At the Regular Assembly Meeting on March 7, 2023, the Anchorage Assembly took up several ordinances to bring forward long-term safeguards to protect municipal resources that were introduced as emergency ordinances (EOs) in January.
“The process of inquiry takes time,” said Assembly Chair Suzanne LaFrance. “Our emergency ordinances placed safeguards for a term of 60 days, but the truth that the public deserves has not yet come to light. We cannot risk the Municipality’s greatest resources any further. We have every reason to safeguard the public trust while the investigation unfolds.”
The Assembly approved (9-1) AO 2023-23(S), As Amended, to codify several of the protections temporarily enacted by EO 2023-2, As Amended, to lower the monetary thresholds for contracts to be approved by the Assembly from $500,000 to $150,000 and require more detailed reporting of contracts and spending of municipal resources, with exemptions available for emergency purchases necessary for life and safety.
An amendment was approved to require that the Administration submit an AIM to the Assembly within two Regular Assembly Meetings in the event of an emergency purchase related to life and safety.
“This item puts into Title 7 some of the actions we took using the emergency ordinances,” said Member Meg Zaletel. “What we've learned since this Administration is that there is an element of trust required to allow a higher contracting limit, and right now that trust doesn’t exist. And frankly, the system established by the EO seems to be working.”
"Thanks to the diligent efforts of municipal staff in the Purchasing Department to steward public dollars," said Assembly Chair LaFrance, "this ordinance maintains critical purchasing safeguards that hold Administrative Leadership accountable and loosens restrictions where reasonable. Our municipal workforce is an asset well worth protecting. Thank you for your expertise, diligence and cooperation."
Assembly Leadership also introduced AO 2023-27 to codify authority of the Ombudsman, which was clarified by EO 2023-3, As Amended. The ordinance establishes in code the charter-granted authority of the Ombudsman to investigate personnel matters within the Municipality, while prohibiting the duplication or relocation of personnel files accessed by the Office of the Ombudsman. A public hearing on the item is scheduled for the March 21 Regular Assembly Meeting.
“We are careening now towards a real crisis of our charter,” said Vice Chair Christopher Constant. “This is an important part in the effort to bring compliance in this Administration by shortening the leash by which the Mayor is allowed to act freely until the public trust is restored.”
At a Special Meeting on January 20, 2023, the Assembly approved three emergency ordinances (EOs) to safeguard the Municipality’s workforce and secure the core functions of municipal government. All three EOs will expire on March 21, 2023.
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CONTACT
Suzanne LaFrance | Assembly Chair
suzanne.lafrance@anchorageak.gov
Christopher Constant | Assembly Vice Chair
christopher.constant@anchorageak.gov