Legislative Formatting [LEGISLATIVE FORMATTING]
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Ever wonder what the strikethroughs, bolds and [brackets] mean when you see proposed changes on an item before the Assembly? This is called “legislative formatting” and its purpose is to provide an easy means for the Assembly and public to clearly understand current code language versus proposed changes.
The Municipal Clerk’s Office and Legal Department recently teamed up to make a cheat sheet for members of the public to have an easy reference for what the different formatting means. This can now be found at the end of Assembly Meeting agendas:
In Sections 11-15 of the Assembly Agenda, Assembly Ordinances (AOs) may propose to change municipal law, Anchorage Municipal Code (AMC) or Anchorage Municipal Code of Regulations (AMCR). Ordinances may use “legislative formatting” to show the changes or “amendments” to the current code as required by AMC 1.05.050.
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Special Election for District 1 Assembly Seat L - June 21, 2022
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After the adoption of a new Anchorage Assembly district boundary map through the process called Reapportionment, the Assembly called for a Special Election to fill the new 12th seat, now known as Seat L. The Special Election will be a mail-in/vote at home election and Election Day is June 21, 2022.
This election will apply only to the voters in District 1, the new North Anchorage District, which encompasses Downtown, South Addition, Government Hill, Mountain View, Fairview, Northstar and the northern parts of Spenard, Airport Heights, Russian Jack Park, East and Midtown Anchorage.
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From Homeless to Stably Housed Plan - Update
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The Assembly and Mayor's Office continue to work together on their joint effort to support an integrated client and community-centered approach for housing and homelessness, referred to as the From Homeless to Stably Housed plan. The plan consists of five focus areas:
- Complex Care Shelter
- Navigation Center & Adult Shelter
- Substance Misuse Residential Treatment
- Workforce & Supportive Housing
- Housing for Special Populations (couples, elders, women, & LGBTQ+)
Recent Updates:
Navigation Center and Adult Shelter
A special meeting was held on April 28 to investigate and appropriate funds for construction of an adult shelter and/or navigation center. The funding item that passed on May 10, AR-2022-111(S) As Amended, included a provision that “the Mayor’s Administration make a firm written commitment to make a good faith effort to operate the property at 1000 E. 36th Avenue (formerly Golden Lion Hotel) as a substance misuse treatment center.”
The next step for the navigation center is a public hearing on the Conditional Use Permit , which will be held June 22 at Loussac Library from 5:30-7:30pm. Information can be found on the navigation center project website. Note: while the Assembly has voted in support of creating an adult shelter/navigation center, it is not directly involved in the day-to-day process to conduct outreach on the navigation center and transition out of the Sullivan Arena.
Complex Care Shelter
On June 6, the Complex Care Shelter opened in the former Sockeye Inn to house chronically ill members of the homeless population and will be operated by Catholic Social Services. The shelter will start by housing guests at the Brother Francis shelter for several weeks while that building undergoes long-needed maintenance work. The goal is for the shelter to open 83 beds by the end of the month and will welcome guests who were previously living at the Sullivan Arena.
Workforce and Supportive Housing
Due diligence for the purchase of the Guest House Inn is underway by First Presbyterian Anchorage LLC 501c3 non-profit and is anticipated to be completed by early August. The transitional housing capacity will be approximately 120-150 people.
Substance Misuse and Residential Treatment
As plans for the navigation center, complex care shelter and workforce supportive housing come together, the workgroup will turn its attention to confirm current needs for needs for substance misuse level of treatment and number of treatment beds and evaluate options to address the problem. All options will be considered, including the Golden Lion property.
Special Populations Housing
No updates at this time. Funding and locations are being explored.
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This spring, the Assembly awarded a contract to build a new headquarters as part of the Port of Alaska Modernization project, updated code pertaining to contaminated soil clean up in new subdivisions to maintain a high degree of safety while easing red tape for builders (AO 2021-74(S) As Amended), hosted a presentation by HDR on federal infrastructure grant application tips, introduced and held a public hearing on AO 2022-60 to establish procedures for removal of an elected official for breach of the public trust, and held a worksession on Library operations.
The Assembly also passed a resolution to fund construction of a Navigation Center and Adult Shelter. AR-2022-111(S) As Amended, which included a provision that the Mayor make a good faith effort to operate the former Golden Lion Hotel as a substance misuse treatment center.
For items that had action taken at an Assembly Meeting, finalized documents incorporating Assembly amendments are posted here about 2-3 weeks after passage.
For more information on recent actions:
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In June, the Assembly is reviewing AM 333-2022, a sole source purchase for emergency shelter tents for the Anchorage Health Department; AO 2022-59 relating to the CFO's certification of funds, financial reporting and role in the budget; the process for selection of the youth representative to the Assembly (AO 2022-69); and the disposal of real property in the Woodland Park Addition (AO 2022-21). Assembly members are also continuing their work to review projects for the second round of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
Of note for restaurants, bars and breweries, on June 7, the Assembly introduced AO 2022-68, a temporary simplification of the application process for outdoor seating for premises that serve alcohol. This is an economic stimulus effort to last until May 31, 2023 to give time explore permanent code changes. The public hearing is set for June 21.
Several items were postponed to the July 12 meeting, including AO 2022-60 that establishes procedures for removal of an elected official for breach of the public trust and AO 2022-64 regarding offenses against property regarding burn bans.
Information for most of the items above can be found on the June 7 meeting agenda.
To learn more about what’s ahead for the Anchorage Assembly, visit:
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Learn how to get involved and share your voice.
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Header photo: Anchorage Skyline, Ken Graham Photography, courtesy of Visit Anchorage.
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