​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​Recent Actions​​​

As the legislative branch of the Municipality of Anchorage, the Anchorage Assembly acts through legislation to make progress on goals and priorities toward a stronger, brighter​​, more resilient Anchorage.



​​​​​​​​

​​​In Case You Missed It​

Here are some actions you may have missed at recent Assembly Meetings: 

April 11 Regular Assembly Meeting:

  • In addition to resolutions recognizing Safe Digging Month (AR 2023-112), National Lineman Appreciation Day (AR 2023-113), Sexual Assault Awareness Month (AR 2023-115), and National Library Week (AR 2023-119), the Assembly approved AR 2023-109 to recognize the Great Alaska Council and celebrate Eagle Scout Class of 2022 and AR 2023-121 congratulating the Bettye Davis East Anchorage High School Thunderbirds as 2023 4A State Champions.
  • Approved AR 2023-130 to recognize Austin Quinn-Davidson's term as Acting Mayor of the Municipality of Anchorage. 
  • Approved AR 2023-125 to support Alaska House Bill 121 and Senate Bill 101 to establish a renewable portfolio standard for electric utilities in state statute, aligning with the Municipality of Anchorage Climate Action Plan
  • Approved AR 2023-127 to adopt a demobilization plan for emergency shelter provided by the Municipality for the 2022-2023 winter season and end use of the Sullivan Arena by April 30, 2023. 
  • Confirmed Anne Helzer in her new role as the Municipal Attorney. 
  • Confirmed Jesse Tyrrell as the Assembly Youth Representative and Jacob Matthews as an alternate, establishing a youth cohort. 
  • Postponed AO 2022-104 to the Special Meeting on April 18 to authorize the $18M purchase of the 716 W 4th Ave from the Anchorage Community Development Authority (ACDA), a building which is currently leased by the Municipality to house the Anchorage Police Department Headquarters. A worksession on the item was held on March 10 and again on April 7
  • Postponed AO 2022-100 to the May 23 Regular Assembly Meeting to allow optional independent plan review of structural design for commercial building permits.
  • Postponed AO 2023-35 to the Special Meeting on April 18 to ban the acquisition, use or accessing of facial recognition technology with limited exceptions. A worksession on the item was held on April 14
  • Approved AR 2023-95 to increase 2023 funding for public safety to fund an additional Anchorage Fire Department Academy, additional trainings for the Anchorage Police Department and additional snow removal services in anticipation for snow removal needs before the end of 2023. 
  • Approved AO 2023-39 to establish parameters for content inserted into municipal property tax bill mailings. ​


March 21 Regular Assembly Meeting:

  • ​​Approved AR 2023-79 recognizing and honoring the late long-time municipal land surveyor Steve Schmitt.
  • Approved AR 2023-59 recognizing "CNN Hero of the Year" nominee Teresa Gray and Mobile Medics International for humanitarian contributions.
  • Approved AR 2023-94(S) to recommend municipal projects for federal funding.
  • Approved an unnumbered AR laid on the table to maintain the Sullivan Arena's expanded capacity of 360 through April 30, 2023.
  • Approved AO 2023-16 to approve the Anchorage School District annual operating budget for 2023-2024.
  • Approved AO 2023-27 to codify broader authority and protections for the Ombudsman to investigate matters in the Municipality. 
  • Approved AO 2023-24 to restore regulations on Accessory Dwelling Units in Girdwood without requiring owner occupancy. 
  • Approved AR 2023-30 to exempt existing buildings from residential design standards to cut red tape and encourage low-cost, safe housing development through hotel / motel conversions. ​



​To learn more, view the Assembly monthly newsletter archives and subscribe​.

For items that had action taken at an Assembly Meeting, finalized documents incorporating Assembly amendments are posted online about 2-3 weeks after passage.​​​


Hot Topics

Learn what the Assembly is doing to make government work for you.
​​​

Parking Minimums Eliminated Citywide

In November, the Anchorage Assembly voted unanimously to eliminate parking minimum requirements in all areas of the municipality and add requirements for bicycle parking through the adoption of AO 2022-80(S), As Amended, sponsored by Assembly Members Daniel Volland, Kevin Cross and Forrest Dunbar.

The approved version of the ordinance makes the following changes to Title 21 in the Anchorage municipal code that addresses parking and site access:
  • ​Eliminates parking minimum requirements citywide –as a result, Title 21 will no longer require developments in the Municipality to provide a minimum number of off-street parking spaces and developers will decide how many parking spaces to include on each site
  • Increases accessible spaces (ADA parking) ratios when parking is provided
  • Creates requirements for bicycle parking 
  • Establishes a menu of alternative transportation amenities that developers can choose from for larger developments


Emergency Shelter Plan and Housing & Homelessness

The Assembly continues to work on elements of the Homeless to Stably Housed Plan, the municipality's current contribution to the community-developed Anchored Home Plan. Visit our Housing and Homelessness focus page to see a timeline of municipal action on homelessness and get the latest updates:​



Get the Facts on Budget and Taxes
Each year, the Municipality of Anchorage collects property taxes from homeowners and commercial entities, and in return, those taxes fund local services like fire and police, schools, parks, libraries, roads, and health services through the municipal budget. Visit the Budget and Taxes focus page to learn more:



Anchorage Recovery: Revitalizing Anchorage through Federal Relief
​In August, the Assembly approved the second tranche of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, completing the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to distribute $265M in federal relief to local businesses, nonprofits and individuals working to react to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

With more than 160 submissions totaling $262M in funding requests. Nearly every single project submitted was worthy of funding and very much needed for the community. Through a transparent and collaborative decision-making process spanning four months, members identified list of 72 projects th​at ​​​focused on e​conomic resilience, increasing our competitiveness as a destination city and making all parts of our city vibrant and welcoming.​

 ​​​Learn More about Anchorage Recovery: Federal Reli​ef Funding​​

Reapportionment
Every ten years after the U.S. Census is complete, governments across the country update their election districts to match the new population data. In Anchorage, the process is called Reapportionment and is led by a Reapportionment Committee, which is charged with reviewing the State final redistricting plan, taking public input, and developing proposed maps for the Anchorage Assembly to consider for adoption to realign the boundaries of the six Assembly Election Districts to ensure fair and equal representation. At the March 1 Assembly meeting, the Assembly voted to move forward with Map 11v2 by Weddleton/Wells (AO 2022-37(S-1). At the Special Assembly meeting on March 23, the Assembly passed AO 2022-37(S-1), As Amended. They also declared a process to fill the 12th seat, now known as Seat L and hold a special election mail-in/vote at home ​to fill that seat on June 21, 2022. 

​Welcoming Anchorage

​​​Welcoming Anchorage is a collaboration between the Municipality of Anchorage, local businesses, and organizations, that strives to reinforce Anchorage as a place proud of our heritage and poised to position ourselves as a globally competitive, culturally vibrant 21st century community.​​


Resilient Anchorage

A resilient city bounces back from acute shocks and tackles chronic stresses. Anchorage is becoming more resilient by building a sustainable city, mobilizing volunteers, engaging partners, and creating a vibrant workforce. Resilient Anch​orage is the place to be!​​​






Qu​estions? 

A​ssembly Legislati​ve Services
907-343-4125​
​wwmasls@anc​horageak.gov​​​​​​​



Related






Stay anchored. ​Sign up to receive email updates from the Anchorage Assembly.    SUBSCRIBE

​​

​​907-343-4311 PO Box 196650, Anchorage, AK 99519-6650​​