Video Clips

Quoted moments from Alaska public meetings, hearings, and press conferences.

Seema Garoutte “We typically don't look at RentalScape at the beginning of summer and then again in September, and because of that, I don't know if we are missing short-term rentals that only operate during the summer tourist season, which could mean we're missing potential business, um, personal property accounts.”

Kodiak Borough: Assembly Work Session of October 8, 2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Bo Sedillo-Whiteside “we have compounding housing issues, especially with this Coast Guard expansion and our discussion with the Coast Guard in there. They found the same problem on their end, that we're going to have some issues with, with those Coast Guard folks finding housing as well.”

Kodiak Borough: Assembly Work Session of October 8, 2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Bo Sedillo-Whiteside “I suppose I encourage maybe a monthly report on this, just a monthly update.”

Kodiak Borough: Assembly Work Session of October 8, 2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Bo Sedillo-Whiteside “we're seeing now a lot of longer-term rentals hitting the market, but it's for 8 months, which doesn't do a lot of people much good. When they're looking to settle into the community.”

Kodiak Borough: Assembly Work Session of October 8, 2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Seema Garoutte “One thing we learned is that Rentalscape isn't always 100% accurate.”

Kodiak Borough: Assembly Work Session of October 8, 2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Kevin McCabe “ADA doesn't know what business they're thinking about putting up there. Um, so there will be much public comment, there will be much public process involved if it if in fact it does happen, and I'm not convinced, like Senator Rauscher is, that it's going to happen. I think there's lots and lots of pressure on DNR.”

Houston: Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting 10.08.2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Sean Darnell

“Data sheets note special firefighting procedures specifically directing dry chemical water fog or foam should be used, not to use direct stream of water, indicating, uh, using solid streams of water could actually spread the fire.”

Houston: Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting 10.08.2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Sean Darnell

“The state of Alaska is now involved in investigating this contamination. Shouldn't the city wait for the state to complete their investigation for conclusions, including cleanup efforts needed to address the contamination at this site?”

Houston: Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting 10.08.2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Sean Darnell

“I respectfully request the city council to deny this CUP. Protecting public safety, our water, air, and neighborhoods should come before approving a site for industrial use whose impacts have not been adequately determined.”

Houston: Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting 10.08.2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Tony Woolers

“I'm actually a victim of the contaminated water right now, 'cause it's all flowing directly at my property, which is going to cost me a very large sum of money according to the state when this all settles out.”

Houston: Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting 10.08.2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Patrick Simpson

“it's a requirement for us, it's state law that we have to report these things. I mean, it's not— there's not an option.”

Houston: Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting 10.08.2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Patrick Simpson

“I think what we're planning to do, what I'm planning to do, is monitor probably with permanent wells at, at least 2 locations on site for the next 5 years.”

Houston: Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting 10.08.2026 · Oct 8, 2026

George Rauscher “They're going to read them all and they're going to make some, probably some decisions later after they've, they've calculated all of the limite that they got. But I just thought that the takeaway is it's going to happen.”

Houston: Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting 10.08.2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Kevin McCabe “A few other things, uh, I listened to Senator Rauscher talk about, um, the DNR ADA land transfer. Keep in mind that Senator Rauscher was talking about the ADA response to the public comments. All those public comments that you made, that everybody made to, uh, on this transfer, went to the DNR, and the DNR makes the decision on this, whether or not they're going to transfer it to ADA.”

Houston: Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting 10.08.2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Kent Mitchell “Personally, I'd rather see DNR land in the city limits of Houston be turned over to the City of Houston. That's my opinion. I'd rather be there to manage it as a city so that the people have a say in what— I mean, it seems like they are willing to work, and it didn't seem like they'd be difficult to work with, but So yeah, we've had a kind of an issue with this process of DNR not filling us in or putting us in the loop before they make these decisions.”

Houston: Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting 10.08.2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Sean Darnell

“I'd like to provide comment in opposition of approving a conditional use permit for Alaska Plastic Recovery to operate an industrial plastics processing operation at this location.”

Houston: Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting 10.08.2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Patrick Simpson

“what that indicated to us was that contamination of the groundwater, which wasn't coming from us from any of the soil sample measurements, and was also in an area where we weren't storing any plastics, was actually coming from further upstream somewhere above us.”

Houston: Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting 10.08.2026 · Oct 8, 2026

George Rauscher “And it didn't seem like any question that I asked probably would give that opinion that they were ever going to do that. So it was going to stay no matter what. Does that mean they got a data center in mind? They kept saying no. They also said that there's no future for a data center here because of energy, because of, uh, the, uh, oh, you got a fiber optic line, few other things.”

Houston: Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting 10.08.2026 · Oct 8, 2026

George Rauscher “And, uh, so they did say they were going to keep that in. And since they said they were going to keep that in, that just tells me the whole land trade is going to happen.”

Houston: Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting 10.08.2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Tony Woolers

“If the answer is no, then please do not grant this permit.”

Houston: Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting 10.08.2026 · Oct 8, 2026

George Rauscher “it seemed like, uh, ADA thought that the comment periods were something that they could take into consideration, but no matter how bad they were, how good they were, it would not change their opinion, uh, if they wanted to still go on with the transfer of the land. That was what I was getting at. Now, I did ask a question about the data center, uh, and I basically asked if they were going to actually think about removing it because we had heard that they would take that out of the mix.”

Houston: Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting 10.08.2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Tony Woolers

“So on my conclusion, I want to ask each one of you, if it was you in your backyard, would you want this in yours?”

Houston: Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting 10.08.2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Sean Darnell

“Information presented recently by Three Tier Alaska at a community meeting identified diesel contamination in the groundwater. The source is not currently known.”

Houston: Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting 10.08.2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Jeff Brasel “I think that 2620 was a big win for the city tonight, and I want to thank Council Member Johansen for drafting pretty much the entirety of that. All I did was modify it a little bit into being temporary and try to work on the language some. Um, but that gives us an opportunity to get our renewed planning and zoning folks on track with plenty of time to make that happen, and, and I think we're gonna come out the other side of that in better shape than had we, you know, gone the original direction.”

Houston: Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting 10.08.2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Tony Woolers

“This is 3 times the legal limit for for consumption. That means technically I can't even shower.”

Houston: Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting 10.08.2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Lisa Johansen “And overall, I think this ordinance makes everybody happy in terms of what the other council members were looking for, what I was looking for. So I think we came to a happy medium, I would say.”

Houston: Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting 10.08.2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Lisa Johansen “As the council knows, I brought forth an ordinance to ban data centers in the city of Houston. Some good discussion ensued, and Council Members Lewis and Brazell specifically had concerns about what I had brought forth, and they brought forth some, some good ideas. And I think this ordinance in front of us, uh, is a good balance between what I was looking for and the concerns that the other council members had. Um, it gives us time as the city to get our planning and zoning involved and looking at things.”

Houston: Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting 10.08.2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Kent Mitchell “The purpose of a conditional use permit hearing is to not, not just to hear the public. I understand there's a few members of the public that spoke out against it today, but some of the comments can be invalidated with proof, and I think that's what we saw today.”

Houston: Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting 10.08.2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Kent Mitchell “Yep, I agree. I think this is a great compromise to a good idea. Um, thank you for your work on it. I think this is You know, this is a good thing for Houston to be able to work through the planning and zoning process, just to set up Houston to where we're not going to get things in Houston that the people of Houston don't want. Um, we have the opportunity to draw some boundaries around businesses that come into the city, and I think that's a great— that was a great suggestion by Deputy Mayor Brazell.”

Houston: Regular Scheduled City Council Meeting 10.08.2026 · Oct 8, 2026

Bob Stanford “Be a little rebellious. This town is rebellious, and you're going to see a lot of really neat things happen in the coming years. But thank you, and I'm voting no when they say, uh, do you want to close the meeting?”

Kodiak: October 8, 2026, Regular Meeting · Oct 8, 2026

Sandra West “And although Bob and Anika will be back, I was prepared for this to be the last one.”

Kodiak: October 8, 2026, Regular Meeting · Oct 8, 2026

Nick Mangini “just like to start by thanking both of you guys, especially Bob, because it's your last meeting. So really appreciate, really appreciate all the, all the work that you have done and all the time you've given to our city.”

Kodiak: October 8, 2026, Regular Meeting · Oct 8, 2026

John Wooden

“he has been absolutely instrumental in revitalizing the city's investment portfolio and again has made— has turned that around from years ago when it was losing money to now it's making money. So that should not be missed at all.”

Kodiak: October 8, 2026, Regular Meeting · Oct 8, 2026

Carly McChesney

“I just want to say from the community that we love you too, and thank you for serving. And remember, if you ever get bored, you can always come back.”

Kodiak: October 8, 2026, Regular Meeting · Oct 8, 2026

“So of course, my, my leaving will create a vacancy in that. Um, that committee has had issues making quorum in the past. So I just, I do want to draw attention to that and put that out since we do have everybody on the current council present. Maybe start thinking about who's interested in that and sitting on that seat. And just a friendly reminder, of course, Bob and I are both the council members on the investment committee.”

Kodiak: October 8, 2026, Regular Meeting · Oct 8, 2026

Rich Walker “Bob and Rich, buddy, been a fun time.”

Kodiak: October 8, 2026, Regular Meeting · Oct 8, 2026

Annika Woods “I would really like to see the, um, momentum continue on that. Bob's put a ton of work into that. I can't claim any credit on that at all. Um, but, you know, that is 2 people, and it's incredibly important to just to continue that.”

Kodiak: October 8, 2026, Regular Meeting · Oct 8, 2026

Bob Stanford “like Annika, I like to think, uh, you know, I thought about 6 years ago is when I started, and I would be very amiss if I didn't thank John Whidden for asking me to do this. And that was the beginning of a section of my life where you pondered, you know, how do you give back in city service and service to the town? And it has been an incredible ride.”

Kodiak: October 8, 2026, Regular Meeting · Oct 8, 2026

Bob Stanford “So, uh, anyway, I wish the best of luck to the next council and enjoy.”

Kodiak: October 8, 2026, Regular Meeting · Oct 8, 2026

John Wooden

“You did a phenomenal job. You came in as somebody didn't really know anything about municipal government. And I would say you're one of the strongest leaders I've seen on that council for years. So thank you for all your hard work, and God bless.”

Kodiak: October 8, 2026, Regular Meeting · Oct 8, 2026

Annika Woods “Uh, for one, I am the council member on the local emergency planning committee.”

Kodiak: October 8, 2026, Regular Meeting · Oct 8, 2026

Djuna Davidson “I do want to thank Bob and Annika both for for not just their years of service on the council, but also how they have graciously shepherded the first year for Sandra and Nick and I as we have learned what it takes to try to serve the community through a council position. I really appreciate having had the chance to work with you guys.”

Kodiak: October 8, 2026, Regular Meeting · Oct 8, 2026

Rich Walker “Bob, it's been a great time. We've taken on a lot of issues with the council over the years, and, you know, we got to take care of a lot of things that needed to be taken care of, and we took them on head-on, and that's what I loved about it.”

Kodiak: October 8, 2026, Regular Meeting · Oct 8, 2026

John Wooden

“he alone saved the city millions, actually made the city millions through his work on the investment committee. And it's through those investments that's allowed us— the city manager mentioned— it's allowed the city to manage funds a little bit differently.”

Kodiak: October 8, 2026, Regular Meeting · Oct 8, 2026

Bob Stanford “I've, I've enjoyed my time. The, the council members is just, it's been an honor to work with them. I've learned so much, made some great friendships.”

Kodiak: October 8, 2026, Regular Meeting · Oct 8, 2026

Eileen Fitzgerald

“That is infuriating. That business does our, our Boy Scouts, our Girl Scouts, donates to our families, keeps my old car running. That is shameful, and that falls on you.”

Kodiak: October 8, 2026, Work Session · Oct 8, 2026

Eileen Fitzgerald

“it is arbitrary and capricious to only include some of the information that you're getting to the public. Again and again, you guys are making references to reports as a basis for your decisions, and that information is not available to the public. Uh, reasons that you are stated for suing local businesses are refuted in their answers, and I would just ask you to consider this. Do you know that you are suing a local auto shop? Uh, Julie Liu has calculated 506% more for a local auto shop than Highmark Marine paid for the same year, 2024.”

Kodiak: October 8, 2026, Work Session · Oct 8, 2026

Tim Putney

“it seemed like a couple of months ago it was going to be a couple million, and now it's down to about $92,000 or $94,000 after, um, some, some transfers from investments and stuff. So it's Looking a lot better than it was a couple of months ago.”

Kodiak: October 8, 2026, Work Session · Oct 8, 2026

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