1 00:00:01,560 --> 00:00:05,894 This world. >> This is 2 00:00:04,600 --> 00:00:07,914 Thank you. >> [laughter] 3 00:00:08,400 --> 00:00:13,400 » Moving back to the council, we're at the approval of the agenda. What is the 4 00:00:11,720 --> 00:00:18,320 wishes of the council? Move to approve. 5 00:00:16,320 --> 00:00:21,480 Um Mayor Cooper, if I may, I would like Can we get a 6 00:00:20,160 --> 00:00:23,240 second before we start moving? I would like to I would like to I 7 00:00:23,000 --> 00:00:25,400 Second. >> Ma'am, 8 00:00:24,080 --> 00:00:28,480 I would like to give a a second and once we get the approval of 9 00:00:26,920 --> 00:00:31,640 the agenda, then we will go and do the the things to move if you'd like. 10 00:00:30,440 --> 00:00:35,680 Second. I already second it. We all second. 11 00:00:34,040 --> 00:00:38,600 All right, now for open for discussion. Miss 12 00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:42,560 Councilwoman Mosher. Yes, I would like to move 13 00:00:39,880 --> 00:00:46,960 item B I to J 14 00:00:44,280 --> 00:00:51,760 for uh under unfinished business. 15 00:00:49,880 --> 00:00:55,880 And I would like to move uh items D E F 16 00:00:56,320 --> 00:01:07,640 G J K and L to item K for further discussion. 17 00:01:04,120 --> 00:01:11,600 And item K is action memorandums. Yes, can I recommend 18 00:01:09,840 --> 00:01:16,440 that we move the action memorandums to item I, which is the actual action 19 00:01:13,560 --> 00:01:19,760 memorandum part of the agenda? Right. I don't mind. Yes, we can move it there. 20 00:01:18,440 --> 00:01:23,280 You're welcome. Perfect. Thank you. 21 00:01:21,920 --> 00:01:27,360 All right, so moved. 22 00:01:25,600 --> 00:01:30,840 And just for the information of all council members, we don't need to vote 23 00:01:28,720 --> 00:01:34,040 on that. I know we have in the past, but once a council member recommends it, 24 00:01:32,400 --> 00:01:37,960 then we'll just move that. And Madam Clerk, if you would 25 00:01:35,480 --> 00:01:43,720 pay closer attention to that than I will, that would be great. Thank you. 26 00:01:40,320 --> 00:01:50,240 Mayor, I would also like to move items M and N 27 00:01:45,960 --> 00:01:50,240 to section I to item I. 28 00:01:51,480 --> 00:01:57,000 Oh, okay. Okay. So, before we vote, I just want to make 29 00:01:55,640 --> 00:02:03,840 sure that we have all the amendments correct. So, we are moving the 30 00:01:59,520 --> 00:02:07,960 introduction of ordinance 26-002 and instead of J unfinished business, 31 00:02:05,720 --> 00:02:11,880 cuz technically it's not, I would say K new business. 32 00:02:09,399 --> 00:02:23,160 So, K2 and then I have D E F G 33 00:02:17,680 --> 00:02:27,480 J K L M N be moved to item I, which is action memorandums. 34 00:02:26,480 --> 00:02:31,520 Okay. Please 35 00:02:28,800 --> 00:02:35,120 Please Please Please, if you would make sure that we do what we're supposed to 36 00:02:32,920 --> 00:02:40,440 do when we get there. I will. And then I'll take a roll call vote. 37 00:02:37,440 --> 00:02:44,080 Yes, ma'am. Okay. Mayor Cooper? Yes. 38 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:48,240 Council member Collins? Yes. 39 00:02:45,160 --> 00:02:51,440 Deputy Mayor Al Kamitra? Yes. 40 00:02:49,640 --> 00:02:57,360 Council member Graham? Yes. Council member Mosher? Yes. 41 00:02:54,800 --> 00:03:03,480 Council member Allen? Yes. And council member Carrington? Yes. It is unanimous. 42 00:03:00,720 --> 00:03:07,080 It's approved as amended. Thank you very much. 43 00:03:05,400 --> 00:03:12,080 And if I look like I'm really confused, I'm on three screens here and I'm my 44 00:03:09,520 --> 00:03:15,600 son-in-law set me up with and I'm trying to figure out how to actually work them. 45 00:03:14,360 --> 00:03:22,240 So, we're under communications and appearance of requests. Um 46 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:26,760 I guess we have it's a proclamation recognizing National Telecommunicators 47 00:03:25,040 --> 00:03:29,400 Week. And is 48 00:03:28,360 --> 00:03:34,440 Councilwoman Graham, are you reading that proclamation? 49 00:03:31,960 --> 00:03:34,440 Please. 50 00:03:42,760 --> 00:03:46,160 And if you'd please take the mic. 51 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:09,240 This is a proclamation recognizing National Telecommunicators Week, which 52 00:04:04,680 --> 00:04:12,520 is April 12th through 18th, 2026. Public safety telecommunicators are the 53 00:04:11,080 --> 00:04:15,680 first and foremost critical point of contact for residents in times of 54 00:04:13,960 --> 00:04:19,480 emergency, providing a vital link between the public and emergency 55 00:04:16,959 --> 00:04:22,920 services. These dedicated professionals answer emergency and non-emergency 56 00:04:21,000 --> 00:04:26,320 calls, dispatch police, fire and emergency medical services and provide 57 00:04:24,680 --> 00:04:30,040 life-saving instructions to callers under stressful and often 58 00:04:27,440 --> 00:04:33,520 life-threatening circumstances. City of Palmer dispatchers demonstrate 59 00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:37,560 exceptional professionalism, compassion and composure while serving the 60 00:04:34,600 --> 00:04:40,200 community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Their work is essential to the safety 61 00:04:39,040 --> 00:04:43,920 and well-being of the residents of Palmer, often going unseen, yet making a 62 00:04:42,600 --> 00:04:47,560 profound difference in emergency response outcomes. 63 00:04:45,600 --> 00:04:50,760 National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week provides an opportunity to 64 00:04:48,840 --> 00:04:55,120 recognize and honor their commitment, sacrifice and service of these 65 00:04:52,720 --> 00:04:58,480 individuals who are serve as calm voices in moments of crisis. 66 00:04:57,000 --> 00:05:03,400 Now, therefore, by the mayor and city council of Palmer, Alaska, we do hereby 67 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:06,880 April 12th through the 18th, 2026 as National Telecommunicators Week in the 68 00:05:05,520 --> 00:05:10,760 city of Palmer and encourage all residents to join in recognizing the 69 00:05:08,640 --> 00:05:14,640 invaluable contributions of our public safety telecommunicators. 70 00:05:13,748 --> 00:05:18,320 » [applause] >> Thank you. 71 00:05:15,760 --> 00:05:18,320 Well done. 72 00:05:26,760 --> 00:05:31,240 Do they Amanda, do they want to say anything? 73 00:05:32,088 --> 00:05:37,680 » [laughter] >> No, they're fine. 74 00:05:34,840 --> 00:05:37,680 Okay. All right. 75 00:05:39,600 --> 00:05:42,360 Short break. 76 00:05:50,880 --> 00:05:55,068 Smile, Mr. Mayor. >> [laughter] 77 00:06:00,280 --> 00:06:06,240 » I I think uh former council 78 00:06:03,880 --> 00:06:12,720 member member Tutor's job has been just been taken over by Councilwoman Graham 79 00:06:08,760 --> 00:06:12,720 and the picture taking department. 80 00:06:15,720 --> 00:06:21,400 Okay, moving on moving on. We have the Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually 81 00:06:19,280 --> 00:06:24,640 Impaired presentation. Folks, please come forward and 82 00:06:27,680 --> 00:06:33,120 Her name's Jackie Olson. Okay, thank you. 83 00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:45,840 Can you hear me? Yeah. Yeah. Hi, my name's Jackie Olson. Thank you 84 00:06:43,840 --> 00:06:49,200 for having me. I work with the Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually 85 00:06:47,200 --> 00:06:55,280 Impaired here in the Valley. I'm the Matsu program 86 00:06:52,000 --> 00:06:59,640 coordinator. I go out and I find blind people. By the way, there's 18% of 87 00:06:57,760 --> 00:07:04,000 Alaskans are visually impaired or legally blind. 88 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:08,680 Um it's only me from Sutton all the way up to Trapper Creek, but I go out and I 89 00:07:06,640 --> 00:07:14,080 find people and I figure out what they need and then I try to find the 90 00:07:11,560 --> 00:07:19,080 services, the devices and the equipment to get them what they need. Um we are 91 00:07:17,200 --> 00:07:26,440 grant funded through the Matsu Health Foundation and we are also donation 92 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:30,920 funded. Um we have right now two social groups I put on a month for anyone 93 00:07:28,240 --> 00:07:35,880 visually impaired. They're more educational and we have a lot of fun. 94 00:07:33,960 --> 00:07:40,400 We also have what's called a low vision clinic once a month. That's where I use 95 00:07:38,360 --> 00:07:44,440 my grant to try to buy you the devices and the services and the training that 96 00:07:41,960 --> 00:07:47,920 you might need. Mostly today, I just wanted to bring awareness, let you know 97 00:07:46,200 --> 00:07:51,560 we're here. We've been here for a long time. We've actually been in Alaska 98 00:07:49,560 --> 00:07:55,960 since 1972. Um but no one hears of us unless they 99 00:07:53,520 --> 00:08:01,000 lose their vision. So, I'm here to tell you that that it can happen to anyone. 100 00:07:59,200 --> 00:08:06,080 Um most of us expect it to be something age-related, but you know, one quick 101 00:08:03,840 --> 00:08:10,160 accident, one sickness, anything can happen. So, I'm just here to say if you 102 00:08:08,440 --> 00:08:14,640 know anyone vision impaired, let them know we're here. I'm located in the 103 00:08:12,040 --> 00:08:18,080 Matsu Health Foundation building. Um 104 00:08:15,360 --> 00:08:23,120 I'm also trying to get out there and push anywhere I can advertise, so I 105 00:08:20,600 --> 00:08:27,000 appreciate anything you can do for us and I just appreciate your time. 106 00:08:25,360 --> 00:08:31,200 Thanks. Jackie, I have a question for you. 107 00:08:29,440 --> 00:08:35,680 Um I might have missed this. Do you get all your funding through 108 00:08:33,919 --> 00:08:38,880 grants or from the Matsu Health Foundation or through any through the 109 00:08:37,560 --> 00:08:42,960 state? I don't get any through the state right 110 00:08:40,440 --> 00:08:46,760 now. It's all grant funded and hopefully donation funded, but not a lot of 111 00:08:45,000 --> 00:08:51,600 donations either. So, is the majority through the MSFHF or 112 00:08:49,880 --> 00:08:56,280 » Yes. For the for the Valley grant, for the Valley people. In Anchorage, we get 113 00:08:53,560 --> 00:09:01,800 a little bit more funding, but still we don't get any state or 114 00:08:59,200 --> 00:09:04,320 federal funding. So. All right. All right, ma'am. Thank you. 115 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:07,520 » Any other quick questions before I sit down? 116 00:09:05,560 --> 00:09:10,120 All [snorts] right. Well, thank you. Thank you. 117 00:09:12,826 --> 00:09:14,846 » [applause] 118 00:09:16,080 --> 00:09:23,840 » Moving on to the reports. Madam Manager, please. 119 00:09:21,040 --> 00:09:28,600 Thank you. In addition to the online published report in the packet was just 120 00:09:25,680 --> 00:09:33,440 a recap of the finance director's last enterprise golf enterprise 121 00:09:30,640 --> 00:09:37,920 financial status. I have a few comments. It was just more intended to bring that 122 00:09:36,000 --> 00:09:42,200 report back up to the public because there was some 123 00:09:40,800 --> 00:09:46,480 discussion, just making it more available for everyone. 124 00:09:44,040 --> 00:09:50,600 On tonight's agenda for introduction is a proposed code change to allow 125 00:09:48,560 --> 00:09:54,160 individuals under the age of 18 to work for the city. 126 00:09:51,920 --> 00:09:59,400 And this change would allow 16-year-olds to apply for available positions across 127 00:09:57,000 --> 00:10:03,600 the city and we currently have openings that would be perfect for some of these 128 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:06,200 kids that need some summertime jobs and those looking to work and kind of step 129 00:10:05,000 --> 00:10:11,000 into the workforce and then get introduced to government service. 130 00:10:09,120 --> 00:10:15,080 And then also moving on the official library groundbreaking ceremony will 131 00:10:12,920 --> 00:10:20,240 take place on May 30th at 3:00 p.m. followed by a celebration 132 00:10:17,720 --> 00:10:23,720 at the Depot and of course construction activity will occur before then because 133 00:10:22,360 --> 00:10:27,680 we are going to take advantage of the spring season but we are going to 134 00:10:25,560 --> 00:10:31,360 formally recognize the milestone on May 30th. 135 00:10:29,160 --> 00:10:36,760 Additionally celebrate Palmer will be held on April 29th marking the 75th 136 00:10:34,320 --> 00:10:40,920 anniversary of Palmer's founding. The event will take place at the Palmer 137 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:44,240 Municipal Golf Course Clubhouse and we're planning a variety of activities 138 00:10:42,560 --> 00:10:47,800 for all ages and will also be a great opportunity to experience the 139 00:10:46,040 --> 00:10:50,440 reconfigured space that we're working on. 140 00:10:48,680 --> 00:10:55,640 Community development Ailish has done an excellent job of completing and 141 00:10:53,640 --> 00:11:00,160 going through several improvements at the Clubhouse including painting 142 00:10:57,200 --> 00:11:04,000 reorganizing some flooring and enhancing the overall functionality of the space 143 00:11:02,000 --> 00:11:07,200 to enjoy this beautiful asset that we have. 144 00:11:05,480 --> 00:11:11,280 And it's actually a very beautiful space so if anyone hasn't been out there 145 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:16,920 please come out celebrate Palmer April 29th from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. 146 00:11:14,560 --> 00:11:21,040 Also May 2nd through the 3rd the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering will take 147 00:11:19,200 --> 00:11:26,560 place at the Palmer Municipal Airport and Alaska State Fairgrounds. Again come 148 00:11:23,360 --> 00:11:30,360 out support our aviation community and experience what Palmer Airport and 149 00:11:28,920 --> 00:11:34,480 Alaska State Fair has to do with this great gathering. 150 00:11:32,560 --> 00:11:37,600 I'm also pleased to announce that we've hired a new Golf Course Manager John 151 00:11:36,480 --> 00:11:41,280 Scharck. John brings extensive experience in 152 00:11:39,320 --> 00:11:45,400 South Central Alaska including his time at Settlers Bay along with his strong 153 00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:49,960 leadership skills and true city first mindset and we encourage everyone to 154 00:11:47,280 --> 00:11:54,880 come out and meet John April 29th at the grand reopening which will also be 155 00:11:52,040 --> 00:12:00,080 celebrate Palmer and then in a moment I will bring Ailish up for a 156 00:11:58,000 --> 00:12:04,800 introduction on the sports center including sponsorship opportunities at 157 00:12:02,440 --> 00:12:09,160 the new sports center and a recap of the ice season but before that I will bring 158 00:12:07,320 --> 00:12:14,680 John up right after this to kind of introduce 159 00:12:10,720 --> 00:12:17,960 himself. Finally I see some PAHA team members here in the audience and I 160 00:12:16,120 --> 00:12:22,640 just want to say congratulations on your state championship we win a few weeks 161 00:12:20,040 --> 00:12:26,960 ago. That was in a very exciting game to watch and Palmer's very proud of you 162 00:12:24,600 --> 00:12:32,280 guys accomplishments. That was excellent win. Congratulations. John you ready? 163 00:12:30,040 --> 00:12:32,280 Yep. 164 00:12:34,600 --> 00:12:39,160 Do I need this mic? I don't think so. >> [laughter] 165 00:12:37,720 --> 00:12:42,400 » They can't hear you over zoom if you don't use the mic. Correct. Oh they can 166 00:12:41,080 --> 00:12:45,480 hear me. They might through my mic. How's that? 167 00:12:44,720 --> 00:12:49,040 Is that Is it on? It's on. Okay. 168 00:12:47,600 --> 00:12:53,360 Greetings. Uh been a whirlwind 169 00:12:51,080 --> 00:12:55,560 week and so 170 00:12:54,480 --> 00:13:00,560 I'll give a little quick self history 171 00:12:57,760 --> 00:13:04,040 50 years in the state of Alaska um 172 00:13:01,760 --> 00:13:07,440 and I'm a retired school teacher from Wasilla High School. 173 00:13:06,120 --> 00:13:12,720 And and so I've also I spent 20 years 174 00:13:11,400 --> 00:13:15,440 in the golf industry 175 00:13:14,200 --> 00:13:19,880 prior to this new job 176 00:13:16,880 --> 00:13:25,480 and I like to call it the Palmer Municipal Golf Course West 177 00:13:23,080 --> 00:13:29,960 otherwise known as Settlers Bay. Um 178 00:13:27,360 --> 00:13:32,920 and and while I was there at Settlers Bay I did uh 179 00:13:43,120 --> 00:13:47,120 Benji we've lost lost the 180 00:13:49,080 --> 00:13:54,640 I just texted Allison she said she's still there so we're okay. 181 00:13:56,760 --> 00:14:04,360 I cannot hear um Oh you can't hear Mr. Scharck? Okay 182 00:14:00,600 --> 00:14:07,200 here. No. Okay go ahead. Is it on? Give it a tap. Hold it for 3 seconds on 183 00:14:05,680 --> 00:14:14,520 the Yeah I can hear him now. You got me? 184 00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:14,520 Yes. Okay sorry about that. 185 00:14:14,560 --> 00:14:21,600 So so moving forward you know like uh 186 00:14:18,920 --> 00:14:25,839 the city manager spoke about the um the um 187 00:14:22,880 --> 00:14:33,040 painting and and the recapping of the of the pro shop there. Um Ailish 188 00:14:29,240 --> 00:14:38,160 Brian Zach Penny have done a phenomenal job of of that. We're still in the 189 00:14:35,160 --> 00:14:43,800 process but they have spent endless hours of it and I really appreciate it. 190 00:14:41,880 --> 00:14:47,560 It's looking great and look forward to the finished product 191 00:14:46,240 --> 00:14:53,520 of it. Um they and I walked the golf course 192 00:14:50,440 --> 00:14:56,440 today and I was pleasantly surprised that uh there was 193 00:14:55,720 --> 00:15:00,480 a very limited amount of snow on the golf 194 00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:05,079 course and water. I mean obviously there were 195 00:15:03,040 --> 00:15:10,000 going to be some but um it's uh it's getting getting there 196 00:15:07,280 --> 00:15:14,600 closer than I imagined. We have done some hiring we are in the 197 00:15:12,120 --> 00:15:18,120 process of still doing some hiring and hopefully we can get a grounds crews 198 00:15:16,680 --> 00:15:24,360 out there very soon to start removing some tarps 199 00:15:21,040 --> 00:15:26,839 and debris off the golf course. Um 200 00:15:28,320 --> 00:15:34,480 Had a lot of a lot of people come in a lot of a lot of positive feedback and 201 00:15:33,720 --> 00:15:38,720 um and so I'm looking forward to it. I know 202 00:15:36,480 --> 00:15:43,839 there's been some there's been some different dialogue out there. 203 00:15:40,600 --> 00:15:48,280 And and so hopefully we can move forward from that. 204 00:15:45,040 --> 00:15:53,320 Um I'm hoping by the end of next week we will have holes one and two paved 205 00:15:51,200 --> 00:15:57,020 for the airport. That's a joke. 206 00:15:55,000 --> 00:15:57,020 » [laughter] 207 00:15:57,720 --> 00:16:02,360 » And um and so 208 00:16:01,040 --> 00:16:06,680 so yeah I'm I'm looking forward to it. It's 209 00:16:04,520 --> 00:16:12,280 going to be a adventure and um 210 00:16:08,040 --> 00:16:15,160 I hope that it becomes positive. Questions? 211 00:16:13,520 --> 00:16:18,079 Mr. Mayor. Yes please. 212 00:16:16,360 --> 00:16:22,480 Yeah. Thank you Mr. Mayor. Uh thank you Mr. Scharck for being here. 213 00:16:20,520 --> 00:16:26,680 I just wanted to let folks know it won't come as any shock to anybody in this 214 00:16:24,160 --> 00:16:31,400 room or on the dais up here that I'm the most vociferous voice of the city not 215 00:16:29,120 --> 00:16:36,480 running this golf course but I've known John Scharck for 40 years. I 216 00:16:35,200 --> 00:16:40,400 shudder to think how long we've known each other and 217 00:16:37,800 --> 00:16:45,000 and it's a great hire. I think he'll do great things if we're going to have it 218 00:16:42,800 --> 00:16:48,720 run by the city. I think the city's made an excellent choice and 219 00:16:47,040 --> 00:16:53,520 I look forward to seeing you out there in the golf course on April 29th and see 220 00:16:51,200 --> 00:16:58,480 if we can get it open as soon as we can. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Anybody 221 00:16:56,079 --> 00:16:58,480 else? 222 00:17:00,000 --> 00:17:06,000 Yes ma'am. Real quick Mr. Mayor 223 00:17:02,800 --> 00:17:06,000 um Yes. can 224 00:17:06,199 --> 00:17:11,480 Never mind I'll I'll have it as an aside never mind. 225 00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:13,400 All right thank you. Uh 226 00:17:12,040 --> 00:17:18,199 Mr. Mayor. Yes please. Uh 227 00:17:15,480 --> 00:17:22,760 actually a comment um not to Mr. Scharck but on the uh 228 00:17:19,800 --> 00:17:25,079 uh introduction of that ordinance. Can I comment on that? 229 00:17:24,040 --> 00:17:28,560 Just uh the 26003. 230 00:17:29,200 --> 00:17:32,597 Positive. >> [laughter] 231 00:17:30,960 --> 00:17:33,880 » Yeah and could you >> [clears throat] 232 00:17:32,600 --> 00:17:38,040 » and John could you tell me which one that that one is? Uh that's that's just 233 00:17:35,920 --> 00:17:44,600 the one recommended for public hearing at our special meeting the the one to 234 00:17:40,320 --> 00:17:49,520 lower the age of hiring to 16. Yeah let me let me ask you clerk a 235 00:17:47,200 --> 00:17:53,360 question. Did we move that one? So Oh if we didn't then I'm I so it it 236 00:17:51,760 --> 00:17:56,880 was approved as part of the consent agenda but as part of my report I was 237 00:17:55,440 --> 00:18:01,960 going to mention we can't have it on the 21st we need to have the public hearing 238 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:06,560 on the 28th. Yes ma'am. Yeah so you can certainly make a comment. Yeah 239 00:18:04,440 --> 00:18:10,800 just just briefly Mr. Mayor. As long yeah. Yes please go yeah please go 240 00:18:08,280 --> 00:18:16,560 ahead. Uh I just wanted to say I'm excited [clears throat] about this uh 241 00:18:13,360 --> 00:18:22,560 uh ordinance. I guess I didn't realize never have realized that uh 242 00:18:19,120 --> 00:18:28,679 there was a 18-year-old requirement to uh work for the city so um 243 00:18:25,880 --> 00:18:32,520 you know I I flash back on my older brother going to Kodiak at 14 and 244 00:18:30,760 --> 00:18:37,240 sending checks home to raise the rest of us when he was 15 years old. So I I uh 245 00:18:36,040 --> 00:18:41,800 and I know people get hired at Carrs at 14 and 15 246 00:18:39,600 --> 00:18:47,840 but at Carrs grocery store not to drive a car. So I just wondered is 16 I'll ask 247 00:18:45,120 --> 00:18:52,760 the city manager is 16 the the low point because of needing um 248 00:18:51,040 --> 00:18:56,840 employees to have driver's licenses and things of that nature. 249 00:18:54,800 --> 00:19:01,000 Well with the firefighters through their little youth program is 14 but 16 we 250 00:18:59,440 --> 00:19:04,640 wanted it so that it more of like reliable transportation they can drive 251 00:19:02,760 --> 00:19:08,040 they can drive a golf cart if they want to. 252 00:19:05,440 --> 00:19:12,800 Um just kind of hit that age level so that they can be a little bit more 253 00:19:09,080 --> 00:19:15,679 reliable for other departments than just working the fire truck. Thank you. I'll 254 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:20,640 just say I'll save my comments for the 28th but I think it's a good step in the 255 00:19:18,480 --> 00:19:23,440 right direction. Thank you. Thank you. 256 00:19:22,080 --> 00:19:26,000 Any other comments? Yes ma'am. 257 00:19:24,720 --> 00:19:30,960 Sorry this is unrelated to the thing earlier and I'm not sure if I should 258 00:19:27,560 --> 00:19:34,120 wait to ask this until after Ailish comes up because this is more of a 259 00:19:32,120 --> 00:19:38,040 question for you regarding it is regarding the golf course but I know 260 00:19:35,679 --> 00:19:42,679 AMCO had their meeting today. Do we have any results from that? 261 00:19:40,720 --> 00:19:46,679 We were not on their agenda so there are no results. It was 262 00:19:44,640 --> 00:19:51,840 not in table seven? We were not we were not on their board 263 00:19:49,400 --> 00:19:54,480 packet for April 7th. No for today's meeting. No we [clears throat] were not 264 00:19:53,200 --> 00:19:57,840 on their board packet. We did not present. We were not before them today. 265 00:19:56,960 --> 00:20:00,120 Okay. Thank you. 266 00:20:01,720 --> 00:20:06,920 All right, sir. Appreciate it. Thank you for 267 00:20:04,120 --> 00:20:06,920 your introduction. 268 00:20:10,600 --> 00:20:19,240 So So my report is pretty short. Mr. Mayor 269 00:20:15,040 --> 00:20:19,240 Sorry. I'm I'm sorry. Sorry. Sorry. 270 00:20:20,278 --> 00:20:24,960 » [laughter] >> Elish, you're up. Okay. She's here. 271 00:20:38,840 --> 00:20:41,280 All right. 272 00:20:41,720 --> 00:20:46,400 Did it go off already? >> [laughter] 273 00:20:44,280 --> 00:20:49,680 » No. I promise we can hear you, isn't It's okay. 274 00:20:47,560 --> 00:20:52,680 Good evening, Mayor and Council. My name is Elish Van. I am the Parks and 275 00:20:51,080 --> 00:20:56,760 Facilities Manager for the City of Palmer. 276 00:20:53,880 --> 00:21:01,520 Uh we just finished up actually about 2 hours ago taking the ice out for the 277 00:20:58,840 --> 00:21:06,440 season. Less than 48 hours after we turned off our compressor system. Not 278 00:21:03,840 --> 00:21:10,440 sure if that's a record or not, but um I'm proud of my staff for for powering 279 00:21:08,720 --> 00:21:16,680 through that today. And since Sunday night, um 280 00:21:13,280 --> 00:21:23,320 I want to start off by I'm very honored to have our 10U A state 281 00:21:20,480 --> 00:21:29,560 champions joining us tonight. Um if Reese and Gino and Zach, Kaya, who else? 282 00:21:29,680 --> 00:21:36,259 That's it. If you guys will stand, please, and show them what you brought 283 00:21:33,720 --> 00:21:39,520 them to see. >> [laughter] 284 00:21:37,040 --> 00:21:41,560 » Oh, nice. Nice. Congratulations. [applause] 285 00:21:43,920 --> 00:21:49,680 So they're also here with their parents and their coaches, Amanda Marshall, 286 00:21:47,840 --> 00:21:55,000 assistant coach Brian Cable, and assistant coach Kirk Zarkou. Um I had 287 00:21:52,160 --> 00:22:00,920 the honor of getting to watch these kids um compete in that championship. And um 288 00:21:59,280 --> 00:22:05,640 fight their little hearts out to win that for the first time in 15 years the 289 00:22:03,240 --> 00:22:11,160 10U A has brought home a state championship. So I'm excited that 290 00:22:08,080 --> 00:22:15,400 they're here tonight um and also excited and very supportive of changing the age 291 00:22:13,280 --> 00:22:20,145 for hiring because we've definitely been working on these kids on training them 292 00:22:17,480 --> 00:22:22,400 how to work at the rink. Um so >> [laughter] 293 00:22:20,679 --> 00:22:26,840 » they'll be more than ready by the time they're 16 to uh to work at the rink 294 00:22:24,920 --> 00:22:31,120 that they all love so much. So I'd like to start out with just um a 295 00:22:29,120 --> 00:22:35,440 quick season recap. Our start date this year was August 3rd, 296 00:22:33,520 --> 00:22:40,280 which was a little bit more than a month earlier than we had started my first 297 00:22:38,320 --> 00:22:45,000 year in 2024. So we were really excited about that. We 298 00:22:42,240 --> 00:22:48,000 had a week-long camp and then we had a several sheets for PAHA to do warm-up 299 00:22:46,960 --> 00:22:52,880 ice. The high school got preseason ice out of 300 00:22:50,080 --> 00:22:58,000 all of that and it was amazing. Um so August 3rd to April 12th was our season 301 00:22:55,960 --> 00:23:03,200 this year, which is awesome. So our goal this year was to have 1,200 302 00:23:01,600 --> 00:23:08,560 sheets of ice. A sheet of ice is an hour. And I just ran the numbers today 303 00:23:05,720 --> 00:23:13,520 and we're at 1,490. So that was really exciting as well. Um 304 00:23:11,480 --> 00:23:17,800 we had a lot of people wanting to book ice that we haven't seen before. We 305 00:23:16,040 --> 00:23:21,560 opened up the day after Thanksgiving to host an overflow tournament from 306 00:23:19,640 --> 00:23:27,600 Chugiak. They were very grateful that we were willing to do that. Uh we hosted an 307 00:23:24,520 --> 00:23:30,960 extra curling tournament this year and many more curling 308 00:23:29,280 --> 00:23:33,760 learn to curls after the Olympics. Everyone was really wanting to try 309 00:23:32,560 --> 00:23:39,840 curling. Um so we we capitalized on that with the 310 00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:42,840 Palmer Curling Club. Um and so they had you'll see from the sheet that I handed 311 00:23:41,360 --> 00:23:47,960 out to all of you um that there's 368 new curlers floating 312 00:23:45,800 --> 00:23:53,520 around the world or around the valley, I should say. Um and the sheet that I 313 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:57,960 handed you is just some from 2025 or 2025 and 2026. 314 00:23:55,720 --> 00:24:01,200 Um so we're on track. We're breaking records already this season. I didn't 315 00:23:59,920 --> 00:24:05,656 leave myself one of those copies. If there's an extra one, I'll take it. 316 00:24:03,636 --> 00:24:05,656 » [laughter] 317 00:24:09,080 --> 00:24:17,080 » So as you can see, we're up already almost beating our number from 2025 to 318 00:24:14,600 --> 00:24:20,280 2026. We're only four under, which we should have just tried a little bit 319 00:24:18,080 --> 00:24:24,400 harder to get four more public skaters. Um but we still have more of our season 320 00:24:22,679 --> 00:24:28,400 left. So we have we'll our numbers will go up in until the end 321 00:24:26,360 --> 00:24:31,800 of December this year. So um our stick time, our stick and puck, 322 00:24:30,360 --> 00:24:35,040 these are both internal programming opportunities we provide for the 323 00:24:33,040 --> 00:24:39,160 community. So that these numbers are huge. Um we added a lot more public 324 00:24:37,440 --> 00:24:43,679 skates. We started doing neon public skates, which were wildly popular. If I 325 00:24:41,480 --> 00:24:47,840 could do neon golf, I would absolutely ask John permission to come out and do 326 00:24:45,280 --> 00:24:52,080 neon golf because the neon public skates are such a good time. Um they do make 327 00:24:50,280 --> 00:24:55,720 neon golf balls, so we're halfway there. Um [clears throat] 328 00:24:53,080 --> 00:24:59,360 So in addition to these public skate numbers and these stick time numbers, 329 00:24:57,800 --> 00:25:03,440 we the pretzels down here, how many pretzels our staff sold in 2025 versus 330 00:25:01,840 --> 00:25:06,640 2026. My guys are tired of pretzels for the 331 00:25:05,000 --> 00:25:11,720 season, so we're looking forward to not selling any for the next few months. Um 332 00:25:09,360 --> 00:25:16,320 but also to recap our season, we're proud to be the home of six 333 00:25:14,160 --> 00:25:21,840 championships this season alone, all within our 10A um division of PAHA. So 334 00:25:20,120 --> 00:25:25,640 10As [clears throat] and 10Bs, they each won three. So we've got some really cute 335 00:25:24,120 --> 00:25:28,800 pictures of the teams in the rink hanging up for those guys 336 00:25:26,822 --> 00:25:31,880 [clears throat] to see over the next 8 years of their life while they're 337 00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:35,337 playing at at Palmer. So we're excited for that. I I encourage all of you to 338 00:25:34,360 --> 00:25:36,840 watch these kids >> [clears throat] 339 00:25:35,440 --> 00:25:41,320 » behind me cuz they're they're pretty amazing to watch and they're going to be 340 00:25:38,320 --> 00:25:44,880 nothing but incredible from here on out. We got to host the Division II State 341 00:25:43,200 --> 00:25:50,520 High School Championships for the first time ever uh in February. That kicked 342 00:25:47,960 --> 00:25:53,880 off our 5-week-long tournament uh schedule where all those pretzels were 343 00:25:51,960 --> 00:25:59,600 sold. Excuse me. Um that was an incredible experience. 344 00:25:55,880 --> 00:26:02,520 ASA was very pleased with our hosting. They were 345 00:26:01,160 --> 00:26:07,040 they're excited that we're hosting next year, too. So we'll be hosting the 2027 346 00:26:04,760 --> 00:26:11,000 High School State Championships as well. And then we also did something new this 347 00:26:08,440 --> 00:26:14,640 year by hosting concerts on ice. We did three of them. 348 00:26:12,320 --> 00:26:18,440 Uh the first one was in November as a fundraiser for 349 00:26:16,360 --> 00:26:21,880 Mat-Su Special Santa. Uh we just had one a couple weeks ago, which was a 350 00:26:19,679 --> 00:26:25,560 fundraiser for Mat-Su Sentinel, in which we divided the ice for half of it was 351 00:26:24,320 --> 00:26:29,960 concert and the other half we let people skate. 352 00:26:27,560 --> 00:26:34,360 And so that was really cool, including the band also skated with their 353 00:26:31,800 --> 00:26:38,480 instruments while they they which was awesome. If you haven't seen the videos, 354 00:26:35,720 --> 00:26:44,440 there are videos. Um and there was a proposal during that concert as well and 355 00:26:41,160 --> 00:26:48,720 she said yes, apparently. So um it was a really special season and I'm just 356 00:26:46,200 --> 00:26:53,400 honored to have gotten to spend 2 years in this position and um 357 00:26:51,400 --> 00:26:58,080 watching kids grow up and watching the community come out to this rink and just 358 00:26:55,800 --> 00:27:03,280 see people really take ownership of it and and just having new people walk in 359 00:27:00,240 --> 00:27:06,800 the door every day not knowing that it was even there. And we've been 360 00:27:05,240 --> 00:27:10,840 here for 20 years and we still have people walk in every day that have never 361 00:27:08,400 --> 00:27:15,440 been there before. So if I had numbers for you on how many 362 00:27:13,120 --> 00:27:20,160 walkers we see every day, that was something we really pushed this season 363 00:27:17,600 --> 00:27:25,200 to encourage people to come walk around the rink because as we all know, winter 364 00:27:22,800 --> 00:27:29,240 wasn't great. Okay, it's probably over, but we just aren't really sure yet. So 365 00:27:28,040 --> 00:27:33,000 we had we have the our same walkers that we 366 00:27:31,200 --> 00:27:37,560 always have, but we saw probably 10 to 15 new faces that we'd never seen before 367 00:27:35,480 --> 00:27:41,560 in my in my tenure. So that was really exciting. People are 368 00:27:39,200 --> 00:27:46,960 very very grateful to have a warm, which is weird to say, place to walk in the 369 00:27:43,880 --> 00:27:51,320 wintertime where there's no wind and um and it's free to the community. So we we 370 00:27:49,000 --> 00:27:55,160 enjoy being able to offer that as well. Um 371 00:27:52,960 --> 00:27:59,520 we did host 10 tournaments over the course of the season 372 00:27:56,760 --> 00:28:03,880 and um those were great. We're hoping to host 373 00:28:01,120 --> 00:28:10,120 more house tournaments next season to show off and allow our house skaters to 374 00:28:06,760 --> 00:28:14,200 skate at their home rink. Um so that's my recap for the year. 375 00:28:12,560 --> 00:28:17,280 Um and I wanted the main reason I'm here 376 00:28:15,840 --> 00:28:21,520 other than to get a recap. I asked the manager if I could do a recap because it 377 00:28:19,200 --> 00:28:28,200 was such an incredible season, but we've been talking in uh internally about 378 00:28:24,880 --> 00:28:31,520 what the future of the rink looks like and so you guys have a packet in front 379 00:28:30,520 --> 00:28:37,560 of you and we are moving away from our branded 380 00:28:34,560 --> 00:28:42,000 licen- licensing agreement with MTA and we're rebranding into the Palmer Sports 381 00:28:40,040 --> 00:28:46,440 Center, which we really feel is more reflective of who we are now and where 382 00:28:44,120 --> 00:28:51,919 we're going. And so I'm not going to read what I wrote in this packet for 383 00:28:48,800 --> 00:28:56,000 you. You can read it. Um but I just wanted to 384 00:28:54,560 --> 00:29:00,000 tell you I wanted you guys to see this first before we put this out on the 385 00:28:57,320 --> 00:29:04,520 street, but we to my knowledge, we've never put a sponsorship packet like this 386 00:29:01,919 --> 00:29:09,200 together. And so this provides multiple opportunities for people to be a part of 387 00:29:06,560 --> 00:29:13,720 our growth and get their business in front of multiple 388 00:29:11,080 --> 00:29:18,000 people. 70,000 is what we had. I don't have numbers for 2025. I'm sure it's 389 00:29:15,520 --> 00:29:22,560 more, but the our numbers from 2024 were just about 70,000 over the course of the 390 00:29:20,560 --> 00:29:28,040 season. And really like we're only open September through April. So that's in 8 391 00:29:25,640 --> 00:29:33,120 months, 9 months. And so it's a lot of people and we're excited 392 00:29:30,720 --> 00:29:37,280 to move forward with this offering opportunities for people that are low 393 00:29:35,679 --> 00:29:40,760 dollar value up into the high dollar value. And you can see from this packet 394 00:29:39,360 --> 00:29:45,679 that it is low dollar up into high dollar. Um 395 00:29:42,520 --> 00:29:50,520 last fall, we were when budgets were being presented, there was talk of more 396 00:29:49,000 --> 00:29:56,240 research and everything going into a second or into an outdoor rink at at our 397 00:29:54,040 --> 00:30:00,840 facility, and that was something that really excited myself and every single 398 00:29:58,520 --> 00:30:04,200 person in this room that plays hockey because there's been a lot of people 399 00:30:02,200 --> 00:30:08,120 asking me about a second sheet of ice and what can we do to get more ice? Can 400 00:30:05,960 --> 00:30:13,280 we be open in the summer? All the things because there's lots and lots of growth 401 00:30:10,440 --> 00:30:17,360 in hockey, in curling, and it's it's pretty crazy to think 402 00:30:15,400 --> 00:30:21,480 about. So, um we are 403 00:30:18,800 --> 00:30:27,240 I would like to be future-focused on the rink, the outdoor sheet, and so 404 00:30:24,800 --> 00:30:29,760 we're going to try and work on funding and 405 00:30:28,120 --> 00:30:33,960 finding um grants and 406 00:30:31,440 --> 00:30:38,760 sponsorships to help us build an outdoor rink that can hopefully one day become a 407 00:30:35,960 --> 00:30:43,800 second fully refrigerated sheet of ice. Building it with the future in mind, but 408 00:30:41,160 --> 00:30:47,040 not investing in the new refrigeration system, which believe it or not is going 409 00:30:45,800 --> 00:30:51,320 to be more expensive than all the rest of it. It's all expensive, but we are 410 00:30:49,400 --> 00:30:55,040 hopeful that it will be ready to go so we don't turn 411 00:30:53,040 --> 00:30:58,480 into Big Lake, which is just now being run by the borough, and they're going to 412 00:30:56,600 --> 00:31:02,360 rip all the concrete out and refrigerate it. So, I don't want us I don't as like 413 00:31:00,840 --> 00:31:04,920 as a taxpayer and as a city employee, I don't really want to do it backwards. I 414 00:31:03,800 --> 00:31:08,520 would rather maybe never need the refrigeration, but 415 00:31:06,440 --> 00:31:12,800 we have it there if we need it. Um and that would involve adding a third 416 00:31:10,680 --> 00:31:14,280 compressor to our two existing that we have. So, 417 00:31:13,976 --> 00:31:18,360 » [clears throat] >> it's a big deal, but I want to just 418 00:31:16,360 --> 00:31:23,520 plant the seed that I think that that's how we should move forward. Um 419 00:31:21,160 --> 00:31:28,680 and I have a lot of people who uh that are very much behind this as well. So, 420 00:31:26,360 --> 00:31:32,316 um that is our goal, and we will work on some sort of 421 00:31:30,120 --> 00:31:35,760 bigger funding project and present [clears throat] that to you guys at a 422 00:31:33,120 --> 00:31:35,760 later time.