MEA, veterans' memorial among topics at Wasilla City Council meeting

WASILLA — The Wasilla City Council heard a variety of comment from the public concerning two controversial measures that have been passed recently.

Those who do not support the moving of the Veterans’ Wall of Honor to a site near the new Wasilla Police Department came out to voice their opinion, and the plastic bag ban that took effect July 1 still has some kinks to work out.

The council heard a presentation from MEA Director of External Affairs Juile Estey, who detailed MEA’s six-year clearing plan along the power lines, and the question over who owns the wood that MEA crews clear. Estey thanked Joan Klapperich, as MEA held it’s member meeting at the Menard Center for the first time ever. MEA is also switching out its meters in the Valley and have nearly completed the process. The new meters have two-way communication for further information during outages. Much of the discussion was centered around the clearing project that happens once every six years.

“Clearing is the most visually impactful, single biggest thing we do to keep the lights on,” said Estey.

Trees smaller than three inches in diameter get ground up by a Fecon forestry mulcher machine, and the rest is cleared away later. Board members discussed that in the past, citizens have come onto their private property to get their hands on the wood cleared by the MEA crews. Estey stressed that while the wood was available, it was up to the property owners to decide what to do with it.

The council voted to pass ordinance 18-22 unanimously. The ordinance cleans up a section in the city’s code concerning how a city council vacancy would be filled. The council also voted to unanimously pass 18-23 and 18-24, which amended the fiscal year budget to allow for the Veterans’ Wall of Honor relocation project. The memorial, which currently sits on the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center property, will be moved to the new Wasilla Police Department as construction commences. The project has had its public opposition since the outset, but Mayor Bert Cottle agreed to provide record of the approval of the move from the veterans groups.

Contact Frontiersman reporter Tim Rockey at tim.rockey@frontiersman.com.