Phew- that was a bit complex. The Comprehensive Plan was up for approval last night. Two members (David Stone and Jeff Bush) were absent. And you need 5 votes to pass anything, regardless of how many people are attending.
We spent a good while hearing testimony about why Montana Creek stream buffers should be at 500 feet rather than the Borough norm of 200. This proposal, sponsored by Trout Unlimited had been based on a scientific study and had done the rounds of various city committees and commmissions for almost two years. At the end it was approved by the Planning Commission who sent it to the Assembly. In the Committee of the Whole it was reduced to 200 feet, I proposed to move it back to 500 as a result of sound science and a broad public process. Four members voted in favor (Doll, Dybdahl, Botelho and me) while three opposed (Sanford, Wanamaker and Chambers). But without five votes it did not pass. Later I gave notice of reconsideration, so it could be voted on again once Mr. Bush and Mr. Stone are there.
Mr Sanford made a motion to include support for the Road in the Plan, but then moved to table it because he could not be sure of 5 votes. So the whole Comprehensive Plan is tabled until the next Assembly Meeting October 20. In the meantime I suggested that the Trout Unlimited Study be presented to the Assembly at an intervening Committee of the Whole Meeting October 13, and that was accepted (albeit a bit grudgingly by Mr. Wanamaker).
The other factor is that on October 20 we swear in any new Assembly members elected oin the October 7th elections.
So I hope that clears things up.....:)
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Monday update and Tonight's Assembly
One more forum: Wednesday at 5:30 at DZ is a candidate forum sponsored by the National Education Association (NEA). I'll have to leave early to teach my Wednesday evening class.
I was interviewed by APRN for a segment on Ethics that was broadcast this past weekend. The hour-long program is archived at http://www.akradio.org/archive/index.html. My segment is near the end.
Tonight the Assembly will probably adopt the Transportation Development Plan. We will also have a hearing and possibly adopt the new Comprehensive Plan which will guide Juneau's development for the next 10-12 years. It has been reviewed by many groups and gone over line by line by the Planning Commission for the past year. The Assembly has spent 3 meetings examining it and amending bits and pieces.
The one small piece that I will address tonight is stream buffers on Montana Creek. A couple years ago Trout Unlimited did a detailed scientific analysis of this anadromous stream and recommended 500 foot buffers on either side of it (other streams on CBJ land have 200 foot setbacks. The setback requirement for development on private land is 50 feet from an anadromous stream). Over the past two years the Trout Unlimited proposal was presented to and approved by the Wetlands Review Board, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and the Planning Commission. It was also reviewed without recommendation by the Affordable Housing Commission, the Assembly Lands Committee and several other groups. In other words, it has gone through the full public process, and then was approved by our Land Use experts- the Planning Commission. However, in the Assembly's final review of the document it was reduced back to 200 feet. I will bring this forward to our public meeting tonight and have invited members of Trout Unlimited, the Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation and others to present the case. I truly hope the Assembly will respect the scientific analysis and public process.
I was interviewed by APRN for a segment on Ethics that was broadcast this past weekend. The hour-long program is archived at http://www.akradio.org/archive/index.html. My segment is near the end.
Tonight the Assembly will probably adopt the Transportation Development Plan. We will also have a hearing and possibly adopt the new Comprehensive Plan which will guide Juneau's development for the next 10-12 years. It has been reviewed by many groups and gone over line by line by the Planning Commission for the past year. The Assembly has spent 3 meetings examining it and amending bits and pieces.
The one small piece that I will address tonight is stream buffers on Montana Creek. A couple years ago Trout Unlimited did a detailed scientific analysis of this anadromous stream and recommended 500 foot buffers on either side of it (other streams on CBJ land have 200 foot setbacks. The setback requirement for development on private land is 50 feet from an anadromous stream). Over the past two years the Trout Unlimited proposal was presented to and approved by the Wetlands Review Board, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and the Planning Commission. It was also reviewed without recommendation by the Affordable Housing Commission, the Assembly Lands Committee and several other groups. In other words, it has gone through the full public process, and then was approved by our Land Use experts- the Planning Commission. However, in the Assembly's final review of the document it was reduced back to 200 feet. I will bring this forward to our public meeting tonight and have invited members of Trout Unlimited, the Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation and others to present the case. I truly hope the Assembly will respect the scientific analysis and public process.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Campaign Obsession
It is really hard to relax and try to keep perspective during this last frenzy of the Assembly campaign. I keep telling myself to remember that most people don't even know our names, let alone what the issues are. On the other hand, that is why they elect us-- to focus on issues that citizens don't have the time for.
Campaigney type stuff--- Just finished the Chamber of Commerce forum. Next week is a Wednesday 10:20 am Capital Chat debate between me and my opponent Karen Taug. I believe we will be expected to ask questions of one another. Thursday noon at ANB hall is the Tlingit Haida Candidate forum. I got a call yesterday about a JDHS forum for next Monday, but won't be able to attend. My radio spots are running on KINY. Next week I'll run them on KSUP and Taku-105 for a week. I took out some print ads in the Empire for next week and a Capital Weekly ad. This is what your campaign contributions go for. I committed to staying under $5,000 and I am at $4,400 right now. I'll probably take out one or two more Empire ads with endorser names. That will take me to my limit. Is that more than anybody wanted to know?
It's been interesting to listen to the questions we have been asked at the various forums. There is no strong theme this year. I think the one repeat question is affordable housing. We also have had a couple on stimulating the economy, a couple on childcare, and a couple on the problem of vagrancy.
We had a Committee of the Whole meeting Wednesday to finish up our review of the Comprehensive Plan and the final draft is posted at http://www.juneau.org/cddftp/documents/2008DraftCompPlanAssemblyReview09.24.pdf We will have a public hearing on the plan at our Monday 9/29 meeting. If you have ANY final comments we need to hear them ASAP. Or you can come testify Monday night.
Campaigney type stuff--- Just finished the Chamber of Commerce forum. Next week is a Wednesday 10:20 am Capital Chat debate between me and my opponent Karen Taug. I believe we will be expected to ask questions of one another. Thursday noon at ANB hall is the Tlingit Haida Candidate forum. I got a call yesterday about a JDHS forum for next Monday, but won't be able to attend. My radio spots are running on KINY. Next week I'll run them on KSUP and Taku-105 for a week. I took out some print ads in the Empire for next week and a Capital Weekly ad. This is what your campaign contributions go for. I committed to staying under $5,000 and I am at $4,400 right now. I'll probably take out one or two more Empire ads with endorser names. That will take me to my limit. Is that more than anybody wanted to know?
It's been interesting to listen to the questions we have been asked at the various forums. There is no strong theme this year. I think the one repeat question is affordable housing. We also have had a couple on stimulating the economy, a couple on childcare, and a couple on the problem of vagrancy.
We had a Committee of the Whole meeting Wednesday to finish up our review of the Comprehensive Plan and the final draft is posted at http://www.juneau.org/cddftp/documents/2008DraftCompPlanAssemblyReview09.24.pdf We will have a public hearing on the plan at our Monday 9/29 meeting. If you have ANY final comments we need to hear them ASAP. Or you can come testify Monday night.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Candidate Forum, Voting, Pool
Somebody was telling me the other day how frustrated they were to not know of various things happening. There is so much going on--it is tough to keep up.
Tonight the Planning Commission has their regular meeting beginning at 7pm and including a hearing on the Aquatic Center to be built at Diamond Park
http://www.juneau.org/plancomm/Agenda092308.php
Wednesday evening (9/24) 7:00 pm is the League of Women Voters candidate forum at City Hall.
http://juneaulwv.org/ You can come down for the face to face-- or you can listen to it on KTOO radio or internet stream http://www.ktoo.org/. I believe KATH TV will be taping for broadcast at a later time. Please attend or listen in.
Last Sunday the Empire printed its Juneau Voters Guide with bios, and Q&A from all the candidates for Assembly and School Board. You can find it all at http://www.juneauempire.com/elections/
Today is the last day to apply for an absentee ballot-- but you can vote right now at City Hall or the Mendenhall Mall. Get it done! Vote now!
http://www.juneau.org/clerk/elections/2008/2008-Absentee_Info.php
Tonight the Planning Commission has their regular meeting beginning at 7pm and including a hearing on the Aquatic Center to be built at Diamond Park
http://www.juneau.org/plancomm/Agenda092308.php
Wednesday evening (9/24) 7:00 pm is the League of Women Voters candidate forum at City Hall.
http://juneaulwv.org/ You can come down for the face to face-- or you can listen to it on KTOO radio or internet stream http://www.ktoo.org/. I believe KATH TV will be taping for broadcast at a later time. Please attend or listen in.
Last Sunday the Empire printed its Juneau Voters Guide with bios, and Q&A from all the candidates for Assembly and School Board. You can find it all at http://www.juneauempire.com/elections/
Today is the last day to apply for an absentee ballot-- but you can vote right now at City Hall or the Mendenhall Mall. Get it done! Vote now!
http://www.juneau.org/clerk/elections/2008/2008-Absentee_Info.php
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Campaign thoughts
For the Assembly, a campaign is a very short "sprint." We file for candidacy about two months before the election, but things don't get going until about 3-4 weeks before the vote-- meaning about now. I've written lots of letters and emails to people. I have pounded in yard signs across the Borough. I've done a lot on my own in order to keep costs down. Plus I have all the flyers and signs I didn't use last time. That helps. I've had a bunch of people express their willingness to help and I sure appreciate that. Plus, my campaign manager, Joan Cahill, has been wonderful.
Anyhow- we are doing 2-3 candidate forums each week and we get to hear all the other candidates answer the same questions we are answering. There is not a whole lot of disagreement, more like a difference in emphasis. Candidate forums are challenges because you must introduce yourself and answer questions within a very limited time. Yesterday's Rotary Club gathering was especially challenging because all responses were limited to 1 minute. That is tough.
Today I went down to KINY and recorded a bunch of 30 second radio spots. Again, very tough. I wanted to try and address issues rather than just say "Vote for Me!" and that is quite a challenge. I hope I hear some feedback from folks when they hear them.
Feedback - ah yes -- I still have no idea if I am writing this only to myself. No comments have been posted, nor has anyone said anything to me about this Assembly Diary. So who knows.
Today is Constitution Day. That is something I would like to celebrate. I continue to be amazed by the genius of our founders who constructed this document that has lasted 221 years. Most people don't realize what an accomplishment that is. When I took office as an Assembly member I took an oath to uphold the constitutions of Alaska and the United States. I take that oath very seriously. Government by the people, for the people and of the people is something that doesn't happen without continual struggle. I hope you feel it is worth your time and effort to work on this with me.
Anyhow- we are doing 2-3 candidate forums each week and we get to hear all the other candidates answer the same questions we are answering. There is not a whole lot of disagreement, more like a difference in emphasis. Candidate forums are challenges because you must introduce yourself and answer questions within a very limited time. Yesterday's Rotary Club gathering was especially challenging because all responses were limited to 1 minute. That is tough.
Today I went down to KINY and recorded a bunch of 30 second radio spots. Again, very tough. I wanted to try and address issues rather than just say "Vote for Me!" and that is quite a challenge. I hope I hear some feedback from folks when they hear them.
Feedback - ah yes -- I still have no idea if I am writing this only to myself. No comments have been posted, nor has anyone said anything to me about this Assembly Diary. So who knows.
Today is Constitution Day. That is something I would like to celebrate. I continue to be amazed by the genius of our founders who constructed this document that has lasted 221 years. Most people don't realize what an accomplishment that is. When I took office as an Assembly member I took an oath to uphold the constitutions of Alaska and the United States. I take that oath very seriously. Government by the people, for the people and of the people is something that doesn't happen without continual struggle. I hope you feel it is worth your time and effort to work on this with me.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Airport
Quick Note!!
This Friday 9/19 from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm the public is invited to review the current design for the remodeling of the Juneau Airport. The designs will be posted in the Aurora conference room at the airport.
This Friday 9/19 from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm the public is invited to review the current design for the remodeling of the Juneau Airport. The designs will be posted in the Aurora conference room at the airport.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Election Update
It's a little more than three weeks until the municipal election (October 7) . It's very difficult in a general election year for the local election to get much interest. People are much more interested in the national race-- particularly given Governor Palin's nomination. There are also no particular issue drivers this year-- no big school projects, no initiatives. The only proposition is a rather small bond issue to build a DZ covered play area (vote for it-- the state has committed to pay 70%). So there are no special interest groups out there pushing this or that proposition.
In the Assembly races only 2 of the 3 seats are contested (Merrill Sanford is unopposed). And there are the school board elections -- three candidates for two seats. All these are important, but they really aren't generating huge amounts of interest.
We still go through the regular series of candidate forums. Last week there were two: the Retired Public Employees Association and the Juneau Bar Association. Next week is the downtown Rotary Club, the SE Builders Association, and a Nugget Mall Candidate day. The following week is the Downtown Business Association, the League of Women Voters and the Chamber of Commerce. The big one is the League of Women Voters on the 24th because that will be broadcast. Make sure to tune in.
In the Assembly races only 2 of the 3 seats are contested (Merrill Sanford is unopposed). And there are the school board elections -- three candidates for two seats. All these are important, but they really aren't generating huge amounts of interest.
We still go through the regular series of candidate forums. Last week there were two: the Retired Public Employees Association and the Juneau Bar Association. Next week is the downtown Rotary Club, the SE Builders Association, and a Nugget Mall Candidate day. The following week is the Downtown Business Association, the League of Women Voters and the Chamber of Commerce. The big one is the League of Women Voters on the 24th because that will be broadcast. Make sure to tune in.
Whale update
On 9/8 the Assembly reconsidered using sales tax money to fund the whale sculpture. First it considered using marine passenger fees to fund the sculpture, despite the fact that the City Manager and the City Attorney and a Cruise Lines representative said they did not think the fees could be used for that. That vote lost 5-4. Then the Assembly unanimously voted down the original motion to use sales tax for the sculpture.
I voted against using city money for construction of the sculpture both times. The Assembly previously said it would pay for site work and maintenance, but the sponsoring group came back and said their fundraising had not been as successful as expected and they needed money to "jump start" the donations. I did not think that was a good enough reason to change our original commitment (not to mention the legal advice against using marine passenger fees). Most importantly, the feedback I heard from citizens ran 100-1 against funding the sculpture. Citizen preferences should drive Assembly decisions. While I know there were many who did not express their opinions, this response was overwhelming and it came from all sides of the political spectrum.
I voted against using city money for construction of the sculpture both times. The Assembly previously said it would pay for site work and maintenance, but the sponsoring group came back and said their fundraising had not been as successful as expected and they needed money to "jump start" the donations. I did not think that was a good enough reason to change our original commitment (not to mention the legal advice against using marine passenger fees). Most importantly, the feedback I heard from citizens ran 100-1 against funding the sculpture. Citizen preferences should drive Assembly decisions. While I know there were many who did not express their opinions, this response was overwhelming and it came from all sides of the political spectrum.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Regular Assembly Meeting tomorrow- 9/8
There is an awfully lot going on at the local level. Unfortunately, it is being eclipsed by national politics and elections in general. Things are happening that YOU need to know about. Ordinances for public hearing tomorrow include authorizing the manager to negotiate purchase on land on telephone hill for a parking garage. I have moved from lukewarm support, to semi-opposition. Let me explain why. The land on telephone hill was designated to be a capitol complex. If we purchase the land, I believe we are telling the state we are OK that they will not build the capitol there. Our agreement with them should be that we will build a garage on their land, which will be given to them upon the construction of a capitol building. We should not abolish the loan we gave them that has increased to 6+ million. That is one of our few pieces of leverage and we should not give it up.
Tomorrow night also has an ordinance on Auke Lake motorized vehicle use. And while not on the official agenda, the issue of the whale sculpture will come back for reconsideration. I continue to oppose use of city dollars to construct the sculpture at this time. And I want to know more details about costs for siting and maintenance.
Despite this stuff- probably THE most important issue is the new Comprehensive Plan for Juneau. The draft has been reviewed for more than a year by the Planning Commission and is now before the Assembly. It will guide Juneau building and development for the next 12 years. Citizens should view the plan and provide feedback to the Assembly.
http://www.juneau.org/cddftp/CompPlanUpdate.php
Citizens should also be aware that we are reviewing proposals for upgrading Capital Transit. http://www.juneau.org/capitaltransit/tdp-info.php We need citizen support if we are to increase our bus service. Please write us.
Tomorrow night also has an ordinance on Auke Lake motorized vehicle use. And while not on the official agenda, the issue of the whale sculpture will come back for reconsideration. I continue to oppose use of city dollars to construct the sculpture at this time. And I want to know more details about costs for siting and maintenance.
Despite this stuff- probably THE most important issue is the new Comprehensive Plan for Juneau. The draft has been reviewed for more than a year by the Planning Commission and is now before the Assembly. It will guide Juneau building and development for the next 12 years. Citizens should view the plan and provide feedback to the Assembly.
http://www.juneau.org/cddftp/CompPlanUpdate.php
Citizens should also be aware that we are reviewing proposals for upgrading Capital Transit. http://www.juneau.org/capitaltransit/tdp-info.php We need citizen support if we are to increase our bus service. Please write us.
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