Wasilla approves Alaska Municipal League contract for planning support as staff continue recruiter search

On Aug. 25 the Wasilla City Council approved AM 2549, a contract award to the Alaska Municipal League (AML) for an amount not to exceed $60,000 to provide professional planning support services. Staff described the arrangement as an on‑call shared‑services option to supplement the city’s planning staff while recruitment continues for a permanent city planner.

Administration explained AML has vetted contractors who can perform tasks such as conditional use permit (CUP) reviews, parking analysis, Title 16 code review and public‑facing explanation of proposed code changes. City staff said the AML contract is intended to be used as needed rather than to replace an in‑house planner; the contract provides a vetted pool of certified planners to handle specific technical reviews and to help produce public communications in plain language.

Council members asked how this would affect day‑to‑day service. Administration said planning clerks will continue first‑line work and AML planners will be used for complete permit packages, technical reviews and subject‑matter expertise. Staff noted the city has budgeted $75,000 in other purchased services for planning and will use $60,000 of that line to fund the AML contract; the city is continuing active recruitment for a full‑time planner and reported one promising candidate under consideration.

Council approved the AM by motion; members noted the value of AML’s consolidated expertise and the cost advantage of contract support versus hiring immediately for senior planning positions with benefits.