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Elyssa Loughlin/KYUKDuring the surge, all city committee and commission meetings will be held virtually. Plus, the Bethel City Council could soon vote to make its meetings virtual as well. -
City of Bethel/The Bethel City Council voted to adopt virtual and phone public testimony as a permanent element of its meetings. The council also rejected two proposals by council member Mary "Beth" Hessler. The first one would have given the council more oversight over the Bethel City Manager’s personnel policies, and the second would have overturned the city’s vaccine mandate for employees.
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The mayor called the meeting after two of the measures failed to get extended when a single council member voted against them during their last regular meeting on Dec. 14. The other two measures were tabled. The measures need a supermajority to pass. If just two out of the seven council members vote against them, they'll be overturned. -
The legal complaint alleges that the Alaska Redistricting Board diluted the Calista region’s voting power when they adopted new House and Senate voting districts this year.
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During their Dec. 14 meeting, Bethel City Council voted to accept the state’s plan to connect Tundra Ridge Road to the airport. Now that the city is officially on board, the state will pave the road that stretches over the Polk family property, despite the Polk family’s wishes. The council said that they had issues with the way the state claimed the property from the Polks, but felt that due to financial concerns, they had no other choice but to accept the state’s plan.
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These mandates did not pass because a supermajority of six out of seven council members is required to pass emergency mandates. One council member, Perry Barr, who has always voted to pass these mandates was not in attendance. One council member, Mary “Beth” Hessler, voted against the mandates.
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The term runs two years and will end in 2023. Hoffman has served in the role since 2013.
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Zulkosky said that tribal recognition within state law would strengthen relationships between tribes and the state and “open the door for healing and reconciliation.”
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Bethel City Council will consider their ongoing series of pandemic mitigation measures. Council will also vote on whether to approve the city manager’s recommendation to renew the liquor license for Fili’s Pizza and the marijuana license for ALASKABuds.
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“That's just an initial sum,” said the Polks' attorney Steve Tervooren, adding that a judge will hear testimony from experts and the Polks on what the land is worth before determining a final amount. “And it's quite common that the final compensation is well in excess of that original deposit."
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You can listen to the entire convention live on KYUK 640 AM from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 14.
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The Election Assistance Commission announced on Nov. 22 that it is translating the national mail voter registration form into the Yup’ik language.
