Spectrum

Borough, university send out community survey

The Mat-Su Borough and the University of Alaska have joined forces and funding to send a survey to all resident households and non-resident property owners to assess their opinions on a variety of issues. From taxes to services, you will be asked to give your opinion. The results will help the borough assembly, mayor and administration to address issues over the next several years.

The University of Alaskas Institute of Social and Economic Researcher will receive and compile the survey results and turn them over to the borough. The results will be widely published. Also, if you complete the survey and choose to enter your name, youll be eligible for a drawing of 25 prizes provided by businesses in the Valley. Look for your survey in the mailbox next month.

A look at ferry service to and from Anchorage

Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, who has provided $4.5 million in funding to establish ferry service between Port MacKenzie and Anchorage, took a ride across Knik Arm between the two ports with Anchorage Mayor Rick Mystrom and Borough Mayor Darcie Salmon last month. The trip was taken to show how a winter ferry service in ice conditions would work. With outgoing tide in ice conditions, the trip took 12 minutes from Anchorage and eight minutes to return. The voyage impressed all those abroad.

Ferry service could be fully operational by the summer of 01. Mayor Mystrom has retained Peratrovich, Nottingham and Drage Inc. of Anchorage to come up with the best location and concept for the City of Lights ferry terminal.

Core draft zoning plan being considered

The core area (the area between Palmer and Wasilla) zoning committee draft plan is available for public review. The committee will be meeting with the borough planning commission to present the document. Following the committee draft zoning plan, the planning commission shall consider the document and submit their version to the assembly for consideration.

The public participation plan for the draft plan includes several community meetings by borough planning staff and the mailing of two notices about the plan to all property owners in the core area. In the last election, almost 60 percent of the core-area voters said they wanted to consider additional zoning for their area.

Whats happening with the Hatcher Pass resort plan?

Hatcher Pass Development Corp. (HPDC) and the borough are working on a joint-venture agreement to bring to the borough parks committee for review and the assembly for consideration. The joint venture will provide specific details about how the ski resort financing and construction will take place. If all goes well, anticipated start-up is scheduled for January 2002.

Whats important for the borough

The Mat-Su Borough Assemblys state priorities for 2000 include education, school-debt reimbursement, pupil transportation; upgrade and construction of roads; full funding of revenue sharing to avoid a tax increase or service reduction; and the capital matching grant for the Big Lake library.

The assemblys federal priorities are Port Mac, (ferry, rail and road improvements); central landfill, erosion control on the Matanuska River; federal income tax credit for school construction; and the Hatcher Pass water, sewer, and road system.

Borough notes

At the annual meeting of the Alaska Municipal League, the Mat-Su Borough won Awards for Excellence for Effective Government and Public Participation. These awards are recognition from peers who have honored our mayor, assembly, administration and staff who strive every day to be worthy of those awards. Working together does make a difference.

Mike Scott is the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Manager.