Mid Hillside and Hillside Eas Community CouncilS

Minutes 18 December 2003

 

John Weddleton, President, convened meeting at 7:03 pm.  Attendees included 11 MHCC, 1 HECC, and approximately  4 others.

Meeting minutes for October and November approved

 

Assembly Report

The city has an intern program for high school and college students.  More information may be obtained from the Mayor’s office.

Janice Schamberg reported a variety of proposals:

  •  “Underage Cabarets” are to get the same inspections and have to meet the same health standards as bars.
  • The Municipal Attorney, Frederick Boness, has determined that LRSAs are not subject to the tax cap.
  • Substantial changes have been proposed for the Board of Equalization.
  • The hotel tax would apply to all bed & breakfasts, not just those with more than 3 rooms.
  • Delaying DeArmoun Phase II right-of-way funding until the EIS is approved.
  • Impounding vehicles from customers of prostitutes.
  • Increase the notification on zoning issues from 500 ft to 1000 ft. – This has been tabled and is effectively dead due to projected cost.
  • The House Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Mike Hawker, is working the budget issues but is frustrated by inaction by the Senate and all of the items that the Governor has put off limits.  Mayor Begich is promoting a stable long-term solution that weans the city from state support.  We are currently spending less per capita than in the 70’s.  We were at 3 times the national average and are now at 1-1/2 times.

 

Meeting minutes for October and November approved

 

FCC Report

It has been proposed to remove the $250 per person limit on contributions to a community council.  No objections were voiced.

 

A motion was made to demand that the PO use studded tires on all of their mail delivery vehicles so that icy roads would not interrupt service.  No second was made.

 

Bob Kneifel of DOWL presented information on the Abbott Loop Project.  More information is available at www.abbottloop.com.  Construction would be scheduled for 2005-2007.  The next public meeting is Jan 5 from 5-9 pm in the Service HS cafeteria.  Some of the topics under consideration are the dog sled trails, bridges, geotechnical studies, and moose counts.  The formal presentation will begin at 7 pm.

 

Chuck Fannin, the principal of the new South Anchorage HS reported on their progress.  They have selected nearly all of the department heads and are currently interviewing teachers and coaches.  Anyone who is interested in a tour of the facility should call the Project Manager, Dave Rein, at 742-6671.  There will be a public forum at service HS on January 20th.  Because AP classes will depend on how many students apply, no decision will be made until after pre-registration.  Commitments or zone exemptions should all be complete by March 15.

 

Con Bunde spoke on the state budget process.  They are looking at taking $400 million from savings, leaving about $1.4 billion.  There is general agreement that they do not want the balance to go below $1 billion, so that means one more time.  The proposed change in the Permanent Fund to a percent-of-market-value (POMV) payout is getting serious consideration.

 

Al Barrett of Planning and Zoning was scheduled to talk about the  proposed ordinance 2004-006 amending Title 21 (Land Use Rules) to add Private Equestrian Facilities as a Conditional Use Permit in R-6, R-8, R-9.  This is of great concern to stable owners.

 

Discussion ranged to a proposed ordinance regarding accessory buildings. While this ordinance was never approved by the Assembly, it is being applied by the MOA Planning and Zoning Department.   Planning and Zoning will reject any building application where the added structures would exceed the size of the primary residence, even though the Code only says that the structures cannot exceed 30% of the lot, based a 2001 court case.

 

A facilities permit would be required for any more than 3 animals of any type.  The horse owners would like to see a rewrite of Title 21, particularly with regards to provisions such as the 25-foot setback for and horses from the property line. 

 

There was a  recommendation that any horse owner sign up as a farm property and get a formal soil conservation plan.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 pm.