Michael Swain

The Assembly meeting included organizational matters such as electing a President and Deputy Presiding Officer. Non-action items involved reviewing communications, including letters regarding the 2023 system failure impact, support for Recreation Centers, and legislative reports. Departmental reports covered operations, finance, port activities, library updates, parks and recreation status, solid waste management, fire department readiness, IT progress, and police activities. A key action item was the public hearing, third reading, and adoption of Ordinance No. 2023-07, which amends Title 1 to establish a general penalty and a minor offense fine schedule applicable across multiple titles. New business included discussion on Resolution 2023-17 regarding the Borough Clerk Position and the taxation of gravel for Lake Camp Road.

The Planning & Zoning meeting agenda for January 11th, 2024, included review and potential updates to P&Z ordinances, specifically discussing lengthening the Site Development Permit validity from 18 to 36 months, and a land swap request from William Weatherby. The agenda also listed the Managers' Report, site development permit review for Tiffany and Sons' Triplex, and discussion items related to a Problem Reporter and Parcel Viewer implementation.

The November 13, 2025 meeting included approval of the agenda and the minutes from the October 9, 2025 meeting. Several residents voiced opposition to proposed building code enforcement and inspection, viewing it as redundant and potentially costly bureaucracy, given that the Fire Marshal already oversees major construction and site development permits have existing penalties. Discussions focused on several Site Development Permits, including Permit 2025-11 which was turned in late. In Old Business, Resolution 2025-10 concerning the CIP 2026-27 was approved unanimously, following a discussion among commissioners regarding the priority of road maintenance in South Naknek versus new infrastructure projects like the proposed South Naknek bridge and King Salmon wastewater improvements. In New Business, the commission decided against setting a public workshop date for changes to Site Development Permit Procedures or implementing building code enforcement, as commissioners expressed favoring the existing process for site permits and opposition to new building code enforcement.

The Assembly meeting included reviewing and discussing various department reports for June 2024, such as Port, Library, Fire Department, Parks and Recreation, and Landfill. Key legislative actions included the re-introduction and first reading of Ordinance 2024-03 concerning senior citizen and disabled veteran property tax exemptions, and the adoption of Resolution 2024-10 establishing the 2024 Tax Year property tax mil rate. Unfinished business involved multiple resolutions: Resolution 2024-11 concerning a loan application for the Naknek Landfill project, Resolution 2024-12 for the FY25 Community Assistance Program participation, Resolution 2024-13 authorizing fund transfers, Resolution 2024-14 regarding supplemental assessment for 2024 Personal Property Taxes, and Resolution 2024-15 establishing Landfill User Fee Rates. The Assembly adopted the FY 2025 Budget (Ordinance 2024-02) after several amendments, including adding funds for an EMT position and increasing funding for the Bristol Bay Historical Society. Other new business included adopting a resolution to request the State of Alaska Department of Transportation repair the Naknek Airport and awarding a contract for classroom repairs at the Naknek School. Assembly directives included researching the Atlas Tower lease costs and investigating fuel tank needs.

The agenda for the meeting included receiving department reports (Finance, Parks & Rec, Fire, EMS, IT, Landfill, Public Works, Planning and Zoning, Police, Library, Port, and School District), public comment, and non-action items. Key actions involved first readings and subsequent second readings, public hearings, and adoptions for two Ordinances: Ordinance 2025-01 regarding amending the public hearing notice publication requirement for zoning ordinance amendments, and Ordinance 2025-02 concerning increasing the Board of Ethics membership to five and setting criteria. Resolution 2025-03 was introduced concerning an alternative allocation method for the FY25 Shared Fisheries Business Tax Program. Two items, Resolution 2025-02 (FY26 Capital Improvement Priorities) and a Donation Request, were postponed to the subsequent meeting. The Assembly also approved a taxi application.