Transportation discussed on light agenda for Assembly

March 9, 2018

PALMER — The regular meeting of the Mat-Su Borough Assembly on March 6, 2018, had a fairly light agenda, with no ordinances scheduled for public hearing.

The assembly heard presentations on the strategic plan for the five borough-owned libraries, as well as an update on road bonds. It also approved the borough rate and fee schedule for the next fiscal year.

Representatives from LibraryIQ, a division of Library Systems and Services, a consulting firm specializing in the field, presented the library strategic plan. The plan is the product of visits to the borough’s libraries, data analysis, and meetings with both staff and the public who use the facilities.

The findings of the strategic plan’s research process may not be surprising to Valley residents. Libraries in Alaska can act as a community gathering space for people who would otherwise be isolated by weather and geography, according to the presentation given on Tuesday. Also, the five libraries in the Mat-Su often serve a population outside of the communities where they are located.

With the rise of information technology, the role of libraries has been altered in recent years. Debbie Joy from LibraryIQ, said, “Now more than ever, public libraries are much more than books.”

In addition to taking stock of the current situation for borough libraries, the plan provides recommendations for the future. They include short-term steps like clearing additional shelf space and sharing program ideas between libraries. Longer-term recommendations extend out until 2022, and include more extensive work in the fields of technology, staffing, marketing, and facilities.

The next presentation was on the potential for a future road bond package.

Borough Planner Ben Coleman said a road bond would, “Provide critical new infrastructure desperately needed for the long-term well being of the borough.” He stated that the projects selected were chosen in order to provide the maximum benefit to the largest number of people. Coleman said the borough is experiencing rapid growth, but does not have the funding necessary to keep up in terms of road infrastructure.

Part of the proposal would see more borough roads connected. Ben Coleman pointed to an example near Wasilla Fishhook and Palmer Fishhook roads. He said a relatively simple connection fix could reduce an eight-mile drive from Textile Road to Textile Drive to less than one mile. The proposal also includes a section on safe routes to borough schools.

Many of the proposed road bond projects are located in the Core Area of the Mat-Su. Ben Coleman said, “This wasn’t favoritism, and it wasn’t on accident.” He said that, while many people live outside of the Core Area, most drivers utilize roads in the Palmer and Wasilla area for grocery shopping, work, and school.

Priorities came from both the borough’s Long Range Transportation Plan and a road survey conducted last year. The proposed projects add up to a twenty-year bond for $50 million at a .451 mill rate. For property valued at $200,000, that would mean an annual property tax increase of ninety dollars. Ben Coleman said he understands that, for some property owners, any tax increase can be cause for concern, so the annual increase was broken down to a daily cost. Coleman said, “That’s twenty-five cents a day for a $50 million bond.”

Borough Manager John Moosey said the list of road projects presented is a “best guess” from borough staff, and that the ultimate decision on what projects would be included is up to the assembly. He stated that the last road bond package saw significant changes once it got to the assembly, and he anticipates this proposal might go the same way.

The assembly also approved the new schedule of rates and fees for borough services, which will go into effect on July 1st. Most fees remained unchanged, but some services at Port MacKenzie will see an increase. In addition, household waste disposal at the borough’s central landfill will get slightly more expensive, going from $127 per ton to $131 per ton for those residing in the Mat-Su.

The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss union contract negotiations.

The next meeting of the Mat-Su Borough Assembly will be a joint meeting with the Mat-Su Borough School Board on March 13th. The next regular assembly meeting is scheduled for March 20th.

Read the article on the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman.