Palmer, Wasilla explore connected water distribution, storage

Palmer and Wasilla are exploring a connection to their municipal water systems to provide backup against disruptions like those caused by the early January windstorms.

Both cities suffered damage to water tanks and distribution systems.

Palmer city manager John Moosey briefed the city council on the idea at the March 22 council meeting. Moosey said he is working with Wasilla city administrator Crystal Nygard on a joint-proposal for funding from the federal infrastructure bill passed by Congress last year.

In interview, Moosey said a Wasilla-Palmer water connection was considered a few years ago in a study by HDL, a consultant firm. Conceptually, it would involve a three-mile pipeline to connect both water systems.

The study would have to be updated and a new version of it might also include additions to water distribution systems in both communities to add protections against disruption, Moosey said.

The cost might range to $20 million and there would have to be agreements worked out by both Palmer and Wasilla as to how the sharing of facilities might work.

What sparked the idea of a relook at the connection is that money for improvements to water systems is available in the federal infrastructure bill in grants, but that applications will have to be made.

“Little Palmer doesn’t have much of a chance competing for these grants on its own, but if we team up with Wasilla our chances are greatly improved,” Moosey told Palmer’s council Tuesday.

The state Department of Environmental Conservation will be involved in coordinating rural sanitation and water grants from the federal infrastructure bill and Palmer qualifies as a “rural” community, Moosey said.

The two municipalities have work to do in getting a proposal together before asking the state to help.

On other matters discussed at the council meeting, the council voted to give the city’s approval for a new liquor license for Feather and Flour, on Cobb Street. City approval is required for the state to issue the license.

In his report to the council, Moosey also said the city has worked out an agreement with the state Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to install and maintain a traffic signal at the planned intersection of Felton Street and the Palmer-Wasilla Highway.

Normally, the DOTPF doesn’t maintain traffic signals on city streets but because Palmer doesn’t have personnel trained in the maintenance and the state does, an arrangement was worked out for DOTPF to do it.

In return, the city will take over snow-plowing on certain city streets that is now done by the state, and where the city does have the equipment for the work.

It’s a “win-win,” solution for the traffic light, which is needed to enhace safety, Moosey told the council.

On yet another matter, the council was told that Palmer and Wasilla will sign a “Drug Endangered Children Protection” agreement April 1, establishing a protocol on how police will respond when parents in a home are impaired or disabled by drugs or an overdose and children are present.

A plan has been developed on how police will contact social service agencies to care for the children. A “signing ceremony’ will be held that day at the Menard Center, the council was told.

Also on the community agenda is an aviation flight instructor and noise abatement conference for local aviators and the interested public set for April 8 at the Depot, Palmer’s community center.

With better spring weather approaching there will be an increase in activity at local airports in Palmer and Wasilla, and noise abatement if always a concern for residents living near the airports.

Finally, planning continues on the 2022 “Great Alaska Aviation Gathering” planned at Palmer’s airport and the state fairgrounds May 6, 7 and 8, the city council was told. There were over 22,000 at the 2021 aviation gathering and more are expected this year.