Wasilla council debates museum ordinance

WASILLA — Passage of a resolution intended to give Wasilla’s Dorothy Page Museum and Visitors Center and the Wasilla-Knik-Willow Creek Historical Society (WKWCHS) board and related Dorothy Page Museum more self-control and as Wasilla Mayor Bert Cottle explained it, remove several layers of bureaucracy, caused some confusion at Monday evening’s Wasilla City Council meeting.

City Ordinance 16-32 gave the center its own governance and removed it from under the city’s Department of Recreation Services umbrella. It also removed reference to the WKWCHS and the city’s Parks and Recreation commission regarding the appointment of museum director and sets up the center as its own branch. Prior to adopting last night’s ordinance, policy was for the public library and museum directors to report to the Menard Center director. Cottle said with the adoption, each is its own separate entity adding none of this was done without informing all involved.

Confusion on just what the ordinance did and didn’t do came from several city council members as well as members of the public. Discussion on the topic went on for about a half-hour before the council unanimously approved document. Cottle said the resolution is nothing more than a cleanup of language. He said he was confident that most everyone was clear on the document which he felt would do what’s best for all involved parties.

He referenced a Nov. letter from 4 WKWCHS President Robin Robert where she stated the society gives full approval to the resolution and that the group will focus all efforts on its business. Robert went on to say that the society looks forward to working with the city on its upcoming centennial celebration.

Cottle said that the move is not intended to be a reflection on anyone involved in any department. He said the move give the center more leeway and will allow it to expand as it sees fit without added layers of bureaucracy. The mayor said the city is on no way backing out on supporting the center.

He noted that it has already budgeted $250,000 over a three-year period for historic preservation. Cottle said plans are to relocate the center next door to the old public library facility which will nearly triple existing floor space. The current museum building will be returned to its former and original use — a community, Cottle said.

After hearing from colleagues David Wilson and Gretchen O’Barr, as well as several audience members seeking clarification on the resolution, Councilman Tim Burney said he felt there were some legitimate clarity concerns. He questioned whether or not the city had done enough to explain the document. Burney said the document was confusing on its first read adding he wasn’t saying anything needed to be changed, but the resolution’s intent could be construed.

“I’m not sure what the right answer is,” Burney said.

Colleague Colleen Sullivan-Leonard said she felt the resolution was “...pretty straightforward and clear” and that she’s wanted to see all three entities separate for some time.

The resolution was one of two that included dealings with the Menard complex. Resolution 16-31 added Pederson and Cottonwood Creek parks to the list of those managed by the city and dropped the Curtis C. Menard Memorial Sports Center as a city park.

Wilson questioned if the move would ban camping there during special events. Cottle said the current language was written back in the 2000’s when the center was built. He said the city has added two parks since then and that the center is not really a park. He said the language change like the previous resolution, a cleanup in language and adoption would allow for additional opportunities at the center.

Public Works Director Archie Giddings noted when facility first opened, being a sports complex led to the park designation. He said as events expanded, the center is now an enterprise fund and doesn’t fit well with existing parks use. Seeking guidance, Burney said he understood the resolution is simply an administrative function to clean up the code, has no financial impact to the city whatsoever and is simply housekeeping. Cottle responded in the affirmative.

CPA Joy Merriner addressed the body on the fiscal year 2016 comprehensive annual financial audit. While reviewing the document in three distinctive segments, Merriner said over, the city received a clean, unmodified audit and that all involved in the process did an outstanding job in both managing and helping gather information necessary to complete the document.

Although there were no flags on the audit and Merriner said the city appears to have easily met obligations and is on a steady course for next fiscal year, Councilman and Deputy Mayor Stuart Graham asked tabling approval until the next meeting. He said he was unable to obtain a copy until just prior to the meeting and would like additional time to review it. Since adoption was not time sensitive, his request was approved.

Under his report, Cottle noted that a Dec. 5 special session is on the calendar. He also informed the council that mail delivery service has been expanded out to the airport/ transportation museum area. He said a large cluster box has been installed and Giddings has contacted area businesses informing them of the fact.

On a final topic, Cottle said a recent Alaska Municipal League (AML) discussion on the state’s heroin epidemic, which he helped organize, was well-attended and brought forth plenty of discussion from other AML members. He said because of the deep interest in the subject, he is planning a second one for an upcoming AML session.