Lisa Bartgis

The Parks and Trails Master Plan for the City of Wasilla outlines a long-range vision for the development and programming of citywide parks, greenbelts, and trails. This plan aims to enhance recreational opportunities by inventorying existing facilities, actively engaging the public, and strategically planning for future needs. Key objectives include the enhancement of current parks, improvement of trail connectivity, and the creation of new parks, with specific recommendations for volunteer systems, welcome signs, individual conceptual park plans, and park improvements across various locations.

The meeting commenced with calls for commissioners to silence cell phones and reminders regarding speaking protocols for telephonic attendees and streaming viewers. The primary discussion centered on a motion to add a memorandum from Holly Wells regarding attorney client privilege, permits, and enforcement orders to the agenda. This led to a substantive debate on the nature of attorney-client privilege as it pertains to a quasi-judicial body and whether to waive this privilege to make the memo public. Following the debate, the commission voted to approve the motion to waive the privilege for this specific memo and move it to communications. A secondary motion to add a new business item concerning the preparation of a resolution on commission documents was also passed as part of the agenda amendment. Finally, the commission approved the amended agenda.

The meeting commenced with procedural announcements regarding decorum and the reading of Robert's Rules of Order. The agenda was approved as amended following a motion to move specific resolutions to new business. A proclamation recognizing President's Day was read, acknowledging the leadership of US presidents. Updates from Wasilla High School highlighted recent sporting events, the Marty Gro Festival, and academic achievements, including a challenge to the council regarding GPA difficulty. The Public Works Director provided comprehensive updates, noting that proposals for the sewer comprehensive plan are due February 23rd. Progress on the federally funded sludge digester project is at 95% completion, with plans to add two larger digesters. Property acquisition discussions continue for the discharge project wetlands area. The department is currently experiencing an abnormally high number of frozen sewer systems due to fluctuating winter weather. Water projects include drilling the Herman well, with initial testing showing high arsenic levels that require further monitoring. The Herman Road water line work, partially funded by ARPA, is on target for completion this summer. Interconnect project alignments are being surveyed. The department is also focused on the DEC revolving loan fund process and preparing for the water comprehensive plan. Road updates covered MVP MO's project nominations, the need for matching funds for PC and Lucille resurfacing projects, and upcoming information regarding the Safe Streets for All project concerning pedestrian improvements near Wasilla Middle and High School. The DOT Main Street Couplet project is nearing federal highway certification, which may require council approval for minor museum remodels due to right-of-way encroachments. Airport updates included progress on paperwork for Taxiway Kilo construction planned for spring and security upgrades, including new access control systems and enhanced camera monitoring. New airplane tracking data is being used to support the runway extension case with the FAA. Finally, fire mitigation funding will be used at Lake Lucille Park to address beetle kill and reduce fire risk before summer.

The meeting commenced with procedural reminders regarding decorum and the use of electronic devices. Council discussed agenda modifications, noting an error in Ordinance Serial 2602 related to a date in 2025, and Council Member Graham pulled Item 8.2.3 (Resolution 2604) from the consent agenda for discussion. The body adopted a proclamation honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A public hearing was held and subsequently closed for Ordinance Serial 2601, which sought to appropriate funds to re-establish an inadvertently deleted FTE police officer position. Discussion ensued regarding the funding discrepancy between the proposed $83,000 appropriation (for a partial year) and previous full-year costs ($181,000), as well as concerns about the position becoming a PERS liability if grant funding ceases. The Chief provided an update on current police vacancies and trainees. The consent agenda, including the approval of December 15, 2025, minutes, approval of a public hearing for Ordinance 2602 concerning financial consulting services, ratification of a local disaster emergency declaration due to a December 2025 windstorm (Resolution 2602), and authorization for a water mainline extension reimbursement (Resolution 2603), was approved.

Key discussions focused on departmental reports from the city planner and the public works director, as well as input from the city attorney. The city planner provided updates on gathering information for a CUPs request and noted that the comprehensive plan update presenter was unavailable. The public works director reported extensively on sewer projects, including the RFP for the sewer master plan update (over 20 years old), progress on the sludge digester project, and challenges related to frozen sewer systems (up 11% from last year). Capacity constraints in the current sewer and water system were highlighted, noting a need to pause large developments. Water projects included updates on the Herman Road well drilling (marginal water quality noted), water tower/booster station design, and the installation of water lines funded by ARPA money with an October deadline. Significant attention was given to leveraging funding through the state revolving loan fund for sewer, water, and legacy septic tank replacements (including $600,000 forgivable funding for septic tanks), and preparing the RFP for the water comprehensive plan. Road updates included nominations for the CIP round for the Lucille Street repaving and Peek Street repair, and discussion of the Wasilla Middle and High School pedestrian improvements project funded through the Safe Streets for All grant, requiring a substantial city match. The interconnect project status was also reviewed, focusing on gathering data for cost-benefit analysis for the northern and southern alignments.