State tutorial reveals Open Meetings Act does not protect public comment

The Alaska Division of Community and Regional Affairs held the final session of its spring Local Government Information Tutorial series on May 21, 2026. The division announced that the state's Open Meetings Act does not protect the public's right to be heard at government meetings.

Trisha Sullivan led the 10:00 a.m. Zoom session. Sullivan is Local Government Specialist IV for the division. The tutorial addressed what the act covers, who it applies to, and the rules governing closed executive sessions.

The division framed the session around a question many Alaskans may answer incorrectly. The email announcement asked whether recipients knew the Open Meetings Act does not protect the public's right to be heard. It posed a follow-up question about what statute does provide that protection.

Participants needing the Zoom link were directed to contact their assigned local government specialist. The division maintains an online map showing which specialist serves each community.

The May 21 session concluded the spring tutorial schedule. The division published upcoming schedules for June and July. No sessions are planned for May 28, June 4, or June 25.

Sonya Pevan will lead the June 11 session on election ordinance review. Alaina Capoeman will present a census data workshop focused on tribal relations on June 18.

July tutorials will focus on election procedures. Pevan will review election tasks and schedules on July 2. She will cover preparing voting documentation on July 9 alongside Brendan Smyth.

Pevan and Iura Leahu will explain differences between voting types on July 16. Pevan and Breanna Armstrong will teach training methods for election judges conducting hand counts on July 23. The July 30 session will address preparing canvass boards and election certification. Pevan and Trish Gilliland will present that session.

The Local Government Information Tutorial series provides training to officials in Alaska's municipalities and unincorporated communities. The division offers the sessions via Zoom.

Sandra Moller serves as director of the Division of Community and Regional Affairs. The division maintains offices at 550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1650, in Anchorage.

The division solicits feedback on previous tutorials through an online survey. It accepts topic requests from local government officials. It provides budget templates and other resources through its website.

The division can be reached at 907-269-4549. The Rural Utility Business Advisor program operates a QuickBooks help line on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 907-440-0242. The division manages that program.