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Wasilla council authorizes public comment period and starts union negotiations process for police employees; holds executive session
Summary
Council adopted Resolution Serial 25-08 to open review and public comment and authorized the administration to begin contract negotiations with the Wasilla Police Department Employees Association; the council then entered an executive session to confer on negotiation strategy.
The Wasilla City Council on Monday adopted Resolution Serial 25-08, opening an opportunity for public review and comment and authorizing the administration to begin contract negotiations with the Wasilla Police Department Employees Association (WPDEA). After brief public-comment procedures and no public speakers on the resolution, the council approved the resolution and moved into an executive session to discuss negotiation goals.
Cassie Allen, director of finance, told the council this contract is the only one expiring in the near term; two other union agreements expire in later years. Council members debated whether to extend the public-comment period beyond the single session required by code; the clerk said code currently directs public comment at the meeting and that changing procedures would require a code amendment.
Council member Johnson requested an executive session to discuss council priorities for negotiations. Council member Vilak moved, and Rubio seconded, to enter executive session with the city attorney, council, mayor, city clerk and finance director to discuss matters that could affect the city’s finances and to allow confidential attorney-client communication. The motion passed on a roll call vote; Council member Johnson voted no and other members voted yes.
Why it matters: The resolution authorizes administration to begin formal contract negotiations with the WPDEA and establishes a public-comment window and a council-led process to provide input into the city’s negotiating objectives. Finance director Cassie Allen said starting negotiations in February is important for budgeting and personnel projections.
Closing and next steps: The council adopted the resolution, held the executive session, and asked the administration to incorporate council guidance into bargaining strategy. The city attorney and chief negotiator will coordinate with the council’s direction and the chief negotiator team as negotiations proceed.
Ending note: Council members agreed the negotiation process should proceed on the statutory timeline; council suggested possible follow-up executive sessions and directed staff to communicate any public-comment procedures if the council later elects a longer review period.
