Permanent Registration Lives: Borough Assembly votes to extend

PALMER — The Mat-Su Borough Assembly voted Tuesday to extend the permanent registration for vehicles indefinitely, removing the sunset clause that had previously been attached to the bill upon completion. The Assembly also heard testimony on two disasters currently plaguing the Valley: Cyber attacks on the Borough’s computers, and flooding due to recent heavy rainfall. Assemblyman Jim Sykes, the acting Mayor in Vern Halter’s absence, also awarded the Assembly with commendations for their role in the Smoke Free Workplace bill.

Borough Manager John Moosey made a declaration on July 31 that the Borough was declaring an emergency so that state funding would be available for assistance as IT staff, consultants, and the FBI Cyber Crimes Unit work to rid Borough hardware of their ailments. Assemblyman Randall Kowalke asked Wyatt if and when the computers at the center of the Borough’s wheel in Palmer, would be operational, and when to expect outer areas of the Valley to regain service.

Wi-Fi and printing services at libraries in Willow, Trapper Creek, and Talkeetna are still as of yet unavailable. Assemblyman Dan Mayfield suggested to Wyatt that as IT staff rebuilds servers, they keep in mind the attack and make them stronger for the future.

“The bottom line is the Borough does not have area wide flood management authority,” Public Works Director Terry Dolan said.

Dolan detailed minor flooding on Monday at Eska Creek, Sheep Creek, the Little Susitna River and the Talkeetna River. Dolan stated that four different rivers were in the action stage, just below flooding: the Talkeetna River at Railroad Bridge, The Kashwitna River near Willow, the Little Su below Hatcher Pass, and Moose Creek near Sutton. Dolan went on to reiterate that the Borough can defend roads and property it owns, but cannot protect private property, and that the flood management authority lies with the Army Corps of Engineers. The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory through Wednesday morning at 10:45 a.m., and with continued precipitation, fall floods may not be over.

Mat-Su Borough School District Superintendent Monica Goyette addressed the board prior to new business to discuss the student projections for the 2018-2019 school year. Though MSBSD was at 14,800 as of Tuesday night, Goyette said that 800-1,000 students may enroll each day until grades 1-12 start on August 16. Goyette’s official projection is at 19,040 students, and she said that they could possibly go over that. Goyette described the projections as a good economic assessment for where the Valley is at the start of the school year.

The incredibly popular ‘Z tags’ permanent registration was introduced with a sunset clause to expire in 2018. The assembly voted 5-1 to remove the sunset clause and extend the availability for permanent registration of vehicles indefinitely. Assemblymen Leonard, Sykes, Mayfield, Kowalke, and McKee voted for the ordinance, with Assemblywoman Barbara Doty opposed.

“I’d like to understand from the finance department whether we made money or lost money by each individual area,” Sykes said.

Sykes moved to postpone the vote until the next meeting so that the Road Service Area board could provide input as well.

“I like the concept. I don’t like the idea that we’re continuing indefinitely. I like the concept of extending it one more year to get better data,” Doty said.

Doty explained her no vote as a request for more information.

“I absolutely support removing the sunset provision in here. I think it’s aimed at an audience that has very much benefitted, by folks who can’t afford to be licensing these older vehicles. I think an onerous tax,” Kowalke said.

The Assembly voted to postpone their vote on OR 18-021 amending racetrack regulations, as the Andersen family who worked to amend the ordinance is out of state racing.

Acting Mayor Sykes congratulated the Mat-Su Miners on winning the Top of the World Series for a third concecutive year.