

[2:28:17] some ideas so as soon as we have approval then we'll go through the programming and designing

[2:28:25] then we're not exactly what we're going to do. But we think from our design we think we can do it in

[2:28:32] one season and one constructs in some of the season. But if not, we'll do it in two seasons.

[2:28:38] Make sense. Good luck. I hope you do it. Thank you. Mr. Roderving. Thank you.

[2:28:44] Yeah, I'm in support of this couple of reasons. One, because there's one out of 24 projects that got

[2:28:53] nationwide out of the 1400 applications, yeah, that's epic. Yeah, that's pretty, that's

[2:29:01] pretty incredible that we got picked for that and I have to believe part of that is because

[2:29:05] the building was perfect for this and our environment is perfect for this. I mean we're only

[2:29:12] going to have to call up $400 and $2000 here and you know I asked it during the work session

[2:29:18] this crash asset, we're going to, at the end of this, we're going to have data and even

[2:29:23] bad data can be good data. So in other words, think about that. We spent, we spent the

[2:29:28] Department of Energy, he spends all this money, we call up a few bucks, and it doesn't work.

[2:29:34] Well, then we got to figure something else out. If it does work, well, you know, that could be,

[2:29:40] that could be great for future projects. No matter what the data is, good battering different,

[2:29:45] It's still data, and I don't know of any, I don't know of any building in Fairbanks, or maybe even in Alaska that's going under this kind of retrofit, so I'm all for it, just so we know whether this works and whether it's worse men and men.

[2:30:00] Any on our future buildings? No, I'm in support of this. Thank you.

[2:30:05] Thank you, Ms. Letcher. Yes, thanks, echoing what many of already said here, but really this is showing

[2:30:12] so many different systems and planning steps and our staff working so hard coming together to create

[2:30:18] the ideal situation. I like Mr. Roterman said this is truly leveraging great federal dollars and using

[2:30:24] those federal grant opportunities to the best and banish possible. But there's only possible

[2:30:29] because we have this kip in place.

[2:30:30] I mean, plan for projects are may seem like way down the road dreams, but when you start planning

[2:30:35] and thinking ahead, then you can really take advantage when these opportunities strike.

[2:30:39] And I'm really appreciative that staff is working with NREL, our National Renewable Energy Lab,

[2:30:44] you're in town, what a great resource.

[2:30:46] And then we will use this data to plan to do things right, moving forward.

[2:30:50] So really just a dream scenario, good work to staff, really proud of your work and appreciate it.

[2:30:55] And yeah, let's keep it up.

[2:30:58] Miss Haney, I just wanted to kind of point out, has nothing to do directly with the ordinance, but indirectly, because joy elementary.

[2:31:08] Many of the students who are at Anne-Lene were once attending or had attended in recent years joy.

[2:31:16] So after the library project is kind of completed, if there's a need to bring that school back news for one year,

[2:31:24] might be worth looking at in the future of just putting out that same we should or shouldn't,

[2:31:30] but it's worth considering.

[2:31:33] Yes, Williams.

[2:31:34] Yeah, I think just reading Assembly, it looks like there's a broad support.

[2:31:38] I don't know until you call the roll, but I guess there's a we've been kind of talking around

[2:31:43] this.

[2:31:43] I just wanted for the listening public and just to get it on record and set the expectation

[2:31:46] with the assembly.

[2:31:48] This project is awesome, right?

[2:31:50] And what we're going to learn is awesome, but what we haven't talked about a lot

[2:31:53] is that layer of benefits that we're going to get out of this,

[2:31:57] we're going to learn about building construction.

[2:31:59] Our hope is that we learn about building construction

[2:32:01] and can take those lessons and apply it to our next set

[2:32:04] of building construction, construction,

[2:32:06] our next facilities that we build.

[2:32:08] And not just our facilities, we can share this information

[2:32:10] with the public, so if another facility,

[2:32:13] another business comes in town or a federal contractor,

[2:32:17] whoever comes in to build a facility in Fairbanks,

[2:32:20] the Interior, anywhere in Alaska or coal climate,

[2:32:22] we can share that information and just make things generally better. So we are so excited about this project.

[2:32:33] All right. Well, if we have other questions or discussion, Madam Clerk, would you please call the roll.

[2:32:37] Mr. Crasse.

[2:32:38] Yes.

[2:32:39] Mr. Goodenberg.

[2:32:40] Yes.

[2:32:41] Mr. Lujain.

[2:32:41] Yes.

[2:32:42] Miss Hayney.

[2:32:44] Yes.

[2:32:44] Miss Kelly.

[2:32:45] Yes.

[2:32:45] Mr. Roterman.

[2:32:48] Yes.

[2:32:49] Miss Clature.

[2:32:51] Yes.

[2:32:52] Miss O'Neill.

[2:32:53] Yes.

[2:32:53] would anyone like to change their vote? Seeing them? 9-0. 9-0, ordinance number 2023-21-n,

[2:33:02] passes the assembly. We have a requested break by an assembly member for a quick time, so let's just

[2:33:12] do a quick three-minute break.

[2:38:10] We're ready in the chambers.

[2:38:22] The Fairway Source Star Barrow assembly is

[2:38:24] back to order at 839. We have one item left on our agenda. It's item 13E, ordinance number

[2:38:32] 2023-20-1N. And ordinance amending the FY 2023-24 budget by appropriating $108,000 in federal

[2:38:43] pass through grant funding to the special revenue and our capital projects fund. For the acquisition

[2:38:49] of Emergency Management Related Equipment and Training, the Sponsors Mayor Ward and there is

[2:38:55] additional information in your yellow folder. Is there a staff report from the administration?

[2:39:00] There is. We have emergency manager Nancy Durham for the staff report.

[2:39:06] Thank you. The State of Alaska awarded $108,000 for the federal fiscal year,

[2:39:12] in 2023 State Homeland Security Program grant.

[2:39:17] There is no match of that.

[2:39:20] No match, best gray and ever.

[2:39:23] This is a federal pastor grant funding

[2:39:25] for acquiring emergency management related equipment

[2:39:28] in training to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond

[2:39:33] to, and recover from terrorist attack

[2:39:36] and other all hazard events.

[2:39:38] The funding is for the following two projects this year.

[2:39:43] Now, in one, one, call taken system equipment at $58,000,

[2:39:49] which we're going to be purchasing and installing,

[2:39:53] uninterrupted power supply and battery backups for the Emergency Operations Center

[2:39:57] and FNSB, now in one, call taken system.

[2:40:01] It'll allow the system to continue functioning and support

[2:40:04] Incident Command and first responders

[2:40:06] when the power of rig bail.

[2:40:08] And the second project is for volunteers and police

[2:40:11] in citizen corpse training and support at 50,000.

[2:40:15] This program will provide training for volunteers

[2:40:19] to assist in the event of an emergency within the borough

[2:40:22] and this with preparedness, mitigation, and recovery.

[2:40:27] And our SART team is very vital

[2:40:28] to our community during this afternoon.

[2:40:30] Thank you, this concludes SART report.

[2:40:33] Nothing further from the administration.

[2:40:36] Thank you for that staff report.

[2:40:38] There is no one signed up for public hearing,

[2:40:41] so we will close that portion of this item and I'll look for a motion to adopt.

[2:40:48] Move to adopt ordinance and we're 2023-20-1 and like Nancy.

[2:40:53] In order to amend the FY 2023 budget by appropriating 108,000 in federal grant pass through grant funding blah blah blah.

[2:41:02] Second.

[2:41:05] All right. The motion is made by Ms. Haney and seconded by Mr. Crasse.

[2:41:09] Assembly debate and questions and staff. Miss Kelly.

[2:41:13] Thank you, Mr. Mr. Durham.

[2:41:15] I had a question and my winters are blurring together, but I know as when I saw these sub-lays was in the last winter,

[2:41:21] the winter before. We had that really bad storm and lost power everywhere.

[2:41:26] Was an Iman one down during that?

[2:41:28] No, not for that. It did go down after that.

[2:41:31] That was 2021.

[2:41:33] When just our Christmas, we lost power.

[2:41:38] We did not lose non-moving communication.

[2:41:40] We have lost non-moving communication after that.

[2:41:43] We did have an event for a brief time because of power and then generator issues.

[2:41:49] But that's been corrected.

[2:41:51] Great.

[2:41:52] I really support this.

[2:41:53] Obviously, for public safety, we need to be able to make sure we have diamond one going

[2:41:58] all the time and whatever in safe and trained as well. Mr. Gunmer.

[2:42:05] Thank you. Well, you know, thank you.

[2:42:07] I think the Christmas 21 will be the standard forever, right?

[2:42:13] It was warm. It was freezing rain in the middle of winter.

[2:42:18] And I'm glad you guys were up.

[2:42:20] How well, I mean, I had no radio although I have a battery powered crank radio

[2:42:28] But my cell phone was out, the almost everything was out, how will, and as far as everything

[2:42:37] going, I mean, I had no idea how we're calling the ambulance, that guy didn't have to.

[2:42:42] But how well is the public going to be able to know what's going on when a similar situation

[2:42:47] after you're up and running, and then the public is dark, how well are we going to be able

[2:42:54] reach out to them.

[2:42:58] Well, that's that's another project coming down. Thankfully I'm

[2:43:03] finally fully staffed and we're we're working through those issues to figure out how to

[2:43:10] reach all of our population. But that's down the road. But we were able to get through and

[2:43:17] communicate with with everybody doing that, even whether it was making 101 me picking up a phone

[2:43:24] call in everybody who was still without power a week later to their

[2:43:28] either cell phone or their personal landline if they still had one.

[2:43:33] I personally called everybody at the end of the week who was still without power to

[2:43:36] check on. So we we do find ways and again we have our 13 and they go door to door.

[2:43:44] So they have been very vital to any of our disasters knocking on people's door, getting out,

[2:43:50] delivering stuff to them if they've been trapped because they're still able to post on social

[2:43:55] media or wherever, get in touch with their fire station and they get in touch with us.

[2:44:00] So there have been ways in the public have has figured it out, but we're still working on improving

[2:44:05] that.

[2:44:06] We'll follow through.

[2:44:08] This is kind of hard.

[2:44:08] Thank you.

[2:44:10] So my investigation into what happened then, some of those things, it wasn't much.

[2:44:15] but I reached out, AT&T's tower was off, ACS towers off.

[2:44:22] There was no cell phone service.

[2:44:25] They had, like on ester dome.

[2:44:28] The battery pack ups went down.

[2:44:31] The fuel for their standby generators went down

[2:44:33] because they couldn't get up to the ester dome, right?

[2:44:36] It was like glare ice all the way up.

[2:44:40] So is there been, and I have called the FCC to ask about this.

[2:44:44] It's like, how do we extend, or get them to extend the battery lives and you'll back up

[2:44:50] for those facilities.

[2:44:52] So those things don't go out.

[2:44:55] I don't know if that's on your agenda, but I think that's something about the true coordination.

[2:45:00] Communication with the people in the borough significantly.

[2:45:08] There is something to be said for old fashioned hand radio and diesel generator.

[2:45:17] As you and I well know, I was wondering if that is some sort of secret case of ancient equipment in the anywhere around.

[2:45:28] We have a section in our AOC for ham radio operators and within the last couple of years since I've moved into this position we're rebuilding our relationship with that community and working with them to get them back involved and get everybody back together working together.

[2:45:46] It is a very old craft, so trying to recruit younger people to participate to keep it gone is from when I hear hard, but we are working on our bonds with them and grow in those relationships.

[2:46:06] Anything else from the assembly?

[2:46:09] Seeing that, Madam Clerk, would you please call the roll.

[2:46:12] Ms. Reeves Reynolds?

[2:46:13] Yes.

[2:46:15] Mr. Cress?

[2:46:15] Yep.

[2:46:16] Ms. Haney?

[2:46:17] Yes. Ms. Kelly? Yes. Mr. Lujinas? Yes. Mr. Roterman? Yes. Mr. Gutenberg? Yes. Ms. Lutcher? Yes. Ms. O'Neill? Yes. Would anyone like to

[2:46:31] of out, seeing them, 90, 90, or an N2023-20-1N passes the assembly.

[2:46:40] Now we jump back to the beginning of our agenda to communications to the assembly, item 9A,

[2:46:47] Memorandum from Savannah Fletcher, FNSB, anxiety officer, regarding the appointment of Terrence

[2:46:53] Dizinski to the board of Equalization.

[2:46:56] The Board of Equalization currently has two regular board member vacancies.

[2:47:01] At this point, I'd like to ask for a motion to adopt a point.

[2:47:06] Oh, two of two.

[2:47:08] Terri Dezinski's Equalization.

[2:47:11] All right.

[2:47:12] The motion was moved by Mr. Gottenberg and seconded by Ms. Kelly.

[2:47:18] Motion for appointment of a regular board member.

[2:47:21] Terri Dezinski has been made.

[2:47:23] Is there any discussion?

[2:47:24] All right. Madam Clerk, would you please call the roll? Ms. Kelly? Yes. Mr. Lujinas? Yes. Mr. Roterman? Yes. Mr. Cross? Yes. Miss Haney? Yes. Mr. Guttenberg? Yes. Miss Reeves Ramos? Yes. Miss Lutcher? I did have my hand up to give a report, but I'm loving these votes. Yes. Mr. Hill? Yes. Would anyone like to change their vote? Seeing them? 90. 90. Mr. Dezenski?

[2:47:55] will continue to be on the Board of equalization. I'm 14 on the agenda consideration of calendar

[2:48:02] on finished business. There is none. Item 15 citizens comments on items that were not

[2:48:07] scheduled for public hearing has been closed. Item 16 consideration of calendar new business

[2:48:13] and resolutions. There is none.

[2:48:19] Item 19 has been closed. Citizens comments and item 20

[2:48:23] assembly member comments.

[2:48:27] Any assembly member comments this evening?

[2:48:30] Ms. Lee.

[2:48:31] I'd just like to wish all my fellow assembly members staff and those listening happy new year.

[2:48:38] Year to full of happiness and good health.

[2:48:42] Yeah, that's it.

[2:48:43] You too.

[2:48:45] Mr. Cross?

[2:48:46] I'm sorry. Mr. Lujinas.

[2:48:48] Yes, I attended a meeting last night.

[2:48:53] Along with some other assembly and animal commission members and Burrough Staff was put together by

[2:49:08] the Fairbanks Animal Alliance group, which is a Fairbanks North North community-based group.

[2:49:16] And they have a mission of the mission is to rescue the dream is that one day we won't have to.

[2:49:23] I was just going to give a brief summary of what was discussed at the meeting.

[2:49:31] The group was brought together because there was a...

[2:49:41] And notice to the public that the drop off kennels at the animal control be closing in

[2:49:48] in July 10th.

[2:49:51] And there was some supporting documentation that some of that recommendation came from the

[2:50:00] Association of Shelter, Veterinarians, Community, the, we had an assembly, a number, Savannah,

[2:50:14] Blutcher was praised in her efforts for sponsoring an ordinance to secure the drop

[2:50:20] off kennels, which passed unanimously through the borough assembly, and then there was

[2:50:28] discussion that additional concerns about drop-off canals being put into the new shelter or

[2:50:38] or not being put in the new shelter, some discussion ensued in Chief of Staff Assistant

[2:50:48] Kuba, rest assured the audience that there was going to be drop-off canals in the new shelter as

[2:50:56] Well,

[2:50:59] other discussion covered options to allow for drop-offs to be monitored.

[2:51:08] I cameras and some of the, you know, in regard to some of the concerns of the animal control

[2:51:17] staff, having issues with community, not filling out forums.

[2:51:24] So some ideas came, we're discussed on how to help those problems that they're facing

[2:51:32] briefly, a follow-up records request was put in for trying to see the architectural drawing

[2:51:44] for the new kennel and those requests so far has not been provided and was denied by a public

[2:51:58] member of the public in that the drawings did want to be made public as far as possibly

[2:52:11] Making an unfair bid, when eventually we'll go to a bid process, further discussion and

[2:52:19] sued about why the administration hasn't released the designs to the public yet.

[2:52:28] A lot of questions were asked with not many answers.

[2:52:35] Other options were discussed as far as like purchasing abandoned buildings or buildings such

[2:52:40] like friends, church, and retrofitting existing buildings that we have on in the community,

[2:52:48] hopefully up lower cost as well. And that, you know, the community, we have an

[2:52:57] animal loving community and just living here in this community, we all take care of each other,

[2:53:05] fundraising could be an option. And then some of the animal control commission members were

[2:53:14] there, so some of their duties and responsibilities were discussed. In closing, there was

[2:53:24] basically the group provided all of our contact information, whether it's for the Italy

[2:53:33] and the mayor and that, and they just really expressed for, you know, local shelters,

[2:53:41] rescues of veterinarians, non-profits, to partner together for the similar cause of animal welfare.

[2:53:49] So there's a decent meeting.

[2:53:53] Thank you, Mr. Leginas.

[2:53:55] Ms. Plutcher.

[2:53:58] Yes, thank you. Just a couple things. It was on the consent agenda, but I just want to recognize, again,

[2:54:03] talking about participating in our commissions on the plotting board. We had almost like eight different

[2:54:10] folks who were all being re-appointed to their commission service and I just want to really say thank

[2:54:15] you to them and remember to encourage your friends, look for openings, find ways to get involved,

[2:54:20] our plotting board does still need more folks. So it'd be great to get those people applying.

[2:54:26] And then the two other things I wanted to follow up on some of Mr. LeGions' comments, I think one

[2:54:31] message to the administration, I know we're at the 35% stage with the shelter, but it was such a great way to get the public involved and informed when they got to speak on the library designs before the remodel.

[2:54:44] I think if we could have some kind of public workshop town hall of presentation, a way to get some feedback or input, it would do a lot to continue to build that good will.

[2:54:54] I know our staff's working really hard, and I think there are a lot of questions outstanding

[2:54:57] about the shelter, so I think that'd go a long way.

[2:55:01] And then the last thing, just speaking again, of our great commission nurse who are volunteering

[2:55:06] their time, I've heard the library commission would be eager to have a few more regular

[2:55:10] meetings, especially as we're finishing up the library remodel, and they're trying to get

[2:55:15] through some thick policy amendments, so that they might come through to the assembly and

[2:55:20] will not request on the line, but maybe the administration could also just schedule those meetings.

[2:55:26] Any other comments from Assembly Members, Mr. Ganberg?

[2:55:30] Thank you.

[2:55:30] So I got a couple of things.

[2:55:31] One of them, I said at the last meeting that I would do it today.

[2:55:35] So I'm doing it today about attending AML in December, in the beginning of December.

[2:55:42] It was late when we rejoined AML, so I understand many members.

[2:55:47] It was too late to change their travel or vacation, but three of us attended and at least a training and I say to the entire three or four days

[2:56:03] Very worthwhile the training is very worthwhile the understanding of issues that come up in front of the AML as a whole

[2:56:11] we are not alone in many of our issues

[2:56:14] and sharing those concerns and answers

[2:56:17] that other burrows and cities in the state have

[2:56:22] being able to work with them and talk with them

[2:56:27] and it's like, well, that's not an issue for us

[2:56:29] what's your problem.

[2:56:30] Kind of those conversations is considerable.

[2:56:34] And I want to thank the Assembly for allowing me to go.

[2:56:38] The other one I want to bring up,

[2:56:39] and I'm not sure this is the right place

[2:56:41] might have been more appropriate on the earlier on the agenda, but the last year, the assembly

[2:56:48] dissolved the legislative committee, and I was appointed this year as the legislative liaison,

[2:56:54] so I'm going to give you a little bit of legislative report.

[2:57:00] So, and it might be, it might

[2:57:01] have been better, and I'll ask the clerk, understanding its special committees might have been

[2:57:05] more appropriate place. But the pre-files, the first set of pre-files came out last week.

[2:57:11] The second set came out today. These are bills that legislators have been working on for a

[2:57:17] while, and they get them in early.

[2:57:22] And you know, going through them, our lobbyists has done a

[2:57:24] good job on pulling them out and the things that just affect us and how we're dealing with them.

[2:57:30] The second set came out today. I haven't really gone through them tomorrow. The AML's legislative committee is going to go through them

[2:57:38] That's a Zoom meeting if anybody wants to go through with them. You know what is affecting local communities local cities

[2:57:47] Whatever it is whether it's the the statewide bed tax or or or any land issues

[2:57:55] Delighted to see that our lobbyists on top of it is interactive with our

[2:58:00] our interior delegation, and I will keep you posted as other things come along.

[2:58:06] Do we have a time or play a Zoom link for...

[2:58:11] I was...

[2:58:15] Mr. Gunner, I'll have the clerks on that out as a communication.

[2:58:20] Those reports would be better under committees, so that way we would be able to ask questions.

[2:58:24] and that would be the appropriate time.

[2:58:28] All right, Mr. Ivman.

[2:58:29] Thank you.

[2:58:31] I still have Mr. Beckham town.

[2:58:33] They've been going for a month and a half.

[2:58:35] I'm always missing them around the holidays.

[2:58:38] So yeah, they're back.

[2:58:39] We're glad they arrived.

[2:58:41] Safe seeing as house 737 maxes seem to arrive

[2:58:43] with fewer rivets than when they departed.

[2:58:47] We're glad to have our boys back.

[2:58:50] And anyway, just a reminder to everybody here.

[2:58:52] If you guys ever want to go, Danny,

[2:58:53] I have plenty of tickets, and we have the best seats in the house, too, with our sweet

[2:58:59] red above, red above the goal.

[2:59:01] So, anyway, go dogs, and you want to come to the game.

[2:59:04] Let me know.

[2:59:05] Thanks.

[2:59:06] Thank you.

[2:59:08] If there's no other comments, I have just a quick comment in observance of Martin Luther King

[2:59:13] June 8, want to acknowledge the holiday, like Dr. King had on our nation, and as many

[2:59:24] businesses around the community will be closed, think of it as a day of service to honor

[2:59:31] that legacy and his contributions.

[2:59:35] And in that vein, the Juanita Helms Administration Center, the Burrow Assembly, the chambers,

[2:59:42] the Burrow Building, will be closed on Monday, January 15th, and observance of Martin Luther King

[2:59:48] on Thursday, January 18th, 2023 or 2024 because that's the year that we're in.

[2:59:55] Finance Committee at 530 p.m. with a committee of the whole session, work session immediately.

[3:00:00] Following in the assembly chambers. With no more business, we are done. We are adjourned at 9 o'clock.

Regular Assembly Meeting

Agenda

Transcript