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, AUGUST 5, 2025

6:00 PM

I. CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly was held

on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, 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: 6 - Assemblymember Stephanie Nowers, Assemblymember Dee

McKee, Assemblymember Maxwell Sumner, Assemblymember

Bill Gamble, Assemblymember Dmitri Fonov, and

Assemblymember Ron Bernier

Telephonic: 1 - Assemblymember Tim Hale

III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Mayor DeVries queried if there were any changes to the agenda.

Assemblymember Sumner moved to take up Ordinance Serial No.

25-076 immediately following the Informational Memorandums.

The motion passed by the following vote:

Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Hale, Assemblymember Nowers,

Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,

Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and

Assemblymember Bernier

IV. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

The pledge of allegiance was led by Palmer City Deputy Mayor Josh Tudor.

V. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETINGS

A. Special Assembly Meeting Minutes: 07/15/25

25-110

B. Regular Assembly Meeting Minutes: 07/15/25

The minutes were approved as presented without objection.

VI. REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE

A. AGENCY REPORTS (MSB 2.12.082; Seven minutes per person)

1. Reports From Cities

Palmer City Deputy Mayor Josh Tudor, reported on the activities of

the city.

2. Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

There was no report provided.

3. State of Alaska

There was no report provided.

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

3. Deshka Land Presentation

Sue Mauger, provided a presentation on cold water inflow at the

Deshka River.

Presentation

25-116

D. ATTORNEY COMMENTS

There was no report provided.

E. CLERK COMMENTS

Ms. Henry spoke to the upcoming meeting schedule.

F. CITIZEN AND OTHER CORRESPONDENCE

1. Animal Care and Regulation Board: 04/25/25, AC&R Case No 25-05

25-111

Final Decision

2. Big Lake Community Council: 07/14/25

3. Butte Community Council: 05/14/25

4. Chase Community Council: 04/09/25

5. Greater Talkeetna RSA Board of Supervisors: 06/12/25

6. Greater Willow RSA Board of Supervisors: 02/12/25, 04/30/25

7. Local Road Service Area Advisory Board: 04/17/25, 06/19/25

8. MSB Fish & Wildlife Commission: 04/10/25

9. Meadow Lakes Community Council: 07/09/25

10. Midway RSA Board of Supervisors: 04/30/25

11. Planning Commission: 06/02/25, 06/16/25, Resolution No. PC

25-12

12. Platting Board: 06/05/25, 06/19/25, 07/03/25

13. South Colony RSA Board of Supervisors: 04/02/25

14. Sutton Community Council: 02/26/25, 03/26/25

15. Talkeetna Community Council: 06/02/25, 07/21/25

16. West Lakes FSA Board of Supervisors: 06/09/25

The citizen and other correspondence were presented, and no comments

were noted.

G. INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUMS

Reporting Conclusion Of Contract No. 24-110B With Meier

IM 25-148

Excavation, LLC. For A Total Contract Amount Of $536,013.81 For

The Settlers Bay Drive At Crocker Creek Fish Passage Project.

Informing The Assembly Of A Memorandum Of Agreement And

Temporary Construction Easement With The Alaska State Department

Of Transportation And Public Facilities, For The Church Road Pavement

Preservation Project.

IM 25-156

Informing The Assembly Of The Submittal Of Fiscal Year 2025 United

States Marine Highway Program Grant Application, Requesting

$1,324,484 For The Port Mackenzie Cargo And Freight Capacity

Project.

IM 25-163

Assembly Notification Of A Land Acquisition Of The Sewer System Lot

That Serves The Big Lake Recreation Center.

The informational memorandums were presented, and no comments

were noted.

IM 25-167

OR 25-076

An Ordinance Enacting MSB 3.80, Areawide Fuel Excise Tax, In The

Amount Of Seven Cents Per Gallon.

Sponsors: Borough Manager

MOTION PENDING: Assemblymember Bernier moved to

adopt Ordinance Serial No. 25-076.

Assemblymember Nowers moved a primary amendment by

inserting the following ballot language:

Proposition No. ___

Advisory Vote on Motor Fuel Excise Tax

Currently in Mat-Su, almost all of the money to pay for local

road improvements comes from property taxes paid by

property owners. To broaden this tax base, the

Matanuska-Susitna Borough could adopt a 7-cent-per-gallon

motor fuel tax for a 1.5 year trial period as shown in Ordinance

Serial No. 25-076. The tax would generate an estimated $5

million annually, which, with direction from the Assembly,

could be spent to offset property taxes and fund road

construction and maintenance.

Should the Matanuska-Susitna Borough enact a

7-cent-per-gallon motor fuel tax for a period of 1.5 years,

automatically ending after that period and direct the Borough

Manager to prepare future budgets allocation 30 percent of the

revenue raised from the tax to be spent to reduce property

taxes and 70 percent to be spent on voter-approved road

projects?

NOTE: This vote is advisory only, and any legislation would

still need to be adopted by the Assembly.

Yes___ No___

VOTE: The primary amendment passed by the following vote:

Yes: 5 - Assemblymember Nowers, Assemblymember McKee,

Assemblymember Sumner, Assemblymember Gamble, and

Assemblymember Bernier

No: 2 - Assemblymember Hale, and Assemblymember Fonov

Assemblymember Sumner moved a primary amendment by

striking "30 percent" and "70 percent" and inserting "50

percent" in both places.

The primary amendment passed by the following vote:

Yes: 6 - Assemblymember Hale, Assemblymember Nowers,

Assemblymember Sumner, Assemblymember Gamble,

Assemblymember Fonov, and Assemblymember Bernier

No: 1 - Assemblymember McKee

Assemblymember Nowers moved to postpone Ordinance Serial

No. 25-076 to December 2, 2025.

The motion passed by the following vote:

Yes: 5 - Assemblymember Nowers, Assemblymember McKee,

Assemblymember Sumner, Assemblymember Gamble, and

Assemblymember Bernier

No: 2 - Assemblymember Hale, and Assemblymember Fonov

VII. 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 persons spoke in opposition to Ordinance Serial No.

25-076: Ken Hukeba, Chris Tyree, Daniel Potter, Samantha Carney,

Craig Odom, Linda Spohn, Mark Spohn, Jackie Goforth, Father Randy,

Bob Lochner, Brian Endle, David Eastman, Mark Johnson, Mike

Alexander, Lloyd Thurman, Dave Maxwell, Janice Norman, Katherine

Schmidt, and Lily Abbish.

The following person opined that the Borough should have an employee

of the year: Tom Roberson.

The following person spoke to safety concerns with a ditch behind the

Willow Library: Jim Huston.

The following person opined that senior citizens should not pay any

property taxes, spoke in opposition to Ordinance Serial No. 25-076 and

Ordinance Serial No. 25-090: Michael Bowles.

The following person spoke to concerns with Ordinance Serial No.

25-076: Colleen Vague.

The following person spoke in support of Eagle River being annexed

into the Borough: Ken McCarty.

The following person spoke to the need to expand funding for road

service areas: Andrew Traxler.

The following person spoke to the need to have equal maintenance in all

road service areas and in opposition to Ordinance Serial No. 25-076:

Mike Coons.

The following person spoke in support of Ordinance Serial No. 25-076:

Cecilia Anastasia.

The meeting recessed at 8:30 p.m. and reconvened at 8:41 p.m.

B. PUBLIC HEARINGS (Three Minutes Per Person.)

An Ordinance Enacting A Tax Cap Under MSB 3.04.077 And

Establishing An Areawide Real Property Tax Cap Of 10 Mills And A

Non-Areawide Tax Cap Of 0.55 Mills.

OR 25-081

Sponsors: Sumner, Fonov and Bernier

Ms. Henry read the legislation into the record.

Mayor DeVries opened the public hearing.

The following person spoke to the possibility of exempting senior

citizens from paying property tax: Michael Bowles.

The following person opined that a question of whether to exempt

seniors from property tax should go before the voters: Esther

Huddleston.

There being no others present who wished to testify, the public hearing

closed, and discussion moved to the Assembly.

Assemblymember Sumner moved to adopt Ordinance Serial

No. 25-081.

Assemblymember Bernier moved a primary amendment by

striking "10 mills" and inserting "9.5 mills" in its place.

Assemblymember Fonov moved a secondary amendment by

striking ".55" mills and inserting ".50 mills" in its place.

The secondary amendment passed by the following vote:

Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Hale, Assemblymember Nowers,

Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,

Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and

Assemblymember Bernier

The primary amendment passed by the following vote:

Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Hale, Assemblymember Nowers,

Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,

Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and

Assemblymember Bernier

The main motion passed as amended by the following vote:

Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Hale, Assemblymember Nowers,

Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,

Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and

Assemblymember Bernier

An Ordinance Naming The Story Walk Pathway At Sutton Library In

Honor Of Nancy Bertels.

OR 25-082

Sponsors: Hale

Ms. Henry read the legislation into the record.

Mayor DeVries opened the public hearing.

The following person spoke in support of Ordinance Serial No. 25-082:

Michelle Huen.

There being no others present who wished to testify, the public hearing

closed, and discussion moved to the Assembly.

Assemblymember Hale moved to adopt Ordinance Serial No.

25-082.

The motion passed by the following vote:

Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Hale, Assemblymember Nowers,

Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,

Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and

Assemblymember Bernier

An Ordinance Adopting MSB 3.15.037(E) To Allow For Prorated

Senior And Disabled Veteran Residential Real Property Tax Exemption

When A Qualifying Individual Moves Their Permanent Residence

Mid-Year; And Submitting The Question To The Voters.

OR 25-084

Sponsors: Gamble

Ms. Henry read the legislation into the record.

Mayor DeVries opened the public hearing.

The following person opined that senior citizens should be exempt from

property taxes: Michael Bowles.

There being no others present who wished to testify, the public hearing

closed, and discussion moved to the Assembly.

Assemblymember Gamble moved to adopt Ordinance Serial

No. 25-084.

The motion passed by the following vote:

Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Hale, Assemblymember Nowers,

Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,

Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and

Assemblymember Bernier

C. 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 to concerns with the State Board of

Fisheries having only commercial fisherman as members: Esther

Huddleston.

The following person spoke in support of Ordinance Serial No. 25-090:

Mike Vinduska.

D. CONSENT AGENDA

1. RESOLUTIONS

A Resolution Supporting The Transportation Priorities Identified In

The 2023 Coordinated Human Services Transportation Plan.

RS 25-074

2. ACTION MEMORANDUMS

Approval Of Utility Relocation Cost Of $114,814.04 To Matanuska

AM 25-087

AM 25-088

Telecom Association, Inc. For The Crimsonview Drive, Vermillion

Drive, Thalo Drive, And Ochre Drive Improvements For The South

Colony Road Service Area Improvement Project; And Extend The

Completion Date To July 15, 2026.

Award Of Bid No. 25-189B To K&H Civil Constructors In The

Contract Amount Of $1,049,261.50 For Snowcrest Drive And

Trapline Drive Improvements.

Award Of Bid No. 26-005B To Dirtworks, Inc. In The Contract

Amount Of $386,941.30 For South Butte Drive Road Improvements.

AM 25-089

AM 25-090

Award Of Bid No. 25-179B To Southcentral Construction, Inc. In

The Contract Amount Of $1,487,654.50 To Construct The Cell 4

Expansion At The Central Landfill.

Purchase Of Sodium Chloride From Northern Gravel & Trucking,

LLC. In The Amount Of $425,750.

AM 25-091

AM 25-093

Award Of Bid No. 26-010B to JRF Enterprises, LLC. In The

Contract Amount Of $385,678.34 For Birch Creek At Mastodon

Road Fish Passage Improvements.

Award Of Bid No. 26-011B To Western Construction & Equipment,

LLC. In The Contract Amount Of $568,255 For Eska Street, Granite

Street, Utah Street, And Grand Avenue Improvements.

AM 25-094

AM 25-096

Authorizing A Memorandum Of Agreement With The Alaska State

Department Of Transportation And Public Facilities Regarding

Maintenance And Match Requirements For Palmer-Fishhook

Separated Pathway, Trunk Road To Edgerton Parks Road.

Authorizing Memorandum Of Agreements With The Alaska State

Department Of Transportation And Public Facilities Regarding

Maintenance And Match Requirements For Seldon Road

Reconstruction, Wasilla-Fishhook Road To Lucille Street, And Inner

And Outer Springer Loop Separated Pathway.

AM 25-097

Award Of Bid No. 26-018B To Ficklin Construction, LLC. In The

Contract Amount Of $115,612 For Pioneer Peak Trailhead Parking

Expansion.

AM 25-099

AM 25-101

Award Of Bid No. 26-006B To Crowley Fuels, LLC. For An

Estimated Annual Contract Amount Of $300,000 To Furnish And

Deliver Heating Oil And Fuels.

Ms. Henry read the consent agenda 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 Hale, Assemblymember Nowers,

Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,

Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and

Assemblymember Bernier

Award Of Contract No. 26-017C To Wolf Architecture In The

Contract Amount Of $306,968 To Provide Construction

Administration Services For American Charter Academy School

Construction.

AM 25-100

Assemblymember McKee moved to adopt AM No. 25-100.

The motion passed by the following vote:

Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Hale, Assemblymember Nowers,

Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,

Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and

Assemblymember Bernier

VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

An Ordinance Adopting MSB 15.24.030(B)(48) Bogard-Seldon Corridor

OR 25-054

Access Management Plan.

Ms. Henry read the legislation into the record.

MOTION PENDING: Assemblymember Fonov moved to adopt

Ordinance Serial No. 25-054.

The motion passed by the following vote:

Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Hale, Assemblymember Nowers,

Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,

Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and

Assemblymember Bernier

A Resolution Directing The Borough Manager To Prepare Future Budgets

Utilizing The Fuel Excise Tax Revenue To Reduce The Areawide Mill Rate

And Create A Proportional Increase In The 16 Road Service Area Mill

Rates And Allocate An Amount Equal To 70 Percent Of The Excise Tax

Revenues To A Capital Project For Voter Approved Transportation

Projects.

RS 25-068

Sponsors: Sumner

Ms. Henry read the legislation into the record.

MOTION PENDING: Assemblymember Fonov moved to adopt

Resolution Serial No. 25-068.

The motion passed by the following vote:

Yes: 1 - Assemblymember McKee

No: 6 - Assemblymember Hale, Assemblymember Nowers,

Assemblymember Sumner, Assemblymember Gamble,

Assemblymember Fonov, and Assemblymember Bernier

[Clerk's note: Assemblymember McKee noted that she voted incorrectly.

The Assembly decided not to redo the vote. Assemblymember McKee

requested that it be noted in the minutes she intended to vote no on

Resolution Serial No. 25-068.]

IX. VETO

There were no vetoes.

X. NEW BUSINESS

A. INTRODUCTIONS (For Public Hearing 08/19/25, Assembly Chambers)

An Ordinance Adopting MSB 15.24.030(C)(43), Fuller Lake, Lake

Management Plan; And Amending MSB 17.59.060, Lake Management

Plan Implementation.

OR 25-079

OR 25-083

An Ordinance Accepting And Appropriating $18,000 From The Alaska

State Department Of Natural Resources, Office Of History And

Archaeology, For The DePriest Family Farm National Register

Nomination Project.

RS 25-069: A Resolution Approving The Scope Of Work And Budget

And Authorizing The Manager To Enter Into The State Grant Agreement

And The Agreement With The DePriest Family Trust For The DePriest

Family Farm National Register Nomination Project.

An Ordinance Enacting MSB 1.10.180, Limited Health Powers From

The Cities.

OR 25-086

OR 25-087

Sponsors: Borough Manager

An Ordinance Amending MSB 5.25.044(A), Service Area No. 27:

Meadow Lakes Road Service Area; And Placing On The Ballot Of The

November 4, 2025, Regular Borough Election The Annexation Of

Parcels Located On West Mana Naen Street, West Elvas Lane, And A

Portion Of North Utopia View Circle Into The Meadow Lakes Road

Service Area.

RS 25-075: A Resolution Finding The Annexation Of Parcels Located

On North Mana Nael Street, West Elvas Lane, And A Portion Of North

Utopia View Circle Into The Meadow Lakes Road Service Area, Serves

The Public Interest; And Placing The Question Before The Voters In The

November 4, 2025, Regular Election.

Sponsors: Bernier

An Ordinance Annexing All Of Lot 4A, Homestead Hills Phase 2, Into

The Greater Butte Road Service Area.

OR 25-088

RS 25-076: A Resolution Finding The Annexation Of All Of Lot 4a,

Homestead Hills Phase 2, Into The Greater Butte Road Service Area

Serves The Public Interest.

Sponsors: Hale

Ms. Henry 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 August 19, 2025.

The motion passed by the following vote:

Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Hale, 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

25-113

Animal Care and Regulation Board

Destiny O'Daniel, removal

Enhanced 911 Advisory Board

Dwayne Shelton, resignation

Lucas Szipszky

Planning Commission

Wilfred Fernandez

Knik RSA No. 17

John Jobe

John Szymik

Joe Cizek

Trapper Creek RSA No. 30

Becky Badillo, resignation

Assemblymember Bernier moved to confirm the

appointments and resignations requested by the Mayor.

The motion passed by the following vote:

Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Hale, 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)

An Ordinance Amending MSB 17.17, Denali State Park Special Land

Use District, By Eliminating A Provision That Allows The Special Use

District Boundary To Change Automatically When The Boundary Of

Denali State Park Changes.

OR 25-089

Mayor DeVries queried if there was any objection to taking up the

referrals together.

There was no objection noted.

Ms. Henry read the legislation into the record.

An Ordinance Adopting MSB 17.77, Large Lot District.

OR 25-090

Sponsors: Hale

Assemblymember Bernier moved to refer Ordinance Serial

Nos. 25-089 and 25-090 to the Planning Commission for 90

days.

The motion passed by the following vote:

Yes: 7 - Assemblymember Hale, Assemblymember Nowers,

Assemblymember McKee, Assemblymember Sumner,

Assemblymember Gamble, Assemblymember Fonov, and

Assemblymember Bernier

XI. RECONSIDERATION

There were no reconsiderations.

XII. MAYOR, ASSEMBLY, AND STAFF COMMENTS

Assemblymember Gamble thanked the public for their testimony this

evening and spoke to the need to diversify the tax base.

Assemblymember Sumner agreed with Assemblymember Gamble.

Ms. Henry thanked the body for having she and Estelle at the dais.

Mr. Brown noted that a fuel excise tax is an option for diversifying the tax

base. Spoke to his support of the Assembly conducting town halls for

residents to speak to their concerns regarding the fuel excise tax in a

manner that best suits them and their constituents.

Assemblymember Nowers thanked the public for attending the meeting.

Advised that audience participation is not a question and answer time and

that the Assembly does listen to the testimony provided. Noted that the

Borough is growing quickly and diversifying the tax base needs to happen.

Noted the public testimony in support of privatizing the Animal Care

Shelter and advised that no private entity has expressed interest in doing

that. Spoke in support of the fuel excise tax being an advisory vote.

Assemblymember Bernier spoke in support of conducting town hall

meetings. Noted his agreement with Assemblymember Nowers. Said a

prayer.

Assemblymember McKee noted her frustration at funding for the School

District.

Mayor DeVries spoke in support of conducting town hall meetings. Noted

that differences in municipal powers of the Municipality of Anchorage and

the Borough..

Assemblymember Hale spoke in opposition of the possible fuel tax. Opined

that a gravel tax may be a better option.

XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION

There was no executive session.

XIV. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.