Assembly Report for September 27, 2005

KEEPING COUNTRY ROADS QUIET: Janice Shamberg wants a 15 mph speed limit on unpaved streets in Anchorage. A hearing on her ordinance (AO 2005-128) is set for October 11, 2005.

TRANSIT FARES INCREASES: Skyrocketing fuel costs prompted the mayor to ask Assembly members to approve fare increases for public transit in Anchorage. AO 2005-125, raised adult fares on the People Mover from $1.50 to $1.75 and for youths from $0.75 to $1.00. Fares for AnchorRIDES would rise from $2.50 to $3.00. Fare increases were opposed by a parade of disabled, elderly, and young transit riders.

NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING ORDINANCE PASSES: The Assembly finally passed 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.

ADULT ESTABLISHMENT LAW MORPHS: Legal and technical objections killed a proposes ordinance which would prohibit licensed "adult establishments" from locating within 1000 feet of each other, or within 1000 feet of a bar or cocktail lounge. Instead, several members introduced a newer version of the ordinance which prohibits "viewing areas" or windows allowing people to look into adult businesses. Applied to Fantasies/Setter on 5th Ave., the new law would close that business’s controversial "glass ceiling" which allows bar patrons a clear view of teen strippers in the teen club located in the same building. A public hearing is set for October 11, 2005.

COFFEY PUTS NEW ETHICS CODE ON THE BACK BURNER: On Dan Coffey’s motion, reform of the city's Ethics Code has been postponed for a fourth time. The new date for public hearings will be January, 2006. Coffey is expected to urge assembly members to relax proposed rules governing conflicts of interest, mandatory financial disclosures, and "moonlighting" by elected officials.

ASSEMBLY DELAYS ACTION ON SETTER/ FANTASIES: Completing a second round of public hearings, the Assembly took no action on an application by Kathy Hartman to move the Setter Bar to the second floor of a newly renovated building on 5th Ave. The Assembly will wait until October 11, 2005 when it hears a new version of the Adult Establishment Law, discussed above. The building houses a "separate" non alcoholic strip club on the first floor, serving patrons 18-21 years of age. The principle feature of the two businesses is a glass ceiling above a stage in the teen club which allows patrons of the bar above a bird’s eye view of the teen strippers below. According to the club’s attorney, "drool protection" is provided the adult patrons enjoying all of the action below. The business has also attracted the ire of women’s groups and Standing Together Against Rape (STAR)

PARKS AND RECREATION PLAN STALLS: The Assembly never reached a scheduled public hearing on AO 2005-122 which would approve a parks, natural resources, and recreation facility plan for the Anchorage bowl. Presumably, the matter will surface on the October 11, 2005 agenda under unfinished business.

NO HEARING ON COFFEY’S 3% SALES TAX: A crowded agenda kept the public from testifying on Assembly member Dan Coffey’s proposed 3% retail sales tax. The measure exempts services as well as some food items and prescription medications. According to Coffey, the new tax would not generate "new" revenues for Anchorage but instead would offset existing real property taxes. The proposal will be placed on the Assembly’s agenda for October 11, 2005 under "unfinished business. Six votes of the Assembly are required to place the tax on the April, 2006 ballot; 60% of the voters in that election are required to approve the measure. Presumably the matter will end up on the unfinished business portion of the October 11, 2005 agenda.

LONG RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLAN DELAYED The Assembly never reached a scheduled public hearing on AO 2005-115 adopting the Anchorage Long-Range Transportation Plan ~ 2025, and amendments to the Official Streets and Highways Plan. The ordinance returns to the Assembly on October 11, 2005.

NO ACTION ON METHAMPHETAMINES: The Assembly was unable to hear AO 2005-73 which will limit the 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.

SOONER THAN YOU THINK: Public Hearings scheduled for October 11, 2005 include:

AO 2005-000: Health coverage and wage protection for terminated Assembly staff (Tesche)

AO 2005- 000: New Assembly staff reorganization (Fairclough and Coffey) ;

AR 2005-252: Approving a Multi-Year Management Agreement for the Anchorage Museum of History and Art (Mayor’s office) ;

AO 2005-252 Increasing rates and fares for taxicabs operating in Anchorage;

AO 2005-135:,amending 3.30 and 3.70 regarding represented and non-represented employee eligibility for service recognition pay;

AR 2005-251: appropriating $602,998 in federal grant funds to MOA Department of Health and Human Services for Family Planning Services;

AO 2005-128: Setting a maximum 15 mph speed limit on unpaved roads; (Shamberg).