On the agenda: Palmer ASSEMBLY REGULAR MEETING — Automated License Plate (Sep 15)

Matanuska-Susitna Borough
350 East Dahlia Avenue, Palmer, Alaska 99645 - 907-861-8683

Assembly Agenda
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2026
6:00 PM

ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS
350 EAST DAHLIA AVENUE, PALMER

ASSEMBLY REGULAR MEETING
BOROUGH ASSEMBLY
Michael Bowles, District 1
Stephanie Nowers, District 2
Dee McKee, District 3
Maxwell Sumner, District 4
Bill Gamble, District 5
Dmitri Fonov, District 6
Ron Bernier, District 7

WAYS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ASSEMBLY MEETING IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND IN
PERSON:

IN WRITING:
* You can submit written comments to [email protected]
TELEPHONIC TESTIMONY:
* Dial 1-855-225-2326
* You will hear “Joining conference” when you are admitted to the meeting.
* You will be automatically muted and able to listen to the meeting.
* When the Mayor announces audience participation or a public hearing you would like to speak
to, press *3; you will hear “Your hand has been raised.”
* When it is your turn to testify you will hear “Your line has been unmuted.”
* State your name for the record, spell your last name, and provide your testimony.
OBSERVE: observe the meeting via the live stream video at:
* https://matanuska.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
* https://www.facebook.com/MatSuBorough
* Matanuska-Susitna Borough - YouTube
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
IV. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
V. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETINGS
VI. REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE
A. AGENCY REPORTS (MSB 2.12.082; Seven minutes per person)
1. Reports From Cities
2. Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
3. State of Alaska
B. COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Joint Assembly/School Board Committees

Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Assembly Regular Meeting

September 15, 2026
Page 2 of 9

2. Assembly Public Relations
C. MANAGER COMMENTS
1. State/Federal Legislation
2. Strategic Planning Issues
3. Peaceful Place Update

26-153

Peaceful Place Presentation

Attachments: 09/15/26 - Power Point Presentation
D. ATTORNEY COMMENTS
E. CLERK COMMENTS
F. CITIZEN AND OTHER CORRESPONDENCE

26-140

1. Butte Community Council: 06/10/26
2. Platting Board: 07/16/26, 07/30/26
3. Transportation Advisory Board: 07/24/26

Attachments: 09/15/26 - Citizen and Correspondence
G. INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUMS

IM 26-186

Reporting The Conclusion Of Contract For Bid No. 26-045B With
Steppers Construction, Inc. For A Final Contract Amount Of
$265,297.61 For The Design-Build Of The Operations And
Maintenance Covered Storage.

Attachments: IM 26-186

IM 26-188

Reporting The Conclusion Of Contract For Bid No. 26-088B With
Jim Psenak Construction, LLC. For A Final Contract Amount Of
$708,500 For The 2025 Talkeetna Dike And Revetment Repairs.

Attachments: IM 26-188

IM 26-191

Informing The Assembly Of 12 Fiscal Year 2027 Winter Trail Care
And Grooming Grant Agreements That Will Be Provided To The
Manager For Signature.

Attachments: IM 26-191

Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Assembly Regular Meeting

September 15, 2026
Page 3 of 9

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.)
B. PUBLIC HEARINGS (Three Minutes Per Person.)

RS 26-094

A Resolution Selecting Northern Route 1 As The Preferred Route
Identified In The July 2026 Route Selection Report For The
Engstrom Road To Trunk Road Corridor Project.

Attachments: RS 26-094

IM 26-178
09/15/26 - AK DOT Letter of Support for Northern Route
OR 26-102

An Ordinance Reappropriating $35,812.84 From The Vehicle
Replacement Project To Fiscal Year 2027 Areawide Operating
Facility Maintenance Funds.
RS 26-088: A Resolution Amending The Scope Of Work For The
Fiscal Year 2025 Vehicle Replacement Project To Fiscal Year 2027
Areawide Operating Facility Maintenance Funds.

Attachments: OR 26-102

RS 26-088
IM 26-171
OR 26-103

An Ordinance Accepting And Appropriating A Grant Of $45,000
From The United States Fish And Wildlife Service; Appropriating
Required Match Funding From The Fiscal Year 2023 And Fiscal
Year 2024 Areawide Budget Appropriation; And Approving The
Time Extensions Of The Fiscal Year 2023 And Fiscal Year 2024
Areawide Budget Appropriation For Fish Passage Improvements
Match Funds.
RS 26-093: A Resolution Approving The Scope Of Work And
Budget And Authorizing The Manager To Enter Into An Agreement
For Anderson Lake Outlet Fish Passage Culvert Replacement.

Attachments: OR 26-103

RS 26-093
IM 26-176

Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Assembly Regular Meeting

September 15, 2026
Page 4 of 9

OR 26-104

An Ordinance Approving The Time Extensions For Four Project
Accounts Related To The Coal Creek At Sushana Drive Fish
Passage And The Cottonwood Creek At Fern Street Fish Passage
Projects.

Attachments: OR 26-104

IM 26-177
OR 26-105

An Ordinance Accepting And Appropriating A Grant In The Amount
Of $7,891,044 From The United States Department Of
Transportation Maritime Administration For The Port Mackenzie
Barge Ramp Project.
RS 26-095: A Resolution Approving The Scope Of Work And
Budget For The Port Mackenzie Barge Ramp Project.

Attachments: OR 26-105

RS 26-095
IM 26-179
OR 26-106

An Ordinance Adopting MSB 23.30 To Prohibit Acquisition,
Installation, And Operation Of Automated License Plate Reader
Systems And Associated Mass Surveillance Technology.

Sponsors: Bowles
Attachments: OR 26-106

IM 26-181
C. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (You can speak under one of the audience
participations on the agenda, but not both; Three Minutes Per Person.)
D. CONSENT AGENDA
1. RESOLUTIONS

RS 26-082

A Resolution Approving The Borough's Priority Transportation
Projects For Inclusion In The MVP 2027-2030 Transportation
Improvement Program And Committing To Providing The
Required Nonfederal Share For Projects Selected For Federal
Funding.

Attachments: RS 26-082

IM 26-164
09/01/26 - TAB RS 26-06

Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Assembly Regular Meeting

September 15, 2026
Page 5 of 9

RS 26-103

A Resolution Opposing The Alaska Industrial Development And
Export Authority’s Application For Land In The Houston Area
And Supporting Consideration Of Point MacKenzie And West
Susitna As More Appropriate Locations For The Proposed
Activities.

Sponsors: Bernier
Attachments: RS 26-103

IM 26-194
2. ACTION MEMORANDUMS

AM 26-118

Authorizing The Manager To Sign A Memorandum Of
Agreement With The Alaska State Department Of Transportation
And Public Facilities Regarding The Jolly Creek Drainage
Improvement Project Phase 1, Hollywood Road Milepost 6.5 To
7.1.

Attachments: AM 26-118

AM 26-120

Authorization To Provide The Butte Community Council
$15,000 From Assembly Reserve For The Restoration Of The
Butte Community Sign.

Sponsors: Bowles
Attachments: AM 26-120

AM 26-129

Approval To Extend The Final Completion Date For Contract
No. 26-123B With Meier Excavation, LLC. To June 30, 2027,
For The Neklason Lake At Homebuilt Circle Fish Passage
Project.

Attachments: AM 26-129

AM 26-130

Acceptance Of Late Filed And Retroactive Senior Citizen And
Disabled Veteran Tax Exemption Applications For The Period Of
July And August 2026.

Attachments: AM 26-130

AM 26-131

Award Of Bid No. 27-005B To Drennon Construction &
Consulting, Inc. In The Contract Amount Of $2,931,907.50 To
Construct The Port Barge Ramp.

Attachments: AM 26-131

Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Assembly Regular Meeting

September 15, 2026
Page 6 of 9

AM 26-132

Award Of Proposal No. 27-010P To HDL Engineering
Consultants, LLC. For The Contract Amount Of $259,760 To
Provide Land Acquisition Services For Hemmer Road Extension.

Attachments: AM 26-132

AM 26-133

Award Of Contract No. 27-043C To Kendrick Equipment In
The Contract Amount Of $172,688.61 To Purchase A Zamboni
Ice Resurfacing Machine.

Attachments: AM 26-133
VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

OR 26-089

An Ordinance Accepting And Appropriating $300,000 From The
Rasmuson Foundation For The Matanuska River Park And
Campground Upgrades; And The Alaska Long Trail Gateway
Installation.
RS 26-072: A Resolution Approving The Scope Of Work And Budget
For The $300,000 Grant From The Rasmuson Foundation For The
Matanuska River Park And Campground Upgrades; And The Alaska
Long Trail Gateway Installation.

Attachments: OR 26-089

RS 26-072
IM 26-145
09/15/26 - Bowles Pending and Possible Secondary Amendment
IX. VETO
X. NEW BUSINESS
A. INTRODUCTIONS (For Public Hearing 10/06/26, Assembly Chambers)

OR 26-108

An Ordinance Accepting And Appropriating Funds For A Grant In
The Amount Of $500 From Best Friends Animal Society.
RS 26-098: A Resolution Approving The Scope Of Work And
Budget For A Grant From Best Friends Animal Society For The
Animal Care Division Facility Programs Capital Project.

Attachments: OR 26-108

RS 26-098
IM 26-184

Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Assembly Regular Meeting

September 15, 2026
Page 7 of 9

OR 26-109

An Ordinance Appropriating $238,000 Of Interest Earnings On The
2022 Series A Taxable General Obligation Transportation Bonds To
Fund 430, Community Transportation Projects.

Attachments: OR 26-109

IM 26-192
OR 26-110

An Ordinance Accepting And Appropriating $331,569 In Fiscal Year
2027 Community Assistance Program Funding.
RS 26-102: A Resolution Approving The Scope Of Work And
Budget For The Community Assistance Program; And Authorizing
The Manager To Enter Into Agreements With 21 Unincorporated
Communities Within The Borough.

Attachments: OR 26-110

RS 26-102
IM 26-193
B. MAYORAL NOMINATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
1. VACANCY REPORT

26-141

Mayoral Request for Confirmation

Attachments: 09/15/26 - Vacancy Report
C. OTHER NEW BUSINESS
D. REFERRALS (For Referral To The Planning Commission For 90 Days Or Other
Date Specified By The Assembly)
XI. RECONSIDERATION
A. Reconsideration of Comments and Letter Regarding the Pending Land Transfer in
the Houston, Alaska area.

26-142

Assemblymember Nowers Reconsideration

Attachments: 09/01/26 - Bernier Letter

09/15/26 - Reconsideration Notice
XII. MAYOR, ASSEMBLY, AND STAFF COMMENTS
XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
XIV. ADJOURNMENT
Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Assembly Regular Meeting

September 15, 2026
Page 8 of 9

Disabled Persons Needing Reasonable Accommodation In Order To Participate At An Assembly Meeting Should Contact The
Borough ADA Coordinator At (907) 861-8432 At Least One Week In Advance Of The Meeting.

Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Assembly Regular Meeting

September 15, 2026
Page 9 of 9