Protecting Your Rights: Serving Sand Lake, Spenard and Turnagain

December 10, 2019

In this issue:

• Winter Road Resources

• Winterize Your Home

• Earthquake Anniversary

• Congratulations Aquarian!

• Cargo Facility Developments

• Governor's Budget

• Community Events

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Winter is finally here, and that means more snow (hopefully)! It is incumbent on all of us to prepare our vehicles and our driving expectations for Alaska’s winter conditions.

Winter Road Maintenance Information & Resources

Staying Informed of Road Conditions

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) follows a systematic approach to clear Alaska’s roads of snow and ice by categorizing every state-maintained road as one of five priority levels. Each level is based on traffic volume, speed, and connections to communities and other roads within the local transportation network. Response time during winter weather is usually dependent on the severity of the storm. Priority 1 roads will receive the most winter maintenance, followed by Priority 2, Priority 3 and, finally, Priority 4. Priority 5 roads do not receive winter maintenance. The Winter Road Maintenance Priority Map is available to help Alaskans identify the priority level of the roads they drive most frequently.

DOT&PF has many winter condition resources to assist Alaskans while navigating the roads. Here are a few other helpful resources:

Road Weather Information Systems cameras to view specific corridors
Travel Resources
Studded Tire Information

DOT&PF reminds drivers to prepare for safe winter travel and to drive according to road and weather conditions. Remember, posted speed limits are for dry pavement. Drivers can access travel information by visiting 511.Alaska.Gov or dialing 5-1-1.

The Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) also has several street maintenance resources for Anchorage residents:

MOA Snow Removal Status Map
MOA Snow Plow Plan
MOA Sidewalk & Trail Snow Removal Map
Map of State & MOA Maintained Roads
Anchorage Snowplowing Hotline: (907) 338-1466

Helpful Safe Driving Tips & Winterizing Your Vehicle

DOT&PF reminds drivers to be prepared for winter driving and offers a detailed list of winter driving tips and a list of emergency items to have in your vehicle:

The Municipality of Anchorage encourages car owners to install and use engine block heaters when the temperature dips below 20°F as part of their "Plug @ 20" initiative to reduce air pollution. A study by Sierra Research in Anchorage and Fairbanks found that the use of a block heater substantially reduces vehicle start-up emissions and fuel consumption. For more information, visit the Plug @20 website.

Winterize Your Home

Below is a useful graphic to help winterize your home and stay safe during the winter months. Click here to visit the Office of Emergency Management Winter Weather Preparedness website for additional information.

November 30, 2018 Earthquake: One-year Anniversary

Since last year, we’ve heard many stories about how members of the Anchorage and surrounding community fared during the November 30 earthquake, and we know many friends and neighbors in West Anchorage may still be in need of assistance. The Sand Lake area was hit particularly hard by this disaster. A recent KTUU video documents the present state of the neighborhood. Click here to watch KTUU's "One Year Later: Sand Lake recovers."

While it has been a difficult year for many, it has been heartening to see the way our community has come together in the wake of the earthquake and succeeded in getting FEMA to change its assessment policy for awarding grants to include foundation damage. Thank you to Assembly Member Austin Quinn-Davidson, Sand Lake Community Council Vice President, Eugene Cho, and the many other community members who made this possible and helped coordinate relief efforts.

Congratulations Aquarian!

Last month, the Anchorage School Board approved a $82.8 million bond proposal for the April ballot. After a great deal of community input, $6.8 million was added to the proposal to pay for a new roof and other fixes at Aquarian Charter School. In October, I wrote a letter to the Anchorage School Board regarding the maintenance needs, and I was pleased to hear that the School Board included Aquarian’s repairs in the bond proposal. I hope the Assembly follows the School Board’s decision when it considers the bond package.

Cargo Facility Developments at the Ted Stevens International Aiport

In September, my office reported on a series of cargo developments at the Anchorage airport. Since then, a second lease application was submitted for 1,350,000 sq. ft. of wooded land east of the end of the North/South runway. The proposal includes development, construction, operation and maintenance of UPS cargo-related facilities.

Comments on the proposed Alaska CargoPort LLC Lease Application (Lease Agreement ADA-32310) may be submitted in writing by 5:00 PM on or before December 15, 2019, after which the Department will determine whether or not to execute the Land Lease. Click here for more information on the proposed project and to view a detailed landscape image.

Governor to Introduce FY2021 Budget

Governor Dunleavy is required to release his Fiscal Year 2021 budget proposal by December 15 (it is anticipated that he will release the proposal before then as Dec. 15 is a Sunday). It is uncertain whether the proposal will follow through on the governor's promise from June 28 to close the state's deficit by cutting another $730 million from funding for state services.

Our office plans to carefully review the proposal after its release. If you have any questions or comments about the governor's budget proposal before or after its release, please email Rep.Matt.Claman@akleg.gov or call our office: 269-0130. In early January, we will hold a start of session constituent meeting to discuss the budget and any other thoughts you may have about the upcoming legislative session.

Community Events

Mark your calendars for this upcoming event:

Solstice Tree Tour 2019

Come celebrate the winter solstice by touring beautifully decorated trees along the Mize Loop at Kincaid Park. Tour on your skis or for ONE time only, on foot/snowshoe. A secure snow bike corral will be available if you would like to bike to the entrance.

Hot chocolate, coffee and s’mores will be provided along the way as well as Gluhwein (spiced wine) and beer in the Viola Swamp Beer Garden for those 21 and over.

Support your trails and NSAA-Bring your family or come with friends and let's celebrate winter, the trails, and the days getting longer! Carpooling is highly recommend.