Meta Rose Still For Sale

WASILLA-The Wasilla City Council amended it’s code to clarify worker insurance, amended the budget to fix flooring in Meta Rose Square, and then passed a resolution to lease a space in Meta Rose Square for one year.

The Council voted unanimously to pass ordinance 18-07 “ Amending Wasilla Municipal Code 3.60.090(B), Health, Life, Disability And Other Benefits, To Clarify When An Employee Is Eligible For Coverage Pursuant To The Policy Or Policies In Effect At The Time Of Employment.” The ordinance clarifies when an employee is covered under insurance at said occupation. Some confusion had been hashed out during the board discussion.

The Council then passed ordinance 18-08, which began the meeting’s running commentary on the state of Meta Rose Square and the City of Wasilla’s hand in downtown business. The council passed the ordinance 6-1, with Tim Burney as the only opposition. Stuart Graham and Burney commented at different stages of the meeting on when the City would sell Meta Rose Square, a property purchased in 2009. The city is currently seeking a buyer for the property. The $15,000 the council voted to appropriate in a budget amendment will go to new flooring prior to the new tenants moving in for business. However, one of the heaters to the building is without a heat exchanger and that part has not been replaced, so the building has been running on one heater.

“It’s time to stop dumping money into this facility and it’s time to sell this facility,” said Burney. “I don’t think the city should be in competition with the private sector. I don’t think we should be in the commercial market at all. As equipment ages it can turn into the proverbial money pit over time and that’s what we’re trying to avoid.”

The cost of flooring is $15,000 but the money the City of Wasilla brought in by leasing the space to Yoga OM Alaska was $21,593. Mayor Bert Cottle noted that the parking lot for Meta Rose Square is the only one on it’s street with an appropriately aligned parking lot. Graham mostly agreed with Burney.

“It’s a challenge for us to sell and a challenge for a buyer to develop. That is a desirable location in town and we’re looking for the right developer come up with right plan and take the property off our hands for a reasonable number...While there is considerable debate about whether we ought to be in the business of managing a building or not, the fact is we do own the building and we have a fiduciary responsibility to maximize the income from that building,” said Graham.

Graham was pleased to see audience members there to partake in local government even though he compared it to watching paint dry. Members encouraged local business owners to take a look at the proposed amendments to sales tax and voice their concerns as the board takes that up on their agenda Feb 26. The Parks and Recreation department detailed their successful ASAA/First National Bank Division 1 High School Hockey State Tournament which brought 6,000 people through the doors of the Menard Sports Center where the tournament has been held for the last 12 years. The Parks and Rec dept will also review lease agreements for the Bumpus recreation area. Mayor Cottle gave his reports on testimony he gave on House Bill 287 and relayed the wishes of the City that they would fund education early in the session so they did not have to give pink slips to good teachers. Mayor Cottle also questioned the Wasilla Police Chief on their policy on handheld devices while driving. The Chief stated that there is a policy in effect.

Kate Thoden, chair of the Christmas Friendship Dinner, thanked the council for their help. In it’s 26th year, the Christmas Friendship Dinner served 5,100 people with more than 600 volunteers.

“It wouldn’t be if it weren’t for all those who care. I have Immense gratitude and connecting is what makes our Valley so meaningful to this region. It all started with a few extra turkeys 26 years ago,” said Thoden.