Anchorage Assembly Meeting December 2, 2025

The Anchorage Municipal Assembly convened for its regular business meeting on December 2, 2025, to address a wide range of legislative, financial, and community issues. Key topics included long-term rental registration proposals, municipal marijuana license renewals, zoning changes, and a contentious debate regarding a proposed 3% general sales tax. The assembly also recognized local institutions, approved budget transfers, and heard extensive public testimony on fiscal policy and public access to state parks.

Consent Calendar

• Approved: The consent agenda (items 10A through 10G) was approved minus items pulled for discussion.
• Specific Actions:
  • Resolution AR 2025-367 adopted, recognizing the 70th anniversary of the Lucky Wishbone restaurant.
  • Resolution AR 2025-363S passed, expressing the Assembly's will to protest state marijuana license renewals for specific facilities.
  • Resolution AR 2025-364S passed, approving 2025-2027 municipal marijuana license renewals (excluding specific contested licenses).
  • Information Memorandum AM 874-2025 passed regarding the appointment of Timothy J. Miller to the Valley View Estates Limited Road Service Area (LERSA) board by a 7-3 vote, pending protests.
  • Information Memorandum AM 890-2025 passed regarding the appointment of Tasha Boyer Dunbar to the Sister Cities Commission by an 8-2 vote.
  • Amendment AM 899-2025 passed to increase funding for congregate shelter services, approved 10-0.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Valley View LERSA Appointment: Ms. Silvers expressed opposition, citing that the nominee has less experience and public support than an alternative candidate and that the seat could wait for an election in April 2026. Mr. McCormick expressed concern about community pushback and the lack of neighborhood backing for the nominee. Mr. Martinez and Ms. Brawley supported the appointment, deferring to the administration's process and noting the necessity of having the seat filled.
• Sister Cities Commission Appointment: A heated debate occurred regarding nominee Tasha Boyer Dunbar.
  • Opposition: Mr. Gerker expressed full opposition, stating that wishing for the death of the President of the United States is a "red line" and inappropriate for any public role, regardless of qualifications. Mr. McCormick and Mr. Constant also opposed, with Constant noting that while people make mistakes, those expressing calls for political violence should not serve. Gerker and Constant urged colleagues to vote no based on the nature of the remarks.
  • Support: Ms. Baldwin Day, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Volta, Ms. Brawley, Mr. Rivera, Mr. Vaughn, and Ms. Silvers expressed support. They argued that the nominee is eminently qualified, has expressed sincere regret for the remarks, and that society should extend grace and the opportunity for redemption. Several speakers (Baldwin Day, Constant, Vaughn) contextualized the remarks within a broader political climate and referenced similar statements by national figures.
• Public Access to Trails (AO 2025-127):
  • Support: Roger Marks (Friends of the Stuart Public Trail), Haley Johnston (Alaska Trails), Erica Monaghan, Tyndall Ellison, and Samuel Schilling argued that private landowners are using misleading signs and intimidation to deter public access to public easements and trails in Chugach State Park. They expressed full support for penalizing such obstruction.
  • Opposition/Concerns: Gerard Farkas suggested the municipality should post official signs rather than penalize property owners. Several assembly members (Silvers, Baldwin Day, Brawley, Martinez, Roland) expressed concerns regarding the clarity of enforcement mechanisms, the calculation of fines based on square footage, and liability issues for injuries on easements.
• Sales Tax Proposals (AO 2025-97 and AO 2025-133): Extensive testimony was heard on the proposed 3% sales tax.
  • Support: Jerry Loyansky, Josh Lowers (Coven House, Alaska), Lori Wolfe (FOIGA), William Baxter, Sky Nevada, Joshua McCose, Stephanie Berglund (Thread), and Trevor Storrs (Children's Trust) expressed support. They argued that Anchorage faces a revenue shortfall due to reduced state funding, has a spending problem but lacks the funds to address it, and that the tax (with specific exemptions) is necessary for public safety, housing, child care, and infrastructure. Wolfe and Storrs emphasized the critical need for child care funding.
  • Opposition: Phil D. Land, Brandon Walso, Craig Taylor, Anta Hotsky, Dalton, Michaela S. Weiler, Theo Ransom, Roger Chapman, Lauren Baxter, Carolyn Overstreet, Steve Simmons, Maria Ballard, Free San Pisa, Evelyn Dutton, Diane Bagley Collins, Kirk Burgoyne, Lee Haywood, Sherry Strezak, Kevin Feynman, Brett Huber, Scott Reese, Anthony Collins, Jamie Lopez (Sandcrows), and Shirley Durchy expressed opposition. They argued that Anchorage has a spending and management problem, not a revenue problem. They described the tax as regressive, a threat to small businesses, a trap that increases over time, and a betrayal of trust due to perceived mismanagement of existing tax revenues (alcohol, marijuana). Many urged an audit or budget cuts before adding taxes. Anthony Collins expressed strong personal opposition and characterized the assembly as a "clown show."

Discussion Items

• LERSA Appointment: Mr. McCormick raised questions about the community's lack of support for the nominee. Administration explained the process followed the LERSA's public nomination, and Mr. Johnson noted two seats will be up for election in April 2026.
• Sister Cities Commission: The Mayor's Chief of Staff, Suzanne Fleet Green, clarified that the nominee expressed regret verbally to many people but had not issued a public written statement at the time of the meeting. The Mayor stated she strongly disagrees with the remarks but believes one mistake should not preclude service if regret is expressed.
• Sales Tax Postponement:
  • The public hearing on the short-term tax proposal (AO 2025-97) was continued to December 16, 2025, at the request of members (Voland, Brawley) to allow for a consolidated discussion of all revenue proposals.
  • The public hearing on the 3% general sales tax (AO 2025-133) was continued to January 13, 2026, to allow more time for public processing and conversation, despite the urgency of the license renewal deadline not applying to this item.
• Municipal Marijuana License Renewal (AR 2025-361): The assembly voted 10-0 to temporarily approve the renewal of Alaska Sense's cultivation license through January 14, 2026. This action was taken to allow the applicant time to respond to ex parte communications regarding ownership transfer disputes received after the filing deadline. The applicant was not present to address the concerns.
• Third-Party Plan Review Sunset (AO 2025-134): The assembly voted 10-0 to extend the third-party plan review ordinance by one year. Ms. Brawley and Administration noted the need for more data collection due to previous staffing issues, while Mr. Johnson called for a more fulsome audit to ensure safety standards are met.
• Convention Center Solar Array: Item 10E5, appropriating funds for the solar array project, was laid on the table (unanimously) to allow the administration to meet expiring federal tax credit deadlines by spending funds by year-end.

Key Outcomes

• Passage of Ordinances and Resolutions:
  • AR 2025-363S & 364S: Passed unanimously (10-0 and 10-0) regarding marijuana licenses with protests removed.
  • AM 874-2025: Passed 7-3 (Youth Reps: Yes/Yes) regarding Valley View LERSA appointment.
  • AM 890-2025: Passed 8-2 (Youth Reps: Yes/Yes) regarding Sister Cities Commission appointment (Dunbar).
  • AO 2025-124 & 126: Passed (9-0 and 10-0) regarding zoning rezonings for Stewart Subdivision and Main Street Corridor.
  • AO 2025-125: Passed 8-2 (Youth Reps: Yes/Yes) regarding landscaping inspection amendments.
  • AO 2025-127: Passed 10-0 (Youth Reps: Yes/Yes) regarding penalties for inhibiting public access to rights-of-way.
  • AR 2025-329 & 330: Passed unanimously regarding sewer and water special improvement assessments.
  • AO 2025-130: Passed unanimously regarding a 5-year lease for telecom equipment at the Solvent Arena.
  • AO 2025-131: Passed unanimously regarding invasive species prohibitions.
  • AO 2025-132: Passed unanimously regarding Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility rate increases (approx. 4.85% water, 2.87% sewer).
  • AR 2025-356: Passed unanimously regarding conditional protest of a new restaurant license.
  • AR 2025-362: Passed unanimously regarding special land use permit for a dispensary.
  • AR 2025-361: Passed unanimously (10-0, Youth Yes/Yes) with amendment to temporarily extend a marijuana cultivation license.
  • AO 2025-134: Passed unanimously (10-0) to extend third-party plan review sunset date.
• Postponements:
  • Short-term rental tax proposal (AO 2025-97) continued to Dec 16.
  • Community Council boundary changes (AO 2025-11) continued to Jan 13.
  • Public records access (AO 2025-59) continued to Dec 16.
  • Stewart Subdivision rezone (AO 2025-123) continued to Jan 13.
  • 3% Sales Tax (AO 2025-133) continued to Jan 13.
• State Legislative Program: AR 2025-355S adopted unanimously (9-0) as the municipality's legislative program for 2026.
• Adjournment: The meeting concluded with a brief public comment period and member comments (all noted as having no comments).