Summer Legislative Conference
The Summer Legislative Conference is traditionally focused on:
- An update on legislative action that may have impacted local governments,
- Review of outstanding issues found in bills or the budget, and
- Preparation of AML’s priorities, resolutions, policy and position statement. We hear from our lobbying team, State officials and legislators, and discuss priorities facing local governments.
Dates
- AMMA, ACoM, and AML Board meetings will be held August 12, 2025
- AML Conference August 13-14, 2025
Draft Agenda
Tuesday, August 12, 2025 AMMA and ACoM Meetings
8am to 4pm AMMA – BARC
9 am AML Board of Directors – Utqiagvik City Council Chambers
11:30 am AML Board/Alaska Conference of Mayors – Travel to UIC Science Center/Tour of City
3pm to 4pm Alaska Conference of Mayors – Inupiat Heritage Center
Tuesday, August 12 – Utqiagvik — BARC
Wednesday, August 13, 2025 AML Legislative Conference
7:30 am Breakfast Piuraagvik Gym
8:00 am Welcome and Introductions
- Mayor Asisaun Toovak, City of Utqiagvik
- Mayor Josiah Patkotak, North Slope Borough
- Lisa Parker, AML Board President
8:20 am Legislative Update
- Nils Andreassen, Alaska Municipal League
- Heather Brakes and Jordan Marshall
- Rep. Robyn Burke
9:15 am “We don’t have enough money to meet our obligations” – what does this quote from the Governor mean for local governments and Alaska?
Facilitated by Nils Andreassen
- Neil Steininger, Alaska Political Report
- Senator Scott Kawasaki, Alaska State Legislature
10:15 am Break
10:30 am Managing Resourcing for Core Functions – Roundtable Discussion
Moderated by Carole Triem, Alaska Municipal League
- Fiscal first aid – ways to plan for coming up short
- New expectations – police powers, emergency response
11:30 am Planning for Energy Development, Data Power Needs, and Economic Future
Randy Ruaro, AIDEA
Noon Lunch
12:15 pm Navigating through (DO)Tension
1:15 pm Break
1:30 pm Concurrent sessions for PERS and non-PERS municipalities:
conPERSations
- Bob Williams, Chair, ARM Board
No PERS? No Problem! How to strengthen compensation packages.
Alicia Hughes-Skandijs, Alaska Municipal League
2:45 pm Break
3:00 pm Education Funding Factors, Adequacy, and Accountability
School Construction and Major Maintenance
- Emily Schwing, KYUK and ProPublica
Effects of Impact Aid, Sufficiency of Resources, and Standards for All
- Nils Andreassen, Alaska Municipal League
3:30 – 5pm (Concurrent) Senator Murkowski Staff Office Hours
4:30 pm Break
5:00 pm Reception / Dinner
Thursday, August 14, 2025 AML Legislative Conference
8:00 am Breakfast Piuraagvik Gym
8:30 am Intergovernmental Affairs – What works in the North Slope Borough
Moderated by Nagruk Harcharek, President, Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat
- Fannie Suvlu, Executive Director, Native Village of Barrow
- Ross Wilhelm, Vice President, UIC
- Asisaun Toovak, Mayor, City of Utqiagvik
- Morrie Leman, Iñupiat Community of the Arctic Slope
- Martina Hopson, North Slope Borough
- Avaiyak Burnell, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation
9:30 am Break
9:45 am Federal Activities – EOs, Budget, and Agency Actions
- Nils Andreassen, Alaska Municipal League
10:30 am DCRA Grant Reporting System
- Lindsay Reese, DCRA
11:00 am State and Local Emergency Management
Moderated by Erin Reinders, Alaska Municipal League
- Danielle Meeker, Alaska Municipal League
- Scott Evans, North Slope Borough
12:00 pm Closing Session & Lunch
Port Communities of Alaska Introduction
- Alexandra Pierce, City & Borough of Juneau
1:00 pm Adjourn
1pm to 3pm North Slope Borough Cities Roundtable Discussion
Questions?
Details, registration, lodging, and travel information for the Summer Legislative Conference are below.
If you are already registered and need a room, please contact Sarah King at sarahk@akml.org regarding rooms in other locations around Utqiagvik.
You can also try Airbnb, if you are unable to find a room at a hotel.
Top of the World Hotel – Sold Out
3060 Eben Hopson St, Utqiagvik, AK 99723
Phone number: 1-800-478-8520, direct line (907) 852-3900
Who Should Attend?
AML Summer Conference: Mayors, Managers, Administrators, Councilmembers, Assembly members
Alaska Conference of Mayors: Mayors, Vice-Mayors, Deputy Mayors
Alaska Municipal Management Association: Managers, Administrators, Chiefs of Staff, and similar positions
Contact: Sarah King at sarahk@akml.org or 907-790-5378.
Is your municipality interested in hosting a future conference?
Complete this form and let us know!
Thank you for your interest in registering for AML's 2025 Summer Legislative Conference in Utqiagvik. Online registration is now closed. Please contact sarahk@akml.org with any questions about registration or attending the Summer Conference.