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Residents press council for transparency, oppose Starr Road recycle center
Summary
Dozens of residents urged the Pateros council to halt plans for a recycle center on Starr Road, citing transparency, property-sale impacts, and environmental concerns. Speakers called for a dedicated projects page and clearer public notice about proposed land uses.
During audience input at the Aug. 18 meeting, many residents spoke against the proposed recycle center on Starr Road and asked for clearer communication from city officials. "There needed to be more transparency from council regarding projects," resident Robert McGee said. Former mayor Libby Harrison said she had previously created a Facebook page for the city and was later asked to shut it down by council; she urged reinstating a social-media channel or other project-notice tools.
Residents said property sales have been affected by the project's publicity: "She has had four offers turned down due to the news of the recycle center," Anna Marie Dalbey told the council, referring to a property owner on Starr Road. Other speakers expressed concern about environmental effects and said tribal authorities were not notified. Several asked that the city create a clearer public-facing projects section on its website so future proposals are easier to find.
Mayor Hook told residents he recommended halting the recycle-center project and asked for ideas to improve transparency. The meeting record shows the council later approved a motion to halt negotiations concerning the landfill property; any future proposal would follow land-use and environmental-review processes.
