MINUTES 3-17-05

Mid-Hillside and Hillside East

Community Council Meeting

Minutes from 3-17-05

Meeting called to order by Weddleton at 7:05pm. Quorum present. First-timers present: Karen Shoemaker (HE) and Gary Bader (MH). See sign-in sheet for attendance.

January minutes approved.

Changes to February minutes approved, with the addition of Jordan Marshall, Convention Center representative and the Beverly Drive replat/Weaver letter to February.

Federation of Community Councils is spending $2000 for website development and standardization. Weddleton encouraged support for this project, as this improvement would provide easy links and downloading opportunities for minutes and newsletters.

7:12pm Legislative Teleconference: Suzanne Mullen, Rep. Kevin Meyers, Sen. Bunde and Rep. Bob Lynn were present via (bad connection) teleconference and reported the following:

Sen. Bunde talked about his Senate bill (couldn’t remember number) addressing public employee/teacher retirement system. He supports the addition of a new, fourth tier to the program. SB112, School Head Tax in Rural Areas adds $13 million for ownership of schools.

Rep. Lynn supports Team Alaska Special Olympics and reported that eight Alaskan athletes brought home gold medals. He also introduced a bill that prohibits DVD use while driving.

Rep. Meyers reported the fast-track supplemental bill had passed of which a large amount supported fire suppression and working towards a gas pipeline. He said the Legislature hopes to contract for a pipeline soon - $100 million total investment, There is a $500 million ‘windfall” budget surplus derived from high oil prices. He would like to take the $500 million and use $400 million to forward-fund an education account. The House passed a $70 million increase and he hopes the Senate will agree and support the increase. Testimony on the House Finance operating budget will be held over the next few days with a video conference on Saturday, 1:00-4:00pm at the Anchorage LIO to offer “open mike”. Kevin has also introduced an asthma bill that allows kids to bring inhalers to school and further, holds the school district harmless, which opens the door for federal grant money. He mentioned it’s Capital Budget request time.

Sen. Bunde talked about a vigorous debate coming to the senate on finance. He made comments re: the Sate of Alaska PERS/TERS systems.

President Weddleton’s Report:

John had “show-and-tell” with a new Parks and Rec Trails’ Map. He advised of a HALO Candidate Forum Tuesday night at O’Malley’s, 7:00pm, open bar. He announced a meeting of the Hillside District Plan on April 4.

Dick Tremaine, current Assembly member running for re-election reported on insecticides, budget revisions, glaciations and drainage, Coffey’s sales tax proposal that won’t be voted on until ’06, personal property and business tax exemptions, and Neighborhood Crime Watch program.

Dennis Linnel, Anchorage Tomorrow, spoke about Proposition 4, $44.5 million for new roads including $7million for Lake Otis and Tudor project. Prop 5 included $1.93 to match $7.72million in federal grant monies. Dennis was representing the non-profit group, staffed by volunteers, to promote bonds, libraries, parks and recreation programs and transportation initiatives.

Sgt. Cindi Stanton, Anchorage Police Dept., talked about and passed out the ’04 Report on Police Statistics and also discussed community-policing ideas and encouraged interest in the upcoming police officer academy.

Adjournment: 9:00pm

Respectfully submitted,

Kim Ross