We would like to inform you about two important issues that are before us at the next Mat-Su Borough Assembly meeting. The Mat-Su Borough Assembly will be making critical decisions at tomorrow on August 16th, related to the Ethics and the Subdivision Codes.  As will all of our work, FoMS is committed to ensuring that you have the information needed and the tools necessary to have an effective voice in shaping a positive future for the borough.

The Ethics Issue Again?

As you may recall from one of our recent E-Newsletters, two months ago Ordinance # 11-060 was introduced.  Had it passed, it would have eliminated the all-volunteer Ethics Board and replaced it with one single paid administrative hearing officer who would make decisions on all future ethics issues.  Along with your involvement, we were able to cultivate diverse group of people to write to their Assembly members and show up in person to testify unanimously against the proposed ordinance. This group included business owners, local residents and past and present ethics members to name a few. Despite these efforts, the poorly conceived Ethics Board elimination proposal is still on the table and will be included in Tuesday’s Assembly agenda.

An Alternative to Ethics Issue- Ordinance 11-022:

One bright glimmer of hope can be found in the fact that the Assembly will also be considering an alternative proposal (Ordinance 11-022) that includes reforms developed by the Ethics Board that were sent to the Assembly in February. This proposal includes significant updates to the existing laws, a better public process and significant cost savings measures. After this alternative was introduced, the Assembly held a special work session in August to review and make changes to it.   Unfortunately instead of embracing the positive changes put forth by the Ethics Board, the Assembly moved to weaken the proposal by removing the most positive elements that are central to a good public process and government oversight.

Examples:

• Their proposed changes would require that anyone who files an ethics would have to pay a $1,000.00 filing fee.
• Their proposed changes would make the Ethics Board an advisory only body and instead hand over most of the process to a paid hearing officer much like their earlier proposal to eliminate the Ethics board all together.
• Ethics Board reform proposals in Ordinance 11-022 are and should be adopted as is.  Any improvements made must be done in a thoughtful way that is respectful of the public process.  Any attempt to weaken the Ethics Board or its process should be firmly rejected.

What you can do?

If you are concerned about the pending ethics legislation can write to your Assembly members by clicking here or show up in person on Tuesday August 16th for the special meeting from 4 to 6 p.m and testify at the regular public hearing scheduled for 7 pm.

The Subdivision Code: Back Up for consideration by the Mat –Su Borough Assembly, Tuesday August 16th

WHAT:

The Subdivision Code: Back Up for consideration by the Mat –Su Borough Assembly, Tuesday August 16th

Ordinance 11-072

As you will also recall a while back we sent you information related to a proposed roll back in the Subdivision Code.  As you will recall at that time, legislation was introduced by Assembly member Colver to change the current the existing code-Title 27 and roll back the progressive changes that have been developed over the years from the previous version known as Title 16.   Had this legislation been successful it would have resulted in much fewer protections to the individual landowner, increasing threats to water quality and public safety and pass along many costly burdens to the taxpayer from shoddy and unplanned development. It is important to note that the move from the old Title 16 to the current Title 27 was a result of a robust multi-year public process that included input from a wide variety of stakeholders including: developers, engineers, surveyors, agency staff, local business leaders and residents.

Your involvement Matters:

Due to your involvement and testimony to the Assembly in July, the legislation to repeal title 27 was shot down by majority vote from the Assembly at that time. As part of this decision the Assembly agreed in that it would be beneficial to provide an opportunity for the Mat Su Borough Planning Commission review Title 27 and make recommendations to the Assembly before making any changes in advance of their August 2nd special work session on the issue. Unfortunately Ordinance 11-072 is still on the table and still up for consideration by the Assembly.

Planning Commission Recommendations- An Alternative

It is important to note that the Planning Commission through their review agreed that there was no need to repeal Title 27 and voted unanimously in 7-0 vote to retain Title 27.

The Planning Commission has recently drafted a resolution that is up for consideration at the next Assembly meeting which requests the opportunity to thoroughly review title 27 and make specific recommendations for addressing issues and fixing the current code where appropriate.

Main Points:

There is no justification to scrap title 27 and no emergency to make changes to the code at this time.

It is in the best interest of the public process for the Assembly to not rush to a decision during the busiest time of the year given that there is no emergency situation that requires a code change at this time.

Encourage the Assembly to adopt the Planning Commission’s recommendations and resolution to allow for an opportunity to thoroughly review title 27 and make specific recommendations for addressing issues and fixing the current code where appropriate.

How you can be involved?

For those who would like to comment about the pending ethics legislation and Title 27 should consider contacting MSB Assembly members or  showing up to testify on Tuesday August 16th at the regular public hearing scheduled for 7 pm.