MATANUSKA-SUSITNA BOROUGH  
350 East Dahlia Avenue, Palmer, Alaska 99645 - 907-861-8683  
BOROUGH MAYOR  
Edna DeVries  
BOROUGH ASSEMBLY  
Michael Bowles, District 1  
Stephanie Nowers, District 2  
Dee McKee, District 3  
BOROUGH CLERK  
Lonnie R. McKechnie, CMC  
Maxwell Sumner, District 4  
Bill Gamble, District 5  
BOROUGH MANAGER  
Michael Brown  
Dmitri Fonov, District 6  
Ron Bernier, District 7  
BOROUGH ATTORNEY  
Nicholas Spiropoulos  
MEETING MINUTES  
ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS  
350 EAST DAHLIA AVENUE, PALMER  
ASSEMBLY REGULAR MEETING  
TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2026  
6:00 PM  
I. CALL TO ORDER  
The regular meeting of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly was held  
on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at the Borough Assembly Chambers, 350 E.  
Dahlia Avenue, Palmer, Alaska. The meeting was called to order at 6 p.m. by  
Mayor Edna DeVries.  
II. ROLL CALL  
Present: 7 - Assemblymember Michael Bowles, Assemblymember Stephanie  
Nowers, Assemblymember Dee McKee, Assemblymember  
Maxwell Sumner, Assemblymember Bill Gamble,  
Assemblymember Dmitri Fonov, and Assemblymember Ron  
Bernier  
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA  
Mayor DeVries queried if there were any changes to the agenda.  
Assemblymember Sumner moved to amend the agenda to take up  
Ordinance Serial No. 26-072 as the second public hearing and  
Ordinance Serial No. 26-058 as the third public hearing,  
renumbering the remaining public hearings accordingly.  
Assemblymember Bowles moved a primary amendment to take up  
Ordinance Serial No. 26-072 as the first public hearing, Ordinance  
Serial No. 26-058 as the second public hearing, and Ordinance  
Serial No. 26-032 as the third public hearing, renumbering the  
remaining public hearings accordingly.  
The primary amendment passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
The agenda was approved as amended by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
IV. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
The pledge of allegiance was led by Lonnie McKechnie, Borough Clerk.  
V. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY  
Mayoral Proclamation in Recognition of the Alaska Down Syndrome  
Network  
26-088  
Mayor DeVries read the proclamation into the record and presented it to  
Roger Baird, President of Alaska Down Syndrome Network.  
Mayoral Proclamation in Recognition of Juneteenth  
26-101  
Mayor DeVries read the proclamation into the record and presented it to  
Aundra Jackson.  
Mayoral Proclamation in Recognition of America 250  
Mayor DeVries read the legislation into the record.  
26-104  
VI. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETINGS  
A. Assembly Special Meeting Minutes: 05/05/26  
26-098  
B. Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes: 05/05/26  
C. Assembly Budget Deliberations Minutes: 05/07/26  
The minutes were approved as presented without objection.  
VII. REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE  
A. AGENCY REPORTS (MSB 2.12.082; Seven minutes per person)  
1. Reports From Cities  
Crystal Nygaard, City of Wasilla Deputy Administrator, reported on  
the activities of the city and advised that the City opposes Ordinance  
Serial No. 26-032.  
2. Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District  
There was no report provided.  
3. State of Alaska  
Mr. Todd Smoldon, Executive Director of Governor Dunleavy's  
Mat-Su Office, reported on the activities of the Legislature.  
B. COMMITTEE REPORTS  
1. Joint Assembly/School Board Committees  
There was no report provided.  
2. Assembly Public Relations  
There were no reports provided.  
C. MANAGER COMMENTS  
1. State/Federal Legislation  
2. Strategic Planning Issues  
There was report provided.  
D. ATTORNEY COMMENTS  
There was no report provided.  
E. CLERK COMMENTS  
Ms. McKechnie spoke to the upcoming meeting schedule. Noted that  
the Assembly had expressed interest in scheduling a meeting to discuss  
waterbody setback issues. Suggested a 4 p.m. meeting prior to the  
regular meeting on either September 1 or September 15.  
The Assembly discussed when to schedule the meeting.  
Assemblymember Nowers suggested October 20, 2026, at 4 p.m.  
Mayor DeVries queried if there was any objection to scheduling the  
meeting for that date and time.  
There was no objection noted.  
F. CITIZEN AND OTHER CORRESPONDENCE  
1. Big Lake Community Council: 02/24/26  
2. Board of Equalization: 05/30/26  
26-092  
3. Greater Palmer FSA Board of Supervisors: 05/12/26  
4. Local Road Service Area Advisory Board: 04/16/26  
5. MSB Fish and Wildlife Commission: Resolution No. FWC 26-001  
6. Planning Commission: 05/18/26  
7. Platting Board: 05/07/26  
8. Transportation Advisory Board: 04/10/26  
The citizen and other correspondence were presented, and no comments  
were noted.  
G. INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUMS  
There were no informational memorandums presented.  
VIII. SPECIAL ORDERS  
A. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (You can speak under one of the audience  
participations on the agenda, but not both; Three Minutes Per Person.)  
The following person spoke in support of intellectual freedom and in  
support of Library Staff: Mary Robinson.  
The following persons spoke in opposition to new taxes and concerns  
with the how contracts are awarded: Daniel Potter.  
The following person opined that the entry to 49th State Street needs to  
be re-engineered and invited the body to attend the Juneteenth  
celebration in Palmer: Aundra Jackson.  
The following person spoke to concerns with the Caswell dog abuse  
incident: Sarah Loreth.  
The following person opined that all gravel operations should be taxed:  
Mary Ann Cochran.  
The following persons spoke to concerns with pornographic books in  
libraries: Jackie Goforth and Linda Spohn.  
The following person spoke in opposition to Ordinance Serial No.  
26-071: Sam Schilling, Alaska Outdoor Alliance Access President.  
The following person opined that because Alaska produces oil, that fuel  
prices should be less expensive: Sam Tanksley.  
B. PUBLIC HEARINGS (Three Minutes Per Person.)  
An Ordinance Adopting MSB 3.15.036 $75,000, Owner-Occupied  
Residential Real Property Exemption And MSB 1.10.170, 1 Percent  
Areawide Sales Tax; And Submitting The Proposition To The Voters At  
The November 3, 2026, Regular Borough Election.  
OR 26-072  
Sponsors: Nowers  
Ms. McKechnie read the legislation into the record.  
Mayor DeVries opened the public hearing.  
The following person spoke in opposition to any additional taxes within  
the Borough, commented that taxes are regressive, and to concerns that  
online sales taxes are not being captured: Christian Chevetta.  
The following person spoke to his opposition to any new taxes in the  
Borough, commented that it is confusing to put two sales tax proposals  
before the voters: Brian Endle.  
The following person spoke in opposition to sales tax within the  
Borough: Kai Levy.  
There being no others present who wished to testify, the public hearing  
closed, and discussion moved to the Assembly.  
Assemblymember Nowers moved to adopt Ordinance Serial  
No. 26-072.  
The meeting recessed at 7:42 p.m. and reconvened at 8 p.m.  
Assemblymember Fonov moved a primary amendment as  
follows:  
1) by striking 1.5% and replace it with 1% throughout the  
ordinance;  
2) by striking the words “(WITH EXEMPTIONS FOR SALES  
WITHIN THE CITIES)” from the  
title;  
3) by striking MSB 3.35.050(D) in its entirety (page 23-25 of the  
ordinance); and  
4) by striking the ballot language and replace it with:  
PROPOSITION NO.__  
$75,000 OWNER-OCCUPIED RESIDENTIAL REAL  
PROPERTY EXEMPTION  
AND 1% AREAWIDE SALES TAX  
Shall the Matanuska-Susitna Borough enact a $75,000 owner  
occupied residential real property  
exemption, and exercise the power to levy, collect, and enforce  
an areawide sales tax in the amount  
of 1% in the entire Matanuska-Susitna Borough?"  
Assemblymember McKee moved to postpone Ordinance Serial  
No. 26-072 until after discussion of Ordinance Serial No.  
26-032.  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
An Ordinance Establishing A Tax On Certain Natural Resources  
Whenever The Natural Resource Is Severed And Removed From  
Property Within The Matanuska-Susitna Borough And Providing For  
Penalties For Failure To Pay Taxes Due By Adopting MSB 3.55, Natural  
Resource Severance Tax.  
OR 26-058  
Sponsors: Nowers  
Ms. McKechnie read the legislation into the record.  
Mayor DeVries opened the public hearing.  
The following person expressed concerns with how it would be  
enforced, and opined that requiring private financial records to be made  
available to a Borough employee for audit constitutes an invasion of  
privacy: Jay Laughlin, owner of Central Gravel Products.  
The following person spoke in opposition to the gravel tax ordinance:  
Melody Wright.  
The following person opined that the Borough's revenue and expense  
calculation contained in the fiscal note is over stated by more than three  
times the actual resource being produced: Steve Colligan, Alaska Rock  
Products Association.  
Assemblymember Nowers moved to adopt Ordinance Serial  
No. 26-058.  
Assemblymember Bernier moved to postpone Ordinance Serial  
No. 26-058 to July 21, 2026.  
The motion failed by the following vote:  
Yes: 3 - Assemblymember Nowers, Assemblymember McKee, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 4 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, and Assemblymember Fonov  
Assemblymember Bowles moved to postpone Ordinance Serial  
No. 26-058 indefinitely.  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 4 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, and Assemblymember Fonov  
No: 3 - Assemblymember Nowers, Assemblymember McKee, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
An Ordinance Adopting MSB 1.10.170 And MSB 3.35, 6.5 Percent  
Areawide Sales Tax, Repealing Areawide Property Tax, And Submitting  
The Proposition To The Voters At The November 3, 2026, Regular  
Borough Election.  
OR 26-032  
Sponsors: Bowles  
Ms. McKechnie read the legislation into the record.  
Mayor DeVries opened the public hearing.  
The following person spoke in opposition to property tax: Brian Endle.  
The following person spoke in support of Ordinance Serial No. 26-032:  
Mark Johnson.  
The following person spoke to sales taxes being regressive and  
punishing those who are less fortunate and spoke in opposition to  
medical visits or procedures being taxed: Joan Koman.  
There being no others present who wished to testify, the public hearing  
closed, and discussion moved to the Assembly.  
Assemblymember Bowles moved to adopt Ordinance Serial No.  
26-032.  
Assemblymember Bernier moved to suspend the rules to extend  
the meeting past 10 p.m. and not to exceed 11 p.m.  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
The meeting recessed at 9: 51 p.m. and reconvened at 10:10 p.m.  
Assemblymember Bernier moved to postpone Ordinance Serial  
No. 26-032 to July 21, 2026.  
The motion failed by the following vote:  
Yes: 1 - Assemblymember Sumner  
No: 6 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Gamble,  
Assemblymember Fonov, and Assemblymember Bernier  
Assemblymember Bowles moved a primary amendment to  
insert a new section MSB 3.35.085 Resident Senior or Disabled  
Veteran Exemption to read as follows:  
MSB 3.35.085 Resident Senior or Disabled Veteran Exemption  
(A) Any individual 65 years of age or older, hereinafter called a  
‘senior’, or any individual who is a 100% disabled veteran, who  
is a resident of the State of Alaska and resident of the  
Matanuska-Susitna Borough for not less than 90 consecutive  
days immediately preceding the application therefor may apply  
for and be issued by the finance director or designee a senior  
citizen or disabled veteran sales tax exemption card, which card  
entitles the individual to be exempted from the operation of the  
sales taxes levied under this chapter, however, that the  
90-consecutive-day period provided for in this section may be  
reduced to 30 days if:  
(1)ꢀThe applicant has previously held a senior or disabled  
veteran exemption card in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough;  
(2)ꢀThe applicant has not been absent from the  
Matanuska-Susitna Borough for more than 24 months; and  
(3)ꢀThe applicant establishes to the satisfaction of the  
borough finance director or designee that either:  
a.ꢀThe absence was for medical treatment of the person  
or an immediate family member, or  
b.ꢀThe absence was due to circumstances beyond their  
control.  
No seller within the borough shall charge or collect the sales  
tax levied under this chapter on exempted purchases from any  
person who displays such valid sales tax exempt card. All  
sellers within the borough shall keep records of such exempt  
sales and submit quarterly totals of such sales to the borough’s  
finance department, together with any other information  
required by law. In the event the individual ceases to be a bona  
fide resident of the borough, entitlement to the sales tax  
exemption that requires such residency shall terminate, and the  
card shall be void as to that sales tax exemption.  
(b)ꢀNo individual who has duly applied for and received such a  
registration card may use it to obtain such tax exemption when  
the rents, retail purchases, and any or all of them, otherwise  
subject to the sales taxes, are used or consumed by any person  
or persons other than the individual duly holding such  
registration card, or his or her spouse.  
(c)ꢀNo person who has not duly applied for or received such a  
registration card may use it to obtain such tax exemption;  
provided, however, in the case of an individual who is eligible  
for an exemption under this section, is otherwise authorized to  
receive a registration card under this section, and who is  
physically or mentally unable to use said card, a special card  
authorizing another person to use the special card for the  
benefit of the individual who is physically or mentally unable  
to use the card may be issued.  
A card issued under this subsection may be issued to either:  
(1)ꢀAn individual specifically authorized to make purchases on  
behalf of the eligible individual and who certifies on a form  
designated by the finance director that any purchases under the  
special authorization shall be only for the use of the eligible  
individual or their spouse; or  
(2)ꢀA governmental or nonprofit agency which, as part of their  
services to seniors or 100% disabled veterans, regularly  
provides such service to seniors or 100% disabled veterans who  
are physically or mentally unable to make purchases for  
themselves.  
In the case of a governmental or nonprofit agency, such cards  
shall be issued in the agency name; shall bear distinguishing  
markings; and any employee authorized to use such card shall  
certify on a form designated by the finance director that any  
purchases under the special authorization shall be only for the  
use of an eligible individual or their spouse. Governmental or  
nonprofit agencies will accept full responsibility for the  
safekeeping of such cards and maintain an appropriate  
accountability of the use of each card. When making purchases  
using the authorization, the employee shall keep a log of the  
purchase, the amount, and the party for whom the purchase  
was made. The log shall be retained for at least three years by  
the agency, and shall be subject to audit by the borough.  
(d)ꢀFor the purposes of this section “resident of the State of  
Alaska” means an individual who is physically present in the  
state with the intent to remain in the state indefinitely and to  
make a home in the state. An individual demonstrates the  
intent required under this subsection by maintaining a  
principal place of abode in the state for at least 90 consecutive  
days immediately preceding the date of application for the  
exemption card provided in this section.  
Notwithstanding the above, an individual who registers or is  
registered to vote outside the State of Alaska cannot be a  
resident of the State of Alaska for purposes of the exemption  
card under this section.  
For purposes of this section, a “resident of the borough” is an  
individual who has established a residence in the  
Matanuska-Susitna Borough and has the intent to remain in  
the borough indefinitely and make their home in the borough.  
An individual demonstrates the intent required under this  
subsection by maintaining a principal place of abode in the  
borough for at least 90 consecutive days immediately preceding  
the date of application for the exemption card.  
Notwithstanding the above, an individual who registers or is  
registered to vote outside the Matanuska-Susitna Borough  
cannot be a resident of the borough for purposes of the  
exemption card under this section.  
(e) Any individual who ceases to meet the definition of either  
“resident of the State of Alaska” or “resident of the borough”  
immediately forfeits the exemption granted in this subsection  
and must return the exemption card to the borough.  
(f)ꢀThe finance director shall periodically review the  
qualifications of holders of senior citizen exemption cards, may  
require proof, verification, or other information from card  
holders, and shall revoke the card of any person found not to  
meet the qualification. A written notice of the revocation,  
together with the basis therefore, shall be sent to the residence  
address provided by the exemption cardholder. A revocation  
decision is a final administrative decision and may be appealed  
to the superior court in accordance with the Alaska Rules of  
Court.  
(g)ꢀAny person who violates any provision of this section is  
guilty of a violation and upon conviction thereof shall be fined  
an amount not to exceed $500, and such sales tax exemption  
card shall be surrendered to the court, which, in turn, shall  
return the card to the borough for cancellation and  
destruction. Lawful use of the card is a condition precedent to  
its validity, and any unlawful use thereof shall render the card  
void from the date of its inception. By applying for any such  
card, the applicant thereby agrees to be bound by such  
conditions.  
(h) Use of an exemption card in violation of any provision of  
this section is prohibited. Each and every item or service  
purchased with an exemption card in violation of any provision  
of this section is a separate violation. The Borough may seek  
injunctive relief and a civil penalty up to $1000 per violation as  
provided by AS 29.25.070(b) and pursue any other legal and  
equitable remedies provided by law.  
The primary amendment failed by the following vote:  
Yes: 3 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember McKee, and  
Assemblymember Gamble  
No: 4 - Assemblymember Nowers, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Fonov, and Assemblymember Bernier  
The main motion failed by the following vote:  
Yes: 3 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Gamble, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 4 - Assemblymember Nowers, Assemblymember McKee,  
Assemblymember Sumner, and Assemblymember Fonov  
An Ordinance Adopting MSB 3.15.036 $75,000, Owner-Occupied  
Residential Real Property Exemption And MSB 1.10.170, 1 Percent  
Areawide Sales Tax; And Submitting The Proposition To The Voters At  
The November 3, 2026, Regular Borough Election.  
OR 26-072  
Sponsors: Nowers  
MOTION PENDING: Assemblymember Fonov moved a  
primary amendment as follows:  
1) by striking 1.5% and replace it with 1% throughout the  
ordinance;  
2) by striking the words “(WITH EXEMPTIONS FOR SALES  
WITHIN THE CITIES)” from the  
title;  
3) by striking MSB 3.35.050(D) in its entirety (page 23-25 of the  
ordinance); and  
4) by striking the ballot language and replace it with:  
PROPOSITION NO.__  
$75,000 OWNER-OCCUPIED RESIDENTIAL REAL  
PROPERTY EXEMPTION  
AND 1% AREAWIDE SALES TAX  
Shall the Matanuska-Susitna Borough enact a $75,000 owner  
occupied residential real property  
exemption, and exercise the power to levy, collect, and enforce  
an areawide sales tax in the amount  
of 1% in the entire Matanuska-Susitna Borough?"  
Assemblymember Gamble moved to postpone Ordinance Serial  
No. 26-072 to August 4, 2026.  
Assemblymember Bowles moved a primary amendment by  
striking "August 4" and inserting "September 1" it its place.  
The primary amendment failed by the following vote:  
Yes: 3 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember McKee, and  
Assemblymember Sumner  
No: 4 - Assemblymember Nowers, Assemblymember Gamble,  
Assemblymember Fonov, and Assemblymember Bernier  
Assemblymember Nowers called for the question (to stop  
debate).  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
The primary amendment passed by the following:  
Yes: 4 - Assemblymember Sumner, Assemblymember Gamble,  
Assemblymember Fonov, and Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 3 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers, and  
Assemblymember McKee  
Assemblymember Bowles moved to postpone Ordinance Serial  
No. 26-072 indefinitely.  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 4 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, and Assemblymember Sumner  
No: 3 - Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
Assemblymember Bernier moved to suspend the rules to extend  
the meeting to 11:59 p.m.  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
An Ordinance Accepting And Appropriating $100,000 From The Mat-Su  
Trails And Parks Foundation For The Upgrades To The West Butte  
Trailhead.  
OR 26-039  
RS 26-025: A Resolution Approving The Scope Of Work And Budget  
For The Upgrades To The West Butte Trailhead.  
Ms. McKechnie read the legislation into the record.  
Mayor DeVries opened the public hearing.  
There being no one present who wished to testify, the public hearing  
closed, and discussion moved to the Assembly.  
Assemblymember Bowles moved to adopt Ordinance Serial No.  
26-039 and Resolution Serial No. 26-025.  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
An Ordinance Authorizing The Borough Manager To Convey Certain  
Borough-Owned Excess Land From The Point Mackenzie Rail  
Extension Project To The State Of Alaska For Economic Development  
(Tracts 10A And 13A, Point Mackenzie Terminal Reserve, Plat No.  
2025-179, Palmer Recording District).  
OR 26-066  
Ms. McKechnie read the legislation into the record.  
Mayor DeVries opened the public hearing.  
The following person spoke to concerns with the lack of information  
that clearly outlines the intent for the use of the parcels: Michelle Huen.  
The following person spoke to concerns that the agriculture rights  
would be removed from the property and to the need to preserve  
agricultural land: Simon Gilland.  
Assemblymember Gamble moved to adopt Ordinance Serial  
No. 26-066.  
Assemblymember Nowers moved to refer Ordinance Serial No.  
26-066 to the Agriculture Advisory Board and to be back to the  
Assembly by July 21, 2026.  
The motion failed by the following vote:  
Yes: 2 - Assemblymember Nowers, and Assemblymember McKee  
No: 5 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
The main motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 5 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 2 - Assemblymember Nowers, and Assemblymember McKee  
An Ordinance Accepting And Appropriating $3,468 From The Alaska  
State Department Of Natural Resources, Office Of History And  
Archaeology, For The 2026 National Alliance of Preservation  
Commissions (NAPC) Forum Travel Grant Project.  
OR 26-069  
RS 26-054: A Resolution Approving The Scope Of Work And Budget  
And Authorizing The Manager To Enter Into The State Grant Agreement  
For The 2026 NAPC Travel Grant Project.  
Ms. McKechnie read the legislation into the record.  
Mayor DeVries opened the public hearing.  
There being no one present who wished to testify, the public hearing  
closed, and discussion moved to the Assembly.  
Assemblymember Bernier moved to adopt Ordinance Serial  
No. 26-069 and Resolution Serial No. 26-054.  
The motion failed by the following vote:  
Yes: 3 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Gamble, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 4 - Assemblymember Nowers, Assemblymember McKee,  
Assemblymember Sumner, and Assemblymember Fonov  
An Ordinance Accepting And Appropriating $21,595 Of Revenues From  
Fiscal Year 2026 Public Donations To The Animal Care And Regulation  
Capital Projects Budget For Animal Care Division Facility Programs.  
RS 26-055: A Resolution Approving The Scope Of Work And Budget  
For Animal Care Division Facility Programs That Support Animal Care  
And Regulation Priorities And Objectives.  
OR 26-070  
Ms. McKechnie read the legislation into the record.  
Mayor DeVries opened the public hearing.  
There being no one present who wished to testify, the public hearing  
closed, and discussion moved to the Assembly.  
Assemblymember Bernier moved to adopt Ordinance Serial  
No. 26-070 and Resolution Serial No. 26-055.  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
An Ordinance Approving An Additional Land Classification For 16  
Borough-Owned Properties Along Deshka River As Watershed Lands  
For The Purpose Of Fish Habitat.  
OR 26-071  
Sponsors: Gamble  
Ms. McKechnie read the legislation into the record.  
Mayor DeVries opened the public hearing.  
The following persons spoke in opposition to Ordinance Serial No.  
26-071: Esther Huddleston; and Michelle Stevens, Alaska Outdoor  
Council Vice President.  
The following persons spoke in support of Ordinance Serial No.  
26-071: Jessica Mead, Mat-Su Salmon Partnership; Sue Mauder;  
Margaret Stearn, Susitna River Coalition.  
The following person spoke to concerns with river bank erosion and  
erratic driving on the Deshka River: Dave George.  
Assemblymember Gamble moved to adopt Ordinance Serial  
No. 26-071.  
Assemblymember Gamble moved to postpone Ordinance Serial  
No. 26-071 to August 4, 2026.  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 5 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Gamble, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 2 - Assemblymember Sumner, and Assemblymember Fonov  
C. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (You can speak under one of the audience  
participations on the agenda, but not both; Three Minutes Per Person.)  
The following persons spoke to concerns with the Big Lake Road  
Service Area contract being in limbo: Kaysha Street and Dawson White.  
D. CONSENT AGENDA  
1. RESOLUTIONS  
A Resolution Waiving Mat-Su Borough Landfill Fees For The Alaska  
State Adopt-A-Highway Program For Fiscal Year 2027.  
RS 26-052  
2. ACTION MEMORANDUMS  
Authorizing The Manager To Enter Into A Grant Agreement For  
AM 26-066  
Fiscal Year 2027 With Valley Community For Recycling Solutions  
In The Amount Of $200,000.  
Approval Of Utility Relocation Costs Of $ 118,533.52 To MTA  
Communications, LLC. For The Jolly Creek Drainage  
AM 26-070  
Improvements Project Phases I And II Big Lake Road Service Area;  
And To Extend The Completion Date To December 31, 2026.  
Approval Of Change Order No. Five For Contract No. 23-049B With  
Western Construction And Equipment For The Central Landfill  
Annual Operation And Compaction Contract To Add $190,482.48  
For Fiscal Year 2027; And To Establish A $35,000 Contingency  
Fund.  
AM 26-076  
Approval Of Change Order No. 3 To Term Contract No. 23-100P(A)  
With HDL Engineering Consultants, LLC. To Renew Fiscal Year  
2027 Annual Contract Authority; And Extend The Completion Date  
To June 30, 2027, For Engineering And Surveying Services.  
AM 26-077  
AM 26-078  
AM 26-079  
AM 26-080  
Approval Of Change Order No. 3 To Term Contract No. 23-100P(B)  
With Lounsbury And Associates, Inc. To Renew Fiscal Year 2027  
Annual Contract Authority; And Extend The Completion Date To  
June 30, 2027, For Engineering And Surveying Services.  
Approval Of Change Order No. 4 To Term Contract No. 23-100P(C)  
With The Boutet Company, Inc. To Renew Fiscal Year 2027 Annual  
Contract Authority; And Extend The Completion Date To June 30,  
2027, For Engineering And Surveying Services.  
Authorization To Purchase Hardware And Professional Services In  
The Amount Of $155,829.55 With Convergint Technologies For  
The Dorthy Swanda Jones (DSJ) Building Security Upgrades And  
Updates To The DSJ Building Lenel Access Controls (Door And  
Badge Readers).  
Award Of Proposal No. 26-153P To All Points North For The  
Contract Amount Of $225,000 To Provide Survey Services For A  
New Government Peak Recreation Area To Skeetawk Trail.  
AM 26-081  
AM 26-082  
Authorization To Amend Contract No. 24-134P With Coffman  
Engineers, Inc. For The Dorthy Swanda Jones Building Seismic  
Evaluation Services To Extend The Contract Completion To June 30,  
2027.  
Award Of Bid No. 26-173B To Northern Asphalt Construction, Inc.  
In The Contract Amount Of $330,800 To Construct West Herkimer  
Drive And South Spring Drive Improvements.  
AM 26-084  
AM 26-085  
Award Of Bid No. 26-165B To HDL Engineering Consultants, LLC.  
In The Annual Contract Amount Not To Exceed $300,000 To  
Provide On-Call Construction Materials Testing And Inspection  
Services.  
Award Of Quote No. 26-152Q To R&M Consultants, Inc. In The  
Contract Amount Of $177,786 To Provide Engineering Consulting  
Services For The Yoder Road Bridge Evaluation, Repair Plans, And  
Erosion Protection Design Under Term Contract 26-096P.  
AM 26-086  
Award Of Bid No. 26-171B To JGH Plumbing And Heating, Inc. In  
The Amount Of $444,021 For The School District Administration  
Boiler Room Improvement And Boiler Replacement.  
AM 26-088  
AM 26-090  
Authorization To Renew VMware vSphere Software With GSCIT  
Under A Three-Year Agreement Covering July 1, 2026, Through  
June 30, 2029; Total Cost Of The Agreement Is $195,360 With  
Annual Payments Subject To Appropriation.  
Ms. McKechnie read the legislation into the record.  
Assemblymember Bernier moved to approve the consent  
agenda as read into the record by the Clerk.  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
Approval Of Contract Amendment Authority For Contract No.  
25-176B With Roger Hickel Contracting, Inc. To Establish  
Additional Change Order Authority In An Amount Up To 6.5 Percent  
Of The Contract Amount As Modified; And To Authorize An  
Extension Of The Contract Completion Date By Up To 90 Calendar  
Days For The American Charter Academy Project.  
AM 26-083  
Ms. McKechnie read the legislation into the record.  
Assemblymember McKee moved to adopt AM No. 26-083.  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
Award Of Bid No. 26-172B To Ficklin Construction, LLC. In The  
Contract Amount Of $585,000 To Construct Burma Road Safety  
Improvements.  
AM 26-089  
Ms. McKechnie read the legislation into the record.  
CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Assemblymember Sumner  
declared a conflict of interest as he works with Ficklin  
Construction.  
RULING: Mayor DeVries ruled Assemblymember Sumner  
had a conflict of interest and would be recused from voting.  
Assemblymember Sumner exited the meeting.  
Assemblymember McKee moved to adopt AM No. 26-089.  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 6 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Gamble,  
Assemblymember Fonov, and Assemblymember Bernier  
Recused: 1 - Assemblymember Sumner  
Assemblymember Sumner re-entered the meeting.  
IX. UNFINISHED BUSINESS  
There was no unfinished business.  
X. VETO  
There were no vetoes presented.  
XI. NEW BUSINESS  
A. INTRODUCTIONS (For Public Hearing 07/21/26, Assembly Chambers)  
An Ordinance Amending MSB 17.80, Nonconforming Structures, To  
Repeal The Notification Process And Fee Section.  
OR 26-028  
Sponsors: Sumner  
An Ordinance Repealing MSB 8.25, Water Pollution Control; And MSB  
17.55.020(E), Under Setbacks For Shorelands, In Their Entirety.  
OR 26-030  
Sponsors: Sumner  
Ms. McKechnie read the legislation into the record.  
Assemblymember Bernier moved to introduce the legislation as  
read into the record by the Clerk and to set the public hearings  
for July 21, 2026.  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
B. MAYORAL NOMINATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS  
1. VACANCY REPORT  
Mayoral Request for Confirmation  
26-094  
Agriculture Advisory Board  
Alexandria Hoffman, resignation  
Meadow Lakes RSA No. 27  
Nicholas Scott  
Assemblymember Bernier moved to confirm the  
appointment and resignation requested by the Mayor.  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
C. OTHER NEW BUSINESS  
There was no other new business.  
D. REFERRALS (For Referral To The Planning Commission For 90 Days Or Other  
Date Specified By The Assembly)  
There were no referrals.  
XII. RECONSIDERATION  
Award Of Bid No. 26-157B To Tew’s Inc. In The Contract Amount Of  
$1,116,525.33 For Big Lake Road Service Area Annual Road Maintenance  
- Rebid.  
AM 26-075  
Ms. McKechnie read the legislation into the record.  
Assemblymember Nowers moved for reconsideration of AM  
26-075.  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 6 - Assemblymember Nowers, Assemblymember McKee,  
Assemblymember Sumner, Assemblymember Gamble,  
Assemblymember Fonov, and Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 1 - Assemblymember Bowles  
The main motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 5 - Assemblymember Nowers, Assemblymember McKee,  
Assemblymember Sumner, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
No: 2 - Assemblymember Bowles, and Assemblymember Gamble  
Assemblymember Bowles moved to direct the Manager to work  
with the Butte Community Council to develop a community park  
on the property formerly known as the compound.  
The motion passed by the following vote:  
Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Bowles, Assemblymember Nowers,  
Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,  
Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and  
Assemblymember Bernier  
MAYOR, ASSEMBLY, AND STAFF COMMENTS  
Assemblymember Bowles advised that he will not move for reconsideration  
of Ordinance Serial No. 26-032, as he recognizes that both the public and  
the Assembly oppose the proposal. Stated that he hopes sponsors of other  
tax legislation will do the same. Stated that he appreciates the discussion  
that occurred during the meeting. Opined that property taxes are generally  
not well received by the public.  
Ms. McKechnie thanked the body for the evaluation.  
Assemblymember Nowers noted that she misspoke when she stated that  
Assemblymember Sumner’s business has a gravel permit. Commented that  
the company had applied but did not pursue the permit and do not have a  
gravel operation.  
Assemblymember Bernier thanked the body for the meeting and said a  
prayer.  
Assemblymember Sumner declared no new taxes.  
Assemblymember McKee stated that she is grateful for the opportunity to  
work together with other members of the Assembly.  
XIV. EXECUTIVE SESSION  
There was no executive session.  
XV. ADJOURNMENT  
The meeting adjourned at 11:57 p.m.