Assembly Report for August 23, 2005

BICENTENNIAL PARK GROWS AS THE NEW SIMONIAN FIELDS NEAR COMPLETION: Mayor Begich is completing work on a dedication of 27.5 acres of public land to Far North Bicentennial Park. This action would resolve the controversy over use of a portion of the huge wilderness park for new Simonian Little League fields. Under a compromise brokered by Allan Tesche and Dick Traini in 2003, 17 acres of the park would be developed for the ball fields and in turn the city would identify new acreage to be added to the park. The Mayor's new ordinance will return to the Assembly for action later this fall. Traini, who had earlier expressed reservations over the Mayor's proposal, now appears willing to complete the dedication of the new parkland.

BADLY DIVIDED ASSEMBLY WATERS DOWN, NARROWLY PASSES BICYCLE SAFETY LAW: A watered down version of Janice Shamberg’s proposal to require minors to wear bicycle helmets while on the road barely squeaked through the Assembly Tuesday night. After a fusillade of confusing and contradictory floor amendments, the mandatory age for minors was dropped from 17 to 15 years and warnings replaced fines for first offenses. The new Bicycle Safety Law also repeals bicycle registration requirements, imposes new standards of parental responsibility, and applies traffic laws to cyclists.

While riding a bicycle in Anchorage yesterday, 31-year-old Matthew Wayne Olsen was killed when he attempted a jump as he rode down a stairway near the Chester Creek bike trail, According to APD, Olsen was not wearing a helmet or any safety gear when he attempted the stunt. Crane's death was not discussed at Tuesday night's meeting. Voting NO on the helmet law were Assembly members Anna Fairclough, Debbie Ossiander, Dick Traini, Ken Stout, and Paul Bauer.

DOWTOWN PLANNING CONTRACT AWARDED:: The Assembly unaminously awarded a $303,956 contract to a Berkeley, California firm (MIG) to redraft a new comprehensive development plan and regulatory framework for downtown Anchhorage. The planning effort will replace the older 1983 Central Business District Plan and revamp land use regulations (zoning ) in the downtown area. Funding for the project comes from the Planning Department's operating budget, the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation, and the Anchorage Parking Autthority. Extensive public involvement, including downtown businesses, is required in the project. According to Allan Tesche, the current downtown plan is twenty years out of date and does not adequately address almost $500M in new projects planned or scheduled for construction in the area.

TRAINI OPENS UP ON ADULT BUSINESSES WITH NEW ORDINANCE:: Midtown Assemblyman Dick Traini introduced AO 2005-116 which would prohibit licensed "adult establishments" from locating within 1000 feet of each other, or within 1000 fet of a bar or cocktail lounge. The purpose of the new regulation is to eliminate the congregation of adult oriented businesses in urban areas which in turn attract prostitution, drug use, and street crime. Anchorage currently licenses 9 adult businesses. Many are adult book, video, or toy stores. Traini's ordinance will be heard on September 13, 2005.

ASSEMBLY AGENDAS RETURN TO THE DAILY NEWS: The Anchorage Daily News apparently came to the table and won the right to publish the Assembly agenda and municipal contracts for three years. Expect to see Assembly agendas on Saturday morning in the Daily News starting on September 1st.

ACTION ON LONGEVITY PAY CUT DELAYED: For the third time, the Assembly did not get to an ordinance recommended by Mayor Begich to eliminate so called "service recognizion pay" in personnel rules for some non-represented employees. Service recognition pay is additional compensation for length of continuous service and is not tied to merit or performance. Municipal unions are watching this ordinance carefully to determine its effect on existing labor agreements which incorporate city personnel rules. The ordinance may be discussed as "unfinished business" on September 13th.

ACTION ON METHAMPHETAMINES POSTPONED AGAIN: :: After hearing complaints from three allergy sufferers who want to buy Sudafed in bulk, the Assembly ran out of time on Tuesday night and continued the public hearing on a proposed methamphetamine law, AO 2005-98 to September 13th. The ordinance would limit bulk sales of popular cold remedies, including Sudafed used to "cook" illegal methamphetamines. The measure is identical to one already approved by the Mat Su Borough Assembly. The public hearing may resume on September 13th under "Unfinished Public Hearings".

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To address the growing backlog of unfinished business, Assembly Chair Danna Fairclough has called a SPECIAL MEETING of the Assembly for Tuesday, August 30, 2005, starting at 5:00 p.m. Agenda topics include new fees and regulations governing towing operators, a publc heaing on the Setter (Fantasies on 5th) liquor permit, and the Heritage Land Bank work program.

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GROWING ASSEMBLY BACKLOG DELAYS ACTION ON NEW ETHICS CODE: For the second time in as many months, the Assembly did not reach its scheduled public hearing on a revised version of the city's Ethics Code. The proposed ordinance might be heard on September 13, depending on how the Assembly handles an increasing backlog of unfinished business. In the meantime, a committe meeting to review amendments will be scheduled soon, according to Ken Stout, who heds a group appointeed to review the new code.

NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING ORDINANCE STALLED TOO: The Assembly never reached AO 2005-73 which sets criteria and a process for adoption of neighborhood plans. New neighborhood plans are under consideration for the Hillside, West Anchorage, Mountain View, Fairview, and Government HIll. The ordinance will remain on the Assembly's agenda for "unfinished business" on September 13th.