Department accomplishments highlighted at special Wasilla City Council meeting

During the first of two special meetings of the Wasilla City Council held on December 3, members of the different departments took time to highlight the many accomplishments achieved in 2024 and outline how their strategic initiatives align with the budget goals and initiatives for Fiscal Year 2025.

Each department was given 15 minutes, with Mayor Glenda Ledford leading things off, reporting that the city securing $5.7 million in federal funds for wastewater treatment infrastructure improvements; $4 million for the interconnect project; and $1.5 million from the state of Alaska to upgrade water and wastewater. When asked what the buy-in or co-pay for the city would be for the funds, Mayor Ledford simply said, “none.”

Transportation was at the forefront of accomplishments that Mayor Ledford highlighted, telling the council and attendees that the city received over $700,000 from the Federal Aviation Administration for the planning and airport development for the Wasilla Municipal Airport, which is currently underway.

“Our master plan is 90% complete. We continue expanding the runway to 5,100 feet and (continuing) to get land acquisition to complete that project,” the mayor reported. She also said that the state of Alaska also awarded $5 million for the airport expansion, before inviting the public to go out and see the work that has been done.

In keeping with transportation, the mayor reported on the continuing work being done at the Alaska Railroad Wasilla Depot, saying that the parking lot is now complete, and recalled that the first stop was January 2024, during a blizzard.

“Everything that we have done, we can connect to a goal.” She said that each department, when they present, will tie to a goal that the council has set.

Other highlights from the first meeting included the IT Department reporting that with all of the updates, consolidation, and enhancements made to the equipment, there was no longer a need for a third position for the time being, though it could not be ruled out that at a later time an additional technician may be needed.

Scott Bell, the Director of Recreational Service at the Menard, highlighted the Arctic Winter Games, calling it a “crowning achievement”

“It was the culmination of what staff could be accomplish with teamwork, departmental support, community partnerships, and amazing facility.” He recalled that 17,000 people came through the doors of the Menard during the event. “It was quite an investment, and a lot of support from the departments.” He said he was proud of the work that went on in hosting the games that took place at the Menard.

“It’s a snapshot of what we’re capable of, the impact this facility has…on the city, the state, the lower 48, and now the world.”

Councilmember Timothy Johnson did express concern that the positive results at the Menard through the Arctic Winter Games, which was the primary driver for the revenue and number of people coming to the center. Director Bell said that while the AWG was a key part of the Menard’s success, there were 85,000 visits, with the AWG accounting for 17,000.

“We still had 65,000 more people through the door if you remove the Arctic Winter Games,” said Bell, and when asked if it would be possible to replicate the results for next year, Bell said the Menard is already 15,000 visits ahead of where it was last year at this same time.

He also boasted the Menard brought in $1 million in revenue for the first time, which was 5.7% over the previous year.

Looking forward, Bell says the condition of the parking lot has been a concern “It’s been a concern for several years, and we’ve been working on it in pieces. A big part of what we have done is expanded the footprint of what is out there.” He said the new area, dubbed the North Lot has upgraded light fixtures to allow for commercial-grade lighting. A dirt hill has been removed and graded, allowing for an additional 75 parking spots for the center.

Bethany Buckingham Follett, curator for the Wasilla Museum and Visitor Center, told the council that the mission for the museum is using stories and imagination to foster community, and the vision is to amplify personal stories and enrich shared experiences, and remaining a point for historical artifacts and resources.

“The biggest accomplishment for us this year was that our museum was awarded an Alaska Museum Collections Management Fund Grant of $19, 109. 92, to complete important conservation work on our collection of historical garments, train staff to do more in-house preservation work, and to give our community workshop on care for family collections.”

Next up will be City Planning, HR and Mat-Com.

A second special council meeting is scheduled for December 4, when reports from the Library, Finance, Public Works, Public Safety, and Deputy Administrator will be presented.