Palmer prepares for Election Day

PALMER — The Palmer City Council voted unanimously to accept nearly a half-million dollars in Federal grant funding for Americans with Disability Act compliance upgrades to sidewalks throughout the city of Palmer.

The council voted to award the design contract to HDL Engineer Consultants for the 2020 ADA sidewalk improvements project not to exceed $41,850. The total pricetag on the sidewalk upgrades is $561,000, with $499,290 awarded by the State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. Palmer City Manager Nathan Wallace could not produce a map of what would be upgraded, because he said that they have yet to decide all of the projects that will receive ADA compliance upgrades, but the maintenance will follow the 2006 Palmer Comprehensive Plan.

“This is to repair the sidewalks that are existing and don’t meet ADA standards, that’s the primary focus,” said Wallace.

Wallace reviewed the valuation of construction permits issued within the city and proclaimed that Palmer had enjoyed it’s second highest month of all time.

“It shows that folks have confidence in Palmer and continue to invest here,” said Wallace.

City Clerk Norma Alley is enjoying her busiest time of the year with Election Day less than a week away. Alley detailed to the council the popularity of early voting. Alley said that 46 early ballots had been cast as of Tuesday evening, the highest number of early ballots ever. Alley reached out to each of the voters that cast their ballots by mail or absentee in the last election, and had a favorable response from Palmer residents unable or unwilling to attend the polls on Oct. 1.

“In Palmer this is really important. Every vote really counts. It’s amazing to me looking back at the history, how close these races are,” said Alley.

Alley had been busy prior to the meeting, with three agenda items centered around changes to boards and commissions. Alley had submitted the changes to each board and received only positive feedback. Ordinance 19-017 amended Palmer Municipal Code pertaining to the Airport Advisory Commission to state that two members must live within city limits, three must have interests in the municipal airport, and the AAC will hold regular meetings. The ordinance states that AAC meetings will be staffed by the manager who is welcome to participate in discussion, but not a voting member. Wallace will also be responsible for providing a recording and minutes of the meetings following the changes.

Ordinance 19-018 amended the name of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Advisory Board to be the Parks and Recreational Advisory Board.

“This agenda item pertaining to the parks, recreation and cultural resources advisory board that this is changing the title and we are dropping the title to PRAB so it’s now the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Out of the title. we are leaving cultural resources but it will still be the responsibility of the parks and rec board to oversee the cultural resources,” said Alley.

Similar administrative changes were applied to the Planning and Zoning Commission in Ordinance 19-019, including that all members must reside within the city. Each ordinance passed unanimously.

Alley will continue her busy week on Tuesday with election day. Current Council members David Fuller, Steve Carrington and Mayor Edna DeVries are all up for reelection.

(Read more about City of Palmer Elections at https://www.frontiersman.com/news/city-of-palmer-election-candidates-share-their-thoughts-about-race/article_791db948-dc04-11e9-a1b7-2b23e03d6640.html)