[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6061318,"mediaKeyId","3284307-bd1dd9e5678a3b3023c81ffe5dbe5056","parentId",3284307,"title","Votes at a glance: Wasilla Council adopts land purchases for airport safety, approves prefab restrooms; pumper engine repair vote postponed","audioSeconds",2848,"startMs",6088000,"endMs",8936000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3284307-bd1dd9e5678a3b3023c81ffe5dbe5056&start=6088&end=8936","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3284307-bd1dd9e5678a3b3023c81ffe5dbe5056/thumbnail_6088000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6061318/Wasilla/Matanuska-Susitna-Borough/Alaska/Votes-at-a-glance-Wasilla-Council-adopts-land-purchases-for-airport-safety-approves-prefab-restrooms-pumper-engine-repair-vote-postponed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061318-8d01fa78ffc66ee799aab3d7419f74aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770964028&Signature=PD8VQW3yJS4RHv3mEId~beYobGsUBiLcwmtCVKd-tgk~NIXIFLadMspxYePq6pi2Iqlga5WGgdvFtD3LmPuM80FbkwnTMyFqpCcQKjQ2xlScFSdxlHEyWal5ehKIiCLIPG~jd~8fb2zm~U-evjJumlRQqmohvDNQRwpGkvgeLZ5w6riQE7dnMGZJbYNErPp871bPtzHA88kJ4ZewdAlK2alyBvMeieTjyqb1CkpA8u2LndIbFSTwjGRBh1u-Rx25X2jRBUsD335UOiI1QyGjqzKNAqIoUIGsgEpM6lAlTU-853BQUAs0ZYWV456isgQ0EmrPNDgCjXGfnP1U3ZgZ6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wasilla, AK","date","2025-04-15T17:02:57Z","article","The Wasilla City Council took multiple formal actions on April 14, adopting land purchases that city staff said are needed for runway expansion and approving two contract awards for prefabricated concrete restroom units at city ballfields. Council postponed a purchase related to a possible city administrative facility and delayed action on a repair appropriation for a fire pumper truck until its next meeting.

Nut graf: Council acted on a set of mostly technical, procurement and property‑acquisition items that advance an airport runway protection project and park infrastructure; members also asked for additional warranty and procurement detail before deciding on a costly vehicle repair.

Key formal actions (summary)

- Ordinance Serial No. 2510 — Adopted. Motion to adopt by Council member Bridal; second by Council member Cottle. The ordinance was adopted by voice vote with no objection.

- Ordinance Serial No. 2511 with AM No. 25‑20 — Postponed to April 28, 2025. After discussion about an engine repair for a 2017 pumper truck and requested warranty information, Council member Rubio moved to postpone; the motion carried. (AM 25‑20 would have appropriated $75,000 from the general fund to the sewer repair and maintenance fund and included a contract award to RWC Group for $48,475.71; council postponed final action pending warranty and cost details.)

- Resolution Serial No. 2513 (transfer of $34,148.21) — Adopted. The council approved transferring funds within a construction accounting fund to cover required repairs on ice‑plant compressors at the Menard Sports Center and a contract amendment to Cool Air Mechanical Inc. for the same amount.

- Resolutions Serial Nos. 2514, 2515 and 2516 (airport land acquisitions) — Adopted. The council authorized the mayor to enter into purchase agreements to acquire three parcels (10 acres at 1815 S. Foothills Boulevard, and two 5‑acre parcels on West Garner Circle) for runway expansion and the runway protection zone. Staff said the approvals are time‑sensitive for closing and that the projects fit the airport master plan.

- Resolution Serial No. 2517 (purchase and sales agreement for 950 E. Bogard Road) — Postponed indefinitely. The council debated an earnest‑money payment and the staff recommendation; Council member Graham moved to postpone the purchase agreement indefinitely and the motion passed.

- AM No. 25‑18 and AM No. 25‑19 (contract awards for prefabricated restrooms) — Adopted. The council approved purchases of premade concrete restroom buildings for the Bumpas Soccer Complex and the Mombas (Mombasa) Softball Complex; the awards were moved and seconded and carried.

Nut graf (closing): Council members repeatedly asked administration for more detailed breakout sheets — including warranty terms for vehicle repairs, the remaining balances in grant accounts tied to airport acquisitions, and an itemized plan for park projects — and staff agreed to return with supplemental information at upcoming meetings.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Regular - 14 Apr 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Wasilla City Council on April 14 approved multiple land purchases for a runway expansion and awarded contracts for prefabricated restrooms, while postponing an engine‑repair funding vote and a separate purchase agreement pending additional information.","taxTitle","Wasilla, Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska","taxId",52178,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6061323,"Architect says Wasilla City Hall and MATCOM show code, seismic and operational issues; recommends new construction option",2008,2819000,4827000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3284307-bd1dd9e5678a3b3023c81ffe5dbe5056&start=2819&end=4827","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3284307-bd1dd9e5678a3b3023c81ffe5dbe5056/thumbnail_2819000.jpg","/articles/6061323/Wasilla/Matanuska-Susitna-Borough/Alaska/Architect-says-Wasilla-City-Hall-and-MATCOM-show-code-seismic-and-operational-issues-recommends-new-construction-option","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061323-a932a744c9bb7e01b4536ecb96a7417f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770964028&Signature=ozzfJp0cmQ2QxtvoiNcY6gJb9YPjTposH~HwLfdi6YnwhvCiYuP1JbYWFHZwhxGt3iqvACp5rotdmXIaW969jiHiaEG~oIXg~Tf7up9P06iC6W5UoJmyutjbWAoDJd0VNgmAbxYBlPnR~q8LT~RI06gqnFBHZXEpnA7fQkmoFwkL2G2QvPJ7cZl8ortW4OZBVUadeP1YsbllyBWKyMI84kIJR5hDvBZcHVsHydFa21MMXy6laliHZbA2ZYdn8BGqcPh3-J21AjtUD4AZi9UZ74zI1L-85HW~7LEuIu7xSyzj9oi5VzkzhPIhCawo7mKq~UznHZgnAVpN01uD-68yNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Architect Chris Whittington Evans of Wolf Architecture presented the firm’s assessment of Wasilla City Hall and the MATCOM dispatch center on April 14, telling the council the two buildings were never designed to serve their current municipal functions and that upgrades to meet modern codes would be complicated and costly.

“We have a building that was not ever constructed to serve the purpose that is now functioning,” Whittington Evans said, noting the municipal offices occupy a former school with later additions. The firm scanned both facilities with LIDAR to create a building information model and interviewed about 20 staff to document current use and needs.

Nut graf: The consultant identified multiple code, accessibility, hazardous‑materials and mechanical constraints at the existing city hall and MATCOM, and offered three high‑level scenarios — renovate in place (with significant disruption), build a new combined facility including MATCOM and city functions, or adapt an existing commercial building — with cost estimates and tradeoffs for each.

Key findings listed by the architect included limited floor‑to‑floor height that constrains ventilation and retrofit of mechanical systems; fire‑separation and egress issues around the council chamber and other assembly spaces; attic and crawl‑space conditions; the presence of asbestos‑containing materials in some finishes that would trigger abatement for many renovations; and limited security and ventilation capacity in the MATCOM facility, which the architect said may not meet essential‑facility seismic or systems criteria.

The firm presented three scenarios and order‑of‑magnitude cost considerations: (1) renovate both existing buildings — the firm said significant disruption and abatement needs make this difficult and suggested in many cases that repurposing the structure would be preferable; (2) new construction of approximately 32,500 square feet to accommodate 40 years of projected growth — the architect estimated current construction costs in the range of $500–$600 per square foot for a new facility; and (3) retrofit of an existing commercial building (core‑and‑shell + tenant improvements) if an appropriate property were available.

Council members asked about historic value, demolition implications and whether partial renovations might be feasible. Whittington Evans said certain structural and code upgrades would trigger wider requirements (for example, sprinkler or egress upgrades) that would increase costs and extend disruption. He recommended the council and staff review the building’s historic status and potential repurposing options as they weigh new construction.

Ending: The council received the assessment and asked staff to provide additional information on potential sites, funding avenues and any market comparables that would affect the decision between renovation and new construction.

","Wolf Architecture told the Wasilla City Council that City Hall and the MATCOM dispatch center have structural, code and hazardous‑material issues that complicate renovations and that a new, consolidated facility is one viable long‑term option.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6061328,"Wasilla reports roughly $27.3 million in capital grants since 2022; $43.2M total including pending airport and water grants",444,2263000,2707000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3284307-bd1dd9e5678a3b3023c81ffe5dbe5056&start=2263&end=2707","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3284307-bd1dd9e5678a3b3023c81ffe5dbe5056/thumbnail_2263000.jpg","/articles/6061328/Wasilla/Matanuska-Susitna-Borough/Alaska/Wasilla-reports-roughly-273-million-in-capital-grants-since-2022-432M-total-including-pending-airport-and-water-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061328-d989832d6a5d5f1272ad1dedc9e2e4f7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770964028&Signature=bs56wh7hb6Gyy3-AcS2bv97c~U3fzpaZfaSoUsbOGU2NBBxhlvoX73gOzZ~4XLoQFtGmqDM-vJ5MiSF62kaODCCHKX1KNtgRwkWOXxtRsZJRnXugsznDw-RXQBbQgobm6mwGkQ58grZejvkzXmsyCTdVnTV~rONzqmmEtsuHQixex20mat-dK9UdmCJkySNkUnKDXEHOR~0YT0iybjFiEUmnYnVkcpSmy-dyze9RiEDdZ1E7g1fRSZhe9mWlkySTOf3u1ZuyoedcGZMi345tJzfgJDuYu3gPpOKbaAOZt-ew2sqW7Xbj-QNsg9bd6Y7liVbgiaSODs62RfOjDvFTZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Deputy Administrator Crystal Nygaard gave the Wasilla City Council an overview of state and federal grant awards the city has received since 2022 and the funds that are currently pending.

Nygaard said public‑works capital projects brought the largest portion of funds: roughly $2.6 million in 2022, $9.7 million in 2023 and $11.2 million in 2024. She said 2025 awards are in flux because of federal deliberations but noted pending airport and water grants that, if realized, would add substantially to the total.

Nut graf: City staff said these grants have funded water, wastewater, airport work, public‑safety equipment and community projects (library, museum, planning), and that while the grants reduce capital outlay burdens, they can create future operational costs and reporting obligations for the city.

Nygaard presented consolidated totals: roughly $27.3 million in grant awards since 2022, with a relatively modest city match requirement to date (she cited about $900,000 total match across those grants). She said two large pending items — an airport request identified as $13 million and a water project of about $5.9 million — would raise the aggregate to about $43.2 million if those awards are approved.

Finance Director Cassie Olin joined Nygaard on the dais and explained that grant awards sometimes carry low or waived match requirements. She said the $27.3 million figure required roughly a $900,000 match overall because some federal and state funders waived or reduced local matches on particular projects. Olin cautioned the council that capital grants can carry ongoing operational costs, and that the council should consider performance measures and future budgets tied to newly funded assets.

Council questions focused on the composition of public‑safety grants and on distinguishing capital award amounts from resulting operating costs. Nygaard and Olin said public‑safety grants include equipment and program support (for example, JAG funding for task‑force positions) and identified library and planning grants in the “community” category. Nygaard also said the city does not have a dedicated grant writer and that securing and managing these awards required substantial interdepartmental effort.

Ending: Nygaard told council members that staff can provide more detailed breakouts and the administration will keep the council updated on pending awards and match obligations; council members requested a clearer, itemized breakdown for future meetings.

","Deputy Administrator Crystal Nygaard told the council that the city secured about $27.3 million in state and federal capital grants from 2022–2024 for public works, public safety and community projects; pending airport and water grants could raise the total to roughly $43.2 million, officials said.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6061332,"Wasilla police chief reports vacancies, K‑9 retirements, drone use and large drug seizures",1337,607000,1944000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3284307-bd1dd9e5678a3b3023c81ffe5dbe5056&start=607&end=1944","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3284307-bd1dd9e5678a3b3023c81ffe5dbe5056/thumbnail_607000.jpg","/articles/6061332/Wasilla/Matanuska-Susitna-Borough/Alaska/Wasilla-police-chief-reports-vacancies-K9-retirements-drone-use-and-large-drug-seizures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6061332-d7f9afcdbcd499f6f3dcf1f3f3b1b091/orig.mp4?Expires=1770964028&Signature=DW95choHfibmryVKBjL17qPwpOowWd2yKmNMqcZIlyr5vKJsQVQKX7RkFZc~gzEG6UWJv4xPPQq7618zWyGDO1yEVhEJoa2LlywgvvTMPW6Jh0Z1O6MMtRQby1tL3eND08kO8BJgWeAE2auFGH4m93ymWMHR8SkvihdeEM6WQwGygh~qphZ26wlxB7CWI-gkTrnwDKpomlqoIaPh19Vv2YSDrdKSde4Gp9ThMfQZGpv0OnlRcWW-R26O0UuJpRjq8njxivcZzrrtBBCDWtisDpeK2xtCclGedC2~TzsHP8sUQzdsTeuI5CwoieprXTfATTtZaWf4vIan5QPZiLd6SA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wasilla Police Chief Repson told the City Council on April 14 that the department is short three patrol officers and expects additional retirements over the next 24 months while continuing recruitment and training efforts.

The update, given during the regular council meeting, covered personnel moves, department statistics, community outreach and operational equipment. “We are currently down three vacancies right now,” Repson said, adding the department was vetting “good applicants” and had one candidate in final hiring stages.

Repson described recent retirements including K‑9 handler Officer Buzzard and his dog Echo, who retired in March. He introduced the department’s new canine, Cyntha Jay, and said Officer Nate Lacours completed a 10‑week training course with the new K‑9. The chief also noted a sergeant’s upcoming retirement on April 30 and two anticipated retirements within about two years.

Nut graf: The presentation emphasized short‑term staffing strains, investments in training and equipment, and operational changes the department says are intended to sustain coverage and public safety while recruitment continues.

In operational statistics Repson said that, from the start of the current fiscal period through the date of his report, the department had handled about 18,500 calls for service. Other figures he provided: about 4,100 traffic stops, 17 DUIs, roughly 684 arrests, and about 2,600 case reports; code‑compliance calls were around 817. He said the department expects calls for service to end the fiscal year in the mid‑20,000s.

Repson highlighted training and equipment: two detectives were promoted, the department sent officers to command school and the FBI National Academy, and the department launched new recruiting materials, including a website JoinWasillaPolice.org. He said new ballistic helmets and other body‑armor items were purchased with council support.

The chief showed drone footage that he said helped locate a suspect who fled on foot into a wooded area; the footage, he said, aided coordination between drone operators, K‑9 teams and cover officers and led to an arrest. “That kind of coordination is quite a great outcome,” he said.

Repson also described community policing and diversion work: Wasilla’s Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) program — a 40‑hour course the department now hosts — and partnerships with neighboring agencies, nonprofits and the borough for programs such as the explorer program and drug‑endangered‑children efforts.

On enforcement partnerships and narcotics work, Repson and his staff said a detective placed with a federally supported statewide drug enforcement unit (funded through the Justice Assistance Grant program) had contributed to seizures since October 2024. Repson cited seized items the department provided to the council as seizure totals reported by the multi‑agency team: about $130,000 in currency, quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and more than 2,000 grams of suspected fentanyl, plus numerous firearms.

Council members asked about recruitment initiatives, military outreach and policy for officers responding outside city limits. Repson said the department does not formally limit how many officers can respond outside the city but maintains a policy that ensures “there will always be somebody inside the city” to handle calls; responses to out‑of‑city assists are supervised by a sergeant and often follow a formal request for assistance from Alaska State Troopers.

Ending: Council members thanked Repson for the detailed briefing; several council members urged continued focus on recruitment and training to address the reported vacancies and upcoming retirements.

","Police Chief Repson told the Wasilla City Council the department is down three officers, is expanding training and K‑9 capacity, is deploying drones regularly and said a detective assigned to a federally funded task force helped seize substantial narcotics and currency since October 2024.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Wasilla Council adopts land purchases for airport safety, approves prefab restrooms; pumper engine repair vote postponed

Architect says Wasilla City Hall and MATCOM show code, seismic and operational issues; recommends new construction option

Wasilla reports roughly $27.3 million in capital grants since 2022; $43.2M total including pending airport and water grants

Wasilla police chief reports vacancies, K‑9 retirements, drone use and large drug seizures