Mid-Hillside and Hillside East Community Councils

Meeting Minutes

September 16, 2004

Call to order:

The meeting was called to order by President John Weddleton at 7 pm. Approximately 12 were in attendance.
Mid Hillside Board Members present were John Weddleton, Linda Perkins and Shirley McGrath.
Hillside East Board Member present was Bjarne Holm.

Introductions:

President's Report: John Weddleton

A letter from Bob Cox, President of Spring Hills Estates Road Improvement Association was read. The residents are frustrated with traffic cutting through from Abbott to O'Malley via Spring Hill road and Our Road. They are ready to pay to install speed humps. The MOA has not allowed it as they do not have the budget to review the plans. There was general discussion of the effectiveness of speed humps compared with other ways to slow traffic.

General Remarks about the O'Malley Road work, the walk down O'Malley and the possibility of one or two trails along the road.

Minutes of the previous meeting: Summarized in Monthly Meeting Notice. No Quorum for approval.

Federation of Community Councils Report: John Weddleton reported on the FCC meeting of Date September 15, 2004. The FCC continues to scale back the operations of the Council Center as their money runs out. Steve Levy is working as a contractor to help the Councils Center works within its budget. A possible scenario is that all hard copy mailings will end.

Anchorage Assembly Report:

Janice Shamberg provided information on the proposed convention center, the Mayor's proposed change in taxes to deduct the first $20,000 in assessed value from home owners live in and on business property, and the large animal ordinance.

PRESENTATIONS:

Bob Kneiffel from DOWL Engineers presented an update on the Bragaw/Abbott Loop Extension. There will be a general meeting October 25 at Service High 5-9pm.

TAXES

There was a lively discussion of this issue.

Art Curtiss with Alaskans for Fair Taxes spoke in favor of an income tax to bridge the gap between state income and spending. He mentioned that sources of income are: taxes on oil, decrease Permanent Fund Dividends, Sales Tax, and an Income Tax. Of these, the Income Tax is the least painful.

Eddie Burke with "Just Say No," spoke in favor of cutting spending and income to state government and learning to "live within our means."

Linda Zaugg, candidate for State Senate Seat O introduced herself and answered questions.

Meeting Adjourned at 9:10 pm