[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6478752,"mediaKeyId","5708293-43c7f408feb297e100e853386781263d","parentId",5708293,"title","Assembly approves $790,622 design change order for Shaw Elementary intersection; debate centers on roundabout, costs and timeline","audioSeconds",1792,"startMs",2837000,"endMs",4629000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708293-43c7f408feb297e100e853386781263d&start=2837&end=4629","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708293-43c7f408feb297e100e853386781263d/thumbnail_2837000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6478752/Matanuska-Susitna-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-approves-790622-design-change-order-for-Shaw-Elementary-intersection-debate-centers-on-roundabout-costs-and-timeline","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478752-e8597e27f26cf4ce06766d48a295c750/orig.mp4?Expires=1770512680&Signature=GIiwpJNoGdLWBfGEsDIGlcBbjb~tpAF6Ng1ZNu4IjX4pOvLlW0i7HVCeZIehhFsyZEBJy-nh1yvIBiht889mEeqCiV049-ayOgTWY23atCFtg0qOLy6sEWoJjnVfg1~En9HN4SqqVDTHqbd3OjIM0Zdp8B0h8Sf6n7SkhEjl4NN7waQhPfjf9zS~lTi-~p1081nnEJfbDwCJDnijlH7pHTsF-tlp-t-UnbHtpv3CT4Cfj717smyKPW2mVGB6RWsBU5mSJmCl6Pux63LRguAmjh5fiw-J5FR~tUShfBD9-uMqIyWcLksim28hkGu70joCwyUf0A4I~fA~1-YGh5MlNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Matanuska-Susitna Borough","date","2025-09-03T04:26:32.393Z","article","Assembly members approved a design change order of $790,622 for the Shaw Elementary turn-lane project after several hours of questioning about cost growth, scope changes and the project timeline.

The change order (AM25-110, change order number 6) will pay consultant fees to produce construction documents for intersection improvements at Wasilla Fishhook Road and Paradise/Foxtrot, including the design of a roundabout, staff said. The assembly approved the change order by voice vote with no recorded objection.

The issue matters because the site already has known traffic constraints at Shaw Elementary and a second nearby school, Birch Tree. Staff said an earlier, smaller project intended as a turn lane would not solve peak-hour congestion once both schools are open, and that a broader design including off-site intersection improvements is required.

Assembly member Dee McKee, who pulled the item for discussion, asked why the project has accumulated several change orders and why the cost for design work has swelled from the original scope. “When I see something that has 6 change orders, I'm thinking, jeez, Louise,” McKee said during the meeting.

Staff replied that the project was originally scoped as a turn lane under TIP 21 but that further analysis showed the turn lane alone would not address the problem. A subsequent traffic study and coordination with the state Department of Transportation (DOT) led engineers to recommend a roundabout as the preferred intersection control. “This change order would add the design fees...to provide those construction documents to put a roundabout at Wasilla Fishhook and Foxtrot Paradise Intersection,” a staff member identified in the record as Tom said.

Mike, a borough staff member who answered technical procurement questions, clarified procurement practice for design services: “When we go out and solicit for architects and engineers or consultants to support design services, we actually don't bid that work out…we do that for construction contracts.” His point was that consulting and engineering services are procured on a qualifications basis and that iterative, added design work is common for projects where the full scope was not defined at the outset.

Assembly discussion focused on three issues: whether an initial, limited improvement (a turn lane) would have helped immediately; whether the borough should have required earlier traffic analysis when siting the second school adjacent to an existing school; and whether approving the change order would expose the borough to further cost increases. The manager and staff warned there are no absolute guarantees against future change orders once the full design and construction phase proceeds.

Staff projected construction would begin in 2027 and extend into 2028 for consultant oversight; the current change order funds design work only, not construction. Assembly member Maxwell Sumner urged care but supported moving forward, saying he would “hate to see us spend a whole bunch of money on a turn lane and then come back in 2 years later, rip it all up while it's brand new, and put in a roundabout.”

Residents and a community council had previously urged faster, more comprehensive roadway improvements. Rod Hansen, representing the North Lakes Community Council, told the assembly the community “strongly supports that work and encourages every effort to advance it aggressively…this intersection is the most critical part of the project for the safety of the parents and children.”

Staff told the assembly there are roughly three proposed subdivisions in the area totaling about 65 lots, plus other smaller plats (one about 17 lots and a few larger lots on a triangle north of the intersection), and that borough staff are meeting with developers and DOT to coordinate access and mitigate impacts. Borough staff said they conduct seasonal traffic counts using a consultant and can gather before-and-after data once improvements are built.

The manager and staff described the change-order approvals as design-only and said construction dollars were being handled through TIP 24 funding that was previously approved; this change order does not appropriate construction funds.

The assembly approved AM25-110 after extended discussion; staff said denying the change order would end design work for the roundabout and leave the intersection unimproved.

Because the work is largely design-focused and iterative, staff warned the assembly there are no absolute guarantees the design contract will not require additional funds later, though the stated goal is to complete analytic and design work that prevents piecemeal fixes.

The borough will continue coordination with DOT, which staff said favors roundabouts on similar corridors, and will collect traffic counts before and after construction to measure effects.

Ending: The design change order clears the way for detailed plans for a roundabout and related pedestrian and circulation work; construction funding and scheduling remain tied to TIP funding and later assembly approvals.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Assembly Meeting -September 2, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Assembly members approved a $790,622 design change order for the Shaw Elementary traffic project after staff said a turn lane alone would not solve peak congestion and that detailed design — including a roundabout at Wasilla Fishhook and Paradise/Foxtrot — is required.","taxTitle","Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska","taxId",14460,"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},6478743,"Votes at a glance: Assembly approves facility naming, opioid peer-support reappropriation, multiple AMs; refers ordinance to planning commission",134,4758000,4892000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708293-43c7f408feb297e100e853386781263d&start=4758&end=4892","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708293-43c7f408feb297e100e853386781263d/thumbnail_4758000.jpg","/articles/6478743/Matanuska-Susitna-Borough/Alaska/Votes-at-a-glance-Assembly-approves-facility-naming-opioid-peer-support-reappropriation-multiple-AMs-refers-ordinance-to-planning-commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478743-044ee6bda4fd1f9ffc0809a9efc2e29d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770512680&Signature=LxxHroawYA9J-9UYM3bbRSjWxk454YtfPeYapEZyFV4JYBCTgNGnlSEmSLe9Piq~EQk3hJmjnvuH7OB0w8FozR4DJIdTxNwLzzsK~njnbNPXEh4kxhqyoIv7jVoLGt3WOQEapupFNhNjFv1Aqd2chDYbj2GPL8vCVTkdH3PstLOuk2qKB4BV4HV8OBdwCnfPD8N85O2kAQEsr-I1rfVLBfzq~vXza6QTK5f~qvILPNSsEOjAeXi0IbBOvnUOUTtTRh6lFHcZkgIN-EIIUb0t0IJTyKcKLeofu-shwp3XtgR-KGfhjwPiys443Wx6mDDZzXy7vAQozTKRKpwgZYHPXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly on Sept. 2, 2025 approved multiple motions, contract items and ordinances. Most measures passed with no recorded objection. Key outcomes are summarized below.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 25-091: Adopted to name the Big Lake facility the Big Lake Lions Recreation Center. Motion moved by Assembly member Bill Gamble; the assembly adopted the ordinance after Gamble described the Big Lake Alliance's fundraising and long-term operation of the facility.

- Ordinance 25-094 with Resolution 25-80: Adopted to reappropriate $21,000 in national opioid settlement funding to the Department of Emergency Services (DES) peer support training program; finance director Cheyenne Bridal described the funding source and grant-application background during the public hearing. Assembly member Veil moved adoption and the package passed with no objection.

- AM25-106 / change order approvals and contract awards (consent agenda): The consent agenda — moved by Assembly member Tim Hale and approved — included multiple contract actions read into the record by the clerk, among them a $774,908.62 contract conclusion notice for Dirt Works (Jupiter and Diana Avenue improvements), bid awards for equipment and roads (NC Machinery; Booty Company), a $353,979 professional services award for Jonesville Shooting Park, and approval of election officials for the November 4, 2025 borough election.

- Resolution 25-083: Approved to reallocate $496,256 from the Schuetteock bus access road project to support Echo Lake Drive improvements. Assembly member Dee McKee pulled the item for questions; staff said the Schuetteock portion was complete and the funds were reallocated to a project that needed additional funding.

- AM25-110: Approved (see separate detailed article) — a design change order adding $790,622 for the Shaw Elementary intersection/turn-lane project to produce construction documents for a roundabout.

- Introduction and hearings: The assembly introduced multiple ordinances and set public hearings for Sept. 16, 2025, including Ordinances 25-073, 25-085 (with Resolution 25-071), 25-093, 25-095, 25-096, 25-097 (with Resolution 25-084), 25-098, 25-099, 25-100 and 25-101 (with Resolution 25-085).

- Referral: Ordinance 25-102 was referred to the planning commission for 90 days. The assembly amended the referral so the planning commission packet would include the referenced section of borough code 17.75 (single-family residential land districts) before submission.

- Vacancy confirmations and other routine actions: The assembly confirmed a resignation for the Local Emergency Planning Committee (Andrew Gorn) and approved other routine vacancy-related items as presented.

How items passed: Most motions passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition (the clerk recorded “seeing and hearing no objection”). When members pulled items, staff provided supplemental explanations. The meeting did not record roll-call tallies for these items in the public discussion beyond voice approvals.

Ending: The meeting closed with remarks from assembly members and staff announcements about upcoming events, including a charter school groundbreaking and community cleanup schedules.

","The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly approved multiple ordinances, contract actions and budget reallocations on Sept. 2, 2025, including naming a Big Lake facility and reappropriating opioid settlement funds for a DES peer-support training program.",{"_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},6478748,"Borough emergency services reports elevated river gauges, issues flood advisory for Northern Susitna Valley",366,550000,916000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5708293-43c7f408feb297e100e853386781263d&start=550&end=916","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5708293-43c7f408feb297e100e853386781263d/thumbnail_550000.jpg","/articles/6478748/Matanuska-Susitna-Borough/Alaska/Borough-emergency-services-reports-elevated-river-gauges-issues-flood-advisory-for-Northern-Susitna-Valley","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6478748-87c7be2e0fb1721e9077ab7d0e5b7467/orig.mp4?Expires=1770512680&Signature=elLpO1hu7ivyyRPHtK9nFgIBZCMEQNSuWwKv7FdvviNaAzP-3qSN9E2NwG8UMLeuTdZLfbUVCPyUP0eIVZC7wyF2IhkUOO-wwAlWQIbX0qhsCsqcFWZr-ReGUQ3SQJ-SxUJgja5lSu1JBGUm8mWwVxNr8boYBDUmxQYpojHuKfGJXQ7QfBybmS9HjZXRhkcJ8eTOOTPcKWDg-yo5LhzYE09pWvwx~I2uMPGf9hICJd9Kgvf2Omv96R3Wsb0BAjcTny1JBMpB2GV39EaWOB6J~ntdK35ekNz5FHaVbKCx~nno-0532Sl-wi~Re5ohrN3UO8URoWPRxVkfRYMj0Yj7KQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ken Barkley, director of emergency services for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough, briefed the assembly on flooding conditions across the borough and said staff remain in constant contact with the National Weather Service and DOT as they monitor river gauges and local impacts.

\"There is a flood advisory in effect for the Northern Susitna Valley in the Pearsville area, and that's until 09:15AM Thursday morning,\" Barkley said. He added that no gauges were reporting active flooding at the time of the briefing but three gauges (the Susitna, Sunshine and Yetna) were at action stage — an elevated-monitoring level that precedes minor flooding.

Barkley reported the Talkeetna River had crested at 12.2 feet at its highest and later decreased to about 8.75 feet; flood stage is 12.5 feet. He said the borough's call center remained staffed and available for residents at 861-7900 and that property concerns could be reported through the borough's Survey123 online form. He also said local road crews and fire chiefs were monitoring conditions and that DOT was handling some of the larger-area concerns such as Cache Creek.

Assembly members asked for clarification on what \"action stage\" means. Barkley explained it is the level preceding minor flooding, used to raise awareness, increase monitoring and prepare messaging to residents; if conditions worsen, borough staff could advise evacuations or shelter-in-place orders.

Barkley said road signs were placed where roads were inaccessible, there were no 911 emergency calls related to flooding at the time, and that borough crews and fire departments had worked throughout the holiday period to monitor conditions and support residents where needed. He also noted a state campground had three feet of water in the parking lot and that some residents were advised to leave.

Ending: Barkley urged continued vigilance, said staff would keep the assembly apprised of changes, and reminded residents to call the borough at 861-7900 or file concerns online.

","Ken Barkley, the borough's director of emergency services, told the assembly the Talkeetna River crested below flood stage, several gauges are at action stage, and a flood advisory for the Northern Susitna Valley (Pearsville area) was in effect through Thursday morning; borough monitoring and public messaging continue.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Assembly approves $790,622 design change order for Shaw Elementary intersection; debate centers on roundabout, costs and timeline

Votes at a glance: Assembly approves facility naming, opioid peer-support reappropriation, multiple AMs; refers ordinance to planning commission

Borough emergency services reports elevated river gauges, issues flood advisory for Northern Susitna Valley