Assembly Report for October 11, 2005

Affordable housing in Hope, AK. Wildlife, trees, and flowers are provided at no cost.






MAYOR UNVEILS TWO YEAR OPERATING BUDGET: Mayor Begich introduced a two year operating budget calling for expenditures of $362.5M in 2006 and $377M in 2007. 20 new police officers are funded in the 2006 budget; rising employee health costs, fuel, and retirement contributions account for the other increases in the budget. The proposed 2007 budget contains no new programs and represents a “continuation level” funding plan. Public hearings are scheduled for October 25, and November 8, 2005; final action is expected on November 22, 2005. Assembly members Coffey, Fairclough, and Sullivan are expected to supplement Coffey’s sales tax plan with operating budget cuts targeted for additional property tax reductions.

METHAMPHETAMIIME LAW PASSES: With little debate, Assembly members unanimously approved AO 2005-98(S), cutting off an easy source of chemicals commonly used to “cook’ methamphetamines in illegal drug laboratories. The ordinance limits purchases to 9 grams, except to licensed commercial resellers who meet registration requirements.

PARKS, TRANSPORTATION PLANS DELAYED: The Assembly opened and then continued a public hearing on AO 2005-122 which would approve an Anchorage Bowl Park, Natural Resource, and Recreational Facility Plan until November 1, 2005. Similarly, the Assembly delayed action on a Long Range Transportation Plan to November 25, 2005.

ADULT BUSINESS ORDINANCE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED: A tough new law governing so called “adult establishments" was approved unanimously by the Assembly on Tuesday night. New prohibitions against sexual touching, “dancing” within four feet of patrons, and against use of “viewing windows” which allow people outside of the business to look in were approved. The new law effectively closed the notorious “glass ceiling” that would separate the Setter Bar on 5th Ave .with an aborning non alcoholic “adult establishment” which caters to 18-20 year olds.

5TH AVE PEEPHOLE TO CLOSE: by a vote of 8-3, the Assembly approved on an application by Kathy Hartman to move the Setter Bar to the second floor of a newly renovated building on 5th Ave. The building houses a "separate" non alcoholic strip club on the first floor, serving patrons 18-21 years of age. With changes to the city’s “adult establishment” law (discussed above) the larger bar may not open up a glass ceiling above a stage in the teen club which would have allowed patrons of the bar above a bird’s eye view of the teen strippers below.

LONGEVITY PAY FIGHT ERUPTS IN ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS: Scores of municipal employees turned out to protest action on AO 2005-155 which would remove so called “service recognition pay” or longevity pay from collective bargaining between the municipality and city unions. Proposed by Mayor Begich as a cost savings measure, the ordinance drew fire from city workers who argued longevity pay should be decided through collective bargaining, and not in the legislative process before the Assembly. By a vote of 6-5, the Assembly postponed action on the ordinance until November 1, 2005.

TAXI RATES GOING UP:Rising fuel costs convinced Assembly members to raise hourly taxi rates to $45.00/hr, up from $30.00/hr. Rates for cabs operated on mileage will raise to $3.00 and incrementally thereafter based on one tenth rather than one eight mile traveled. Under the new rates, a $25.00 ride will cost $30.00 and a $14.00 ride will rise to $17.00.