Assembly Report for September 13, 2005

After closing the Assembly's staff office last week, Anna Fairclough now faces a growing backlog of unfinished business and community protests over her abrupt firing of assembly staffers Elvi Gray Jackson and Mike Guiterrez. Fairclough has reportedly traded in her gavel for a toilet plunger she and Dan Coffey need to get things moving again.

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MAYOR TO LAUNCH TWO YEAR OPERATING BUDGET On October 11, 2005 Mayor Begich will introduce a proposed operating buget for general government and utilities, effective January 1, 2006. Instead of using artificial "service levels" to build the budget, the mayor's proposal will identify programs citizens recognize and give the Assembly the opportunity to add or delete entire programs in the budget process. A two year budget is new and may give Assembly members and the public the opportunity to take a longer view of municipal finances. Public hearings on thr buget are scheduled for October 25 and November 8, 2005.

ASSEMBLY ACTS ON AWWU AUTHORITY: The Assembly approved AO 2005-107 which creates a semi independent authority to operate Anchorage Water and Wastewater Utility, through a seven member Board. Although the Authority will operate with fewer municipal restrictions, such as city procurement standards and the city's personnel system, the Assembly's role in approving utility budgets, and tarrif changes remain intact.

AARP opposed the measure, arguing its adoption paves the way for deregulation of AWWU under proposed state legislation supported by Mayor Begich. A floor amendment by Allan Tesche addressed that issue, making it clear the Assembly would not assume final regulatory powers over local rates until enactment of an ordinance after public hearing.

COMMUNITY LEADERS PROTEST ASSEMBLY STAFF FIRINGS : A delegation of community and religious leaders angrily protested the termination of two senior assembly employees by Anna Fairclough last week, and demanded their reinstatement. Staff involved included a black woman and a hispanic male who had been held up to the minority community as "icons" and overcame challenges to succeed in business and government. Rev. William Greene denounced the action as racist and promised the NAACP would fight to get their jobs back. Fairclough defended her decision to fire the two without assembly approval as a cost cutting measure. Dan Coffey said the Assembly no longer needs a budget analyst, despite rumors both he and Fairclough were scurrying to hire a replacement in time for Assembly budget deliberations next month.

ACTION ON METHAMPHETAMINES DELAYED AGAIN : a proposed methamphetamine law, (AO 2005-98 ) stalled on the Assembly's crowded angenda and will not surface again until September 27th. 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.

NEW ADULT ESTABLISHMENT ORDINANCE DELAYED: A barrage of technical objections and legal questions by Dan Sullivan prevented the Assembly from acting on AO 2005-116 which would prohibit licensed "adult establishments" from locating within 1000 feet of each other, or within 1000 feet of a bar or cocktail lounge. The purpose of the new law 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. At Sullivan's request detailed maps, legal opinions, and a recommendation by the Public Safety Committe must be completed before the ordinance returns for action on September 27, 2005.

NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING ORDINANCE STALLED TOO: Again, because of its crowded agenda, 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. Led by Fairview Community Council President Darrell Hess, a group of Fairview residents urged the Assembly to take action on the ordinance and allow them to proceed with a neighborhood plan for their area without further delay. The ordinance will remain on the Assembly's agenda for "unfinished business" on September 27th.

NEW ETHICS CODE STAYS ON THE BACK BURNER: For the third time in as many months, the Assembly did not reach its scheduled public hearing on a revisions to the city's Ethics Code. The proposed ordinance has been postponed once again to January, 2006. The new code was greated with a fusillade of objections by Assembly members Coffey, Fairclough, and Ossiander at a committee meeting on September 9th. Members pounded Ken Stout and Allan Tesche with dozens of "what if" questions, and technical objections after Stout and Tesche offered a strengthened version of a new ethics law drafted by the Board of Ethics. Dan Coffey promised he will offer his own version of a new Ethics Code, sugesting he will urge the Assembly to significantly weaken rules governing conflicts of interest, mandatory financial disclosures, and "moonlighting" by elected officials.

WHATS COMING UP IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS

September 27, 2005: public hearing on Dan Coffey's 3% sales tax proposal (AO 2005-126). New tax on consumer goods spells relief for property owners but who's gonna pay? Seniors and renters, watch out! Public hearing on a Anchorage Park, Natural Resource, and Recreation Facility Plan (AO 2005-122) People have a lot to say about parks in Anchorage. Continued public hearing on Fantasies on 5th; expanded liquor permit may give bar patrons enticing view of teen strippers in "separate" club through a glass ceiling. Stalled already three times is the Neighborhood Plan ordinance (AO 2005-73) and Dick Traini's AO 2005-116 regulating minimum distances between Adult Establishments and bars.

October 11, 2005: Hold Harmless for Assembly staff fired on September 6, 2005. Protects staff from financial consequences of the Fairclough/Coffey reorganization plan until that plan is approved by the Assembly. 2006-7 Operating Budget. Mayor Begich will introduce a two year operating budget this evening.

October 18, 2005: If Mr. Ed could really talk, he'd come on down to discuss Large Domestic Animal Facilities Ordinance (AO 2005-123) at a public hearing.

October 25, 2005 First public hearing on FY 2006-7 general government and utilities operating budget

November 8, 2005: Second public hearing on FY 2006-7 general government and utilities operating budget, and Assisted Living Ordinance (AO 2005-124) Hundreds of assisted living facilities in neighborhoods are going to be impacted. Gonna be a lively discussion.