Wasilla council indefinitely postpones resolution backing YMCA exploration of city land

The Wasilla City Council on Tuesday voted to postpone indefinitely Resolution Serial No. 2531, a measure that would have signaled city support for the YMCA of Alaska to explore siting a future facility on city-owned land. Council member Graham moved to adopt the resolution; Council member Cottle seconded. After amendments and debate, a motion to postpone indefinitely was carried with the mayor casting the tie-breaking vote.

The resolution as introduced invited the YMCA to explore opportunities, including identifying potentially suitable city-owned sites. Supporters said the measure was a low‑commitment way to let the nonprofit assess options; opponents warned it could be read as the city pre-committing property. Council member Crafton framed the item as a permissive step: "There is no cost to the city to do this. It is strictly just to, hey, tell us what you think is gonna work best for you." Council member Graham said he would vote against the resolution as written: "I will vote against adopting this resolution because I don't think the city needs to be in that business." The city attorney noted the resolution was qualified by legal limits, saying the text "doesn't bind the city to do anything because we don't have the ability... subject to all applicable laws, processes, and approvals."

Council debate focused on whether the city should signal willingness to work with the YMCA on use of municipal land before the city completes its own Menard Center feasibility study. Staff described three city parcels the YMCA had expressed interest in: portions of the Menard Center (estimated roughly 62 acres for the overall site footprint), an area at Bumpus with multiple parcels including gravel areas east of the soccer field, and a recently acquired gravel parcel near the Train Depot and the former Super Thrift area. Council members and staff said the YMCA told them it seeks roughly 5 to 12 acres for a facility, and preliminarily mentioned amenities such as a pool, courts and meeting rooms.

Council member Cottle moved to postpone the resolution indefinitely, seconded by Council member Rubio. The motion to postpone produced a 3–3 split in the recorded roll call; the mayor broke the tie in favor of postponement, effectively killing the resolution without an immediate final decision for the YMCA. During debate Council member Rubio and others emphasized that postponement would not prevent the YMCA from doing its own feasibility work on city or private parcels: "They can go ahead and do their own feasibility study whenever they want," a council member said.

Administratively, City staff told the council they expect to release a request for proposals for the city's own feasibility study on the Menard Center in about 30 days. Scott (Recreational Services Director) said the city's study will help determine long‑term needs and avoid precluding potential city uses of Menard Center land.

The council's action leaves the YMCA's request for formal council support unresolved; any future city action would require compliance with applicable laws, procurement rules and land‑use review processes.