[{"_1":2,"_120":-5,"_121":-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",[32,74,86,96,108],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6470404,"mediaKeyId","5779615-d7fe1de118ba32726ef9ecc7c808cfe7","parentId",5779615,"title","Votes at a glance: assembly adopts grants, appropriations and contracts; key items summarized","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",10890000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779615-d7fe1de118ba32726ef9ecc7c808cfe7&start=10890&end=10890","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779615-d7fe1de118ba32726ef9ecc7c808cfe7/thumbnail_10890000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6470404/Matanuska-Susitna-Borough/Alaska/Votes-at-a-glance-assembly-adopts-grants-appropriations-and-contracts-key-items-summarized","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470404-eff91ad7220d1338c80bc2cddac4ba10/orig.mp4?Expires=1773618866&Signature=GDKXMNE5XpfzdtdQh0bIizkEmSHgVHQzqRxZf6Edt8jGlsn6uDnEhmq4kup6oQlHUOLViCowZLTHKksvcHjO7ngQa9tdfhY-kygXNcIdwnSIcvlXj84HJg9~xa5j9Kxr6UCrybm4UBFYRkRttfsEiVnrpJi7swf7MFp5CGvbcQqXcmIKBDjQ5fWP3RG2GjdNICzd6LRgA6k19fwycsVy7Lw-nCdbYEsjuxzrsnr1vNHhEWWSjATiv8CRhyDQoU1pS5O9-fRD~958ZZfzetfyt1zsyxWlzwh60kOCDFO5zZ2a-CRkgl-mjbHxVE1WWT9E0NhKzFtX4HFCKiC5EKKZIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Matanuska-Susitna Borough","date","2025-09-17T06:37:59Z","article","The Matanuska‑Susitna Borough Assembly on Sept. 16 considered a long agenda and recorded a number of formal actions on grants, appropriations, contracts and land conveyances. Below is a concise summary of the votes taken during the meeting and their outcomes.

Key outcomes

- Ordinance 25‑085 and Resolution 25‑071 — Accepted a $44,000 grant from the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services for points‑of‑dispensing/medical countermeasures and approved the scope and budget (Resolution 25‑071). Motion to adopt passed with no objection.

- Ordinance 25‑093 — Repealed a public‑purpose dedication and approved the sale of borough lot 49715 South Bridal Road to an adjacent property owner (buyer: Carlos Perez). Motion to adopt passed with no objection.

- Ordinance 25‑095 — Appropriated $108,578 from area‑wide funds for railroad crossing and related maintenance; motion passed with no objection.

- Ordinance 25‑096 — Approved fair‑market valuation and conveyance of rural land to the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities for right‑of‑way (Bogard Road / Inkstorm Road improvements). Motion to adopt passed with no objection.

- Ordinance 25‑097 and Resolution 25‑084 — Reappropriated $300,000 from the Solid Waste Project Fund for Cell 4 enlargement; ordinance and resolution adopted without objection.

- Ordinance 25‑098 — Extended funding for a communications tower project; adopted without objection.

- Ordinance 25‑099 — Appropriated $16,271 to the Willow Caswell Fire Service Area operating budget; adopted without objection.

- Ordinance 25‑100 — Reappropriated funds for school debt service related to the Mat‑Su Central School construction project; assembly approved an amendment to increase the reappropriation to cover a state reimbursement shortfall and adopted the ordinance as amended.

- Ordinance 25‑101 and Resolution 25‑085 — Reappropriations and scope/budget approval for the Inner‑Outer Springer Loop pathway project; adopted without objection.

Consent agenda and contract awards

- The assembly approved multiple consent items and amendments. Two consent items had separate discussion and votes: AM 25‑116 (purchase of a front‑loading compact truck; awarded to BSI Equipment in the contract amount of $488,866) and AM 25‑121 (award/order proposal to Valley Transit in the contract amount of $2,226,420 to provide public transportation services). Both were considered and approved after brief discussion. The purchase specification for the truck attracted only one responsive bidder; procurement staff said specialized equipment, service availability in the region and Buy American/BABA requirements limited competitive responses.

- Several consent items were approved without roll‑call controversy; the clerk recorded that many routine matters passed “with no objection.”

Failed measure

- Ordinance 25‑073 (water‑body setbacks) — After public hearings and extensive debate, the assembly took a final vote on a motion to adopt and the clerk announced the ordinance “failed unanimously.” That item generated the most public testimony and prompted the Planning Commission to recommend formation of a new task force to review the draft.

Why it matters: The votes finalized routine grant and capital funding actions needed for ongoing borough services and infrastructure; the defeated setback ordinance leaves the borough’s existing setback code in place while the assembly and staff consider further review options.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Assembly Meeting - September 16th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The assembly approved multiple routine and grant‑related ordinances on Sept. 16, including grant appropriations, fund reappropriations, contract awards and a property sale. A major land‑use ordinance (25‑073) failed after public testimony.","taxTitle","Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Alaska","taxId",14460,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6470409,"Residents press assembly over library purchases and book‑challenge process",1245,2004000,3249000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779615-d7fe1de118ba32726ef9ecc7c808cfe7&start=2004&end=3249","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779615-d7fe1de118ba32726ef9ecc7c808cfe7/thumbnail_2004000.jpg","/articles/6470409/Matanuska-Susitna-Borough/Alaska/Residents-press-assembly-over-library-purchases-and-bookchallenge-process","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470409-3829ac7e16737af325c2eb7ab0807016/orig.mp4?Expires=1773618866&Signature=kU0I9kwrD5cXqExq0pd5n6BWtmKB~6P0IHdDOA0CukzjtPzvLGthkTTW7eCfhjT9uqt8Xo-8zuB8qCWVeqJd-16T2LB0dHDnBanH1BF8xo9dRKSxIsbN9dmadkcjSJRWtpBop001njZhiw32cjGgpjhU-2U1pqml06IuQpysy-d3jMWvsMLcHNMhgKwC7XdHAcXtnzZyDIcKTm20DB-5cI5iCNf9w8eqBmcwpJcMXncbn5SwSMjIu2ehnQ8j0K1KibaA1j8qy9bi7Ljkokf96q~k45isA016sc2YWESjG-BudVwAVW-9fDNpcSYi~Hu3Nt24vOu1XjUEFwl6steK4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the assembly’s public comment period on Sept. 16 to urge the borough and local library boards to review recent book purchases and the board’s internal procedures.

Speakers from multiple communities described concerns about titles on recently approved purchase lists for branch libraries. Jackie Go Forth, a resident who attended the Big Lake library board meeting, said she planned to file formal challenges and criticized the board’s process and the conduct of staff during that meeting. Go Forth said the board’s director “failed to uphold … Roberts Rules of Order procedures on multiple occasions” and said she would challenge several titles approved for purchase.

Other speakers raised broader objections. Karen Lewis accused librarians of “injecting obscene materials” and urged tighter control of children’s access. Big Lake library board member Karen Crandall described an apparent imbalance in holdings and urged the board to include more Christian and conservative authors in the collection; she said the Big Lake branch serves about 9,000–10,000 people and that buying patterns should reflect community balance.

Representatives on the other side of the issue told the assembly that title lists and brief synopses do not substitute for reading materials in full. Ruth Wood, who testified by phone after attending the Talkeetna board meeting, said library lists offer broader choices for readers and urged trust in library staff’s professional selections.

What the assembly heard: Speakers from both sides asked for clearer procedures, transparency in the challenge policy and consistency across branches for age classifications and placement. Several residents asked the assembly to ensure the library board follows its own rules for decorum and procedure during meetings. The assembly did not take formal action on library policy at the meeting but members heard repeated requests for process review and consistency across branches.

Why it matters: Library acquisition and challenge processes are governed by local policy and often raise free‑speech, parental‑access and community‑standards issues. The comments may prompt staff or the assembly to follow up with the library director or board on process and classification consistency.","Multiple residents, including library board members and community activists, urged the borough assembly to scrutinize recent library book purchases and the library board's procedures during audience participation at the Sept. 16 meeting.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":42,"_43":89,"_45":89,"_46":90,"_48":91,"_50":92,"_52":93,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":94,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":95,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6470413,"Borough to switch to matsu.gov, launches new elected‑official pages and notification tools",501000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779615-d7fe1de118ba32726ef9ecc7c808cfe7&start=501&end=501","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779615-d7fe1de118ba32726ef9ecc7c808cfe7/thumbnail_501000.jpg","/articles/6470413/Matanuska-Susitna-Borough/Alaska/Borough-to-switch-to-matsugov-launches-new-electedofficial-pages-and-notification-tools","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470413-e2ca14c78e2dc70ffc156f463d296e43/orig.mp4?Expires=1773618866&Signature=lVFTI2YcyvaCDXMM1VZxumrdoQ1mWL2lSO6Q0R-Bnt0K8Xct-~NJaKkBc-5UTgO-krutQsHMDEgJeMYKIRquzYq2beuP~Z-ciBaw6rSlaip-Y046PEBWXoszG~M9JeMy6Sj0RyUp4TqZpb5fDiY6RJUdVelehKkMKj1jYX7vwEQagC6WRhXCwgjTchb0tpdbLl-oewp4L9wK2eqYnc7MW60vIBOmUDZufxu1R95cTUJdenjXkxZop-EQ7sCWMibieoCTvEHl5lKTe19x4JiPw~WuMPHWE2hVz-N38xZoVOOuZn6YZ8m1RZH0HMl8bZLkb5IiwA5HTO6SCav5SGDtKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Matanuska‑Susitna Borough will switch to a matsu.gov domain and launch a redesigned public website on Sept. 29 that includes new elected‑official profile pages, search improvements and email/text notification options, IT Director Leah Jones told the assembly on Sept. 16.

Jones said the new site is in a soft launch and that the URL will be matsu.gov. She described the site as “built with the community in mind,” featuring improved search, accessibility compliance and an integrated notifications sign‑up that allows residents to receive email or text alerts on topics of interest. “This new website's built with the community in mind,” Jones said, and she asked members to provide a short biography and three or four “spotlights” for their district pages so staff can populate the new elected‑officials hub before launch.

Jones also demonstrated a type‑ahead search intended to connect hub sites, remapping tools and legacy pages; she showed how users could sign up under “Get email updates” and choose topics for alerts. The site will continue to support older matswhogov.us addresses and email addresses during the transition.

Assembly members welcomed features that identify polling places, fire‑service and road‑service areas, and district maps on each official’s page. Several members said more granular notification categories for road projects and neighborhood issues would be useful. The manager noted that existing email addresses and links will continue to work during a transition to the new domain.

Why it matters: A modernized website with topic alerts and accessible search can improve how residents identify their district services and receive timely notices about road projects, elections and meetings. The IT director asked elected officials to submit bios and district highlights ahead of the Sept. 29 launch.","The Matanuska‑Susitna Borough IT director previewed the borough's new matsu.gov website and a dedicated elected‑officials hub, scheduled for public launch Sept. 29, plus new email/text notification features and accessible search tools.",{"_33":97,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":98,"_41":99,"_43":100,"_45":101,"_46":102,"_48":103,"_50":104,"_52":105,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":106,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":107,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6470415,"Assembly adds ‘In Memoriam’ noting Charlie Kirk and wording changes to election pamphlet after brief debate",166,1230000,1396000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779615-d7fe1de118ba32726ef9ecc7c808cfe7&start=1230&end=1396","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779615-d7fe1de118ba32726ef9ecc7c808cfe7/thumbnail_1230000.jpg","/articles/6470415/Matanuska-Susitna-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-adds-In-Memoriam-noting-Charlie-Kirk-and-wording-changes-to-election-pamphlet-after-brief-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470415-5ac4f5e7666cb844fbb6a88d031db8ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1773618866&Signature=XDapo4BwPThR6dln7n~VtbRbSCOrfz4efKzhOMb3ExtUHnh9NOGqi8BPvpvG6HWn1SnuAx4Ty-kaQDGoRGABOqLoVKn9UAKYGTh1kn779AejRjcDmQktFbXSocNBlnsWTfi4WLlwk-5Q~WG24ilWP4hf3UJOOVX4d4IMvkgnSE7yjaO23ap5zgZ0wFhlcDoHesy4-OWQ7iwKzyrc3z1dn4ejRfOgEWROgcGa2Dw9Y4VdIOsIHNhXPwLvCUFj8FRjIxyMOBt2FYw1Ttm3RcDnaO6Tx95hiIK72Gbk0OM4JHE1BN4jPUGXga08KFPlkamZrfrzUar-UaTF89XFCuo2VA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Matanuska‑Susitna Borough Assembly voted Sept. 16 to add an \"In Memoriam\" statement to the borough election pamphlet referencing Charlie Kirk (1993–2025) and “other victims of political violence,” and to add the phrase \"In God We Trust.\" The assembly also approved a series of small editorial corrections to the pamphlet.

Assemblymember Maxwell Sumner introduced draft memorial language and read it for the assembly. After a short series of proposed amendments — including adding the name and dates “Charlie Kirk 1993 to 2025” and the phrase “and other victims of political violence” — members debated whether naming a particular individual was appropriate. A secondary amendment to add the phrase “and other victims of political violence” passed after an objection was resolved; another secondary amendment to add “In God We Trust” at the end of the memorial also passed.

Sumner acknowledged that parts of his submitted memorial had been edited with AI and told the assembly, “So these are not wholly my words.” Members who opposed naming a specific individual said they feared the memorial could appear partisan; those who supported the amendment said they wanted to recognize the impact of a recent high‑profile death and to condemn political violence generally.

The clerk recorded the passage of the amendment package; several members opposed individual elements during roll calls but the package as amended carried. The clerk read earlier non‑controversial editorial corrections the clerk's office would make to the pamphlet (for example, adding a state voter portal link and correcting pluralization in a ballot propositions heading). The assembly did not change other sections of the pamphlet.

Why it matters: The election pamphlet is an official voter information document mailed to borough residents. The addition of a named \"In Memoriam\" and the insertion of a religious phrase generated debate about partisan tone and the pamphlet's purpose as an informational civic document.

What assembly members said: Assemblymember Sumner said the memorial was drafted to be nonpartisan and to condemn violence: “I purposely did not make this partisan.” Others urged inclusiveness for victims of political violence. The clerk confirmed editorial corrections and the assembly's amendment votes before the meeting moved on to other business.

What's next: The clerk's office will update the pamphlet with the approved language and other clerical edits prior to printing and distribution.","The borough assembly approved language to include an \"In Memoriam\" on the election pamphlet that references Charlie Kirk (1993–2025) and \"other victims of political violence,\" plus the phrase \"In God We Trust,\" after members amended and passed the text during the Sept. 16 meeting.",{"_33":109,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":110,"_41":111,"_43":112,"_45":113,"_46":114,"_48":115,"_50":116,"_52":117,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":118,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":119,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6470417,"Assembly rejects proposed water‑body setback ordinance after hours of testimony",5409,3838000,9247000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779615-d7fe1de118ba32726ef9ecc7c808cfe7&start=3838&end=9247","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779615-d7fe1de118ba32726ef9ecc7c808cfe7/thumbnail_3838000.jpg","/articles/6470417/Matanuska-Susitna-Borough/Alaska/Assembly-rejects-proposed-waterbody-setback-ordinance-after-hours-of-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470417-f0809bee76951c760eda563178ed21e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773618866&Signature=Ay1kNPm65cXEs-~JmbcfsmrweQSF0uZ1SmEj-x6rVY9EGn4vFa~7g4WyQmn1s6K5PDHUb5xz3Dd0QjZWFmByHB4JIsBF1SAuPFz78kxzncxEUjZxEY-3FgFUw3OtVXaAS7gqbicRfh2Q6SfL-y-dunK3MK4fP9WzLgeKlUEbNUeczA92Ir9N-MIXk~4ar08QjFBs8w0KTCcdKuTVy5JWKehfqYRemfej5qi1Yfa9Gffgu-rAQgUoNJURHyPZBX1zJ61cUC6paszRn0IWPc50IJqlQhwOzMbR6O9zgFKv0WgoWmXSDxItu2U47xjLHhQIcflusC-13DxR4z2fgAyZ1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Matanuska‑Susitna Borough Assembly voted down Ordinance 25‑073 on Sept. 16 after extended public testimony and hours of debate about waterfront setbacks, nonconforming structures and enforcement.

The proposal would have amended multiple sections of borough land‑use code to modify the water‑body setback program, add riparian buffer requirements, and create a permitting pathway for some properties between 45 and 75 feet of a shoreline. Planning Director Alex Strahan told the assembly the staff review and GIS analysis showed roughly 750 structures closer than 75 feet to lake shorelines, and that “somewhere around 750 violations, or homes built closer than 75 feet from water body” were identified in the borough’s data exercise.

That analysis — and concerns about scope, enforcement and grandfathering — dominated the public hearing. Dozens of residents, community council representatives and nonprofit and fisheries groups spoke. Rod Hansen, president of the North Lakes Community Council, urged deferral to a new task force and asked that the assembly “take the time to get it right.” Chenery Fife, Southcentral engagement manager for Trout Unlimited, and Margaret Stern of the Susitna River Coalition urged stronger riparian protections and retained setbacks, citing habitat and water‑quality benefits.

Assembly members repeatedly identified two fault lines: (1) whether changes would realistically bring the large number of noncompliant properties into legal standing, and (2) whether the ordinance overreached by regulating uses (including commercial/industrial activities) beyond the original intent of shoreline setbacks. Assemblymember Tim Hale, who moved to adopt the ordinance, said he brought the measure forward out of respect for the advisory board’s 18 months of work. Several other members said the package required more drafting and clearer enforcement and implementation plans.

The Planning Commission had recommended forming a new task force to re‑examine the draft, prioritize water‑quality testing on the 10 lakes with the most noncompliant properties, and ensure lakefront owners were adequately represented. The Planning Commission resolution (No. 25‑15) asked the assembly to defer final action and direct a new, time‑limited review.

After debate and multiple amendments, the assembly took a final vote on the motion to adopt Ordinance 25‑073. The clerk announced the outcome: the measure “failed unanimously.” No amendments or alternate ordinance passed in its place during the meeting.

Assembly members and staff told the public they expected follow‑up: several members indicated they would work on narrower changes, enforcement language and options to form a task force or a committee of the whole to draft more detailed code language. Planning staff said borough records and prior advisory‑board materials would be available to any new group.

What happened next: The assembly moved on to other agenda items. Several speakers at the hearing said they would press for testing, enforcement and clearer pathways for lawful repair or replacement of existing shoreline structures.

Why it matters: The borough contains many lakes and streams that support recreation and subsistence uses, as well as private waterfront property. The vote preserves the status quo while signaling more work ahead on a politically charged mix of environmental protection, property rights and enforcement capacity.","After more than two hours of public testimony and debate, the Matanuska‑Susitna Borough Assembly voted against Ordinance 25‑073, which would have revised shoreline setbacks, expanded protections and created permitting pathways for some nonconforming waterfront properties.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: assembly adopts grants, appropriations and contracts; key items summarized

Residents press assembly over library purchases and book‑challenge process

Borough to switch to matsu.gov, launches new elected‑official pages and notification tools

Assembly adds ‘In Memoriam’ noting Charlie Kirk and wording changes to election pamphlet after brief debate

Assembly rejects proposed water‑body setback ordinance after hours of testimony