This Thursday, January 16, (that’s tomorrow!) the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly will be taking public testimony for how to rank its Capital Improvement Project list. This list will help the borough decide how to spend money on future projects. The list is found in this resolution.
If you can’t attend the meeting, please call or send your comments to assembly members. (Assembly contact information here.) There are several trail-related projects being considered, so please advocate for them if you feel they are worthy.
Something that came to my attention recently is a project that didn’t make the final list on the resolution. However, there is still time to advocate for including the project on the ranking list. The project is called “Public Access to the Borough Trail System.” According to the nomination form: “Existing trails will be taken out of trespass and trailheads will be developed so the public can safely and comfortably access the Borough’s local trails.” The project is included on the CIP page under “2019 CIP Nominations: Parks and Rec.” It is number 19-71. You can find the project nomination form here.
Trail-related projects included on the resolution:
- Equinox Trail Extension and Completion
- Peede Trail Head and Trail Development
- Isberg Recreation Area Master Plan Implementation
- Tanana Lakes Master Plan Implementation (several phases)
- Chena Lake Area Revitalization
- Fairbanks Lions Recreation Area (FLRA) Revitalization
There are many worthy non-trail projects in the resolution. The point of this advocacy is simply to speak up for trails, not to take away from the other projects. I’m sure many trail supporters will find that they support some other projects higher than the trails-related projects. That’s fine. Just remember to speak up for trails-related projects if you feel they are worthwhile.
For more information
- The resolution with the complete list of projects being considered can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/spaefus
- A page on the process for ranking the projects can be found here: http://co.fairbanks.ak.us/CIP/Pages/default.aspx
- The CIP page includes this “story map” that helps introduce you to the projects in geographic context.
- The Assembly Welcome Brochure has information on how to testify. A short and sweet version is below.
HOW TO TESTIFY IN PERSON:
- Expect to be there roughly from about 6:45pm-9pm, possibly later.
- Assembly meeting starts at 6:00pm. There’s a whole bunch of business, then they get to items for public hearing AT OR AFTER 7:00pm. The CIP ordinance is scheduled for public hearing- it’s 4th (last) on the list of items for public hearing. Testimony is given during the discussion of each individual item.
- You should sign up to testify. You can sign up anytime 12:00pm-6:50pm at the Borough Building- go to the Clerk’s desk. If you are in town, consider swinging by early to sign up, then return later for the meeting. If you’re coming just for the meeting, you must sign up before 6:50pm. Testimony is taken in order of the list. If you aren’t on the sign-up list, you can still testify, but it will be first-come, first-serve after everyone else.
HOW TO TESTIFY VIA EMAIL:
- Email your thoughts on the CIP to the assembly (assembly@fnsb.us) or email individual assembly members Do this as soon as you can so they have time to review. Email may be easier, though being there in person can have a special impact. But participation is always good, however it works best for you.
Leave a Reply