ended conversation questions and answers discuss maybe some of the orientation opportunities that are coming up and then um just kind of finish with any words of wisdom. So, um, the first question, and this will be for, um, current members, uh, question prompt from Claire, is, uh, what you thought this job would be like to serve on the assembly and what it's actually turned out to be. So, we'll start with you, Jared. Um, well, it's a great question. Um, honestly, it's a really great question. Um, I don't know. Um, you know, I I anticipated a fair amount of uh back and forth, I think. Um, and I think that has actually been pretty accurate. So, like I think there's been a fair amount of, you know, like debating ideas, and I think that's been really great. Um, I did not anticipate the drinking from the fire hydrant uh and information at all times coming from every different angle quite as much as it has. So, it's been helpful to learn how to kind of compartmentalize that a little bit. But, um, yeah, >> Daniel. >> Yeah, that is a good question. Um, so when I think back to when I was a new member, I was elected in a special election and so I was joining as like a sole newbie to this body of established policy makers. um in a really interesting time in the municipality and I was uh you know aware of what the business of the assembly was. I I attended many assembly meetings. I was involved in my community council. Um but when I was elected coming in I my experience was very quickly uh oh this is a a very collaborative process and I felt like even as the the new kid on the block my ideas were taken seriously. Um people were open to me bringing policy ideas forward. Um, and yeah, I mean the job certainly has its challenges, uh, both in the the time demand, also sometimes the way that the public treats you depending on if they like what you're doing or not. Um, that can be rewarding. It can be challenging. There are a lot of good opportunities to help people, to be responsive to your constituent needs. Um, and when you are able to make something happen for somebody, um, it feels really, really great to do that. Um, but all that to say, I'm hoping that our um, incoming folks that you will be able to have a a similar experience because I know that you have your own ideas and things that you want to work on and um, I look forward to collaborating with you guys. >> Probably. >> Thanks. Um, yeah, I've actually been thinking a lot about kind of three years ago and s sitting at this seat. So I will also say like um it's okay that y'all don't know everything yet because I think we all are high achievers right and that's why we go for these kind of positions. So anyway um in terms of what I found different I think um I had watched a lot of meetings from the outside and been involved in advocacy. So, so I felt like in terms of kind of what the issues were, the dynamics, those kind of things, like I stepped in feeling like I had a good idea of, but then once you're on the inside, I think that's the part that really to Dan's point, right? It's a collaborative effort. And I guess I didn't just I really didn't think about how much I would be working directly with departments. Um, and uh really having to understand the very complex organization that is the municipality where where you fit in as an assembly member because you're kind of outside of it in some ways. You're outside the hierarchy. you're outside the executive branch and all those other pieces. Um, but you also are part of the MUN and you're perceived as part of the MUN. So, doing legislative work, you know, going and speaking as an assembly member is very different than speaking as a member of the public to legislators, for example. Um, so I think that's been the biggest and kind of most interesting thing for me is figuring out because some of it is how do you figure out what you want to do? How do you try to solve problems that maybe were there well long before you? Um, and also just how do you how do you make that complex structure work or how do you navigate it to get what you're trying to get done or to help somebody get something done. So I'd say that's that's the that's the biggest part of it for me. >> Silver. >> Yeah. I think um coming from kind of a activist space and a political reporter space um I don't know that there was any big surprises. I think I kind of knew what I was walking into. Um I do think the big shift that I kind of made and I think that was really important to make is to move out of that activist space and move into the representative space um to where I'm no longer really trying to put my issues forward or or you know, but more trying to um draw from my constituents what's important to you. You know, how can I speak for you? How can I work for you? Um, and so I think that that was a shift that I needed to make. Um, and that was important to make. And yeah, I think it's been it's been positive. It's been a good experience so far. And I'm excited to have you all joining us. >> Mr. Johnson. >> Yeah. I think I was surprised perhaps by just how much of our work is is um, generally collaborative in nature. I mean just the amount of time that I spend in this room with my colleagues was was um not something that I I fully grasp or anticipated. Um and then you know I mean with that like we deal with some really difficult contentious things but so much of our job is not like and and the time and energy that we put into I think just being informed and being sort of good stewards of this this city and its departments and its finances um is really like where the bulk of the work happens. you know, even though most of the attention is on sort of the things that that turn into really exciting debates, that's that's not how we actually invest most of our time on this body. Um, and so I think that surprised me a little bit. Then also I think kind of with all the time we spend together sort of um also I think opportunities for for camaraderie like this this job is emotional at times like I think we all have had moments where we felt frustrated with each other but reality is is you know Anchorage is a pretty unique place and there are only 11 other people who are going to understand what it is like to be on the assembly at this moment in time. Um and they are the people you know in this room and and down at city hall with you and that's um a pretty pretty remarkable shared experience. I have a few thoughts. Um, and I kind of co-sign everything. I had uh put it down my note that, you know, when I was elected, I was a nine-year activist in my community. I was loud fighter, pugilist, ready to go. And, uh, the mayor had said to me, "You realize now you're not an activist, you're the man." Right? and was like, "Oh god, that is a very interesting thing to think about." Like I have to change the way I think and approach the questions. Um, so I agree, yarao, that there is something about that. Now, you don't have to be anything. You get to choose your own adventure and who you choose to be is who you will be branded to be because this sticks when you start doing this work on these cameras and in front of the public. And so I always offer choose wisely. you know, choose wisely. You get to create your public person once. You have to live with it for a long time. And so, um, in that space, you know, I thought I was going to get in and do all these things. And, um, I had a long list. And what you find out quickly is you are one of 12. And you have one 12elfth of the resources that are available to this branch. meaning you don't have all the tools you need all the time ready to go to be on the job and getting it done. That's a challenge there. Human resources, our staff and our peers are limited. So that's hard, right? especially when you're new and learning how it all works because you have all these ideas but you don't have the skills to translate them into policy or law or even how to work the the machine if you will the system to get the idea centered into the conversation. So that's tricky. So then how do you be successful as you're new and working your way in? Um, I learned pretty quickly that your success is completely bound by your relationship with your peers on this body and the leadership of the municipality, the administration. You can make a lot of things happen more quickly if you have people who want to work with you, right? and they all want to work with you until they do and make a decision of whether they want to work with you again or not based on how they feel working with you, right? That's a simple reality. We're all people. And I don't mean just within our branch. I mean, this is a 3,000 person corporation and it has a bunch of department heads and all of them want you to be successful, but only if you treat them respectfully and decently and because they're people. And so your success especially at first is tied to how well you are able to work with other people to achieve shared goals. Right? The minute you tap into the idea of shared goals, you leave the space where it's you and you enter the space where you have people working together to make whatever it is happen. And uh we hear lots of stories about how the assembly is this way politically or it's that way politically. I did an exercise last week, first time in nine years. I looked everybody up in the Alaska voter registration guide or website to see how they're registered politically. We're a nonpartisan body and the state of Alaska is I think it's like 32% or a little bit less 28% R maybe 25% D and then everyone else like this vast majority of Alaskans are U or N. So this assembly right now is three Republicans and two Democrats and everyone else is U or D which exactly is the same as the state of Alaska which I found to be very interesting. And with all the new members coming on the numbers stay exactly the same. And so um there is a thought exercise there to understand you're working with people who aren't necessarily bound to any ideologies. And if you want to be successful, especially if you're in what is perceived as a minority, your best success is going to come from working with others. That's how you're going to get things across the line. And um so I think that's the difference for me was I thought I could do it all. Then I realized I couldn't and then nine years later I realized I did a few things. And so in the fullness of time, you'll get it done if you work well with others. Okay. So the new members question Ally or Claire has for you is um what are the issues that you really want to work on and center that you're hoping to put your time on? Um and we have a rules committee that meets once a month where we talk about the projects we're working on in open session so you can hear what other people are doing. That's the way you know who's working on what. I might be interested working with them. So this is your first opportunity to share with the body any specifics. And of course it can be like a poker game. You don't have to say anything or you can say whatever you want. Um, what are the priorities and legislation issues you think you want to work on? Start with you, >> Sydney. >> Great. Can you hear me? Great. Um, I want to learn how to use the microphones first priority. And then, um, yeah, I mean, I've been thinking a bit about committees, bigger picture, and that's been helpful in terms of priorities. I really feel excited about working on energy issues and issues related to our utilities. Um, and have been doing that as an advocate, an activist, analyst. Um, so very curious and excited to learn how that looks from the inside. Um, I want to work on um, elections work, making sure our election systems continue to work well. I think as we saw this morning um with recounts and all of those things and I love our mail and ballot system here in Anchorage and want that to um keep working well for folks and keep getting folks involved in our um especially local elections and making sure people have the tools and information they need um to do that. And then also excited to continue moving forward the good work that's already happening around housing and um helping our unhoused neighbors and making sure that we have services for folks and also just continue to increase housing um options for everyone in our community. So, I think the and then also thinking about local civic engagement and involvement. Um, looking at our community council systems, how can we better support them in engaging our neighbors in public processes and policym conversations? >> Don, >> yeah, I mean, uh, one of my focuses, I mean, just kind of from my, uh, um, kind of career has been transportation. And so anything around transportation kind of infrastructure is um kind of a focus of mine uh and something that I really enjoy um pursuing and kind of advocating on behalf of uh our community. Um, I think that I mean coming from Eagle River and Chuggyak, uh, the one of my other priorities is kind of just advocating because I mean we're kind of viewed as kind of sometimes a separate community and um have have some slightly separate separate priorities and so making sure that uh um the other members kind of know, hey, this is uh how people out in in our neck of the woods kind of feel on stuff and uh if we're able to kind of work kind of across different uh lines there to to advocate for that. That's um one one of my top priorities, but uh I think housing is another one where I think everyone across the body and stuff. I mean, across Anchorage has been talking of, hey, that's a priority and making sure that we're we're building safe homes that are are affordable for um families to want to come here. >> Right. and Janice. >> So, I have several priorities. Um, first of all, to continue the work that especially that Felix, as my predecessor, has done with housing and homeless and getting people into uh transitional housing treatment programs um and uh uh stabilizing that community that needs extra help. Um, I'm very much interested in the legislative committee. Um, I would look forward to working with uh state uh government in trying to secure what we can get for the city because um we are not getting uh our fair share and sort of uh uh uh foreshadows, you know, an issue that's going to be before the legislature is getting our fair share from our resources. Um, I'm very interested in um uh health and public safety as a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault. I think we don't have enough uh services in that um in that area. And as the state with the highest uh percentage of uh sexual assault and domestic violence in the United States, I think we do need to make that a priority because 30% of the unhoused are women and children who are victims of domestic violence. >> All right. I think that um of those in the room, some of the committee chairs ears peaked up. You have already said too much new members. Um, prepare yourselves. Um, okay. The next part is a review of some of the larger projects that are going on. And this kind of on the spot because you don't have this agenda in front of you. Um, and so, um, I'm going to put you on the spot, Zach. Why don't you brief us on the port? >> Oh, yeah. Well, you guys just missed a exciting vote. I guess it wasn't exciting that it wasn't controversial in any way, but we did uh approve $400 million financing and and new debt for the port. >> Can I interrupt for a second there and just say >> I was looking at Felix when that vote happened. We appropriated $400 million. Not one person testified and not one member spoke. This is an interesting observation. >> It speaks for itself, but anyhow, >> I mean, I think in in part it's because of the work we do in the committees, right? You know, I mean, so much of what happens before we get to the DAS, at least often that's how it should be and that's where we answer our questions and we we hopefully develop confidence in what's happening. I, you know, with the port um that is a huge project like the total cost for that is going to be almost or perhaps$2 billion dollars. It is a project that will continue on probably past most of our time on the assembly. Um this year with the starting the construction of cargo terminal one is a huge milestone. Um and so yes, it's often not controversial, but it is one of those things that honestly that the public doesn't pay a lot of attention to, but it will be one of the most impactful things that I think you guys are going to be involved in for the next few years. That port needs to stand the test of time for the next 75 years. It is a mega project. It's very expensive and we are responsible for making sure um that we are managing it well >> and go do a port tour. >> The largest the largest infrastructure project in the state until pipeline and it's super critical for every part of our lives and um it has languished. It has struggled. It has fallen apart. It has gotten built to a point where it should have been successful. We're in lawsuits, federal government to get hundreds of millions of dollars that we've won, we've lost, and we're in negotiations. Again, it's a very complicated and interesting project. And if you like big like Tonka life, things moving, this the port is a project to invest some time in. It's amazing. But yes, the tour Yeah. I think also at least from the perspective of the last three years when we came in it was basically right around the time that Lisa Marowski had said to all the state legislators, you need to get the port figured out and she was speaking to the Anchorage, right? Like it so we so we that's kind of the environment that we all started in in 2023. Um and and really just having to um in the absence of a mayor that that was keeping it on track really get it stirred back. So, so it's also a good example of a project that is internal to the municipality has a statewide impact, but also what we do and how we do it is perceived by the rest of the state, right? And and our congressional delegation. And so, I think to the assembly's credit and especially former member Salotel and Chris and others um you know, stewarded it along at a time that that it didn't look like it was on track, right? And so, um, I think on top of all the other things in the lawsuit and all the other pieces, um, the assembly had to step in in a difficult time and get it back on track. So, I'm so happy that we are not in that space anymore. We have a plan of finance and um, but it really just shows that that when the ball gets dropped, someone has to pick it up, right? And so, at least in that point in time, the assembly was picking up a lot of balls and that was a big one. Um, so just reflecting back to where we were a few years ago, I think is a huge um it's just amazing that yeah, the vote on 400 million with no comment like that was many years before that um to get to that place and the fact that we're not spending all of our time talking about it anymore. I mean that's a huge thing definitely signals alignment. So Aaron, since you popped in, we're doing kind of briefings on big projects and I have been working to hand off the Clutna River project. Maybe you'll brief your new peers on what that project is. >> Cool. >> So, um the the Acclutiner project is a long and convoluted story. Um but essentially there was an agreement that was signed in 1991 surrounding the um restoration of e the ecosystem and particularly fish and wildlife along the river. Uh and that agreement was um signed by the governor and it essentially directed the contemplation or the study of how we would go about uh restoring the ecosystem that was destroyed when the Aluta dam was developed. And uh as a result of that there has been a long process by which the owners of the um Alutina hydropower project which include the municipality Chugach Electric and Mat and Matnuska Electric Association uh to determine what that plan looks like and the um the municipality successfully lobbyed the governor to include the study of something called pump storage hydro power which is an option uh a different it's a an an adaptation of the model that we currently we have for hydro production at Alutna that would in fact rewater the entire river. There is an alternate proposal that is the portal valve uh which would rewater most but not all of the Acclutin River. So we are currently in the process of determining what is the future of that project and how um how does that intersect with the the water right since the bulk of our freshwater supply comes from Lake. Uh so there's an intersection there with um with AWOU with um Anchorage Water and Wastewater. So that project is expansive ongoing um includes a lot of different players uh at both the state and federal level and it will be ongoing for some time because this is an asset that the municipality is going to um help to own and operate for the foreseeable future. So that's the the nature of the Aglutin project. Happy to answer questions. >> 10 points for Gryffindor. Um, now Daniel, maybe you brief us on transportation. >> Sure. Um, yeah, transportation. Uh, I guess there there's a lot going on. Um, so Aaron and I both are currently the AAPs policy committee members, uh, with Jared as our alternate. Um and so the process of making our um our short range transportation plans, our long-range transportation plans, um working as a five- member body with uh a representative from DOT, one from the Department of Environmental Conservation, and then a designate of the mayor. So, it's a five member uh voting board that makes consequential decisions about infrastructure and transportation investment and how those investments get prioritized. Um it get we get really into the weeds. Um and so if you have a interest in transportation, Mr. Handerland, we will be uh happy to be in touch. Thank God. >> Yeah. Um and then um former member Zolatel and I actually helped start the um the transportation committee and and now um Aaron is my vice chair on that committee because we really wanted to gather more input from our colleagues when it came to making those decisions. you know, we kind of felt like we were off on this magical AATS island making these very, you know, expensive decisions. Um, but wanted to find a way that we could gather more input and also keep the rest of our colleagues more apprised um of some of those processes with regular briefing. So, the transportation committee right now um meets quarterly, which I I think is um a a nice balance because we don't meet as often as other committees. those committee agendas tend to be pretty full. Um, but I think it's just a good opportunity to get caught up. You know, as we all know, Anchorage, um, has some serious safety issues, uh, pedestrian deaths and and collisions and, you know, how can we work with the administration and also our partners at the state to to tackle that and help solve that problem. Um and then there's also a lot of um large projects being talked about. Um for instance, the Gamble Gamble and Ingra Corridor in um my district in Fairview, uh Tutor Road in Midtown. um the you whether or not we're going to have the safer sewer highway in in South Anchorage um or uh the sewer to Ali reconstruction phase two uh which we've had a lot of public input on and so just balancing all of those needs um really looking at you know what were the projections about population growth and transportation demand 20 years ago have those things come to fruition or not and then how do we recalibrate um make our community safer for for everyone who uses our our roads and our infrastructure. Um whether that's motorist or vulnerable road users, pedestrians, cyclists, wheelchair users. Um and then I think the the other really important piece of that too is Anchorage uh is very spread out. We have a lot of miles to maintain. um and that affects our budget, you know, and how do we take care of what we already have and how do we balance that with the need need for new capital projects uh when appropriate. So, that's kind of a transportation overview. >> So, Anna, do you want to talk about the budget? Sure. >> Yeah. So, um the budget, obviously, we're in the middle of first quarter revisions, but I think that is um one area that everybody has some responsibility for. um not just to you know advance what what you want to see in the budget but to make sure that we steward the process that we um have some basic understanding of the mechanics right that we know what the tax cap is you don't have to be able to calculate the tax cap but you should know we have one um so and I think that's one too where um you know we've there were times when the budget co-chairs for example were basically writing the budget you know so we're not in those that space anymore so I think um it but it is a collaborative effort obviously the mayor introduces a budget every year just like what happens at the state and federal levels. Um but we are ultimately the ones who vote on it. We are also the ones who um generally you know steward appropriations. We have the power of the purse and so um again it doesn't mean that every time you see an appropriation on the agenda you have to comb through and then ask for the report like you know you can there's some trust involved. Um but ultimately it is our responsibility and our decision on that budget. So, um, that is a, um, I guess just a big picture of our branch and and the budget process really does happen year round. So, obviously there's the big pieces that we are all involved in. That's the most public. In the fall, starting in October, we get the draft budget. We talk through our amendments. You know, we talk to the administration and then similar smaller version of that process. Now, in the spring with first quarter uh, budget revisions, but the budget also means um, looking long term. You know, we're an organization. So, looking at what is the trajectory that we're on, you know, and we know there's been a lot of discussion as has been said, you know, we we built a city that we can't afford to maintain in our current structure. We have a lot of liabilities um because we were able to build a lot of things with um as George says, other people's money, right? You know, the the history of the state investment in this and federal investment in this city. So, so we know that there's a lot of things that um have been working okay up to this point, but we have to look at again. And so I think that's another piece that I know and everybody has different kind of ideas what that should look like a different piece of that discussion. Um but that is something that I would anticipate we continue hopefully with the administration. Um and there's many layers to it. There's the the question of revenues. You know that's been taken up before I see that coming back again. There's the question of what we're spending and on what. There's the question of some of our structural um larger funds uh you know how we deal with those. So, so none of that requires you to be a technical expert. We have those, but it requires asking good questions. Um, figuring out where to look in the budget, you know, so looking at last year versus this year, looking at what's a policy choice versus something that happens by formula. Um, you know, we have a lot of labor contracts, for example. The there's there's the a lot of the pay and things are not just things that we decide. They're in the budget. So the question is the biggest thing in the budget I think is figuring out what you can change or what is a policy choice versus um something that that you know could be changed but takes a lot more work because it's tied to these other pieces. Um so that's something you know we have a budget and finance committee of the whole. The expectation is that everyone participates in that um not just during the budget process but I think we've been trying to use it as really a learning opportunity like let's unpack what overtime means and how's it calculated. Let's unpack the building safety service area and some of these other funds that can be because you know when you start digging in it's very complicated and if you read the audit cover to cover you know you'll you'll learn a lot but you'll uh lose some brain cells along the way probably because there's so much. So, so that's I think the biggest challenge with the budget and the biggest opportunity is is figuring out how to read not every single detail but read what what you are looking for and then if there's something you want to do working with the folks who have that technical expertise to get that done because I think there's a lot of ways um probably more than in than for a long time there will be openness and and just necessity to consider changes. So, so I would invite everybody to participate in that. Um, and if you are interested in the budget, obviously there's our meetings and there's after we finish first quarter, but um, don't wait until the fall to start having those conversations. I think there's a lot of ways to the earlier you can influence that process, the better, whether it's one department or whether it's a big picture thing you want to work on. So, um, so yeah, I'm excited to continue that work and and hopefully others are as well. Are there any other big picture items? We don't have the full body here, so there's lots of other work, but um >> talk about >> Oh, so yeah, we'll do audit first and then housing. Go ahead with audit. Um so audit committee is um I actually find to be really fun and very stim stimulating because we have a really phenomenal internal audit department uh that every year completes a whole slate of different audits which uh are suggested slashrecommended by both this body and also by members of the administration and they will do a deep dive into one particular piece of a departmental operations or a fund or processes pretty much anything that we ask them to audit, they will dig into and then produce a whole slate of recommendations, basically a comprehensive report about how things are going in whatever area um they've been asked to audit. And uh so what happens in an audit an audit committee uh at least now is um we work back through audits that have been completed uh look at those recommendations and we check in with departments or department heads or um you know folks who are at uh who are managing such things and ask what is going on like what have you learned what progress has been made have these recommend recommendations been followed and implemented sort of a status report really so that we're not spending My my my desire is that we don't spend all of this time and energy and expertise creating audits that never actually do anything that never result in followup or um or changes to the way that we do business as a municipality. And so to to me it's a it's a way it's a mechanism to really encourage excellent government um to uh to find efficiencies to figure out ways that we can be more responsive uh and more effective in the work that we're doing. Uh so if you are interested in digging into um those kinds of projects um audit committee that's what we're up to and I would also suggest that if you have things on your wish list or if you've come in with ideas of things that you would like to have audited about the municipality um you know a specific operation or department or something of that nature there is that potential to add that to the list or to the menu if you will of the audits that will be completed either this year or Next, there are some audits that are done every single year uh on a cyclical basis and then that there are many that are one-offs and um we learn all kinds of interesting things. So, uh that that is my pitch that is my p pitch for the audit committee and that's also it's also an interesting committee because it is half assembly half administration which also provides for I think a good back and forth and a little bit deeper insight into what's happening on the administrative side of the house. I think it's the only committee that's actually jointly populated by code. And I was following some social media of one of the candidates who didn't prevail this round and they were arguing some community had a big finding of failure in their homelessness system for appropriating money properly. Wonder what would happen if Anchorage had an audit on their homelessness funding. Funny thing, this year there is an audit on homeless grants and services. So, um, nobody is hiding. we all want to see it. And there has been a three-year kind of lag on the audits. There was a time when um some folks thought that the audits were optional and we're getting caught up thankfully. Um hopefully by the end of this month, we'll have the 2024 audit submitted and so we can get to 25 this year, which would mean we're back on track for the first time for a long time. And the charter puts the responsibility for audits in our hands, but of course the ability to deliver the content of the audits in the executive's hands. And so it's a bit of a catch 22 for us to deliver what the charter tells us we must deliver when it's not in our hands. We have to rely on the other side to give us the information. And probably the spiciest audit currently is relating to hockey. And um so uh that one's an interesting conversation to tune into because it's going to turn into real projects for you in the future, real decisions, open solicitation right now for new vendors. Um but yeah, >> yeah. Oh, that's a whole thing. Okay. Uh who wants to take on homelessness? >> Housing. >> Housing, I'm sorry. Housing. Wants to take on housing. >> Go ahead, Anna. Um yeah, and just to bridge from the audit conversation too, I think it's really important to understand there's a few things that the branch owns. Audits is one of them obviously with with the administration, but in terms of part of our oversight role. Um another one is we have quarterly meetings with the school board. There's a um you know elections that is something in our branch. And so it doesn't mean that we're that we individually just the 12 of us are responsible for it, but there are things that that we need to take collective ownership of um and collective kind of responsibility to do in addition to the fact that you can you can focus on a lot of things. You can focus on one thing, right? But there's some things that we the body have to do. Um so in the space of things we don't have to do but are super important is um the housing. And so um that has had and that's a very complex discussion. There's a lot of um pieces to it. So two things I'll point to. one is um before there was a 10,000 homes plan there uh was and is an assembly housing action plan. So we collectively built that thing three years ago basically um and it's a what six pages it's very short um and it really tried to distill down to like what are the things that we're trying to do. So we had a housing retreat. There's been a lot of work on this body for years around housing. And so really what it did is it just pulled all those things into one place and said here's kind of our general theory of um how we approach all of our complex housing issues. So uh a lot of it has been done, a lot of it can be done and we haven't really revisited that action plan. So that is something we could do as a body is go back and look how do we want to update not instead of or in conflict with the 10,000 homes plan but saying what is the assembly going to do because a lot of what the 10,000 homes plan some of it is code changes that involve us some of it is internal organizing the permit center that we don't do right um so anyway so that's one thing so if you want to kind of catch up um there's not just the plan that was done in 2023 um but ledge services has been really helpful in keeping an update on what has been done so cla can provide that later um to members um so you can kind of see whether it was one ordinance or or maybe some pieces that we've looked at but we haven't actually moved the needle on. And then the other piece I'll highlight is um I think for a lot of reasons the housing conversation ends up really staying in the zoning and development space the physical construction space but it doesn't it's not only that there's a lot of other dimensions to it and I think it's been challenging and others can speak to this too to figure out kind of what is our lane there you know things like housing affordability how do we help tenants right there's a lot of pieces of it that aren't or you know the the nexus between housing cost and energy um there's a lot of things that it's not as obvious what where we fit in the way that like zoning or things like code changes. It's it's there's more straightforward kind of path there, but there's a lot of opportunity to continue working on that because it does affect all of our constituents. And so so I just want to say there there's I would look at the housing action plan and the work and of course look at the mayor's 10,000 homes plan. I know they looked at our plan when developing that plan. Um but just to say it's not all zoning and I will you know Felix has said like I don't do zoning which is fair. Um but but for those who are interested but don't want to get in the weeds on that, there's plenty of other places that have not been fully explored because there's just so much to do. So um anyway, that's what I would say about housing. >> Can I add on? >> Thank you. Well, I want to briefly highlight some of the work that we've done. Um so removing parking minimums, um allowing duplexes across the bowl, triplex forplex reform, which I'll come back to in a moment. um changing uh looking at B3 zoning, which is our sort of most dense mixed use um residential and commercial zone. Um looking at how much buildable um how much of a lot you can build on, what the height limits are, you know, why why could you build a taller hotel than a residential structure, right? And kind of um making some of those things more at parody. um the pre-approved ADU program which is awesome and still being rolled out and Claire's been working really hard on that. Um so there's a lot of good stuff. I I I do think uh to echo Anna, yes, we have our assembly housing action plan. Um but we're also kind of gearing up for um updates to the 2020 comp plan as well and having a conversation as a community about our plans and do they fit our needs anymore? What should be updated? what should be changed. Um because I think one of the realities that we're grappling with in Anchorage right now is that our current plans call for certain implementation items, action items, but when policymakers sometimes move forward on those items. Um they are they can be met with resistance. Um even though at some point as a community we agreed that that was the direction that we should move in. So, um I know the planning department is gearing up for that and I think it'll be a very productive dialogue. Um and I I guess just something to flag for you, but I wanted to come back to triplex and forplex reform because that's one of um my favorite projects that I've ever worked on. And that was um myself, uh member cross from Eagle River and member Sultt from South Anchorage. Um, and it kind of goes back to, you know, we were looking at how can we, you know, not everyone wants a giant apartment complex near their neighborhood, right? We can appreciate that, but how do we facilitate missing middle or gentle density or more one or two bedroom units. Um, and and that work was called for in our adopted plans. Um, and so going back to what Chair Constant was saying earlier about, you know, really depending on, uh, municipal staff to be able to help you and give that expertise and the that input. Um, but I also think it was a really shining example of when our legislative um, services staff really stepped up to the plate and facilitated those dialogues because some of the some of the housing stuff moves very quickly. There's some lowhanging fruit that you can you can do. Um but some of these projects take many months and so we did a two-part project uh focused on both title 21 so zoning um but also uh title 23 building code and that gets a lot more technical um and so Ally really Ally and Claire helped convene those conversations o over a period of months. Ally was not only the facilitator but also the notetaker and um and we were able to hear from our fire inspectors, from people in building services and the planning department. Um multiple departments came forward these conversations. Assembly council um assisted in these conversations too to review that you know along the way that everything we were doing um jived with the state law and other regulations. And so I I would say that that's an example where partnership with the administration can be very effective. Um having those good relationships with staff, our staff and also their staff. Um and also allowing yourself to really take time with the project, knowing that Rome isn't built in a day, but if you go through the process, you can end up um moving a product forward to the betterment of our community. So yeah, that was a project I really enjoyed. >> Okay. other matters, homelessness. Anyone want to talk about that? It's challenging. It's a complicated issue. It's an expensive issue. >> I guess Go ahead, Miss Silver. >> Um, I think one of the things that's uh really been kind of changing on the homelessness front that I uh kind of like to talk about and share with people is we're really we're going from an atmosphere where we haven't had enough services. we haven't had enough places um to go uh to a very um more service-rich environment. Uh and so we had the Anchorage Recovery Center open and that brought a bunch of treatment beds. Um we had the tiny home recovery residences are now open. We have South Central coming online. Um we've had the uh safety center open during the day for people um as and as a warming center. Um and and so we're really moving into an environment where we do have services uh and you know instead of talking about how do we get more services? How do we get more services? I think the conversation is really changing to how do we connect people with services? um how do we you know connect people with receiving the services and then taking the steps to move from services into housing or self-sufficiency. Um and so it's really it's a changing conversation. I think it's kind of an exciting one. Um um but it's nice to you know kind of move from a environment of of not enough to uh just really talking about how do we connect people with these things. >> Okay. Erin, >> so I I am I'm not one of the one of the chairs of um the housing and homelessness uh but I I do try to attend that meeting frequently because there's always really really helpful information that's disseminated about you know what is happening in the housing and homelessness space. Uh and a lot of it are questions that my constituents have and it's really helpful to sort of hear straight from the administration what's going on. Uh I think one of the transitions that's been made this year is is we do have year- round shelter services now which we did not prior have previously. Um and that has meant a couple of things. Um first it has meant that you know folks who are contracting with the municipality to provide shelter services have a much they have they are able to provide more robust services because they can have stable staffing. You know rather than having these three month or four month or very short-term contracts to provide shelter now they know that they will have a year round shelter contract. And we aren't, you know, we we don't have shelter that's stood up during the winter months and then completely eliminated or decompressed during the summer. Uh which has been the pattern for many years. So now that that's not happening, we have more nexus points as as member Silvers was sharing to help to guide people into other, you know, other forms of housing, whether that's non- congregate shelter, um be behavioral health care, substance misuse treatment, all of these things are possible because we have that more consistent touch point. And I I will say that the the behavioral health component is the has been the most encouraging thing for me to watch. um as we've had you know the Willow Commons open up which is now full. There's 32 people um participating in that program. It happens to be in Midtown um which I am delighted by. So that is a really wonderful pilot not only for this nexus of tiny um or micro units with behavioral healthcare but just this idea of modular construction as a solution for some of the housing challenges that we face. Um I'm I'm really really excited that the South Central Foundation Crisis Stabilization Center will be opening in late spring, early summer. Um that is going to give us a very particular type of intervention that we have not had. Uh which is the the short-term 23-hour crisis stabilization option. Uh and then um Providence is back in the game which was a question as to whether or not they would be providing behavioral health care. uh even though we had as a municipality done some partial funding for that project um and they are now bringing crisis stabilization online. So um there are a lot of new features I would say in the landscape of of homelessness uh and homelessness response which I I hope that we start to see I think we've seen a shift this winter that's really significant. I hope that we continue to see that shift going into the summer months now that we have a more we just have a more robust, more integrated system. Um, and shout out to restorative uh or to RS restorative re-entry services. Thank you. Uh, who have done a lot of the coordinating work among all of these different players. So between shelter operators and our our hope team with APD, the core team with Anchorage Fire Department, the mobile crisis team with Anchorage Fire Department, um other providers in town, there are a lot of players uh in the game and um RS has been coordinating a lot of those things as our really as our shelter oversight body. Uh and the health department is sort of the I don't know the man behind the curtain for a lot of these things. Um so uh it's really really fascinating and would strongly encourage new members to meet with some of the players and to understand how all of these things integrate. Um it is a very deep rabbit hole to go down. So uh and I will say that in my experience there's been a big difference between being aware of what's happening in the homelessness space and being like really deeply involved in it. Um, I have been more on the periphery sort of watching and just paying attention to what's going on. There are others on the body that have been much more deeply involved in the in the nuts and and bolts in the policy development. So, I think Yarao's been one, Cameron also, um, Felix for sure. Uh, so there's um there's some experts to to lean on for um more information on that. Do >> you want to say something? >> Yeah. Um Erin's comments are kind of reminding me that um on the behavioral health subject um we did convene uh Felix and I the the task force on complex behavioral health needs and I think it might be worth taking another look at the recommendations in um what what that task force put together because there were some that we actually did put into implementation and budget some items for but um I feel like that was a very valuable process to go Um but also what I wanted to highlight was um you know yes all the efforts that the assembly has made on housing shelter behavioral health um using the alcohol tax funds to to support a lot of that work. Um, at the same time, I think that there has been uh a strong interest and partnership between the assembly and the administration on addressing some of the public safety um and public health issues that can go along um with homelessness and making sure that our public places are are safe and clean places for everyone. Um I think member Johnson has done a lot of that work. um the mayor and her team and brought some policies forward and um I I just think that'll be critical for us to as we move forward um be thinking carefully about is how do we balance that? How do we balance civil liberties and people getting the support and the outreach that they need um and also just making sure that everyone feels safe uh as they move around our community. Um so m look forward to that conversation continuing. >> All right, just a few more minutes left. Uh on my agenda it says members who are um I think it says outgoing members but there's just me here so I'm not going to do that. Um but just a quick round no I didn't have that Tuesday night for that. Um for the current members just one minute advice to the new members. So speed round one minute. Go ahead, Erin. >> Um, be really curious, ask lots of questions. Um, and yeah, make make friends with people who have been here for a while. There are a lot of folks in the administration who have a ton of experience and u they are not necessarily the obvious people that you would immediately go to to learn about how the municipality has functioned over a period of decades. Um, but they are such a valuable resource. Go find them, meet them, be their friend. Daniel. Um, I will pass on a piece of, uh, advice that was given to me by my District 1 counterpart when I was first elected, which is municipal staff always appreciate it when you give your questions ahead of time. Nobody likes being put on the spot. I certainly, you know, would prefer not to be. I think we all can identify with that. Um and so whether that's um there there is a document that um they put together responses to assembly member questions before our meeting. So that's a good opportunity to email your questions in advance, but also if there's a subject where you anticipate calling a department director forward to the the podium or or asking somebody a question on the record. Um >> your attorneys. >> Yeah. Or your attorneys. Um >> yeah, the more that you can prepare people, I think it is always appreciated. Hello. >> Uh yeah, I have two. One is related to Aaron, but but um in your first month, just set up some meetings with folks and and go in, you know, and and even if you don't have specific questions, but you just want to understand how a department works, how a program works, could be someone outside the municipality. Um, like I think that the speaking with homeless providers is a good um, suggestion because I think also um, one you get have a more wholesome conversation than you would by email, but also sometimes you don't know what to ask or or sometimes what I found is people have things they need to tell me, right? Either because you're the new member or they they have something that they want you to know. So I think always making space for those kinds of meetings. Um, and you know, not not filling everybody's calendar with meetings, right? But um I think that's important and I wouldn't I wouldn't underell the value of a meeting versus I just have a question I'm going to send it to you by email. I think that's huge especially all of our emails are public record so you can sometimes have a more honest maybe not honest but a more um direct and and wider ranging conversation than folks would put in writing. Um so that can be helpful especially on a sensitive topic. The other is um do not underestimate the calendar. We all are on I call it the calendar treadmill. as soon as we finish a meeting on Tuesday, next Thursday is the deadline, the first deadline for the next meeting. And so when you're thinking about what you want to do, add about five days to that. And if you're like me and you procrastinate or you just have a hard time meeting deadlines, like it's going to be a challenge in this job. And so, and it just means that maybe you think further out, you know, you think, oh, I I'll get this done in May. Maybe that's not going to happen, right? But but so I think you we all get into it. We all deal with what that looks like. Um, but really thinking about the cadence of the calendar that we're in and how much all of those public notice deadlines and all of all of the pieces that come with getting stuff on the agenda in the first place. Like do not underestimate how much time that takes. Um, so it's something you'll learn, but just keep keep an eye on the calendar. Europe. >> Try not to take on too much at once and go do all the tours that are offered to you as a new member, especially go to solid waste services. >> Water plants a lot of fun. Zach, >> yeah, I think I'll just echo again because it is so important like figure out what your resources are because you will be amazed at at at what's there at your disposal, you know, and working with the different department heads in the administration. um we're not working in a vacuum. I will also say uh when you're up there on the dice, you know, for your first few meetings, um point of information can be your friend. Robert's rules can be a little, you know, complicated. Uh but understand it's okay to to ask questions um to figure out, you know, what what how to do the thing that you want to do on the dice. So don't be shy about that. Like there's there's a learning curve. >> Go ahead. Sure. So one thing we have a automated close caption box mostly for the new people and at the assembly chambers. So we have closed captions for ADA ability and one of the big things is our close captioning company asks that we tell everyone to talk into their microphones more. And this has been an ongoing issue and so one of the things we like to do is if you're talking to someone like Ally over here instead of just turning your head so you can hear me drop off you want to rotate around the microphone to try to keep it between you and you and everybody else. It'll it'll help everybody out hear you and online. >> And at some point they'll have you come in and read some absurd language to train the closed caption system on your personal style of speech. Okay. And I'll kind of offer just a few thoughts. Um some people find themselves a little bit shy to speak in front of lots of people because it can be a little daunting. And my advice to everybody is literally figure out a way in your head to realize you're talking really to 13 people. You're having a conversation with a small group of people. It's just publicly broadcast. So keep that in mind though. You're talking with the mayor and your peers and um and the public, but really it's a real conversation you're happening. Keep that frame. You'll make it through the nerves. Um, relationships are better than transactions in this work. Build your relationships with all of the people you need to work with because that is more currency than do this for me because or I'll do that for you because the transactions happen over time. I need this done. Get this done. I'm going to do this. But really, the relationships are the thing that will make you the most successful at this work. Speaking of relationships, one piece of wisdom I impart to any member who will listen is defend the people who are working for you. Meaning you will hear things. People will confide in you information that's important for you to be able to communicate and to do things with. But you have to protect the people who are willing to share with you because their trust in you is your currency too. And so protect the people who are working for you and figure out how to get the things you need done while protecting them. If you do that, you will find compounding returns on your investment. Um, on that subject and early work with people who you think you aren't going to agree with. It's a core value of this body to work together to be productive and you do that by establishing working relationships and trust is so very important. Say what you're going to do. Do what you're going to say. Be wary of stabbing someone in the back because it serves you little. It will be in one item and then your ability to work will be broken with that person and then you'll have one less teammate and the work of the body is it takes 12 people to do the work. It only works fully when we are all working. It's complicated. It's a lot. It's overwhelming. And so um be there for your part as much as you are able. I say the opposite of yarao. Don't start slow. Take on too much at first. Take on too much. And then my advice on that account is sample all the flowers until you figure out where you really want to work because until you know what all the things are, you just don't even know. And then you're going to come across this thing in two years and you're like, why didn't I figure this out two years ago? I've missed two years when I should have been doing this work. This is what I really am meant to do. And so it probably somewhere between those two perspectives. My advice on the note is take on enough until you start missing marks or scrambling eggs till it's just a little bit more than you can manage and then step back from there. Like figure out whatever that threshold is for yourself. But don't shy away from it until you found your groove. And then lastly, this job is so very interesting. You have two duties. One that is a district-wide duty to 48,500 people and one and that's those are your constituents and one is also to all 290,000 residents of this municipality and everyone who operates this municipality. You know, in the old like cartoons of a fair when there's like the shooting gallery and the bear is going and bing, you hit it and it turns and goes this way. Bing, it goes back this way and it keeps bing back. You have 48,500 people who think they know what you should be doing. You are not elected to do what somebody tells you to do. You are elected to exercise your judgment in concert with 11 other people. That's what you're actually hired to do. Represent here. Take in the feedback and then decide. So know that that's your job. And then when all those people are making all those demands, remember it's your call. That's it. On that note, we're over our time. Uh we'll be convening again on Tuesday for some pretty important business for the municipality, the budget and certification of the election. So we shall stand adjourned for the weekend. Thank you everybody.