♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> year-old man. >> Is news. >> I can pull buildings, the move. >> With 2 means the. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> I think Goal follow this Was as we >> I've saying that A fall I the ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ So South Loop. Walk through my mind. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> last ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> No to And 2 ♪ >> will heal. >> And >> then moves ♪ >> We ♪ >> It's so. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> Maybe ♪ >> shows >> so. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> If something all. ♪ In ♪ ♪ ♪ ways is ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> I think we have Mr. Press for the on the phone. Is there anyone else on the farm? >> Yes. Chair of gotten here, Mr. Meyers. Okay. So Mr. President there. get started in just a few minutes. think we're ready, folks. So good evening, everybody. Welcome. I now call to order this regular meeting to somebody tonight's January. 27 2026. could you please call the roll? Member minors? >> Member McCormick here. Number Martinez present Republic Day present member Johnson here. Check constant hear from here and following. Happy to be here number. So Number Rivera president here under President. Student Representative laborious. Chair constitute quorum. Thank you. >> Next, one of the Pledge of Allegiance, Mr. Johnson's increase lead in the pledge. Yes >> Pledge allegiance to the flag. I think fair. Thanks to Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty justice for all. >> And then every the land acknowledgement. Glenn acknowledgment as a formal statement recognizing the indigenous people of the place. It's public gesture of appreciation for the past and present indigenous stewardship. The lands that we occupy. It's an actionable statement. The marks our collective movement toward economy's ation inequity. The Anchorage Assembly would like to acknowledge that we gather today on the traditional lands at that in Baskin's for thousands of years to deny to have been and continue to be the stewards of this land. As gratitude and respect that we recognize the contributions. Innovations in contemporary perspectives of the Upper Cook Inlet to 9 a next on the agenda. We have minutes of previous meetings tonight. There are which brings us to the marriage report. To the manager. Just one person. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Good evening, everyone. Thank you. In person mean this will manager delivering remarks tonight on behalf of the mayor. The mayor is currently traveling to Washington to CDC where she will be engaging in some critical and timely advocacy for funding for that Don Young port of Alaska, as well as attending the U.S. Conference of Mayors and experiencing a snowstorm on a different coast. the mayor expects to join us later in this meeting by phone. But in the meantime, she's asked me to deliver the opening remarks. First tonight. I want to thank our municipal street maintenance crews working currently to plow our streets and to get people home safe. Currently, our crews are working to clear main roads maintained by the municipality. So then shift to plow out our residential roads. should all see progress on those residential roads outside of our means. And our Carter ills in our collectors as the night progresses. As a reminder, we do have a math on Muni DOT org. Slash plow. That can help you track in real time. The progress of the plow and can also help you distinguish between road management. In case you have concerns about a certain road, want to identify whether that road is a state manage road or municipal manage road that identify of on that map. I mean, you dot org slash plow. Like all of you. The mayor's office has received many questions concerns from residents about annual property tax assessments. >> This year, the mayor directed the assessor's office to conduct a proactive review of properties that saw unusually high increases as a result revised assessments are being issued to about 660 homes in 4 neighborhoods. And we have reissued assessments to ensure these properties reflect fair market value. There's been significant misinformation circulating online about this process and want to take a moment to clarify the facts on average property assessments in increased this year by just 4.3% This is consistent with previous years and in line with rising home prices and housing costs, most importantly, for residents to understand your green card is an assessment of market value. It's not your tax bill. Well, that's natural to worry. When you see your property value go up. A 10% increase in your assessment does not automatically translate into a 10% increase in your tax bill. We have a municipal tax cap which limits the total amount of property tax revenue collected each year. And it is a common misconception that rising assessments automatically lead to a windfall for the Muni. And that's also not the case. However, the mayor does remain deeply concerned about the high property tax burden. Our community and propose ways to provide property tax relief. She's encouraged to see the governor prioritizing the long-term fiscal plan for Alaska. Her goal is to ensure any plan supports encourages economy and helps restore state support for vital local services that are residents rely on every day. This funding has declined sharply in the last decades. As we have discussed over the past several months. On tonight's agenda is 2026 Dash 10, which is amending title 8 of Minas Code. Our local penal code. These are common sense code changes designed to help ensure encourages public spaces are safe and accessible for all residents. This ordinance will allow us to address unsafe and inappropriate behavior while continuing to connect people in crisis with the help they need. Since the mayor took office, her number one priority. He has keeping encourage residents safe and working to reduce crime rates. Public safety in Anchorage, Alaska issue as the state's largest urban area and hubb community was almost half the state's population. We carry the responsibility of providing a wide range of services and care to all Alaskans in need. Thank you. >> That's one person. We have a question from Mr. Lasry. >> Thank you. Mister us one person just wondering how administration came up with those 4 neighborhoods specifically and the 600 homes to reassess their some folks in district 2, they've reached out to kind of more than 40% and have great concerns that they Way above what they could tell their home for. >> through the channels ranch. For that specific answer, I'll defer to Mister Fawzi, who is I believe with us on the phone. >> see that she been a straight a boxer before neighborhoods that are going to receive corrected. Assessments were all identified by the professional staff in the property appraisal division. And that was a consequence of our usual process, which is after we have sent green cards to transparently show all residents, results of the division's analysis. Residents can come back and the surface concerns the division that only works with folks informal basis to resolve those concerns but is also looking for patterns and here because of the commute, great community interest in the property valuations this year. The mayor's office is specifically directed the division to be on the lookout for patterns and 2, make any systemic corrections that they identified and the poor neighborhoods which were identified yesterday. fell into that category. Each of them had quality of construction grade that was revealed to be too high and the that doesn't process. And so where the division realized that it was a mistake made this corrected that mistake and should be sending out corrective notices by the end of the week. The poor neighborhoods are the only neighborhood that the decision has so far identified having. That's where uniform issue. But if others up here as we go through formal review process will address those as well. >> So Mister Paul, they would you think that 40% quite increases that something Houston, Saint? >> The chair and member Myers, 40% is a large increase. But we do see increases in other kinds of properties year after year, most the time city with new construction or significant renovations. But each property is different. And what I would say is that I am certainly not a master in every single property a fatality. And if there is property owner to believe that their assessment is too high, they should contact the division. The division is working through all the informal resolution right now than in real time. >> Ok, none of the properties me about where new construction or had any kind of. >> Property improvement guy. Think anything. 20 to 30 to 40% If we outside that realm. I got encourage everybody call the assessor's office file an appeal. >> Mr. Meyers, thank you, Mr. Fozzie think us with Pearson Summers. >> Yeah, I have a The mayor's office put out a phone number that people could call and said in the information sheet that it would. Possibly. Make it so people don't have to file an actual appeal. I've had several people that had quite large jumps called that number. And they've just been told to file an appeal. And so I'm wondering like. What is that number actually being used for? >> To take over? the question, Mr. Fells E. >> You can me the question that I can feel this especially about you're probably get on the phone line and you miss the very that question. But the assessor's office has hotline that they open every year at this time so that they can field questions about the 86,000 green cards that they sent across municipality. This is always busy season because the first time the cargo out, that's when the large House if folks are experiencing long wait times to do Paula judge for that, the usual standard is that the division tried to get back to everyone that into businesses, not quite making that mark now, but they have to get back to In the meantime, we're working overtime in on the weekend to get the call back down. The question was just people have called the hotline and have not yet heard. Please give us a little bit of patience, grace. And we're hoping to clear that backlog soon as we >> see. That question was they worry that with call that individuals were told that the for the hotline would allow them are out around the appeal process potentially or an alternative to the appeal process. And we're told on the Hotline simply too. Go to the appellate process. >> Again, getting a little bit of I know is 2 things that could be happening there Well, maybe it's just the one main thing, which is that the hotline is divine for the division to be able to enter into dialogue. Folks that have the court in May. And there's that can go. Everyone can agree that there was a concern that the president needs to change or they may reach an impasse in which the divisions as well. We've looked at our methodology costs. Data are market field day that we think valuation is actually correct. In that case Vertu they don't have to take the decisions, the word for it. And that is what the appeals process is for. So it may well be that folks 100 into a dialogue with the line that told with a little impact here in which case you can take can take value Asian to a neutral 3rd party decision-maker, the board of Equalization. >> Check it Things haven't was. Yeah, we would also and they offered to take the something to work session. It's there's certainly a number of questions about this item on the agenda that we may continue this conversation. But I know there's a lot of questions here and we're certainly happy to continue this conversation in a forum dedicated to this issue as Mr. All right. Thank you. So work session would be if we did it this Friday think there's time around the HOV. >> Parks session we'll discuss that a little bit later. I think so. Next airs report. Good evening, everybody. Welcome to tonight. Tonight's chair's report. What I say. There's report, you that is not what I want to Yeah, no. Next we're done with the mayor support under the chairs part. Good evening, everybody. And welcome to the first summit meeting of the New Year. Property. Appraisals are the hot topic right now is the mayor mentioned the big topic and the manager mentioned big topic weeks. A property assessments we've heard from a number of folks about seeing big increases value. First of all, if you believe your assessment is incorrect or is the process in place, the accession make appeal. There's definitely no charge to call their office to do an informal inquiry. The deadline to file an appeal is February 11. More information is available at Muni Dot Org. Slash PA. Many DOT org slash P a property appraisal. And told by my friends and the property department that the appeal deadline set by state law to 30 days. If you get a new green card, as we heard, there are a number of properties are going to see a reassessment. 30 day clock starts when those are sent not on the 11th and so those will have a slightly different timeline. second, I want to say thank you to the assessor's office and the appraisal division. It's hard work. It all happens all at once. mistakes do happen. And so this process of correction is built into our system is in fact, why the state law provides 30 days after the assessment cards go out process because everybody realizes government is actually run by people or not. She needs at this point. And so I just want to say thank you to the department for their work and their responsiveness when hearing from a number of us about properties that clearly had some air in there assessment despite what's being said, the professionals are deeply dedicated to the success of our community and have a goal to do assessments fairly accurately and transparently. They recently refined their process model to better align with International Association of assessing Officer Standards and following recent changes to state law. And while there might be some bumps along the way, these improvements in the end will make our assessments fair over time. Now, there has been some conversation manager briefly spoke about it. increase in one's assessed value makes a difference in your taxation. And 2 things are slightly different. The levee that gets set at the end of the year is multiplied by your value. It's how we get to that. this point, the assessment process is really doing a comparison of your share of the total municipal cost. How much you'll pay. That's that is an April question. So the bottom line is that housing prices are increasing across the municipality and across the country until we build more housing and stabilize home prices, more people will continue to see their assessments and taxes rise each year. However, a rise in your home value doesn't necessarily mean a corresponding increase in taxes. And that's a conversation that we may have a little bit on Friday if we have a work session. Also, we have our budget and Finance committee as well as our Budget Advisory Commission, places where members of the public are interested are angry who wanting more information can follow along as well. If you're interested in being part of the appeals process, we are almost always recruiting for board of Equalization members and so I would be remiss if I didn't invite you if you have some property experience legal experience or certain qualifications in the code that you need to serve that you consider making an application served on the board of Equalization. Those are 3 member panel us who sit in judgment on the question of the appeal made after the department has done their job to review and either determined that they're going to. Uphold the appeal or upon the initial assessment, then there's second, everybody. That's the board of Equalization. We are recruiting for that word. Please us an e-mail. We would love to have you, although as I said, some people in this punishment unto itself to sit in that room. Because it's tough. Both the mayor and the assembly of put out fact sheets, more information on the topics coming encourage you to go unit organ. Look at these and learn more about how property assessments and taxation works. Next. Big issue. For us tonight. As that we're finalizing propositions to go to the ballot in the upcoming April 7th election. We have a full slate of bond proposals to consider. Tonight the 4 teens on the agenda for her to testify was items. You'll see a clerk, some of the top 14 reflect my intent to begin taking public testimony on the bond about propositions as soon as possible near 06:00PM. The other big deadline this week is the filing period for candidates close. Is this Friday January. 31 05:00PM. Once the propositions and candidate list are filed. Finalize the elections will be in full swing the last day to register to vote is March the 8th and a reminder that if you'll be 18 years old by April 7th, you can register to vote. Now, even if you're only 17 about packages will be mailed on March. 17th this year. Again, the last to vote will be April at 08:00PM. You can find election information that you need work slash elections. Finally, a note due to way that the calendar falls this year, next assembly meeting will be next week Friday, February 3rd, we have that lovely four-week break. January to Earth December to general. Now it's the other which meat meat meat and we won't have our typical two-week break in between. So you'll know that anything introduced tonight in the 10 G's except for resolutions can heard at the next meeting because the way we count 7 days, so those items will be moved to the meeting of February 17th. With that, I will do my best to move us along for tonight's Janice that we may conclude the meeting of the most reasonable hour possible his business meeting to do the work of the assembly. We have audience participation at the end of the meeting any member and speak many, a member of public can speak on any matter that they would like to. Please help us create a climate of respect in the chambers and refrain from personal attacks are speaking out of turn, shouting clapping and pace unless of course clapping is in order to the item. Keep size in half by 11 inches or smaller. Consider please keep files clear. Except lined up to testify. Please don't approach the desk something for the assembly. Please send it to the clerk up front. And of point of order is called. Please stop speaking to the chairman role in the point of order in the record is clear for aren't followed. The chairman speakers called for compliance of complaints. The rules doesn't occur. And then the chairman paused the meeting. If there's a disruption and actual destruction, the children learning at the destruction persist. The personal be asked to leave. With that. Then we'll go ahead and move on to our committee. And are reports will start with you, Mr. Myers. >> Thanks for sharing that. The report. >> Thank you, Mr. Cormack another report. Thank you. Thank Martinez. Thank you. Chair. Well, the next. >> meeting of the community and Economic Development Committee will meet on February 5th Thursday at the permit center and I first want to thank the administration and the staff are helping to improve the audio and technical capacity at the permit center for our Community Economic Development Committee and share just a moment of of pause and personal privilege for in the spirit of social capital that runs our community. I wanted to my thoughts and condolences to the family and most being a trial court. There was a fire there on Friday and the Russian Jack area, a person lost their life and several pets. And I don't know anything about the cause of the fire, but raises my awareness again, 2 ask all of our community members to check your smoke detectors been the previous year we had almost every fire that was happened in a home in a residential part of town hat. Faulty smoke detector involved? Take this as a message. check your smoke detectors and make sure that everything is working in proper conditions. And I raise chair because not everyone has the luxury of living in a well insulated home. Even if they have a over their heads. And there are freezing families that have to work with what they have and without adequate winterization and heating. And my hope is that other folks in our community who represent the social capital fabric step up and continue to help play a role. In fact, today I helped a person who was stranded in front of my home because they were stuck in the snow. And I walked outside, ran into another person who I didn't know as well and 2 strangers help the 3rd stranger. That's kind of like the Anchorage way win when things hit the fan. We know who we are in the worst of times. So be safe and with each other back to the committee chair, I mentioned Social capital because part of our part of what makes a city work is staying connected, safe and thriving. And I do want to thank the administration for a lot of the at what I see is better work on snow removal. But we're not there yet. And let's just be real clear about that. And the reason that I want to be clear about that is because we need a city that is built around the ability for workers to get to work and folks to be able to have the ability have economic mobility. So this committee, Community Economic Development Committee continues to look at those types of questions. We continue explore those fundamental questions around what helps our community grow economically and as a company and as a community and so chair, I thank you for the opportunity to speak today and recognize that there's a lot more work ahead and building the city for a year around economy should be North star for all of Thank you. Chair. All right. Thank you. And I would note that the general procedure for a moment of personal privilege, just clarify with chair. Make sure we have time in orders is not a problem tonight. Generally speaking, those are prevented in advance. And weather-wise. Same for the end of the meeting. But it's been a day. One. 0nd, it's not about the content would not object to anyone about the contents. Timing and schedule. spotted Thank you, chair. >> To committee updates and then I would like to ask for a moment of personal privilege about 4 minutes. First municipal audit committee met last Thursday to review the 2026 internal audit plan that will be forthcoming to the Assembly for approval. The next meeting of that committee will be February. The TWENTY-SIXTH at 01:00PM at City Hall. We will be hearing an update on the 2024. Back for the annual Consolidated Financial report. And I will be reviewing the grant process audit findings from last November. I believe the infrastructure Enterprise and utility Oversight Committee met 2 weeks ago. We heard an update on the encourage water and wastewater master plan. Also some that much much-needed and long-overdue updates to their billing system. So if you have not migrated your a whoop billing yet PSA. You should do so though they we also heard update from the landfill, closure Post Closure Care Fund board. I have never in my life thought about the fact landfill has to be cared for for years after it closed. So even though our landfill does not technically clothes and at least at the current rate until 21. 0, 5, we are already making plans and determining how to find the needs of our landfill, which I think is called good maintenance and good planning. We also heard a brief update on the Port of Alaska Modernization Project and our next meeting of that committee will be February 19th at 11:15AM, again at City Hall. And sheriff, we have time for a moment of personal privilege. I would appreciate that. >> And I would note that most bold made a request. Earlier this week last week. So this is not a surprise misspoken. Thank you. Chair. >> I want to note that today is international Holocaust Day of remembrance today. When we remember the irreparable global harm caused by a nation who chose to kill its on residents because of their religion national origin or the color of their skin. We also remember that brave men and women from around the world who joined together to resist and ultimately defeat the imperialist intentions of that nation. My grandfather, Charles Nelson Baldwin, was one of those courageous, principled people. He flew P 47 thunderbolt fighter over Germany after the Battle of the Bulge. And he was lucky enough to make it home. Today would have been his 100 and 4th birthday. He passed away last year at the age of 102, still principled. And so courageous. It is the convergence of these dates and the events of the past several weeks in Minnesota that compelled me to ask for this moment of privilege tonight. Like every other elected official in the United States. I swore an oath to uphold and defend our Constitution. And as the United Methodist Christian, I also took a vow to accept the freedom and power. God gives me to resist evil injustice and oppression and whatever forms they present themselves. And so I believe with every fiber of my being that it is my responsibility, both my spiritual and political duty to publicly and unequivocally denounce the unconstitutional, unlawful evil. I'm just and oppressive actions of federal immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and elsewhere across our nation. To remain silent in the face of these transgressions of moral and national law would be an affront to my face. My humanity and the oath of office that I took when I was elected to this body. I have the freedom, the power and the responsibility to make this plane to my constituents and anyone else who is listening. As a member of this assembly, I will defend our constitutional rights to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly and to petition our government for redress of grievances. I will defend our constitutional right to due process and equal protection under the law. I will defend our constitutional right to bear arms. I will defend our constitutional right to be free from from unreasonable search and seizure. Our government our governing documents extend these rights to all people residing within our country without exception. And that fact has made our nation a global example of a free and fair society. If anything has made our country great, it has been our shared an unwavering commitment to states rights. The bill of Rights and human rights. That commitment is clearly in jeopardy. Now. In times like these when the bedrock principles of our system of laws are threatened and violated by agents of our own government. It is not only those who hold state and federal office who should speak clearly and boldly. Local leaders are equally responsible for protecting the integrity, integrity of our democracy and our neighbors. Upholding the Constitution is not and should never be a partisan question. In fact, we used to call it patriotism that's what my grandfather did. I'm well aware that we have a U.S. customs and Immigration Enforcement office here in Anchorage. I hope that my words here tonight make it clear that someone is paying attention. And that any violation of the constitutional rights of the residents of my community will not be met with polite silence or indifference, not from my seat, at least. It will not tolerate abuse of power by the very government that was conceived of the people by the people and for the people. Resolution is forthcoming to this body at our next meeting, I believe that will ask for a reaffirmation of this commitment to uphold and defend the Constitution of the night United States. And it will call upon our congressional leadership to do their part in rejecting and curtailing the unconstitutional activities of federal agents around the country. I sincerely hope that my colleagues on the Dias will respond with unequivocal support. Thank you, chip. I yield the floor. Thank you, Mr. Jones. Nothing for me to nature. Thank you, Mr. Johnson. Vice yeah. Very briefly. The Budget and Finance Committee met on Thursday, January 15th and our next meeting is Thursday, February 19th. That's all. >> Thanks. fund. >> No report. Thank you, Mr. Chairman Summers. Nothing to report. Thank you. Mrs. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair of the Holiday Municipal Services and Ethics and Elections Committee is going to be meeting our Thursday. >> From noon to one, we're going to meeting at City Hall room one. 55 and only topic on our agenda is going to be an election overview. Thank you. >> Mister thank chair. Nothing report. Thank you, Mister President. >> Thank you. Chair. No reports eating. Thank you. And youth member of the virus. Thank you, Mister Chair. Nothing to report. >> cuts us committee reports. Next. We'll go ahead and that dress. The addendum to the agenda laid on the table items. We handful of laid on the table items, 2 of which will require boats, one of which will. Erickson 3, which are. 4 of which are supplemental. So go ahead and read the supplemental items presently. 10 F 6 information memorandum I am number answers to some of the questions. And we have 11 a-one something memorandum and 29 dash 2026. A recommendation of adoption. The don't import of Alaska Port of Alaska. Modernization Program Advisory board recommendations. Related to construction of caved. North extension, helipad cargo handling area. The next one is 11, be one, which is somebody memorandum 30 dash 2026. A recommendation of the adoption young part of Alaska, port of Alaska. Modernization Program Advisory board recommendations related to the final location of Terminal one electrical substation. Then we have item 14 L too. 14. 0, 2, is information memorandum and I am a numbered Twenty-twenty 6 dash 10. ordinance of the increased chance for somebody to safe public spaces by amending Anchorage Municipal Code chapters 8 to 10, 8.30, to expand prohibitions on unsafe and inappropriate contact and provide criminal penalties. So the next 2 items. Our to be laid on the table. One of them is for introduction. We'll go ahead and read that one. First. It is 10 G 6 resolution era 2026. A number resolution of the in Crystal Assembly appropriated transfers from the right general fund 1, 0, 0, 0, 0, Multiple departments. 2025 operating budget. An amount not to exceed 600 $75,270. The operating projects committed general fund 1, 9, 0, 0, 0, 0 2025. propane transfers from the operating projects come committed. General fund 1, 9, 0, 0, 0, 0, And the amount not to exceed $51,102 to multiple funds, multiple departments, 2025 and appropriating operating projects committed general fund 1, 9, 0, 0, 0, 0, Fund balance and not not to exceed 4 million 421,000. $242. The operating projects committed general fund 1, 9, 0, 0, 0, 0, multiple departments to continue previously appropriate project purposes 2026. So this item will take 7 votes too. Introduce takes a vote of a majority to introduce public hearing at our meeting on February. 3rd now for members. Knowledge, a resolution, the assembly consent for public hearing with any amount of time but ordinances, you must have 7 days, according to the charter. And so in this case, it's 7 days a normal person counts to our next meeting with the charter, the way it counts, the code. 70's actually 8 and so as this resolution, we can set it for any time. So this item is set for a public hearing on 2, 3, 2026. And this will require motion a second and a vote. >> Move to limit a bill introduced and said public hearing for the meeting of February 3rd, second moved by most broadly seconded by Mister Vaughn. And that was quite motion. It was to introduce snow Atlanta table introduce an set for public hearing for 2, 3, Any discussion on the matter. This problem? >> Yeah, I'll speak to timeliness of this one is these appropriations from 2025. Many of them are for payment of ongoing projects. And so the timeliness is waiting until later in February means that we will not be able to pay some of decommitted bills. Thank you. >> ask unanimous consent Junction to latest on the table. no objections item will be set before us on the 2, 3, meeting. Okay. Next up, then we have item 10 B one. This one is recalling 8 votes since its for action. Tonight's laid on the table late on the temperature, some of resolution or 2026 a number to resolution. somebody regarding the 2026 assessment notices sent well, owners taxable real property and directing them in a supplement assessor to undertake a systematic reevaluation of certain categories, real property, including those with an unusually large increase over. Prior years assessed value. Is there a motion to latest on the table? So moved. So Mr. Mccormick second by Mr. Kirk around, speak to it. >> I'll speak to timeliness of this as a property assessment, green card to hit the mailbox. People made aware their deadline to appeal is February. 11th. We've seen notable market increases. capricious and inconsistent with prior I believe it's a time is of the essence now to to address before the appeals deadline. >> Mr. Bond. Thank you, Mister Chair. going to state my objection to letting this on the table. And the reason for that is because it hit my e-mail inbox and at about 3.30, and I just haven't had time to read this. I certainly I can appreciate why this is coming forward in this timing. But it sounds like we do have the opportunity for a conversation on Friday to further flesh. Some of this out in the interim, I really do make an appeal to the administration to do as much public messaging as you can on this topic because we are getting a lot of social media comments emails and he's very much on people's minds. And as member McCormick stated there is a deadline filing an appeal. My preference would be to take this up on February. 3rd, thank you. Mister >> Thank 2 things. I will note that the deadline for the for next week's meeting is Thursday at noon. So if there is an item prepared, there's still time to put it on the regular agenda. And I will also note I to right now is not to get into the debate of this item because that's not the purview of this motion. But I will note that I have several questions that I will be submitting especially legal questions and how this relates to state law. And so I think those need to be cleared up and the additional week would give us time. And so I'm not in favor of lanes on the table tonight because there's other opportunities. Thank Baldwin Day. >> Thank you, chair. I have a question for the administration about to the appeal deadline and whether we have flexibility with that date. >> So I asked that question already. And the answer I got back is that the appeal deadline is set by statute state law and it's 30 days pass the delivery of the assessment. And so what I was told is free assessments are done. Then those haven't the 30 day clock start the date that the assessment was delivered. But no, that is not Encourage deadline. That is a state of Alaska deadline. Feel free to correct me if I got that wrong, anyone. Anyone else any other questions on today? Now, that's all for me. Thank you, Mr. Question to the administration gets to the manager. >> Considering what was presented to us earlier. >> That both there >> Work already happening. Things are in motion and there's. >> A call for a work session on Friday. And the follow-up to it. Where does this fit within the realm of that work? Is this? Out of bounds as line? How do you see this? >> To chair of it as this was west late this afternoon as well. So I think that we in you some time to process it and respond as well. I think for us having a work session this Friday in which we could respond to questions, address issues and potentially and have that in the interim have had time to process what we see as questions coming from this resolution. I would be potentially could resolve some of these questions as part of that conversation and go from there. >> Thank you. And then considering that this is a short assembly week to next meeting, there was an opportunity. Seems I appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you. Clark. >> And for Council, if this is not laid on the table today, the next meeting, February 3rd, it would be introduced and then not open for public testimony. Until the 17th. So this resolution did not contemplate a public hearing. Public hearings are for ordinances generally speaking and so. >> Yeah, in fact, if you are attempting to lay this on the table for a public hearing that couldn't happen until the 17th because processes as they are. yeah. Actually probably could because it's a resolution now that I think about it. But no, I was not into okay. Think yeah. So The opportunity would be just too advice. Counsel to introduce on your behalf for the regular agenda for the meeting of 2, 3, Any further discussion. none members may purses see to vote. Myers. And the press for you. On a vote of 6 to 6, the motion to introduce the item has failed. And the youth member one vote. Thank you. Madam Clerk. Now, And so we look forward to this conversation happening on 2, 3, we will schedule a work session for conversations relating to assessments. The draft resolution. That's coming in. Maybe an alternative resolution proposal from the administration should one be needed. with that, then I think that takes care of our laid on the table process. Except I'd like to now ask for a motion to incorporate the addendum to the agenda and the late on the table some of that. Motion to incorporate by Mister Vaughn. second broadly. Any discussion. Any objection to the motion? Ask unanimous consent, seeing hearing no objection. Then we'll consider. The addendums the agenda item let him score paraded into the agenda. takes us to our next item on the agenda, which is the consent agenda. Excuse me, appearance requests. So we have an appearance request was filed Conrad Paul James. Conrad Paul. James, are you here? Mr. James. All right, Mr. Chances not come presented tonight. So we'll go ahead and move on. Then to the consent agenda. So consent agenda items are through 10 are typically routine. A non-controversial items such as Ben Awards. New business information reports ordinances and resolutions for introduction. These items may be approved were introduced. The assembly by a single vote on a motion to approve the consent agenda prior to approval items may be pulled by any assembly member for discussion and separate vote on each of these items. Under this something. I think that the parts and all on the dice for to pull start with you, Mister President. >> Thank you. Chair. No items tonight. Thank you, Mister. 10 Delta, 7. Okay. So I have 10 D 7. Polled by Mr. Kirchner next we Mister Thank you, Mr. items, thank you. verse. No items. Thank you, Mr. Bond 10 D one. he wants want. nice really. No items at this time. Thank Mr. Jones, 10, a one. 10, a one, Mr. Johnson as well. Today, no items. Thank you, chair. Thank you, Mister Martin No, I don't think Mr. Mccormick. No, I'm saying thank you, Mr. Myers. >> No additional items year. >> So we have item 10, a one. Mister Johnson, 10 D one, Mr. Vaughan. 10, the 7 Mr. Darker. Any other items. Hearing and seeing none. Then I'd like to go ahead and ask for a motion to approve the consent agenda. Minus the poll items so moved moved by ball today. Seconded by MS probably. Any further discussion. I'd like to ask unanimous consent. Is there any objection? Hearing seeing no objection will consider the consent agenda has been approved. Minus the pulled items which takes us now item 10, a one. one is resolution R 2026. To 16. The resolution of business will simply recognizing the 50th anniversary of community councils in the Federation of Community Council's this item was pulled. Thank you, Mr. Johnson. To perfect second moved by Mister Johnson saying members Baldwin days or any discussion. Seeing hearing none like to ask unanimous consent or any objection to the adoption of the motion. Seeing hearing no objection item is approved. Who is reading? I'm reading checked, respond and they have the Hear from the council. Please come forward. >> This is a resolution of the anchors municipal Assembly, recognizing the 50th anniversary of community councils and the Federation of Community Councils. Whereas since the early 1970's groups of residents identified the need to bring government decision-making to the neighborhood level, recognizing that public spirit and grassroots involvement are essential to a vital community. And whereas encourage voters affirmed the importance of community governance by enshrining it in article 2, an article 8 of the Home Rule Charter in 1975. and by recognizing the first 7 community councils. And whereas since that time, many distinct community councils have been formed and recognized by the Anchorage Assembly to afford residents. Maxim residents, maximum community involvement and self determination. And whereas in 1976, the Federation of Community Council's was formed as a nonpartisan nonprofit organization, primarily funded by the municipality of Anchorage to support Community Council volunteers and create a space for collaboration, training and community outreach. And whereas over the last 50 years, community councils have significantly impacted and initiated policies and projects at the municipal state and federal levels to support neighborhoods in areas such as safety and crime Prevention Park Improvement Utility designation. Road improvement and community building. And whereas through that throughout the last 50 years, community councils have brought together thousands of Ingrid residents spring, many to serve in other capacities across various levels of government positively impacting the community be on their specific councils. And whereas Anchorage is a more vibrant and livable community because of the involvement of community council members working together to achieve shared goals. Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Anchorage Assembly extends congratulations on the 50th anniversary recognizes the contributions and impacts of community councils and offers best wishes for their continued success passed and approved by the Anchorage Assembly. This 27th day of January 2026. Welcome the same. Have the floor. >> Okay. I'm going Jay Powell and the president are Star Community Council AMS. >> My name is Arianna bluesy and I'm the Federation of Community Council's executive director Jade is one of our board members. >> Yeah, I'm I'm asked I Mariana, I'm to say a few words tonight she said, well, why don't you just speak on behalf of SEC, I don't feel like I'm qualified to do, but maybe that isn't spirit of Anchorage because for better for we've been making things up as we go along and building this wonderful, flawed complex, diverse and beautiful municipality as we go making tweaks along the way. So I thank you for all your work as part of that, I'll try to rebel too long and we have a packed agenda tonight. But I really wanted to get a few things the speech. First of all, community councils have a rich history in our city and were founded with noble principles that heart and a lot of effort has been put in. I'm especially in the first 10 years to are certain nudged him along in their infancy. And I believe they have a bright future in shaping the city. The community councils are a rare, valuable multi generational space and a place where we can learn from each other and collaborate with our neighbors. Outside of our usual social circles. The Federation Community Council's is a valuable asset to the community councils in Anchorage and the additional funding that assembly has put toward operation recently as money very well spent and community council's, most importantly, by definition, rely on volunteer percent participation of everyday people. And I hope I can inspire at least a few people who are young and old who might be listening. I'm to bring their ideas, hopes and passions local community council. So here, why am I speaking to our get to this later? But I don't think anyone who is a live from the community who wasn't alive in the community council's were founded, knows as much now about Community Council's is Aryana. Does. So I really have her to because I'm sure helped cause I was preparing some of these remarks tonight. have been attending my community council nursed our community council regularly for about 3 years and is often the case started to get more involved. After I bought my home and settle them and committed to the neighborhood and was looking for ways to get more involved. I've been on the board as the treasure and the VP and now the president for the last 2 and a half years or so. And my first opportunity to really dig deep into work with my community council beyond just going to the meetings every month was when I volunteered to serve on the Midtown District Plan Steering Committee way back in 2024, that work still continues in the background. Thankful for the Planning Department staff for all the work they're doing on that. And I had the privilege to work closely with folks like Chris Turner who's here tonight and Sean Devon Home from a town community Council. And Sir Prescott from Council and others on that steering committee and was able to build really great relationships with those through effort. Then started to meet with other council leaders, including Chris as a part of the District, One Community Council leadership group that Sylvia Young men days from the downtown Community Council organized. I'm not sure if you're here severe if you're listening, but if you are, thank you. And as the conversations and housing have come to the forefront here in Anchorage over the last several months, I've had the privilege to facilitate meetings and special meetings on housing and with my community council and work with my fellow district as I ride the wave of engagement and are usually sleepy Community Council. And I've had folks and after think folks like Alan Rosenthal for their engagement on the issues, an effort to get folks turned out to our community councils through all this work. last couple years I've seen the way and which community councils can activate and engage community members and give them an opportunity to work together and learn from each other in a way that feels irreplaceable, which is why I wanted to be able speak with you all tonight. And as I mentioned, community councils have along history of putting in work to better their community. I said, but I live been aren't very community council's. They have rec centers and not that's pretty uncommon in the Miss. Tell you, those are really awesome resources and the community council's work usually involved in getting those resources into their communities and establishing And at that time back in those days, this for our community council actually got in trouble with this body, the Anchorage assembly because they were so good at directing state funds into their committee counsel. The Assembly got a little offended that there are getting pushed aside by the community Council with Fairview Community Rihanna has documents going back well into the 60's before the founding of municipality on the long history the hard work on behalf of Fairview. It folks now Mike Allen company are doing today and that continues today with monumental things like the reconnecting Fairview Corridor plan and quieter, but no less important efforts government Hill in North Houston prove their public spaces and countless other things that community councils are doing and have done to improve their neighborhoods. Community Council's over the last decade or so alone have helped moved around million dollars in state funding to their neighborhoods and direct legislative line item appropriations. I think another really tangible example of the way that community councils can make a huge difference in their communities and they were founded, like I said, with really intentional and thoughtful principles of heart. First, I want to read briefly before tax process short of articles to an 8 from the charter article. 2, the right to establish local community councils to maximum community self-determination exercise in conjunction with others and without infringement upon the rights of other persons. And I think those last 2 Betts there, that collaboration and also not infringe on the rights of others feel really important to me and things that really jumped out Article 8 from the Charter of the Assembly by Ordinance shall provide for establishment of community councils to Ford Citizens, an opportunity for Maxim community involvement and self determination. This ordinance are pursued, include procedures for negotiation between the local government and each community council with respect to the duties responsibilities of the council. As notice, this isn't much him. The shirt. I was delighted today to dig under a variety of documents, the area and her staff. Our you from the FCC scanned this year. And to you from records and read a variety of other documents. The city developed over the next 10 years or so after the Community Council's were officially founded. That helped guide them from and memorandums to city code documents to documents crewed by the SEC itself. A lot of work was put into shape them. And I think these documents can be I'm really good inspiration for us as we think about how we can grow community councils and help them better represent their communities and better engage community members as we go into the future. And on note of that code, chapter 2 to to implements the charter. And has a It takes a little bit about what the community councils have, functionally, how they might work. And I had a footnote really jumped out at me. While the code and charter reference citizens. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to be a member of a community council or to serve as a council officer or board member. And I stand before you wearing this gear fuel, anchorage, him, which I now 5 Penn because I love this city and I love it in large part because encourages a city of immigrants. It always has been and always will be. And I think that is important for us. Remember, and I really something memorable Monday for her remarks earlier about what is going on in the world. the last thing I wanted to to really I haven't read this out as much I remember don't try to keep a short is the multi generational aspect of community councils. Many of the folks that for younger folks like me might be frustrated with the Times or see as the old Guard of community councils. A lot of those folks have been involved since they were our age and have just continued to be involved over the years as the community councils have grown and changed in the city has grown old with them. And that is an incredible wealth of knowledge and something about ivory story that I really want to tell is and our most recent community council meeting, we were speaking about value in park and has recently transferred in our Community Council Esther Permanent was there and the community Council meeting and she as a few years older than me and I Drummond point out stir when she was like 10 years old, played a huge part and revitalizing that park and the older member of the community pointing out now relatively young, but not that young community member when she was even younger like that multigenerational aspect and that history and that knowledge and great history communication, I think really shows an example of why the Community council's is such a special thing and why I really would encourage folks to get involved with when I say I want to highlight Aryana has done some rough math every year. There's about a million dollars in volunteer time that community council members put into the city governments that often would be paid for out of the city budget. And I really encourage folks to continue to be in good for the Community. Council's continue show up and bring your ideas and bring your energy and thank you for listening to my Thank you. >> it ask for your indulgence change or the day to take up item. Mr. Price. Please. I keep a very short. >> I just wanted to say thank you. See a number of community council members and especially officers out in the audience and I know we need to move on to other things. But I believe many of us up here. I don't know about all of us, but at least many of us have been community council officers. Well before we were in the seats. And so thank you. I guess, to my colleagues for for serving and then deciding to take on even more responsibility. But also thank you out in the audience for those who do the hard work of making sure the meetings happen because the meeting's cannot happen unless there are people to set them out to run the agenda and to actually follow-up. So thank you to you >> All right. Thank you. I'm gonna ask your indulgence change. Order today to take up item 10, just the 7th first. Has there been some questions in the individual I so they can make themselves available. So there's no objection will take about a 10 7 right now. And the 7 is any am. 51 dash 2026 Board of Equalization. Chris Diamond. Is there a motion? >> Move to approve. Second move, Parker, second limits. Baldwin Day. >> Can we go ahead and call Mr. Diamond. Mr. Kerr you thank you, Mr. while doing our due diligence to check. All the nominees for all these positions on boards and commissions that we have. One of the things that we like to look at to see if anything jumps out at us. We Do a quick a social media dive. And while not looking for anything in particular as far as ideology. I'm looking for things about judgment and things about. Respectful conduct. One of the things that jumped out at me about this nominee was a >> There's a lot of content on the social media, but this one in particular. It was a interaction between this individual and a former female legislator from ice. Anchorage. And it was all a sexist trope. Trying to degrade this individual. Trying to win a policy argument by relying on tropes about this person's personality. This person's behavior. Name calling in approach is completely inappropriate. So I pulled this nomination because we should have standards of personal conduct. This is in sharp elbows. This is this is poor judgment. This is relying on. On again, a sexist trope against a female in power because you are not able to handle their policy positions. And I simply. I simply can't get past that. That's simply not something I'm gonna be able to support. And I would urge my colleagues to also vote no. I understand that the board of Equalization, there's not a long line of folks weighing around the door to do it. I totally get that but we should also hold ourselves to a higher standard, especially cents. You know, there's so much negativity out in the world right now. As far as our political discourse. Anytime we have an opportunity to put our foot down and say no, actually personal conduct does matter. We So I do urge my colleagues to say to reject this nomination. Again, I understand now a long list of people wanted to do this, but surely we can find somebody. Who has not relied on sexist tropes to disagree with with especially women in power. So I will be voting hours. My colleagues to vote now. understand Mr. Dimon has made himself available on the phone. I actually don't have any questions for me. If you'd like to apologize publicly to the legislature or to the legislator. I D acceptable in my mind, but I'm not going to ask for are you there? Mister Diamond. >> Mr. Chair. Yes, I am. You know So just, Chris, I think that I have a question from attorney. Quick hold Mister Chair. I would just like point out to the numbers matters to be discussed by this body, which may have the >> which may tend to prejudice the reputation or character of any person. Are more appropriate for discussion in executive session and not an exact in not in open session on the science. >> And there's one part there. That's kind of further reading. What does it say? Provided the person at issue requests, public discussion. I mean, that that's what Mister Diamond is about. To request yeah, no issue. So Mr. Diamond, the charter stylish is we can go into executive session. We don't have time tonight for that. Or if you wish we can have this discussion tonight in public. >> I'm fine with public. >> So thank you to council for providing a careful read. 4 members understand our role up here Mr. Diamond. So. I don't know if you want to start because there wasn't a specific question and it's unusual for us to do this to have someone, but he just is available on. I will argue we need bodies on the. Board of adjustment at lest we find ourselves in those seats. And there's an urgency to this matter for. My my. Rational for Cox Mr. Diamond, you know the floor >> yeah. Thank you. Tour costs you know, yeah, I did make really awful comments to a representative. And I will absolutely publicly apologize. Here for the comment that I made. Sure it a. It was set out anger. so not reflective of my normal character. eyes. It is point to not engage in those kind of conversations online anymore after that event because it was inappropriate. What I said to her and I do make public apology for it. >> Mr. Diamond, just one quick question. You had mentioned earlier that you actually did make an apology contemporaneous to the moment. >> I I believe I apologize and withdrew what I said and the lead everything because it was it was it inappropriate the set a moment of anger. Thank you. >> All right. I think that Martinez says. And so for the Q, question for the speaker, yes, just the question was or a comment host that was written social media. >> post. >> Again, the members are admonished to be careful of the reputations of others, but >> Always want to Mr. Dime for making yourself available. Thank you for Takes a big person to do that. So thank you for that apology. Not that I, you know, on on behalf of that person, by any means. But >> just that I recognize that takes a big person. Do. >> All right. Thank you. Wear when you're wrong on that. go ahead, Well, when I'm when I'm wrong, I can do my mistakes. And that that was a mistake that was made. >> And I'm apologetic for. >> Thank you. Miss Baugh today. >> Yeah, I just wanted to note for the record that I have. I have made this comment in other conversations around appointments. And >> I I am a firm believer that people are allowed to make mistakes and still serve their communities and to do that well, and to do that with integrity. As a woman in a position of power who? Has had interactions with Mr. Diamond and the past I have I have never experienced him to be based on my office. And or even disagreement policy matters. So I feel very, very comfortable. Moving, Mr. Diamond's appointment forward and I will be a yes vote. >> So only of the comment that serving on the board of Equalization is a form of punishment. grateful for those who are willing. And in particular this moment we are entering with a number of appeals being filed. A number of concerns relating the tax burden. This is in fact, the Publix position to help make those decisions. So they aren't arbitrary, capricious and reasonable error or any of those things. But instead are actually based on facts based on actual assessment and appraisals. And so for my part, I am grateful for anyone who is qualified woman to serve on the spotty. There's nobody else members proceed to vote. >> And president. Member Myers. >> On a vote of 10 to 2 in the youth member votes. Yes and 5.51 2026 ez-pass money. All right. Mr. time to go to work. All right. Thank Thank you. Next, we'll take up item 10 D want anyone. Some of memorandum 41 dash 2026 Stormwater Utility Commission appointed John Weddleton. This item was pulled by you, Mr. Bond. Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Wait one and a procedural matter. I wanted to ask before we move. Mr. Barker, so not unusual that a member who is going to vote against the motion was the mover. And so I would offer the said it's OK that we substitute someone as the mover for the record. Vice Chair Bradley. Is that okay? Okay. So we'll go ahead and do that. So the record is clear and the future that. Wasn't UN support soaking Mr. Bolland. >> Yes, thank you, Mister Chair. I will move to approve second motion to approve a strong second by Mister Johnson, Mr. Bolland. Thank you so a question for the administration. >> I see appointee, Mr. Middleton. Taking one of the resident of slots. This is one of commission's weathers upper sort of up prescribed list up different types of folks who would fill that commission similar to we did the public naming commission. You know, there's specific seats for specific different qualifications and and one of for this one. Is that there would be. I think it's 3, 3, members who are residents of so 2 questions, where are we at in terms of filling this commission, the various seats? Who are we looking for? And then what is going on with the storm? Water utility effort. >> 10 member of the land, I believe there is comprehensive update coming at the next IU OC to your question about where we are. But for the question about the feeling of the different seats out, tougher to Mr. Stafford who is available on the phone. >> Mr. Spafford. I don't know if you're there and muted or can you hear there, York ahead the >> chair. Let's remember Bowlen's question. This is Mark Feffer deputy manager. We are currently in the process of filling the last 3 seats of which John Weddleton would be one of those as a resident, our member of art stuff. And we have 2 more individuals lined up who are awaiting approval by the assembly will be getting into that. You very shortly. There's 10 total members. >> Ok, thank you. Mister Chair. All right. I think the salient point on where are we is there's a briefing coming very soon to the enterprise his oversight committee and from there, the number should get it. So. >> Yeah, thank Just a quick question for Mister Stafford. Maybe this goes to the committee. I would be curious to know what is the if there's a district or the physical boundaries of the storm, water utility. I was just looking for a map and I didn't see one. And so and rather than trying verbally describe a map, I think it just be helpful to have that at the briefing. But I want to understand, as I as a service area there's other. I know it's a service area, but I know there's a geographic boundary in which they provide services. So that's what I'd like to understand for the stormwater utility in the future. Thank you. >> probably in advance of this vote. You be willing to move mover. any further discussion, the appointment? Hearing and seeing none members it >> Number Myers. >> I voted 11 to one of the youth member votes. Yes, am 41 dash 2026. Has passed money, OK? So now we're going to move on to the items of 4 teams, which is a bit out of order. We've taken care of the consent agenda items pulled. We still have the elevens in the 13th. I think in order to get through the ballot questions we have ticket through tonight. As the clerk's note reads as close to 6 o'clock is possible. That started with. The public hearings relating to the budget. So we will make our way through as many of these untold numbers are hungry, nothing to break. so we're going to start with then 2026 dash, 2 ordinance providing for this mission, the qualified voters misspelled of Anchorage, Alaska. The question of the issuance of not to exceed 8 million, 990 $1000 of general obligation, bonds fund this part of increased pay. The cost very wide public safety and transit improvements. The question of the increase, the municipal tax cap limitation pay associated operations and maintenance costs. Public hearing on this item is now open should be heard of this item. We do have someone on the call us call the person who's on the list. And for every on the dice he signed up to talk on every public hearing council here from this number humorously. Good evening. This Anchorage assembly calling were taking testimony on 2026 dash 2 public safety and transit improvement Please state your name. A part of town for the 3 minutes. >> Mister Walton here. With regards to bond. Time the assembly. Close to more clear perspectives as to what will be used with these bonds. The ongoing corruption as to the assessor's for the city. Increasing the home valuations of Anchorage, property owners. In order to pay for past Taking out a 20 year bond with interest rates are about to spike in U.S. Treasuries are not being sold easily on the open market. Is reckless. Putting this on the bond package on for the voters. Better education is to be done for the voters. They can understand what they're voting for. That's all. Thanks. >> Thank you. Anyone else wish to be heard. Senior. None public hearings, no closed. What will the body 2 second around Monday. Any discussion. que members may proceed to vote. >> Apologies Myers. Member Press for do. >> How do you vote on this source? Yes, from a So on a vote of 8 to 3 in the member votes. Yes, you know, 2026 Dash 2 was passed the money. Oh, I'm sorry, 93 and a vote of thank you. Madam Clerk voted 9 to 3. We have a number to 2026 test. 2 past the body next 7 14. Be 14 be as 2026 Dash 3. We're providing for this mission of the qualified voters in this kind of anchors, Alaska, the question the issuance of not to exceed 6 million, $50,000 general obligations, bonds and misspelled vanquished pay the cost of constructing renovating equipping. The trail and recreational facilities, capital improvements. In the Anchorage Parks and Recreation Service or in the question the increased missile tax Taishan peso seated operations and maintenance costs parks and recreation service area without cost to get river hardwood. Another taxpayers outside of the service area. The election be held misspelled on April 7, 2026. There's also and version public hearing on this item is now open. Anyone wish to be heard on this item. All right. Can recall Mister Williams. Good Evening, Mister Arms. This is the Anchorage Assembly taking testimony 2026 3, which are bonds for parks and recreation service the state. Your name a part of 10 have 3 minutes. >> Mister Williams here with regards to. The public safety improvement or excuse me, the bond for improving the parks and recreation. I wish the assembly would be more clear as to what they want here. It's clear that this is to equip all the parks the city with. High-resolution cameras. >> If that is, in fact, the city's intent, they should state that on the record. further. With regards to the valuations of Anchorage homes. >> Article in the Anchorage Daily News was woefully and informative. It's still represent to the voters that we actually large portion of commercial properties in the city that go on tax pay no property tax. And that's a real problem. When you're trying to placed find provision on the backs of Anchorage voters for the next 20 years. You're counting on the fact that the federal funds rate will be cut and see it likely will. Not at this meeting. But as a later meeting in this year, it's likely that under the new Fed chair, but the rates will be cut. But the problem is, is when. The full faith and credit of the United States is damaged. When we go to sell those bonds on the open market, they don't sell easily. Europe's not buying our bonds. China's not buying our bonds and neither is or so. We're faced with a real crisis because bond yields are going through the roof right now. And when you go to sell these municipal bonds to cover up for past fraud and past mismanagement of funds because you might pass a budget of like half a billion dollars. But then you go out bond out for like 100 Million. But the 100 million cost voters close to a billion over the course of the law. So it's very reckless. This form of spending. It's nothing more than a municipal credit card. >> But the payer of the municipal credit card, its future generations of anchor citizens. And ones that aren't even born yet. And you pay the property tax with the rent. We hankerson And even if you're one of those scarce people, has a commercial property that pay 0 property tax. You still pay it and some other way. assembly. I ask that you go back to the drawing board and let's can this idea because I don't want cameras in my parks. I'd rather have a police department says more responsive. Thank you. >> Anyone else wish to be heard tonight on the spot. Anyone at all none public has no clothes with. So the body of 2, the S. Second probably second most. For more on today's discussion. Senior in an old single parks. Members seen of him. Member virus. Member, press for do. voted 9 to 3 in the youth number of votes. 2026 Dash 3 has passed the body. Next. We have item 14 C 14 see is 2026 Dash 4 an ordinance providing for the submission of qualified voters in this parliament. Last CA. >> question of the issuance of not to exceed 38 million, $450,000 general obligation, bonds municipality of Anchorage to pay the cost Broden storm drainage capital improvements in the Anchorage Parks and Rec Chris Rhodes and drainage service area and the question of an increase in municipal tax have limitations. Associated operations and maintenance costs, encourage roads and drainage service areas. Election to help 7, 2026. public hearing on this item. It's now open. Anyone wish to be heard on this item. What called Mister Williams. And UNM. Our lives were taken testimony 2026 Dash 4, which our ponds related to encourage roads and rail service please state your name. A part of 10 from the have 3 minutes. >> There. Mister Williams again with regards to the roads and drainage. That's critical functions of the municipality. Of course, no one's going to here and say we don't want you to fix our roads. Our sewers and our drains. But more needs to be said about the. The fact that about a 3rd of our drains are actually. Open sewers. Under the ground and it's a very concerning that a lot of that gets into our open streams and waterways. regards to the complex. Compound to move God, which is the bond packages that paper past indiscretions of money with future deaths. This is nothing more. Then what would be considered a Ponzi scheme, right? If this was done by Bernie Madoff, this is the same thing you're paying. that you currently have with future investors, the future investors, our property taxes that are yet to be paid. And the other part of the coin that needs to be discussed here is the fact that Anchorage homes are grossly overvalued. And when the unrealized losses on the bank's balance sheets. And when I say the banks, I mean, small midtown banks like we have here. When those become realize when they become realize when the commercial real estate bubble pops. when the car repossession rate causes the bubble that popped for the consumer credit causes the bubble We're going to be facing major issues here. With regards to. Not being able to pay for costs is going to go through the roof. To service debt. I really think it's reckless. And I know that obviously because of the clerk call me back as theirs. Not very many people saw. Quite disappointing. I'm probably just speaking to More or to room. But I hope some people, you know, really listen the sun. You know, regardless of your opinion of me or my politics irrelevant, right? This is all this year and serious. You're you're gambling with something which I don't know if you fully understand Blake. When this when this pond crisis becomes fully realized and it is right now. And it might take a year, it might take 6 months. It might take 5 years. I don't know. Might never happen. But the truth of the matter is. These are things that you can't pay for out of the regular budget, Mr. your TIME expired. >> Now switched to be heard on this item. Anyone at all senior in and public hearing now close. What will the body second? >> By most probably Second Amendment Spalding Day. MRI. Service McCormick. >> So the question on some of the items county pulled back why are we seeing so many annual programs put in under the the Bond Project list here? >> All right. To terribly of these are all the same in programs that we ordinarily have as part of this pond that are part of our students for him. But we do have online. I all of our public works and from PM money. If you'd like to ask for specific questions and the circle, his in this cause. If you'd like to speak to number comics question. >> to the chair as as that witness when Pearson said beautiful manager, one person explained, yes, these are common. program that we have allowed us to complete work. Flexibly. Beyond just individually named projects. >> Why are these annual being completed with our annual budget under the tax cap. Why every year do we need to workaround exceed the cap to do annual programs that, you know, if their annual we know they're coming every year. >> to the chair, it's not necessarily just annual program. It's a it's a funding mecca funding. the funding mechanism for capital program. Repairs. It's not maintenance that paid for by general government. But we do have capital projects that. All right, Dana fide and used to pay for those. Different category. >> Ok, thank you. Thank you. Miss Thanks a couple comments but also I can give a couple examples of those annual programs. One is not actually in this pond, but it's a similar structure. And that what we already voted on supporting traffic calming. So things like flashing signs, speed, humps things, things like that. Each of those is not a named project and it's not large enough to require putting what the name of the road is. But it funds multiple of those each year. And that has increased over time because we know that's a huge need in this pond. couple other examples of annual that I can think of in my district a couple years ago. There was an issue with the retaining wall on Strawberry Road. It was crumbling audience places. Certainly not something that rises to the level of a multimillion dollar project, but it needed attention. And so these are really the funds for repairs for really small upgrades of the small things. Another one is over by West High. There's a number of little between the neighborhood next to West High and the actual school. There's a number of walking past. And so those have become very deteriorated, were not really safe and needed to be repaved. And so utilizing small funds like this leftover funds. The firm completed projects that could still be utilized here. Things like that are really how we actually fix most small things in our municipality. And they are certainly things that have been on the bonds for for many years within the scope of sidewalk improvements. Again, retaining walls, small drainage projects, but they are not big enough to actually fix an entire road, which is why we have names projects other than that, the comments I was going to say very briefly is this is our largest proposed road. largest proposed bond by far other than our school bond, which, of course, is everybody's responsibility. But I will note that there are residents, you know, that the service area extends to 5 or 6 districts. And so this is relevant to not everyone in the city, but most folks and because it's a service area, it will only be paid for by those folks in that service area. So this is the folks like me who live in and are continuing to contribute at least have his cake. Stark continue to contribute to the maintenance of our roads and by maintenance. I means what we think of as as fixing things, right? It's not the snow plowing. It's not the operating costs. It's the capital cost. And that is why it is in a different part of our budget and why it goes to voters for approval so support. Thank you. misspoke Monday. Thank you, chair. I'm going to mention a couple of things and the capital improvement budget that we passed. >> And summer outlines many of individual projects that some of these annual programs contemplate and also the matching funds for federal money coming through a as a part of this bond project list. I think given the fact that we were just discussing an appointment to the Storm, Storm Water Commission, so many of these bonds pertain to issues with drainage. So if you've been wondering, why are we pay attention to a potential storm, water utility? This is why because the cost of not having a real plan for managing our drainage and runoff in a northern city is expensive and we need to be thinking about how else we do that in a sustainable way rather coming back Bonds has the only funding mechanism. Thank you. Star tennis. Thank you. Chair. >> I wanted to just highlight maybe the administration help clarify for me when we talk about these like the pedestrian safety and rehabilitation annual program. And I think of the capital expenditure that is being requested to be on the bond for the voters. I wondered to myself. Are these new projects? Are these new things like pedestrian safety? we talk about sidewalks. Are we talking about that was said there are sidewalks and we need to take care of them because they're falling apart and get a sense of what what that granular kind of line item would give me a sense of what the others may potentially mean as well. >> I'll take and just a crack at this because I'm here in the now allows those who are on line to add if they'd like to contribute after after offended to to the charter member of our team as those bucket, those annual programs are generally kept. It'll expenses related to our existing infrastructure. So they are addressing our pedestrian infrastructure, their dressing. They are up to actually adding traffic calming items to our existing infrastructure. They're not generally if we are building a new that is actually a new named project. You'll see that listed in the Capital Improvement program. These bucket AISD items are to address those items as Amber has faced, a rally spoke to were dealing with the smaller items that are rolling on ongoing basis that are required to make sure that we maintain the infrastructure that we have and do those smaller capital projects that are required to make sure that that infrastructure can remain in place. Megan, all of those who are online donors and harassment investment perfect speaks directly to at least question I'm asking. >> So essentially. There's thing. Infrastructure. Without dollars associated with it to pay for it. So was built at a certain time in the past. It wasn't built with the foresight that at some point in the future we would have to pay for things. And so we have kind of a framework that calls for bonding to pay for things that our existing already to some extent. 2.10, Americans. I think all that budget folks to speak a little bit more to the division. But I think part of this is I mean, we. >> Our budget is contemplated to address operating expenses to our tax structure and to general government and to address capital expenses to our van structure. And we actually have on council who's very strict with us about what kind things can go on a bond. We bond for capital assets. And then were allowed to bond for certain amount of maintenance expenses tied specifically to a capital asset. So it's not that we're really moving things around. It's that we actually have a structure for how we fund the operating expenses of government versus the capital expenses of our infrastructure. And so there's some of that time into this, too. And so because their capital expenses associated with owning infrastructure over time. Those capital projects then get rolls into bucket ties programs that address that ongoing. The larger maintenance projects that are part of having a city full of infrastructure over time. >> Respectfully, you gave me I'm out for if you could repeat the first part of that last sentence. They're up They're capital projects that don't have dollars associated with the capital needs for those projects. >> Well, their capital projects that are effectively larger, they go past operating maintenance dollars. So they are smaller scale capital projects that are associated with the cost of owning infrastructure over time. So they are going larger, larger fixing things kinds of projects because we have a city full of infrastructure that breaks down over that we have these. >> To keep it over time. >> Thank you. Appreciate that. Thank you, chair for that. For the opportunity to because I would also say that and it's because we have a city that. Built a lot of these things that we currently have today in our existing inventory with other people's money at the time. And we don't have the money to pay today's kind rob. I want only encouragement on bonding and these things would be I would encourage the administration to begin to utilize the language of AR 2025. 1.59, the economic development framework that we champion last year because things like Stackable return on investment and preempt a resiliency, a really important terms to be able to better understand how we're spending our dollars appropriate. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. couple things. First. >> At this point person, I really like the new word that you created. Bucket AISD that was great the second yeah, I can speak briefly to like my history of these various buckets and how town has utilized over the years frankly, our departments have Alyssa. It's probably already somewhere in a drawer that should voters approved this pond? We're probably eat up all of the money and those buckets. But if there is a project like a drainage issue and at loop then one of those that project isn't on the list for Capitol and it may get on the list years down the line, temporary fix. That's where these buckets coming from they help out with the temporary May look a little bit weird, but it is really important for providing some stop gap for projects that may be years down. The line we'll eventually gets named projects, get full funding. Thank you, Mister Chair. thank you. Anyone else? Senior in and then members may proceed to vote 2026 dash. >> For the main motion. >> Number president. I vote of 93 and the youth member votes. >> Yes, you know, 2026 dash 4 s past the body. Next up, we have. 14 de 14 D 2026 Dash 5 an ordinance providing for this mission. >> Qualified voters in the municipality of Anchorage, Alaska. The question of the issuance not to exceed 7 million, $150,000 of general obligation, bonds a spot of Anchorage to pay for the cost community facilities, capital improvement projects election held municipality on April 7, 2026. public hearing on this item is now open. Anyone in the room must be heard on this item. Okay. Seeing going to make call. Mister Williams. Good evening, Mr. Armes this is anchored to somebody. Taking 2026, Dash 5, which on promises for facilities, improvements. Please state your name. A part of 10 3 minutes. >> Yes, Mister Williams this one please call me back 14. I the one for the school district. Offer go the rest of between now and with this capital improvement. I'd like to see if you do pass it. That's a 7.0 5 million is utilized for. Emergency supplies for the city of Anchorage. In the event of a natural disaster or even a port emergency that we have an additional 7.5 million dollars worth of food supplies on hand to be able to hand out to the people. In the event of some type of emergency or It is important that you inform the voters as to the incoming doom on their balance sheets that you are essentially transferring. The debt load onto the balance sheets of every homeowner of Anchorage. The average home was at about 449,000 and the write-downs have already begun on a lot of properties you're seeing across the city. The Anchorage Daily News article was a lie, in fact, to. Property valuations are going down across the city, but the taxes are going up. But the property values are going down and that's going to go down exponentially once the bank, realize losses come fruition. And that will be unlike February or March. Once they post last year's earnings. And it comes to light. very concerning. Very, very concerning. That's all I have for this one. Thank you so much. >> Thank Anyone wish to be heard on 2026 Dash 6. Seeing hearing none. Public hearings are closed. That's where the body. 2 second. I'm I should have said close the public 2026. Dash 5. All right. 6 ahead of myself. So motion to approve was Brian seconded by Mister Hollande. Speak to the item. Karen, seeing none members may proceed to vote. And the miners. Member Myers, are you there? >> Remember president? On a vote of. >> To 4 and the youth member votes. Yes, you know, 2026 Dash 5 U.S. pass the body next 7.14 E. 14 years ago, 2026 Dash 6 an ordinance providing for the submission of the qualified voters. The municipality of Anchorage, Alaska. The question the issuance of not to exceed 1 million, $720,000 of general obligation, bonds minutes extra pay, the cost of access and trail improvements and that you guys state Park Access Service area. I am. Notified that there is a substitute version. And I don't know that the members haven't yet. It's printing right now, OK? So I think that maybe if there's no objection will move forward to 14 come back to 14. E on me so that we make sure that everybody including the public S s version front of them. So next we have hearing no objection. Item, 14 2026 dash 7, an ordinance providing. For the submission of the qualified voters. The municipality of Anchorage, Alaska. The question the issuance of not to exceed 2 million, $500,000 of general obligation, bonds miss out of Anchorage to pay the costs of fire protection, capital improvements. Think fire service area. The election, the home municipality ending April 7, 2026 public hearing this item is now open. Anyone wish to be heard on this item. Anyone at all? none public hearings now closed. What will the body? Second by miss? Probably a second Monday. Any discussion. >> Yeah, thanks to some modest pond of what we Fire trucks, if you would like truck to be not in a shop and respond quickly than we need to be continuing to maintain and replace our fleet. So this is part of that effort. Thank you. >> And it's a manual process, Mr. Mccormick. >> Own question is the lifespan of these fire trucks. How often do we need to replace them? >> It's question we do have replacement schedule that details out the life of each of our vehicles and how long were able to maintain their depending that schedule. I'm not sure if I have something on online from the fire department and to that specifically, if not, I can circle back to you last line with that answer. Ok, my. >> only concern is 20 year bond means paying off the fire trucks that we bought in 2025. and just freezing finances, responsibly and vehicles. If we're turning them over and you know, we're paying off fire trucks that have been out of the fleet for 10 years. Thank you. >> You know, I'll just off if you've had an opportunity to drive around Anchorage and meet and visit the fire service, we don't let any item coach waste. We do our very best to strike the balance between. The efficiency of a new piece of equipment and the ongoing cost of maintaining that equipment and when they get to the end of their lifespan, which is often around 20 years, some of these piece of equipment are probably. to some of the members of this body. They and not you, Mister Rivera, aged. those piece of equipment are. There's the schedule that keeps the system moving. That's really tight. But I can offer that as soon as a piece of equipment reaches the end of its useful life, we also don't let it end in the state of Alaska. Those piece of equipment get. Repaired to a state of functionality and then offered out to other fire. Service is volunteer fire service across the state. So were part of a long continuum of keeping the state's safe fire safety perspective. As one person went off for that. >> Ideally, we cycle trucks out about 20 years. It depends. I would say in terms of like when individual truck cycles, I did just depend on what happens with that apparatus when it's in use. But it's still somewhere between 15 and 25 years can be the life of a truck. >> All right. There's no notes. Members makes Amber Press for Member Myers. On a vote of 10 to 2 in the youth member votes. >> Yes, it 2026 dash 7. This past the body. Still printing. We'll keep moving down the lines. 14 and 14 G is 2026 Dash 8. An artist providing for this mission. The qualified voters in this part of Anchorage, Alaska. The question the issuance of not to exceed $350,000 of general obligation, bonds, of Anchorage. >> To pay the cost public safety improvements. Police and the increased metropolitan Police service area in the election to be held. In the municipality ending April 7, 2026. public hearing this item is now open. Anyone wish to be heard on this item. Hearing. None members may proceed to vote. Oh, wait. I'm sorry. so I got skipped. Attract. The public hearing is now closed. Let's well by which approved second. think day seconds fund and speak to the matter >> Just a question of what we're you in the parking lot. What's going on the parking lot. That needs correction. >> There is a question to the administration about what we do chief case to come up and respond to that directly. She case to question her parking lot in Yeah. The van list more Station parking lot Reconstruction just wondering. >> What some of the parking lot so. McCormick. And parking lot as a pretty significant drainage And so what ends up happening every year with the free sties putting down. Wooden planks from ploys to walk through the water and ice so they don't slip and fall. And so we have to users may do a valuation. How it's all that problem. This money doesn't solve the problem. It's simply that how we fix drainage problems. Okay. Thank you. Now cut up to the track. A man. Members may proceed to vote. Number Myers. >> Number president. >> Voters tend to the number of votes. Yes, yes, you know, 2026 Dash 8 passed the body next. Have item 14 H 14 H 22 26 dash 15 nornes to encourage somebody submitting to the qualified voters misspent. Think about Proposition amending article 16 and on charter to remove outdated language of the former Anchorage telephone utility. The public hearing on this item is no open. And it was shared on the anyone at all. public hearing is now closed. What will the body to prove? >> So I moved by Mister Von Respond dairy. >> That's right. >> Yeah, I'll just this one is obviously different than the others. There's no cost attached to it. I mean, simply amending the charter, but also amending the charter is a big deal. And so there's no technical edits to the charter. There's no, I guess fixing Typo is maybe as within our her view. But otherwise everything needs to go to voters. So this simply removes reference to something that we haven't had for what, 20 years, more than 20 years. But it requires a vote to do that. And so head leaving this in here doesn't make us have won. But we need to ask voters to remove it if that's okay. So just to be clear what this one is, it is not a bond, but it is a charter amendment because, again, any changes to the charter go to voters. Thanks. And anyone >> Seen here in members may proceed to vote. Number president. For minors. A vote of 12 to 0 in the youth member votes. 2026 dash 15 past the body. >> Snow roll back the calendar. Back 2026 Dash 6 and when providing for submission of the qualified voters in this part of actual asked the question, the issuance of not to exceed 1 million, $720,000 of general obligation, bonds spending cuts pay the cost of access Trump routes that yes, state Park Access Service area. There's a nest version that adds the question of an increase municipal tax cap limitation pieces into a patient's may discuss to State Park Access Service area, the election be held. the public hearing the side of snow up in anyone wish her nurse item. Anyone at all. Senior in public has no clothes. That's one of the body. >> Move the s version. >> Motion to approve the S version by Silvers seconded by probably silvers. >> So what the S for Jen does is it contemplates the continued need to. Maintain and operate the cost of projects and so what this does is it at 75,000 to the bond? 2 operate maintain the parking lot, sir, plowing and stuff like that. The restroom and the kiosk. Thanks. >> Thanks. Just want to observe. This one is in a service area. So folks and to get river are in their owns Park Service area. But folks who are not in the regular parks and recs service are also in the process. We've had a lot of discussion also to know we just talked about the problem when you do not plan for maintenance or fixing or repaving or whatever needs to be done with the parking lot. This is planning ahead. Thanks. >> I have a question for the administration. Do we have a sense of the number that makes sense in the context of actually maintaining? There's a high as that low like what's the basis of that number? >> The number is based input from the parks and Recreation Department and what they actually anticipated the expenses would the so that was we used the best information we have available from the experts we have on staff actually manage parks facilities. That's how we reach the number. Thank you. anyone else. >> Mr. Martinez. And just to follow up with The bonds for one time but maintenance operation, our continuing. So what is is there a plan in the future? Are we going to absorb that into the department? Is that is that is the goal. >> I chair to the extent that we have I capital expenses related to the data assets owned by the service area in the future. We could potentially bond for capital expenses in the future. If we have a capital repair, because that's that's the essential the mechanism we have to pay for for assets. Otherwise we'll be using these funds. And 1, one more question. >> Sorry, I'm looking at Page 3. And it's kind of a fiduciary question line 40, is there something missing there? It seems some things missing there. it just for first back to the 100,020 cents per 100,000. An accurate read. Yeah. Okay. I see Mister Fawzi shaking his eyes on me. Really clear that that's the way it reads. Could be a separate phrase, but the 20 senses per 100,000. I think I'm hearing no objection seen. I okay, not comfortable. Thank you. If there's no one else that members may proceed to vote. >> Number president. Number Myers. >> On a vote of 10 to 2 in the youth number of votes. Yes, yes, know, 2026 Dash 6 has passed the body. >> So that takes us to item which we've had number of. People sign up for phone testimony. And sure there are some folks here breaks and testifying. So next, we have item 14 I the final ballot question of the evening. You know, 2026 dash 14, an organ sanctions for somebody providing for the submission of the qualified voters. out of MS of the municipality of Anchorage, the regular election to be held on 4/7/2026. Question of whether to approve a special tax levy for 2026, only dedicated to payment of operational expenses school district. Public hearing on the Snow Open. >> Food fight. Please come forward. number of folks to call. Now's your chance. Welcome, please. can line up here try to Welcome, please. State your name a part of town you're from. You'll have 3 minutes. The microphone is off. There's a little green button. Hello. My name is Robyn struck. I did in South Alaska resident since 1984, an anchor since 1990. >> First thing I want to say is I think all of you for serving and committing yourself to anchors assembly. I know firsthand what it's like. I grew up with the dad dedicated his life to civil service and I know it's not easy. But I do in regard to the proposed levy dedicated operational expenses. I speak with frustration and opposition. Sadly the problems at a St. That they face today are not new. My husband and I raised 2 children here. They went to the public system. We thought about moving them several times. But we decided no, because we believe in public education. Early in the in the in that 2000 there was a call from the community for people to come forward and be on committee because they wanted us to work on a plan to improve our education that we have here in town that our children were receiving. Because I the money we were receiving at the time was out first or second in the whole United States. And our results with 49. Does that sound familiar? Tirelessly? And we came up with so many suggestions. We. Had a lot of operational things that were on the list that we felt like could really provide our children with a better education. We asked the CFO of ASC at the time. What? Some of this money was going to and she couldn't explain it. It was a very frustrating process. And I will tell you the bottom line at this time, our city has been allocating money to a broken system. This is hurt our children, our community and our future. Although the population has declined, it's pretty much stabilize now. Have a broken system that we cannot. the reason that people are leaving as the is not because they're moving Alaska, totally. Okay. And we have to just identify that to be honest about it. So just wonder why this levy is thrown in now at the last minute on the heels of selling out the sales tax. For the sales tax proposition and after your budget and the school budget have been improved. It was very discouraging. I said you 2 weeks ago with the recipe Mr. Gonzales and her use say that we need to do these things on all the buildings and we we need to have this bond on the ballot and we need to pass pay our bills and we need to. Solve the problems later. And I will tell you as a previous business owner that's just like really bad business. That's not a way to solve problems. And I heard you Mr. Constance say that if you have children, you would not send them to Anchorage school district, very discouraged. So I just too much. I ask you was an assembly told. The power of the purse strings that you have and be responsible financial oversight of our school system. I respectfully ask that you proceed. >> Thank you. I'm sorry that that. Thank you for listening. Thank you. >> Welcome, please. State your name. A part of town you're from. You'll have 3 minutes. Thank you. Members of the Assembly. My name is Josh from the coast. And East side encourage. I am here representing the Alaska Libertarian Party has the communications director. Because I've watched people struggle quietly and I've seen how short-term fixes without agency leave people behind. That is the broader context for I'm speaking today. My comments are focused on fiscal responsibility back privatization, transparency and consistency. The mayor's proposed sales was withdrawn, but now it has followed by it by a proposal proposed 12 million dollar education Levy. My concern is not there is there no needs in the city. The concern is how funding decisions being prioritized, unjustified. Last year, this body approved at roughly 12 million dollars. Public safety technology spending, including long-term surveillance camera systems. That spending was framed in emergency level investment at the same time. We appreciate a positive example of restraint when this simply rejected facial recognition software, that decision so respect for public privacy in an ethical limit. What matters to a lot of residents, including me. However, regardless of intended use these Kamber systems collect highly sensitive data across. It's sense that. And across the country, similar shift, similar systems have documented security vulnerabilities. When data is breached, the consequences following the public. Last December meeting on January. Last day that we had this in meeting on January 13th APD issued a press release again, citing those vulnerabilities and those same systems, party's perspective that indicates prior emergency justification has not been fully closed at the end the process. Despite this. Residents are now being asked to support another film and all their liking. Under an emergency brain reusing emergency justification without resolution reflects the last lack fiscal discipline and undermines public trust. Let me be clear. This 12 million dollar Levy is not happening in isolation. Voters already being asked to consider over 65 million dollars. An additional bond proposal. The spring. At some point we have to ask, when does it stop? How Mitt much wouldn't sort? We can't framing every ask is an emergency in second measures long-term planning. This body must recognize the cumulative burden. This levee was also advanced without the level of public process that of the revenue measures have received. There was no sustained work. Sessions know month long public discussion and no comparable time before the public across Alaska, families already facing rising costs, housing, pressure and energy uncertainty. Many young professionals are living paycheck to paycheck and Pham, many families are actively planning to leave. Encourage not because they want to, but because there is no law no longer a long-term project because longer-term trajectory no longer make sense. From the Alaska Libertarian Party's perspective encourages not have a revenue problem that has upended expanding and privatization. Thank you. Thank you. Welcome, Sir. Please state your name. A part of town you're from. You'll have 3 minutes. >> Good evening. My name. Boyd MacPhail. It appears that this ordinance he's been process through charter Section 10, 0, 3, Emergency ordinance. I'd like to read a sentence that is the basis of the process of this ordinance. An emergency ordinance shall contain a finding that emergencies exist. And the statement of facts constitute emergency. After reading ordinance and the mayor's memorandum, I have failed find any finding of emergency. I did not even see the word urgent. One of the issues in the Mares memorandum states that this will help. With overcrowding of classrooms. How can this be? The school district is getting rid of their classroom, ended inventory. By closing schools. Is there some math here? New math that I'm missing. This is far from an emergency. The assembly. Administration and the school district knew of the shortfalls of the BSA from the state back in late April and early summer, the Assembly administration and school district had ample time in which to address this either through the budget process. Or by introducing. An ordinance last summer or early fall, giving the taxpayers time understand. The issue. The Assembly and administration chose not to. It looks to me like December Assembly is either incompetent or willfully wanting to screw over the property tax payer of Anchorage. Along with the massive. Assessment increases. And the property taxes. All I can say is. Is this your way of flipping the taxpayers often say an up yours. I'm here by asking. That one of the members of the assembly. Please place a motion on the floor postpone this vote and give the property property tax payer time to study this ordinance and testify. Without this information on why and where? This money is going to be spent. You have a guarantee that I'll be voting to h***. No. Thank you. Welcome, please. State your name. A part of >> at ask a question of gentleman who just testified. Yes, sir, I'm just curious where where you heard or read that this was an emergency ordinance. I get one minute post of course, yes, please. I have trouble hearing. In this chamber. Would you repeat the question, please? Yes, of course. And that for the record sometimes I also have problems getting in this chamber. I was curious what you share with us where you heard or read that this was an emergency ordinance or this ordinance was introduced an and emergent fashion. Just from hearsay on the on the floor and out. >> In put you know, the general public, I mean, introduced 2 weeks ago, public hearing this week. Vote on it tonight. There's only one process and me charter that allows for something like this to happen. It's tended 0, 3, father. thank you. we can talk about that when we get to the debates. Welcome the other question. thank you. Welcome, please. State your name. A part of town. You're from. You have 3 minutes. >> I'm Cathy Burgoyne and I live in South Anchorage. So thank you, everybody. First of all, for this opportunity to testify, I oppose the 16 million dollars school tax. Also. The ASD needs to spend more wisely. >> To right-size services and concentrate on basic measurable educational improvements. Bottom line is the results don't deserve more money. I also feel like a bait and switch is happening to get some money. Somehow is the message has been changing rapidly. To heck was more typical longer public processes and transparency. I also want to add that I support lawful enforcement of our border and immigration laws. Thank you again for this opportunity. >> Welcome, please. State your name. What part of town you're from? have 3 minutes. >> I told she had a lot more minutes minus the ransom from South Anchorage chair, members of the Assembly. Thank you for the opportunity to speak. I'm here to oppose 2026 deaths. 14. The proposal to place an 11 point 8 million dollar Levy. On the April ballot to cover Anchorage school districts, operational expenses for the 2026 2027 school year. Anchorage property taxpayers are just simply tapped out. Homeowners are ready. Place are already facing massive assessment increases higher utilities, higher cost of living. And now you're asking them to shoulder another 11.8 million. At some point enough is enough. Let me ask a simple question. What is this going to get us? has been overspending for years with little accountability. And every time there's a shortfall, the answer seems to be the same. Go back to the taxpayers. That's not sustainable. And it's just not fair. Real leadership means making hard choices. It means cutting budgets when necessary. Yes, it's going to hurt. But that's reality. Families all across Anchorage have had to tighten their belts. And I think the Anchorage school district should be no different. Please don't pass this responsibility onto already overburdened residents. But putting this levee on the April ballot vote No on 2026. 14. Thank you. Welcome, please. State your name. What part of town you're from? You'll have 3 minutes. >> Kevin Fineman, 36 years Midtown. When I heard I was here 2 weeks ago and then for about 3 or 4 hours at night, then I did here. Mayor LaFrance speak about bringing this forward. And one of the and I was listening with passion. I one of the things she spoke about was really having to make hard decisions going forward. And how has the funds might be drier that certain services may have to be cut or does the hard decisions to be made. And I appreciate that. You said that. But as I kind of drove home and thought about it. I said, you know, the ones to make that decision. Are the assembly themselves. If there's some her decisions to be made. This took body of 12 has staff gets paid a little bit for it and has the background and knowledge to make those hard decisions. What I airlift, France and I hope you can hear me did by by bringing this forward is instead of putting the onus on to the assembly to make a couple of our decisions. She's going to ask 70 or 80,000 taxpayers that they have to go just their budget. Now and they have to knock off some little trip or something they want to buy for their child. A fishing license or some other thing that they normally would have been there. Take budget because the assembly isn't making the hard decision. And I think that the bringing this on to the voters and the voters will have their say. I think it's unfair. I think that this decision and some hard decisions and a little discipline on this body and has that what was mentioned just a moment ago, maybe by the school board themselves. That's where the hard decision needs to be made. That's where the leadership is should be. And I think that's what we vote for when we vote you on. The school board. It's hard to take a serious sometimes when every year the first headline is how many million the budget is out of whack. And I'm wondering after a while. Is it really the money or is that the people on this billboard making those decisions? And you know what? Several of them are, my friends and I deal with and a lot. But when I hear the same squeak of the wheel, every time it goes around. I got to figure out where to go. Put some while. So I really think that and seeing the 3 names already with the mayor kind of makes me a little bit nervous that there's already been some decisions made. And I'm just kind of wondering if they're really going to take the input of what you hear tonight. So I thank you for the opportunity to get to testify. Thanks. Welcome. Please. State your part of town you're from. You'll have 3 minutes. >> You just turn it off. >> As now. My name's Alexia Surat. I'm 16 and I go to self Anchorage High School as a 6 know who had who's not able to vote right now until I turn 18. But these voters you all see right here. >> All of them. Or doing it for me because I can't vote right now. They're making decision. You all have a decision to make for my future for the school systems and for Alaska. And I want to keep this brief in short because I don't know much about this. All I want to ask is where is this money going to? He'll say that. School district says they need more money. We've given so much money to them. Teachers get paid less. Let's face teachers and have bad kids with bad behaviors. They have to deal with. Why is that? Because the parents parents don't deal with her kit enough and teachers don't even get paid to do it. The it paid less and less. So what I'm asking all of these people right now is cannot vote on this, say no. And that's all. Thank you very much. All right. Thank you. >> Welcome, please. State your name. A part of town you're from. You'll have 3 minutes. >> My name is Randal. So and I'm from Chugiak Eagle River. I'm urging you to support and to a 2, 6 dash, 1, 4, with the decision to place this question before the voters forward. And Curtis Public schools have had many years of difficult and painful choices in response to ongoing funding pressures. Schools have been closed, programs eliminated, services reduced grade configuration has been restructured such as moving 6th grade out of elementary middle school and increases in the people. Teacher ratio, many of these choices. We're not because it was necessarily an educational best practice universally supported by the community, but because it was one of few remaining options available to manage shrinking resources. These are not theoretical concerns are warnings about the future, their decisions that have already affected students, families, educators and neighborhoods across Anchorage. Programs which have been eliminated changes which been made and reductions in opportunity for students are difficult to restore once they have happened. Experienced educators leave students receive, fewer supports and communities lose trust in the stability of their schools. This ordinance does not claim to solve the broader structural issues in Alaska's educational funding system. Nor does it provide new or additional taxes outside of the existing levee cap already in charter. What it does offers are responsible. Limited response to a real problem proposed levy as one time targeted and requires voter approval. It's not a permanent tax increase to stop gap intended to prevent few further cuts and stabilize classrooms during a difficult transition Additionally voting yes to move. This ordinance forward is not immediately and to process or finalized the decision. Instead, it kicks off discussion over the next several months when the voters and community can discuss whether they believe that funding for schools a good use of their tax dollars and something that they wish to support or not. Or to a 2, 6 dash. 1, 4, respects the role of the public. It places the direction or the decision directly in the hands of Anchorage voters and asked them to weigh the cost against the consequences at its core. This is a question about whether we continue down a path of erosion or whether we choose at least this year to help offset other increases such as redux reductions and available fund balance, carry forward that the school district has been using for several years to balance multimillion dollar budget deficits. Generally, I do not like the taxes. However, education is one of the few obligations we have is the city's. He me as a community. And I urge you to support this measure as a way to leverage this point. We have decreases in federal and state funding available. Local contribution is an increasingly important element as school funding. And I I ask you to support this. Thank you. >> Thank you. Welcome, please. State your name apart. Attorney have 3 minutes. >> How do Powell of Mercer Committee counsel from? I'm as an individual. I didn't plan to speak on item. But boy, this is a tough with some. so I feel compelled to speak. I know, you know, this is mostly going to fund more teachers and get cross ratios down, which we know improves outcomes and is desperately needed. But one thing I do want to say part of why I'm speaking right now is because I had a foster child in my care for 3 months this summer. He was 16 I but looking out informally for several months prior to him coming in my care. When he came in my care, he has been to school West High school in several months. He had serious substance use issues. You're grappling with the trauma instability of us operate and the way ways in which the state system failed him, we were able to enroll him any bounce, an alternative school for the start of the school year. Director care about a month after school started and are pretty tough circumstances. But several months later, I heard from his grandmother, her said that he had stabilizes life and even made the honor roll. I believe that Benny Benson and Anchorage School district saved his life. You sort. write this least go to voters, but don't just send it out to voters and forget about it. This is a message for everyone, the stylus and especially the administration do some real work to back this up. This is really, really tough topics as I'm sure. You I'm glad you caught the fact that this cap on local contributions is raised and I'm glad you're putting this forward before. This is going to be uphill battle. And I know about that because place where I grew up, we did not pass a school bond for pretty much the entire time that I was in K through 12 education. I lived in wealthy school district and nobody voted for this school bonds because they didn't see the way in which personally benefit of So don't let this happen here. I fear this might be the same fate. So you need to do some real work. I'm sorry. I know you most of you have day jobs for you got to do some real work and especially the administration and have a lot of things on your plate. This incredibly important and we can't just let it fail because people are worried about their property taxes going up. Thank you. >> Welcome, please. State your name. A part of Turner from you'll have 3 minutes. >> My name is Pat Haden. I am an Anchorage school member and I'm here as a member and I want to appreciate the mayor and simply for having this mode and arneson front of you right now. It's critical. funding within the Anchorage school district. We should look at it reasonably. And there's a study done by Pike is sold a minute goes to school district that looked at it and they use the court system lower 48 decisions and is based on classroom sizes for adequate its K through 3rd grades, one to 15 above that one to 25. We have moral duty in K We're looking right now at needing to increase to classroom sizes, spot for. 4 per classroom. And then that cuts what they teach, that classrooms more than others. We're going to be reducing opportunities for kids in line with it when it comes to spend to spend the money within school district. A 5% is spent staff. We spent 33 million on admin that includes school board superintendent finance payroll. It human resources, all of that together, which is a faction of the budget, 6%. So when you look at comparing what we're doing well below the 10%, which a threshold foot non-profit for that amount. So weird. You're not going to cut it in game, but that's what you would have to cut. So we are not spending much outside that. And what we're talking about with this money is I know that I'm committed to putting it back in the classroom. We can't do this. You have to you to these kids. We're losing opportunities with them. We'll having opportunities increase academic outcomes. We can increase graduation rates. We have programs. But the idea that we need to achieve that before we get additional funding, it undermines everything because that's just the opposite. increased classroom sizes until they provide more money. And remember that we're dealing with having trouble hiring teachers and We do with the only state in the country without a defined benefit retirement system. The only state more creek reading to put 2 we could teachers. We're losing more. Last year. We had 90 long-term substitutes because we couldn't hire teachers issue. We're going to have more. I'm appreciate what you're putting in front of you. It's an opportunity that money will go into the classroom. We can help. We do some of the increase with the classroom sizes and we can't help all the kids do what we need to do when when would dramatically underfunded over 80 million dollars? Thank you very much. I really appreciate it. Thank you. Welcome Sir. Please state your name. What part of town from they do have 3 minutes. >> I Backstrom for view. >> And I go, I go over to to speak over for FFA over the school district coaches, Travis Tritt and I quote the Mat-su school district. I speak for FFA, but you know what? I bet I graduate Marcelo 65 kids. In the graduation fast, the schools have came a long way since then. We have a lot better schools now. A lot better crypt sling or land. I had to consider college. wish I had a singular one and high school and they're they're they're really. Changes things. And they're really trying hard. 2 make things better. And I think I would vote for tax. Thank you. >> Thank you. Welcome. But okay, we got a couple more force which the firm welcome. Please take them apart of 10 from left 3 minutes. Kirk are going South Anchorage. I am the product of the S P. There is from my perspective, a lot of misspending. There is room in the budget. If it's budget properly, it looks to me like they're heavy and administration in low on. Thank your teachers. High on improper that work with the structure and building maintenance. Improperly position. Moneys. I'm opposed to taxes. I think they need to spend their money. Moore appropriately. Thank you. Welcome, please. State your name up a 10 year from you'll have 3 minutes. >> I am Sarah Dykstra. I live in Rogers Park and I actually about 15 minutes ago was sitting in my kitchen with my family and decided I'm just going to get my car and get over here because this was really important. I a parent of 2 children in Anchorage school district also a member of Great Alaska schools. I've been on a constant text thread with a bunch of people you're going hear from on their phone. Unfortunately after the harried pick up from school today, many of them couldn't be here in person. So please don't take their absence as not caring, but their home caring for their children who we trust with Anchorage school district every single day. I'm here to get my enthusiastic support for the proposed special tax levy for expenses for the Anchorage School district. Like I said, I'm a parent of 2 elementary age kids and I volunteer with the Great Alaska Schools. Encourage has long supported our public schools by funding to the maximum allowed by the state. And for that, we are very grateful this past year in response to a veto by the governor for increase base student allocation Alaskans from all over this Penn State in many, many here in Anchorage begged pleaded and even hounded are state legislators to override that veto. They heard us and they did it. Because of that increase. We have an opportunity here to have a one-time funding to support our own Anchorage school district to the maximum allowed amount. The district's faces unprecedented cuts this year due to a dried up savings account and a funding formula that has not kept up with inflation. Our students needs this will make a real difference in that budget gap. I know people are worried about bloated administrative costs or other costs that we've heard tonight from testimony. But I'd encourage you to look at the levee. Language specifically says this is dedicated solely to fund teacher positions and student programming. It's right there. Something that so many Alaskan residents are encouraged. Residents can agree on that. They value and we as a community need, we can have a healthy debate over the next couple months about the mayor of this proposal. But I ask you to please allow or community the chance to decide if this is a contribution that they are willing to make and allow the levee to be on the ballot this April, thanks for your time. Thank you. Welcome, please. State your name upon intended from. You'll have 3 minutes. >> Thank you for the opportunity to speak. One thing I do want to say is I genuinely appreciate your service and especially some of the long term assembly members that have been there for some time. I really understand that what you have to do each and every time we have one of these meetings is tough. And I also appreciate LaFrance. She's got a tough job show and a lot on her plate she has you you good folks to help her navigate through that stuff. So I appreciate those things. My name is Bruce Ferguson. I am a lifelong resident of Anchorage. I've been here since 1963 when I brought here at 3 years old, I raised my children here. I went to school here, of course, unfortunately, 2 of my children do not live they were much those that couldn't see the opportunity that was that that they needed in order to do what they want to go to college and do. I will say as a a 10 year veteran of the Community Council. Currently I chair the Hillside Community Council and have enjoyed that process. And I really appreciate the fact that you honor that today with with the resolution. I wanted to share some with you. I am a candidate for assembly but I wanted to share something that I have learned as a part of that process because it was something that I thought I would never really have the opportunity really empathize with that with the taxpayers. I mean, you can think about that and you can say it, but until you're out canvassing and you're listening to those folks, you get general understanding. And one of the things in the 25 to 45, some things that the 2 income families that 2.5 children group. breaks my heart to hear some of their stories is that. As the as a Trump property tax burden increases. We're breaking those people's backs. I mean, that's the majority. That's not in this room. That's the people that are out working all the time. They're trying to raise their kids. I'm not speaking against the Anchorage school district, but I think the Anchorage school district has a lot of issues in regard to their budget that they need to test are addressed directly. I leave that in your good hands because it is it is a difficult decision. I do say that one of the things that you hear from that same group is that it's really hard to trust the assembly. It's really hard to trust the mayor because of the decisions that come out of the that come out of this in closing. I just want to thank you again for this opportunity to speak with you and I appreciate it. Thanks. Mr. Van has a question for Bruce, I have a question for you. >> Yes, just to be clear your testimony, I had a little bit of trouble. You do or do not support putting this special tax levy before voters. >> I I do not support it as a tax levy. You know, one of the things that the constituents of stepped out South Anchorage has made clear it's not the amount of money. It's not the fact that it's that it is the fact that it's a levee. So it's not out of the tax cap. It is a fact that they all agree on. One thing is they want ASD to be successful, but I don't think they have the proper accountability. I don't think they have that kind of thing in their good nature. And it's just. I'm sorry. That's part of the deal. Thank you for your answer. Appreciate it. Here. Welcome, Sir. Please state name. from. You'll have 3 minutes. >> Thank Alexander was Allison. I'm coming from Eagle River. So I first started getting involved about a couple years ago and it was with school spending. So I had some safety concerns productivity. Concerns from the district with my 2 daughters that we're actually going to ASD schools. So I started speak out against, you know, just throwing money at a problem. Yeah. saw the same people that are going to be here today. Speaking on. We just need to spend more money, spent more money. There's no accountability for it. We can hear that from the school board members that are saying the same thing. The education task force that's going. Alaska legislation. They're also saying the same thing. There's no accountability. So but I want to make sure is that. Coming years of that and a veteran spent 20 years in the Air Force. We have one of the highest concentrations of veterans here in Alaska. A lot of us stay here. Want to stay here. Want to live here. We're getting out tax. It's getting harder to live. We're having decide if we want to pay for food. To an education system. That's last in the country. tried to write some things down, but I just want to try to speak up for those actual veterans. Because they're not going to be here. You know, we've got over 44,000 that are on base. They're all over the city. It kind of feels like this is just a special levy to put something on the ballot to where we can just throw money at something. You know, don't put it on there because we all know only 25% of the and courage is going to show up and actually vote. You guys know that guys have been through the process. And all that when he's going to go towards those that want to live here long term. And it's going to push veterans of their homes. Not today, not tomorrow, but eventually it will. And so if continue to overspend. Those are the kinds of people that you're going to hurting. People like me that one overseas 6 times. But my hand up. To come back home. And be out taxed. That's not fair. needs to be across the board. Everybody spending the same. Not just homeowners. So please consider what you're voting on today. And do the right thing. Thank you. >> All right. Welcome, sir. Please state your name. What part of town you're from? You'll have 3 minutes. >> My name is Kevin Padilla and good evening chair and members to similar appreciate the opportunity to My wife and own a home in the Sand Lake area. And vote. So I'm here to speak in opposition some of the item 2026. 14 proposed 12 million dollar tax Levy for school operating expenses. I want to be clear at the outset, this is not opposition to education, teachers, students, strong schools matter to all of us. But supporting education is it's not being approving every tax increase without sufficient justification, transparency and accountability. First residents are already under significant financial pressure. Property taxes, utilities, insurance and basic living costs continue to rise. For families, seniors and fixed it on fixed incomes and small Another levee, especially one of this size is not sustainable. When government asked for more must clearly demonstrate that every existing dollars being used efficiently. And that case has not been convincingly made here. Second of this proposal lacks clear detail on how the 12 million dollars spent and measured operating expenses, broad category. Before approving a new taxes. The public deserves specific information. programs are affected. What outcomes will be will improve and what cost controls are in place without defined benchmarks and accountability. There's no way to evaluate whether this Levy will actually deliver results. 3rd, there's not there has not been enough expiration of alternatives. That includes internal cost savings, administrative efficiencies. Prior to ishan within the existing budget or fees to approaches that reduced immediate her. That reduce immediate impact on taxpayers. Levy should be at least should at least resort. Should be a last resort. I'm sorry. Levy should be a last resort. Not the first solution. I also worry about the precedent this sets if we continue to close funding gaps primarily to tax increases, we normalize a cycle of places. The burden and residents rather than demanding long-term structural solutions. In closing, respectfully urge the assembly to vote no on this item. 2026 14 or at a minimum delay action until there is greater financial transparency, clear performance measures ministry for to pursue alternatives. Her community values, education. We also value fiscal responsibility and public trust. Thank you for your time. >> All right. We're going will go ahead and do one more in the room. Before we turn to the phone. Welcome, please. State your name. A part of town have 3 minutes. >> Hi, there's assembly members. Thank you so much for the opportunity to speak today. My name is subpar person. It and I am deeply honored to serve as missile last cat. I was born and raised right here in Anchorage to the daughter of immigrant parents who believed and public education as a foundation for opportunity. As a result of their sacrifice. I stand here is a product. Anchorage school district. And as someone who wants every child in the city to have that same chance. Tonight's vote is about giving Anchorage voters. The choice on April 7th to decide whether our community should invest anyone here. Levy dedicated to operating expenses for ASD. The proposal would generate up to around 12 million which ASD leadership believes could help reduce forecasted class size increases and support teaching positions. A tangible difference in our classrooms, if approved by our local voters. Asd is protecting an 80 million deficit for the next school year, even after the recent state increase to the base student allocation inflation and flat rate flat state funding. Excuse me over the past decade have eroded school purchasing power and left districts across Alaska, including our district right here in Anchorage and a structurally difficult position. This Levy is not meant to fix the entire funding challenge, but it certainly can help protect jobs, reduce class sizes and safeguard essential services. Last 8 leaders work on longer-term solutions. The average property owner, what this Levy would see an estimated cost of about $27.40 per 100,000 dollars in assessed value. If voters approve it. And in my very personal opinion in modest community-focused contribution towards supporting our schools, our kids and Alaska's encourages few check. I think what we're really talking about tonight is focused on democracy and choice. Your deciding whether to let the people courage to site. It's about whether the next generation of Anchorage students will walk into classrooms with manageable class sizes and enough teachers to support their learning. Just as I it. I very respectfully ask you to advance 2026 Dash 14 so voters can have their voice on April 7th. 40 more seconds on the clock. So I have the mic. going talk to so as as the daughter of immigrants, I was very, very lucky to be born here as a U.S. citizen and had access to our public school education system there. I was lucky enough and Lake Elementary to have a bilingual teacher that brought and not only my parents that couldn't speak English, but parents across multiple link which is still that way. They could have a sense of belonging and and states and my education. I see as my responsibility to help them while they're working to learn more about this and vote with their voices to thank you so much. All right. We'll go ahead and start with the fullest. Well this is Brent. >> Good evening, Mr. Hubert somebody taking testimony 14. I which 2026 Dash 14. Please state your name apart from you'll have 3 thank you. Chairman Constant run-ins pressure Uber. >> Testifying today, State director for the groups, Americans for Prosperity, Alaska. I'm sorry. I guess like to focus my testimony tied for storm process. I like a lot of other people. I think are frustrated that we're dealing with Of the late on the table item. We're going to make to participate. Difficult weather, scant discussion. To me. It became obvious that the 12 million dollars was available head room when the legislature passed a BSA increase. So became more obvious up on Override the governor's veto. Since you've gone through a school district cycle of budgeting. It's gone through the assembly budget under review and adoption of the school district. And no discussion was had with the public about this 12 million dollars, its availability, its use its efficacy. None. And now it's going to be for us tonight. Regardless of testimony are sure pass. As today is the they can still write the ballot. I think that's a disservice to courage. I think there's a lot of interest, a lot of. Frustration around the current property tax evaluation notices and property tax general. I think. And Chris Polk about the sales tax generally. But I do. We feel about our city government. It's funded effort to see. I think this is another move that goes around process. And provides 12 million dollars without specific direction. Without specific purpose. And with that specific accountability, we have to quit spending money that way. We have to become more inventive. I'm happy to have the school discussion and share with us. Please point of view when we have that opportunity tonight. It's about attack called the levees. I oppose because of a storm process oppose it for the reasons that I started to see very I oppose it because it's helping you You have the trust of the public and the voice of people in your decisions. And I think that's a disservice for the city. I appreciate the opportunity to testify tonight. look forward continue to engage in this process as time moves forward. Thanks so much for your time and for your work. This >> Thank Move on to the next caller. >> this >> call for Theodore by. >> Well, number of not able. a number thank you. Mom of Which one is that? No, that's fine, Mr. Williams. Welcome back over time, it's I yeah. Okay. ♪ Right? Sorry. This is anger. Some calling for Mr. Lamb for taking testimony. I'm 14 2026 Dash 14. Please state your name. A part of town from you'll have 3 minutes. >> Yes, Mister Williams, thanks for taking the time to share my testimony. With regards to the bond package for the special Levy for the school district. This seems like a fundamental accounting trick. To School district has their own budget. It's a bit concerning that we have to put out for another bond for them. Which schools are we going to be 16 or saving? With this money? Will there be any standards are metrics applied for results in the education? Maybe an increase They reading proficiency. Or a mathematics proficiency. I would like to see it tied to performance. As well. The on going which compounding fraud. Of the bond package is a problem. Anchorage has to stop transitioning. The liabilities of their balance sheet to the average homeowner. And that's all my testimony for this Please don't call me back for any the remainders all save my testimony for future dates. >> All right. Can we please call the next individual? >> hello, good evening. This call for a funeral by this Anchorage Assembly calling to contest one, especially for Anchorage school 2026. 14. Please state your name. A part of town you're from. You'll have 3 minutes. >> the interim, by And I live here in Anchorage and >> I a question on taxation that's going to happen. Presented. My question news. I know there are some places with in Alaska elder years that that within that community that are residential, they card. For when they go out shop or eat or whatever. And I'm wondering if the Anchorage has ever considered something like that for held the program within the Anchorage area human. For that municipality area. That was my question. And I cut and Alaska have been very successful with. Everything. them card for 65 and older. just think 65 and older there are a little break. whatever happens when it comes to taxation. And that was my only concern. And that's all I wanted to talk about and prevent. >> Thank you. We call month left. Good evening, Mr. Mcloughlin Anchorage Assembly calling on 2026 Dash 14. Please state your name a part of town. You're from. You have 3 minutes. >> Thank you, chair. My name is Francis McLaughlin. I live east Anchorage. I'm a proud father of a 4th grader at Scenic Park Elementary Mandarin immersion and a 6th grader middle school. Mandarin immersion. She Park Elementary and Begich medal are terrific neighborhood schools. I wouldn't send my daughter's anywhere else on. These are great neighborhood schools with awesome, dedicated and skilled teachers. >> My daughters are receiving a great education, which eternally thankful for. >> Public schools are a core government service like roads, road maintenance, fire in fire police and fire service libraries parks and trails keeping up with inflation which we all know it exists is one of the best ways to economic stagnation and population loss and encourage. Thank you to the mayor and the assembly who understand that's sponsored this ordinance and support school district. It's just so important. Thank you. >> Thank you. As friend. >> And you your own. Good Utah. >> Good evening. This call from make somebody for. >> hear you, a lot. I hear you at all. >> Okay. It right Good evening. This is the Anchorage Assembly calling taking testimony on 2026 Dash 14 calling for Mister to Masi. Please State your name a part of town. You're from. You'll have 3 minutes. >> Ok, Thomas? Tomasic of it. You guys know I am hard of hearing real depth. So if I'm shouting at you, I don't mean to. >> Go ahead, sir. >> Ok, my 3 minutes or start now. >> Yes, go ahead. >> I'm sorry to do it all to you. But we have an issue here. I always a prop to downtown reports runners who street. We solicited by your people. Everybody first construction to use by property upgrade the Forest Avenue. Sidewalks. Very worst time. You property I've been you know, for 6 years. To try to get property fixed the sidewalk is separated from my iPad. My front door. New users. Good form and they're seeing You have one of 7 remember that event you have to where this and I still can't get anybody to fix everything. Why is that assembly? Why can I get a good? We're charging taxes as special assessments on something that failing. I don't get it. And I have all my documentation. And then you guys were around multi-million dollar trillion against me and a judge denied committed fraud. I have not committed any fraud to get The family construction if fraud has been committed is done by you, people by human property started a contract, you will be my property and the same condition or better. There. get anybody to help I have been dissenters. I've been governor's. I have been a congressman and I've been to my representative. It seems nobody wants to talk. Why some it. Please explain to me. Everybody on that. As someone explain to me. >> Serwer taken testimony on 2026 Dash you're taking testimony already. You might after those of the new damage. >> You're not going to You can't raise my taxes on something that you damage. Coming up next for damage and will be born. Have to My taxes went the damaging effects and what your sidewalk fixed. there's station out there, please get all of me because this getting out to be bowl big-time bowl. We're heroes. dreamy. Did you guys the gracious my heart all my use my property and you guys damage walk away from it. And then what really gets my goat on this As you offered me settlement. To take him out. So what if you to fix the sidewalk? You refused negotiate a sidewalk with some readers or something underneath that you don't want nobody to see. There's something going on here, people it needs to be. And he's investigated by somebody that is neutral and find out why I can't get anywhere and get this thing fixed. Yes, I know those structural engineer reports. I have all the videos I have. Pictures. I had witnesses. I have it all. But I'll be d***** if you guys are going use me a fraud that is not going to happen. >> Thank you, Sir. Your Time's. I remember throughout you guys have a nice day now had planned get it fixed. >> Can we move on to the next? Speaker? Good evening. Mis Kar the same. Something taken testimony on 2026 Dash 14 special Levy for St. Welcome, please. State your name part of town from you'll have 3 minutes. >> Hi, my name is Polly Carr. I live in South Anchorage and I'm here to testify in support of 2026 14. I'm a proud parent of a student at West High School and I'm sorry, I couldn't be there in person, but I playing frogger on the way home with my daughter and I just dug out our driveway. In the past month, 2 of my daughters, teachers have asked parents to help pay for copies books to students need to read an app to help pay for classroom supplies. That happens often. She's not the consistently experience large class sizes for a few years, which is happening to so many of our students throughout the district, teachers believe and funding continues to fall short. For over a decade. The state legislature has failed to adjust school funding to account for the actual cost of running our school. Alaskans have advocated for adequate based allocation, including myself for years. But despite an increase in 2025, our schools are still thinking a gap. In recent years. Anchorage has used local funds and budget reserve in an effort to fill that gap. It was not a new precedent. Our city has shown a longstanding commitment to public education by Ackman them out allowed by state funding cap. And it's a chance to do that. The 26 27 school year. For every in property value Levy would add less than $30. One time. To help fill 83 million dollar gap at budget. approved by voters, the Levy could generate funds to hire 90 teaching position and the class sizes are desperately needed. I want to applaud the mayor and family members for your courageous leadership in taking on issue directly and attempting to put a solution forward that could be an investment in our job. Our schools, our kids, and our future. And I ask you to support this ordinance and make the decision tonight to offer the champ for robot community conversation about a critical community. Yes, you let's that and let the Anchorage voters decide. In April. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> How you reach The DA can't we get to the fun right now? But if you leave your name number. >> Good evening, sacred. Something calling. We're taking testimony 2026 Dash 4 please state your name. A part of town or from you'll have 3 minutes. >> My name is Chaka Allograft. I'm opposing 2026. 14. I would also like to thank the family for letting people sign up to call him at the last minute due to weather. I appreciate that. Thank you. >> I and having trouble with the language. It says that the voter approval for proposition authorizes for. 800,000 of assessed property value in the municipality of Anchorage based on the estimated total for 2020 estimated valuation in the municipality and everybody is. Highly controversial. Controversial tax assessments so we have 4 neighborhoods better than be assessed for average in their tax, a valid the valuation for their property. And that is the mechanism that you're going to be using 2. Levy. For ordinance. And I did. don't think that is appropriate. And I think it's really irresponsible to be using. Data. Most likely incorrect and it's a burden for property owners. So again, I opposed just I don't think tax assessments are are correct. And that's what you are using to levy. So thank you for letting me call in tonight. I appreciate that. And again, I oppose 2026. 14. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Hi. If you record your name and reason for calling. I'll see if this park. >> We try number 7 again, one more time. >> If you record your name and reason for >> All right. We'll move to the last one. >> Hi, this Paul. >> Mr. Macdonald, Anchorage Assembly taking testimony on 2026 Dash 14. >> All right. Thank you. Check on And the family members taking the call, but trying to make it in and then the need to get out to to quickly. whole of got to I have 4 kids here to topic of school funding really important to me as an educator. Also one of my core responsibility Bentonville commuters t around complex issues. I used to do that by teaching physics. But the information that I've noticed hearing some of the voices from behind the D A has led me to testify about Instead. I want address misinformation about a lack of education policy landscape. >> Here are 3 of the that I've been hearing tonight about levee proposal. And from from behind the dancing well. Myth number members of claims that this Levy is needed to set that aided by a 17 million dollar wage increase. That's what they call the national Educators Association. That fall. This number 2. I've also been told that this is a bait and switch to what they're calling jail tax proposition and then off to public process. Though they're also fall. And miss number 3. I'm hearing many claim that the increased funding will not improve student outcome once again fall and that the teacher think it's my duty to to correct when facts are out order. But 3 simple response. First, this levee move forward as soon any expert could determine how much municipality with allowed to contribute to school. family members will recall that the state Board of Education postponed the final decision under local funding ordinance and so well into the fiscal year. As a result, no accountant could confirm the allowable local contribution until very, very recently. Secondly, supporting educators with locks and issue for assembly. A robust public process is always good. But this year's discussion about school funding with certainly a friend. Just same findings every previous news discussion. >> It's simple. Our schools your support. ordinance is fully justified under emergency terms as we let the voters reaffirmed commitment again. And 3rd, the main fact of the matter is that our school system isn't broken. Its enduring the political strangling from the administration in Juneau, investing and educators isn't a bailout. It's a recognition. >> Of how a stable workforce for our teacher guarantees the future of our whole community. So as an education policy expert, I won't my family members or his lack of knowledge about school funding and to proceed. After all, he's not the expert. And it really is very complicated. Thank you, Greg >> out of time. Thank Thank you. So is there anyone else who wishes to be heard? We I think we have an alternative for number. you give it to the clerk from that one person who we couldn't get through to? Colin last Thank all today. Good evening mistress, Anchorage Assembly, taking testimony 2026 Dash 14. Please state your name. A part of town you're from. You'll have 3 minutes. >> My name is Ashley Gas. I am from Eagle River and I just really encourage funding of to go through because need to public education and our no more support that we have better sports that we can provide. Perkins and know our kids are our future. how can we say that a cutter future for not willing to fund supports that they need? I'm just really encourage that to continue. And I appreciate the time being taken. >> Thank you. Miss Anyone else wish to be heard tonight. none public hearing on the side of a snow closed. What's on the body move to prove second? Motion to approve by Mister Rivera. Seconded by. Mr. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think there might be point of information. >> Yet played information. I believe we might have one additional person who got a confirmation to testify and was not contacted. >> We called everyone except that one broken number. Okay. All right. Thank you. All right, Mr. Mayor. Great. Thank you. Chair. >> we have a couple of amendments. And so I'll give some remarks. Before we dive into that. >> You know, a little over a year ago. >> On this diocese, as we were. >> Debating putting the tax proposal that members all tonight. >> Had about 4 to this body to bad I said to the voters. All right. So there won't be any tax proposal in 2025, but hear me now the year from now, there's going to be some type of tax initiative on the ballot. And then imagine that it would be this cross my mind at all. Thankful. That the mayor has brought this forward and totally support. The mayor's efforts here. The state has frankly left us holding the bag. So here we We as a body as a municipality, have supported the school district. 2. 100% of the local allowed contribution. For as long as I can remember. Well, before I got elected on this body. In 2017. So this gives us an opportunity to continue that proud tradition. And we do that because we know that education is the great equalizer in our society. >> If you take every single social ill. Education is the silver bullet for all of them. This is a one time Levy. Push that this be a one-time levy because the state not be looking to encourage taxpayers. All the time to fill that bag. going to be here on the body year from now, but certainly I hope. that. A year from now had asking and kuz taxpayers for another one time. And because that will mean that the state has failed its job. And we can't afford that any longer. The couple of process things that came up during testimony. The first is. Laid on the table. Versus emergency ordinances. So I Folks are probably looking up things in code. So I'll give you all to code citations and encourage folks to go look at those because those will really clearly delineate what is laid on the table mean and what does emergency ordinance mean? So the court, the site for laid on the table, too, 0.35 2.30, 3, 5, B that that details what laid on the table means. And the site for emergency ordinance is actually in our charter charter Section 0, 3, There was no breaking in the process or doing anything abnormal with laying this item on the table. fact, it really wasn't land on the table. Just introduced at our last meeting for second 3rd. And can do that at any given meeting. And seeing that we had the deadline of today. To get something on the ballot, that is what we decided to do was lay that on the table, introduce it and our last meeting and now we're taking it up. So I just want to encourage folks to who are interested or confuse between all these different terms, which I get it. It's a lot laid on the table. Emergency ordinances. Resolutions, all of these things just look into that a little bit. The last thing I'll say there was a comment that was met me by one of a long time constituents, which I really appreciate which the sponsors of the that hope that you are listening and I will say with that we haven't precip presupposes our vote. Typically if you are have your name on ordinance, then. Probably can't presupposes that person is in support of that idea. But it does not mean that that person is not listening. I have crafted many in ordinance over the years. Listen to the testimony and mean many an amendment based on the testimony. So just want encourage folks, even though my name is is on this. I 100% support sending it to the voters that I have listens to. All of the testimony today. That's Thank you. Thank you, Yeah, thank March air of Kercher Amendment one. Motion to second. >> Seconded movements. Kercher, seconded by Mr. Johnson comes Kercher. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> So I've heard from a lot of constituents a little bit concerned about the actual language itself. Maybe just a little bit of confusion. I do suspect that when ballots go out and people are sitting down looking at their ballots for the very first time, they're going to be reading this going with the house is actually safe. What is worse is money actually coming from? Is this a recurrent thing? got another another property tax increase. So what I'd like to do is add some clarifying language specifying yes, this is a this is a property tax increase and specifying explicitly only in 2026. not a reoccurring thing so that no voters when they open it up and maybe that is are confused about how often this is going to be coming out of their pockets. That said that said amendment and yes, that shelf questions. >> on the Amendment Mrs. Anyone bright. amendment. Thanks. >> Yeah. And I know this was discussed or at least it was it was brought introduction and in the work session that we less frightening as it was. I guess. couple questions to the sponsor and wondering, you know, as I look through this, I see the language is at its U.S. 2026. Only I see one time dedicated those purposes. Only I get it. I see 2026 only in the title, I should say. And the underlying item. So I guess is a look at each of these pieces that are being put in. It seems to be basically redundant from what's already there. So I guess I'm just trying to understand. I understand the point of clarity, but there's also the point of brevity. And this is a attacks item. And I'm just looking at the language of our other ones. of course, this doesn't list out the way on wood. >> But I think it's typical language. 2. To say real and personal property, which is already here. So I guess I'm just curious what the differences are like. What is the material difference here that we're voting on? >> I don't think you can ever overdue clarity when were sent something out to the entire population. I think that it's it's a confusing thing. It's a lot of people, you know, they don't they don't live and breathe this stuff like we do. And we wanted to be explicitly clear as possible in as many places as possible. And that's that's that's the thought process. Is it a little redundant? A little bit. But we want to be explicitly clear. >> Okay. Thanks. And can you also speak to the purpose of adding the word taxable in there because that seems to be the only difference. And I guess confused by. If there was any assumption or worry, I guess that that we would be doing this in a way that's different than all other property tax assessment and determination of taxes and tax exemptions. >> Yep, reshape the question again. Just >> over. Overdoing it on the redundancy for clarity sake. That everybody understands this is only going to be. On anything that they're on there. Taxable property again, for the sake of just. >> Thanks. I guess I have some concerns about the idea that we would overdo it in the ballot language I'm struggling to see kind of what this how this is additive. Thanks. Anyone else on the amendment. >> members proceed the Mr. Martinez, thank you. Just quick question. Thank you, Mr. Cooper for the Amendment. To the to the idea doesn't see or over clarification. Property special property tax Levy versus special tax Levy. What other type of taxes Dewey Levy. So that I could distinguish the difference as well. >> Mr. great question and someone like you and I spent a lot of time looking at this. We would understand that the Erie, I'm saying this is for the voter, maybe doesn't have any idea what other kinds of taxes might be out there. So it is explicitly clear that understand exactly where this for these factors coming from. >> In the spirit of brevity members may proceed to vote. >> Mr. Meyers on the for amendment number one. Under pressure due. >> I vote of 7 to 5. The amendment has passed. And the member votes. All right. version Q. >> Yes, I'd like to move amendment number 2. >> One of information, Mr. and ice off the floor. We'll circle back. Ok? Thank you, I'm sorry. Months being on the mikes on. I'm just going to go through the order amendment. So we just want to 3. It's cleaner and easier for the clerk. So, yeah, we will not comeback >> I'd like to move amendment number 2. >> seconded by sprawling the >> So what amendment number 2 is it does is it inserts whereas language that we the assembly recognize that parents and teachers are concerned with growing teacher to student ratios. I personally am concerned with them. My one of my children started school this year in elementary school classroom with 38 students. And in. So it's very concerning thing. And so then it goes on to say it is the intent of the assembly that this one-time levy, if approved by voters. >> Will contribute to better educational outcomes and higher teacher attentions to decrease in class sizes. So I think it's just really saying that, you know, we hear you. We hear the concerns that you have with the class sizes. We hear the concerns that you have with some of the spending and we would really like to direct it where it really, really matters for educational outcomes. And this language isn't binding on the school board, but this kind of put the ball in their court and say this is how we intend for you to spend the money. And, you know, they can choose to take that or leaf that, but hopefully that that is how they will choose to follow the intent of the assembly when putting this on the ballot. >> Thank you, Mr. I appreciate the desire to be responsive to some of. The input that we've heard from the public, particularly around class sizes. I guess I just haven't seen similar language. Sort of. You know, 1, 1, when we made our local contributions in the past. 2, the school district's budget. Directing was pecent specificity. They understand this is a whereas and this is stating. Intent us more request than anything. But and I'm wondering if we could get. Maybe a little bit information. And I think Mister Chair, if you don't mind because I think you'd be well suited to answer this. You know, normally when do our local contribution. either there's even a process when when don't really direct line item, the school district's budget, it sort of lead that that have with this comport with that typical process. Now, if speaking about the amendment, this one before Smith's overs amendment, this does nothing to that because this is intent. Language. >> And so when we come to the next amendment, I will speak very specifically to that question. And so I think that your question is really germane to the next amendment and not this one because on where a statement intense statement. It is not binding language. And so it doesn't affect whether or not they do this or that. It's germane to the debate hall, but not to this item. Okay. yeah, I do think about this little bit more, but I appreciate that. >> Look to the Q. Thank you. Mister Chair. And also amendment. It's just you. their friend is the intent of the assembly that this one-time Levy. I think I'm thinking, I'm gonna let it go for now. All right. Based on the campus ours. >> I guess I just maybe try to answer some of the I don't Concern. I think that, you know, because we've not done intent language, maybe like this in the past, doesn't mean that we can't do that now or in the future again, it's not binding. And so I think that, you know, it's just kind of saying that. This is really what we'd like to see the money spent on. I also think that something like adds a little bit of accountability and it adds little bit of notice to the public that, you know, we do intend for the money to go to a certain purpose. And I think that that can bring a little bit more support. >> I'll take just one more crack. That's I think I'm disinclined to support this amendment again. I understand it is just an 10 language n. Non-binding, but the opportunity before us. Make this additional contribution. I think for my part. My standpoint is and has been and will likely into the future for as long as I'm doing. This job is just I want to support making the Max local contribution to the school district. I also have trust in the in the district and the school board that they are going to be. Why stewards of those funds. And so. Yeah, this I understand why. This coming for now. Maybe a little bit. I want to confusing, but may be surprising to the public but this window opened up because the administration realized, hey, you know, this, the the increase in the BSA actually allows us. You know, we thought we were making that Max little contribution has normally do. But and now we can. And this is a vehicle for that. Yeah, I guess for my part, I want to you know, allow the elected school board and and also allow the school district 2. Manage their own budget. You know, I don't. When I'm out on the speaking Mr. Chairman. Thank you. members may proceed to vote. Number Myers. >> Remember, President? now? >> On a vote of 10 to 2 in the youth member votes. Asked, >> You Mr. Chairman Kercher Amendment 3. Motion to amend by Musk your career. Her second. That's okay. Misma car seconds. Thank you, Mr. During the work session on Friday. This is a this is a New amendment that came out of a response of the work session on Friday. >> Repeatedly from a St that. That, yes, the school board gets to decide where the money's going to go. They can move anybody around her. They need to. And that's not actually the intent of what I read and this ordinance. response to that, I do want to end in support of the amendment. We just passed. I do want to introduce this language that makes it explicitly clear to the school district that this is what this money would be used for. If it is approved by the voters so that when the voters can approve this second approve this with with confidence that this is where that money will actually go to because I have. I do not have something that Mr. Bolland has in the school board, which is any sort of confidence and the way that they're going to use this money to be completely candid. And so that what this does is, as like I said, limiting language stand that this will be used exclusively to support teacher or new teacher positions and direct student. Learning outcomes. And also that this probably ever happened in the history of tax levies. If there's any unused money, it gets kicked back to the voters as a rebate. And it also requires something that I think that we desperately need, which is accountability and oversight of these funds. From the school district quite a few different fashions and the work session on Friday. That there was not. know this is you can give us the money. We're into it. We're not wallet. And so this said this would also require them to report out on 2 separate occasions where the money is that how it's doing what programs and actually went for positions actually supported. This is measure accountability. I think that we we need to see any new sort property tax increase that we're sending out there. I do see a lot of people in the queue. So back. Thank you. >> Thanks. I just saw this amendment tonight and first I'd heard about it and I was surprised because on first blush, it definitely does not look like it comports with our charter. after speaking with the attorneys, I recognize that there's been some major threading of some very fine. You do see some very tiny holes. Get to the point where the miss. But turning agrees that this is at least a question subject to the discretion of the assembly. And why is that Mr? On asked the question, do we have a policy that says we don't specifically line item direct expenditures of the minutes of the school district. It's the school district's job that's in our charter. We can increase the amount we can decrease the amount we can approve the amount they asked for. But we cannot tell them spend. So that's in the charter. So the attorneys doing what they do and support of their client worked really hard to find a path and the path they found was that the argument as well. This isn't the assembly. It's the voters. So now I find a flaw in that argument. And here's the flaw that I find If this were a voter initiative, I believe the Constitution would bar the question. The question would not be allowed because ultimately the voters cannot authorize the expenditure. And so we have 2 points. Both of us tell us if it were the assembly, then we cannot suggested how to spend it or direct specifically been suggest we cannot directly. Saying it must be spent this way. That's hand. On the other hand, the voters can't ask this question. And so there's that theory very, very fine point in between. >> That someone say, yes, this could be adjudicated and probably we could win, judges to a judge's to the course of the courts our job. It's our job to ask a question. And so for my part. I think that line too narrow for me to get behind. And my position is that I am going to support the school district and their capacity to make the decisions in which they have the full authority under our charter and the full blessing under our community. They have been elected and my personal support. And so for my part, I understand what's come from and that's not withstanding the whole question about how would a refund work? Because here 2026 once the levee is paid, probably the same day the final payments are made. Somebody died. Some of these no longer a taxpayer. They've moved and they will not get the money back. That is subjected proposed to be refunded. So it isn't a rebate or refund. It's just a payment out of money, too. Some set of people in the future who are not the people who actually paid maybe for the large majority they would be. But for sure, it's not the same set of people because by the time that final of the hits, the bank. The people have changed, can't cross the same river once and so I think that it's good spirit of this. But for my part, I can't get behind it because our charter says we cannot direct the school district how to spend and the state constitution says voters can't. And therefore, this question feels like it's a little bit of a step over both of those lines. And instead I want to support the school district. If this makes it to the voters. >> Thank I guess this one raises a couple questions for me. In addition to Mr, Constant identified. And I'm also kind of digesting this in real time. I do understand the desire for instruction. I mean, I think just to be real, we're talking about an 80 plus million dollar deficit and this would feel less than 12 of that. So realistically, this is similar to conversations we had with the legislature about the grant funding that they very generously gave us to run the shelter. And we said this is not going to run the shelter for very long, but it will help in this period that we really need it. And so the idea that there would have been at extra money out of the 4 million for a facility that takes, you know, at least 8 million very resource intensive, very person intensive because it's helping people and it's running a facility full of people so so the idea that there would be extra I think, is might set up a false expectation. And I guess a question that I had more specifically on that. I appreciate the point about the timing that someone moves and they're not here in 2027 that they would not receive the benefit. But is question to the sponsor is the intent that this would only that benefit would only be paid to homeowners or is there a way that that it would also be paid to renters because their landlords pay the tax directly. They pay the tax indirectly. Of course, that's been said many times. But I I have no confidence that the rebate check would flow back to the voter necessarily if they do not already on the property. >> Yeah. Thank you for the question. Member Brawley. The intention is function by any other property rebate. And so, whatever, whatever, whatever looks like. No, I don't believe that flows directly to the renter. And that said it would go to the property owner. >> Yeah. to my knowledge, there's not I'm not aware of any precedent for this, at least in this municipality. And again, I would be very worried that even if even if it was possible that there would you know, even $5 left and we all got a penny or something like that. That that it would actually go back to all of the voters. And I think that the disconnect between those who own property and those who don't, even though we all pay property taxes somehow, I think that would. Created additional in equity and I think it would set up false expectations. Thanks. >> Just to fight just tag onto that. Really quick number. Probably. Like I said. at the top, I don't expect there's going to be any money left over just if there's happens to be a pot of money left over somehow for some whatever bizarre, crazy reason there is that that it addresses that. But I hear >> We might spend more in postage sending checks that we would. Checks to people. The >> I like the spirit of this amendment. I have some concerns with that one concern I said it's pretty narrow. I think, you know, when I know is going for a little bit more broad, reducing class My other concern newly created classroom teacher positions and using one time funds to do that. And so you use one time funds to do that. How do you continue those teaching positions after those funds are gone. So that's a big concern. And then I my final concern with this is just what is the administrative and cost burden thing us a polity of like returning $200 to the taxpayer or, you know, whatever figuring out what that would be. And then returning that. And so I just I think that there's an administrative and cost burden there that maybe we haven't thought about. So I like the spirit of it, but I will not be supporting Thank you. >> As well today. Yes, on the amendment. Thank you. Chair. I think when I look at this levee proportionally to the proposed. Cost of teacher salaries that we saw. And in our in our joint meeting with Anchorage School board as the school board. In December. It seems quite clear to me that 11.8 million dollars will. Well absolutely be. Necessary to cover the cost. Maybe just a fraction of the cost of that of the 2 teaching positions that ASD currently And so I'm I'm for my part. A completely unconcerned about whether or not 11.8 million dollars going to be fully spend. Absolutely. Well. And secondly, I think to demand an accounting of that when we know that far more than 11.8 million dollars is going to be spent. Classroom teacher positions. In the 2026, 27 school year, sort of renders this requirement moot. We we know that that much money will be spent. Anything would be a very different. I would have a very different posture. If 11.8 million dollars was in excess. If we didn't already know that several 100 million dollars were going to be spent on teacher salaries. But that's the reality. And so I'm I'm disinclined add an additional layer of administrative burden and reporting burden when. Just based on the proportion of the budget as it currently exists. 11.8 mill million will be swallowed by. The classroom teacher positions that already exist. So I I'm disinclined to support this particular amendment. All right, Mr. Johnson. >> Yeah, I think Mister Chair, will appreciate the spirit of this moment. You notice how I would prefer to see this money being spent. But I think the the issues that raised regards to >> what is our role versus that of the school board and then as well as its question of how we manage refunds gives me makes it hard for me to support this time. I do just want to note, though, and that the multiple work Sessions we've had discussed this special levy, it has been represented to us that it is the in 10 in the expectation that the school board will through the regular budget process. Present us with information on how if this levee is approved, that money would be spent. We may not have a definitive answer. That question today. But I understand is forthcoming. And that is one that I expect will be answered in advance of the April election. I will say I 2 decisions to make myself. I've one of assembly member whether or not to put this on the ballot. That's a decision I have to make tonight. I have another decision. If it does go on the ballot as a voter, whether or not I want to support this tax levy and I will say for my part, having confidence in how that money is going to be spent and having confidence that it will go towards the classrooms and reducing things like the PTR is going to be really important for me to weigh as I make that decision. But I can't. It does not seem like it is an answer that can be practically decided tonight. And so I think just looking at where we are in the process the timing of this I don't think this is the appropriate step right here at this junction. I'm scared her. Thank you. Mister Chair. We are still stewards of the people's resources and even F. Even f just and I said, oh, they're quotes. Just 11. >> 0.8 million dollars. That deserves in the county. And that deserves a very detailed accounting to the voters and to taxpayers. So I actually I take a little bridge, I guess the to the insinuation that because, well, it's a small amount. Maybe this level of accounting is unnecessary. Thank you, sir. back. >> Thank you, Mister. Most Bright. >> Yeah, thank So we actually did not really cover the last part of this amendment. And this is the pro and con of running amendments together. Right is the type event. Multiple things. But I will note that there is a a calling for accounting of how this money was spent. I think that's a great idea. I think that if we put it in this ordinance, no one will see obviously it's a public document. This would not go on the ballot itself. But I think that if it did pass, this is a great resolution to run thieves, say April 14th meeting because we'll know the results elections by then. And I think if if this goes to the ballot and it comes to pass and then that is a live conversation. And so I would encourage bringing that idea back of accounting. And and, you know, again, asking the school board and the school district to really be clear about how these funds would be used or will be used. I think that's a great idea for the future. Thanks. current. >> I don't believe we're a pass through. I think this body holds responsibility and I take that seriously that we're charged to be Mr. Gardner said the proper stewards of taxpayer money. And if we're talking about threading needle here, I appreciate the clarity and brevity of the amendment and lack of any our full language such as >> I don't see anyone else on the amendment. Members proceed. >> The miners. >> So a commanding. It hasn't popped up. >> On a vote of 3 to 9 in number of votes. The amendment has not passed. Now we're back on the main motion as amended, but I do have the school district. Administration on the fostering will give them a call. They provide brief statement. And then questions they could be available if members have questions on the man. Mr. Temp. Do you have the members, the school board and the administration with you? >> If they >> So we've just gone through amendment process. Knows there may be more, but we're going to offer Mr. Bryant few minutes to kind of lay out his vision for these funds and kind of make the case. >> Great. So I think so much. You've got President Carl Jacobs. You got the superintendent Dr. Brian, and you've got a chief operating chief Financial Officer Andy Ratliff on the phone. >> Superintendent Brent. >> Thank you, Mister Chair. First I just like gratitude for the assembly in from Maryland, France, for consideration of one-time Levy proposal. I am joined by the school board, President Jacob Project goods and our chief financial officer. I just like for you to hear from you directly that if he is facing serious financial pressure and largely every area of the district. And we've largely that are usable fund balance to protect students, truck shun services and programs for this school year. So what this levee could do is to help mitigate some of the worst impacts that we're forecasting because substantial structural deficit. And as I've shared since the beginning since the initial press conference with the mayor, I'd like for every single one of these dollars to be directed towards teacher positions and our school board president can affirmed that. That's the past. We would like to pursue a united front. As superintendent. I'm approached by parents all the time asking how they can help and one of the areas that they expressed to me as one of major concerns, the fact budgets get tighter health care costs rise is operational cost rises. The cost labor rights is one of the things that happens is that class sizes also begin to rise. And levy is an opportunity to help mitigate a predictable trend of class size is being increased due flat around predictable funding. There many questions around the impact of A student allocation increases and of course, a permanent increase $700 per student that occurred last summer. Plus historic. We're very thankful for that work by the legislature. But I want the public understand that by the time that $700 increase had taken place are purchasing power as the district had eroded by over $1800 over the past 10 years prior. The cost of doing business goes up every year. So as we look ahead to the next fiscal year, even the status quo is going to be more expensive. But this 11.8 million dollars could be a lifeline. And again, I'd like I intend to invest these dollars towards are classroom teachers because that is what makes the biggest difference for kids. From my perspective, you recognize that this is not small request of the public, but it can possibly make a difference in every corner of the district. And lastly, I just like to here that I do believe that the public deserve the opportunity to weigh whether or not this is the right time to to support this levee. But if they it would equate equipment over 80 teacher positions in the Anchorage school district. Thank you, Mister Chair. >> Thank you, Mr. Bryant. Okay. So now we're on the main motion as amended. To speak to it. So here's how the floor. >> So I do support putting this funding on the ballot for voters to decide. I want you to know that I did hear your testimony and I've read many of your e-mails. And I do understand that ASD has made some funding decisions that some of you may question. While at the same time being forced to make painful cuts and rely on one time, student lack of adequate and stable education funding that resistance school systems across the state and the country, including ASD, have suffered chronic underfunding because we have as a society have chosen not to invest in public education and in our use. With a young family myself, I felt firsthand the effects of an adequate school funding since my kids started school 8 years ago. I've seen schools go to mixed grade classrooms. I've seen dramatically increased class sizes, important programs cut you know, such as for gifted students and other important programs I've seen experienced teachers leave. Entry. School has gone through 4 principal since my kids began school. You know, and little things like crossing guards to help make sure that the little ones can cross a busy street safely. We can no longer pay them enough to even hire them. One of my kids, as I said earlier, started school this year in an elementary class of 38 students. If you're concerned about educational outcomes. 38 students. You're not going to get good outcomes with that. You simply are not. Fortunately with the education veto override Anstey was able to and they did follow through on their promise to direct that money to teacher positions and they were able to hire new teachers for that school and that class size was reduced. However, mixed grade classes with over 30 students still remain entry. School. Why is this it is because we have a political movement that is politicizing attacking and defunding public education in an attempt to push a specific political agenda which includes public funding of privatized education. They are doing this at the expense of an entire generation of kids. My kids, your kids. And it's sad. It's sad because what they're actually doing is robbing an entire generation of a quality education that they can never get back. There's no redo. There's no opportunity to up in a time when education is prioritized. This political movement I've seen has been accomplished by. Spreading of propaganda that schools don't deserve the money. They're all misspending it and our kids don't deserve the same. Well-funded education that the people telling you these things benefited from 20 or 30 years ago. So what are the facts? Our yearly state education funding has increased by about 12% in the last decade. And that was just this last year. This is while the governor's budget has increased 30% and the Department of corrections, 55%. Education funding has not kept up with inflation and the spending power of school districts statewide has decreased. I also want to just point out that Alaska school districts receive funding per student. And so contrary to some of the things that I hear, I asked enrollment goes down. So does funding. It is simply untrue. That SD is receiving more and more money. It's tease. Administration budget is 5%. Not the bloated saying some publications would have you believe. So where cuts come from. They come from our classrooms, our teachers and our kids. We have 54 different independent school districts across the state in all are struggling with lack of funds, including in communities like Wasilla and Palmer. Kenai. So I ask is the root of the issue. All these individual districts or is it the common denominator? Is it the state that refuses to fund them despite having a constitutional duty to do so? An educated society benefits, everyone, an educated society is healthier, has more economic stability, more innovation and lower crime rates. So while the state the governor has chosen to prioritize the Department of Corrections budget. Perhaps to prepare for the generations suffering from the politicized and under-funded public education. I support placing this on the ballot and giving Anchorage residents the opportunity to make their own decision about whether we should do all we can to prioritize our schools and our use. Thank you. Thank you, Thank you, Mr. Chair. Now we have heard we heard from folks who testified. We're going hear from probably everybody else in this diocese. >> Talking the good of public education. So I just want to preface everything that's about to happen. Public education is a good thing. Public education. I support public education. It does a lot of tremendous good in our community. But that said, I want to pivot real quick to process. A lot of folks testified about it. About the process and how this specific property tax increase got to us because I think it is germane. And I think that it deserves a little bit of attention. Mr. Martinez's one percent sales tax was introduced months ago, Mr. Cherry, Yours and Mr. Bolland's 5% short-term rental tax was introduced months ago member Bali's 2% bed taxes and reduce months ago, Demers 3% sales tax was introduced. Months ago. We had months a public engagement, public involvement, work. Sessions hearings. We heard from a ton of different people. And it was a very, very robust public process. What happened with this one is it was it was introduced at the last possible minute to get it onto that. This tonight to get in on the agenda tonight. So vote on it before the deadline to get on the ballot. I was very 2 weeks. That's what this and so the people saint, that that that's different than all these other taxes, because completely different and there's no rhyme or reason for either. None of what ASD is saint is new information. This could have been introduced a long time ago. know the mayor isn't here, but the question should be will Madam Mayor, why did you wait until the last possible minute? Because I cannot think of the of the single. Charitable reason as to why that would be. Tonight. We have voted I myself. rest of the body has voted to increase property taxes by 56 million dollars through all these different bonds outside of the tax cap. It's the just received a historic BSA are really sure if that's the funding just received a historic saying and with an 83 million dollar deficit that they already have out there saying they already have. They also disagree to an additional 17 million dollars over the course of the next labor contract. Those are facts. If you're if you're 83 million in the hole on something, you don't dig 17 more. Come on, man. So here's the problem. I do not have my constituents who have reached out to me have not do not have any confidence and the school board or the superintendent 2 wisely use this money. A look at look at the track record of failure at this school district has has propose put out both financially and student learning outcomes are graduating high school students who can't read. So I'm quite skeptical. That an additional property tax increase to send another 12 million dollars. One time to the school district is going to do anything meaningful here whatsoever. I will be a no vote. I do urge my colleagues to vote no. >> Next, think of a spot on Thank you. Chair. So I'm I'm a product of the Anchorage school district. I attended Rogers Park. Then when that East, Anchorage high school. >> And I I attended ASD during a time when the tide was beginning to turn when it came to state funding for education. So from 1990, to 2000. State funding for education, only increased by 5%. Even though student enrollment in ASD increased by 25% in that decade. That is roughly the decade in which I was a student. Now in that same time period, we still had excellent to find benefits for teachers. Teachers had pension. They had actual retirement. And we were still attracting teachers from all over the country to come and work in a St. I want to point out since we're talking about facts. In 1995. The ASD budget adjusted for inflation in today's dollars. Would be approximately 742 Million. That's 80 million dollars more. Then the budget that ASD has put forward for 2026. Our education funding in the 90's. Exceeded the funding today and we offered our teachers away better deal. I want to I want to emphasize that the budget cuts that have occurred. All along the way because as is pointed at been pointed out tonight, this is not a new story. Asd has been struggling to get funding much like districts across the state. For upwards of a decade. And these budget cuts have happened and they have necessitated all sorts of deferred maintenance leaning out of administrative positions, dialing down spending on programs and student facing services. Let me tell you what existed at Rogers Park Elementary when I was there. We had a full-time nurse. And a nurse's aide. We had to full-time counselors, one of which walked me through my parents, divorce. We had a dedicated our teacher and aide. We had more than one librarian. We had a person who supervised the computer lab. We had a dedicated music teacher. There was no sharing, no shuffling around among elementary schools. I had a class size every single year, an elementary school of less than 20 students. I got a tap tier education in the Anchorage school district. I also got to enjoy middle school sports, after-school programs. I had a dedicated guidance counselor in high school by Elsa. He only had a through F. This is what happens when education is properly and appropriately funded. That hasn't happened here for decades. So this narrative that has been spun up, that ASD is somehow hemorrhaging money and misappropriating and missed allocating funds. I don't know where it came from, but I really appreciate the comment from the individual who testified earlier, who said that it is incumbent upon members of this body and members of the administration to help the public understand how this span has happened and what the reality has been on the ground at Anchorage School district and not just our district. Other districts statewide are grappling with the same kinds of budget shortfalls. So I ask you. Why have we already decided that the way to deal with a struggling system is to further c****** it to defund it. Would we treat students in classrooms that way? Would we say, oh, you're struggling, we're going to remove supports from you. We would add additional support, additional resources. I I'm stuck. I'm really wrestling with this narrative that that sounds a lot like the beatings will continue until morale improves. We cannot continue to strip resources away from a system and then demand that it performed better. That's not real. That's not how anything works in the real world. And so while I appreciate the call for justification and transparency and accountability. There is an audit of the Anchorage school district that is published every single year. And it is available publicly and anybody could go and pull it if they wanted to. Now, that's a lot harder to go. Do your homework and see where the money is actually gone just a start. That the Anchorage school district has somehow hat then practicing financial malfeasance. So I want to challenge the public. Rather than buying into the spin. Actually go do your homework. Maybe go to a school board meeting may be asked some questions of the CFO because I think the story is different than what a lot of people are being told. The numbers don't lie. I will absolutely be supporting this levee, but I want to be clear what we're talking about in person and in terms of percentages. The budget for instruction in 2026. direct classroom instruction is 383 million dollars. That is the proposed number. The compensation for teachers. 11.8 million is a drop in the bucket. But it is something we can do over and above what we have been able to do to this point. And that to me is important. I mean, it's important to give our community and our opportunity to say, yes, we do want to invest in public education. We do want to be sure that 85 classroom positions can be salvaged when that, you know what hits the fan? And absolutely going to be a yes on this levee. And I hope that what follows is a really robust public conversation. That actually grapples with the reality of what has happened. Education funding, not just in this city, but in this state since 1990. >> Thank you. And like you have of as prof. >> Thanks. I was happy to be a co-sponsor on this. I can say in terms of timing that I believe this was only really just on the radar in the middle of December after the school district really looking at their own budget and figuring out this issue of of timing, which we've talked about many times on the formula. And so I got a call shortly after New Year's to say would you be interested co-sponsoring this from the mayor? And so if we all remember the or 4 weeks between our meeting on December 16th, which has its own notice, deadlines, even if something was laid on the table at that time up to January 13. And so I think sometimes the calendar is a challenge it can engender some some wild stories being told about about motives here the biggest issue in my district, at least for the last 4 years, probably well before that as public school funding. I've talked to many people who say they just want this fixed or they say to support schools or not. That's really when I talked to the average person who is not going to community councils, who is just, you know, regular person trying to live their life. That's what they care about. And I have to say, I have a limited role in It is not I'm not the school board and not the state legislature. And so this is really the only lane that we have. And I understand the calls for accountability. I think there is some lane there. And also we do not line item change their budget. We just And so I think again, it all comes back to then even if we push cuts down to the school board, I'm in the way that the state is doing now. It's still not our choice. It is their choice. And so again, I will say if you're interested in weighing in on the school district's budget, their next meeting on that topic is February 3rd. So next week at the same time as our meeting. But we will not have this item on the agenda. And so you can go and talk to them about the budget. Then they're scheduled to vote on it on February, 17th and then it will come back to the Assembly on March 3rd with a hearing on March 24th that's currently scheduled. So there is a process for that. there is built-in accountability through the public process. I would also. Observe that it's really been interesting read all the e-mails. That wasn't all that testimony and talk to constituents about this in the last couple weeks since it came out and really interesting to hear how much of the I guess opposition to this. And I sympathize with the calls to say that things are expensive. It is tough out. There. It is for all of us. We're all seeing our costs increase. Many of us myself included, do not have a big slush fund that I can tap into. And so we're all looking at that closely. But I think it's also interesting to hear and really closely listen to what is being said because I think a lot of the arguments that are made should really actually be aimed at our neighbors at the people who will who hopefully will vote on this. Please don't support this. Please don't approve new taxes or more taxes should not get more money and I think it's interesting how much of that has been directed at the assembly because really, our job is to say, should this go to voters are not who are the ones who will decide on this if it goes to the ballot. And so it seems like really the concern. Or at least with some maybe some folks who are writing some of those messaging is that the actual fear? Is that because so many people want to see public education, well-funded in this community and knowing all the limitations on us locally, that may be the actual fear is that this would actually pass because it is popular. I can't say that for sure. But I can say for a fact that many people in at least in my district are asking us to do something anything more as much as we can on public education. So again, for those who are interested in the deep dive on the school district's budget again, the next couple meetings in February would be a great time to get involved. Thanks. >> So thank to ask for a motion accent debate by 10 minutes. Some of second. there's a motion that's 6 in debate on Probably second by Miss Baldwin Day for 2 minutes Less folks talking before, right time. Show the motion. Hearing. No objection will continue for 10 minutes or Thank you. Next. First time I the public, an apology. I never, ever ever said I would not send my kids to Anchorage school district. If I came across that way in any way, I apologize. I would if I had children send my children to public schools in Anchorage, period, full stop unequivocally. And so it was stated in the public hearing that I said, I wouldn't I did not say that if I. Speak clearly again, I apologize. I would I just have no children. And there's a very low the likelihood that I will. When I was saying by that was that we have a collective responsibility to educate our youth. Why? Because as MS over said an educated society benefits everybody period full stop. There is no question to me that that is the truth. All the questions about process I think of been answered. This is not an emergency, but I will speak to this notion that because we didn't have months of conversation because this was done the last meeting that was scheduled, we could have introduced at a subsequent later special meeting. But at the last meeting that was scheduled and we're hearing it now that that is somehow outside of our process. I would like to point out that. Just in the last like 3 months. Kelli Ward of a contract for 3.1, 8 million life was insurance. We paid 3.6, 7 million paratransit services. I think it was 26 million dollars. These items and the big one was the KDP grant 50 million dollars. We appropriated without a hearing without any conversation land and introduce at the meeting. And so we actually spend money of some all of the time. And so if you look at the kind of question of why are we having such a heated debate about education when we do spend money on all of these other things? For me, the conclusion that I am left to draw once I sort out all of the variables is that there just are a lot of people who really don't like public education for whatever reason they have. They hate public education enough that at every turn they will stand and speak against it, period. Full stop. And so I'm not Elaine, that on any member here on this Dyson talking about the public and the conversation a 12 million dollar increase to the Anchorage school district, it is a substantial sum of money. Yes, but it is not anywhere near substantial in relation to the money that we spend across this ties all of the time meeting after meeting after meeting after meeting. So to have some Kabuki theater about how this is an extraordinary expense. Just does not sit as true to me. And so the truth to me is that. Mike, what said that the state is lifting us holding the bag. This is the one rare circumstance where the state got in front of us and they funded for the first time a substantial increase in many, many years. And so they didn't get ahead of what Dave. Right, the empty back that they left us. They didn't by any means. Get ahead of the empty bag. But in this case, our response is because the state acted and added funds. We have an opportunity in what I call a duty to fully fund a maximum local contribution to our schools. That is our duty in my opinion. Now, of course, that's subject to a majority subject to the head winds of the day. It was surprising to find that we are fully funding and that is because of the one time largest that the state move forward towards our school district. And so I strongly support this. It is not extraordinary and scale. It is extraordinary amount is not late in the game. It is in our orderly process as we do all of these things now, if we were to flex the code tonight because this didn't pass and we need more time. It would be questionable whether it was within the time. But this is fully within the time as once we adjourn the meeting tonight, we are still within the timeline to get these questions to the ballot. So again, on I started, I believing the school district, I believe in public education. If I had children here with some of their and I want to support the children who are there today. So that when I'm an old man, there's an educated population to help make sure my life a safer and the quality of life good. I support Mr. To us. For the record and the historical benchmark of it. I am one of those in the camp of fully supporting public education locally with a maximum contribution. >> And so when we hear of is that the history of Anchorage has this body always doing that. I for 01:00AM going to claim that legacy and be a part of funding public education from my time on forward. Now, having said that chair. I want to be clear because I hope that the school board and the school district folks are listening. I for 01:00AM not satisfied with at learning outcomes for students. We have to improve that. I for 01:00AM not satisfied with with some of the things that are broken in our school system. But Sharon recognize that some of those things are broken because the state help break them for years. Sharon recognize that when learning outcomes have been diminished, classroom sizes have been increased. Well, I see a nexus point. They have to look too far. So I want us to get better. I have 2 students in the school district. I use the choice program. So I have a home schooler. I'm a full-time homeschooling that. For those who don't know that that part of my my journey. But I also have another one in the language. The language immersion programs. And now extreme Academy. Public Education is critical to me. We do things to fix. I want every student to to have a future and to see their future. But the reality in the greatest days of Anchorage school district in the days of full funding. The achievement gaps in our district remain and we overall a C average for students. Historically, we have some high flyers and some low flyers. And historically some of the lower flyers, one of the marginalized folks in our community because they weren't fully represented. They didn't have the full resources and they didn't have the diversity of of needs all supports that were required at the Times. In fact, it was just a few years ago chair that students couldn't graduate wearing cultural regalia. So the the level of cultural disconnect from Alaska native students, for example, in our school district, they were getting penalized for going to graduation with cultural Bulgaria. They have been problems in our school district. We need to do better on across a lot of boards but checked. We're not going to fix all of the problems of the school district tonight with this particular item at all Nord. That's this item. Poor tend to be a magic bullet to fix the school district. So let's move in separate school district needs some work done. But to do that work we have make make sure we're investing in that school district to do perform and deliver the outcomes. We need. Chair. 2 things were brought tonight. I want to congratulate the young people. The youngest testifiers today. have to beautiful moments that I wanted to remind us of what was said in their testimony. The first 16 year-old describe that teachers don't get paid enough. don't know if that was the gist of the testimony, but that caught me because I recognize that's true. And the other young person said. Leave it to the voters. Vote your conscious. And that really is powerful because I wonder how much trust do people on this day's have? Who candidates in the office to present roof come to present testimony. How much trust happen to voters? Because I believe voters can make good decisions. And I believe the voters. Well, a us not elect again if they make that choice, they know what's good for their communities. So why would bees we so afraid of sending a question to the voters? So the final point of clarification was mentioned tonight. Question to the voters does not equate to this body, voted to increase taxes. Some odd millions dollars tonight. There's no one in this room knows how I will vote in the ballot box on those vote on those ballot items. You don't know if I support any of the items that I think should go to the ballot. You don't know that. Only one who knows how someone votes is the individual got and the ballot box. So we tonight have the opportunity to send to you will the voters the question of the night. So when you hear the law, the noise about the fear of the circumstances, all what this body is doing. Recognize. Believe in democracy. And I believe the voter should have a say. This is where I'm going to be voting for tonight and I'm going to be voting for in the ballot box. But that's my prerogative. Let's send it to the voters so we can see what their prerogative as well. Thank you, chair. So I think we're just about out of time. Can I ask for Motion? Accent? 5 more minutes. >> Okay. And we have 2 minutes left Mr. Mccormack. >> To be as does a student proficiency problem as much as they have a public trust problem. And I'm not going to sit here and defend the actions of the school board. I'm focused on the responsibilities this body because we have no shortage of serious problems here. I hope he takes these conversations seriously because their conversations happening all over town that people care about education, they care about funding education. They just want to believe in the leadership there. >> All right. Seeing no one else. And since we're out of time, members may proceed to vote. >> Chair Chair, I'm sorry I'm president, not you. I was into okay. Good one So need to if you needed to move to extend I I I have been in the queue for a while. >> So you may make that motion. I would ask it to be just long enough for you to speak. >> Thank you. I'd like that to make I would appreciate by my colleagues supported So the motion would be to allow one more speaker seconded by Mister McCartney, Mister Parker. >> as I ask unanimous consent any traction, seeing hearing none. We're extending just long enough for one more Speaker, Mr. President, thank you for the reminder. >> Thank you, chair. I want to clearly and responsibly about where we You know, the financial need of school district is very real. That's not rhetoric. It's not reflected in the numbers. is also true as many of my colleagues have had knighted. The state of Alaska not kept pace and funding public education. And ongoing under underinvestment place. Significant strain on our local district. At the same time, our teachers, our staff and administrators, are doing extraordinary work every single day. They serve tens of thousands students that diverse needs talent and opportunity. And I personally spent time in our schools. I see the dedication. I see the progress. I see the impact. I say this not only as assembly member, but as many of my colleagues mentioned, I'm I'm also a father of children in public schools. And it's someone who is also serve a make or school board and a lifelong Alaskan. I care deeply about this system because my own family is part of and because I've seen it up close from multiple perspectives. I cannot accept a sweeping narrative that I've heard tonight that our district is failing. That narrative is not supported by the full body of evidence. And it is harmful when we repeatedly characterized our schools is broken, we erode public confidence. We around and make it harder to recruit and retain great teachers and send the wrong message to our students about the value of their education. And I will say this respectfully, if not enough to say I support public education while advancing arguments are rhetoric. They consistently undermined confidence in our public schools. True support means being honest about challenges while also recognizing progress and standing behind the educators and students who show up every day. Are there areas where you must must continue to improve? Yes, of course. Continuous improvement part of our of our of our responsibility and the family members who are here to lead and tell the truth. Even when the truth is new want. The truth is that our district faces real financial challenges. The truth is that the state of Alaska has not met its full obligation. And the truth is that our schools are filled with committed professionals working hard for Anchorage every day. Tonight's vote is not about deciding about the issue out, right about sending the question to the voters and allowing the community to weigh in. That's how representative government is meant to function. We can have serious debate and we should, but we must do so in grounded. In fact, respect a shared commitment to our children's future. I really, really hope that my colleagues will support night and said to the voters. Thank you, chair. >> Members may proceed to vote. press review. Member Myers. >> On a vote of 9 to 3 and youth member votes. You know, 2026 dash 14 as amended has passed the body. So we're going to take our regular schedule break right now. It's a marathon. We got through all the ballot question. So I think the rest of the work will get through tonight, but nothing else is as critical. So we'll be back in about 20 or so minutes. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> are you cross No brakes no man to 3 times over you here in our I and since nobody me. was things following the time. >> sign. ♪ I can't be easy. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ I think we're all here. So next up for I think, are back on the record. We'll take up 11:00AM. 11. is memorandum. Am 29 dash 2026? recommendation of adoption of the Danya Port of Alaska. Port of last modernization program. Design. >> Pfizer board recommendations related to construction pave North Extension helipad. Cargo handling area. We also have version. >> Version titled. It's 10 11 1. Some of memorandum am. 29 dash 2026. A recognition adoption on and sort of Alaska part of Alaska Modernization program. >> Advisory board. Recommendations related to construction paint North extension, helipad cargo handling area. So that's not a public hearing item. this item was. That continued. We don't have a motion pending. So let's what about it? >> Movie a version. Second >> motion to approve by most probably say my Mister Johnson. Who would like to speak to it. Mr. Johnson. >> Yeah, I think so. We we've taken this up at the IU And so think a lot of the conversations haven't there. But since this is coming from the administration like to just give them an opportunity to feel like to speak to this. >> to Chairman John, something cost our protector tournament come out if you'd like to say where. But what the sentiments. Welcome director. Much time you have the floor. You just turn it off. course, I didn't through the chair. >> Just >> sort of generic update on where we're at the helipad. >> Is something that is paid for with the state grants is fully funded. It has been unanimously approved through the PA be. We have the design. We have the funding stream for it. And that's really the general idea of why we're here. There's no dissent. This helipad is going to help us for the Northeast extension and the uplands program that we >> That's the question. Mr. Johnson. >> I was stunned. But in the administration, the port director to speak risk to the I think it's it's fairly straight forward relates to a number of things, including the suitability of the Port for Spring military readiness. And think that strategic value. And yes, I don't think there's anything in country first, but this proposal so so men can answer questions. Authority. >> I was just I was going oh, as member Johnson did that. You know, I don't I don't know that it's immediately obvious to folks that the that military installation uses the poor time grounds as a staging area when they need to move equipment. >> So having actually having a dedicated Kelly pad and cargo handling area as opposed to sort of stacking things. I'm aware they normally go right now, which would be very much in the way of the Modernization Project is advantageous for all of including our neighbors so. appreciate support for Thank you. Any further. >> All right. members proceed to vote. Member presser. Do. Member minds? Kind of talk of 12 to 0 and these members. So there must the virus. >> Yep. And member votes. Yes. 29 dash 2026. U.S. past of money actually 11 B. Be as 30 dash 2026. recommendation of adoption. I am part of the last part of last summer's Ish side Pfizer board recommendation related to >> my location. Terminal one electric spectacle substation. There's also version recognition of adoption on import of Alaska, Port of Alaska Modernization Program Advisory board recommendation. 82 final location tournament electrical substation. There is no motion pending on this item of some of the body. >> I move to approve Second. >> A version has moved a small and a seconded by Mister Johnson Monday. >> Sure, I I will speak to it, but I think Mr. On that, I might have more comprehensive comments and I will. a time. >> So the substation we have been in the design phase for quite some time. When I joined the organization about so 2 months ago, 7, 8 weeks ago, it was very apparent that this choice needed to be made for where put the substation. And that was going to dictate the ultimate design of the substation where it was originally considered was very close to the port building on the actual port property right next to where the new building is. That was not a very desirable location. There's a lot of heavy traffic there. And on the northeast side where we ultimately decided to place the substation, there's room for expansion. It's taken. taken the substation out of the direct traffic flow for the port and it will give us the ability to ultimately expand the best and the batteries there to potentially have a microgrid and helped establish the port with its own power system to be able to accommodate future growth for more cranes, more options for other ships and vessels coming into the port and really supports the modernization program. So that is why the location was chosen for the North Extension site instead of putting it next to the port building. That's currently right on the Mr. Yeah, Mr. Nothing like just going stay. There's 2 things I want to point out. My colleagues. >> One when we discuss this at You'll see committee meeting. Explain that. The rationale for why this location made sense. >> And as we've seen this memo that the dpa beaded. Recommend this concept change, however, was noted there that one member of the PA be had some concerns relating to some things that are fairly technical above my pay grade flight could understand, but that their work. Some issues they they were hoping would be worked through in terms of whether or not this was a feasible site and then fall communications I've had with the administration as well as the member. The PA be. It sounds like those issues have been worked out. And I think yes, that that concern has been addressed. I'm grateful for the effort that went into that. I also just will no doubt here that we have an estimated cost in this memo which is accurate for this memo. However, as I understand it, we we will be contemplating the change, right? the actual costs yes, for for relocation, the electric substation will be higher than what's presented here. And that's just. Part of what's happened in conversation last couple weeks. That's correct. The location and the real expense or the additional expense comes from the ball that we have to create underground. >> In order to put the electrical cables and all of the system from the northeast side to the dock where the cranes are going to be located. So that is a pretty consider considerable sizable costs. But we felt like that increase was worth it for the additional modernization optimization that we get with the best system, adding a batteries down the road. And getting it out of the port traffic area. The cost increase was worth that benefit to the port to the municipality. And I believe the state grant will still have sufficient funding to cover this project, even with the increase in cost. That's correct. However, there is still this will be an increase to the pamper overall. So there is an increase to it. But the state grant covers the cost of the best. station. >> none members proceed to vote. Member minors. the press for I vote of 12 to 0 news member votes. >> Yes, AM 30 dash 2026 and has passed a body. next, we have. Resolution 2026. Dash. 4 resolution actions possibly approving special in his permit packs for license number 15, 96 for a The VA speedway expressing the B 3 general business district. eating think you also have an U.S. version. Same title. This item. This item as an all call special land use will ask the youth member not to participate. You can stick around. There are more items if you want to. >> know it's 10 o'clock. So it's late for school night. But so for this item, though, the public hearing was how action postponed from one 13. Motion to approve on the floor by members probably involved of the man. Version. So Mr. I think March Air move to approve the best version. >> Second. >> So I would need it most probably in the spot to withdraw previous motion really must grow. I was drawn this most my previous mission. Previous motion having been withdrawn, we now have a motion to approve the version by Mister Rivera. Second of my as bold thank you, Mr. Chair. >> And then the final act on this one. And then now. It is move. Rivera amendment number A motion to amend. >> I Miss Rivera seconded by MS Ball and a miss >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. So with this assertion does is adds 3 things to the original and at some whereas clauses to contacts in ads of 3 specific conditions and then it speaks to the memorandum of understanding between the petitioner and attend Community Council. The amendment strips the 3 specific conditions and it clarifies the language regarding the memorandum of understanding between them attend community council and the petitioner. If you've been this role long enough. >> You sometimes make the same mistakes and you. Make the same corrections to said mistakes. So this actually mean years, something that. I did several years ago with the Liquor store just down the package store just down the street from this location. That slump was before us. Some specific conditions where put in the slap and then a condition some specific language on the memorandum of understanding was added. With the Walmart using a parallel be strips the conditions and then we clarify the language that this is basically doing the same thing with this is saying is there is a member memorandum understanding between the 2 parties. That's the parties have agreed to the provisions in the memorandum of understanding. That way. We don't have 2 separate documents that are maybe saying competing things that hasn't happened. In my experience. But there's a was a possibility that it could so better not to have 2 separate documents. Just have it all live and reference. Just the documents that may or may not get updated at some point in the future. This amendment was reviewed by petitioners council. And as I understand it, petitioner's counsel is supportive of the amendment. And they are not a yes. So that thank you. further discussion on the amendment. seeing none members may proceed to vote. >> Member press review. Member Myers. >> Any further emotion. Hansen and members proceed to vote. Member Myers. Member, President. Vote 12 to 0 our 2020 success for us as amended. >> Has passed the body. takes us to item 13, a 13 has continued public hearing. My intent to sponsors to postpone this. The meeting of 2, 3, So I would like to ask for a 2025 dash one 45 intersections will something many code section 14 at 7, 9, 0, 14 at 60 go through update procedure, procedures and fines and penalties. False alarms. violations. I'd like to ask her motion. >> Move to can do the public hearing to the meeting of February 3rd, second. >> So that's a motion to continue to February 3rd by probably said goodbye fall today. I'll just briefly speak to that. That the just in the last day or 2, I received communication from one member of a pea stuff that had a question that we just couldn't timely resolve by tonight. So but should be pretty straightforward. Is it a result? The question by next Tuesday. So I urge your support for the motion to continue the public hearing. Moved by rally second Bible today. Further discussion members proceed to vote on the motion are accessed. Is there any objection? The motion. Seeing? No objection that this item will be back for us next week. Next, we item for TJ resolution or 2026 Dash 8 resolution adopting recommendations before the insurance Faltan Area. Transportation Solutions Policy Committee regarding 2050 Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Amendment number 2 public review draft. Karen, this item is now open. Anyone wish to be heard on this. Public hearings now closed. That's where the body move to approve second. Moved by fall. And second by Mister on site. Speak to respond. >> Actually, play hoping that if he is still around, Mr, Young anyone might come in. Give us just a quick overview of what this is all about. >> Hello, everybody. I'm Mariel getting on the executive director of This amendment is doing a couple of things. One, it's updating the description of the Seward Highway Diamond O'Malley to match with the Policy Committee recently voted on a refined that description too remove some of the original language which included expanding the Seward Highway itself. So they narrow down what that project can do. And then there's 2 new projects. There is life safety Access Road project and the media to a life safety access road project. Those 2 are being added to the mtp cause. The municipality of Anchorage is seeking a grant for both of those projects and it's a federal grants. What has to be in the mtp and helps them get a little bit more points for the grant. And then if they were to receive the grant, it also has to be in the mtp so they can expand the funds. So we're basically just trying to get ahead of it and also provide support for those projects to receive the grant. That's all it's doing. Thank you. Any further discussion. Seeing none members. I proceed to vote. Number president. Number Myers. >> On a vote of 12 to 0 in the youth number of votes. Yes, air Twenty-twenty 6 Dash 8 custom money. Next. We 14 KNO Twenty-twenty 6 dash one in order somebody amending the Board of Equalization process and are anxious coach up to 12. 5, free on personal property assessment Taxation channel provisions. Public item is now open. One was to be heard. none public hearings, no class. What will the body moved to prove? premise probably say I'm I'm on Monday. Wish to speak to destroy. >> Yeah. I think the item speaks for itself that since we've had a lot of discussion about Just to be clear, this is a very targeted change is it a direct result of state laws. And this is one of those areas where our code, then out of step with state law. And so it's really just making that. That correction. it's noted in thank you. >> All right. Any further discussion seen here and members proceed to vote. And virus. >> And press preview. >> On a vote of 12 to 0 and number of votes 2026 Dash one has passed a body. next, we have 14 all 2026 Dash 10. Nora synchronous forcibly. To promote safe public I'm ending in Christmas will coach after 8 to 10 8 to 30 to expand prohibitions on unsafe and inappropriate conduct and provide criminal penalties. Public hearing item is now open. Please come for state. Your name a part-owner from. You'll have 3 minutes. >> I'm my name is Cole Lockard and born and raised president of Rogers Park. I'd like to thank you all for taking the time to listen to my testimony. I'm here to urge you all to vote no on the proposed code change criminalizing public indecency, threatening conduct physical harassment and public intoxication as it is currently written, criminalizing public intoxication disproportionately impact people who are homeless have nowhere else to go. Jailing people who struggle with addiction. We'll make it even harder for that for people to access support and exacerbate cycles of poverty, imprisonment and trauma. Additionally, well, I agree sexual conduct should not allowed publicly and concern to public indecency ruling further target homeless people who are forced to leave themselves outside due to a lack of access to bathrooms. Public safety is an important goal. need to look at what is effective and whose safety we're choosing to preserve. Government sought to protect the most vulnerable. The vague language of these proposals allow for the targeting of vulnerable members of our community. It makes it harder for them to access to Bility. Please reject these proposals that would incarcerate members of our community who are suffering and vote no on this proposal. Thank you. >> Welcome, please. State your name. A part of town you're from. You'll have 3 minutes. >> Hi, my name is through. I'm a life-long Alaskan and resident of East encourage and I'm here today to testify in opposition to this ordinance. This ordinance like the camping ban that was passed in the summer is designed to criminalize poverty. I find it deeply disturbing that this is the approach that the administration is choosing to take as more and more people across our city struggled to pay rent, buy groceries and simply survive. No one chooses to be in poverty, the struggles we result Aegis systems of exploitation. But rather than approach these issues with compassion, this ordinance seeks to ruin lives by making it a criminal offense to exist in public. The ordinance claims the Dixie it seeks to address public indecency. Public indecency is already a crime. This ordinance would go even further and make it a crime for someone to expose themselves even when no one else was around for many unhoused folks, they have nowhere else to go to relieve themselves. They have no access to restrooms. I'm not sure what you expect people to do. The fact of the matter is, I think you all know everyone has to p** and Poo This would make that a crime. This ordinance also goes as far as to make it a criminal act to be intoxicated on a public sidewalk. The fact that this section even exists is evidence of how poorly written this ordinances. We know that hundreds of people, the hundreds of people who fled out onto the streets at bar clothes are not going to be arrested despite the fact that they would fall under this ordinance definition public intoxication. It's clear then that this law will be applied unequally to target people living in poverty and not the young professionals climbing the ball to statue downtown. As a person of color. I am also extremely disturbed by the section of this ordinance that makes it a crime to engage in menacing or threatening behavior. There is no clear definition of what this means, which gives free license to the police to decide what constitutes menacing and threatening behavior. There are many people who think that simply existing in public as a person of color is menacing or existing as a poor person where existing as someone with mental health challenges, you are essentially giving the police the right to decide that things be on someone's control, make them a criminal. Well, I'm deeply disturbed by this ordinance. I'm sad to say that I'm not taking surprised. This administration again and again has allied itself with those who have money and fear those without it and has taken actions that have led to the deaths of many people on our streets. I learned last year that someone I went to elementary school with died on the streets Anchorage. She is someone who have been camping at Davis and completely last support network. After that abatement, I have lived in this community a long time. Often people who support policies like this one paint the picture that the people on the streets are not of our community. This is far from the truth. The people whose lives are running with criminal charges. The PPP lending freeze to death. The people you're leaving to fend for themselves with no support network are people. I went to school with 25 years ago, they were kids with dreams raised by the city. Just like me. I beg you to have compassion and vote no on this ordinance. Thank you. >> Thank you. Welcome, please. State your name Returning from. We'll have 3 minutes. >> Thank you for having me. My name is going good Dooley. live at our up downtown. >> This ordinance I would like to say is very unclear and its wording and I believe that it would be better to become more specific. Not only the behaviors that are listed inside of this bill. But also too. Handle the actual demographic of that. We are having an issue with. policy that this ordinance. Is a direct criminalization of many homeless people which I have a deep communication with on a regular basis all throughout town. This is not going affect a small number of people. Under some minor dissonance. This is going be a generational nail in the proverbial coffin. And I would strongly encourage our some of the members too, how some compassion for people who may a less fortunate. And may not have the opportunities. 2 more easily use restrooms. 2 more easily. Relieve themselves and with-with primal urges that that I believe at least the majority of humanity would have. I strongly are U.S. And we members who don't know on this ordinance. Thank you for having me. >> Thank you. Welcome, please. State your name. A part-owner from have 3 minutes. >> Good evening. I'm Sheldon I live in West Anchorage. one of the developers of the Wild Virtual tell and we've also recently purchased the Old Post office building and hope to start renovating that this spring. But at the same time, we also operate MASH which stands for manage Prop manage shelter House, which provides shelter for 250 homeless people. And we work with the Anchorage Affordable Land Trust to manage 3 other buildings that provide first homes for about 250 people who are recently left homelessness. And so I have a lot of experience with this population and I have a lot of affinity and affection for them. I personally teach classes and mentor Christine and I often host game nights and try to build a community within within this population. I want to urge you to vote yes for this ordinance. I think it's important for our community. I think there are other ways we can support this population. And I look forward to working with the the administration and the assembly to do that. But I think this is an important step to reclaiming our public space and building a community that we can all be proud of. Thank you. Thank you. Welcome surname up returning from you'll have 3 minutes. >> Thank you. My name is Eric Ladin, the managing attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska Live in District 4. The ACLU of Alaska urges you not to pass 2026 Dash 10 without making significant amendments first, including to adopt the amendments that have already been introduced earlier this evening. I'm going to quickly touching some highlights of our concerns and our suggestions. First of all, as to the provisions in the code that already exists in the municipal code concerning loud noise and a provision needs to be made an exception, a carve out for protected Constitution protects speech. I see amendment number 2. And to do that, I think it seems to be well worded. I would just note to the Alaska statute analog appears far simpler. Anything. Can you tease the same objectives but again, I seen no meaningful distinction between the 2. As to the transportation refusal crime 2026 Dash 10 would currently. It is so inbounded that it would act to give the government wide discretion to manufacture offenses. For example, if someone were intoxicated, it describe public place. All a government official needs to do is make an offer to transport to transport somebody to a destination that officials choosing that the person is almost certainly going to decline that immediately becomes tick, by declining the offer. It immediately becomes a crime. Now I can see that the 5 types of locations amendment number 3 introduce this evening, make significant improvements as to those to find types of locations. However, where provides that a detention facility is an option. I know that that is intended to describe the safety center. I think it would be helpful to clarify that a detention facility is not a jail or prison. For clarity. However, I also suggest replacing the word offer with order. And offers something the community go shaded and refuse freely. In this instance, that is not what is being introduced into the coat. This is an order to leave a location penalty of arrest for clarity, even if you adopt this. I think the very helpful that it's very explicit. What's going on here. Finally, as to the threatening menacing conduct provision of being introduced it again. We believe this a beast struck from in its entirety. It does appear to be incurable has already explained. Threatening to menacing conduct is not even defined in the code. There's not even the need for somebody to be harmed in the situation described here. There's no need for a victim. All that's needed is for conduct that a government officer believes would interview with other people's enjoyment space for a violation to occur. Again, I don't think that's part of what's being presented is curable and recommend striking it all together. Thank you. I have a question for ♪ On that 3rd part. The threatening and menacing conduct. I had an experience in Town Square Park where I intended to go out and meet with a reporter and do a little interview with the camera and the person. >> Walked up to me and got within about 6 inches of my body and was very lingering. But was quiet was not like overtly aggressive, but it was scary to me. And so we moved and he followed me and he continued to follow me and would not stop. And my physical space and creating a situation where I felt under risk ultimately we left Town Square Park because we could not use it as a public place because someone decided. In control. So how do we manage scenarios where people feel threatened? But this isn't quite meet the standard of what is menacing under the code as it stands right now because I was menaced and I have to leave. >> Right now to the best of my ability, I could not find any definition of menacing in the code. What the situation you describe to me sounds close is too. And a form of assault. Or harassment and that's causing fear of physical injury directed at you. What's being presented here in doesn't even require somebody to feel threatened, doesn't require intent to make someone feel threatened. Doesn't require disregard for the fact that someone's behavior might threaten somebody. It is so sweeping that it becomes so as to how one's conduct can be brought into conformity with the law. If you wanted to address the kind of conduct your concerned with through that you just described, I would first like to see if it isn't already covered under our municipal and Alaska statutes provisions for assault. I think that the big distinction detectives being directed at somebody where is what we're presented with here might not even require somebody to be president. Let alone feeling threatened. And that the example I shared earlier today, it's somebody could be in a public park with an open carry sidearms. Behave in a way that somebody else. Is made to feel uncomfortable. Now that's perfectly legal activity carrying an open sidearm in Alaska in a park. But who's to say when it's fields menacing or threatening to another person? It's incredibly subjective. Welcome. Placing them apart 100 3 minutes. >> How do how a north star you've heard? they are ready. try to keep it brief. We've heard a lot for a lot from folks tonight about trust in the state and in the city. I trust the state and the city. I'm rested, urban both the state state. trust the state and the city to do a lot. Educate kids SS taxes to do a lot of pretty standard bureaucratic things. But I don't extend trust been broken. I heard that the camping ban would be used as a mechanism to get people connected to services. Now the real point of ordinance that bam from what I've heard has been used to move and displaced. A lot of people situations. So they would have had to have been given more time to deal with their things. I'm not really necessarily willing to extend trust. When I hear that this ordinance is really about connecting people to services and making sure they're OK make sure that every options. I have a lot of camp complex feelings about the camping ban has been how it's been. Some passing has been used, but I just don't really believe that this is ordinance is going to address the issues that seeks to address for people struggling to survive. This gives the state, in my opinion, far too much disruption to manufacture crimes and continue to set people back. My doesn't really the problem. It's trying to solve. I really emphasize with remember Constance comments about menacing behavior. I have experienced similar things the past. But the real solution to issue isn't just having the police arrive. If they do arrive in any reasonable amount of time, which may not have in your situation and throwing people in jail. That's not real justice. That's not actually helping folks. We have a long way to go as the city to get to the point where we have real meaningful options to provide and that sort of situation. But I don't think piling more criminal Pauline, more policing on top of issues like that is something that we really, really need to be worried about right now. spoke briefly earlier about the foster kid who lived the summer. He has just from the conversations I've had with them committed enough crimes to ruin his life and probably put him away for most of his life, depending on how harsh the judge might be. He's had multiple run-ins with the and in the top box of she's been very lucky that no one has have any real serious issues. She has managed to slide out of situations. He's been in that work potentially legally. Perry, U.S. perilous. He's managed to not the persecuted for the crimes committed. These a 16 year-old kid who is homeless and desperate. He's not a lot of really stupid stuff and he's done a lot of shoes, mistakes and the fact that he hasn't been prosecuted for those is the reason why he has a chance in life and she has multiple friends who I met over the course of my time with him that are absolutely just absolutely screwed. They have no chance anything in their life because they have then for the criminal justice system enough of America to get hired even in this hard situation on her you, if you've indecent exposure, a menacing behavior, if they see that you're coming record your toast, you're not gonna get a job. So someone who struggled with the deaths of mental health issues with addiction, that sort of thing if they get blasted one of these with one of these, they're not going to have a chance to get her a job. And I just think that your heart, thank you. >> Thank you. Welcome, please. name a part owner have 3 minutes. >> Branson, I'm a longtime mental health advocate and was my home. I concur less. 2 speakers, Mr. Go ahead. And the and curious that he has. But but also the last speaker, especially getting tagged criminal record. That will affect them for the rest of their lives that was all I have to please amend this don't pass Thank you. Thank you. Welcome, please. State your percent 3 minutes. >> She look see centrally coalition from homeless. So >> to channel is Paul the beatings will continue until morale improves. And unfortunately. First shared with the camping ban. Starting the wind farm and then a camping ban. And two-thirds to three-quarters of the public said no, don't do this and did it anyway. And it's been abused to a certain extent. The people, Davis parks are about to be abated for to 6 times since June. They're still out there and they're not getting help. So. I don't want more. I can I think people of summed it up pretty well. And this is going to help anybody. If anything, it's just going use punitive measures to people who are already in dire straits. And just to give you an example, I watch from Mountain View here tonight, 7 months. And all of this and where the toilets, public toilets and restrooms anywhere in between. You basically made it or you're about to make it a crime to where somebody needs to go outside. Because you've got nowhere to go and other criminal of police officer happens to seeing, you know, they can do whatever they want. So. I would not passes. Thank you very much. Welcome to Senate. Democrats 100 from you have 3 minutes. >> Stand parole. The district to North Eagle River just, you know, from my experience being born raised here in Anchorage and growing up in different parts of town. And now even in North River and work in Midtown the homeless problem that continues to plague us you know, when you deal with different issues with mental illness, criminal behavior and different things that go along with people, you know, not knowing what they're doing giving them crimes when they don't really care because the person doesn't have understanding that they're getting involved in a crime and don't care about their rap sheet can some sort of like kind of push the problem to a different area and we've seen a lack of really care and I've seen the homeless problem. Expand in this town in various different ways. I saw daughter got to witness back what, 3 years ago when there was a whole bunch of crime and homeless issues around the Sullivan Arena and Mackay Stadium where she went to go see me in the parking lot. We're watching a baseball game and then she watched something stab somebody in the parking lot. Thankfully they stopped having people, the Sullivan Arena. And then now what in 2025, you know, I got to go and enjoy baseball games of the homeless. People everywhere have to watch my kids to make sure the homeless people hang out in the woods. Now granted the problem moves in shifts and changes over time. The issues were not really addressing the court room of these problems. We're shifting that we're moving around. We were kind of. Getting around issues be fought over. Where should we have a 450 person facilities? We have a 200 person home. 2 oldest kids have both been homeless in Anchorage and both of them got went to a facility have their time, got out and then made their son's life. Now my oldest son decide. You know what, Anchorage doesn't have the opportunities. So he's moved to Utah. Granted, you know, there's dynamic things. Keep changing this town and the way the homeless population keeps being affected and these people lives are not being, you know, unable to give them opportunities. But again, remember, a lot of people don't walk per to ease. We're fighting addictions. You don't know what you're dealing with a lot of times. You don't want to help. You don't need it. You don't care about You just want your addiction. And there's there's a broad brush needs to be given to these people for the services. They need to help them and it's sad to see people just want to sit and sleep on the sidewalk and sitting down town. You know that the park or anywhere around town, it's just you keep seeing this happen and it almost sounds like parties people choose to do this because they won't stick to their addictions and stick to sex and drugs and needles and everything else. want to and other people they don't they want to get out of it. So a lot of that. We need be able to extend what we need to help these people to being given the opportunities and but also protect the citizens. We do not need to have more people are citizens, the victims of this and then help the perpetrators. So it's a mixed bag, but that's what to say about things. >> We one person on the phone this. >> mailbox belonging to. >> All right. We'll go ahead and and he's smoked for anyone else. Wish to be Seeing public hearing close with some of the money. >> To prove. Listen to approved by Mister Johnson's second by Miss Baugh Monday. Mr. Johnson. >> Yeah, thank you for stuff I'd like to ask APD Chief Shawn Case we may be briefly speak to why we think this is a reasonable and necessary step at this time. >> Chairman some of the challenges that we have just with criminal call criminal. Laws in general is, although sometimes we read these laws and it seems like the language is relatively simple. As you've heard him in a small tourney say multiple times criminal Very specific, very nuanced. And on top of just the language and how these ordinances are current ordinances are. Implement on the street. We also have cases that have gone through the trial process. And so. As police officers, we not only get trained, obviously on what the meaning of each of the statue to me, but how they're supposed to be applied. That is kinda, again, has a history. So when this administration took over one of the things that they asked was what are some things that some challenges that the police department has. In in this particular area? And so the first thing, of course, that we ask is are different interpretation. From previous years on some of these codes, how we can use these coach differently than we have in the past. And so as we went through that process. it was identified that some of the language in these codes could be modified to address some of the problems. Not only. That officers are seeing the street, but some of those frequent calls for service that we go to disorderly conduct, which is some of ordinance that we're talking to talking about are some of the most common cause of the go-to disturbance, some sort of alcohol related problem. It's also highly likely more more often than not much more frequently than not. That all related problems where disturbance calls. There's no police action that we can police report written. And so you can imagine that frustration that we see over and over again on the side of the public when the police department shows up in just as the inability to take certain action. And so the changes that we made to these codes are really filling in some narrow gaps that we had without kind of the plain text interpretation. You know, a lot of feedback that we've gotten is that all of the stuff was already illegal. And yes, it appears that way. But there are some loopholes that we had to. We had to close. I think it's also really important to also mention that. The base foundation of what we are doing as always to try to divert to treatment or other resources. that was built and established. Before eniko changes to include the camping our and to rush forward. We wanted to make sure that there was increased services that the municipality was going increase the services private providers across the board, not just by Anchorage Police Department and wanted to make sure that there are service providers out there outside of the municipality that we're also gonna be able to help. So without foundation being laid. The culture shift in the police department is that we are going to try that provide that level of service because the answer is not arresting our way out of a problem that I think we all identified and have had people that frustrations system can't handle that. The only way to try to improve some of the challenges that have been brought forward is you got to address the treatment side of it. You got to address the underlying problem. As well as taking up some of the ordinances. The treatment and the service providing isn't isn't available or the person's going to take. Thanks, Chief. I appreciate that explanation there. There may be some members some questions from my colleagues. >> I'll just say for my part, proud to be Co sponsoring this ordinance. I hope my colleagues will support it. I understand everyone's and tell own opinion. But I do take some issue with the characterization that this body course members or not compassionate are concerned about the challenges and some of those vulnerable people in our community. I think we spent a lot of time talking about how do we best serve those who are struggling with homelessness or mental health or substance abuse issues? I see your continued support for expanding shelter and housing opportunities and other types of services to help folks. I think this body and certainly I as an individual see the plight of these people in and want to. Extend help. And I think that it's been true for for the years that I've been here. But I say I also have to have some compassion for the everyday members of our society who longer feel. Welcome in our shared spaces, right? I have to worry also about the rights. Of the family who says they can't take their kids the park anymore because there's somebody more often than not running around with their pants around the ankles. Or engaging in this type of threatening or menacing behavior that we see people feel like they can walk through Town Square Park without being menaced tore down the streets. It's been a lot of time downtown. You know, my rules, assembly member almost every day. You don't have to walk more than couple blocks to find somebody having some. Gauging a type of behavior that makes would also uncomfortable that they feel the need to cross the street and walkway around out of their way to get to where they're gone and effects not just these individuals but the businesses and the overall health of our downtown. And I think we've heard these complaints enough from the business community in from people in from the tours to know that it is a very real problem. And so I think I also need to have some compassion for. For those people as well. And just to recognize that in our shared spaces, they're intended to be shared and whatever the underlying cause, whatever leads somebody to place where they're acting out in this way. Look, I'm all for getting them help as a first resort, but I am not want to cede control of our sidewalks, parks to folks who feel for whatever reason same title to engage in this behavior. So I'm happy to support this ordinance. >> Thank U next. Have a strong. Thank you, Mister Chair. I have a lot of thoughts come swirling around right now. So try to be I guess know it's clear it's possible. But I guess what I'm wrestling with is the very real what I perceive to be very Public safety issues, particularly downtown else for my district. I'm a downtown business owner. Myself. I agree member Johnson that we. Have taken a lot of steps to try to serve different parts of our. Population. Different demographics in our folks who are unhoused definitely. those efforts seem to continue for sure. You know, but balancing that public safety issues with. Constitutional rights. I think that that is really top of mind. With what we're seeing national news right now and making sure that don't. Overstep or that we don't leave. We don't allow lack of clarity too. Potentially result in abuse of authority. I also have a question that this is a question for Chief case, if you don't mind coming back up, this is a lot to dive into right now. But actually just had really good friend of mine and a constituent of mine assaulted. We discussed this. ♪ When this came One of the things I expressed to the municipal attorney was I want to know why I want the community to have realistic expectations of what inforcement looks like and how much inforcement that will there will be because I feel like. Past us we are sending a message to the public. That when they call. There will be response. A timely response. That that can go through the system appropriately. I have discussed with both yourself and the municipal attorney. suspect talking about with my friend was assaulted by the woman who I think potentially had behavior, health issues. The they're providing a form to fill out that form. Foreman essentially asking member of the public call that in to say that they performed citizens arrest on that person. turning that person over to peace officer. To me when I read that form it was not descriptive of what actually happened in that case. And I think that there's maybe some state statute that needs to. need to dive into. And I hope to work with you and the Turning on a project to update that former or perceived that is the proper response. But I guess first, I would just like to hear from you what you imagine. Teams to departments capacity for enforcement. For this. What that is and what enforcement looks like when addressing some of the things that are outlined in the ordinance. >> chairman role I want to start with timely response to that was that was part of your question. I believe in. I think the one thing that would just remembers how understaffed the police department. An excuse that we're just gonna use forever. We have 49 officers in training currently. And we have a June and December academy schedule and we keep going the direction we're going, we will be fully staffed by the December. Kathy, here to kind of been training. So making a lot of progress. So we're going to have to we're going to have delayed response. Mueller. We're short staffed. We have placed a lot of movement in our staffing to address some of these issues and some of the concerns that here. But you're talking right now is almost outreach in Melbourne are mentioned, adding clinicians and expanding our community policing team, which we call the impact team. So even short staff were placing the emphasis on those issues. I think across the board we can expect a police department in a city of our size covering the geography that we have with the number of police officers that we have, that we're going force every single law all the time immediately. What it's called across the board. We're very focused on these types of offenses because they're very they're in the public eye right now that we've been dealing with for several years. And so there's a lot of frustration around these particular policies, but just similar to the camping ordinance. We are not going to start day one by just across the board. Arresting everybody that we can that qualifies under the statutes. That's just that's that's not the way I'm going to have these these disco be enforced. We're going to take we have about 4 to 6 weeks before the courts actually can allow once it gets past to be able make the arrest. We'll utilize that time to make sure that we do appropriate outreach and make sure that the public is aware of these crimes. What the consequences of the crimes are. And then once code goes live to are with the courts can accept them, then we'll start implementing arrests. But again, we're gonna we're going to focus on. Providing resource the incident that you mentioned, for example, that that person. Did have some behavioral issues. And those behavioral health issues were addressed on that particular day that took a priority over the criminal code. And so in some situations that happens where that the behavioral issues take priority at all the time. But sometimes. So the public should expect a runway that we're going to use the public as well as all the members here should expect that we're going to report out on what these calls for service look like, whether the increase or were they just decrease? What are responses to these calls for service? How many times we are going to be able to divert out of the arrest process and provide services. How many times we're going to arrest to solve the problem. so it's going to follow the same processes that can't be ordinance. And I think that's a great parallel. Just a kind of give an example. And we look at the camping ordinance we've made. We made arrests. We made quite a few number of arrests which had a number of people that have chosen to move to different areas because, you know, the crux of these code changes right years. These this he said to be here aren't allowed in certain protected places, not ban for municipalities, a whole so moving people out of these areas is also an option. And then obviously arrests. Our resources are part of will report those 3 numbers. We want to dash board look into a camping for some reason. But we're report on some of these incidents. >> How do you envision so situation like your constant described? Someone is harassed or they feel like going to be salted or someone in their personal space. And in a public place. They call that in. Nicole 9, 1, 1, 3, 1, 1, There wasn't an officer there at the time to witness that happen. And that instance. And that type of situation. >> So with the exception of domestic violence, there's a few other Kevin Dotson code as well. But mostly domestic violence most commonly known one from misdemeanor. That's not committed in an officer's presence. We can make that arrest based on probable cause all felony crimes. You can do that and there's some limited misdemeanor crimes. It doesn't fall within those misdemeanor crime specifically outlined in statute. Then the arrest is by statute is is by that. But a member of the public that is a victim of the crime. So they they come to us. They tell us what happened. We do the paperwork. We put people in handcuffs. We do. The follow-up is needed. We do all that work that we normally would do that. I think the public has expectation, but we require a form that person signs a private person signs, saying that they're placing this person under arrest there, the arresting party, if you will. We facilitate the arrest and I know. >> We're going to flush some of in a separate conversation, I think. But I just I guess I'm just curious. And in that instance, how likely is it that that person you that the offending person will actually be prosecuted and go through the system? I mean, is this. And amendment or at my head around, like how much of this is symbolic or lie? You know, what is the likelihood you want? Officer doesn't witness the interaction? Person? Would be prosecuted. I >> I think this whole tourney council probably in a little bit on us. A from my our experience right now. You know, we are tracking I hate to back the camping ordinance. But there's some similarities here. So we're tracking 128 arrests that have to do with retail theft in the camping ordinance. In some of the things we put an emphasis on and not all those are camping out of reasons to see where they're at the process. How many all the way through how many plant out in drop for whatever reason. And so from my perspective, the municipal trees, officers done an excellent job and pushing those cases forward. Certainly much, much different than we've seen in years past. And some of those arrests that most most of those arrest, particularly for retail theft, are all pregnant person's arrest. So the fact that it's a difference private person, arrests in arrest warrant officer made it because they observe it doesn't necessarily mean that that's a higher likelihood that they're going. They're going get rid of number. The officers to monitor the investigation, the start of an by work and the city. A police report that that goes along with that form that still person's arrest. There's still evidence that's all being collected. Just the same. Yeah. paternity, you share that. View. That summary. Yes, through the chair the arrest is almost It's not critical to the prosecution itself the arrest of the former talking about that just a mechanism to actually take that person into custody at that moment. >> Stop. Okay. Doing to But that the decision prosecute is made based on. But the evidence is. And if you think about a lot of crimes, for example, domestic violent crimes where there isn't an officer president, that's all based on witness statements and witness testimony. Right and other types of evidence. And so all the evidence is what plays into the prosecution. The rest is almost incidental to the actual prosecution. Okay. Great. >> And a wrap up here pretty quick. But I so. In trying to balance. People civil rights and the need for more public safety enforcement and then hearing the public testimony here tonight, I am persuaded that the language of engage and threatening in a sink on debt. Maybe a little too fake. So I'm gonna make a floor amendment. On page 3. Line 13. To strike. Or engage in threatening or menacing conduct. I would move that it's amendment second. Thank you. question to amend by Mister Gore, seconded by Mr. Now, yeah. So just speak to that I'm we need repeat it for Page. 3 line 13 to strike the language or engage and threatening or menacing conduct. Yes, page 3. One, 13. We're going to strike. Knowingly to be we're number is going strike or engage in threatening or menacing conduct. So that the language around loud noise that would remain. Yeah. So I I think that I would welcome a separate project. follow-up project to capture exactly what chair constant described. Because I have constituents. That I know have to. Undergo that type of experience. Those type of scary interactions. But I want to be. Very specific about what what that means. And I think we can maybe unpack that a little bit. It's probably a little bit too much to do right now. tonight. just want to be really clear about what this effectually it's and make sure that we're not. We're not being too vague and we're not leaving stuff open to to be abused. Thanks. Mister President. >> Yeah, I would like to ask to him up. And and and just briefly it seems pretty clear what Mitt menacing behavior So I I I'm I'm curious whether there there is a clear criteria that the his officers use to determine net menacing behavior. >> I threw the chairman pressure yet. think the example that we have the example that your constant used is. good example. That doesn't come without challenges, though. And you know, getting someone to articulate that language that meets that kind of definition. That can challenging. Articulating a tour rises. The level where somebody feels threatened subjectively threatened and we had testified about, you know, just somebody opening open, carry that objectively stand-alone. That's a constitutional right. Like just that alone. Can't objectively be used as threatening behavior. That has to be something else. In addition to. And I think we see that across the board. We see when we hear people talk about fear that they have a kind of falls along the same line. I was afraid because of this conduct. you know, our officers are ready do that and have kind of that ground foundation laid particularly in fear, salts. There are 2 collating a fear that meets the statutory requirement. That is they believe that they in danger of physical injury. And so the officers, they go through a process, there are well trained and that already this fall similarly along those lines where they're engaging in conduct that is going to put, you know, reasonable person in fear based on what they're saying, how they're acting, what they what they have in their possession and how they're using what they have in their possession. Are they being followed? You know, all of those factors going to creating whether or not the case is going to move forward and the prosecution phase. So. Part of the education phase that's going in that I mentioned the 4.46, weeks post passing this. It also applies to the option on the street and how some of these changes in Kokomo are these seem like they're not much of a change. These are going to be practical changes in every change in here. He's going require. In-service training for officers connections. They're applying the coach accurately. Chair. I move to next. Right. And Mister Press for nailed on. >> There's motion. >> extend by 15 minutes plans for a second by Mister. And is there objection? The motion. You know, actually been extended by 15 minutes. So. Well. Good perceived. Thank you. Thank you. >> Good news is if I appreciate the answer. will just say that I I don't think this is a officers that you work with. They're they're making need added regular basis and then try to determine what threatening behavior is is is is part of job. I wanted to say that I don't support this this amendment. I think it's important that we have tools in place for our officers to be able address behaviors that are threatening and menacing and and and falls in line with their their job at as it stands. So I would I would encourage my colleagues to not support amendment and and to to allow to move forward at That they can share. And I'd like to stay in the queue for for for that. For them. It into the main motion. >> Amendment. A source. >> Yeah, >> don't support this amendment. It kind of seems like this amendment. >> kind of. >> The whole changes are trying to be made here. I think that threatening and menacing behavior. You know, those are. >> Things that we need to address. To you. I don't I don't support this amendment. Thank you. >> Mr. Clarke, not amendment destruction. >> Yeah, thank Mister Chair. I think my colleagues said most of what I have in mind, just like to point out that are law enforcement officers are trained in terms of how to interpret this and recognize those behaviors. That's one check. We also have the prosecutors to The case may be referred as another check to figure out whether or not they think the statutory language is appropriate. And then finally we have the courts, right? So I would say that there are checks in the system there to make sure that this is being applied in a way that is logical and reasonable. And we did spend some time in the work session kind of unpacking what threatening or medicine conduct means that I appreciate that. The prosecutor in the municipal tourney walking us through it. I don't think that says this, should be new to the members here tonight. And finally, just want to say that I think and adopting this amendment in a way. We are making an affirmative statement as a spy that threatening or menacing conduct is okay and our public spaces and I will sit very I believe it's not. And so I will be opposing this amendment. ♪ >> Yeah, thank I have a concern about the language here. So I'm going I'm looking at really what the original version does in it as that. That language that we talked about. It also removes the phrase with intent to disturb others or in reckless disregard of. And so by just striking. Peace is a piece of it and not putting that other piece back then. It was really just knowingly generate loud noise in a public place that in a manner that would and fear with interfere with others lawful you. So essentially, if I went into the park and I played extremely loud metal music. I'm not a metal head, but if I did probably would interfere with a whole bunch of people's experience of that park. But it would not necessarily be with the intent to disturb others. Make guys really like metal music radar. Maybe I like any other kind of music that some people may find offensive or just just just harmonious and so so my concern about this particular one, I I do have concerns about this phrasing, but I think if we strike part of it and then we don't put this back are actually making this much more broad in a way that I don't think is the intent and also then, you know, it does raise the question if the intent is to talk about menacing conduct that can be done silently. And so this both would narrow it back down but also create a situation where someone's I think first amendments rights could be violated potentially if that if that intent language is not in there and it is already in the rest of these, certainly stunned some of the sections. So anyway says knowingly is one thing that this the intent language. I think it's also important. So I wouldn't support striking that without also addressing this other piece. Thanks. >> On the Amendment, Mr. Terrance. Yes, thank you. Chief. you mentioned yourself in terms of your leadership and what that means to the implementation and the rollout. And so with respect to interpretation. For example, threatening more menacing. And the way we are training folks. To some extent we're counting on you. Navigate that and steward the best outcomes forward that we're hearing in terms of the promises being made. And I wanted to flag that because is it fair to say that if you are not the chief and we have a different. Different chief and a different administration. They could. Have a different interpretation and and be heavy handed. For example, where you are describing help first to some extent, could it be reinterpreted in a different way because that that that part is what I think. Mister vote on this getting at, but also our member Silvers who is not going to support the amendment. Also described there is some vague needs to be clarified in that area. So my concern the subjective nature of of the language. You few you personally describe that. Sometimes the coat seems as clear as day and realize it's not. And then you have to get granular and granular. So I want to get granular with those particular terms. Is there more work to do and how do we ensure beyond anyone's term? Because we're passing cold from beyond our time on the dais and hope hopefully be on your time as the chief because you don't want to be there forever. That member Martinez. I want to be clear about the code and how it's interpreted and how it's applied. >> That is not something that the chief gets to change and look at the prosecution, the court Sunday. We're going we're going put this differently now. I could. Generally the way the code is going to be interpreted with the officers are going to be trained in terms of making an arrest for these actual Cody's is going to be steady, consistent and and it's going to influence largely by whether or not we need probable cause standard, which is a which legal analysis that that the chief, it really any influence? Myself for a future chief influences is the culture that we provide care to people in need prior to going state to straight to arrest. And that is a cultural change. But can tell you, did start with me invent this. We have a lot of officers that we hired. In fact. The majority of the officers that we hire come to the apartment with a desire. To solve problems in a meaningful way. I didn't start that. just noticed it over the last 10 years and seeing kind of the people that were hiring to bring in police department. On top of that, we've created over the last several years. Is setting up systems in place like diversion programs. Those also don't just disappear overnight, particularly when there are effective. In many situations are cheaper going to the criminal justice system in many situations. The more effective quicker don't have to delay of the criminal justice system. And so when you have the hiring the employees, that party have that kind of built into them already in. You're getting a better solutions that can solve problems just making arrests. I think you're going to be challenged. To have another chiefs come in and say, well, we're just going to completely get rid of that philosophy because there's infrastructure that we felt behind that it's not just a philosophy. So more than that. And now I also think that. Because I hear that a lot. You know what happens? How do we future-proof so to speak? Certain things that we've set up You know, to some extent we can never say 100%. We can future for something. But but I think when we create something that the public starts to get behind and we're seeing that momentum now because we're seeing some changes perfect yet. But we're getting there. The public doesn't want is going allow us. To just go back on that when it's affective and they're getting the results, they want to see. Thank you. Have that answer my question. And with respect to the to the amendment. >> I understand the interest in tightening up because it is it is vague from my vantage point. >> I was called another last name tonight. All right. So people are subjective in our community. And what is threatening and menacing to one. might be different different to somebody else and the way we interact with menacing and threatening. So I am concerned. I don't think be supporting that the amendment because I think I do appreciate that. It would cut. Clarifying. Threatening and menacing. More specifically. My concern is that. You described a certain degree of permanence. Behind values and things that we take almost self evident. Unfortunately, this day in our country, things that we thought were constitutionally protected, don't appeared appear to be subjectively enforced because things change from one day to the next. And my concern is that. Language that is understood today. Geared toward a particular problem in our community. Could be. Reinterpreted in other ways across time. That would tend to affect people who. Marginalized by and large. So I concern myself with that aspect and I communicate to my colleagues I think we need to tighten up some things. I speak to folks on the community who are. Street folks and who agree that we have to do some things around some of the behaviors that could be perceived as today we're calling menacing and threatening. But I want to get. I don't know how we could clear up with chief. Do you have do we have any other language that was that we can be thinking about that. We can bring forward and be a little clearer about what that means. Bottomley he's someone perceives a threat. Doesn't necessarily mean it's the threat. But under the language here they would. The person a person could be treated like they made a threat. Because someone perceived. And it wasn't necessarily that way and that that language is concerning to me because there are a lot of folks in our community with cultural differences that. Mainstream America looks at like they're threatening just because they're present. So I want to be real clear about that. distinction between. And other sorts of dangerous behavior. leads up to kind of the subjective nature. I don't know where we end off with that. I don't know tonight is going to be the end-all for this particular item. But those are some of the gaps that I want to make sure that we are closing and addressing because our time is limited on these bodies. But the code hopefully is more durable than Thank you. Attorney. >> just she could speak to some of the concerns. Carter. >> Thank Threw the chair. I just wanted to speak to the actual language of ordinance in this section because it was drafted with an eye creating guardrails against subjective enforcement and subjective interpretation. And so if you look at it in order to prosecute this or an officer on the ground looking to enforce this needs checks, not just one box of threatening a menacing conduct. Really 3 boxes. We have to ensure that there is a threat near Madison conduct, which I think has a common-sense meeting that up. Officers are accustomed to to understanding they also have to the sure that the typed the threatening menacing conduct is of a type that I interfere with other people's lawful use and enjoyment of the space to be conduct that would interfere with the people's ability to use that space. And then 3rd, that interference has to be unreasonable, which is an objective standard, not a subjective standard. has to be something that they think, right. If you take it to a jury, that jury will think and and believe like, yes, that was an unreasonable interference. So some of the examples we've seen tonight, right, somebody openly carrying a firearm have a lawful right to do that. If they're walking through a public park standing near somebody. Both openly carry a firearm. I think that's something that a student, unreasonable interference of people's use. perhaps objectively somebody might be offended by it or be fearful. They don't think that's something that an officer, a prosecutor or a or a jury would find to be unreasonable on its So just wanted to get that out there in case that pups members with there. But their discussion. >> Mr speak to them and they could. ♪ Looking at the Q. Misbah and they were you on the amendment. Welcome back to you. Yes, you deal to Mister McCormick. If he has something to say right >> Ok, Clark, as one as chief case. Kind of going back to. I have an early in the summer as I'm looking strike, threatening and menacing. >> If someone is walking and has something on their shoulder and they get struck in that object on the shoulder and someone says I'm gonna kill you. >> Does this cover that situation? Chairman McCormick S okay. And this is different. This is something new that would have been covered before. Yes, I believe that we're at okay. And now if someone does something like this, police show up. Are they going to be asked to sign a private citizens arrest form to have any charges go through our police, going to to come investigate and make an arrest. We are required by law to the private person. >> Currently signed the form now. >> I'm a little confused. Unlike Johnson V United States, the Supreme Court said the 4th Amendment requires probable cause determination by a neutral judge. Not officers in the field. So I'm given that was APD rely on private person, arrest affidavits instead of seeking warrants or summons for the misdemeanors for the vast majority of crimes that your officers can't witness. So if the person that committed the crimes, not there, then the officers, when they can identify the person, how she would go make the arrest the privacy rest farm is utilizing the field when the person is in the immediate area in the office can immediately, you know, place a person under arrest that we signed a form. If the person is gone, the arrest warrant meets legal requirements. So if the person the victim is there, you require them to sign of private citizens arrest regardless of that, that private citizen detained the individual. If the suspect is a president. Yes, the suspect is present. They find this on We have to go to the court, get an arrest warrant. Let that person walk away and then go back and find the suspect again. So the private pressure rest farm allows us to make that arrest of the suspect walked off a case. You can not get a warrant on the spot to rest on what you would let you saying. You have to let them walk away and then go get a warrant and it's going to take so long, have to let them go and leave and you might lose track of that person. Yeah, we we can't detain someone for minor offense like this minor don't mean the mine and general interpretation. It's a misdemeanor yet. You can't just hold on to that person for an extended like the time. Not super quick to, you know, warrant officers to immediately go do that. But it takes the time have you could have someone standing or sitting in custody in handcuffs for an hour or more. And so prices arrest warrant is the way to expedite. Arrestin process moving. That's correct. Okay. Thank you very much. So myself think you try to much effect to push back something you just said. >> The example that was given someone comes up behind you knock something out of your hands going kill you. You're telling me right now that is not prosecutable under assault, attempted assault that's currently on the books. >> It could be right it could be depending what the market. >> So I just want to be clear that the example that was used, it isn't an enforceable without this law. I think that was somebody said I'm gonna kill you and have their hands on my body or my. Person being including my packages. In my hand. I'm confident that there is already a lot that could address that concern. And so this is somewhat different. This is a lower standard, kind of a harmful We're talking misdemeanor and below. Also, I just had to push back on that because I feel like. They answer you gave us without this current law that couldn't be enforced. I really think we're at a time for this debate tonight and item will come back to us to next Tuesday in a week. basically we're going to adjourn here in just a minute. Less than a minute. These items continue the meeting. But these items to the next regularly scheduled meeting. Sorry to our friends in the public who wish to speak in kind audience participation. We're the tournament. everybody who's here, thank you for coming. This conversation isn't done yet. Thank you, everybody. ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪