City Council - Regular Meeting

I will call the name for the commissioner. Yes, sir. Commission member Jackson here. Commission member Hunt present. Commission member Holmes here. Commission member Laty here. Commission member Murphy absent and excused. Commission member Pirion here.

We have a quorum. Thank you very much. Um and Mr. Liam Graham, would you please lead us in the pledge of allegiance? Thank you. Back to the council and the commission. Uh we're at the approval of the agenda. What is the uh wishes of the council and the commission?

Move to approve. Second.

Any any discussion, any concerns, any questions? Um hearing none from either the commission or the council will accept that as approved. Moving gone to audience participation. Um we have three minutes per person limited to a total of total time of not more than 30 minutes. Please sign and state your name 3 minutes per person. Council meeting rules protect your right to testify and be heard even if others in the room disagree with you. Council meeting rules also ensure that those attending can express their views if they do not interfere with the rights of others to see and hear the proceedings at all times. Order and decorum will be maintained in keeping with the civility and dignity of the legislative process. Please be respectful during audience participation. No disruptions to city business or threats of any kind will be allowed. Individuals who cannot follow these guidelines will be removed. Any threats against others could result in criminal prosecution. Again, please sign in. State your state your name and you have three minutes per person.

My name is Bert Verrell. Um seems like a lot of the information we get regarding the golf course um we have we find out that it's not exactly what they said it was. So two weeks ago or two meetings ago this balance sheet showed up with a lot of red numbers that I didn't understand. But to me it looked bad. So I did some checking what this what these red numbers mean. And then the following uh council meeting, the city manager gave us a a page of what these numbers mean. I don't think she understands what these this balance on the bottom number means because she states in her paperwork here that uh some months the short or some years the cash shortfalls exceed $600,000. She's not looking at the bottom line, which is the balance sheet money owed to the general fund beginning in 2018 was approximately $621,000. It has not gone up since that year. In fact, every year has gone down and down and down $150,000 in 21 down 90,000 in 22 down another 100,000 until we reach the 2024 number of $72,271. That's not including the audit unaudited $400,000 surplus that this council had to amend the 2025 budget for because of the overage. So by the time that $400,000 is audited into the 72 though the the red balance on what the golf course owes a general fund will be plus $350,000. And her statement said just up until this last year uh the golf course has been costing money. It has not been costing money. It's been paying down its debt to the tune of a million dollars in the last 8 years according to this

balance sheet on the bottom. So, I was glad I got to talk to some people who understood what that meant and they could explain it to me. And I know you guys don't get all the information. You just get told the FAA wants to close the airport, the liquor boards got us suspended, and we're losing $600,000 a year. So, I just wanted to make sure you heard another person's opinion of what this paperwork actually means because I know you're too busy to look up all that information. You have to rely on your leadership. Anyone else?

Madame clerk, is it do you have anybody on the list? There's a gentleman coming forward. Thank you. get there as fast.

Good. Good evening. It's my first time here. I'm uh pretty nice. Uh anyways, I'm wondering, do we have a commissioner of animal control? And what's your name, sir? Oh, Gary Davis. I'm sorry. Do we I have to tell you that this is not a question and answer period. If you ask questions, they're not going to answer you.

Oh, not even something as a commissioner of a Okay, I'm going to go by thinking we do have one and maybe just ain't here today. And I'd like to talk about this uh dog death thing that went on here since January. People calling in saying these dogs have been mistreated. Uh many of it's been it's on it's it's on the internet on the news. I read it all. My daughter-in-law read it all to me. Since January, people have been complaining about dogs being neglected, not fed, not this, not that. No, I don't. Whoever owned them ran off or did this or did that. And but people in the community were offering to feed these dogs. Some were offering to take them in, but it all went on deaf ears as far as the animal control was concerned. Nobody did jack. And this one fell, Dickinson or Dickerson, whatever his name was, he said that uh don't worry, we're on it. No dogs are going to die on my watch, you know, and that was in uh in March, I believe. Well, here we are now and they're all dead. Some of them they had to chip off the off the ice cuz they were froze to the ground. Now, this is this is Alaska. We don't treat our animals like that. You know, you hit a moose and you break his leg, you don't just throw them off to the side, let him starve to death, you know, you put him out of his misery. And if that's what needed to be done with these dogs, that's fine. You know, that's okay. But that's not what happened. They starve to death. And that's just BS. Now, somebody's responsible for this crap and somebody needs to be held accountable for it. You know, there is uh animal cruelty, federal animal cruelty laws in all 50 states. Alaska is no exception. Maybe even more because of our sled dogs and our mushers and all that. Peter's watching our they watch them all the time, you know. So, I I I just don't understand why anybody, whether it's the

boss or this Dickinson guy or whoever it was, people let this go and it should not have happened. So, I'm just wondering if the council here can look into that, light a fire underneath somebody's butt and let's find some answers. You know, these these these dogs, you know, no way, man. You you let them start, they're froze to the ground. Come on. Unacceptable. Is there there's a burrow assembly meeting happening right now? And that's where they're talking. This is a burrow issue. DID YOU GET OH, OKAY. THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT IT RIGHT NOW. OKAY. WELL, THANKS. You bet.

Can anybody record that? Cuz that was some pretty good stuff. I'll take I'll take you down there with me. Thank you, Mr. D. Thank you. Where's at the bur? Where's that?

Right on. Well, thank you all for listening to me.

Madam Madam clerk, do we have any others? I think we're good. that we're done. I think we're done. All right. So, let's close the uh hearing and then let's move on to new business. Uh new business. We need a motion to go into committee the whole please.

Yes. Hold on. Mayor,

I don't know why. I'm good. No.

Okay. Can you hear us? I can I can hear you. And Okay. And we can hear you. All right. There's always So again, we So again, we need a motion go into committee the whole, please. I move we enter committee as a whole. Second that. All right. Signantra. Any questions, concerns, comments, objections? I can run I can call a roll call vote real quick. Thank you. Mayor Cooper, yes. Deputy Mayor Canra, yes. Council member Allen, yes. Council member Carrington, yes. Council member Collins, yes. Council member Graham, yes. Council member Moer, yes.

Commissioner Member Jackson, yes. Commission Member Hunt, yes. Commission Member Combmes, yes. Commission member Laffy, yes. And Commission Member Pyion, yes. It is unanimous and approved. We're in committee of the whole and I believe that um the director of community development wanted to give a quick introduction.

All right. Good evening, mayor, council members, commissioners, and members of the public. Uh, my name is Nathaniel Lutz. I am the director of community development for the city of Palmer. It is my privilege to introduce the members of our planning and zoning commission and to frame the purpose of our uh tonight's joint meeting. Over the last 18 months, this commission has taken on a significant workload and delivered meaningful outcomes for the community through regular meetings, work sessions, public me hearings. They have advanced updates to our zoning districts, reviewed and acted on conditional use permits and subdivisions, and work through complex land procedures that balance private rights with long-term community goals. They've also leaned into public engagement, ensuring that applicants and residents alike have a clear forum to be heard and that decisions are grounded in both code and community input. The work is not always high-profile, but it's foundational. The commission has helped shape development patterns, supported economic activity with the goal of preserving the character of Palmer in a way that aligns with our comprehensive plan and municipal code. The steady methodical effort is exactly what good planning looks like. Under Pullman Municipal Code, Chapter 2.20, the Planning and Zoning Commission serves as an advisory capacity to the city council on matters of land use development and zoning regulations. They are tasked with reviewing proposed ordinances, making recommendations on the policy, and acting on specific applications within their authority. In short, they are the technical and policy bridge between community vision and the

regulatory implementation. Tonight's joint meeting is intentional. It is to bring together the policymaking body, the city council, and the advisory quas judicial body, planning and zoning commission to align on priorities, clarify expectations, and to ensure consistency in how we approach growth and development. With these two bodies, when these two bodies are in sync, we reduce ambiguity for applicants, improve efficiency and decision-m, and strengthen the public trust in the process. This collaboration is especially important as Palmer continues to see development interest. And as we evaluate potential updates to our code and long range planning efforts, having shared the understanding of roles, responsibilities, and direction allows us to be more proactive rather than reactive. So tonight's meeting is not just a working session to reinforce alignment. Oh, sorry. Tonight is not just a meeting. It's a working session to reinforce alignment, improve the communication, and ultimately serve the residents of Palmer more efficiently. I wanted to thank you for taking the time tonight and uh look forward to it. Thank you.

Thank you. And and now uh Madame Chair, I will turn this part of the meeting over to you. There you go.

Oh, thank you, Mayor Cooper, and thank you, Mr. UTS, for that very um complete and uh thoughtful and uh nice introduction. I'm going to go ahead and read my report um which does kind of cover some of the things that Nate already covered, but just in case you didn't hear it once, you're going to hear it twice. So, and um good evening, mayor, council members, fellow commissioners, staff, and members of the public. Thank you for this opportunity to share a little bit about planning zoning commission. Planning and zoning serves primarily in an advisory role to the city council. Our responsibilities include developing and updating the comprehensive plan, making recommendations to the burough platting board, reviewing development proposals, and acting in a quasi judicial capacity when required, such as during resoning proceedings. Since our last joint meeting in July of 2024, the commission has reviewed 16 plat, completed several key items. We requested and received funding to update the 2006 comprehensive plan and the 2021 annexation and economic analysis report. We also reviewed title 17.89 short regarding short-term rentals. Additionally, we approved a resoning off Airport Way from R1 to CBB commercial business park with special limitations and we reviewed and approved the site plan for the new emergency services facility. We also spent considerable time discussing parking concerns in the central business district. The commission with city uh council approval sought professional assistance to study parking and pedestrian access for Palmer. Respect has completed the study and we have received their final report. The commission also participated in

discussions regarding the DOT Glenn Highway improvements from Arctic to Palmer Fishook. Through our efforts, the project scope was expanded to include improvements to the Alaska Street and Arctic intersection. Looking ahead and that is the next item on the agenda. May I just go ahead? Okay. Okay. Thank you. But looking ahead, our priorities include continuing to advocate for safety improvements on Arctic Avenue from Alaska Street to the bridge over the Matusa River, working on the comprehensive plan update, reviewing the central business district parking study, and moving forward to implement recommendations from the plan. promoting the plan to utilize the railroad corridor north of the depot for community access, recreation, parking, and general enjoyment, development reviews, and supporting city council in their efforts to move ahead with annexation. A tentative date for our next joint planning and zoning and city council meeting could be October 20th, 2026. The planning and zoning commission appreciates the continued collaboration with city council and we look forward to working together to support thoughtful growth and long-term planning for the city of Palmer. Thank you. That is my report. Are there any questions? Okay, then moving on. He would like me to do that, right? Yes. Okay. So, we are going to ask Linda Combmes to give a report on the downtown Palmer railroad corridor uh plan, please. Thank you, Chairman. um to the first paragraph I've written here sounds a lot like me and and this

but um I think a lot of people don't understand exactly what planning zoning does and that's why you you're reading this again that uh we are a causal judicial advisory body that endeavors to assist in the shape the growth and development of our city and includes balancing regulatory compliance community input and long-term planning objectives used to guide sustainable and orderly development. In Palmer, the planning commission demonstrates this role by re reviewing land use applications, conducting public hearings, and making recommendations to city council on zoning and planning matters. In May of 2025, the planning and zoning board directed this their staff to update the previous resolution from the prior year of res to resolution number 25003 to be presented to the city clerk for inclusion on the soonest possible agenda of the Palmer City Council. This resolution refers to the named Downtown Railroad Corridor Plan. included in your packet is an abbreviated format regarding this plan which can be accessed in its entirety on the city of Palmer's website. Um, as somebody commented when I passed out US pictures, I thought it was would be helpful so that you could envision uh what area we're talking about. I always refer to it in my conversations with individuals as think of going outside the train depot and going north. Um and that that pretty much uh estimates it. Um we um we're in and this is in keeping with previous commitments of the city of Palmer uh that would benefit the downtown corer area to receive in some vernacular a facelift um if you will in the direction of a

railroad space traveling north ending where the Palmer skateboard park currently resides resides. It calls for utilization of some already open areas in order to accommodate events and will be used as park-like settings. We also have um a history in the city of Palmer of um promoting having a certain amount of parks. Uh and there's a reason for that. Parks tend to make a community um a lot more memorable and um and beautiful sides. So, uh, the necessary process at this point is for the city council to study the full proposal and send any questions and possible changes back to the commission. Unquestionably, that means a needed discussion with city officials, staff, and the public. My understanding of the current sentiment throughout the community indicates that this is very much needed a very much needed direction to continue to fulfill the community's wishes to maintain the uniqueness of our town. To that end, I would like very much along with my fellow commissioners to encourage the city council to prioritize pri prioritize updating previous comprehensive plans by actions that reflect this continued commitment to the quality of life that is enjoyed here by our residents. I um would uh ask that you you know take these we there was studies done obviously um by Santa and I uh some of these ideas just to give us an idea what could be done with this face. Okay. Because sometimes you just look at it especially after a heavy snowfall and you go duh. You know I wonder if something could go there. Um there's a few things of course that caught my eye in particular when I talk

to individuals about it. I would love to see uh the possibility of um a larger open air market that's that's uh fulltime for example. Um and that's pictured here. Um, it would address in a lot of ways. I like to think of it as think of we we've already worked on the area from where the Palmer of Piner home is towards the depot. We've we've done some stuff with the raising the tracks there. We've um participated in adding different elements that make that a very uh amiable portion of our community and we just need to keep moving forward. Um we we we can't just stand still for example. So uh again this uh I think there's a lot of work that some people would consider very boring believe me. Um, I've uh I've been very proud to be a member of this commission for the last 7 years after having served 9 years on the city council. Uh, I love it because I continue to learn more and that's why I was really pleased that we were able to finally have this um this joint meeting. Back when I was on city council, we had joint meetings much more frequently. And I tell you right now that my personal opinion always was that the commi your commissions and boards are your right hands. They are going into detail and they will be bringing you what you need to do to save you time to continue with your commitment that I know every one of you have to this community. That's enough. If anybody has a question about this in particular, I'd be happy to try to answer it. Yeah, Mr. Mayor, please. Thank you. Uh, thank you,

Commission Member Combmes. Um, some pretty exciting stuff as Palmer gets uh ready to turn 75 next week. I mean, you get uh I when I look at these pictures, I always say pictures with thousand words. It's uh it's exciting things. I'm just wondering whether it's in this Stantech handout or whether it's somewhere. If money was no object, do you have a dollar figure on what it would take to do these nine things that are

No, that was that was that that's on the in the process, you know. Um when when somebody pitches when somebody pictures that we need um we need we need a some movement on something on a project like this, there's a standard process that you go through and we're not to the budget process yet. It's like we were to the in in the point of process the way I understand it is um we took it on because it was proposed. Uh then we send it to you. You come up with your questions and any directions. You send it back to us and we'll be sending it back and forth. And that'll include a request for a budget. Okay? Or with some proposed budgeted amounts. It will also include public hearings. Okay. Because uh the input from our our public is extremely important, our business our downtown business uh owners in particular. But I think it would revitalize um I've I used to drive for 35 years on the north side of Palmer. I used to drive that section, you know, a couple times a day. And I I can I can easily envision it. I I find it exciting, you know. Um I'm sorry I don't have a a good answer for you.

Thanks for the answer. Good education. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yes, please. Um so I just want to say I've never I've never seen this before, but I know that this was one of the things that you guys had been working on. Um you said this was post the the full thing is posted on the city website. It is. Okay.

Yeah. The because it's it's pretty pretty thick. I imagine it looks like they did a lot of work on this. Um I definitely share your excitement because I've have also driven by that a number of times and all I keep thinking is a the veetch is taking over. So it would be it would be really nice to see um some more development in that area and make it more usable cuz right now it's just kind of it it's veetch. It'll eat you. So, um, one of the questions I had was the north section, north section has those edible planters and the community garden and is that also included in uh some of the future plans that Stantech had put together cuz I know that's a really big draw is having um those community gardens all all that kind of thing throughout the summer.

There there's no there was nothing ever proposed to take away anything that's already there. In fact, I was just thinking of those particular planters because I remember when the city of Palmer acquired those. Yeah.

And I can tell you right now, a good friend of mine who happened to at the time was the mayor of Lulu had been over here for a meeting and I got a phone call and said, "Uh, Linda, tell me where whether you can get those. I want those in." And I said, "Sorry, Bert. They're gone. Uh, we got them first, you know, and they're beautiful where we're at." So, but yes, but that you know, but having the skateboard park where it is and stuff and then uh that there's been um a movement as much as possible, a lot of the volunteer movement to improve uh and and my good friend here, Barbara, who walks twice a day in downtown Palmer, she can tell you that that that walkway alone was a huge improvement, you know. So we've taken baby steps and this is like let's take some more steps because we got a obviously wonderful community. It's very unique and we need to keep it growing and uh so that it offers more.

Do we have a plan in place as this evol as the plan for this evolves? Do we have a way of directly involving those kind of stakeholders like the folks that um run stuff out of those planters, the people that currently volunteer? Do we have a way to directly contact those organizations? Are they organizations or is it just like a bunch of random folks that happen to come together all on the same day? Do you What a What a great idea. Um make a note. Um, I I just

to add that to add that uh that would be awesome to add a list and contact uh uh uh we have some awesome community organizations and if they were at least um notified and said, "Hey, we want your input plus your volunteerism." You know, I mean Palmer's Palmer is actually pretty big on volunteerism in my opinion. So, uh but that would be awesome uh to do. Um, I do remember when Gro Palmer was first pitched in this room, this very room actually, and that came from two or three people's I you know, a little tiny bit of help moneywise from the city of Palmer and it got started and it's been in a few places uh before we went to the planners and stuff. So, thank you. That's an awesome idea. I'm going to add that to my list anyway.

Thank you, Mr. Councilwoman Graham. U part of the uh I don't want to call it an issue but a compounding factor of this is that all that property is railroad right away. Um we currently have four leases with the railroad and they I think expired this year and we are in the process of you know renewing those leases and you know for us to go in and and do a lot of work from the depot north uh is going to require obviously railroad um approval. So not that it can't be done. So what I'm understanding is that that land right now we are leasing from the railroad. Yes.

So yes, how do we not do that anymore? The the railroad owns 100 ft on each side of the center of the track even though it's they are not going to give that up at all despite the fact that there is no shot of that ever becoming active again in that area. Mr. Mayor, may I

Right. right? That I mean that's what we've been told. Um and so that's why we are going to we are pushing forward with this plan to you know to actually eliminate the tracks from Depot North and make it I'll call it a park if you will with gazeos and playgrounds and all that other kind of good stuff. If we take the tracks out, then it's no longer the railroad has any stake in it or are they still, you know,

if I might might add because I've I've done it, I can't tell you how many meetings I've been uh in over the last 20 years with the railroad um and whether or not the tracks are going to be used and whether or not they're going to be replaced and stuff like that. Bottom line here, Council Councilwoman Graham, is that um yes, we we would definitely be in conversations with the railroad. Number one, the Alaska State Railroad is not interested in any shape or form in selling their property. Number two, they have no problem with it being developed. A great example, the skateboard park. Um so um yes there would have to be conversations. Yes, we would have some push back because there are some individuals in our community that do not want to see a single track lifted. However, there are ways to also address that in other projects. One project I worked on at one time in the last 10 years or so uh called for making more of a memorial at our uh railroad station, making sure we would we always will honor the history of what the railroad did in Palmer. Nobody's saying that that needs to go away. But I can confidently tell you that a choo choo train is not going to pull up in front of the train depot ever again and let alone go further north. um it's not economically feasible for the Alaska State Railroad. They have no interest in it. They also just don't want to ever not be owners of the land. But again, they've been actually very interesting and adequate to work with.

I guess at some point like do we have squatters rights? Like um that's not really how the world works. I I just I have Oh, my mic's not on. bad. I I hope that we can try and readress that with the railroad again as this moves forward with our plan. Absolutely. Can we bring Can we bring Nate forward? I think he has a little updated information. Yeah. Right. Sure. I don't know.

Yes. We're talking about railroad, right? So, keep in mind right now Keep in mind right now Whittier is in current negotiations with the railroad uh corporation. So it is not off the table. Also the question is is can't we just we can buy it right. Um the railroad, Alaska railroad is getting uh significant lease arrangements by uh leasing that land to us because our infrastructure is actually going along parallel to the tracks. So I don't want to speak for them, but if I was the entity, I wouldn't sell land if I'm making money into perpetuity, right? It's like, well, why would I sell it? because I'm going to make cyclical money every year, right? So that that's my personal hat if I was running the the railroad. Um, so that's that part of it, but it is not off the table. We are currently going through this right now with Whittier. They're in conversations about a land swap. So there it's there. And I think as if I wear my city hat here, I would say that that is a something we really should be paying attention to because that is paramount. The railroad is not in the business of letting go of land. Um, and this type of thing is it's it it it's uh I can't think of the word I'm thinking right now. It's it's you know it it's it's a it sets a precedence, right? Um that hasn't happened before. So, I would say the city of Palmer should very actively watch that because we could technically learn from that transaction and implement it for us. So,

Nate, would you give the commissioners your microphone if they're going to need it eventually? Can we go to Commissioner? Yeah. Go ahead, Liz. You can call in Commissioner Hunt. Oh, Commissioner Hunt. And thank you, Commissioner Holmes. I forgot what I was going to say. I'm so sorry. Was it something about your knowledge of this plan being started?

We've covered a lot of uh ground here facitiously with the railroad and the plan that Linda has explained tonight. Nate is aware of how community development connects with some of the uh organizations that do work on that and it's not totally it's it's been explored and I'm sure he could explain people that help there that want stuff that do stuff that's already in process and it's not something we need to renew. We just need to remind I guess. Yeah.

It I just wanted to let you know that is a process. Awesome. Thank you, Commissioner Hunt. Commissioner, I

I mean, I'd like to just add one thing too that you have to remember that one of the things that if you direct us to pursue this, there's a there's some updating to do. For example, if you might notice on the front page of what I handed you, it talks about library courtyard improvements for amphitheater and plaza. In other words, we've been working on this for a very long time um prior to the collapse of the roof of our library. So, so uh but in the in the meantime, we haven't let it die either. We've continued to add to it and to our knowledge about it. So, but we did want to present it to you um to let you know that this is this is something that we feel strongly the city council needs to know about, give us direction about so that we can together move forward and bring this hopefully to fruition to for the betterment of the community.

Anyone else? Mayor.

Yes. Uh, commissioners, uh, thank you very much for being here tonight. This brings back such fond memories of my serving on, uh, the community, uh, the commission for planning and zoning. Um, one of the things I I really like about this plan is that it gives us ideas to move forward and plan. I really like the idea of the the full-time market um because that's something that we can move off of the railroad corridor area and that was my understanding is that so long we could put things up so long as we could remove them later should the railroad come back and do the uh what they do best and that's rail race. And so um I really like this. I my question to you and probably Nathaniel is are you still working with the uh board of economic development, the airport commission, um parks, cultural and recreation advisory boards to continue with the comprehensive plan and getting their input together.

Will an update? U council member Moer. Uh yes. Um just recently our chair chairwoman attended a board of economic development meeting and uh the thing is is again it's been around as you know for several years now and there's enough of a turnover that they're they're they need a refresher on the plan itself. Uh which um was discussed um at the their last meeting I believe. Um I I'd let the chairwoman explain that a little better if she if she feels the need to. But yes, there's been that connection and obviously we have our awesome staff. They make sure that we talk to each other.

I had a question. Um so on on number five or moving the tracks, that's that's what we're doing there on Arctic uh on not not on Arctic Way on Evergreen right there by the depot. That's happening this summer, right? Yes. Removing removing the tracks and then and leveling that out. And did we did we remove So number three on the other side of the depot, we pulled out tracks over there for that parking area or No, we didn't track there. Not yet. Okay. We But we added we paved more of it right on the other side of the deal. Right.

Okay. All right. Track tracks will also be removed on um up up the road further on Cedar Street crossing from Cedar where the old uh car wash was over to the uh police cop shop. Those tracks will be removed as well. Is that going to happen this summer? It's it's planned to get started. Yes. Okay. All right. Thank you. If I may,

yes. Um, couple of comments. First, I I really like the planning that's been done here. A two elements that um I'm glad we're incorporated in the ideas here. One is the incorporation of the tracks um into usable space. I think is uh would really be appreciated by the community. And the other is looking towards having a space that can be used year round rather than just in the summer. So, something that would be inviting to folks in the winter as well. I think that would really um help to keep downtown vigorous um during the winter months. Um so I thought that was neat. Um I did have one question on number four. Add handcart display. I'm just not sure what that's referring to.

I believe that that's uh I didn't even check that. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. I believe that was part of the discussion of when we were talking about the a memorial um situation at the at the depot itself. There used to be a hand cart that sat there for a while. In fact, um oh, many many years ago, we uh we did little hand cart races, short ones. I'm talking like on the tracks.

Uhhuh. Yeah. Yeah. And so, uh I'm I'm going to I'm going to go with it's there because it's it's part of the discussion that's been held. Again, there's going to be some people are going to come out of the woodwork about removing railroad tracks. They always do. And my my heart aches for them. But uh but the other the other side the other side of it is no one is going to take away from com completely making sure that all future residents all the kids that get raised here that play on the little choo choo um that they know that there was the importance of having the railroad here. Okay. It just outlived its usefulness. Um you know uh I 75 years ago one of the um things that was proposed uh one of the reasons we had the railroad come this way really not only was you know bringing some some of it was for bringing people most of it was the hope had been to use it to uh for agricultural okay that we would that we would have such robust farming community that we would be hauling you know things. So, uh, but you know, plans change. So, um, but we also need to have plans and that's why, uh, we wanted to bring this to you, you guys. Um, it's, like I said, it's been waiting in the wings for a while, and, um, I I really appreciate your your reactions. Um uh I've I've sat through quite a few meetings with um uh Council Member Moer uh and Chairwoman Jackson in particular in regards to this this plan. So

thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Combmes. Is there any other discussion on this? Um, just for our edification, uh, how much are we currently paying for the, uh, railroad rent for those pieces of land that we're we're renting? I don't remember.

I embarrassingly don't know. Um, Jude has been in negotiation as, uh, Mr. Mr. Mayor had discussed. We're in discussion and uh combining those. We have four separate uh lease agreements and we're trying to combine those into a Jude is spearheading that. I don't know the the accurate number so I apologize. So hearing um no other comments on this um I do uh entertain someone to make a motion to come

or we still I apologize. We will go on. Um thank you so much Commissioner Commes and thank you all for your comments, questions. Um I'd like to go on to Arctic Avenue safety with Commissioner Parin, please. Well, good evening. This is council Mayor. Um, I'm here today to talk about Artic Avenue and I want to be direct with you. This is a life and safety issue. Over the past 5 years, we have documented multiple serious crashes on this corridor and we're talking about that area between the Glenn Highway on Arctic all the way to the bridge. Um, over the past five years, the there have been serious crashes on the corridor. Pedestrians struck, head-on collisions, vehicles running red lights, injuring people. The Alaska Department of Transportation formally classified this stretch as a high priority safety improvement zone and that designation, you know, doesn't come lightly. So, what are we dealing with? Arctic Avenue carries somewhere between 10,000 to 17,000 vehicles per day. Speeds routinely run 44 45 to 55 miles an hour. It is an undivided two-lane highway with virtually no pedestrian infrastructure, no sidewalks on much of the stretch of road. No crosswalk markings, no physical separation between opposing traffic, and almost no lighting at crossing points. People are expected to cross this road in the dark in winter at highway speeds. And that's outrageous, especially because the majority of the elementary schools are on the north side of Palmer. I want to put this in context. Anchorage had a comparable situation on Spanard Road. Similar traffic volume, similar classifications. When that corridor started producing serious crashes, Anchorage acted. They reduced speeds. They reconfigured lanes, adding lighting, adding crossings. They treated it like it was a safety emergency. It was. Artic Avenue has none of those improvements. And we are years behind where we should be. Now, the DOT has a

reconstruction project in the works, but that's not going to happen till 2030. We cannot wait 5 years and hope nobody else gets injured or killed in the meantime. That's just doesn't seem acceptable to me. There are three proven deployable solutions that can go in now at modest cost and have a documented track record of saving lives. First, rectangular rapid flashing beacons. These are solar-p powered pedestrianactivated warning lights at crosswalk locations. They are the single most effective temporary pedestrian safety device available. Studies have shown that they reduce pedestrian crashes by 47% and get drivers to yield up to 98% of the time. We're recommending these the recommending three installations at the highest risk crossing points. The second enhanced street lighting. Um, and I wanted to to to clarify that these suggestions have been um brought up at the council meetings and uh I myself um Nate have all spoken also with the uh Palmer Police Department to get their ideas on corrective measures for that stretch of road. Um so second it says is enhanced street lighting at crossing areas. This is especially critical in Alaska because a pedestrian trying to cross Artic Avenue on a November morning at 6:30 a.m. is essentially an invisible moving target. Um polemounted lighting at designated crossing changes, four to six installations would run around 12 to $48,000. The third, portable pedestrian refuge islands. These are temporary centerlane barriers that let a pedestrian cross one direction of traffic at a time on a high-speed undivided road like this. They dramatically reduce exposure windows. Two locations would run $10 to $50,000. Total for all three of these projects, 52 up to $165,000 on the high end. They're not experimental. They work. I

want to close with this. We know the data. We know the fatalities. Recently, September, there was a fatality on it. And um in speaking with the police department, they mentioned that um no traffic markings they thought would have stopped that incident from happening. Well, we're not here to just protect the ones who are willing to ask for help. We're here to protect those who can't ask for help and who have serious other issues going on. We are here to protect everybody in the community. Period. So saying it doesn't work, I don't accept that. We're here to protect everybody, especially those who can't ask for help themselves. Um, I'm asking the council to direct staff to begin the process of funding and implementing these three measures on Artic Avenue. Not next year, this year. The community put its trust in us to make decisions that protect people. Our neighbors and friends that have been hurt by inaction deserve better, and the next person trying to cross that road deserves it, too. Thank you,

sir. I have a I have a question for you. Um and a and a comment and a comment. Um I have been in in meetings with DOT Adam Bradway and Ben White of who are uh DOT folks and I as you mentioned there is a a a big project that they're looking at for Arctic. Um and I'm pushing the envelope to try to get other things done in addition to what you're talking about. you know, their their one main issue is three bears when you come off of the Glenn Highway. That that's a obviously is a problem that people are blocking the intersection there trying to turn left. My concern uh to them has been, you know, a couple fold. One is the intersection at Valley Way and Arctic. Um that is probably one of the most dangerous intersections that I see happening uh with kids trying to cross over to the uh skateboard park. uh people trying to walk across the street to Leer Coffee or other businesses downtown and uh so I am in meetings with them to try to push this project push project forward. Um um well I'll probably be meeting with them in a week or two again and u you know I know that their timeline for their project is is down the road. U one of the big issues that I had brought up with them is the speed limit. Um, I'm concerned 20 years ago, we actually got the speed limit actually changed. Uh, if you're I don't know if you were here then, but way back when the 55 went all the way past the bridge. Um, and people were crossing going at the at the school there, they were going 45 plus and we actually changed that, got that speed limit changed and I want them to move that 55 uh speed limit back towards the but further. So then it becomes 45 and then becomes 35 as you hit the bridge. And so by that time they get into town, they're

going a lot slower. Um, and the way to to get those I think accomplished is I want to see a stoplight at uh Valley Way and Arctic. Um, now that's a, you know, a little bit of a difficult situation because, you know, it's not our road, but, uh, I think that we have some some lever leverage there that we can we can we can do something with that. Um, the problem that they have is when they analyze intersections, you probably know, is it they don't count near misses, fender benders, any of that kind of stuff. They count fatalities. And if we don't and so the fewer fatalities you have on an intersection, the lower down the road, you know, it actually goes on and scoring. So, um, so I've been, you know, and I know that Ben White, who's, uh, head of, uh, I think it's AATS in in Anchorage, is, um, well aware of that and, you know, and he he has that same concern that we need to we need to change the their statistics, you know, and, you know, their requirements on how they grade grade their roads. So, so again, I appreciate all that that you're doing. Um, I just want to let you know that, you know, it's not going unnoticed. Um, like I say, I am meeting with the DOT folks. Um, I have an advantage that I'm the chairman of the municipal planning organization and they are on the board as well. So, I I will meet with them actually meet with them tomorrow. So, um, I appreciate all that you've done. Thank you,

Mr. Mayor. Yes. Um, so I know these are going to be temporary about for until DOT takes over um and does their whole re-ro um what are the possibilities of being able to reuse

some of these things because there's obviously other intersections that could use more lighting. Um the pedestrian beacons I think is a great idea. Um, I'm not so sure about the refuge islands just because I can't quite wrap my head around how that works because I've never used one and it sounds scary to stand in the middle of the road with cars going by. Um, but is is that something that you guys have looked at as far as like being able to uninstall and then reinstall them somewhere else so we can get more than 5 years out of them? Yeah. So, while one of the reasons why these are suggested improvements or controls we can put in place is because of closer to the mic, please. Oh, sorry. I might be off. I don't know. You're good.

Um, one of the reasons why we selected those three is because of the temporary nature of them. They can be used there for when they are needed, but then they can also transition to different areas in Palmer. Um, using it downtown, say when you have the Friday flake or when we have colony days or when we're looking to control traffic, you know, better. These devices can then be taken, moved to those temporary locations and used in other places and that way they're not just a throwing item that we roll in five years.

So, are we talking about uh Arctic and Alaska Street, Arctic and Valley Way, and then Arctic and Airport Road? Are those the three main intersections that we want to address? You can go can My guess is Gokana where the where this elementary school. Yeah, we're we're looking at between as I the the corridor that we're that I addressed in this is from the Glenn all the way to the bridge that Arctic Avenue area and so that would include Ganon Yep. I live and just a little bit of history I live on that north side.

I've been in Palmer for 50 years. Uh, so I've seen it change the traffic-wise and I can understand why the traffic back then why the road is designed the way it was. Heck, I remember chasing cows across the road that got free. So I remember and know why that road was there and why it was set up that way. Times have changed. Yeah. So we're talking about at about four then four intersections. Yeah. There a total of 1 2 3 4 potentially. Yeah. Okay.

But what I'm also what we're suggesting is for the highest traffic areas where we see people crossing over the most is where we want to put those temporary controls in. Right. Kind of we want to kind of control that traffic people and and vehicles. We want to control where they cross. Mr. Mayor. Yes, please.

Yeah. Thank you. Thank you, Commission Member Perry. A good presentation. I appreciate it. Hey, um I like what the mayor had to say about the lower speed limits. I mean, drive out there to Bod and Smith Road quite often and it seems um upsetting to me even before the testimony of Mr. House uh and your testimony of the event that happened with the school bus that there is still a 35 mph zone through basically where residents are. I mean you know there's house several houses on Arctic as you get in cross through cross Volcana. So I like your suggestion that seemed pretty cost effective for you know temporary measures as we try to get DOT which can be a arduous and timeconuming process as you mentioned at the beginning of your presentation to 2030 improvements. We should be working now to implement some of these uh smaller dollar figure things that can give us some sort of immediate relief because uh yeah just the even when the kids just cross to go field trips to go to Colony Museum to go different things or somebody mentioned they cross for skateboard park and other places it's uh it's hazardous to say the least. I mean, it's just it's such a I I didn't know the 10 to 17,000 a day number, but doesn't shock me. I mean, I'm just I you see that traffic there u all the time. So, thanks for bringing bringing it to our attention. Hopefully, we can uh uh use some of our excess revenue we have with the city to implement some of these immediate life and safety things.

And and something Thank you. I wanted to point out is that one of the reasons why the DOT is moving forward is because of pressure put on them by this council and by the commission. So

we have a force and we can make change. And one of the reasons again why these are temporary um as opposed to the speed limit. I did put that down. I think that was in the packet that we handed out. Um I put that down but that isn't in our control. that somebody else, somebody else, somebody else, somebody else, somebody else, somebody else makes a decision and then it has to come all the way down the line and that can take years. So, this is something and that we just had a transportation fair. went and spoke to some of the engineers there and spoke to them about the the improvements they're going to make um and with uh the area between the Glenn Highway or the I'm not I'm sorry between Alaska Street and and to the Glen Highway. I understand what Ruben's and what they spoke to me about is that they're looking almost to us to suggest something because they they're busy.

Yeah. They want a suggestion to move forward and not ask them how how can they fix it. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yes. Um, all right. I had a couple questions on the beacons and then the islands and then location. Um, so on the beacons, um, any idea, um, how susceptible they might be to vandalism, cold temperatures, wind, those types of things?

Well, they are used all over Alaska, so I I wouldn't know how I imagine it's the quality of what you purchase. You get what you pay for, but um, they are used all over Alaska. Okay. Um they they're they they work and that's the statistics show they just plain work. Um so they they are used in other areas and we can talk to other municipalities about where they got theirs and and how to set them up. That that wouldn't wouldn't I think be a So they've been they're tried and true as far as Alaska.

Okay. Um, regarding the um pedestrian islands, um, would it affect the snow plowing? The would that's that that is one of the why it's the lowest on the list of the three options and that's because of they would need to be removed in the wintertime for the plows. Okay. They would be a temporary seasonal summertime um nons time of year. Okay. Project. And they'd be kind of sitting in the center lane. Is that the idea? And they they're like a raised. So, um what is the street right out here with the crossing area? Oh, the raised intersection. Yeah.

Yeah. So, that it would be similar to that. Okay. But it is a temporary structure. So, it would be laid down then removed. Okay. Felt as well. And then as far as um location, and this might be Mr. Mayor for yourself as well, at the 2030 reconstru reconstruction project, do they already have pedestrian areas laid out as a part of that plan? And the reason I ask is like if we should mirror what's going to be done in 2030 so that people develop, you know, similar driving and pedestrian habits or is it still uncertain where those would be as part of that 2030 plan?

There there's there's a couple of plans that are that they're talking about. one um particularly at for example at Valleyway and Arctic they were talking about an overpass if you want to call it that as a pedestrian overpass um to and and the and another thought would be you know one similar to that and or just crosswalks down by GCana Street um those are the two major ones um the uh the overpass you know is potentially okay for pedestrians unless maybe you're a kid on a bike or a mother in a stroller but it doesn't do anything for cars. Um, you still have the issue of trying to cross Arctic uh from Valley Way, either turn right, turn left, or go straight. Um, and and so that's a discussion that I'm having with them. They they initially came up with this overpass, and I want to have a a a stoplight there. Um, and in regards to your other comment, if you go up Alaska Street, there is a flashing light uh rectangular light that is actually a speed limit light and it's a similar to what the commissioner is talking about. Uh there's also one down by um Palmer Junior Middle School as well that are run by solar power. Um so they yeah, they do work. Um but um but yeah, as far as the pedestrian crossing that is um you know in in discussion uh it was brought up potentially about a median which is probably one of the scariest ones that you can have. Uh you know I don't know whether I would like to be a mother pushing a stroller, run halfway across the street, stand on a median and then try to run across the street the other direction, you know, continue on. Uh an advantage that we've had is one of the fellows who is DOT here for the valley

actually lives off of Valley North Valley Way. He was riding his bicycle across um Arctic and fell um and he was uh amazed at how fast cars were passing him by. And so, you know, we have a little bit of a maybe an advantage that, you know, he'll he'll think twice about having, you know, an overpass or something there. So yeah, but it's still in it's still in discussion phase.

And Mr. Mayor, based on your um initial comments, is there any danger of um like if we basically take care of some of the problem through some of these measures? Would that all um remove some of the urgency for DOT to on this 2030 plan? But you know, you know, they're they're pushing that pretty hard. Okay.

Um I don't think that that it would remove any of the urgency from them. Uh I think what the a potential issue could be is that because it is a state road, you obviously we have to get permission from them to you know go ahead and do stuff. Um but in the past I found that you know years ago working with them that you know if we have the plan and we have some funds then they're willing to go ahead and do that. Um, so as long as it doesn't impede with, you know, with with what their plan is, and you know, I'll go back history. Um, when, uh, Airport Way and the charter school driveways were misaligned, we had a a serious accident uh, from a teacher trying to enter into the charter school when someone else was trying to enter into airport way. and we got DOT together and said we would like to have you align those driveways and their comment was we don't have any money and it's on the stip for 10 years down the road and I made the comment at the time that I said the city has the funds we will pay for that but they had to do something for us so that's when GCana airport way and and uh East Evergreen got paved but they were willing to go ahead and do the project providing that we came come up with the funds. Um, and so that might be, you know, an incentive for us to come up with the plans and if we have monies for certain things and, you know, we just go ahead and, you know, and, uh, you know, kind of push that envelope.

Thank you. Um, Mr. Mayor. Yes, please.

One of my questions, um, this is a state road, Arctic Avenue, all the way out to the Glenn. are is is anyone in collaboration with the Alaska State Troopers to monitor that highway and just make a presence because I've driven that before and after work. It's dark, it's lonely, it's and they drive fast and they scare me. So, uh, but I I just wanted to know if there was any collaboration between the Palmer Police Department and Alaska troopers to monitor that road for speed. you know, you know, I'm not I'm not aware of any at this point, but that doesn't mean that that's not something that we could uh move forward with and ask them to do that. Um, and I think, you know, even though it's a potential that speed limits take a while to to happen, uh, I think that's another envelope that we can push. you know, it's not a big deal for them to actually just move some signs, uh, you know, further down the road on the old Glenn and, uh, you know, and make sure that they're going 35, you know, when they hit the school zone, um, and or and or lower. But that's something that I'm in discussion with with them.

That whole road right there, because it's inside city limits, even though it's a city, it it's a state road, is Yes. is um it it's enforced by PPD. So PPD would be the ones running traffic within the city limits. So from the bridge all the way down um as far as the city limits go. So A generally in in my experience does not do targeted traffic enforcement within the cities unless there is a specific event like the Alaska State Fair going on in the city. So, it would be PPD if I'm not mistaken, Mr. Mayor.

Right. Yeah. Yeah, you're correct. Commissioner Hunt. Thank you. Um,

I am going to provide a summary of what we just presented to you in terms of the three areas that we presented as the planning commissioner. And I have to I'm going to be very candid with you tonight. We've been pushy. The planning commissioners have been pushy. And this is not entirely normal. We feel extremely strongly about Arctic Road and the potential for conflict there between vehicles and dogs and children. And it it's it is a safety issue. You'll recall that the um this whole discussion started off with what we have done as a planning commissioner for the last two years or whatever. And there's a lot of things on that list and some of them we're proud of and some of them we're not. But we discussed them and we did it legitimately and so on. Then we went into the wonderful visionary kind of ideal for the park strip or whatever you want to call that area which is the fun part of being a planning commissioner. I have to tell you the first part of all the approvals and conditional uses that's pretty tedious. So we went from tedious then we went to the visionary stuff which is also important and we're ending with public safety. This is where Mr. Mr. Mayor and the council members, we are laying it on you because you are the elected officials here and your main goal is public safety, not visionary,

not happy little things, not aesthetics, not all these things that are very very important. Public safety is what has you here and that is the primary function of government and Arctic Avenue is a place that is going to be hurt. People are going to be hurt and it's going to come back. There will be, you know, you've gone through so many controversial issues this year. Libraries, golf courses, uh, railroad ties, uh, help me. The big one,

parking. No, there's more. There's more. Come on. I mean, we could list. You have gone through such amazing controversial issues. This one isn't. You are not going to get any guff from any political group or anything. If you make that road safer, you're not going to get any guff. The only people that are going to complain are the people that drive really big trucks really fast, really loud, and they have to slow down. Oh well, we're saving children. Think about the population that crosses there. I walk every day in Palmer and I get very passionate about this, especially when a big truck goes by and rams their I don't know what they do. They accelerate and they scare the living. You know, it it's very frightening. The people that are at that intersection all the time are kids. They are trying to get to the park or the library or vice versa to their schools. Maybe their music lesson is in Palmer. Their art class is at the Presbyterian church. You've got kids going there. You now have a special group of people walking at that corner and you all know it and it's our new food bank clients. Many of them walk. Some of them are not all there mentally, frankly. That's what happens. And they're walking on that road that has very little sidewalk and no jurisdiction as how to cross. You have the brand new um academy high school. We we reviewed those plans on Monday night or no last Thursday night which is the brand new high school. Beautiful campus. All those kids are going to be driving there. You

got 16 year olds driving there. Their campus plans are gorgeous. That adds to that intersection. I mean, it's astounding how many people actually use that that road. And the whole idea of an overpass, forgive me, Mr. Mayor, but if you're a pedestrian in the winter, you're not going to climb up two floors of icy stairs to cross over. I mean, it's just not going to happen. You need to have an onsite plan for that. And you know, my other planning commissioners have accused me of being a little too passionate on this and I really don't care. Um, this is something that we have to be as a body assertive about and to some degree aggressive about and we've tried to do that with DOT at the planning fairs and so on. Mr. Pin Pin

Pin

Pin is a brand new planning commissioner. He did this giant. I hope you guys in the back got some of the study and the work he did with interviewing the troopers and the police. And I am so impressed with that. That was ammunition and fuel for this thing. Um, I could go on and on. I guess what I want to leave you with is yes, we have a vision and we'll continue to do that. Yes, we'll do the conditional uses and all the tedious stuff, but we want you to fund the public safety version of Arctic Avenue because it is essential. And I'm going to let you guys hit it with questions here, but I did I cover it enough maybe a couple more times.

Okay. I'm sorry. I I do feel very strong about this one. This is one we do not want another accident cuz it's going to be a little kid next time and we will not recover. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Yes, please.

So, um this whole so the road, the intersection, it it really reminds me of growing up in Eagle River. So, I won't say how long ago, but long enough ago that you could walk through Eagle River without anything weird going on as a child. So, um, one of the things that we had going up Eco River Road, which it was a beautiful trail, big wide road, and we're going to Walmart cuz Walmart just opened. Um, and they have pedestrian overpasses. Uh, I can tell you as a kid that was on that road, which was a fast road, icy, dark, I never once ever used that stupid overpass to get across Eagle River Road. It just it never happened. And just like the commissioner said, it is absolutely imperative that we consider the the kids that are going to be crossing. We've got Three Bears where the teenagers are going to hang out at Three Bears cuz teenagers. Um we've got the skate park and all of that stuff. Um I just want to say that I wholly support the beacons and the more lighting. My only concern with the refuge islands is the uh seasonal maintenance over the next few years. Um having to take them out, put them back, that kind of thing, and them getting damaged. I've Is there anywhere else in the state that we know of that's used these kind of long-term but not permanent um refuge islands? I'm I'm not opposed to the idea. I just I I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the logistics of them.

They have been used in other places. I've I've have experience seeing them used in other places. They were uh for instance used off of uh Beverly Lakes Road in Wasilla. They had those when they were doing a lot of the construction there because the traffic got routed through Beverly Lakes Road which was never supposed to happen. They were it was supposed to go a different direction. So they put in these temporary islands for people to speed bumps and then they replaced them with permanent ones or semi-permanent ones. So they've been used in those and it's just a a large heavy mat basically that gets bolted down. Um they they've worked. I talked to the uh the commander of Almer Police Department and he and I he and I spoke about those um and that and actually that was one of his top three suggestions also. He said he he could imagine all sorts of things that he said but it will slow traffic because nobody's going to want to

catch air going across them. So that that was one of his suggestions um and or his one of his top three suggestions. So it it's they've been used. It is I said lower on my list just because of the temporariness of them and the winter maintenance of them. These the other ones require less maintenance and can be year round. And as I said they are temporary so they can be moved. They can be used in other locations as needed.

Thank you. So looking at like the intersection of Arctic and Valley here on the on a map. Um so there's no crosswalks. There's there's nothing there. So without lights, can you put can can you put a crosswalk and then flashing lights on that road because there's not going to be a turn. There's not going to be a a button they can push to cross.

But that's what we want. But and so can we Okay, so that's what we're wanting. We're wanting crosswalks, a button, and flashing lights. And same with uh well, the food bank is there on Denali. There's nothing. There's no crosswalks or anything there. And there's nothing up at the uh Galcana andor the airport road. So there's nothing on any of those inter Well, no, there is a crosswalk on on airport road to the to the high to the school and there is artic. Okay. So you're asking for for lights and crosswalks and at some point to slow yourself down uh speed limit.

Well, as I said, those are options. So, right, I I would be happiest with the probably with the the the the temporary lights for crosswalks. Mhm. If we can get all three, that'd be fantastic. But I understand that we funds are limited, right? Um and the one with the most the highest results, the best results, and is one of the least expensive items you can do is the temporary RF. So it doesn't that's why we put I that was that why my number one suggestion down from there. Okay. Thank you very much. You're welcome, Mr. Mayor. Yes, please.

Um just another thought I had as far as location um to as we considered that um is across from Matnus River Park. I see

usually kids with bicycles crossing there often. Um there's no sidewalk on the north side. They're next to the Matusk River Park. Um and there's the bike path on the other side. So they're always trying to cut across and often you see, you know, a couple of the kids go for it, they make the run, a couple stay back, a couple get caught in the middle trying to decide what they're going to do. Um uh and I think a lot of people use that park in the summer, the bike park back in there, the soccer fields, etc. So that might and I was thinking it could potentially slow traffic as it comes into town a little earlier if something was like like that was placed out further from town. So just um a thought as far as location is that is that burrow land there across the park because we

I believe it's all within uh Palmer city limits and the Matt Zoo River Park is Burrow is Burrow. Okay. Is it? Yeah. Okay. But the other side of the road then we're talking city, right? Someone let me know if I got that wrong. Yeah,

Mr. Mayor, I was wondering if you're you mentioned you were having a meeting tomorrow with DOT. Is that correct? actually it's the municipal planning organization meeting and these two and these two gentlemen uh attend that meeting and I will get with them after the meeting and we will discuss these issues.

If we were to ask do for their approval to implement these safety measures for Arctic um then we could perhaps ask the city if they would fund them. Would that be something that we could trust we'll go forward with? Yeah, what my suggestion would be that we would uh you know let us look into it a little bit and and we already have I guess the costs of these and then uh we would write a write a letter to DOT and say suggesting that this is where we want to place these. City will fund them and and then get their approval. Sounds wonderful. Thank you.

Nate would like to speak, please. Any any other any other questions, comments? Nate, um Nate's coming forward. Mr. Mayor, I I think the mayor was asking if you had any other questions. Sorry, I do not. Thank you. Uh Mr. Mayor.

Yeah, I just want to piggyback on uh what Mr. mayor was talking about and and and kind of do a a side comment uh to Barbara's or Commissioner Hunt's uh comments. Um so mayor was discussing about a DOT engineer, traffic engineer uh planner that you know rides his bike. Uh that gentleman has fervently been involved in multiple things including the parking study, our public awareness. He sat and and talked about and sat at the table and talked about the bicycles. He is in every single meeting that I've been in from the Artic A to Palmer Fish project. And I say that it was the Arctic Avenue to Palmer Fish project because it was until everybody that's sitting and looking at me right now got involved. So we talk about yeah it's a slowmoving cruise ship but not really because within less than 12 months this entire dis and the planning commission were able to move their little project to Alaska Street. This is not unrealistic because you guys did what you did and and Mr. Perry or Commissioner Perry had discussed that was directly because you guys got involved something that was like slaying a eightheaded hydra. you guys did it. One head came off and they were like, "Oh, we had no clue." They looked into that project. They expanded it to Alaska and that gentleman that rides a bike as part of DOT said the only reason why they didn't go to the bridge is because there's another project team already on that. So that project team from 2030 that's looking at the rest of Alaska or Arctic A um actually gave that chunk of the project to the Glenn Highway Arctic Avenue project and said hey let's piece it off because it is so important because they looked at that and took everything you

guys said and did and they took it into huge consideration where it's now it's part of the project. This is this is definitely something that is completely attainable. Uh, additionally, um, regional, uh, DOT guy, uh, who's been in multiple meetings, including the, uh, the expansion for, uh, the Academy Charter High School, uh, the Arctic A to Palmer Fisher project, the proposed Artic A project that's coming down the pike, the it's the same three individuals that are in this meeting every single time in multiple projects. We constantly are seeing these people's faces and the more they see our faces, the more it there's more clout, rapport that's being built. Um, in addition, it has been my number one goal as the director to increase communication between departments. One of them being public works. Jude worked for the bureau. He knows 90% of the people over there. We have fervently been working together to make these projects happen. and Barbara and and without stealing all this thunder here, Barbara talked about the visionary like exciting stuff, keep in mind that railroad corridor doesn't end at Artic, that railroad corridor ends at Eagle and matter of fact goes even further in to the uh to the bluffs just because we think conceptually, oh, it's just it's absolutely not. That corridor goes all the way to the river. Which means that that visionary project that's fun is also more ammo to talk about how are we going to get people to go from the south corridor a ground cutting of that corridor to be successful not only for my grandkids but for y'all's grandkids and their kids. Um it's important to me like I live here too that just because it's visionary

doesn't mean that it can't can't have teeth. Um, and those correlate together with all that minutiae that that we talk about. Sometimes it's boring, but we can make exciting things uh make boring things more exciting. Um, so and um the tracks, we talk about the tracks in the study. Um, that study um got put forth in 2020 and there was huge public outcry because of that quote, cutting the tracks, removing the tracks. Um, so that actually kind of got back burnered and we then we had to go out and have a public awareness strategy for the corridor which we have in the pike. We have an RFP for that. That specifically was because public outcry about what that word meant like removing the tracks. Now we've a couple different things have happened. Um 557 kind of doesn't look like they're going to be using utilizing the tracks. The Alaska Railroad came in and said, "We are not going to be upgrading it. It's too expensive, not feasible." We have the wittier situation going on right now. Additionally, we just had public works had a successful project with fireweed. People saw that cutting the tracks didn't mean removing them all. It meant removing the tracks tactfully, respecting the history and reducing the crown, making it safer for um the Pioneer Home residents to to cross that uh safer for anybody going to Palmer Jr. or the museum, safe for the entire community coming through that little and now it's frog hopped to Evergreen. And despite my personal opinion, it's going to frog hop to Cedar, right? These things are happening. But I will tell you right now, as long as I'm in my seat, the railroad corridor in in in the sense of the historical section, I'm going to try my darnest to keep the

pavilion or what we'd say fireweed to at least 100 yards bare minimum north of the depot. I don't want it touched. If I have my way, ain't nobody going to touch it. It needs to be enhanced. We need to take some of those historical landmarks like uh the little the I don't even know what it calls. I'm going to embarrass myself here. Whatever the levers are, the cool stuff that when you're a little kid, you're like, "Oh, that's so cool." Taking those out of the corridor and bringing them to that historical area near the depot. Those are the things that should be implemented like the hand cart that you'll see in your packet, that kind of stuff. we can go all the way north to the river and pluck some of those items up, bring them over re and revitalize that area. That would be my goal. And obviously, I'm going to do my best to influence um guide is probably a better word, guide the planning and zoning um in doing so and making sure that we we make sure that Palmer is beautiful as well as functional and safe. So, thank you. I just wanted to fill in some of the the gaps that were being said. So, appreciate you guys. If we have no if we have nothing else and I we'd like to have a motion to come out of committee of the whole.

A motion to come out of the committee of the whole. Second. Madame clerk. Deputy mayor Canantra. Yes. Council member Moer. Yes. Council member Graham. Yes. Council member Allen, yes. Council member Collins, yes. Council member Carrington, yes. Mayor Cooper, yes. And then I lost my sheet. Hold on. Commission member Jackson, yes. Commission member Laffy. Hi. Commission Member Hunt. Yes. Commission member Pierin.

Yes. And Commission Member Combmes. Yes. It is unanimous approved and we are out of committee of the whole. Thank you. Um I don't think that we have any uh council direction for the commission. I might be wrong. If we if anybody sees that we or thinks that we do have, please uh speak up. Uh at this point, you know, I think we have all this information that that we need to work and move forward on. I don't think that we have any direction that we need to uh push back down to the the commission at this point. Mr. Mayor. Yes, ma'am.

Uh just a question. So, and this might actually be a better question for Benji. Um so, we've had this meeting. We spoke about uh solutions for the public safety um for those intersections. At this point, would it not be the direction of the council to ask the planning and zoning commission to put a plan together to present those to counselor or to get them on um the next meeting or two meetings from now where we can see a budget for this and and see how that's going to work if that's something that we want to do or am I missing a step in there? you really have a couple options. You can give direction to them to put a plan together and some costs, but it kind of looks like they kind of already did that.

So, your other option is you could direct the city manager to get get public works started on it since I think that believe is his department. You have that option. Even another option would be we could go you guys could have your own committee of the whole perhaps at the next meeting. So y'all could like now that you've had time to digest it and then you could come you could do direction then. So you have a few options at this point. Okay. And you any of you can ask me to put a committee of the whole on an agenda. It's only going to have to be two or you or one of you like any of you can ask for me to add a committee of the whole on an agenda. I guess

my my suggestion would be to go to that number three is that once we get information from the planning and zoning commission that we actually put it on the a committee of the whole for the next meeting andor the meeting after that and then we uh and then at that point we can direct the city manager and public works to move forward. I would like to make a motion to do that. I second. So to be clear, to put a committee of the whole on the next city council meeting in order to discuss the Arctic Avenue safety corridor plan, that's only one week away. Is that enough time or do we need to

have time for me? But it actually is cuz I released the packet on Wednesday for that meeting. So I it's just a matter of me putting it on the agenda. Okay. Yeah. Thank you for checking though. I appreciate that. But that is the question. Is 428 going to be enough time for all of you guys to be ready for that for a committee of the whole or would you rather wait till the next meeting? I second the motion. It's been seconded, but you're okay with it. Sorry. That's okay. Okay. I will add the committee of the whole to the agenda. That's fine.

All right. So, um, madam, madame chair, I want to thank you and your commissioners for, uh, coming out tonight and having this joint meeting with us and, uh, for all your presentations and all the hard work that you've been doing for us. I really appreciate that. Um, and so, not giving anybody else an opportunity to speak, uh, we are adjourned. Thank you guys. And Councilwoman Graham, the railroad will never ever sell that piece of land. It's an election year.