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Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly approves multiple ordinances, donations and an AI policy
Summary
At its Feb. 25 meeting in Kotzebue, the Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly enacted Ordinance 25-01 (Ambler Power Plant support) and approved three other ordinances, passed resolutions including a Village Improvement Fund award, a debated broadcasting donation and an AI policy; several items drew follow-up requests about Selawik water and fuel issues.
The Northwest Arctic Borough Assembly met Feb. 25 in Kotzebue and approved multiple ordinances and resolutions affecting contracts, budget transfers and local programs.
In a unanimous roll-call vote, the Assembly enacted Ordinance 25-01, which approves a professional services agreement with Deerstone Consulting, LLC to provide project support services for Ambler Power Plant upgrades. Public Services Director Clara Johnson summarized the measure and recommended passage; BAF Chair Reid Magdanz asked whether federal holds on grant funds would affect implementation, and Vice President Elmer Armstrong Jr. suggested notifying U.S. Rep. Begich about any freezes.
Why it matters: the Deerstone contract supports planned infrastructure upgrades at the Ambler Power Plant, a project tied to local energy reliability and grant funding that members said may be affected by federal holdbacks.
The Assembly also approved three additional ordinances by unanimous votes: Ordinance 25-02 (amending borough standards for contract amendments), Ordinance 25-03 (a contract for legal services with Vinson & Elkins), and Ordinance 23-04-am-02 (an amended FY2024 line-item budget transfer to the Sustainability Fund). The Assembly scheduled a special meeting for Ordinance 23-04-am-02 to occur after the statutorily required ten-day period.
On resolutions, the body unanimously approved Resolution 25-04, which authorizes a Village Improvement Fund application from the Native Village of Shungnak to purchase required insurance for a landfill road. The Assembly then debated Resolution 25-05, a proposed FY25 donation to Kotzebue Broadcasting, Inc. A motion by Member Lincoln Carr to amend the donation amount from $40,000 to $25,000 failed on a 5–5 division. Vice President Armstrong subsequently moved to add underwriting for all basketball games (including 2024 coverage); that motion passed by majority and the resolution ultimately passed by majority vote after additional motions and discussion about coverage scope and Anchorage travel coverage.
Legal staff summarized Resolution 25-06, an AI policy for borough operations; Member Derek Haviland Lie moved approval and the Assembly adopted the policy unanimously.
What members asked for next: councilors sought follow-up on whether grant funds for Ambler remain available, an update on the Selawik water and sewer situation and whether ANTHC or other partners will attend future meetings, and clarification about Cape Blossom Road and State STIP support. Multiple members also raised concerns about fuel procurement, local fire department capacity and insurance following recent community fires.
The meeting recessed at 11:55 a.m., reconvened at 12:16 p.m., and adjourned at 2:08 p.m.
