Assembly Rules Committee Meeting - September 10, 2026

The Assembly Rules Committee met on Thursday, September 10, 2026, from 1:00 to 3:15 PM. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including the mayor's report on infrastructure and housing, updates on the ombudsman's office, a presentation on the division of power between the assembly and school board, proposals for youth representative voting procedures, and reorganization of assembly committees. The meeting also included one public comment.

Consent Calendar

• No consent calendar items were presented.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jamie Lopez, formerly homeless, praised the ombudsman's office presentation and advocated for better pay for the ombudsman. He expressed concern about punitive approaches to homelessness, citing a 6.6% acceptance rate for services attached to police, and urged the assembly to establish an independent community-driven police oversight commission.

Discussion Items

• Mayor's Report (Suzanne Fleet Green, Chief of Staff):

  • The Port of Alaska modernization program (PAMP) benefits from a $200 million MARAD settlement, reducing the projected cargo surcharge for 2028 from $31 to $24 per ton compared to April 2026 estimates.
  • A nuisance property on Thompson Avenue was demolished; downtown library construction is underway with a February opening expected.
  • Midtown 42nd Avenue reconstruction is complete.
  • Shelter capacity is being increased for winter, with the surge likely to reach full capacity by November, earlier than last year.
  • NSTAR has issued curtailment notices to large commercial customers; the administration is monitoring natural gas supply hearings.
  • Discussions with the school district on school closures (Abbot Loop, Campbell STEM) and potential sale of West Park property to support school funding.

• Chair's Report (Anna Brawley):

  • Three youth representatives were appointed: Rikik Ellie, Rebecca McCullough, and Malachi Cochrane; they will be sworn in on September 15.
  • The branch budget for 2027 includes a $400,000 provision for a potential mayoral runoff election; funds may be reallocated after the April election if no runoff occurs.
  • Ongoing projects: social media policy review, recognition resolutions for former members, quasi-judicial procedure (AO 2026-107) returning October 6, and an auditor's request for ISA expenditure records.
  • Work sessions planned on assembly role in labor agreements, Board of Equalization annual report, and short-term rental registration data review.
  • A fiscal future summit is scheduled for October 30 at UAA Student Union.

• Ombudsman's Report (Daryl Hess & Drew):

  • The office received its 900th complaint of 2026, with 224 open cases; emphasis on timely closure.
  • A contract with Agnew Beck (valued at $5,000, sole source) began for the first strategic plan of the ombudsman's office; concerns about conflict of interest were addressed by legal counsel citing ethics opinion 2024-02 and the separation of branches.
  • Staff attended professional development conferences at their own expense; the 2027 budget requests increased training funds.
  • The office highlighted systemic resource constraints: the Health Department child care licensing has 8 staff down from 12; land use enforcement officers average 250 open cases; code abatement officers average over 100; APD response times are impacted by staffing shortages; property appraisal handled 2,000 appeals.
  • The annual report (2025) included a new mission statement: "To impartially promote fairness, transparency, and accountability between the local government and constituents."

• Assembly & School Board Role Presentation (Kate Bogle, Senior Counsel):

  • The state legislature has a non-delegable duty for public schools; the school board manages schools, the assembly sets the total budget within state parameters (minimum required local contribution and a cap).
  • The assembly can increase or decrease the total amount but cannot line-item the school budget; if the assembly does not act in 30 days, the school board's budget is automatically approved.
  • School closure decisions rest with the school board; disposal of property involves the assembly and mayor, especially for Heritage Land Bank lands.
  • The administration is proposing a resolution related to West Park property (a potential housing development) with proceeds possibly going to the school district; legal questions exist about compensation and the required local contribution cap.

• Youth Representative Voting Procedure Proposal (Donald Handlin & Sydney):

  • Proposed changing the advisory vote order so youth representatives vote before the assembly, consistent with best practices from other Alaska boards. The current code is silent; the proposal is a procedural change, not a code amendment. The chair expressed openness and suggested starting with the new cohort on September 15.

• Committee Reorganization:

  • Proposed committee name changes: adding "Energy" to Enterprise, Utilities, and Infrastructure; renaming Health and Public Safety to Health and Homelessness and adding "Housing" to Economic and Community Development.
  • Schedule adjustments: committees moved to noon or later to avoid conflicts with assembly meetings; public safety and health committees may stay at 11 AM per feedback.
  • Assembly member Cameron proposed a year-long ad hoc committee for APD policy oversight, in coordination with the municipal attorney and police chief.
  • Members were asked to formally opt-in to committee memberships via the clerk.

Key Outcomes

• Youth Representatives: Appointed and will start September 15; preferential voting procedure to be tested at the first meeting.
• Branch Budget: Approved as proposed with $400,000 for potential runoff; the chair noted funds could be reallocated later.
• Recall Petition: Received for the mayor; legal sufficiency review underway; state law prohibits receiving the petition within 180 days of the term's end (less than 30 days away).
• Ombudsman Strategic Plan: Contract with Agnew Beck commenced; next steps include quarterly reports to the assembly.
• Fiscal Future Summit: Scheduled for October 30, 2026, at UAA.
• Committee Schedules: Finalized by chair by September 11; new schedule effective by end of September/early October.
• Ad Hoc APD Committee: Under consideration; chair and Cameron to discuss further.
• School Proposals: Resolution on West Park property expected soon; administration to bring forward legislation on Abbot Loop and Campbell STEM closures.
• Governance Discussion: Deferred to a future meeting; discussion guide provided but not deliberated.