Assembly Approves $250K Demboski Settlement

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Upon reconsideration during tonight's Regular Assembly Meeting, the Anchorage Assembly approved (8-4) AR 2024-309(S), appropriating funds to pay the settlement of former Municipal Manager Amy Demoski's claims against the Municipality in the amount of $250,000.

"I said I wouldn't change my mind no matter what I learned in executive session and I stand by that," said Assembly Member Felix Rivera in opposition to approval. "I worry about the message this settlement sends to our employees and our constituents. This item is the fiscally responsible thing to do-I don't disagree with that at all, but I'm not just looking at the numbers here. Two wrongs don't make a right. We move forward by changing our systems and by making the Municipality a great place to work. Voting yes on this would mean abandoning the values I hold dear."

Anchorage Municipal Code (AMC) 2.30.065B.8 allows the Assembly to bring back an item previously acted upon, if a member of the prevailing majority notifies the Clerk within 24 hours that they wish to move to reconsider. On Friday, October 4, 2024 the Assembly voted (4-6) against paying the $250,000 settlement. As a member of the prevailing vote, Assembly Member Karen Bronga moved to reconsider the action.

"I feel like this is worthy of some debate," said Assembly Member Karen Bronga as she made the motion to reconsider on the floor. "After my vote, I felt like I had rushed my choice based on previous opinions. More information came to light that made me think we should reconsider the item."

The Assembly entered an executive session to receive legal advice on the motion to reconsider. Upon returning from the executive session, the Assembly voted (10-2) to reconsider the action.

"I regret not debating this on Friday because conversation is important," said Assembly Vice Chair Meg Zaletel after returning from the executive session. "The only way for you to know the thoughts in our head is for us to say them. I believe that if two parties are done fighting, we should let them be done fighting."

"There is no winning here," said Assembly Chair Christopher Constant during the meeting. "We settle, we lose. We lose in court, we lose. We fight to the victory in the court, we lose because the ground we fought upon is tainted. Our best choice is to end the game."

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Contact:
Christopher Constant, Assembly Chair
District 1, North Anchorage
[email protected]

Meg Zaletel, Assembly Vice Chair
District 4, Midtown Anchorage
[email protected]

Karen Bronga, Assembly Member
District 5, East Anchorage
[email protected]

Felix Rivera, Assembly Member
District 4, Midtown Anchorage
[email protected] ​

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