Assembly Committees and Liaisons

Committees and Liaisons

Appointments by Assembly Chair are effective as of 6/13/2023.

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES

Webpage		AMATS POLICY COMMITTEE
Member: Kevin Cross Member: Daniel Volland Alternate: Meg Zaletel		Anchorage Metropolitan Area Transportation Solutions (AMATS) is a city and state coordinated planning process to set priorities for spending Federal funds for highways, roads, trails, and related improvements. Transportation planning prepares the Community's Long Range Transportation Plan, which is a tool to implement the Comprehensive Plan.
Webpage		ANCHORAGE EQUITY COMMITTEE-OF-THE-ASSEMBLY
Co-Chair: Thea Agnew Bemben Co-Chair: Reverend Leon May Liaison: Kameron Perez-Verdia Liaison: Felix Rivera Staffer: Jasmine Acres		The Anchorage Equity Committee of the Assembly is a Special Assembly Committee and members represent a variety of community and faith-based groups, and other community perspectives who are underrepresented and have lived experience of systemic inequities. Committee membership will prioritize engaging the necessary perspectives to achieve equity and optimal well-being for all Anchorage residents.
Webpage		BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE
Co-Chair: Meg Zaletel Co-Chair: Anna Brawley *Staffer:* Desirea Camacho		The Assembly Budget/Finance Committee deliberates and makes recommendations on matters relating to the financial management and policies of the Municipality and its agents. These matters include the annual operating budgets of the general government, the utilities, and the Anchorage School District.
Webpage		COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Co-Chair: Kevin Cross Co-Chair: George Martinez Member: Christopher Constant Member: Anna Brawley Member: Randy SulteMember: Zac JohnsonMember: Scott MyersMember: Daniel Volland *Staffer:* Mandy Honest		Over a period of years, the Anchorage Assembly conducted a comprehensive review of Anchorage Municipal Code Title 21 (Land Use Planning) making major changes. Currently, members of the Community have a choice to use either the previous Title 21 (which expired on December 31, 2014, but was extended to December 31, 2015 under AO 2014-126) or the new Title 21 Code. The Assembly Community & Economic Development Committee will work with the Administration and the Community to evaluate the implementation of the new Title 21.The mission of the Assembly Community & Economic Development Committee is to evaluate and make recommendations to refine Municipal Code and processes to encourage efficient government, responsible development, and healthy economic growth.
Webpage		ENTERPRISE AND UTILITY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE
Chair: Meg Zaletel Vice-Chair: Zac Johnson *Staffer:* Desirea Camacho		The Assembly Enterprise and Utility Oversight Committee reviews and makes recommendations regarding the operations and budgets of the Municipality's five utility/enterprise activities: Anchorage Hydropower, Anchorage Water & Wastewater (AWWU), Solid Waste Services (SWS), the Port of Alaska, and Merrill Field.
Webpage		ETHICS AND ELECTIONS COMMITTEE
Chair: Christopher Constant Vice-Chair: Karen Bronga Member: *Staffer:* Liz Edwards		The Assembly Ethics and Elections Committee reviews both the Ethics Code and the Elections Code for clarity. At the request of the Chair or an Assembly member, the Committee provides review and recommendations to the Assembly on proposed revision to both Codes. The Committee may also develop and recommend changes to both Codes in coordination with concerns of the Board of Ethics, the Election Commission, the Office of the Municipal Clerk, and the general public.
Webpage		HEALTH POLICY COMMITTEE
Co-Chair: Daniel Volland Co-Chair: Karen Bro ga Member: Anna Brawley Member: George Martinez Member: Felix Rivera Staffer: Angel Wade-Gonzales		The Assembly Health Policy Committee works with municipal and state agencies, non-profits, and private sector entities to study and make recommendations on legislative and policy matters regarding public health. Specific topics include substance abuse treatment and prevention, reduction of Anchorage's disproportionately high health care costs, health and safety regulations, and disease prevention and control.
Webpage		HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE
Chair: Felix Rivera Vice-Chair: Randy Sulte Member: Anna Brawley Member: Christopher Constant Member: George Martinez Staffer: Travis Turner		The Assembly Housing and Homelessness Committee works with municipal agencies, non-profits, and private-sector entities to identify cause and effect of alcohol and drug abuse and disruptive behaviors amongst chronically homeless. Analysis will include mental health issues, overall impact on municipal resources and the private sector, educational programs, and funding sources to seek solutions that will make Anchorage the model city for dealing with the problems associated with the chronically homeless.
Webpage		LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
Chair: Anna Brawley Vice-Chair: Christopher Constant Member: Zac Johnson Member: George Martinez Member: Scott Myers Staffer: Jasmine Acres		The Assembly Legislative Committee deliberates and makes recommendations regarding the Municipality's six-year capital budget plans of both general government and the utilities. The Committee also participates in planning the capital budget and formulates an Anchorage Legislative Program which is submitted yearly to the State Legislature to lobby for funding of projects.The Assembly Legislative Committee provides guidance to the Assembly and the Administration and recommendations regarding the Municipality's federal, state, and local legislative priorities. The Committee prepares recommendations for the Municipality's six-year capital program and budget priorities, as well as potential statute changes, and collaborates with the Administration to create the Anchorage Legislative Program submitted annually to the State Legislature. The Committee also serves as a forum for review and deliberation of statute changes and other legislation and policies that impact the Municipality, and Anchorage as a whole. Individual members may work with the committee on communication of district-level priorities and engaging with other levels of government.
Webpage		MUNICIPAL AUDIT COMMITTEE
Chair: Felix Rivera Vice-Chair: Scott Myers Member: Kevin Cross Acting Municipal Manager: Kent Kohlhase Acting Chief Fiscal Officer: Grant Yutrzenka Acting Controller: Casie West *Staffer:* Desirea Camacho		The Municipal Audit Committee coordinates and recommends audits of municipal agencies' activities and accounts. The Committee also oversees the independent financial audit of the Municipality. The Committee is chaired by an Assembly member and is comprised of six members; three appointed by the Assembly and three appointed by the Mayor.
		PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Co-Chair: Christopher Constant Co-Chair: Meg Zaletel *Staffer:* Jamie Heinz		Oversees personnel matters for the legislative branch.
Webpage		PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE
Co-Chair: Kameron Perez-Verdia Co-Chair: Kevin Cross Staffer: Jenna Brister		The Assembly Public Safety Committee deliberates and makes recommendations on legislative and policy matters relating to crime and fire prevention, law enforcement, administration of justice, corrections, and emergency services; and coordinates with the Municipal, State, and Federal law enforcement and justice agencies.
Webpage		REAPPORTIONMENT COMMITTEE
Chair: Christopher Constant Member: Member: Member: Felix Rivera *Staffer:* Mandy Honest, Liz Edwards, and Jamie Heinz		In accordance with the U.S. and Alaska Constitutions and the Anchorage Municipal Charter’s requirement for the Assembly to assess apportionment of the Municipality’s six districts, the Reapportionment Committee is charged with realigning district boundaries to ensure fair representation.
Webpage		RULES COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE
Chair: Christopher Constant Vice-Chair: Meg Zaletel *Staffer:* Jamie Heinz		The Rules Committee serves as a standing Assembly Committee to study and develop the best procedural methods for handling a wide variety of matters that come before the Assembly. The Committee is also open for members to update Assembly vision, mission, and goals; to hear issues and updates from Assembly committees; and to discuss Assembly policies, procedures, and other independent issues for collaboration. Upon referral, the Rules Committee will review and suggest changes to proposed ordinances; recommend conditions for debate; outline processes for the organization and presentation of individual Assembly member amendments; and perform such other Committee support assignments as applicable to the referral. Upon referral by the Chair, the Committee may also hold public hearings on draft legislative proposals to allow the public an opportunity to provide comment and voice individual opinion prior to introduction.
		TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE
Co-Chair: Daniel Volland Co-Chair: Meg Zaletel Staffer: Liza Spano

ASSEMBLY LIAISONS

	Alaska Municipal League (AML)
Director: Liaison: Felix Rivera Anna Brawley	The Alaska Municipal League (AML) is a voluntary, nonprofit, nonpartisan, statewide organization of 165 cities, boroughs, and unified municipalities, representing over 97 percent of Alaska's residents. Originally organized in 1950, the League of Alaska Cities became the Alaska Municipal League in 1962 when boroughs joined the League. The mission of the Alaska Municipal League is to: Represent the unified voice of Alaska's local governments to successfully influence state and federal decision making. Build consensus and partnerships to address Alaska's Challenges. Provide training and joint services to strengthen Alaska's local governments. The AML Board meets several times per year. The AML Annual Conference is held each November in Anchorage. A winter Legislative Meeting is usually held in January during the legislative session. The AML Board, the Alaska Conference of Mayors and others work together to hold a Combined Summer meeting in August of each year. The Assembly Member contact is Executive Director Nils Andreassen or Deputy Director Betty Svensson at (907) 586-1325 or g or g, respectively.
	Anchorage Chamber of Commerce
Ex Officio Member: George Martinez Ex Officio Member: Christopher Constant	The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce is the largest business organization in Alaska. Founded in 1915 by local business leaders, the Chamber today is a not-for-profit 501(c)(6) member-driven business organization representing 1,000 companies and a regional workforce of approximately 50,000. For over 100 years, we have served as a resource where our members can gain business knowledge, insight, and strength as business professionals. The Anchorage Assembly Member Liaison serves as an ex officio board member. The Board meetings are the first Friday of the month from Noon to 1:30 p.m. at 1016 West 6th Avenue, Suite 304, Anchorage, AK 99501. The Assembly Member contact is Bruce Bustamante, President/CEO at (907) 677-7109 or bruce@anchoragechamber.org.
	Anchorage Community Development Authority (ACDA)
Ex Officio Member: Daniel Volland Ex Officio Member: Kevin Cross	ACDA, a municipal corporation, works to encourage and facilitate responsible development and redevelopment in Anchorage by forming partnerships and working with the community. ACDA operates EasyPark which provides value to downtown in the form of affordable, convenient, and secure parking options. The Anchorage Assembly Member Liaison serves as an ex officio board memmber. The Board meets on the first or second Thursday at 4:00 p.m. at ACDA at 245 W. 5th Avenue, Suite 122. info@acda.net
	Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB)
Liaison: Karen Bronga Liaison: Kameron Perez-Verdia	The Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes Anchorage as a year-round destination. With more than 1,300 members, the Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau is our community's way of attracting and serving visitors. The Anchorage Assembly Member Liaison serves as a board member. The Board meets 5 times per year usually on the third Thursday of the months of January, April, July, September, and November. A Board retreat is scheduled in February. The Board meets at different locations – the Dena'ina Center of the Egan Convention Center. Monthly Membership Meeting is on the third Thursday of the month at 12:00 noon at the Egan Convention Center. Reservations are required. The Assembly Member contact is Julie Saupe, President and CEO, at (907) 246-4118 and jsaupe@anchorage.net.
	Anchorage Economic Development Corporation (AEDC)
Ex-Officio Member: Zac Johnson Ex-Officio Member: Randy Sulte	AEDC is a private nonprofit corporation, whose mission is to grow a prosperous, sustainable and diverse economy. Its vision includes Anchorage being invested in priority Live. Work. Play. by 2025. ADEC exists to encourage growth and diversity in the Anchorage economy, promote a favorable business climate and improve the standard of living of Anchorage residents. Funding sources for the corporation are private contributions, municipal and state grants and contracts. The Assembly Member contact is Bill Popp, President and CEO at (907) 258-3700 or bpopp@aedcweb.com.
	Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce (CER)
Liaison: Scott Myers Liaison: Kevin Cross	Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce strives to make Chugiak-Eagle River the "most livable and unique community" in Alaska. The Chamber's mission is to be an organization whose energies are focused on the promotion and development of a sustainable and vibrant economic and civic environment. The Anchorage Assembly Member Liaisons serve as in Standing Seats. Lunch Forums are hosted by the Chamber twice monthly on the first and third Wednesdays at the Eagle River Ale House. The Assembly Member contact is Debbie Rinckey, Executive Director, at (907) 694-4702 or executivedirector@cer.org.
	Federation of Community Councils (FCC)
Liaison: Christopher Constant Alternate Liaison: Meg Zaletel	The Federation of Community Councils, Inc. (FCC) operates the Community Councils Center to provide mailing, technical and support services to the Community Councils in the Municipality of Anchorage. Every neighborhood in the Municipality is in a Community Council district. Anchorage's 38 Community Councils provide a direct and continuing means of citizen participation in government and local affairs. The FCC receives the majority of its operating revenue from the Municipality of Anchorage as a grant to provide services to the independent councils in Anchorage. The Anchorage Assembly Member Liaison serves as liaison. The Board of Delegates usually meets monthly on the third Wednesday at the Community Councils Center at 1057 W. Fireweed Lane, Suite 100. The Assembly Member contact is Mark Butler, FCC Manager, (907) 277-1977 or info@communitycouncils.org.
	National Association of Counties (NACo)
Liaison: Randy Sulte Liaison: Meg Zaletel	The National Association of Counties (NACo) strengthens America's counties, serving nearly 40,000 county elected officials and 3.6 million county employees. Founded in 1935, NACo unites county officials to: Advocate county priorities in federal policymaking, Promote exemplary county policies and practices, Nurture leadership skills and expand knowledge networks, Optimize county and taxpayer resources and cost savings, and Enrich the public's understanding of county government.
	National League of Cities (NLC)
Liaison: Christopher Constant Liaison: Anna Brawley	The National League of Cities serves the interests of 19,000 cities, towns and villages in the US as well as professionals working in municipal government. The National League of Cities is a resource and advocate for the nation's cities and their leaders. The Anchorage Assembly Member Liaison serves as Voting Member. The NLC hosts two annual conferences: the City Summit every fall and the Congressional City Conference in Washington, D.C. every spring. The NLC Board meets on during the conferences. Additional information is available on the NLC website at https://www.nlc.org/ or at Info@ncl.org. In addition, there is an NLC Members Only website that you may access for more information. To do so: Click on the “MyNLC" link at the top of the NLC website at https://www.nlc.org/. Enter your “User Name," which is your MOA email address. If you have any questions or need help, please contact Olga Kozlova at Kozlova@nlc.org or NLC Membership at membership@nlc.org.
	Poverty and Opportunity Task Force
Liaison: Felix Rivera Alternate Liaison:	2021 Alaska House Resolution 8 Task Force. The Anchorage Assembly Member Liaison serves as liaison. The Assembly Member contact is David Song, David.Song@akleg.gov.

Contact Members

Email Committee Staffer

​ ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES

Webpage ​

​​AMATS POLICY COMMITTEE

​ANCHORAGE EQUITY COMMITTEE-OF-THE-ASSEMBLY

BUDGET AND FINANCE CO​​​MMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE

COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

ENTERPRISE AND UTILITY OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE

​ETHICS AND ELECTIONS COMMITTEE

​HEALTH POLICY COMMITTEE

​HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS COMMITT​EE​

​LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

​MUNICIPAL AUDIT COMMITTEE

​PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE

​Webpage

​​REAPPORTIONMENT COMMITTEE​​

​RULES COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE

​TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE​

ASSEMBLY LIAISONS ​​​​

​Alaska Municipal Leagu​​e (AML)

​Anchorage Chamber of Commerce​

​Anchorage Community Development Authority (ACDA)

​Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB)

​Anchorage Economic Development Corporation (AEDC)

​Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce (CER)

​Federation of ​​Community Councils (FCC)

​​National Association of Counties (NACo)​

​National League of Cities (NLC)​

Poverty and Opportunity Task Force​

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES

Webpage

AMATS POLICY COMMITTEE

ANCHORAGE EQUITY COMMITTEE-OF-THE-ASSEMBLY

BUDGET AND FINANCE COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE

ETHICS AND ELECTIONS COMMITTEE

HEALTH POLICY COMMITTEE

HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE

LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE

MUNICIPAL AUDIT COMMITTEE

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE

Webpage

REAPPORTIONMENT COMMITTEE

RULES COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE-OF-THE-WHOLE

ASSEMBLY LIAISONS

Alaska Municipal League (AML)

Anchorage Chamber of Commerce

Anchorage Community Development Authority (ACDA)

Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB)

Anchorage Economic Development Corporation (AEDC)

Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce (CER)

Federation of Community Councils (FCC)

National Association of Counties (NACo)

National League of Cities (NLC)

Poverty and Opportunity Task Force