Livable Communities program among topics discussed at Palmer City Council meeting

PALMER — The Palmer City Council voted unanimously to name the unnamed peak next to Mount POW/MIA as Gold Star Peak, among other hotly contested items at their bi-monthly meeting at Palmer City Hall on Tuesday.

Emotional testimony was given on many topics, but none more moving than in support of the naming of the peak. Gold Star Families are families of those who have lost loved ones in war, and the resolution will move on to Juneau before then making it to Washington D.C., if passed.

City Hall was nearly at capacity to start the meeting. After Board of Economic Development Chair LaMarr Anderson gave his report, Rachel Greenberg, of Mat Su Senior Services, and Stephanie Allen gave a presentation regarding “Livable Communities,” an AARP program. The council had heard a presentation in March on the same program, and while there was support from newly elected Councilwoman Sabrena Combs and Pete LaFrance, who urged the council to at least vote on whether or not to proceed with the program, many board members were skeptical of the benefits of the undertaking, as well as the costs to the city.

"AARP is a political organization. Any tie is not appropriate," said Mayor Edna DeVries, near the end of the presentation.

Public comment was heard from those who supported, as well as those who were in favor.

"It makes our city much more attractive," said Combs, who, along with returning Councilman Brad Hanson, won an election that was too close to call on election day, and went down to the questioned and absentee ballots. Combs replaces three-term Councilwoman and Deputy Mayor Linda Combs. Richard Best was elected the new Deputy Mayor, with Steve Carrington the alternate Deputy Mayor.

Kenni Psenak-Linden, who was on the losing side of the election, spoke at the meeting under public comment to address what she had heard from the people of the city of Palmer during her campaign. She highlighted recycling, connecting bike paths, term limits, a youth center, and a limit to negative campaign dialogue.

Palmer added a new fee structure to the Bud Woods Memorial Airport, increasing fees for larger aircraft, but still remaining cheaper than many other small airports within the state.

The council also voted to authorize City Manager Nathan Wallace negotiate a contract with Wolverine Supply for upgrades to the Department of Public Works Warehouse.

Contact Frontiersman freelance writer Tim Rockey at timothy.rockey@gmail.com.