Video Clips
Quoted moments from Alaska public meetings, hearings, and press conferences.
Speaker C
“its mission is to seize empower and educate individuals and families, and most of all, we promote pride and acceptance of all cultures.”Anchorage Assembly: HHAND Commission Monthly Meeting June 2026 · Jun 9, 2026
Jared Gardner
“one of the implications from this rezone with respect to some of the concerns that we heard is that this actually removes an existing minimum requirement for housing density, um, and will allow, um, potentially lower densities on the property than currently required.”Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - June 8, 2026 - 2026-06-08 18:30:00 · Jun 8, 2026
Andres Spinelli
“the motion will allow lower density, as Commissioner Gardner stated, and that a lot of the drainage plan requirements will be required by the building permit.”Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - June 8, 2026 - 2026-06-08 18:30:00 · Jun 8, 2026
Edith McKee
“in the packet, it, it kind of— it says that if we don't grant the variance, then the expectation would be they would have to demolish part of the garage. Yes, demolish portion to get the permit approved, the project approved.”Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - June 8, 2026 - 2026-06-08 18:30:00 · Jun 8, 2026
Edith McKee
“I think due to the significant size of the lot that the, the accessory, the garage, does not dominate the residential lot. I also think it's consistent with the rural lifestyle of the district and does not visually dominate the property. Um, the other criterion, Criterion C, that says the proposed alternative results in a benefit to the community that are equivalent to or better than compliance with subject standard. I feel that this criterion is significantly met and that having an enclosed garage structure so that your recreational equipment, vehicles, and other things that we all like to store in our garages is in an enclosed structure versus open to public view, I think that that is a— it is a betterment and in compliance with the standard.”Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - June 8, 2026 - 2026-06-08 18:30:00 · Jun 8, 2026
Jonathan Lang
“The owners intend to develop the property and retain ownership, so they're not going to build it and sell it. And as owners of a greenhouse, they understand, understand landscaping and the importance of natural spaces. It is their intention to landscape the property and to keep it as green as possible”Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - June 8, 2026 - 2026-06-08 18:30:00 · Jun 8, 2026
Speaker C
“Neighbors of Lots 5 and 8 provided formal letter of support for the variance. The reviewing agents expressed no objections, and the Chugiak/Eagle River Advisory Board and Chugiak Community Council provided no comments regarding this case. The department found criteria A and C are partially met, and criteria B and D through H are met. Therefore, the department recommends denial of the design variance.”Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - June 8, 2026 - 2026-06-08 18:30:00 · Jun 8, 2026
Jared Gardner
“we didn't receive any public testimony this evening, but there were 2 letters included with the application from what I take to be neighbors., supporting the requested variance, and as well that there are photos that I think further emphasize both how the property, including the garage, is offset, not easily visible or at all visible maybe from the road, and that when facing both structures, the garage, um, looks much smaller than the house the way that they're oriented.”Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - June 8, 2026 - 2026-06-08 18:30:00 · Jun 8, 2026
Edith McKee
“One of the conditions if the variance were approved was to construct a driveway that's compliant for fire turnaround. Do you have any concerns about being able to meet that condition if the variance were granted? No, and when I went to close the permit last year, I spoke with a fire department representative and they have already approved what I've done.”Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - June 8, 2026 - 2026-06-08 18:30:00 · Jun 8, 2026
Speaker C
“This is a request for a design variance from— to allow an accessory garage to exceed the gross floor area of the principal single-family residential residence, 21507 Twin Peaks Drive in Chugiak. The 1,426 square foot detached garage exceeds the gross floor area of the principal residence by 235 feet, an average of 19.7%. The property is zoned CE-R12SL, low-density residential, alpine slope, and is 4.6 acres in size.”Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - June 8, 2026 - 2026-06-08 18:30:00 · Jun 8, 2026
Jonathan Lang
“stormwater runoff from the site onto Santa Maria Drive will be addressed when the proposed residential development is submitted for approval.”Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - June 8, 2026 - 2026-06-08 18:30:00 · Jun 8, 2026
Jared Gardner
“a lot of the concerns, um, can and should be addressed through the building permit process. Um, not something that really plays into the criteria for the rezone directly.”Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - June 8, 2026 - 2026-06-08 18:30:00 · Jun 8, 2026
Emma Gibney
“The only other financial information I can. Cite is the amount of money that. The bonds were for to create a new municipal cemetery which would have been $1.57 million for the book for each. Each of the Girdwood and then the Eagle. Eagle river cemeteries.”Prefix — Anchorage Assembly: Worksession re AO 2026-72, authorizing competitive disposal with conditions of Heritage Land Bank... · Jun 1, 2026
Emma Gibney
“Because the proposed disposal is pursuant to subsection H, which allows for the competitive disposal of HLB land in order to facilitate a specific project that will provide public benefits, it is required that the disposal also include conditions to ensure the proper development and completion of the project in the public interest.”Prefix — Anchorage Assembly: Worksession re AO 2026-72, authorizing competitive disposal with conditions of Heritage Land Bank... · Jun 1, 2026
Emma Gibney
“This type of cemetery relies on affordable. Low density burials, restricting the use of large monuments or gravestones so view sheds remain uninterrupted and the land can serve the community as a multipurpose space and as wildlife habitat.”Prefix — Anchorage Assembly: Worksession re AO 2026-72, authorizing competitive disposal with conditions of Heritage Land Bank... · Jun 1, 2026
Emma Gibney
“There is the direct public benefit that Alaska Natural Burials Project will provide much needed cemetery space for the municipality while also providing the indirect financial public benefit. By not relying on taxpayer funding or the passing of bond measures, this project. Has proven to be one of the. Most highly supported projects I've ever experienced during my time at hlb.”Prefix — Anchorage Assembly: Worksession re AO 2026-72, authorizing competitive disposal with conditions of Heritage Land Bank... · Jun 1, 2026
Emma Gibney
“Over the years, we've received dozens of comments of support not only from community councils but also from the Parks and Recreation Department, Watershed Management Services Division, the. Municipal Cemetery Director, and a long list. Of residents who would love the opportunity to receive a natural burial in in. Such a beautiful location.”Prefix — Anchorage Assembly: Worksession re AO 2026-72, authorizing competitive disposal with conditions of Heritage Land Bank... · Jun 1, 2026
Zac Johnson
“Two concerns. One, that by doing natural burials, that we risk either water contamination or that predators like bears might unearth remains. And can you say that those have been addressed or mitigated?”Prefix — Anchorage Assembly: Worksession re AO 2026-72, authorizing competitive disposal with conditions of Heritage Land Bank... · Jun 1, 2026
Emma Gibney
“Alaska Natural. Burial is going to work with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to. Create a document with guidelines for best practices to avoid human wildlife conflict. And that this document will be supplied. To HLV prior to disposal.”Prefix — Anchorage Assembly: Worksession re AO 2026-72, authorizing competitive disposal with conditions of Heritage Land Bank... · Jun 1, 2026
Zac Johnson
“I have a question, but first, just want to highlight the fact that for people who are not interested in being cremated, there are very few options in Anchorage these days other than if you have access to one of those privately reserved spots of the cemetery. So just highlighting there that there is certainly unmet demand for people who wish to be a buried in that way. And as was also noted, we tried to increase cemetery capacity through a bond measure a couple years ago that failed.”Prefix — Anchorage Assembly: Worksession re AO 2026-72, authorizing competitive disposal with conditions of Heritage Land Bank... · Jun 1, 2026
Emma Gibney
“This property is located in South Anchorage on Golden view Drive about 1.25 miles south of the Golden View Middle School. It is across the street from Moen. Park and it is uphill from Potter Marsh Watershed Park. It is approximately 9.6 acres in size and is zoned PLI Public Lands and Institutions.”Prefix — Anchorage Assembly: Worksession re AO 2026-72, authorizing competitive disposal with conditions of Heritage Land Bank... · Jun 1, 2026
Ryan Yell
“So it is just over $500,000.”Prefix — Anchorage Assembly: Worksession re AO 2026-72, authorizing competitive disposal with conditions of Heritage Land Bank... · Jun 1, 2026
Ryan Yell
“because we are doing this underneath AMC 2540, 25H. We can dispose for less than fair. Market value because of the public benefits. I do note in the memo as. Well that we are proposing a $0 sale.”Prefix — Anchorage Assembly: Worksession re AO 2026-72, authorizing competitive disposal with conditions of Heritage Land Bank... · Jun 1, 2026
Ryan Yell
“And also we have two conditions about. The Green Burial Council's natural burial ground standards that address those concerns”Prefix — Anchorage Assembly: Worksession re AO 2026-72, authorizing competitive disposal with conditions of Heritage Land Bank... · Jun 1, 2026
Austin Quinn-Davidson
“we are proposing a zero dollar sale of the property”Anchorage Assembly: Worksession re AO 2026-72, authorizing competitive disposal with conditions of Heritage Land Bank... · Jun 1, 2026
Austin Quinn-Davidson
“we have two conditions about the Green Burial Council's natural burial ground standards that address those concerns as well. Thank you. And also, there's no residential wells downstream from where this is going to take place.”Anchorage Assembly: Worksession re AO 2026-72, authorizing competitive disposal with conditions of Heritage Land Bank... · Jun 1, 2026
Austin Quinn-Davidson
“it is just over $500,000”Anchorage Assembly: Worksession re AO 2026-72, authorizing competitive disposal with conditions of Heritage Land Bank... · Jun 1, 2026
Austin Quinn-Davidson
“the amount of money that the bonds were for to create a new municipal cemetery, which would have been $1.57 million for the book for each. Each of the Girdwood and then the Eagle. Eagle river cemeteries. Not to say that that's how much it's going to cost to set up this because it's a very different model, but just as a comparison that we are going to be creating a new cemetery for residents of the municipality of the municipality that instead of something that would have cost $4.1 million”Anchorage Assembly: Worksession re AO 2026-72, authorizing competitive disposal with conditions of Heritage Land Bank... · Jun 1, 2026
Austin Quinn-Davidson
“There is the direct public benefit that Alaska Natural Burials Project will provide much needed cemetery space for the municipality while also providing the indirect financial public benefit by not relying on taxpayer funding or the passing of bond measures.”Anchorage Assembly: Worksession re AO 2026-72, authorizing competitive disposal with conditions of Heritage Land Bank... · Jun 1, 2026
Austin Quinn-Davidson
“Alaska Natural Burial is going to work with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to create a document with guidelines for best practices to avoid human wildlife conflict. And that this document will be supplied to HLB prior to disposal.”Anchorage Assembly: Worksession re AO 2026-72, authorizing competitive disposal with conditions of Heritage Land Bank... · Jun 1, 2026
Speaker A
“That motion passes.”Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - June 1, 2026 - 2026-06-01 18:30:00 · Jun 2, 2026
Speaker A
“I move in case 20260059 to recommend to the Anchorage assembly approval of the rezone of one parcel from R5 district to R3 district.”Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - June 1, 2026 - 2026-06-01 18:30:00 · Jun 2, 2026
Speaker A
“I agree with the department recommendations that the proposed rezone meets the three approval criteria. I'll also note that no public or agency opposition to the rezone was heard.”Anchorage Assembly: Planning and Zoning Commission - June 1, 2026 - 2026-06-01 18:30:00 · Jun 2, 2026
Speaker B
“the withdrawal from Afghanistan occurred in August of 2021 and the last combat troops left Iraq in December of 2021. And as I don't know if we have any history buffs in the room, but, uh, prior to that, uh, those, those dates, if you next slide, there is a significant amount of fighting that happened in those countries. Uh, and so the 5-year, the 5-year thing could exclude combat veterans.”Worksession re AO 2026-40(S-1), amending Anchorage Municipal Code Section 7.10.010... · May 27, 2026
Speaker B
“If you have somebody that's— that two people that are bidding that are both out of state and one happens to be a veteran, that is the only scenario where somebody out of state is is getting a preference over somebody local to Alaska. So I think that is an important distinction to make.”Worksession re AO 2026-40(S-1), amending Anchorage Municipal Code Section 7.10.010... · May 27, 2026
Speaker A
“What we have on the books now is only one kind of preference. We have only a local preference for invitations to bid only. And right now, it is based on a sliding scale. We give a 5% bid preference capped at $5,000 on purchases up to $166,000. We go to 3% if you're not to exceed $10,000 on purchases in the next rung, and then finally it caps out at a 2% preference not to exceed $20,000 on purchases over half a million.”Worksession re AO 2026-40(S-1), amending Anchorage Municipal Code Section 7.10.010... · May 27, 2026
Speaker B
“We do think that the 5-year window creates too narrow of a gap for veteran-owned businesses to be established, and more importantly, it includes or it excludes a significant portion of the veteran population.”Worksession re AO 2026-40(S-1), amending Anchorage Municipal Code Section 7.10.010... · May 27, 2026
Speaker A
“At present, we take the best financial expert to send to the RCA for AWU and the bond counsel that we think will serve us the best, whether they're local or in Seattle. And we could change that, but I do think that is a, a big bite to take.”Worksession re AO 2026-40(S-1), amending Anchorage Municipal Code Section 7.10.010... · May 27, 2026
Speaker B
“applying a veteran-owned business to the RFP process is neither unheard of nor unworkable. Many places do it. Washington, DC, San Antonio, Miami-Dade County all provide for veterans preference in their process.”Worksession re AO 2026-40(S-1), amending Anchorage Municipal Code Section 7.10.010... · May 27, 2026
Speaker A
“the way the current drafts before the S2 version are written, the veterans preference is tied solely to veteran status and not connected to Alaska at all. So if in the earlier scenario South Central Foundation, or whatever that company was, South Central Construction, was owned by someone who had served in Virginia Beach and had never been to Alaska before, they would get a preference.”Worksession re AO 2026-40(S-1), amending Anchorage Municipal Code Section 7.10.010... · May 27, 2026
Speaker A
“Invitation to bid context, when you're evaluating bids, you would give a 5% bid preference not to exceed $50,000. Likewise, in the request for proposal context, you would then give a 5% preference on the available evaluation points when that's plausible.”Worksession re AO 2026-40(S-1), amending Anchorage Municipal Code Section 7.10.010... · May 27, 2026
Speaker B
“the S2 would reduce the preference by 60% for veterans.”Worksession re AO 2026-40(S-1), amending Anchorage Municipal Code Section 7.10.010... · May 27, 2026
Speaker A
“when we give any kind of preference, a local preference, a veterans preference, other communities have disadvantaged business entity preferences, disabled preferences, you are willing to pay more in the ITB context to advance that policy goal. In the RFP context, you're willing to go with not your preferred best option, but to the second or third place option, depending on who gets the preference, again, to advance that policy goal.”Worksession re AO 2026-40(S-1), amending Anchorage Municipal Code Section 7.10.010... · May 27, 2026
Speaker A
“the Request for Proposal process, or the RFP process, is typically used for professional services, lawyers, accountants, etc., or when we can't define the parameters of the thing we want so precisely that we can use the ITB process. Again, that's triggered when the cost is more than $50,000, and there we're not awarding just on the cheapest. We're outlining in each of those Request for Proposal packages a matrix of numerical evaluation factors.”Worksession re AO 2026-40(S-1), amending Anchorage Municipal Code Section 7.10.010... · May 27, 2026
Speaker A
“In state law, the state procurement is that you get a 5% bid preference capped at $5,000, 10 times less than the $50,000 that's being proposed in the current versions, and it only goes to veterans who reside in Alaska or partnerships, LLCs, corporations that are majority Alaska-owned.”Worksession re AO 2026-40(S-1), amending Anchorage Municipal Code Section 7.10.010... · May 27, 2026
Speaker A
“if we're saying we're willing to pay more for certain services, why are we trying to grasp the widest range of discharges instead of saying like we value honorable discharges. Um, as someone that served, received an honorable discharge, I'm not seeing why we're going down to general under other than honorable circumstances.”Worksession re AO 2026-40(S-1), amending Anchorage Municipal Code Section 7.10.010... · May 27, 2026