Mat-Su Assembly approves on-line auction for sale of tax-foreclosed property June 22

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly ticked through a mainly routine business agenda at its meeting Tuesday, April 16.

Among various approvals and amendments to contracts the assembly okayed the sale of about 40 foreclosed properties in the borough on which past taxes are due. The sale, scheduled for June 22, will also be held on-line for the first time although in-person bidding will also be allowed, according to action taken by the assembly.

Award of the property will go to the highest bidder. This is different than the sealed-bid auction, also to highest-bidders, the results which takes more time to process. However, there is a cost to do the on-line bidding estimated at about $40,000.

One action taken by the assembly was to remove two properties from the list scheduled for sale, for one year, due to personal hardships of the former property owners. The action means only that the sale will not happen but taxes, interest and penalties continue until the tax liability if paid.

If the taxes are not paid the properties will be sold in the borough’s next auction of foreclosed property.

On another matter, the dates for three public hearings on the borough’s proposed budget for its next fiscal year beginning July 1 will be held in Willow on April 23, in Wasilla April and in Palmer in the borough assembly chamber on April 30.

On other matters, the assembly was informed on the conclusion of a contract with Pinnacle Construction Inc. for $493,620 for water storage design project.

The assembly also approved the acceptance by ordinance of several grants:

• $97,000 from the Alaska Department of Military Aid and Veteran’s Affairs to reduce the risk of a future cyber attack at the borough

• $30,625.66 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster relief for the January, 2022 Mat-Su windstorm damage along with $10,208.55 from the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management

• $147,203.08 from the National Opioid Settlement Fund, from the Manufacturers and Traders Trust Co., for opioid relief

• $273,039 from the Mat-Su School District to aid construction of the Mat-Su Central School.

Resolutions adopted include:

• Approval for the scope of work and budgets for the Shirley Towne Bridge at Willow Creek Creekbank Hardening and Sushana Drive flood mitigation at the Little Susitna River

• Approval of a list of unincorporated communities to participate in the upcoming FY 2025 Community Assistance Program

• Establishment of the Minimum of Funding from local sources for the Mat-Su School District

• A change in the Scarsella Bros Inc. contract for the Central Landfill Grading Project, adding $94,338 for grading of the compost and tire recycling area in the landfill

• A contract award of $732,967.70 to the Alaska Resources Group, also known as D&S Road Service for the Greater Willow Road Service Area

• A contract award of $737,563.40 to the Alaska Resource Group, also known as D&S Road Service, for road maintenance in the Greater Talkeetna Road Service Area

• A $1,771,885 contract for Meadow Lakes Road Service Area annual maintenance to Northern Asphalt Construction Inc.

• A $2,259,377 contract to Northern Asphalt Construction Inc. for Gold Trail Road Service Area maintenance

• A contract amendment to Wolf Architecture to extend completion of design for the Gateway Visitor Center to October, 2024

• A $488,470 contract to construct fish passages at Settlers Bay Drive at Crocker Creek

• A $873,356 contract to Northern Asphalt Construction Inc. to construct North Erica Drive road improvements

• $2,733,125.65 to Ahtna Construction & Primary Products Co. LLC to reconstruct West Lakes Boulevard