Wasilla planning commission waives attorney‑client privilege, adds attorney memo to communications

The Wasilla Planning Commission voted 3–2 on Feb. 24 to waive attorney‑client privilege and add a memorandum authored by City Attorney Holly Wells to the meeting’s communications packet.

City Attorney Holly Wells told the commission the document "is attorney client privilege, but you as the body to whom that memo is addressed has the ability to waive that privilege." Commissioners debated whether the memo—which explained how permits, enforcement orders and the commission’s quasi‑judicial role interact—contained any sensitive information that should remain protected.

Commissioner Landshall moved to add the memo (dated Feb. 22, 2026) to the agenda as item 1 under section 10 (communications) and to waive the privilege; Commissioner Stafford seconded. After discussion about the public benefit of clarifying the rules for quasi‑judicial proceedings, the clerk called a roll‑call vote. The motion to waive the privilege and add the memo to communications passed by a 3–2 vote.

Commissioners also debated a separate proposal to add a new‑business item (8.3) asking the planning department to prepare a resolution clarifying how the commission handles documents. That second proposal failed for lack of a second on the floor, and the commission agreed to divide and re‑state motions so each action could be voted on separately.

Following the vote, commissioners discussed directing planning staff to include the memo in a future packet so it would be clearly visible to the public. Chair Seals and staff agreed the planner would add the item to the next meeting agenda for fuller public discussion.

What’s next: the memo will be part of the communications packet and staff will determine when and how the commission should discuss its recommendations or procedures in a future meeting.