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Anchorage is Worth Alaska's Investment
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The largest city in the state, Anchorage is a wild, urban community worth investing in. As of 2022, 40% of Alaska residents live in Anchorage.
Last week, Assembly Members Kevin Cross, Pete Petersen and Austin Quinn-Davidson joined Assembly Chair Suzanne LaFrance on a trip to Juneau to champion priorities from the 2023 Municipality of Anchorage Legislative Program to revitalize our community for the good of the state
Get the facts about the priorities Anchorage Assembly members took to Juneau.
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Continued Investment in the Port of Alaska
90% of Alaskans rely on goods shipped through the Port of Alaska: construction materials, fuel, diapers and milk.
This year, State Legislators can keep the Port afloat by maintaining funding for continued progress on the critical Port of Alaska Modernization.
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Improvements to Alaska Statute 15 to Strengthen Voter Registration
Anchorage voters register to vote with the Alaska Division of Elections. Any outdated information in the voter database means a ballot package sent to an inaccurate address and needless government expense.
The Alaska State Legislature should amend AS 15 to implement pro-voter policies and keep the Voter Registration Rolls up-to-date.
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Investment in Anchorage's Housing First Approach
Anchorage is home to 40% of the State's population and 65% of people experiencing homelessness in 2022.
Adding affordable housing and low-barrier sheltering capacity is a priority that needs a statewide response and statewide funding.
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Attention to Transform Transportation in Anchorage
Anchorage has a serious issue with pedestrian accidents and fatalities, but solutions are within reach. Roadway design improvements, non-motorized corridors and speed management strategies can go a long way to making streets safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.
In addition to funding an MOA Vision Zero Coordinator, the State should transfer management of 5th & 6th Ave through Downtown to the MOA.
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In Juneau, Alaska Municipal League Director Nils Andreassen recognized Assembly Member Pete Petersen for his years of service to the state.
Member Petersen has been a long-time board member of the Alaska Municipal League and a past president. Pete is finishing up 9 years on the Assembly and also served 4 years in the State Legislature.
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Amid serious allegations of misconduct and mismanagement against leadership in the Administration, the Assembly remains focused on protecting the Municipality's greatest assets: the municipal workforce, public funds and our core services.
On February 21, 2023, the Assembly unanimously approved AO 2023-13 to establish the Municipality of Anchorage Online Checkbook, which requires the Municipality establish a public website providing information on municipal government financial transactions and contracts.
The website is required to publish information and updates regarding municipal contract statuses on a monthly basis, no later than 30 days after books close.
Next, the Municipal IT Services Department will assess estimated costs to launch the service by the end of the year and bring an appropriation request to the Assembly for approval.
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Juneteenth & Indigenous Peoples' Day are Paid MOA Holidays
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Happy Black History Month!
After robust public testimony at the Regular Assembly Meeting on February 21, 2023, the Anchorage Assembly voted unanimously to approve AO 2023-17, As Amended, to add Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples’ Day as paid municipal holidays.
This year, the Municipality will recognize Juneteenth on June 19, 2023 and Indigenous Peoples’ Day on October 9, 2023.
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Application Now Open: Assembly Youth Member
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The Assembly Youth Representative position is open! A non-voting seat on the Anchorage Assembly, the Youth Representative weighs in on the business of the city in a real-world leadership role.
Young people aged 16-19 are encouraged to apply online before March 28.
Questions about this opportunity? Contact Associate Ombudsman Heather MacAlpine at heather.macalpine2@anchorageak.gov.
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The Assembly continues to look into the snow removal situation and ways to keep our city streets and sidewalks running safely and efficiently.
At the February 21 Assembly Meeting, the Assembly approved AO 2023-7(S), As Amended to allow for the addition of temporary snow disposal sites by approval of the Assembly to clean up excess snow around town.
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In Case You Missed It - Chair Report
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At each Regular Assembly Meeting, Chair Suzanne LaFrance gives a report on recent community events and issues of interest before the Assembly. If you missed her report at a meeting, you can now read the chair reports online.
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At the February 21 Meeting, the Assembly took the following actions:
- Introduced AO 2023-20 to formalize a Paid Parental Leave policy for municipal employees to allow 4 continuous weeks of paid leave to new parents and guardians working for the Municipality. Public hearing on this item is scheduled for the meeting on March 7.
- Approved AR 2023-45 to adopt the 2023 Assembly Workplan, which outlines priorities and initiatives to be taken up in the coming year.
- Approved AR 2023-54 to request the State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Pubic Facilities (DOTPF) conduct a full re-evaluation of the purpose and need contained in the Environmental Assessment for the Seward Highway: Rabbit Creek Road to 36th Ave project. The proposed project would build an interchange on the Seward Highway to intersect with 92nd Ave and was the subject of a recent opinion piece in Anchorage Daily News.
- Approved AO 2023-7(S), As Amended to allow for the addition of temporary snow disposal sites by approval of the Assembly to accommodate increased snowfall this winter.
- Approved AO 2023-13 to establish a Municipal Online Checkbook, which would publish municipal contract statuses on a monthly basis.
- Postponed AR 2023-43 to direct $4.7M to emergency sheltering costs through services including Covenant House, the Allex Hotel, the Aviator Hotel and Sullivan Arena to the meeting on March 7.
For items that had action taken at an Assembly Meeting, finalized documents incorporating Assembly amendments are posted here about 2-3 weeks after passage.
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March 3 Special Meeting
- The Assembly will hold a special meeting on March 3 on nominations for Board and Commission appointments that were postponed from earlier meetings due to paperwork errors. The Assembly approved EO 2023-1 at a special meeting on January 20 to extend the terms of boards and commission members whose terms expired in October 2022 to ensure that boards can meet quorum while the paperwork issues are resolved.
March 7 Regular Meeting
- A public hearing on AO 2023-17 to enact a Paid Parental Leave policy for municipal employees to allow 4 continuous weeks of paid leave to new parents and guardians working for the Municipality.
- A public hearing on AR 2023-25 to amend the Special Land Use Permitting (SLUP) modification process to adopt a more efficient, affordable and collaborative process to request to expand liquor licensed premises area.
- Consideration of AO 2022-104 to authorize the $18M purchase of the 716 W 4th Ave from the Anchorage Community Development Authority (ACDA), a building which is currently leased by the Municipality to house the Anchorage Police Department Headquarters.
Learn more about what’s ahead for the Anchorage Assembly:
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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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