On the agenda: Palmer ASSEMBLY REGULAR MEETING — Data Center (Oct 20)

MATANUSKA-SUSITNA BOROUGH
350 East Dahlia Avenue, Palmer, Alaska 99645 - 907-861-8683

BOROUGH MAYOR
Edna DeVries

BOROUGH ASSEMBLY
Michael Bowles, District 1
Stephanie Nowers, District 2
Dee McKee, District 3
Maxwell Sumner, District 4
Bill Gamble, District 5
Dmitri Fonov, District 6
Ron Bernier, District 7

BOROUGH CLERK
Lonnie R. McKechnie, CMC
BOROUGH MANAGER
Michael Brown
BOROUGH ATTORNEY
Nicholas Spiropoulos

ASSEMBLY AGENDA

ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS
350 EAST DAHLIA AVENUE, PALMER
ASSEMBLY REGULAR MEETING

6:00 PM

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2026

WAYS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ASSEMBLY MEETING IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND IN
PERSON:

IN WRITING:
* You can submit written comments to [email protected]
TELEPHONIC TESTIMONY:
* Dial 1-855-225-2326
* You will hear “Joining conference” when you are admitted to the meeting.
* You will be automatically muted and able to listen to the meeting.
* When the Mayor announces audience participation or a public hearing you would like to speak
to, press *3; you will hear “Your hand has been raised.”
* When it is your turn to testify you will hear “Your line has been unmuted.”
* State your name for the record, spell your last name, and provide your testimony.
OBSERVE: observe the meeting via the live stream video at:
* https://matanuska.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
* https://www.facebook.com/MatSuBorough
* Matanuska-Susitna Borough - YouTube
I. CALL TO ORDER
II. ROLL CALL
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Assembly Regular Meeting

October 20, 2026
Page 1 of 9

IV. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
V. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY
A. Emergency Preparedness Poster Contest Winners
VI. MINUTES OF PRECEDING MEETINGS

26-161

A. Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes: 09/15/26

Attachments: 10/20/26 - Minutes for Packet
VII. REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE
A. AGENCY REPORTS (MSB 2.12.082; Seven minutes per person)
1. Reports From Cities
2. Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District
3. State of Alaska
4. Library Board

26-158

Library Board Update

Attachments: 10/20/2026 - Library Board Presentation
B. COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. Joint Assembly/School Board Committees
2. Assembly Public Relations
C. MANAGER COMMENTS
1. State/Federal Legislation
2. Strategic Planning Issues
D. ATTORNEY COMMENTS
E. CLERK COMMENTS

Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Assembly Regular Meeting

October 20, 2026
Page 2 of 9

F. CITIZEN AND OTHER CORRESPONDENCE

26-162

1. Central Mat-Su FSA Board of Supervisors: 06/08/26
2. Greater Talkeetna RSA Board of Supervisors: 08/13/26
3. MSB Fish and Wildlife Commission: 05/14/26
4. South Lakes Community Council: 09/14/26
5. Talkeetna Community Council: 09/08/26
6. Tanaina Community Council: 04/27/26, 05/26/26, 06/22/26,
08/24/26
7. Trapper Creek Community Council: 08/20/26

Attachments: 10/20/26 - Citizen and Other Correspondence
G. INFORMATIONAL MEMORANDUMS

IM 26-199

Reporting The Conclusion Of Contract For Proposal No. 25-034P
With Orion Construction, Inc. For A Final Contract Amount Of
$825,000 For The Design Build And Installation Of The Gateway
Visitor Center Display And Exhibits Project.

Attachments: IM 26-199

IM 26-205

Reporting The Conclusion Of Contract For Bid No. 25-050B With
Orion Construction, Inc. For A Final Contract Amount Of
$7,425,913.14 For Constructing The Central Landfill Site
Improvements Phase I Project.

Attachments: IM 26-205
VIII. SPECIAL ORDERS
A. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (You can speak under one of the audience
participations on the agenda, but not both; Three Minutes Per Person.)
B. PUBLIC HEARINGS (Three Minutes Per Person.)

Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Assembly Regular Meeting

October 20, 2026
Page 3 of 9

OR 26-107

An Ordinance Accepting And Appropriating $2,500,000 From The
Mat-Su Health Foundation For Installation Of A Refrigerated Arena,
Dasher Board, And Plexiglass System At The Big Lake Lions
Recreation Center.
RS 26-097: A Resolution Approving The Scope Of Work And
Budget For Installation Of A Refrigerated Ice Sheet, Dasher Board,
And Plexiglass System At The Big Lake Lions Recreation Center.

Attachments: OR 26-107

RS 26-097
IM 26-183
OR 26-111

An Ordinance Accepting And Appropriating 2022 January Mat-Su
Windstorm Disaster Relief Funds In The Amount Of $81,370.89
From The Federal Emergency Management Agency.
RS 26-104: A Resolution Approving The Scope Of Work And
Budget For Management Costs As A Result Of The 2022 January
Mat-Su Windstorm Disaster.

Attachments: OR 26-111

RS 26-104
IM 26-195
C. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION (You can speak under one of the audience
participations on the agenda, but not both; Three Minutes Per Person.)
D. CONSENT AGENDA
1. RESOLUTIONS

RS 26-107

A Resolution Amending The Budget Within Project No.
30036-6600 For Midway Road Service Area For The Double B
Circle Improvements Project; And Approving The Scope Of
Work And Budget For The Gershmel Loop Mill And Pave
Project.

Attachments: RS 26-107

IM 26-200

Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Assembly Regular Meeting

October 20, 2026
Page 4 of 9

RS 26-108

A Resolution Amending The Budget Within Project No.
30048-6600 For Gold Trail Road Service Area For The Paradise
Lane And Duke Dale Circle Improvements Project; And
Approving The Scope Of Work And Budget For The Mulchatna
Drive Mill And Pave, Gail Drive Mill And Pave, and Seldon
Road Pavement Preservation Projects.

Attachments: RS 26-108

IM 26-201
RS 26-109

A Resolution Amending The Budget Within Project No.
30045-6600 For Bogard Road Service Area For The Williwaw
Way, Kodiak Drive, And Helen Lane Improvements Project;
And Approving The Scope Of Work And Budget For The Earl
Drive And Eek Street Mill And Pave Project.

Attachments: RS 26-109

IM 26-202
RS 26-110

A Resolution Establishing Borough Policy That Outdoor
Christmas Trees Displayed By The Borough Shall Be Referred
To As Christmas Trees And That Such Displays Shall Also
Contain The Display Of A Menorah.

Sponsors: Bowles
Attachments: RS 26-110

IM 26-203
RS 26-111

A Resolution Approving The Amended Budgets For Neklason
Lake At Homebuilt Circle And Birch Creek At Mastodon Fish
Passage Projects.

Attachments: RS 26-111

IM 26-204

Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Assembly Regular Meeting

October 20, 2026
Page 5 of 9

RS 26-117

A Resolution Recommending A Statewide Moratorium On Data
Centers Exceeding 20-Megawatts Until The State Or Local
Governments Have Reviewed And Considered The Potential
Need For Regulations Governing Data Centers; And Directing
The Manager To Prepare An Ordinance Imposing A 6-Month
Moratorium On Data Centers Exceeding 20-Megawatts Within
The Borough.

Sponsors: Nowers
Attachments: RS 26-117

IM 26-213
2. ACTION MEMORANDUMS

AM 26-136

Award Of Bid No. 27-050C To Rosenbauer/General Fire
Apparatus In The Contract Amount Of $1,139,590 For The
Purchase Of Rescue Squad Apparatuses.

Attachments: AM 26-136

AM 26-137

Approval Of Additional Utility Relocation Costs Of $220,624.38
To Enstar Natural Gas For The Crimsonview And Heavenly
Meadows Street Improvements Project In The South Colony
Road Service Area.

Attachments: AM 26-137

AM 26-139

Establishing The Opioid Remediation Grant Program And
Approving The Process For Allocating Opioid Settlement Funds.

Attachments: AM 26-139

AM 26-140

Authorizing An Extension Of The Contract With AMC
Engineers, Inc. Through June 30, 2028, For Engineering
Support, Construction Administration, And Related Services For
Stations 7-1 And 8-1 Apparatus Fill Tank Project.

Attachments: AM-26-140

AM 26-141

Authorization To Enter Into A Contract No. 27-039C With MCG
Explore Design To Complete The Academy Charter High School
Design In The Amount Of $573,155.

Attachments: AM 26-141
IX. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Assembly Regular Meeting

October 20, 2026
Page 6 of 9

X. VETO
XI. NEW BUSINESS
A. INTRODUCTIONS (For Public Hearing 11/17/26, Assembly Chambers)

RS 26-091

A Resolution Approving 2027 State Legislative Priorities.

Attachments: RS 26-091

IM 26-174
RS 26-092

A Resolution Approving 2027 Federal Legislative Priorities.

Attachments: RS 26-092

IM 26-175
OR 26-112

An Ordinance Accepting And Appropriating 2025 December Mat-Su
Windstorm Disaster Relief Funds In The Amount Of $24,300 From
The Alaska State Division Of Homeland Security And Emergency
Management To Project No. 55033, Fund 445.
RS 26-112: A Resolution Approving The Scope Of Work And
Budget For Station 5-1 Antennae Repairs Caused By The 2025
December Mat-Su Windstorm Disaster, Project No. 55033, Fund
445.

Attachments: OR 26-112

RS 26-112
IM 26-206
OR 26-113

An Ordinance Accepting And Appropriating A Grant In The Amount
Of $16,501 From The United States Department Of The Interior
For A Project To Purchase A Slip-On Tanker For The
Willow-Caswell Fire Service Area.
RS 26-114: A Resolution Approving The Scope Of Work And
Budget For A Grant In The Amount Of $16,501 From The United
States Department Of The Interior For A Slip-On Tanker For The
Willow-Caswell Fire Service Area.

Attachments: OR 26-113

RS 26-114
IM 26-208

Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Assembly Regular Meeting

October 20, 2026
Page 7 of 9

OR 26-114

An Ordinance Approving The Time Extension Of The Areawide
Budget Appropriation For The 2024 Tuxedo Avenue Bridge
Replacement Project To October 30, 2028.

Attachments: OR 26-114

IM 26-209
OR 26-115

An Ordinance Approving An Appropriation Of $850,000 From The
West Lakes Fire Service Area Fund Balance To A Project To
Upgrade The Water Supply System At Station 8-1.
RS 26-115: A Resolution Approving The Scope Of Work And
Budget For Water Supply Upgrades At Station 8-1 For The West
Lakes Fire Service Area.

Attachments: OR 26-115

RS 26-115
IM 26-210
OR 26-116

An Ordinance Accepting And Appropriating A Grant In The Amount
Of $72,787, From The United States Department Of Health, Rural
Health Transformation Program, For Emergency Medical Services
Clinical Operations And Rural Exchange Program.
RS 26-116: A Resolution Approving The Scope Of Work And
Budget For A Grant From The United States Department Of Health,
Rural Health Transformation Program, For Emergency Medical
Services Clinical Operations And Rural Exchange Program.

Attachments: OR 26-116

RS 26-116
IM 26-211
B. MAYORAL NOMINATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS
1. VACANCY REPORT

26-163

Mayoral Requests for Confirmation

Attachments: 10/20/26 - Vacancy Report
C. OTHER NEW BUSINESS
1. MOTION TO AMEND SOMETHING PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED

Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Assembly Regular Meeting

October 20, 2026
Page 8 of 9

RS 26-094

A Resolution Selecting Northern Route 1 As The Preferred
Route Identified In The July 2026 Route Selection Report For
The Engstrom Road To Trunk Road Corridor Project.

Attachments: RS 26-094

IM 26-178
10/20/26 - Bowles Motion to Amend Something Previously Adopted
D. REFERRALS (For Referral To The Planning Commission For 90 Days Or Other
Date Specified By The Assembly)
XII. RECONSIDERATION

.

RS 26-105

A Resolution Requesting The Matanuska-Susitna Borough School
Board Change The Date Of The First Day Of School For All Schools
Throughout The Borough To The Day After Labor Day.

Sponsors: Bowles
Attachments: RS 26-105

IM 26-196
10/20/26 - Fonov Motion for Reconsideration
XIII. MAYOR, ASSEMBLY, AND STAFF COMMENTS
XIV. EXECUTIVE SESSION
XV. ADJOURNMENT
Disabled Persons Needing Reasonable Accommodation In Order To Participate At An Assembly Meeting Should Contact The
Borough ADA Coordinator At (907) 861-8432 At Least One Week In Advance Of The Meeting.

Matanuska-Susitna Borough
Assembly Regular Meeting

October 20, 2026
Page 9 of 9