Borough assembly approves contracts, acceptance of late senior citizen and disabled vet property tax exemptions

Matanuska Susitna Borough Assembly approved contracts and several other items at its June 21 regular meeting.

In two actions the assembly moved to accept late-filed and retroactive senior citizens’ and disabled veterans’ property tax exemptions as well as creation of a Moose Park Subdivision II Road Service Area local improvement district.

The borough manager was directed to equally assess the cost of the improvements within the new district.

Assembly members also approved the sale of real property acquired through tax foreclosure for delinquent taxes in 2015 and 2016 if the properties are not needed for public purposes.

In another action extended the lease term for a privately-owned solar project in Houston from 32 to 34 years. The lease will now expire in 2054.

The developer experienced delays associated with approvals for a power sales agreement with Matanuska Electric Association due to the COVID-19 pandemic and, more recently, the escalating costs of solar panels due to the war in Ukraine and the efforts by European nations to shift from Russian natural gas to renewable energy like solar.

In other actions the assembly approved several contracts for local public improvements. They included:

• School pedestrian pathway design, $206,758 contract to DOWL, LLC

• Design for upgrades and extension for Tex-Al Drive, $727,539 to CRW Engineering Group LLC

• Purchase of sodium chloride, $1,247 million contract to Bering Marine Corp

• Repairs, Port MacKenzie area roads, contract fot $651,457.98 to Tutka, LLC

• O’Brien Creek fish passage improvements, $858,479 contract to Dirtworks, Inc.

• Big Lake Elementary School water system upgrades, $336,900 contract to Ficklin Construction LLC

• Butte Elementary School water system upgrades, $584,200 contracts to Dirtworks, Inc.

• Relocation of Matanuska Telephone Association utilities along Cormorant Way and Belair Estates, two appropriations for $216,801 and $444,812

• Manufacture of sand, chips and fill, contract to Western Construction and Equipment, Inc. for $1.78 million

• Improvements to West Silver Drive and North Sasbo Bluff Loop, contract for $660,710 to Northern Asphalt Construction, Inc.

• Smaller contracts let for pathway design along 49th State Street to Kinney Engineering LLC; design of upgrades to Williwaw Way, Kodiak Driven and Helen Lane to The Boutet Co., Inc.

The borough’s planning staff also briefed the assembly on the municipality’s long-range Mat-Su road plan which is now posted. It will be up for a public hearing on July 19.