[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6136483,"mediaKeyId","5667424-678d68456da783af321bd1b32917c6e8","parentId",5667424,"title","Council introduces rezone for Coring subdivision; planning commission reconsideration question raised","audioSeconds",257,"startMs",2461000,"endMs",2718000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5667424-678d68456da783af321bd1b32917c6e8&start=2461&end=2718","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5667424-678d68456da783af321bd1b32917c6e8/thumbnail_2461000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6136483/Wasilla/Matanuska-Susitna-Borough/Alaska/Council-introduces-rezone-for-Coring-subdivision-planning-commission-reconsideration-question-raised","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6136483-16e7eb788f1a86f76a8691392b5dabe8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775187575&Signature=PmSjamAQcFHB7vdwyw1tGK3pd7fIBganQd0tem8lHItEcdvVgN38tznDGEZt31H1j5J2~vqi9YVPfQl7cK9km2MPGZvoIQcnabcfYSRfmoa3klSaLV~p3ocNfWYhsBgOz8Xza-csAzxGnyiBvkAyJkowp3iR33cMzVr8J5xTo5PtILw9IZnaYduhAAecRnlGy4W22m07YoSsP9GapThwiWE6p9vxuWEB0JAsIXq~wUh7Q0YSUq3yzrZjcFzZJQU8MkZn69tzj3-Yi1duZafk41wTyf8tF1rlE7CrlaDChdlaxvnO78s4l~3qjeOvQrafYOOL96WOysiiVx9YRmouOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Wasilla","date","2025-07-29T00:00:00Z","article","The Wasilla City Council introduced Ordinance Serial Number 2522, an amendment to the official zoning map to change the zoning district from rural residential to commercial for Lots 1–14 of the Coring Subdivision (public hearing scheduled for Aug. 11). Council member Graham raised concerns that a Planning Commission member had signaled interest in requesting reconsideration of the commission’s vote on the rezone and asked whether the city attorney had provided guidance on whether the Planning Commission can reconsider its decision.

City Attorney Holy Wells told the council that rezone decisions are legislative in nature and the code is silent on a formal reconsideration process for planning commission legislative recommendations. “When we look at rezone, we're looking at a legislative process. ... the code tells us exactly what that process looks like. There it's silent on reconsideration,” Wells said. She said that because rezones are legislative rather than quasi‑judicial, the usual reconsideration procedures for hearings officers do not apply and that starting a formal reconsideration mid‑process could be confusing for the public; if the commission wanted a reconsideration mechanism, staff could propose a resolution to council proposing an ordinance to do so.

Council discussed scheduling and the potential that the planning commission could seek reconsideration after the next commission meeting. The council proceeded to introduce the ordinance with public hearing scheduled for Aug. 11, noting the possibility of postponement depending on the planning commission’s follow‑up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Regular - 28 Jul 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council introduced Ordinance Serial Number 2522 to rezone lots in the Coring Subdivision from rural residential to commercial and scheduled a public hearing for Aug. 11.","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},6136488,"Council approves Lake Lucille Red Trail improvements; members question CIP classification and grant timing",1073,2871000,3944000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5667424-678d68456da783af321bd1b32917c6e8&start=2871&end=3944","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5667424-678d68456da783af321bd1b32917c6e8/thumbnail_2871000.jpg","/articles/6136488/Wasilla/Matanuska-Susitna-Borough/Alaska/Council-approves-Lake-Lucille-Red-Trail-improvements-members-question-CIP-classification-and-grant-timing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6136488-f1a57291718536f0701c3af360af2de6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775187575&Signature=DYs8eJJFYqe3OGIUsBIXrMPt1gCL3W5EeC6-9~qoJRFm4rjty2QZV3aTduUNtrcv7okqqqFi9eWbw-GwXoFUKkjdzFt94ycidikHvID2unkZskjJuhopIkJaG5UMqM8JN8El8gBEiK5ZSvLyNl2fyIosnp~xA2N9W1JdouK77TYaul958-nh7u0RJ3n93rLYDXX-KMb~F8qSLsiUgQBH~fbWmfp4GDu8Dx2XWrQt745yA~4xa-ufJyptLmkwm78-WQr9B6seSUcOVdw8tCmXRM1D2Dj1yd4N1at9MeznPaJfXuHeJS-waOPYPb6Uwoi5~MZT~0tARujhooei7Il2sQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wasilla City Council approved AM 2534, a contract award to K & H Civil Constructors LLC for $102,890 to build Lake Lucille Park Red Trail improvements. The council packet and staff presentation said the project is funded by a $37,500 grant from the Mat‑Su Trails and Parks Foundation with a required $12,500 city match, for a project total of $50,000 for the initial grant scope; the AM and staff materials show additional city funding and a total contract amount of $102,890.

Public Works Director Eric (staff) and other staff told council the grant was approved in March and that the granting entity identified trail access and ADA compliance as priorities. “This grant was approved in March,” staff said in explaining the sequence. Council members raised process questions about whether the project should have been listed explicitly as a capital improvement project (CIP) in the budget rather than handled as a parks maintenance or grant carryover. Council member Graham said the budget process included extended review and asked how a project could be missed or classified inconsistently; several council members pressed for clearer explanation of funding sources and account codes.

Staff said the project had been a multi‑year carryover effort with grant timeline and that some grant funds and match money were drawn from existing park improvement carryover accounts; staff committed to providing clearer budget linkages and account explanations. The approved project description in staff materials described trail work including clearing, grubbing, drainage and a 10‑foot top surface on a roughly 0.4‑mile loop; the AM identifies a $12,500 match and cites ordinance 25‑08 that accepted the MATSF grant.

Council voted to approve the contract. During discussion Council member Grafton said he supported the project but raised transparency concerns; staff said the funding meets grant requirements and that the project came to the city through the grantor’s site selection.","Council awarded a $102,890 contract for Lake Lucille Park Red Trail improvements funded by a $37,500 Mat‑Su Trails & Parks Foundation grant with a $12,500 city match. Council members pressed staff on why the project was not clearly listed as a capital improvement project in the budget and on the timing of grant acceptance.",{"_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},6136493,"Council approves Mat‑Com 911 call‑handling upgrade to Motorola Vesta using Mat‑Su Borough grant",150,1206000,1356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5667424-678d68456da783af321bd1b32917c6e8&start=1206&end=1356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5667424-678d68456da783af321bd1b32917c6e8/thumbnail_1206000.jpg","/articles/6136493/Wasilla/Matanuska-Susitna-Borough/Alaska/Council-approves-MatCom-911-callhandling-upgrade-to-Motorola-Vesta-using-MatSu-Borough-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6136493-da200d52534b6b75f1e6b127ae0a053a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775187576&Signature=f53uOE-VIuVr4K55qs6gEKJqsMhTZJaPMnBePP5gao3tpUj6Y~sum7~92d5Z-O88u5T6G5j7HxuPtlKDCVy9MfgV-0QAXp3w2wB5WeSeOFfWzS7abyM4P2O6hkXmWKtxm-bWPivewIKCTyS7ldFfaPahS2N1rA234Tv-pd0Js4wAKYs9alsXYQH-FRAebgwcoKkfg-pCCX8J3YiXEHp6zPjWVDUfv8kwwwM3Z55rZIzbdcfp4yU~T7-uR7yze1HPEWGIz11JNmU48H4WpP5s0IPSye8KUby5QUKjkmQ-jHS8O0TyMyDx6FNVfyLrUor49ii~CAj1O4jhueSO04oiTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wasilla City Council voted to adopt Ordinance Serial Number 2520 and approved AM 2538, accepting $1,718,170 from the Matanuska‑Susitna Borough and awarding a contract to Motorola Solutions for a Vesta 911 call‑handling system in the amount of $1,718,175.

During the public hearing staff described the Motorola Vesta platform as a replacement for the current Solacom (Comtech) call‑handling software, citing long-standing support issues with the outgoing vendor. Laurie (staff member) described new capabilities the Motorola system will provide, including “text to 911,” language translation and the ability to send video links to callers’ phones to help responders assess situations.

Laurie told the council the current vendor had delayed activation of text‑to‑911 and had “put us on the back burner,” and that local support through Motorola and a local ProCom partner should improve responsiveness. Council members and staff noted the funding comes from a Mat‑Su Borough grant financed by the 911 surcharge. Council member Grama thanked the Mat‑Su Borough and the Mat‑Su Trails and Parks Foundation participants for coordinating and said the grant funding is derived from the 911 surcharge.

There were no public comments at the hearing. The motion to adopt the ordinance and approve the contract passed without objection.","The council adopted an ordinance to accept $1,718,170 from the Matanuska‑Susitna Borough and awarded a contract to Motorola Solutions for a Vesta 911 call‑handling system and related services, with staff citing new features including text‑to‑911, language translation and video links.",{"_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},6136498,"Menards Sports Center posts revenue gains, council hears review of operations",513,336000,849000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5667424-678d68456da783af321bd1b32917c6e8&start=336&end=849","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5667424-678d68456da783af321bd1b32917c6e8/thumbnail_336000.jpg","/articles/6136498/Wasilla/Matanuska-Susitna-Borough/Alaska/Menards-Sports-Center-posts-revenue-gains-council-hears-review-of-operations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6136498-6a03cab0e9d7f01f19622b94a0df768b/orig.mp4?Expires=1775187576&Signature=gMX-8yiVjisy-ARBxQtoKyXRW~mo8DS6IqwYB1H3H7tirqi5YQkB8-dYqh6W--zkRD1wBwpjysYl9EL3KZxfA-Nh~Zg1~rsrFz3yTMMmEyLgjlOUr06VtWgLgZQP4VFY8MmNPB2AmgCF42ZNrvqKYwd3p7Pj5R4rF~FyCDevXQPIBj8gFBZwAeB2qKGqMjOo138QhfsqbYvCiH96TAdhDEBsSEMmv5m3~3jhNiINoE5M3w6b~FfEZCUCLzg4fEfNpRm3UMzyJnuc9f61ExtKiKPd80i88eek6LoivUI8rECYQcZLC8f4PAdPxpNJb0bbOVUCQOjTlaihKT0Svz06tA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Recreation Services Director Scott Powell told the Wasilla City Council on Tuesday that the Menards Sports Center generated $1,173,624 in revenue for fiscal year 2025, about $220,624 (23.2 percent) above the approved budgeted amount of $953,000. Powell said facility rental fees accounted for about $1,045,053, roughly 89 percent of overall revenue, and that revenue growth came from events, public skating and association rentals.

Powell said the Ice Arena (associations, tournaments, high school bookings and leagues) produced roughly $512,000 of the total and that ice operations showed a 22.7 percent increase over the prior year. “This year, our projected, or approved revenue was $953,000. Our actual revenues this year were 1,173,624,” Powell said. He highlighted a strong return and higher retention: about 76 percent of customers were return users and 24 percent were new.

Powell also told council members the facilities face seasonal gaps. “Come June, that is usually our last event until hockey starts back up in late July,” he said, noting two to three months of minimal revenue when outdoor activity and regional travel reduce demand. Powell said that constraint, plus scheduling conflicts between leagues and large events, limits how many uses the arenas can host during peak months.

Council member Graham praised Powell’s leadership and asked whether the arenas are being used to full potential and whether charging for event parking had been considered. Powell said parking fees had not been implemented and would require infrastructure and operational planning; some event organizers prefer free parking as an incentive to host events in Wasilla. On utilization, Powell said some prime-time slots are effectively maxed out and the remaining off-season months are the primary barrier to additional annual revenue.

Powell also provided a breakdown of event users by type (about 49 percent nonprofit, 16 percent for-profit, 36 percent schools or government) and said permitted event revenue this year was $312,384. He noted naming rights (MTA agreement) and other non‑rental income are included in the accounting presentation to the council.

The council followed with brief questions about specific program categories and Powell said the FY25 figures were preliminary and not yet audited by finance.","Recreation Services Director Scott Powell told the Wasilla City Council the Menards Sports Center exceeded its FY25 revenue budget by about $220,624, driven largely by facility rental fees and events, and explained seasonal limits on arena and turf usage.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6136477,"Council awards $994,230 paving contract for rotating program; Council Member Rubio declares conflict and is excused",4291,131000,4422000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5667424-678d68456da783af321bd1b32917c6e8&start=131&end=4422","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5667424-678d68456da783af321bd1b32917c6e8/thumbnail_131000.jpg","/articles/6136477/Wasilla/Matanuska-Susitna-Borough/Alaska/Council-awards-994230-paving-contract-for-rotating-program-Council-Member-Rubio-declares-conflict-and-is-excused","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6136477-3d59531b9ec3ff45322a8306d82f2041/orig.mp4?Expires=1775187576&Signature=IkHrPD0U2vXW~Vvsj1VxOU4gVN8pisrybd7xano5xTfCSq4YexhbSrRknP5nQ98~S~8asIe9laqos7ofSh2nGjXP9hxJcrbCEe8IswZE8Ta~CvV7h18uYvmOIkroCOUcXUeX~oK-nYFH5KTS7Ahn7eE7YwrLryt09JsgL-BXt9MrifU7wwT3rrIf1OUnnLS5lp2ZOlZjWu8LwEWvSxnQF3mZsQWADDKjG-IDzjuI9NaGTd9UbWC4aGij9SJGXUgOK4YkwnngW7Z1g5Ex96wlx~~3zQK1-Dz6qfc2m5KTrmWKAgSPJv4Vu4EMXVqibS44pSErKm-hRl1nPFCvjV1iXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wasilla City Council approved AM 2536, awarding a contract to Big Dipper Construction in the amount of $994,230 for the FY26 rotating paving program. The contract is described as year five of a five‑year program to pave city gravel roads, with a historical annual allocation near $1 million.

At the outset of the meeting Council Member Rubio declared a conflict of interest for item AM 25‑36: “I would like to declare financial interest in action memorandum number 25 dash 36, which proposes awarding a contract to Big Dipper Construction, a company owned by my father, and therefore considered an immediate family member under WMC 2.01.010. I wish to be excused from the participation in the matter to include discussion and action on the item under WMC 2.01.040.” The presiding mayor ruled in favor of Rubio's conflict of interest and Rubio was excused from participation on the item.

Council member Graham asked staff how many linear feet of gravel roads remain to be paved after this contract and whether additional years of funding would be required; Public Works staff said the remaining roads include sections with unique characteristics that will likely be more expensive and estimated another year of funding could be needed depending on inflation and road conditions. Staff committed to provide a complete list of remaining roads with linear footage and cost estimates.

The council approved the contract without objection.","The council approved AM 2536, a $994,230 contract award to Big Dipper Construction for the FY26 rotating paving program. Council Member Rubio declared a financial interest because Big Dipper is owned by his father and was excused from participation in the matter.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council introduces rezone for Coring subdivision; planning commission reconsideration question raised

Council approves Lake Lucille Red Trail improvements; members question CIP classification and grant timing

Council approves Mat‑Com 911 call‑handling upgrade to Motorola Vesta using Mat‑Su Borough grant

Menards Sports Center posts revenue gains, council hears review of operations

Council awards $994,230 paving contract for rotating program; Council Member Rubio declares conflict and is excused