Protecting Your Rights: Serving West Anchorage

May 5, 2023

State of Alaska Response to DOJ Investigation

In February, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a informational hearing on the Department of Justice investigation and subsequent report on the state of Alaska's behavioral health system for children.

As we discussed in a previous e-newsletter, the report describes violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to provide services to Alaska's children with behavioral health disabilities in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. Children with behavioral health disabilities are institutionalized at unnecessarily high rates, in settings far from home and often out of state, for unnecessary and excessively long admissions. I read the Department of Justice report with great interest and my reaction was a mixture of sadness, disappointment, and frustration. The report describes problems that have been going on for years.

The state's response is organized into an April report. The report outlines an overview of the system of care in Alaska, state efforts to improve mental health outcomes for minors, and short term and long term planning efforts. Since the February hearing in Senate Judiciary, our office has received an outpouring of emails, calls, and requests for meetings from concerned members of our communities, parents of Alaska youth, and organizations who contribute to the system of behavioral health care for children in our state.

Pension Plan Legislation

This week, the Senate Finance Committee held hearings on Senate Bill 88, legislation that would establish an improved retirement system for public employees and teachers. I discuss the legislation in this week's video update.

Community Information

→ Northlink Aviation South Airpark Cargo Improvement Project

Public Comment Period:

The public comment period for Northlink Aviation South Airpark Cargo Improvement project is open. Published documents available for comment are: Environmental Assessment (EA), Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), & Record of Decision (ROD). The comment period will remain open Friday, April 28 through Tuesday, May 30.

View the published documents here. Comments and questions may be submitted to info@northlinkaviation.com or via phone at 907-931-6350. All comments and questions will be shared with the FAA and ANC Airport.

Public Meeting Notice:

The public meeting for Northlink Aviation South Airpark Cargo Improvements project is taking place at the end of the month. The open meeting will include a project update and allow members of the public to provide public comments. Representatives from the FAA and ANC Airport will be present.

When: Tuesday, May 30 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Where: The Lakefront Anchorage Hotel, 4800 Spenard Rd.

→ Public Comment Period: 2024-2025 Unified Planning Work Program

The Draft 2024-2025 Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Narrative defines the transportation planning activities and products to be developed by AMATS and other transportation planning agencies during the federal fiscal years of 2024 & 2025 (October - September). The public comment period is open May 1 through June 1 this year.

Review the document here.

Submit comments:

Email - upwp_comments@publicinput.com

Voicemail - 855-925-2801, project code 6355

Mail - Permit & Development Center, 4700 Elmore Road PO Box 196650,

Anchorage, AK 99519

→ Free Spruce Trees

The Anchorage Audubon Society will be giving away 10,000 free 12-inch seedlings starting May 25. Anchorage has lost hundreds of thousands of White Spruce trees because of the Spruce Bark Beetle infestation. The Audubon Society is doing their part to restore the lost habitat for birds and wildlife. Trees will be distributed at markets, public events, and garden sales around Anchorage.

The first tree distribution event will be held on Thursday, May 25 at the Westchester Lagoon. Updated information about distribution, planting instructions, and full details of the project are available here.

Community Events

Mark your calendars for these upcoming events:

Sand Lake Community Council

When: Monday, May 8, starting at 6:30 PM

Where: Sand Lake Elementary, 7500 Jewel Lake Road

Alaska Railroad Open House

This Saturday, the Alaska Railroad is hosting their 2023 Anchorage Community Open House. The free event includes train rides, giveaways and prizes, and family friendly fun. View Facebook event page and learn more here.

When: Saturday, May 6 from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Where: Anchorage Historic Depot, 411 W. 1st Avenue

Anchorage Bike Rodeo

Anchorage Parks and Recreation and the Anchorage Health Department are teaming up to hold the first-ever Anchorage ​Bike​ Rodeo at Chanshtnu Muldoon Park! Bring your kids and their bikes and join them for a day full of fun and learning! Kids will learn what they need to know to cycle safely in our community, including getting their helmets and bike fit, the rules of the road, using hand signals, and more! Register at https://signup.com/go/ueHYFNW.

View Facebook event page and learn more here.

When: Saturday, May 6 from 1:00 - 4:00 PM

Where: Chanshtnu Muldoon Park, 1301 Muldoon Rd.

Sen. Matt Claman

CONTACT INFORMATION

(907) 465-4919

Sen.Matt.Claman@akleg.gov

State Capitol Bldg. Rm 429

Juneau, Alaska 99801

https://www.alaskasenate.org/matt-claman/