Votes at a glance: Assembly approves HAZMAT grant, reserves land for future fire station and adopts other appropriations

The Matanuska‑Susitna Borough Assembly on Jan. 21 adopted a package of appropriations, grant acceptances and code updates during a meeting that also included extended public discussion of elections and planning. The assembled actions listed below were taken by voice votes unless otherwise noted.

Key actions passed by the assembly included:

- HAZMAT equipment and confined‑space training (Ordinance 25‑004 and Resolution 25‑004): The assembly accepted and appropriated $118,788 from the Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (homeland security) for hazardous materials decontamination equipment and confined‑space rescue training. Ken Barkley, director of emergency services, told the assembly the funds will buy an inflatable shelter for mass decontamination and sponsor train‑the‑trainer confined‑space instruction.

- Land classification for future emergency services facility (Ordinance 25‑005): The assembly classified a borough‑owned 10‑acre parcel near Bogard and Tate as reserved for an emergency services facility to support placement of a future staffed fire station that would close a household coverage gap. Director Barkley said the borough would use part of the site for a station with living quarters and could re‑use proceeds from an eventual sale of the current Station 52 to help build the new facility.

- Online with Libraries grant appropriation (Ordinance 25‑006 and Resolution 25‑005): The borough accepted and appropriated a $41,230.75 state broadband grant to cover library internet costs. Community development staff said the grant had been accepted administratively and the ordinance moves funds into an appropriation account.

- Revenue replacement for 2022 windstorm shortfalls (Ordinance 25‑007 and Resolution 25‑006): The assembly appropriated $461,648.70 moved from the boroughs ARPA revenue replacement bucket for road cost shortfalls related to the 2022 windstorm; staff said additional FEMA invoice reconciliation is ongoing.

- Emergency Management Performance Grant (Ordinance 25‑008 and Resolution 25‑007): The assembly accepted and appropriated a $170,000 EMPG state grant and reappropriated that amount as offset to emergency management wages and benefits in the FY2025 operating budget.

- State lease revenue refunding bonds authorization (Ordinance 25‑009): The assembly approved procedural authorizations to allow the borough to issue refunding bonds (up to $110 million in principal) related to a state correctional center financing so the State of Alaska can refinance outstanding lease‑revenue bonds; staff said the refunding is intended to generate roughly $7 million in debt‑service savings for the state.

- Amendments to assembly office vacancy rules (Ordinance 25‑011): The assembly amended Borough Code chapter 2.12 to clarify vacancy and residency rules, and to mirror state law where applicable. The assembly adopted changes after an amendment restored the prior rule that an assembly member who moves out of the district serves only until the next regular election. The code changes also aligned borough language with state statutory vacancy reasons and removed an organizational meeting clause that duplicates state requirements for a mayor‑led meeting.

Also of note: - The assembly considered but did not adopt an ordinance requiring expanded public notice/hearings for multifamily permits; that motion failed after extended debate (see separate article). - The assembly introduced a later package (Ordinances 25‑014 and 25‑015) and set Feb. 4 for their public hearing.

Ending: Several items approved at the meeting were grant receipts that require subsequent administrative steps. Staff said they will return with the usual implementing documents or contract changes as needed.