[{"_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",6161745,"mediaKeyId","5440936-95aa8e7b5c026ab84682a6d13197abd0","parentId",5440936,"title","Commission discusses disability town hall and outreach events; tables detailed plan for next meeting","audioSeconds",482,"startMs",3006000,"endMs",3488000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5440936-95aa8e7b5c026ab84682a6d13197abd0&start=3006&end=3488","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5440936-95aa8e7b5c026ab84682a6d13197abd0/thumbnail_3006000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6161745/Anchorage-Municipality/Alaska/Commission-discusses-disability-town-hall-and-outreach-events-tables-detailed-plan-for-next-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161745-81381cc25c11e741198ac7a4dc4a07a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770958232&Signature=KZHn~h3Q6QNNQ8NqINtdYq2qWFBBXgjhgAuteU7XIe-vt~E5adkGdpuTvk4kuNa8gk71xEu3uD~DSlcQP0KTHPTFbXc4~5O~bpniqT5KhRtWgoN-ZVLMefJsfo-ldIsMCNRhkqLPRO~Z-5LsIGoK0tovMGIZPyjG-gdh7GfjnF3xCz50Opz9w8mPDT6ZByVaORo7YTzN6UcCfrIAixHpszCHaLgT6Z~67gTOMtn2JFH2LBVWY7~nLFHNwfmh-AvNLxAzQrg-vNJ4uD9FdtCKZ~vNIMDWnW5yvwK~Ypir~JP0Za5J0oetWG88opif2cQ~EONrFVZNUBsS5vK9c8JHEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Municipality of Anchorage","date","2025-07-17T00:00:00Z","article","The commission discussed a proposed disability town hall intended to connect disability agencies, consumers and families to discuss federal initiatives, local impacts and resource needs. The plan would secure a venue, promote the event for one to two months, involve stakeholders and collect feedback to inform future recommendations.

Presenters suggested the town hall could be combined with the previously discussed public awareness campaign but several commissioners recommended keeping them separate: one event focused on community outreach and destigmatization, the other on policy and federal developments. Commissioners recommended framing the town hall to be community‑based and nonpartisan to maximize attendance and reduce political friction.

Logistics and funding were the primary concerns. Commissioners noted the commission lacks a dedicated budget and would need to coordinate with the mayor’s office, the Equal Rights Commission and potential grantors. One commissioner recommended inviting business partners and employment‑focused events during National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The commission voted to table detailed planning and return with a more developed proposal at the next meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","ADA Advisory Commission Meeting 2025 07","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners discussed a proposed disability town hall and related outreach events (to inform residents about federal/state developments and resources) and agreed to table detailed planning until the next meeting to allow for more time to develop logistics and budget.","taxTitle","Anchorage Municipality, Alaska","taxId",2653,"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},6161750,"Commission to seek city guidance on property‑tax incentives to expand assisted‑living options for complex disability needs",718,2200000,2918000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5440936-95aa8e7b5c026ab84682a6d13197abd0&start=2200&end=2918","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5440936-95aa8e7b5c026ab84682a6d13197abd0/thumbnail_2200000.jpg","/articles/6161750/Anchorage-Municipality/Alaska/Commission-to-seek-city-guidance-on-propertytax-incentives-to-expand-assistedliving-options-for-complex-disability-needs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161750-63da09234145ef693c6685e119b78801/orig.mp4?Expires=1770958232&Signature=f6jOOjAmrd-K1IbVbWNxUhsz51UkaLsH039xXwz24LL1JhEC8OTs56mLiJg5pVK-z1EoQgXNTSixw4kEIHj1hzjEBcXhUjYyhIYNW~yEEyV14TB2xhAfnSCitjHB3ElPZZwWNMzWl5~z6UADeMYnDRW-kYz1WIFk2cW1A0m4MniqEyuVk3yskXk1hHyS6B0khonmx3MmxQPjAOBnAl40YpNbrdK20iDwC8GIMLxcpLuuLyu3NEJWoBE8Cn0gju1YEQZMf2B1sUGtOI82upOftOvB3afok74dhuYBjvhfl6QgiJ8rQY72Yc6jc~5xC0TZ9wQncdyXI~Gn25kXd5WB~w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Anchorage ADA Advisory Commission agreed to send a proposal seeking municipal guidance on using property tax exemptions as an incentive for assisted‑living facilities to accept more people with complex disabilities. The commission discussed institutionalization trends, licensing and funding constraints, and municipal authority before agreeing to ask staff how the idea could proceed.

Jessica presented a proposal that described a potential municipal strategy: define a subset of assisted‑living providers that would accept residents with higher medical or behavioral needs and consider property tax reductions to offset provider costs or encourage participation. The presentation referenced federal Olmstead precedent and described Alaska’s high rates of institutionalization and the state’s substantial network of small assisted‑living facilities.

Commissioners and guests cautioned that the space is heavily regulated by the Alaska Department of Health and that Medicaid waivers, licensing and payer rules govern whether facilities can accept higher‑acuity residents. One commissioner said many of Anchorage’s assisted‑living providers are small, family‑owned businesses and suggested the policy would need careful calibration to avoid unintended consequences.

The commission voted to send the proposal to Marie Huesta, director of boards and commissions, and asked staff to request a deeper review from the municipal property tax office and relevant state agencies to determine legal and fiscal feasibility. No municipal policy was adopted at the meeting; this was an exploratory step to obtain staff advice and clarify next steps.","Commissioners discussed a proposal to investigate whether Anchorage property tax exemptions could be used to incentivize assisted‑living facilities to accept residents with complex disabilities; the commission agreed to send the proposal to municipal staff for advisement on feasibility and process.",{"_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},6161755,"Auditors recommend keeping commission active; chair warns attendance could trigger future removals",1582,104000,1686000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5440936-95aa8e7b5c026ab84682a6d13197abd0&start=104&end=1686","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5440936-95aa8e7b5c026ab84682a6d13197abd0/thumbnail_104000.jpg","/articles/6161755/Anchorage-Municipality/Alaska/Auditors-recommend-keeping-commission-active-chair-warns-attendance-could-trigger-future-removals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161755-aad77fc55fb84c5effe06362d1c9d3c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770958232&Signature=L7X3wJ~WoMHWSMOkwSnweJCS-6nTiM8~6R1Eh4T3RnqPgTGEzHLgAX6iQWY7AGAuVJ3c4rWXkDjzT-FnumNGL5H6ho1IH~aZTm1h9gnjXtsZgULW5DHC2pAhF3INDlQ85MXG2JM--gTjg5qPvuWdA0j3ZRzXaeFQihic4jdWyCuGVZEGdWvMAi-7e5dTmAUjbK3TxacxJOaCkAofY-CO7D5Hn-XxfXfOoPGcaX6vdsnbkAc-dmx0hVOHiYfPBINDV81TcQl35OHfKm4Sm77napAh12WYFEfgVgMZumMI-Qsic7yuA2zl2kgaO8WQv6umEeQdC-xU4rDo60LgnK-6Ig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Municipal auditors recommended that the Anchorage ADA Advisory Commission continue rather than be sunset after staff confirmed the commission has resumed regular meetings, members said. Maya (staff) and commissioners reported that auditors had initially thought the commission was inactive because it had missed meetings, but follow‑up showed the commission is “actively meeting,” and auditors advised the Anchorage Assembly to continue the commission.

Commissioners focused on attendance as the primary driver of a commission being classified as inactive. A staff member explained that auditors review quorum and individual attendance records when evaluating whether to recommend sunsetting. Commissioners were told to respond to staff attendance confirmations (by e‑mail, Teams or phone) so staff can demonstrate active participation to auditors.

The commission’s chair urged members to attend remotely if they cannot be present in person, noting that remote attendance via Teams or phone counts toward presence for quorum. Commissioners discussed using pre‑meeting confirmation calls and tracking excused versus unexcused absences; staff said Maya maintains attendance records and will follow up if absences become frequent.

No formal motion was required and none was taken; staff and the chair agreed to continue outreach to commissioners to improve attendance and to monitor records ahead of the auditors’ report to the Assembly.","Municipal auditors recommended that the Anchorage ADA Advisory Commission not be sunset after staff confirmed the commission has resumed regular meetings. Commission leadership stressed attendance monitoring and warned that persistent absences could place the commission at risk of removal.",{"_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},6161760,"ADA advisory commission backs sending public‑awareness campaign proposal for procedural guidance",1213,301000,1514000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5440936-95aa8e7b5c026ab84682a6d13197abd0&start=301&end=1514","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5440936-95aa8e7b5c026ab84682a6d13197abd0/thumbnail_301000.jpg","/articles/6161760/Anchorage-Municipality/Alaska/ADA-advisory-commission-backs-sending-publicawareness-campaign-proposal-for-procedural-guidance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6161760-8ac53a86f0b9af3ff89e16a33ba5fbb4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770958232&Signature=bfdWBVaqBxnI6GR45prS3G-SzU7NUSXzpIYU9l3Uh4ks6aV-7RWiffjjxHeM-6uAvcgA79qCLA2caOq2I9ikjgPRcqB1IEy5ZJyYN1XLEjKj7WP-eE6ROtBXQSjt3ofon3~MvR8UKRzJ6KyHceYEP~I9kRDHbfW~2n2HdgvpCaWTnspW~zRw78Tqm7EsivpDWr-LV-stSgu3z2FW0uDfI00PdBShiivbp2pQOt4sho8g3NNkCn1Tlu9NLL7Ig8LSzMTb5z22SPc9FOhHZV1KoHobjcri6KqJ~BOzz9VUZxPIpqiKAYhAJXW9BN7CWh7lnW7CgylNcypzdMih4ynkvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Anchorage ADA Advisory Commission voted to forward a proposal for an education and public relations program to the director of boards and commissions for guidance on process and possible submission to the Anchorage Assembly. The commission approved the motion after discussion about campaign tactics, costs and potential partners.

The plan, presented by Onomay, recommends a public‑awareness ad campaign (television and newspaper/web) running roughly six to 12 weeks, weekly feature stories of local disabled residents, community events that showcase disabled artists and musicians, and recognition for employers and community leaders who support disability inclusion. “So let's see. Nearly 30% of Alaskans have a disability,” Onomay said while outlining the program’s rationale and examples of campaign content.

Commissioners discussed combining recognition for businesses with awards for individuals who lead in disability inclusion and suggested leveraging existing events and partners such as University of Alaska Anchorage contacts, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and the Equal Rights Commission’s social channels. Jessica moved that the commission send the proposal to Marie Huesta, director of boards and commissions, for procedural guidance; the motion was seconded and carried with no recorded objections.

Members flagged funding as a constraint: the commission has no dedicated outreach budget and any request for municipal funds would need to be included in the Equal Rights Commission’s upcoming budget submission. Jennifer Booz, identified in the discussion as executive director of the Equal Rights Commission, was named as a potential point of contact for staffing and budget questions.

Next steps: the commission will share the proposal with Marie Huesta and seek advice on the formal process for presenting the recommendation to the Anchorage Assembly, including whether a fiscal note or additional materials are required. Commissioners also agreed to follow up with Maya (staff) to confirm whether prior outreach to auditors or other staff had already answered procedural questions.

The commission scheduled further discussion and outreach planning for a future meeting; members asked staff to compile contact lists and preliminary cost estimates before presenting to the mayor’s office or assembly.","The Anchorage ADA Advisory Commission voted to send a proposed education and public relations program — including a TV/newspaper ad campaign and community events — to the director of boards and commissions for guidance on process and next steps before submission to the Anchorage Assembly.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission discusses disability town hall and outreach events; tables detailed plan for next meeting

Commission to seek city guidance on property‑tax incentives to expand assisted‑living options for complex disability needs

Auditors recommend keeping commission active; chair warns attendance could trigger future removals

ADA advisory commission backs sending public‑awareness campaign proposal for procedural guidance