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Village Improvement Commission approves $13,453 grant for Shungnak; NANA pledges more village funding
Summary
On Feb. 11 the Northwest Arctic Borough Village Improvement Commission unanimously approved VIC Resolution 25-01 to fund a $13,453.11 insurance purchase for Landfill Road in the Native Village of Shungnak, and heard that NANA is contributing another $1 million per village toward Village Economic Investment funds.
The Northwest Arctic Borough Village Improvement Commission unanimously approved VIC Resolution 25-01 on Feb. 11, 2025, authorizing a Village Improvement Fund payment of $13,453.11 to the Native Village of Shungnak to purchase required insurance for Landfill Road.
Madam Chairperson Marie Greene opened the meeting at 9:09 a.m. in Kotzebue and commissioners proceeded through routine business, including roll call and introductions of staff and guests. Vice Chair Billy Lee moved to approve the meeting agenda; Commissioner Alvin Iyatunguk seconded and the motion passed by unanimous roll call.
The primary substantive item was a completed Village Improvement Fund application from the Native Village of Shungnak seeking $13,453.11 to purchase required insurance for a Landfill Road project. Vice Chair Billy Lee moved approval of VIC Resolution 25-01 to authorize the payment; Commissioner Alvin Iyatunguk seconded, and commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the resolution.
During public comment, Carol Schaeffer of NANA announced application deadlines and additional funding for villages: "NANA is giving another million for each village bringing total to each village is four million," she said, noting the next Village Economic Investment (VEI) application deadline of April 7 and a meeting on April 24. Commissioners thanked NANA for the additional funding.
Commissioners also addressed community-participation incentives. The Project Manager raised a concern about door-prize amounts and budget limits; Vice Chair Lee proposed a standard door-prize allocation of $300 per meeting, seconded by Commissioner Glenn Skin. That motion passed unanimously, with commissioners noting the amount may be amended later if needed. Commissioner Alvin Iyatunguk asked what happens to meeting monies if only some villages meet; that question was discussed but not resolved on record.
The commission set its next regular meeting for April 7-8, 2025, with an application deadline of March 21, 2025. Chair Greene said an investment-outlook presentation and the annual report to Teck will be scheduled for the April meeting. Commissioner Alvin Iyatunguk moved to adjourn at 9:44 a.m.; Commissioner Morgan Johnson seconded.
What happens next: applicants seeking Village Improvement Fund support must meet the March 21 deadline for the April meeting. The commission will include the investment outlook and Teck report in its April agenda.
