Mid-Hillside and Hillside East
Community Councils

Anchorage, Alaska

Mid-Hillside and Hillside East Community Councils
Meeting Minutes
March 15, 2001

Call to order: The meeting was a joint meeting with the Huffman-O'Malley CC. It was called to order by H-O CC president Angel Kuentzel at 7 pm. Approximately 40 were in attendance.

Mid-Hillside Board Members present were Chris Birch and John Weddleton.

President's Report: None

Minutes of the previous meeting: Summarized in Monthly Meeting Notice.

Federation of Community Councils Report: No report was made. The FCC meeting on February 21 consisted primarily presentations of the upcoming bond issues. People interested in that should attend the HALO meeting on March 29.

Anchorage Assembly Report: No report.

Legislative Teleconference: Rep. Con Bunde was present in Juneau.

He reported that the budget had increased this year by $50 million requiring a withdrawal of $400 million from the constitutional budget reserve. He feels we are on the road to bankruptcy without less spending or more income.

Reapportionment of voting districts will be done with the new census. Watch for meetings.

Should we have a sales tax? He says we need a tax of some type and access to the "excess" earnings of the permanent fund.

High School Exit Exam: He feels district 18 supports the test requirement remaining in 2001. He expects some compromise so the effective date will be a couple years later. Some schools have gotten ready, others appear to be in denial. A question was asked if he was prepared to provide more money to districts that have trouble meeting the requirements. He said money has already been provided to schools to help them get ready.

PRESENTATION: ASSEMBLY CANDIDATES FORUM: BOB BAILEY, CHRIS BIRCH AND JANICE SHAMBERG.

Candidates Forum began at 7:30 Candidates were given 3 minutes to introduce themselves. They were then asked question from the attendees that were written on note cards and given to moderator Angel Kuentzel.

While there was agreement on many issues, the candidates showed significant differences in style and viewpoints. We are fortunate to have 3 strong candidates.

The questions asked are presented below. In the interest of avoiding errors that might misrepresent the candidates' views, their answers are not presented. You are encouraged to contact the candidates for their views and attend the HALO forum on March 29.

• Are south Anchorage roads adequate?
• What do you think of the current Assembly person (Pat Abney) in the seat you are campaigning for?
• What is your position on Proposition 5? (limit on the Mayor's ability to veto the Assembly's budget and replace it with his own)?
• How much time do you have to dedicate to the job?
• How are your views different than the other candidates?
• What plans do you have for Huffman Road?
• Why hasn't the mayor come out in support of you?
• Do you support the Bragaw Road extension? How far south?
• Should we include the Living with Wildlife document in the Comprehensive Plan?
• What is "Open Space?"
• What is your position on the Anchorage 2020 "neighborhood commercial centers?"
• Should the notice period for Panning and Zoning issues be extended to 35 days?
• How would you deal with zoning violations?
• Is it true that "the government that governs best, governs least"?
• The Master Plan for the Far North Bicentennial Park specifically states that there should be no ball fields where the Simonian Little League wants the MoA to build their fields. Should the fields go in Far North Bicentennial Park?
• Do you support the proposed sales tax?
• Do you favor a plan that would impose the same cost on all property owners if sewer is extended to their area (as opposed to fees based on acreage or street frontage)?
• What is wrong with the way Anchorage looks?
• Do you support the 1% for art program?
• Should MoA force utilities to put utilities underground as upgrades are made?
• Comment on the Wal Mart proposed for Lake Otis.
• Should money be spent on the south extension of the coastal trail or on trails linking neighborhoods?
• Should the mayor be allowed to publicly support candidates?
• "I support photo radar." Please comment.
• Is the Anchorage 2020 plan "just advisory"?
• Do you support building a new high school in Eagle River?
• Should MoA block access to the three streets that intersect the Elmore extension at the new south Anchorage high school?
• Should there be any commercial zoning in the Hillside area?
• What would you do to address the paint ball shooting incident?
• Do you support single member assembly districts?
• Should we extend sewers in the Hillside area?
• Should the "S" curve on DeArmoun be straightened?

Meeting Adjourned at 9:00 pm