Mid Hillside Community Council

Minutes 17 February 2005

 

John Weddleton, President of MHCC, convened the meeting at 7:05 pm.  Attendees included 10 MHCC, 2 HECC, and 4 others.

 

Treasurer

There is $1241.01 in the MHCC account. 

Planning and Zoning

The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints would like to expand their operations in our area with a new church, meeting house, cultural center, classrooms and offices.  These would be built on 4 acres at the south-west corner of O'Malley and Baronik. (This is outside of MHCC or HECC.)  The Planning Department will review the application on March 18.

Legislative Report

Kevin Meyer called, along with Dirk Moffit representing Bob Lynn and Suzanne representing Con Bundy.

  • Bundy:  Working on raising telephone surcharge to $2 to pay for Enhanced 911.  Promoting Primary Seatbelt law to allow stops and tickets for adult seatbelt violations, without any other reason.  Woking Long range Fiscal Plan, SB 88, which would cover the deficit 50% from Constitutional Budget reserve and 50% from Permanent Fund Earnings.
  • Meyer:  Survey in the newsletter.  Will initiate an electronic newsletter; to join, call 1-866-465-4945 or email.  Education budget has increased from $62M to $70M.  Investigating using the Amerada-Hess Settlement for road construction.
  • Lynn: Bill to make assaulting a teacher the same class felony as assaulting police or fire department personnel is through committee.

New Business

Snowplowing on the Hillside

Jerry Krieter, a Hillside resident has asked that DOT repriortize their snowplowing on the Hillside to plow the E-W streets (the up and down streets) first.  Jerry Reed of DOT came and explained exactly how they decide what to work when:

  • Hills are first, with the Eagle River hill at the top of the list.
  • High-speed routes, using truck plows, which can plow at 50 mph, versus 15 for a grader. Usually the Glenn Highway, Seward Highway, Minnesota Bypass, and the Highland Road-ER Cut-off, but it will vary with the conditions.

The target is once through everything in 24 hours. 

A resolution was proposed commending DOT for their outstanding performance.  For MHCC, the vote was 10 yes, 0 no; for HECC, it was 2 yes and 0 no.

Abbott Loop Extension

Bob Kneiffel of DOWL Engineers made yet another presentation on the Abbott Loop extension.  Key features include a moose fence at the north end to funnel moose to cross under the road at Campbell Creek, rubberized asphalt to cut noise between 64th and 68th, and enhanced landscaping.  Construction will begin next winter.  A resolution was offered to support the project.  For MHCC, the vote was 6 yes, 2 no and 3 abstain; for HECC, it was 2 yes and 0 no.

Assembly Report

Dick Tremaine gave the Assembly Report:

  • Title 21 Re-Write
  • Making the Parkland status of Section 36 (Bear Valley) official.
  • Ordinance 2005-1, that requires all CCs to have Bylaws meeting certain requirements, is still a work in progress.

New Convention Center

Scott Anaya from the Anchorage Civic and Convention Center Yes Campaign made a pitch for your vote for that tax change.  According to Mr. Anaya :

* A new convention center would have benefits all across the Anchorage area, from Eagle River, Chugiak, and down thru Girdwood.

* Property tax payers will not pay for the center; developers have pledged their own money, up to $8 million for cost overruns; there will be a $5 million reserve fund for operations and ACVB has pledged to cover any additional operating costs,

* Businesses support the hotel bed tax increase on their own industry; the current hotel bed tax of 8% is far below the national average,

* A new convention center is needed now to increase the number of larger conventions that Anchorage could attract; we would be able to host multiple events at one time

 

Note: A representative from a group opposing the Center was invited to make a presentation, but had to cancel at the last minute.

 

Replat of two lots at the SE corner of Birch and Beverly

A party wishes to replat Lots 1 & 2, Block 9, Mountain Park Estates, two 1/2 acre lots, into one lot, in order to better site a house.  The plans include regrading of the lot, which concerns some of the neighbors because of the effects on drainage.  The developer, Lance Lamb, came to present his plans for the lots.  The drainage plans have not been prepared yet and there was no resolution to the dispute.  Mr. Lamb did say that he would be willing to sell the lots to the concerned neighbors for what he had invested so far.  No one appeared ready to take his offer.

 

APD Community Council Liaison

Sgt. Cindy Stanton, APD’s Community Council Liaison, stopped by. She may be contacted at 786-2668 or cstanton@ci.anchorage.ak.us.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 P.M.