Public Meetings - Anchorage, Alaska

On Friday, August 21, 2026, the Anchorage Assembly held a work session (1:30–2:30 p.m.) to hear from Anchorage School District (ASD) Superintendent Dr. Bryant about the ASD Listens campaign, a community engagement initiative developed in response to the failed 2026 bond and levy propositions. The session also covered school opening updates, budget challenges, and the relationship between the Assembly and the School Board. Discussion Items - Superintendent’s Presentation on ASD Listens: Dr. Bryant outlined the three-part initiative: a community value survey (launching September 8, 2026, in multiple languages), community conversations, and a “Demystifying the District” series. The goal is to build trust, gather feedback on major decisions (e.g., future bond propositions, $40+ million shortfall by February 2027), and create feedback loops. The initiative is administration-led, not School Board-governed. - School Opening and Budget Context: Dr. Bryant noted a strong start to the school year (first day August 19, 2026) despite a $90 million operating expense reduction. The state may provide up to $32 million in additional aid, contingent on the revenue commissioner’s determination by August 30/31, 2026. Graduation rates have rebounded to pre-pandemic highs, and early AK Star assessment data shows ASD outpacing state averages in ELA and math. - Assembly Q&A: - Member Scout asked about collaboration between the municipality and ASD, and whether the Assembly could see raw survey results. Dr. Bryant agreed to share raw data and noted the survey includes questions on school closures/consolidations. - Member Gerker questioned graduation rate accuracy, given that retention is parent-opt-in. Dr. Bryant deferred to state graduation requirements. - Member Presbiteria praised the initiative’s broader scope (beyond single decisions) and asked how to institutionalize it. Dr. Bryant confirmed the effort is designed to be ongoing, not crisis-driven. - Member Park asked about equity and DEI department changes. Dr. Bryant clarified a title change to “Equity Engagement Compliance” to reflect focus. - Member Silver asked about long-term planning. Dr. Bryant noted the survey includes a question on whether a multi-year plan would increase support for bonds or consolidations. - Chair Brawley emphasized the need to respect noticing limits and not conflate the administration’s campaign with the School Board’s right-sizing committee. - Cost and Support: Dr. Bryant stated the primary cost is staff time, printing postcards, and maintaining an internal survey panel. Assembly members were asked to help promote the survey to constituents. Key Outcomes - No votes or formal actions were taken; the session was informational. - The Assembly will receive raw survey data and a deeper dive at the next joint Assembly-School Board meeting on September 18, 2026 (10 a.m.–noon at ASD Education Center). - The ongoing right-sizing committee (with Assembly and School Board participation) will be informed by the survey results. - A suggestion was made to offer incentives (e.g., prizes) to increase survey response.

The Assembly Rules Committee held a special meeting on Friday, August 21, 2026, from approximately 11:50 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. (extended slightly) to continue discussion on committee assignments, structure, and scheduling, and to receive a training on quasi-judicial proceedings from legislative staff. Chair Anna Brawley led the meeting. Members present included George Cameron, Perez Radio, Janice Donald Handel, Sure, Sydney Scout, Anna Brawley, Yara Silvers, and (telephonically) Keith McCormick. Erin Baldwin Day and Dan O'Bullen were absent. Public Comments & Testimony - Jamie Lopez (formerly homeless, representing the homeless community) expressed disappointment with the proposed bi-monthly or quarterly schedule for the Health and Homelessness committee, arguing it reduces public access for testimony from homeless individuals who lack time awareness. He urged monthly meetings and criticized the administration for lacking transparency, particularly regarding police surveillance technology (facial recognition tracking) and non-compliance with previous resolutions (e.g., AO 2023-35 S1 requiring annual surveillance reports by June 1st, which he claimed were not produced for 2023–2025). Discussion Items - Committee Structure and Leadership: Chair Brawley presented a working draft that proposes: combining infrastructure with transportation; renaming Rules to Governance; moving health out of Public Health & Safety to form a new Health and Homelessness committee; splitting housing into a Housing and Community Development committee; making Public Safety a committee of the whole; and adjusting meeting schedules to cluster on Thursdays and Wednesdays with at least 30-minute buffers. The draft also included training up new leaders (termed "train up") to rotate chair roles. - Member Feedback: - Yara Silvers suggested 30-minute breaks between meetings (preferring shorter buffers than one hour). - Jared (Gerk? identified as "Jared") volunteered to co-chair Public Safety and expressed interest in the Visit Anchorage liaison role. - Sydney Scout volunteered to co-chair the Enterprise and Utilities committee (with Zach) and to co-chair Housing and Community Development (with George), and expressed interest in the ACDA liaison. - Janice Handel volunteered to chair the Legislative committee. - George Cameron advocated for durable committee titles (e.g., keep economic development in Housing & Community Development) rather than temporal ones like housing, and noted that committees should not overstep into quasi-authoritative roles without expertise. - Cameron (no last name) clarified he had no input on the draft and asked if Health and Homelessness would be quarterly (the draft showed bi-monthly, but Chair noted earlier proposals for quarterly from Erin). - Donald Handel indicated willingness to chair Transportation. - The chair noted that committee membership is opt-in (except Audit) and that the schedule is flexible for special meetings. - Quasi-Judicial Training: Jeff Purzell (clerk staff) presented on quasi-judicial procedures for alcohol and marijuana license hearings. Key topics included due process (citing Matthews v. Eldridge), ex parte communication rules, evidence standards (competent and substantial), and criteria-based decision making. The training emphasized acting as a judge and avoiding personal beliefs or outside opinion. The chair clarified the training was not a response to any recent events but part of a long-planned effort to reduce litigation risk. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken. The chair directed members to submit final feedback on committee assignments, leadership preferences, and schedule changes to Clerk Jamie by Thursday, August 27, 2026. She indicated she would implement the final structure by the end of September 2026, with possible adjustments for early September meetings. - Several members expressed interest in specific leadership roles (as listed above); the chair will make final assignments based on feedback and may conduct one-on-one conversations. - The quasi-judicial training concluded with no further action required. - The meeting adjourned at approximately 12:50 p.m., with a five-minute break before the next scheduled work session.

This work session, held from 10:40 to 11:40 a.m. on August 21, 2026, focused on the Anchorage Police Department’s Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) and a pending cooperative purchase (AM524 2026) from Thundercat Technology for equipment. The item was postponed from August 4 and 18 meetings and will be on the September 1, 2026 assembly agenda. Chief Case led the presentation, addressing privacy, technology deployment, and the specific purchase. Discussion Items - Privacy and Legal Framework: Chief Case emphasized Alaska’s strong constitutional right to privacy (Article 1, Section 22) and strict search-and-seizure rules, which differ from most states. He noted that officers must obtain warrants for vehicle searches even with probable cause, and that evidence suppression can now affect officer credibility. - Flock Safety Cameras: Chief Case stated the Anchorage Police Department has no contract or relationship with Flock Safety, and he is unaware of any governmental Flock cameras in Alaska. A map shown from the website “deflock” purported to show nine cameras in Anchorage, but he deemed it unverified. The New York Times reported Alaska is the only state without Flock cameras. - Pre-2025 Technology: APD previously had access to traffic cameras (owned by the traffic department), body-worn cameras, dash cameras, and private/business cameras (e.g., Ring). These systems cannot search for people or license plates historically. License plate readers (LPRs) were added post-2025. - Current LPR System: The LPR system reads license plates and checks against a national stolen vehicle database and a limited internal list. It does not capture video, only license plate data and GPS coordinates, retained for 14 days. Only about 10 individuals in the RTCC can access historical data, and only for criminal cases. Officers in the field get alerts only when a plate matches a database entry, and they must manually verify. In 2026, only one case involved sharing LPR data with an outside agency (a federal violent felony case). - Camera Registration and Fusus Core: APD has 236 registered cameras (via a website) and 11 cameras with direct access (all APD-owned). The Fusus core allows businesses to grant limited live access, but Chief Case stressed that APD will never monitor those feeds live due to staffing limitations. - Policy vs. Code: Chief Case noted internal policies can be changed by the chief, but code (e.g., existing restrictions on facial recognition and drones) is harder to amend. He argued code cannot keep pace with technology. Assembly member Gates clarified that if an ordinance is passed, it supersedes conflicting policy. The assembly also discussed the value of codifying certain guardrails. - Funding for Equipment: The $600,000 purchase (AM524 2026) is for basic RTCC equipment—desks, chairs, computer screens, and improved cellular connectivity—not new technology. Funds come from federal forfeiture accounts, which cannot be used for operating budget or to supplant existing funding. The assembly previously approved the appropriation but must now approve the specific use. - Case Studies: Chief Case cited two examples: a suicide threat where technology helped locate the individual, and a sexual assault investigation where intersection cameras and GPS data led to a suspect and an unrelated robbery. He emphasized these capabilities existed before the RTCC. - Effectiveness Studies: A Hartford, Connecticut study showed RTCC involvement made cases 442% more likely to be solved, and a Miami study found consistent crime reduction benefits over time. Key Outcomes - No votes were taken during this work session. The item AM524 2026 will be considered as a continued item on the September 1, 2026 assembly agenda. It does not have a public hearing as it was originally on the consent calendar. - Chief Case reiterated that the purchase is for infrastructure improvements, not new surveillance capabilities. The RTCC operates under strict internal policies that include 14-day LPR data retention, quarterly audits, and annual reporting. The assembly expressed interest in comparing code-based versus policy-based safeguards. - The assembly acknowledged that the real-time crime center and associated technology decisions will continue to be a focus in coming months.

The Infrastructure, Enterprise, and Utility Oversight Committee of the Anchorage Assembly met on August 20, 2026, from 11:16 AM to approximately 12:20 PM. The committee received presentations on three major topics: winter system emergencies in the water and wastewater utility, updates on the Port of Alaska, and a financial outlook for Solid Waste Services. No public testimony was taken and no votes were held. Discussion Items Winter System Emergencies in Water and Wastewater - AWWU Operations and Maintenance Director Brian Boss presented an analysis of the 2025-2026 winter's impacts. Although no temperature or snowfall records were broken, persistent cold temperatures combined with very low snowfall (especially in spring) drove frost depth deeper than normal, reaching up to 11 feet in some locations. - Customer frozen service calls reached approximately 240-250, dwarfing the previous high of under 100 in 2019-2020, constituting over three times the normal volume. Customers faced weeks to a month without water due to private thawing company backlogs. AWWU charged customers roughly $250 for locate and continuity tests. - Emergency excavation complexity increased: AWWU performed 83 digs (vs. 220 in 2021-2022) but spent more overtime hours per dig because excavations required deep trench shoring, fresh air pumping, and warming stations. Many repairs were deferred to summer, including over half of normal hydrant repairs. One Kendall Ford water main break remains unrepaired due to backlog. - For the first time in over 20 years, three frozen water mains occurred within days of each other in late March. Two in downtown, one in South Anchorage (11 feet deep, 1,000 feet of main; took March 31 to April 9 to thaw). The curling club and John Deere dealership also had frozen mains, each taking weeks to resolve. - Frozen sanitary sewer mains increased: the routine weekly icing of 18 sewer segments was doubled to twice per week, committing two out of three crews and reducing emergency response flexibility. A frozen main in Girdwood caused a sanitary sewer overflow into a home; another at Huffman Cars caused a backup. - Equipment and safety challenges included an excavator claw breaking due to frozen ground, and workers suffering from cold so severe they could not speak clearly. Crews worked up to 30 consecutive hours. - Lessons learned and planned actions: develop customer education on deep freeze response, improve data collection forms, purchase additional thawing equipment, and consider tariff modifications to waive dispatch fees during emergencies. Staffing was noted as potentially insufficient. - Members discussed thawing responsibility (customer-owned), marking service locations, best practices from Fairbanks, insulation standards, and the impact of freeze-thaw cycles on cast iron pipe. Port of Alaska Update - Port Director Terry Emmetum and Jacobs Program Manager Eric Adams reported on three items headed to the Assembly in September 2026: - Terminal 1 designer of record change order authority for $2.1 million (GHD WSP). - Acceptance of FY2025 PIDP grant of $4.725 million for the petroleum terminal replacement. - ATT lease extension at 505 East Platte Drive, adding two five-year renewal options through 2041 at fair market rent. - Construction progress: pile installation averaging one per day, demolition of old dock nearly complete, deep soil mixing 85% done for Terminal 1. North Extension Helipad project proposals received; construction in 2027. Terminal 2 design at 35% with stakeholder review in October. - Chair Baldwin Day previewed a future presentation on the port's grant strategy and plan of finance, noting that all federal and state funding offsets tariff costs for Alaskan communities. Solid Waste Services Financial Outlook - Solid Waste Services Director Kelly Toth and Raftelis consultant Terry Bovri presented an updated 10-year financial forecast comparing actuals to 2021 projections. Inflation, regulatory drivers, and capital needs have created pressures. - The disposal fund shows a roughly $5 million shortfall in FY2026 compared to projections, driven by indirect costs, labor, and professional services. The collection fund has a smaller gap. Capital needs over the current five-year period have increased from $35 million (2021 forecast) to $53 million. - No rate request was made at this meeting. Staff will analyze audited FY2025 financials (expected in 1-2 months) before considering rate adjustments, potentially in 2027. A recommendation to change the self-haul recycling/healthy spaces surcharge from a flat fee to a percentage-based fee to improve equity is being developed. - Members asked no questions; the chair noted the presentation was informational. Key Outcomes - No formal votes or decisions were made during the meeting. - The Port of Alaska will bring three items to the Assembly in September 2026. - Solid Waste Services will return with further financial data and potential rate recommendations in the coming months.

The meeting convened at 10:05 a.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2026, and adjourned at 11:05 a.m. The agenda included standing reports, a budget calendar overview, and a detailed presentation on service areas. No public testimony was received, and no votes were taken. The committee discussed financial updates from the Budget Advisory Commission, MOA Trust Fund, Treasury, and OMB, as well as the structure and governance of the municipality's numerous service areas. Standing Reports - Budget Advisory Commission (BAC): Chair Mills reported on the BAC's recent meeting, highlighting a presentation on the foundation formula from ASD's OMB director and a new resolution on 2027 budget priorities. He noted the resolution had not yet appeared on the assembly agenda. Member Baldwin Day asked about recommendations that had not materialized, and Mills clarified that the resolution was just adopted the previous week, so none had been sidelined yet. Baldwin Day expressed gratitude for the commission's proactive stance. - MOA Trust Fund: Investment Director Kevin Liu reported that as of July 31, the fund had a market value of $507 million, with a month-to-date return of -0.4% and a year-to-date return of +6.5%. July saw a rotation from tech to energy sectors, driven by a 20% spike in crude oil prices hovering around $100 per barrel. The next board meeting is scheduled for August 21. - Revenue Report (Treasury): Acting Municipal Treasurer Lauren Crawford presented revenue highlights as of August 18. The municipality has realized 75.8% of its budgeted revenue ($463.9M of $611.8M). Property taxes are tracking as expected, but personal property tax is running slightly high. Building safety fees are running hot, projected to reach about $7 million for the year. Alcohol and marijuana taxes are on track with no seasonality concerns. APD counterfines are low due to a tracking issue, not a revenue problem. - Budget to Actuals & Fund Positions (OMB): Director Ona Brows reported that the municipality is 58% through the fiscal year and 51% spent. Key outliers include the Maintenance & Operations line at 33% spend (due to recent budget reappropriation), the Equal Rights Commission underspent (especially non-labor), and Real Estate at 37% spent (contract timing). The Convention Center and Reserves is at 28% spent, which is expected to remain until year-end. FEMA reimbursements are now under $10 million remaining. The labor/non-labor report showed overall labor at 55% spent and non-labor at 46%. Overtime in M&O has improved to 80% spent after additional funding. Police and fire overtime still exceed allocations due to unfilled seats and salary increases, but year-over-year trends are improving. Public transit overtime remains high due to driver shortages, but current levels are lower than post-pandemic peaks. Travel budget is $586,000 with $275,000 spent. Alcohol tax is at 107% spent due to encumbrances and accounting corrections needed for $1 million in sheltering costs. Marijuana tax is at 66% spent with ACE fund performing well. - Alcohol & Marijuana Tax: Detailed review of overspending resulted from encumbrances not yet cleared. Program operations lines show 0% spent due to payroll not yet billed to the fund. Clerk staff confirmed that regular reconciliation is needed to align encumbrances with expenditures. Budget Calendar Overview OMB Director Brows presented the major milestones for the 2027 budget process: - September 2: Preliminary budget information (120-day memo) transmitted to the assembly. - September 18: Assembly work session on the 120-day memo. - October 2: Mayor's proposed budget transmitted to the clerk. - October 6: Official introduction on the assembly agenda. - October 16: Work session for general government operating and capital budgets. - October 20: Public hearing. - November 6: Assembly work session for amendments. - November 17: Final passage (noting that this meeting is critical for member attendance). Chair Brawley encouraged members to plan accordingly for the busy November period. Service Areas Presentation and Discussion Director Brows provided an extensive overview of service areas—geographically defined districts that fund and govern local services through property taxes or special assessments, authorized under Title 27 of the Municipal Code. There are over 60 service areas in Anchorage, but only six are within the tax cap (the "major funds"): ARTSA (roads), police, fire, parks and rec, area-wide, and building safety (currently fee-supported but recently re-taxed to address deficits). Other service areas include 21 limited road service areas (LERSAs), rural road service areas (Savrsa, South Golden View, Mountain Park Robin Hill), and special purpose districts for street lighting and drainage. Key distinctions discussed: - Fire and police service areas have local boards of supervisors; parks and rec has an advisory commission; street lighting and some small road areas are governed by the municipal department (e.g., M&O). - Eagle River's Chugiak/Eagle River Rural Road Service Area and Parks and Rec are separate boards, while Girdwood Valley Service Area (GVSA) has a single board that also functions as the Girdwood community council, creating unique governance situations. - LERSAs contract private contractors for road maintenance; municipal support is billed through intergovernmental charges (IGCs). - The challenge for service areas like Girdwood and Eagle River is that any tax or bond increase requires approval from the full assembly since the municipality pledges full faith and credit. Member Handelin asked about street lighting governance—no board exists, so municipal departments handle it, but mill rate caps require voter approval for increases. Baldwin Day questioned whether the municipality is compensated for administrative support; Brows confirmed that IGCs are used. Chair Brawley noted that the assembly's governance of ARTSA means all 12 members vote on its budget, even though parts of ARTSA fall outside some districts. She also highlighted the historical complexity: service areas were created at different times, resulting in inconsistent tax structures—for example, some areas opted out of the building safety service area, creating interesting stories. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken; the meeting was informational. - The discussion on service areas will continue at the next committee meeting. - Members were reminded to prioritize the November 17 budget meeting. - Budget analyst Molly Rocher was introduced and will support the budget process. - The committee structure may be reorganized to allow more time between meetings. Other Business - A brief mention of the reappropriation action from the previous meeting affecting M&O overtime was noted. - The next meeting will pick up the service area slideshow and address remaining items.

The Assembly Housing and Homelessness Committee met on August 19, 2026, to receive updates on the enforcement of AO 2026 74 S2 (the camping ordinance), a proposal to amend AMC 16.120 (emergency shelter plan), and public testimony. The meeting took place from 19:03 to 12:48 (recording discrepancy) and featured presentations from municipal departments and partners. Presentation: Camping Ordinance Enforcement and Outcomes - Thea Agnew Benben (Special Assistant to the Mayor) and Chief Case (APD) led a multi-agency update on the camping ordinance passed in July 2025. - Data showed 1,235 tons of trash removed in 2025 vs. 259 tons in 2026 (through July), with no camp abatements in 2026 compared to 28 in 2025. Healthy Spaces reported staff can now respond proactively due to reduced abatement demands. - Enforcement statistics: 90% voluntary compliance, 11% arrest rate. Of 109 cases referred for prosecution, 57 were pending, 6 resulted in convictions (one on appeal), and 46 were declined or dismissed. Reasons for dismissal included insufficient evidence or competency issues. - Outreach teams (HOPE Team, True North Recovery peers) reported contacting over 545 individuals in Q1-Q2 2026, with 801 referrals. Peer engagement doubled service acceptance rates to over 20% vs. 7.5% for officer-only contacts. - Pre-arrest deflection program (starting September 2026) will allow patrol officers to offer services instead of arrest for most misdemeanors; 45-minute response from True North Recovery. - Good Neighbor Fund raised $239,000, expended $105,000, enabling rapid interventions (e.g., bus ticket, storage unit). - Dr. Jennifer Pierce (AFD) reported CORE team reduced EMS calls by 83-100% for engaged individuals; 10 sublingual buprenorphine administrations since March, 6 connected to treatment. - Alder Place (former Golden Lion) outpatient care to open October 2026; South Central Foundation crisis stabilization center delayed; Providence center may open sooner. - Officials acknowledged a shelter bed gap: 300 beds in summer, not enough to offer real-time placement to all. Turnaways ranged from 8-25 per night, but most willing individuals can get shelter within 24 hours. - Member Brawley requested a future briefing on competency determinations and the state's role in releases. Presentation: Changes to AMC 16.120 (Emergency Shelter Plan) - Kimberly Rash (Anchorage Health Department) presented proposed amendments to be introduced September 1, 2026. - Key changes: increase maximum capacity at a single shelter from 150 to 200 clients (exceptions require Assembly approval); replace "database" with "list"; repeal section C; and rename the plan to "emergency plan" rather than "emergency cold weather shelter plan" to reflect year-round operation and applicability to other emergencies (e.g., windstorms, volcanic ash). - The amendment aims to reduce administrative burden for capacity increases and align code with current practices. - A separate licensing update (AMC 16.125) will come later in 2026. - Discussion included zoning challenges, retaining community partner involvement, and the historical context of the original code written in 2010. Public Comments - Ron Oliva (Rogers Park resident, business owner near Brother Francis Shelter): Presented Bindlestick Park recycling project pilot that employed up to 12 homeless individuals, paying them $600 cash weekly, and providing navigation counseling. Expressed frustration over delayed land purchase from MLP. - Chris Stoner (President, Midtown Community Council): Reported recent increases in aggression, camping on private property, and a child exposed to hazards (needles, rain) at Cuddy Park. Pleaded for more enforcement and ability to report concerns. Praised outreach teams but called for action on child safety. - Jamie Lopez (formerly homeless, advocate): Criticized the system as theater, stating the ordinance causes displacement and trauma, likening it to driving people like cattle. Argued women are less safe when isolated, and authorities like Lieutenant Fuchs (former military police) create distrust. Claimed people are left without help, citing a recent event where 50+ people were pushed from a building without services. Key Outcomes - The committee received the presentations and public testimony for informational purposes. No formal votes were taken. - The proposed AO amending AMC 16.120 will be introduced on September 1, 2026, with public hearing set for late September. - Multiple committee members requested additional data and briefings, including arrests for theft/drugs (by Council member Park), warrant types (by Member Scout), and the competency/forensic gap (by Chair Brawley). - The committee extended the meeting by 10-15 minutes to accommodate questions.

Note: Although the meeting was called to order on Tuesday, August 18, 2026 (per the transcript), the user-provided timestamp indicates 2026-08-19 05:21:39+00:00. This summary uses the meeting date from the transcript where applicable, but the title reflects the user's supplied date. The Anchorage Assembly met on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, beginning at 5:00 p.m. with roll call, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a land acknowledgement recognizing the Dena’ina people. Eleven members were present (one excused). The meeting included approval of minutes, a chair’s report, committee updates, introduction of a surveillance technology ordinance, two appearance requests, consent agenda items, multiple public hearings, and extensive quasi-judicial debate on a marijuana special land use permit. The meeting adjourned after assembly comments. Consent Calendar - Approved minutes from previous meetings (unanimous). - Consent agenda approved minus two polled items (AR 2026‑244 and AR 2026‑245). AR 2026‑244 (Hunger Action Month) was postponed to September 1, 2026 at the request of the receiving organization. AR 2026‑245 (Women’s Equality Day) was adopted unanimously; the resolution recognized August 18, 2026 as Women’s Equality Day and celebrated the 19th Amendment’s ratification and ongoing equality efforts. Appearance Requests - Wisteria Johnson (District 3) requested a standalone community event calendar on the municipal website (Muni.org) to boost awareness and local economy. - Pastor Leon May (First River in the Desert Church, representing the Interdenominational Ministry Alliance and MLK Foundation) urged the Assembly to rescind the censure of Member Martinez, stating the member had been “censured enough by the public” and that the censure was unprecedented and unwarranted. Public Comments & Testimony On marijuana license (AR 2026‑225): - Supporters (including Baltazar Arias, his son, employees, community members, and a combat veteran) emphasized applicant’s 25‑year investment in Muldoon, adherence to city requirements, creation of 4‑6 full‑time jobs, and fair treatment under existing laws. Several noted the applicant’s character, work ethic, and responsible business track record. - Opponents (including a neighboring healthcare facility owner, Northeast Community Council representatives, and a resident) cited proximity to a playground and school, traffic/parking issues, insufficient community engagement, and concerns that the location fails separation distances. Some argued the community council’s opposition was based on changed management rather than location. Discussion Items - Chair’s Report: Noted primary election day, meeting schedule challenges, upcoming school year, and work sessions with ASD. - Committee & Liaison Reports: Upcoming meetings of Infrastructure Oversight (Aug 20), Budget & Finance (Aug 20), Housing & Homeless (Aug 19), and Community & Economic Development (Sept 3). - Introduction of AO 2026 unnumbered (Surveillance Technology): An ordinance repealing/replacing AMC Chapter 3.102 and amending §7.15.040 to restrict surveillance technology, automate license plate readers, real‑time crime center operations, and live camera monitoring. Introduced with a public hearing set for September 1, 2026. - Debate on 15A – Marijuana License (AR 2026‑225): Quasi‑judicial hearing involving community meeting adequacy, separation distance measurements (200‑foot lot‑line to lot‑line and 500‑foot pedestrian route), interpretation of Title 21 (including whether abutting parking lots count toward playground distances), community council verification processes, and planning department consistency. Member Silvers argued code was not followed regarding “abutting parking lots”; Planning Manager Elizabeth Appleby and Senior Planner Ari Gupta stated the department’s interpretation has been applied consistently. Applicant’s attorney noted surveys confirm distances exceed requirements. The Northeast Community Council requested reconsideration but did not sway the majority. Key Outcomes - Unanimous approvals: AR 2026‑245 (Women’s Equality Day), minutes, consent agenda items not pulled, alcohol special land use permits (AR 2026‑232, AR 2026‑231), and marijuana cultivation renewal (AR 2026‑236 – conditions met). - Ordinance Introduced: AO 2026 unnumbered (Surveillance Technology) – public hearing September 1, 2026. - Postponed: AR 2026‑244 (Hunger Action Month) and AM 524‑2026 (Real‑Time Crime Center AV system) to September 1, 2026. - 14B – Property Disposal to Chugach Electric: Approved 10‑1 after clarifying lease value ($19,650/year) and remaining term (through 2030). - 15A – Marijuana License for Baltazar Holdings DBA Sensomia: Approved 8‑3 after a motion to call the question. The license and special land use permit were granted with conditions (parking plan and landscaping verification).

The Assembly Rules Committee met from 1:00 PM to 3:18 PM on August 13, 2026. The meeting, chaired by Anna Brawley, covered reports from the Mayor's office and municipal departments, a presentation on group dynamics and meeting procedures, discussion of an ad hoc school closure committee, a legal training on legislative immunity, and a review of member travel and spending policies based on an internal audit. Public testimony touched on surveillance reporting and housing committee meeting frequency. Several items were deferred to future meetings due to time constraints. Public Comments & Testimony - Jamie Lopez E. Sankridge (formerly Coalition for My Homeless) expressed disappointment that annual UAS and surveillance reports mandated by ordinance have not been produced since 2022, and raised concerns about facial recognition technology through the Real Time Crime Center. He also criticized the proposed reduction of the Housing and Homelessness Committee from monthly to bi-monthly meetings, calling it a failure to help vulnerable populations. Discussion Items - Chair's Governance Presentation: Anna Brawley introduced the Tuckman model of group development (forming, storming, norming, performing) to describe current assembly dynamics. She suggested renaming the Rules Committee to the Governance Committee and offered training opportunities on legislative procedure, quasi-judicial processes, and committee best practices. - School Closure Joint Committee: Anna reported that the Anchorage School Board (ASD) formed its own ad hoc committee on school right-sizing, inviting only one assembly liaison (Janice Park) as a non-voting member, contrary to a June 5, 2026 joint meeting motion that called for equal representation and voting rights for assembly members. Several members (Sydney, Jared, Daniel, Aaron) expressed frustration and disappointment. Aaron Baldwin Day presented best practices for school closure reuse, emphasizing early community engagement, intergovernmental clarity, and prioritizing public benefit. - Legislative Immunity Presentation: Intern Zach Christie gave a training on the legal doctrine of legislative immunity, explaining that protection depends on the function performed (e.g., debate, voting, committee work) rather than location. Gray areas include social media and community council meetings. - Travel and Spending Policy Review: Anna Brawley outlined the individual spending accounts (ISA) – $24,000 per seat per year – used for aides, communications, travel, and other legislative purposes. Internal Auditor Alden reported that a special study of assembly travel (from 2022-2026) found that while most expenses were properly documented, they could not verify prior written approval from the chair for multiple trips due to archived emails, and no evidence was provided that airfare was the most economical option. Alden highlighted these as policy gray areas rather than violations. Anna noted she delayed releasing the audit memo from July 28 to August 6 to provide context and avoid politicization, drawing criticism from Jared Goger who felt it withheld relevant evidence from an earlier debate. Members discussed possible reforms, including a cap on travel spending and elimination of per diem. Key Outcomes - Anna Brawley announced she will schedule a special Rules Committee meeting on Friday, August 21, 2026, to address committee assignments and proposed schedule changes. - The discussion on travel and spending policy will continue at the next regular meeting; Anna will work with the clerk on draft policy changes. - Anna appointed Janice Park as the assembly liaison to ASD’s ad hoc school closure committee. - Anna stated she will announce youth representative selections by the end of the week of August 13, with their first meeting on September 1, 2026. - The audit and travel policy discussions will inform potential code changes and process improvements.

This work session was held to consider the appointment of Glenn Cipriano as the Director of the Police and Fire Retirement Trust. The session included introductions, a presentation by the candidate, and a discussion of the role and its requirements. Consent Calendar - No items were on the consent calendar. The appointment is scheduled for the August 18, 2026 assembly meeting as a consent agenda item. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made during this session. Discussion Items - Lance Wilbur, Chief Fiscal Officer, introduced Glenn Cipriano, noting his four years of service as Deputy Treasurer and Municipal Treasurer, and his experience on the 401/457 voluntary retirement committee. Wilbur expressed strong support for Cipriano's candidacy. - Glenn Cipriano described his background, including prior service as chairman of the investment advisory commission for the MOA trust fund and over 40 years of fiduciary investment management experience. He emphasized his familiarity with the Police and Fire Retirement Trust board and its investment strategy. - Assembly Member Jared Gerker commented that Cipriano is "imminently qualified" and asked about his leadership philosophy. Cipriano responded that the role requires executing the board's strategy, supporting a cash flow of about 10% per year (approximately $34 million in benefits from a $345 million portfolio), and minimizing the municipality's future liability. - Assembly Member Anna Brawley asked for background on the Police and Fire Retirement Trust. Cipriano explained that the trust was created for police and fire members, and after 2017, new members are in a defined contribution plan (PERS). The trust manages a $345 million portfolio to cover benefits for about 640 current members and their families. He also described two related funds: the medical trust and a pre-funding account. - Brawley also asked about code requirements regarding the municipal treasurer and acting treasurer. Lance Wilbur clarified that Cipriano's last day as treasurer was August 9 or 10, and that Deputy Treasurer Lauren Crawford is serving as acting treasurer. Wilbur noted that by code, only the treasurer or cash management investment advisor can sign certain checks, so the cash manager is currently handling that to avoid conflicts. - No further questions were raised. Key Outcomes - The work session concluded with no objections or votes taken. The appointment of Glenn Cipriano as Director of the Police and Fire Retirement Trust is scheduled to be placed on the consent agenda for the August 18, 2026 assembly meeting. The swearing-in ceremony will occur at a later date, not at the meeting.