No tax committee recommendations on agenda
Several members of the public criticized the assembly for leaving recommendations from an ad-hoc committee on property tax assessments off this week’s agenda. The committee was appointed by Mayor Tom Morphet late last year following controversy about the assessment process, which left some property owners with steep spikes in their tax bills. The committee, chaired by Paul Rogers, submitted recommendations in late December for rule changes. They included lengthening the notice for a hearing at the board of equalization, and a recommendation to move from an elected to an appointed board of equalization. During the meeting, it was noted that an action request from the committee hadn’t made it into the assembly’s packet per the usual protocol in part because it had been received when clerk Alekka Fullerton was on vacation. Morphet vowed to bring it to the next meeting. “I apologize and I blew it,” he said.
Public comment cut off
Morphet cut short Don Turner Jr.’s three-minute time for public comment, leading to some criticism later in the meeting. Turner began his comments with a reference to assembly member Natalie Dawson and a statement she had made about her contact with the Maritime Administration (MARAD) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. MARAD is overseeing a $20 million grant for the Lutak Dock rebuild. Dawson has been critical of the project. Morphet said public comment rules prohibit naming and attacking individual assembly members and cut Turner off, despite his objections. Turner declined to share with CVN the full statement he had prepared. Assembly member Gabe Thomas and other members of the public criticized Morphet’s decision later in the meeting, saying it was a violation of free speech.
State lobbyist contract not renewed
The assembly narrowly voted not to continue funding a position for a lobbyist for the state legislative session. The assembly had two options for lobbyists, including continuing with its current lobbyist, Theodore Popely for $50,000 or hiring a new lobbyist, Reid Harris. Manager Annette Kreitzer reminded assembly members that the current legislative session is a continuation of last year’s, so hiring a new lobbyist could set back work done last year. “My recommendation is that we not change horses midstream,” she said.
But assembly members seemed to be swayed by Dawson’s comments that a glut of federal grant money would make it more profitable to spend lobbyist money on individual grants instead of seeking out state money in a tight fiscal climate. “There’s literally billions of dollars available for communities that are organized,” Dawson said. The assembly approved a separate contract for a federal lobbyist.
Porcupine Road appeal
The assembly took some action on submitting an appeal of FEMA’s decision to cancel $1.4 million in reimbursements for work done to restore Porcupine Road. Late last year, FEMA canceled the funding and said work done by the borough had overstepped what had been approved by the agency in violation of federal laws. Among the agency’s main concerns were widening of the road and not seeking permission to allow Constantine Metals to pay for some of the road improvement work. A draft response letter from manager Kreitzer was attached to an assembly packet with details about the borough’s position. Some assembly members pushed for a rewrite.. “For me, the tone of the letter is unacceptable,” said assembly member Debra Schnabel. “It sounds like we’re telling the agency it doesn’t know what it’s doing.”
Kreitzer acknowledged that the tone could be improved. “It’s easier to edit than it is to create,” she said. Ultimately, the assembly voted unanimously to appoint a subcommittee to redraft the letter with Dawson, Forster, project engineer Garret Gladsjo of ProHNS. The assembly also directed the manager to reach out to Chilkat Indian Village in Klukwan, which told FEMA that road work done had destroyed soapberry habitat. And, it directed the manager to look into hiring consultants to help with the borough’s appeal.
New police chief recommendation
Kreitzer recommended the borough hire Josh Dryden as the new police chief, following the resignation of Heath Scott last year. Kreitzer said she met with Scott and she asked if there were any officers qualified to serve as chief who are already with the department. She also met with the Public Safety Advisory Commission and individual assembly members. Schnabel questioned why there had been a public advertisement of the position. The next step for the borough is to work out contract terms, according to Kreitzer’s report.