Assembly passes package of ordinances and appropriations, including Big Lake recreation center purchase and grant-funded riparian project

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly approved a package of ordinances and resolutions at its May 20 meeting, covering property conversions, local improvement districts, grants, facility purchase, equipment replacement and project timeline extensions. Most measures passed with little debate; several were bundled by staff or were routine accept-and-appropriate requests.

Key actions passed at the meeting (summary with key details):

- Ordinance 25-023: Convey and merge the borough’s development rights with agricultural rights to convey fee-simple title with perpetual agricultural covenants for Tax ID 19N05W13C002 to Tory and Cynthia Lehi. Staff said the agriculture advisory board unanimously supported the conversion; no public comments were received. Assembly adopted the ordinance.

- Ordinances 25-031 through 25-038: Four pairs of ordinances confirming assessment rolls and authorizing internal-service-fund financing for several Natural Gas Local Improvement Districts (North Kurt Circle #650, Easy Street & Cozy Circle #658, Echo Lake Drive & Neckaracinth Drive #663, Homestead Drive #667). Staff reported the work is complete and financing via internal service funds will finalize assessment accounting; the assembly adopted the package as presented.

- Ordinance 25-039 and Resolution 25-030: Accept and appropriate a $113,500 grant from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation for an outreach project to reduce nonpoint-source pollution in riparian areas. Staff described the borough’s education and outreach initiative to protect riparian zones; assembly adopted the ordinance and companion resolution.

- Ordinance 25-048: Authorization to purchase the Big Lake Lions Club Recreation Center and adjacent parking lot for $400,000 (purchase subject to FY26 appropriation, which the assembly had approved in the FY26 budget). Staff reported the 2025 appraisal listed the building at $4,950,000 and the parking at $28,000; assembly adopted the ordinance to let the manager complete acquisition under previously approved budget authority.

- Ordinance 25-053 and Resolution 25-039: Reappropriated $90,000 within the Animal Care and Regulation budget to purchase a replacement cremator. Staff said refurbishing was not feasible because the original manufacturer no longer exists and parts are unavailable; total new-unit cost with installation is about $125,000. Staff noted operating cost comparisons and that outsourcing cremations would cost roughly $3,500 per month. Assembly adopted the reappropriation and companion resolution.

- Ordinance 25-056: Extension of time limits for completion on expiring projects (to 06/30/2026). Staff said the ordinance would extend roughly $13.4 million in ongoing project funds that otherwise would expire; the assembly adopted the extension.

- Ordinance 25-057 and Resolution 25-045: Acceptance and appropriation of a $2,000 reimbursement grant to send the borough’s floodplain administrator to the Association of State Floodplain Managers conference; staff noted the attendee will be recognized for 20 years as a certified floodplain manager. Assembly adopted the pair.

- Ordinance 25-058 and Resolution 25-049: Annexation of three parcels off the Glenn Highway into the Greater Palmer Consolidated Fire Service Area (petition-based annexation; the service-area board approved without objection). Assembly adopted the ordinance and companion resolution.

- Ordinance 25-059: Amendment to remove term limits for the Agricultural Advisory Board — the assembly postponed consideration to the June 3 meeting to solicit the agricultural board’s view (the motion was referred to a future meeting at the request of several members).

- Ordinance 25-060 and Resolution 25-050: Acceptance and appropriation of $2,064,750 from the city of Houston (state funds passed through) for reconstruction of King Arthur Drive; the assembly adopted the ordinance and companion resolution.

- Ordinance 25-062: Extension of time-limit for Emergency Services Station 129 building project to 06/30/2029; staff said design funding is available and additional funds are on federal/state priority lists. Assembly adopted the ordinance.

- Bond-related ordinances (25-063, 25-064): Acceptance and appropriation of bond issuance proceeds and issuance costs for school and transportation bonds (series sales and refunding); assembly adopted the appropriation ordinances.

Votes and objections: Most items passed with no roll-call objections. A handful of measures drew recorded no votes (for example, purchase of the Big Lake recreation center drew recorded no votes from Assemblymember Ron Bernier and Assemblymember Dimitri Fonoff). Several items were adopted as packaged motions to streamline routine financings.

Ending: Staff will implement the adopted appropriations, advertise financing where needed, and return project and procurement results to the assembly for any required further approvals.