Assembly Infrastructure Committee Meeting on 2025-12-18
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Assembly Infrastructure Enterprise and Utility Oversight Committee Meeting - December 18, 2025
The Assembly Infrastructure Enterprise and Utility Oversight Committee convened on December 18, 2025, to discuss updates on the Port of Alaska Modernization Project, introduce a new Matson executive, and review the status of the proposed Stormwater Utility. Key speakers provided technical updates on construction timelines and financial structures, while council members raised questions regarding regulatory oversight, funding sources, and public communication strategies.
Consent Calendar
- No routine approvals or unanimous actions were recorded in the transcript.
Public Comments & Testimony
- No public comments or testimony were presented during the session.
Discussion Items
- Personnel Introduction: Jennifer Tungle was introduced as the new Senior Vice President of Matson for Alaska. She noted she is from Alaska and previously served as a primary labor negotiator and Camp Chair.
- Port of Alaska Modernization Project (PAMP):
- Eric Adams, Jacobs program manager, reported that the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for environmental review is expected by end of month, signaling permit completion for Terminals 1 and 2.
- Construction notice to proceed is scheduled for March 15, 2026, with a target completion for crane delivery by August 15, 2028.
- Adams confirmed piling fabrication is ongoing, with 18 epoxy-coated pilings loaded in Seattle for transport to Anchorage in April 2026.
- A potential recommendation to relocate the electrical substation was flagged for discussion in the following month's meeting.
- Chair Baldwin Day requested clarification on whether the Comprehensive Plan of Finance (PAMP) is current with Phase II; Deputy Municipal Manager confirmed the 2019 report is available online but requires review for current relevance.
- Stormwater Utility Updates:
- Deputy Municipal Manager Mark Spafford outlined Phase Two efforts to re-establish the Stormwater Utility Commission and conduct a rate study and master plan.
- Spafford noted the city is already spending approximately $6 to $8 per month indirectly for stormwater via taxes and operations.
- Member Brawley questioned if the utility would be regulated by the Resource Conservation Agency (RCA), if Alaska precedents exist (none found), how costs would be allocated between residential and commercial sectors, and if public sector entities would pay.
- Chair Baldwin Day emphasized the need for explicit public education regarding the link between stormwater management and roadway infrastructure, specifically potholes.
- Member Freena inquired about the timeline for study to implementation, and Member Constant asked if a new service area would be created or if existing structures would be used.
- Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Project:
- Chair Baldwin Day noted ongoing RFPs for technical studies regarding trash energy content and sludge processing.
- Administration confirmed public outreach has been conducted with the Federation of Community Councils and the Chugach Electric board, with the project being integrated into Chugach's resource plan.
- Port of Alaska Comprehensive Plan of Finance:
- Dean Freena presented the revised plan, noting the framework of surcharge-supported bonds remains unchanged.
- Chair Baldwin Day questioned potential state and federal financial support; Freena stated the state is unlikely to provide significant funding without a general obligation bond, and federal grants are expected to be insufficient to move the needle significantly.
- Chair Baldwin Day and Member Constant clarified that Port of Alaska tariffs are legally restricted to port funding and cannot be diverted to general government, despite theoretical possibilities under the enterprise utility dividend model which is currently suspended for reinvestment purposes.
Key Outcomes
- Construction Status: Permitting for Port of Alaska Terminals 1 and 2 is nearing completion with the FONSI expected by month-end; construction is set to begin March 15, 2026.
- Regulatory & Financial Inquiries: Several questions remain open regarding the Stormwater Utility's regulatory framework (RCA), cost burden distribution, and timeline, to be addressed in Phase Two analysis.
- Communication Strategy: Council members directed the administration to prioritize public education on the necessity of the Stormwater Utility and the hidden costs currently borne by taxpayers.
- Funding Clarification: It was formally established that Port of Alaska surcharge revenues must remain within the port enterprise for reinvestment and cannot be transferred to the general fund under current operational constraints.
- Substation Review: A decision regarding the relocation of the electrical substation is anticipated in the next meeting.
Meeting Transcript
All right, everybody, let's uh let's go ahead and get started. I think we got everything running. This time we need uh yeah, we mean it this time. So I'm gonna go ahead and convene this meeting of the Assembly Infrastructure Enterprise and Utility Oversight Committee of the Whole. We are notes today from eleven fifteen to twelve fifteen PM. I'd like to go ahead and start with member introductions. Jared Kirker. Anna Brawley, Aaron Baldwin Day. Zach Johnson, and I do not believe we have anybody on the phone. I'm sorry, who is this? Sounds like you're right, George. Oh, member. Okay, and I believe that is it. So with that, let's just go ahead and jump into the Rivera and member. Member Rivera and Member Martinez are both on the line. Okay, member Rivera, thank you. And Martinez, yes, we've I think we've acknowledged everyone. All right, thank you. Let's go ahead and just jump into our business. First item we have today is from Matson with uh personnel introduction. And I see you're here at the table, so turn the mic on, just push the button to light turns green, and go ahead and take a minute to introduce yourself. Oh just tapped. Sorry, I my phrasing was poor. Nope, that's okay. Hi, good afternoon. Uh Chair Johnson and Assembly members. Thank you for your service to municipality of Anchorage and the opportunity to introduce myself today. My name is Jennifer Tungle, or I go by Jen. Um, and I recently assumed the role of senior vice president of Alaska for Matson in August 2025. In this position, I have the privilege to oversee all of Matson's Alaska operations, including terminal operations, customer service, sales, finance, you name it. That's it's me. Um I also am the chair of Matson's community giving committee, which focuses on community and engagement. I was raised in Alaska, so Anchorage is a little bit colder for me. Um I've been part of Matson's Alaska team since 2002, serving in a variety of roles from finance to operations and labor relations. So primary labor negotiator for Matson. I moved from Unalaska to Anchorage in 2019 to serve as a vice president of operations. Beyond my work at Matson, I also serve as the municipality's camp chair recently. And since moving to Anchorage, I've served on the YWCA board, the Covenant House board, and the Awake Board. One is and currently in medical school through WAMI. And my youngest who keeps me the busiest with basketball is at Loom and Chrissy. Welcome. And we're excited to, or we look forward to to work and we do in this new role. Are there any questions from the members? No, thank you. All right. Well I expect we'll see you uh we'll see you soon. Great to meet you. All right with that we'll go ahead on to our our next item uh an update on the Port of Alaska modernization project. Good morning assembly members my name is Eric Adams the Jacobs program manager uh supporting the Port of Alaska and the Muni and delivering the PAM. Uh today's presentation is just a really quick update of what's going on with Terminal One.
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