Wasilla City Council signs off on employment contract

WASILLA — Wasilla’s City Council addressed a light agenda at its May 22 regular meeting, acting on several ordinances and resolutions including adopting a 2018 a contract for the city’s non-union workers as well as those represented by Teamsters local 959; and expanding future lot developments for eligible duplex construction.

Resolution 17-18 called for a .85 percent cost-of-living adjustment. Non-unionized employees will move up one step on the salary scale effective July 1, 2017. Per the in-place collective bargaining agreement with the Teamsters, those employees will not realize a step increase.

Passage didn’t come without Mayor Bert Cottle breaking a 3-3 deadlock. Council members Glenda Ledford, Mike Dryden, and Gretchen O’Barr voted to approve the ordinance while Tim Burney, Stu Graham and James Harvey were opposed. Three more ordinances were also approved by the council including three-two-year business leases in the Meta Rose Square facility.

The agenda also included two ordinances—17-09, which was tabled and 17-10, which passed. Ordinance 17-09, intended to allow for additional commercial business signage on properties zoned rural residential if the parcel was on an arterial or collective roadway, was tabled at Graham’s request

Graham said he was not against the ordinance but felt some language and detail clarification was needed before the council took action on it. Councilman Tim Burney had some questions on the ordinance as well, but because it was tabled, he held off until the document comes before the council for action.

Ordinance 17-10 is intended to amend the city code allowing for construction of duplex housing units on rural residentially zoned lots of at least 20,000 square feet with certain stipulations. The first stipulation is that the units must be attached to city sewer or community water source. The second stipulation is that such construction is only for new plotted parcels.

During discussion, it was noted that the change was intended to both protect existing subdivision development and open up future development. City Public Works Director Archie Giddings said there was much public comment from existing subdivision property owners within the city. Cottle said some property owners who purchased land and built a home knowing the existing restrictions limited development, might be concerned about property values if duplex construction was permitted. The council passed the ordinance which was greeted with a smattering of audience applause.

Under his report, Cottle informed the council of a proposed borough-wide tax proposed by the Mat-Su Borough School Board (MSBSD). Still in the planning stages by the district, any action to bring it before the voters would have to be approved by the borough assembly. Cottle said many unanswered questions remain such as will there be a cap? Will the tax sunset? What effect will it have on mat-Su businesses selling large-ticket items?

Cottle also informed the group there is discussion with the state on improving traffic safety along Knik-Goose Bay Road. He said several ideas are on the table including looking for additional state funding for increased police patrol to doubling the number of demerit points issued against a license for any ticketed violations.