1st Assembly Meeting

Tonight was the first assembly meeting that I have ever attended!  I was there early to make sure I reserved a good seat and could watch the interactions of the assembly members.  It turns out that in our city of 300,000 only about 30 people showed up.  Seating was not a problem.  :)  I sat in the fourth row.  It is a great view.

First Impressions: 

• Elvi Jackson is very tall or, perhaps, Dick Traini is very short. 
• The noise was distracting - people coming and going throughout the meeting.
• Debbie Osiander is a stickler for details - I like that
• Dick Traini has a great sense of humor

The Pledge of Allegiance began the meeting. (clap, clap, clap)  Dick Traini is the Chairman and did an excellent job at keeping the meeting going forward.  The agenda begins with committee reports.  There were not many reporting but Elvi did report on the audit of the cash handling procedures of the Parking Authority.  (Every business understands that there must be tight controls and processes in any cash transactions.)  Elvi applauded the audit and mentioned there would be a follow up audit.  Debbie Osiander inquired about the follow up audit.  Elvi got very pissy when questioned.  I agree with Debbie.  What prompted the need for a follow up audit?  There is certainly an expense associated with every audit conducted so there must be questions to the original audit.....  we may never know.
Debbie Ossiander is on the Title 21 committee which is involved with city building codes.  They are discussing implications of wind power towers being erected in both residential and industrial properties.  They will be discussing regulations for area of property with the corresponding height restrictions.

Then Traini asked which items should be "pulled" from the agenda.  (This means that these items need extra attention and the items not pulled will be approved.)  A nice lady named Mary explained this procedure to me.


The first item was to recognize and welcome the National Organization for Black Elected Legislative (NOBEL) to Anchorage.  Although I love to have groups come to anchorage for conventions I am still shocked that these organizations can be so segregated.  I believe this only keeps racism at the forefront.  Nobody welcomed the National Organization for White Elected Legislators to Anchorage. 


Next, the MOA declared a week to recognize the American Federation of Government Employees.  (The government is helping to solve the unemployment rates)

Three municipal employees retired this year and were honored to night.  Over 82 years of experience!  Congratulations to JoAnne Contreas, Philip Manke, and Charlene Marshall.

The liquor license for Al's Alaskan Inn will not be transfered until the city is repaid over $40,000 in taxes due by the deceased owner.  This is like a lien placed on the liquor license.

Homeless Camps:  Debbie Ossiander proposed an amendment to the ordinance to decrease from 7 business day notice to a minimum of 5 business day notice.  The gentleman from the ACLU argued that some homeless people leave their camps for more than five days and never receive notice.  Did the homeless fly off onto vacation?  I know they are not out of town working....   Anyway, the amendment passed with only Flynn not voting for it.

There were other votes on different topics but one area I do not understand is the $266,000 "Reimbursable grant as a donation" to the different Neighborhood Fix-It Programs.  Aren't grants a gift?  Isn't a donation a gift?  Where does reimbursable fit into this language?  Here is the direct resolution:  Resolution NO AR 2010-188, a resolution appropriating $41,000 in  the form of a reimbursable grant as a donation from the Anchorage Park Foundation to the Anchorage Bowl Parks and Recreation Service Area Capital Project fund for the purpose of funding the renovation of Ira Walker Park as part of the 2010 Neighborhood Fix-It Program, Parks & Recreation Department.  There six of these resolutions equaling $266,000.

This was an interesting assembly meeting.  I am sure over time I will start seeing the real people behind the titles.  I was surprised at how professional most of the members were.  Elvi did have a hard time keeping her cool.

Here is the link to the video that was taken at the assembly.  http://anchorageak.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=1646

June 22, 2010
Purpose: To give an account of the public meetings of the Anchorage Assembly from a non-political outsiders view. I will also be reporting on non verbal communications between the assembly members. I will be your eyes and ears.

Warning: I am a conservative from years of observing the world from my vantage point. I belive in small government, less intrusion and a free market place. These personal views may, and probably will, influence my perspective at the meetings. Oh well.

First Meeting: Tonight! I better get ready, will report back soon.