Handeland proposes hearing in-person speakers before phone callers at Anchorage Assembly

Anchorage Assembly Member Donald Handeland has proposed an ordinance that would have the Assembly hear in-person speakers before phone callers at public hearings, appearance requests and audience participation. It is up for introduction Wednesday, Nov. 4.

Its public hearing is set for Tuesday, Nov. 17. Under the ordinance, phone testimony would be heard only after everyone wishing to testify in person has had a chance.

Phone testimony requires a written request to the municipal clerk the day before a hearing. In-person speakers need no sign-up, and the chair calls them first-come.

Handeland, who represents Chugiak, Eagle River and JBER, described the ordinance in a memo to the Assembly as two relatively minor changes to city code. He said in-person speakers travel to meetings and often wait there until their item comes up, while agendas shift, earlier items run long and bad weather can affect travel. If a hearing is continued to another day, they may have to make a second trip. Callers, he said, can wait wherever they choose and do other things until the clerk calls them.

Handeland said the change is proposed "not because in-person testimony is viewed as somehow of greater value." He called it "a common-sense adjustment."

The ordinance itself says both in-person and phone testimony are valuable ways to take part. It notes testimony can start later than expected when Assembly members, including the sponsor, take longer to discuss an item. It says a clear order would help the chair and clerk handle testimony consistently.