Assembly Infrastructure Enterprise and Utility Oversight Committee Meeting - January 15, 2026

The Anchorage Assembly Infrastructure Enterprise and Utility Oversight Committee convened on January 15, 2026, to review critical updates regarding water utility master planning, port infrastructure modernization, and solid waste financial forecasting. The meeting featured presentations from the Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility (AWW), the Port of Alaska, and the Anchorage Regional Landfill (ARL) Post-Closure Fund Board. Key discussions centered on customer service upgrades, capital improvement funding strategies, electrical infrastructure relocation, and the reallocation of surplus funds resulting from extended landfill lifespan projections.

Consent Calendar

• No formal consent calendar items were listed; the agenda proceeded directly to presentations.
• The SWS update regarding the ARL closure fund was moved to the end of the agenda to accommodate time constraints.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Member Brawley questioned the implications of future landfill generation regarding generational equity.
• Member Brawley expressed concern regarding fiscal conservatism, noting history of funding shortfalls in other municipal funds (e.g., Building Safety Service Area Fund) and cautioning against overly optimistic assumptions when determining surplus fund transfers.
• Member Rivera requested transparency regarding the board's initial skepticism of the compaction rate change and sought guidance on the allocation of the identified $5.2 million surplus.

Discussion Items

Water Master Planning (AWW)

• Topic: 20-year water and sewer master plan update including demand projections, infrastructure rehabilitation, and capital funding.
• Positions & Questions:
  • Co-Chair Baldwin Bay inquired whether the plan specifically addresses housing development; the presenter confirmed the plan integrates housing initiatives and confirms the system can support a 1-2% growth in demand over the next 20 years.
  • Member Brawley requested clarification on the source of capital funding beyond rates; the presenter stated funding is a blend of equity (rates), state revolving funds (drinking water/wastewater funds), and federal grants targeted at development areas.
  • Member Brawley questioned state contributions toward projects on airport property; the presenter noted the state manages the airport as a private system and coordination occurs via easements, specifically regarding pipelines crossing runways.
  • Member Brawley requested a timeline on potential rate increases; the presenter confirmed the Revenue Requirement Study was submitted to the RCA on December 30, with a decision expected by February 13 for interim or permanent rates.
  • Member Rivera raised concerns regarding SMS notification features, specifically fraud risks; the presenter clarified that SMS features are opt-in, require customer confirmation, and are secured from an IT perspective, though customers may incur mobile carrier fees.
  • Member Brawley confirmed that no additional service fees would be charged for online payments; the presenter affirmed there are no fees for signing up for services or using payment options.

Port of Alaska Modernization (PA)

• Topic: North Extension Helipad project, electrical substation relocation, and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) integration.
• Positions & Questions:
  • Helipad: Members sought clarification on traffic volume and future leasing. The presenter indicated the helipad is expected to see 2-4 landings annually for military deployment and that while lease discussions are speculative, there are no current plans to significantly increase traffic.
  • Substation Relocation: The Port requested $20.68 million in change order authority to move the electrical substation 3,400 feet to the North Extension site and integrate BESS.
  • Vendor Concerns: Member Baldwin Day asked about the dissenting vote from the Port Advisory Board (PAB) regarding reliability. Presenter Eric Adams explained the dissenting vendor concerns centered on the potential for single-point failures due to the increased distance requiring six junction boxes. The Port maintains that reliability is comparable to existing infrastructure and is working weekly to resolve the concern. The goal is consensus before the next Assembly vote on January 27.
  • Funding: Member Baldwin Day inquired if funds were earmarked for other projects. The presenter clarified that the $20.68 million is an overall increase in project cost, not a reassignment of specific funds, though moving the substation may yield future cost savings for Terminal 2 infrastructure.
  • Microgrid Capability: Member Baldwin Day asked if the system could support the city. The presenter anticipated future flexibility to create a microgrid capable of exporting power to J-Bear or Chugach Electric during grid outages.
  • Timeline Concerns: Member Johnson expressed nervousness regarding the January 27 vote despite unresolved vendor concerns. The presenter affirmed they are working to reach consensus by January 27 but pledged to circulate an update prior to the vote if a resolution is not reached.

ARL Post-Closure Fund Update (SWS/Board)

• Topic: Five-year update to the long-term financial forecasting model and identification of excess funds.
• Positions & Questions:
  • Model Updates: The board presented a model update resulting from a change in landfill compaction rates, extending the landfill's useful life from 2064 to 2105 and the total fund life from 109 years (to 2135). This change increased the projected investment earnings rate to 6.5% and the landfill-specific inflation rate to 4.5%, maintaining a 2% spread.
  • Excess Funds: The updated model identified $5.2 million in permanent excess funds available for transfer, out of a current balance of approximately $26 million.
  • Generational Equity: Member Brawley asked how this long-term planning relates to future waste-to-energy projects. Director Toth and Board Member Astill emphasized the goal is to transition away from landfilling, viewing the waste-to-energy project as the solution to eliminate the need for future burial capacity.
  • Surplus Allocation: Member Rivera questioned the board's initial skepticism of the compaction changes and requested recommendations for the $5.2 million surplus. The presenter suggested the funds could support the waste-to-energy project but deferred the final decision to the Assembly, inviting members for a facility tour to understand the compaction improvements.
  • Fiscal Caution: Member Brawley highlighted the risk of over-estimating fund longevity and noted historical instances of municipal funds falling into structural deficits after early withdrawals, advocating for fiscal prudence before approving the transfer.

Key Outcomes

• AWW Presentation: The Water Master Plan is in final publication phases, with the final plan expected by February. Rate increase decisions regarding the RCA submission are expected by February 13.
• Port of Alaska: The Port is requesting assembly approval for a $20.68 million change order to advance the substation relocation and BESS integration, with a target to resolve dissenting vendor concerns by the January 27 Assembly meeting.
• ARL Fund: The Board has identified $5.2 million in excess funds due to updated compaction models extending the landfill's life. The Assembly is required to vote on the transfer of these funds, with the presentation suggesting the assets could be directed toward the future waste-to-energy facility, pending further deliberation and tour opportunities.