Palmer finance director appointed interim city manager

Palmer’s city council appointed Gina Davis, the city’s finance director, as interim city manager at its Tuesday meeting, June 11.

Davis will take over temporarily when current manager John Moosey retires on June 17. She will act as manager until a permanent manager is hired. Davis has worked for the city for several years and is well experiences, Mayor Steve Carrington said.

“I believe Gina Davis is the right choice, at this time, to be our interim city manager. As Finance Director Gina already has a great context to oversee the city departments and I think she can impartially work with all the directors,” Carrington said.

Meanwhile, applications for the permanent position have meanwhile closed as of June 8, Moosey told the council on Tuesday. There are more than 10 vying for the job. Going through the applications and interviewing candidates will take time, and it is not certain how long this will take.

In other developments, Moosey told the council that the city’s property and casualty insurance has been renewed with a 15 percent increase, a cost he felt is reasonable. Last year the city saw a 30 percent increase, he said.

In routine business, the council authorized the city to extend a contract with Alaska Communications Service for a year, from June 30, 2024 to June 30, 2025. In another action the council approved a “no objection” recommendation for a package store liquor license for the Fred Meyer store in Palmer.

The state requires municipalities to review and approve liquor license applications and transfers of licenses.

New city water service was approved for two properties. One is for Breezy Meadows Multifamily Development on Scott Road in Palmer. The project is just outside Palmer’s city limits.

The Boutet Company of Wasilla is developing the project on a five-acre parcel on behalf of the owners. Seventy six new housing units in several buildings are planned.

A second is for a property on Margaret Drive where property owners are planning to develop a commercial greenhouse and plant nursery business.