Kraig Bryan

The agenda for the Fairbanks Diversity Council meeting included standard preliminary items such as the Call to Order with the reading of the Mission Statement and Land Acknowledgement, Roll Call, and Pledge of Allegiance. Key discussion topics involved a recap of the February 21 Strategic Planning Work Session, the designation of the FDC Chair, and a review of the FDC Meeting Schedule, Format, and Location. The meeting also listed the next regular meeting date.

The agenda for the Regular Meeting covered several items, including ceremonial matters such as the Mayoral Proclamation designating March 2026 as "American Red Cross Month." The council planned to hear public testimony on renewal applications for alcohol licenses and transfer applications for marijuana licenses. Unfinished business involved postponing a resolution inviting proposals for the redevelopment of City Property at 123 Lacey Street. New business included resolutions regarding soliciting community input for the 123 Lacey Street redevelopment, honoring the Clay Street Cemetery Commission, authorizing a lease of City Hall space to the Fairbanks Children's Museum, and amending the code section regarding exemptions from the Gasoline Excise Tax. Written communications included the Clay Street Cemetery Commission Meeting Minutes of February 4, 2026, and a memorandum regarding the Permanent Fund Investment Policy.

The Regular Meeting included a public hearing regarding alcohol license renewals for four establishments: The Spur, Tony's Sports Bar, and two locations for Market Basket, Inc. Testimony was received from employees and building owners regarding operations, security measures, and future development plans, particularly in light of an upcoming Department of Transportation project. The Council voted to waive protest on the license renewals. A new agenda item, Report from Fairbanks Ak Native Organizations, was discussed for implementation. The Council also addressed unfinished business, adopting Ordinance No. 6338, as Amended, concerning Council Member Compensation after debate on the salary increase. New Business involved approving Resolution No. 5200 regarding a statewide sales tax stance and postponing Resolution No. 5201, which concerns inviting redevelopment proposals for city property, pending further discussion on the Request for Proposal (RFP) details, specifically regarding local labor pool preference. Ordinance No. 6340, amending the 2026 Operating and Capital Budgets, was advanced after debate concerning the removal of funding for Public Works software. The session concluded with an Executive Session to discuss IBEW/COF Labor Negotiations Guidance and Chapman v. City of Fairbanks.

The Commission convened for its regular meeting. Key discussions included addressing citizen comments regarding upcoming Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary) commemoration programming that may increase cemetery traffic, and coordination for a potential history tour. The commission addressed the annual clean-up day logistics, with a proposed date set for the Saturday prior to Memorial Day weekend. The financial update indicated receipt of a deposit from the City's Discretionary Fund and a donation for a new marker. Unfinished business involved reviewing the final proofing stage for the existing Quiring Monuments Order and confirming details for the new Frank Anderson marker. In new business, there was open discussion regarding genealogical research assistance provided to a commission member. The expected date for the next meeting was set for April 1, 2026.

The meeting included a public hearing regarding the renewal of an alcohol license for Circle K Package Store, where concerns were raised about law enforcement call volume, although the Deputy Police Chief suggested many calls might be incorrectly attributed to the business address. The Council considered several ordinances, including Ordinance No. 6334 concerning reports from Fairbanks Native organizations, which was amended and adopted. Ordinance No. 6335, related to City Council approval of excess expenditures, and Ordinance No. 6336, removing term limits for Room Rental Tax Discretionary Fund Committee Members, were both adopted. Ordinance No. 6337, authorizing Public Works services for snow storage in exchange for a site from the Tanana Valley State Fair Association, was also adopted. Discussions took place concerning proposed increases to Councilmember and Mayor compensation (Ordinances No. 6338 and No. 6339), with the Council advancing the amended compensation ordinance for Councilmembers but failing to advance the Mayor's compensation ordinance. Citizens' comments focused heavily on opposing the compensation increases. Other topics included reports from Explore Fairbanks, discussion on a Downtown Association ordinance regarding housing development incentives, and a memorandum concerning Council travel funds, which failed to pass.