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Greetings!
Elected officials are always talking about finding efficiencies in government in an effort to save taxpayers money. We're putting that theory into action with two major initiatives designed to optimize how we manage our city resources. Read more, below. Also in this issue: learn how you can nominate a local hero and find out more about our open house on Anchorage's transportation system. Finally, if you haven't strolled through Town Square Park lately, be sure to do so. The city's hardworking gardeners have created absolutely fantastic flower displays this year. As always, send your thoughts to me at mayor@muni.org or follow me on Facebook or Twitter.
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City Looks to Streamline Maintenance and Operations
We've been talking for years about transforming the city's internal structure to become more efficient. One area I identified as a potential cost-saver is in the city's operations & maintenance (O&M). As a result, I recently announced the MOA's intent to award a contract to CH2M HILL for a thorough assessment of Muni operations.
CH2M HILL will be responsible for developing an implementation plan for each O&M function and for prioritizing projects based on anticipated savings. The work will be phased, with the contractor first identifying "quick wins" that would save the MOA money immediately. Once plans are developed, CH2M HILL will present recommendations, estimated implementation timelines, associated costs, and benefits to Municipal leaders.
We've looked at every city department's functions for ways to do business better as a matter of necessity: tight budgets in recent years demanded that we learn to work with less. Working with an outside organization with a stellar reputation like CH2M HILL allows us to take an impartial view of how we can further streamline our operations and become even more efficient in how we deliver service.
Read more...
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Mayor Sullivan was part of the crowd walking to support prostate cancer awareness at this year's Alaska Men's Run.
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Mayor Sullivan Welcomes Amendment to Alaska's Little Davis-Bacon Act
It was my pleasure to be present for the signing of House Bill 155 (HB155) that amends Alaska's Little Davis-Bacon Act (LDBA)
on July 22. HB155 increases the dollar threshold that public works contracts must meet before they qualify for prevailing wages. Before amendment, Alaska's LDBA applied to public construction contracts greater than $2,000; HB155 amends that threshold upward to $25,000. The change allows municipalities to be more competitive in contracting for smaller construction projects, which saves the city money. Read more...
 | | Mayor Sullivan, Representative Holmes, Representative Olson, Senator Menard watch as Governor Parnell signs the bill into law. |
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Nominate a Community Hero
There are heroes among us. Do you know one? Heroes aren't always the ones wearing uniforms. They can be everyday people, just like you, who work to make our community more prepared for disasters or who respond to emergencies risking their own safety to help others. These heroes save lives, build more resilient communities, and they inspire us all to do more and be more. The Muni's Office of Emergency Management wants to honor our Community Heroes during National Preparedness Month in September. Five nominees will be selected as the 2011 Anchorage Community Heroes and will be honored on Sept. 16, 2011, at "An Evening with Heroes." Read more...
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 | | Mayor Sullivan reads a proclamation honoring Salvation Army Majors Doug and Sheryl Tollerud. |
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Health Department, Mexican Consulate Celebrate a Year of Partnership
For almost one year, the Municipality of Anchorage's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Mexican Consulate of Alaska along with other local health and social services partners have been working on a public health collaboration unique to our state called Ventanilla de Salud, or Health Window.
The Health Window program is designed to increase public awareness, understanding, and knowledge of health services available at the local level. Read more...
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 | | Stunning flower displays can be found this summer in Town Square Park. |
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Transit Holds Open House: Learn More About Public Transportation
The Public Transportation Department invites the public to an Open House and Public Meeting August 11 from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm to learn more about transit. Staff will be on hand to answer questions about People Mover, AnchorRIDES and Anchorage Share-A-Ride. Attendees will learn about how People Mover and AnchorRIDES are using intelligent transportation systems; People Mover's Blueprint Long Range Transportation Plan; Anchorage Travel Options Program; free travel training; bus stop improvements and route and schedule planning. Read more....
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Connect with the Mayor
If you haven't already, follow me on Twitter (@MayorSullivan) and like my page on Facebook (Dan Sullivan, Mayor of Anchorage) to get updates from me on what's happening in Anchorage. |
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Mayor's Photo Contest
Please submit your best Anchorage photos to my Facebook Page to be featured in the Newsletter.
This week's winner is:
@Micah_inAK (above)
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Mayor's Calendar
- August 10-12
Alaska Municipal League Summer Meeting - August 13
Japanese Summer Festival - August 16
Assembly Meeting - August 21
Big Wild Life Run
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2-1-1 Service is a Lifeline for Struggling Families
2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember telephone number that connects callers to free information about critical health and human services available in our community. Callers can access information about basic human services like food, shelter and utility bill assistance, among others. Call 2-1-1 for more information.
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