At the second Special Meeting regarding the response to the allegations detailed in a letter from former Municipal Manager Amy Demboski in her wrongful termination claim against Mayor Bronson, the Anchorage Assembly voted to approve three Emergency Ordinances (EO) to safeguard the municipality for the next 60 days. The EOs as proposed are linked above.
“Our actions today are an effort to protect the Municipality's workforce and provide security to the core functions of local government," said
Assembly Member Meg Zaletel. “We now have 60 days to fully look at the allegations in the long-term, while ensuring municipal employees, local businesses and public assets are protected in the short-term."
About the Emergency Ordinances as Amended
EO 2023-1 on Boards and Commissions, approved 12-0, addresses the inability of some boards and commissions to meet quorum by extending the membership for those members whose term expired October 14, 2022 and have not yet been replaced by an additional 60 days to April 12, 2023 or until a new appointment is confirmed to a member's designated seat, whichever occurs first.
EO 2023-2 regarding contract oversight and reporting, approved 10-2, lowers the monetary thresholds for contracts to be approved by the Assembly and requires more detailed reporting of contracts and spending of municipal resources. Amendments were made to require municipal settlements for certain whistleblower, discrimination and retaliation claims asserted by an employee to be approved by the Assembly, a Municipality-wide $5,000 monthly limit on purchasing cards unless otherwise authorized by the Municipal Manager in writing, and a requirement to limit contracted services to exceed the services defined in the Assembly Memoranda considered by the Assembly for approval.
EO 2023-3 regarding the Office of the Ombudsman, approved 10-2, clarifies the authority of the office to investigate personnel matters within the Municipality. An amendment was made to the proposed EO to prevent the copying or relocation of personnel files accessed by the Office of the Ombudsman.
From Assembly Leadership
“During debate, members asked what substantiates the emergency behind EO 2022-3," said
Assembly Vice Chair Christopher Constant. “The emergency is that we do not have a functioning human resource leadership at this time. There are serious allegations of spying, keeping people away from the Ombudsman—the right to which is granted by Charter. This Administration is protecting people who are committing acts of hostility against the Municipal workforce. Somebody needs to protect our employees, and our Ombudsman can do that job."
Vice Chair Constant continued, “I supported this Emergency Ordinance as an interim measure until we can come back and codify the change when we have a handle on this situation."
“Today's actions represent our commitment to protecting the Municipality's greatest resources: our employees, our public dollars and our reputation," said
Assembly Chair Suzanne LaFrance. “Thank you to my colleagues for your thoughtful consideration and to the members of the administration here today for your collaboration. I am optimistic that the collaboration will continue in the conversations ahead."
The three Emergency Ordinances will expire on March 21, 2023.
###
Contact:
Suzanne LaFrance | Assembly Chair,
suzanne.lafrance@anchorageak.gov
Christopher Constant | Assembly Vice Chair,
christopher.constant@anchorageak.gov