Anchorage weighs who decides when cold-weather shelter opens

Anchorage's emergency cold-weather shelter now opens on a fixed 45-degree reading or a declared civil emergency. An ordinance up for public hearing Sept. 15 would replace that with the health director's judgment instead.

The switch is smaller than it sounds. City code already lets the director open shelter by making a written finding that a shortage threatens people's lives and health. The ordinance removes the automatic triggers rather than handing the director new power. It would also raise the permanent cap at any single shelter site to 200 people from 150, though the Assembly can go higher by resolution.

There is one substantive disagreement, and it is the only real difference between the versions on the table. A substitute from Vice Chair Daniel Volland would let the city use community and recreation centers as shelter only during a mayor-declared civil emergency, rather than whenever the director decides shelter is needed.

The changes trace to last December, when a cold snap overwhelmed capacity and the Assembly met in emergency session to expand one shelter to 200 beds, then asked the administration to rewrite the chapter. The health department, led by Kimberly Rash, drafted it.

The hearing is Tuesday at the Loussac Library.