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Welcome to Anchorage Update
Greetings!
As usual, there's a lot of activity in our city
this week. Road improvement projects are well underway, we're putting the
brakes on the I/M testing program and opportunities exist to get more involved
with city government. Contact the mayor's office at mayor@muni.org with comments or suggestions.
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The Orange Cone Zone is Back: It's Road Construction Season in Anchorage
Springtime in Anchorage
means several things, among them: mosquitoes, the citywide clean-up and road
construction projects. Road projects are a good sign that we're taking care of
our current roadways while expanding the existing network, so the orange cones
and construction crews can be a welcome sight. That said, it also can be an
inconvenience for drivers who frequently travel a certain route to get from
place to place. The city is aware of this fact and diligent in getting the word
out to the public. Be sure to check AlaskaNavigator.org and anchorageroads.org
frequently for updates on where and when traffic may be delayed or rerouted.
And remember, the short-term frustration is certainly worth the long-term
investment in improved, well-maintained roads and safety.
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The end of the road for the I/M program
Last week, the Assembly voted unanimously on the mayor's
proposal to end the outdated I/M (vehicle emission) testing program. While this
program was once a useful tool for keeping Anchorage's air clean, strict
federal standards have created much more efficient, cleaner-running cars. As
older cars come off the road and are replaced by new models, air quality
continues to improve. As a result, Anchorage has not violated federal air
quality guidelines since 1996. Mayor Sullivan asked the Assembly to approve his
plan for eliminating the program at the local level, which will save Anchorage
drivers millions of dollars over the years. Once federal and state governments
approve the plan, the program will officially end. This process should take six
months to a year to complete.
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Get Involved! Apply
for a Municipality
of Anchorage Board or
Commission
One of the unique
things the city does to engage citizens is work with members of local board and
commissions. Members of the city's 50 boards and commissions volunteer their
time end expertise on a wide variety of subjects, ranging from public health,
budget and finance, arts and historic preservation, and many more. Openings
occur weekly, and applications are kept on file for a year. Email or call Jay Jackson for additional
information: jacksonja@muni.org or 343-7115.
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It's
that time again...Real property tax bills arrive this week
No one enjoys it, but
the reality is that tax notices will soon arrive in local mailboxes. This
annual event allows the Muni to fund services outlined in the city budget (see
chart, below). This year, the mayor's budget came in at $8 million below the
tax cap, or the maximum amount allowed by law. Mayor Sullivan repeatedly stated
that he felt it was critically important to hold the line on taxes during a
rough economic period. Still, the Muni
will bill out $471 million in taxes this week, and 90,000 property owners will
cover that expense. It's critical to
remember that half of the amount collected from tax bills funds the Anchorage School District.
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Mayor's Calendar
- May 20
Welcome Home Gala for
425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion
- May 22
Opening of the Smithsonian Arctic
Studies Center,
Imaginarium Discovery Center,
Thomas Planetarium and ConocoPhillips Gallery
- May 24
Holland America's ms
Amsterdam's Inaugural Port of Call
- May 25
Regular Assembly
meeting
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