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Record of Proceedings

Anchorage Assembly Work Session on Member Discipline and Censure Procedures (July 17, 2026)

Assembly & Committee Meetings — Friday, July 17, 2026
BodyAnchorage, Alaska
SessionAssembly & Committee Meetings
DateFriday, July 17, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:14:21
Transcript — Verbatim
1:23

Okay, everyone, um, I'm gonna call this work session to order.

1:26

Um today is Friday, July 17th.

1:30

One second.

1:32

Friday, July 17th.

1:34

Uh, we are noticed from 215 to 3.15 p.m.

1:36

I will note this is our last meeting meeting of the day.

1:39

And so if we do need to extend our time, uh we do have that ability uh to appoint.

1:44

I will cut it off at some point.

1:45

Uh and um I will also note um I have some opening remarks, but before I even do that, I just want to be clear.

1:53

Um this is about uh process.

1:56

And so I have consulted with our attorneys prior to this work session.

2:00

Um, and because this is only on uh let me read, sorry, let me read the title of the work session first.

2:06

Um I just want to be very clear about all of this.

2:08

Um so this work session is solely for discussion and clarification of the removal procedure set forth in Anchorage Municipal Code, section two dot seventy dot oh three oh, and of procedures available for the assembly to express disapproval of a member's conduct.

2:22

So that is the boundaries in which we are operating today.

2:25

So in that context, I will note um that I've consulted with the attorneys and um and they have determined or advised that Mr.

2:33

Member Martinez may participate in this conversation as a member because it is about process, um, and that is separate from any items that are on our agenda um which are not going to be discussed in this room at this time, the merits of those items.

2:45

Uh so with that, I'm gonna start with uh introductions and then we'll have some remarks.

2:48

So go ahead.

2:49

George Martinez Janice Park, Donald Handelin, Chair Kirker.

2:54

Aaron Balbonde, Sydney Scout, Anna Brawley.

2:58

Yarrow Silvers.

3:00

And then on the phone, I know we have a few members.

3:02

Uh I see uh Mr.

3:03

Boland.

3:08

Uh anyway, let Mr.

3:10

Let's note if you're there.

3:11

Uh Mr.

3:11

Johnson.

3:13

I'm here.

3:14

Mr.

3:14

McCormick.

3:18

And Mr.

3:19

Boland, are you still there?

3:22

Okay, well, I'll note if he's on the record if he's just uh if he joins again.

3:27

Uh we are also joined by assembly council, meeting attorney's office.

3:31

Okay, Mr.

3:31

Voland, are you there?

3:35

I am, can you hear me?

3:37

Oh yes, now we can.

3:38

Thank you.

3:39

Okay, so that's the uh members present in the room and on the phone.

3:42

We also have uh, as I said, muni attorney, assembly council, members of the administration, members of the public, members of the press, the clerk, um, and so we have a number of folks here.

3:50

So um I am going to essentially most of this proceeding today is gonna be run by our attorneys.

3:57

But before we do that, I'm gonna say a few brief things.

4:00

Uh first is thank you so much to all of the staff uh that have been working hard uh to get us to this point and to really help us understand these processes.

4:08

Um I will say that the discussion today and the topics today are about process.

4:12

Um so I will be keeping order to the extent possible if I need if I need to to make sure that we are staying within those bounds.

4:18

Um so members are certainly free to ask questions to because the purpose is to better understand uh what is what are the options before us um in certain situations, but I will also ask um to if you are gonna use hypotheticals to try to keep them as general as possible so that we do not stray out of those bounds, and this is not a proxy for debate on a specific item.

4:39

Uh I'll also say that none of us have done this uh in these seats.

4:42

And any predecessor who has taken this up or anything, any action of this kind are all gone now.

4:49

So obviously they're not gone from the earth, but they are gone from this body.

4:55

Yeah, so um, but but we so we need to understand this process that that none of us have lived experience, including most of the staff that I've been working with.

5:03

This is about this work session is about understanding the legal structures in which we operate.

5:09

There are procedures and rules by which we did deliberate and decide on things in a number of areas.

5:14

There are due process considerations, which are uh both in our constitution and baked into all of our laws, uh, state and local laws as well.

5:22

Uh there is always potential risk of litigation, which is something that if uh if you have not internalized that as a member, encourage you to do so quickly.

5:29

Um, and also I ask members to think about what precedent we have to base our actions and decisions on, and what precedents are we setting for our peers in the future?

5:38

And so that's really again why it's so important to understand these processes um and why we have this opportunity today.

5:44

Lastly, I'll reiterate it's about process.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Meeting Procedures█████████████████████████████████████████████47%
Pending Litigation███████████████████████24%
Procedural█████████████████████22%
Personnel Matters███████7%
Summary of Proceedings

Anchorage Assembly Work Session on Member Discipline and Censure Procedures

The Anchorage Assembly held a work session on July 17, 2026, from approximately 2:15 PM to 3:30 PM to discuss and clarify the legal processes available to the body for expressing disapproval of a member's conduct, including censure and removal. The session, led by Assembly Chair Brawley, was strictly focused on procedural definitions and legal frameworks, deliberately avoiding any discussion of the merits of specific pending complaints or allegations. The Chair introduced the session as an opportunity for the body to understand the legal structures, due process considerations, and precedents that govern their potential actions.

Discussion Items

  • Scope and Opening Remarks: Chair Brawley convened the work session, stressing it was solely for discussion of the removal procedure under Anchorage Municipal Code (AMC) Section 2.70.030 and procedures for expressing disapproval. The Chair noted that the merits of any specific items on the agenda were not to be discussed. Member Martinez was allowed to participate as the conversation was about process.
  • Legal Framework for Discipline: Municipal attorney Mr. Gates presented the legal sources for the Assembly's disciplinary actions, including the inherent power recognized in the U.S. Supreme Court case Houston Community College System v. Wilson (2022), the Alaska Constitution's home rule powers, and Roberts Rules of Order (12th Edition). The presentation outlined a spectrum of actions from calling a member to order to formal censure by resolution.
  • Roberts Rules of Order Options: The presentation detailed actions for conduct during meetings, including calling a member to order, naming a member in the minutes, and verbal or written censure. Attorneys noted that penalizing a member by removing them from the chambers or suspending rights could conflict with their duty to vote and represent their district. The body was advised that any censure involving "meaningful punishment" requires a trial-like procedure.
  • Removal Process (AMC 2.70.030): A detailed flowchart of the removal process was presented. The process begins with a majority vote to submit an accusation, transitioning the matter from a policy discussion to an adjudicative proceeding. Key steps include a 10-day legal sufficiency review by the Municipal Attorney, selection of an independent hearing officer from the American Arbitration Association, a formal hearing, and a final two-thirds Assembly vote on removal.
  • Due Process and Costs: Attorneys clarified that the removal process provides extensive due process, including the municipality funding a defense attorney of the accused's choosing. Estimated costs provided included attorney time (between $50,000 and $100,000) and a special election (approximately $160,000 for a mail-only election). The hearing uses a "clear and convincing evidence" standard.
  • Member Clarifications: Assembly members asked clarifying questions about the initiation of disciplinary actions (Ms. Baldwin), the consequences of refusing an apology (Mr. Handelin), the relevance of conduct during meetings versus private capacity (Mr. Martinez), legal standing for complaints (Ms. Park), the definition of "meaningful punishment" (Ms. Scout), ex parte communication restrictions and due process (Mr. Balbonde), the Assembly's role in investigations (Ms. Silvers), and the use of executive session.

Key Outcomes

  • Procedural Clarification: The Assembly received a comprehensive overview of the legal tools and processes available for censuring or removing a member.
  • Commitment to Follow-Up: Members submitted several questions that could not be fully answered during the session. Attorneys committed to providing written responses and making themselves available for one-on-one consultation.
  • No Decisions Taken: The work session was strictly informational. No votes were taken, and no specific disciplinary actions or investigations were initiated. The Chair concluded by reiterating that decisions on "what the assembly should do" are political matters for the body to grapple with separately, armed with the newly clarified procedural understanding.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, everyone, um, I'm gonna call this work session to order. Um today is Friday, July 17th. One second. Friday, July 17th. Uh, we are noticed from 215 to 3.15 p.m. I will note this is our last meeting meeting of the day. And so if we do need to extend our time, uh we do have that ability uh to appoint. I will cut it off at some point. Uh and um I will also note um I have some opening remarks, but before I even do that, I just want to be clear. Um this is about uh process. And so I have consulted with our attorneys prior to this work session. Um, and because this is only on uh let me read, sorry, let me read the title of the work session first. Um I just want to be very clear about all of this. Um so this work session is solely for discussion and clarification of the removal procedure set forth in Anchorage Municipal Code, section two dot seventy dot oh three oh, and of procedures available for the assembly to express disapproval of a member's conduct. So that is the boundaries in which we are operating today. So in that context, I will note um that I've consulted with the attorneys and um and they have determined or advised that Mr. Member Martinez may participate in this conversation as a member because it is about process, um, and that is separate from any items that are on our agenda um which are not going to be discussed in this room at this time, the merits of those items. Uh so with that, I'm gonna start with uh introductions and then we'll have some remarks. So go ahead. George Martinez Janice Park, Donald Handelin, Chair Kirker. Aaron Balbonde, Sydney Scout, Anna Brawley. Yarrow Silvers. And then on the phone, I know we have a few members. Uh I see uh Mr. Boland. Uh anyway, let Mr. Let's note if you're there. Uh Mr. Johnson. I'm here. Mr. McCormick. And Mr. Boland, are you still there? Okay, well, I'll note if he's on the record if he's just uh if he joins again. Uh we are also joined by assembly council, meeting attorney's office. Okay, Mr. Voland, are you there? I am, can you hear me? Oh yes, now we can. Thank you. Okay, so that's the uh members present in the room and on the phone. We also have uh, as I said, muni attorney, assembly council, members of the administration, members of the public, members of the press, the clerk, um, and so we have a number of folks here. So um I am going to essentially most of this proceeding today is gonna be run by our attorneys. But before we do that, I'm gonna say a few brief things. Uh first is thank you so much to all of the staff uh that have been working hard uh to get us to this point and to really help us understand these processes. Um I will say that the discussion today and the topics today are about process. Um so I will be keeping order to the extent possible if I need if I need to to make sure that we are staying within those bounds. Um so members are certainly free to ask questions to because the purpose is to better understand uh what is what are the options before us um in certain situations, but I will also ask um to if you are gonna use hypotheticals to try to keep them as general as possible so that we do not stray out of those bounds, and this is not a proxy for debate on a specific item. Uh I'll also say that none of us have done this uh in these seats.

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