Assembly Leadership Introduces CASA Advisory Board Ordinance

Tonight, Assembly Chair Anna Brawley and Vice Chair Daniel Volland introduced AO 2026-98, an ordinance to establish a formal Chugach State Park Access Service Area (CASA) Advisory Board, creating a formal process for making recommendations on capital projects funded through the voter-approved service area.

The proposed CASA Board would consist of seven voting members appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the Assembly. The board would bring together residents from across the service area along with members possessing expertise in areas such as civil engineering, trail planning and construction, and outdoor recreation and access. The proposal also includes ex officio representation from Chugach State Park to strengthen coordination between the Municipality and the State.

The ordinance is intended to ensure that decisions about CASA-funded projects reflect the diverse interests of residents throughout the service area while balancing regional access to Chugach State Park with the infrastructure needs of neighborhoods surrounding park access points.
"Since CASA was enacted by voters in 2023, the Municipality and the community have debated what prioritization and decision-making process should guide CASA projects while ensuring the service area fulfills its mission to improve access to the Chugach," said Assembly Chair Anna Brawley. "This proposal formalizes that process and ensures a variety of perspectives are at the table to make recommendations."

Because all property owners within the CASA service area contribute to funding CASA bond projects, the ordinance also proposes eliminating cooperative agreement requirements that could allow a single neighborhood or subgroup within the service area to prevent or reduce the scope of projects that benefit the broader service area. At the same time, the proposal preserves the requirement that the CASA Advisory Board consult with affected community councils and road service area boards before making recommendations on priority projects and project design.

"It's important to acknowledge there are many pressing infrastructure upgrade needs in Anchorage, from unpaved alleyways in neighborhoods like Fairview and Mountain View to heavily used roads leading to Chugach State Park that residents and visitors rely on," said Assembly Vice Chair Daniel Volland. "The board structure we envision helps ensure fairness and promotes diverse stakeholder engagement in decision-making, with representation from across the service area."

Public Hearing Details
The public hearing on this ordinance is scheduled to open at the Regular Assembly Meeting on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. The public is invited to share input on the ordinance:

• Provide testimony during the August 4 Regular Assembly Meeting at the Loussac Library Assembly Chambers
• Sign up by 5pm on Monday, August 3 to provide testimony during the meeting by phone: ancgov.info/testify
• Submit written testimony: ancgov.info/testify
• Email all Assembly Members:
  • [email protected]

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Contact

Anna Brawley, Assembly Chair
District 3, West Anchorage
[email protected]

Daniel Volland, Assembly Vice Chair
District 1, North Anchorage
[email protected]