June MAC Meeting
McCarthy, Alaska. Photo by Michelle McAfee
Allison Sayer - CRR Staff
The McCarthy Area Council (MAC) held a regular meeting on Thursday June 30 at the Tony Zak House. Zoom attendance was also available, although in person and Zoom attendees had some difficulty hearing each other. Thirty five MAC members and twelve non members were in attendance.
A grant proposal from the McCarthy-Kennicott Historical Museum that had been submitted earlier this year came up for a vote. A $2400 grant was requested to perform repairs on the museum deck, which had sustained snow damage.
John Rice, representing the museum, stated they had hired someone to work on a part time basis and had obtained $936 in matching funds. He stated they would return any funds in excess of what was needed. This proposal was approved by vote.
A proposal by Michelle Raven to hire an attorney to clarify the public vs. private status of roads in the original townsite of McCarthy was up for a vote. In a later phone conversation, Raven explained that the impetus for the proposal was to verify whether home and business owners who access their properties through the town of McCarthy have “fully legal access.” This would include residents of the Nizina Road, May Creek, and Dan Creek in addition to some downtown homes and businesses.
Raven requested $2400, and stated the attorney she had been working with estimated that would be sufficient to complete the work. Raven stated $1,030 worth of volunteer hours had been contributed. $250 in monetary donations had been pledged as matching funds, and Raven stated a willingness to do additional fundraising. The proposal was approved by vote.
MAC is also hearing proposals for larger projects, which will be considered first by a small committee and then put to the membership for a general vote at the August annual meeting. McCarthy residents interested in serving on this committee should contact mccarthyareacouncil.secretary@gmail.com.
Kim Meck and Bernadette Martel presented a slideshow with their proposal for a $24,832 grant to fund a foundation, waterline, and “ground air heat transfer” (GAHT) system for a 42 foot geodesic dome greenhouse. According to Meck and Martel, the proposed greenhouse could produce fresh vegetables year round and is similar to extant greenhouses operating in Canada.
Meck and Martel fielded many questions and comments after the presentation. Some members expressed support for the idea. Some raised concerns including using public funds to fund a private entity and the fate of the grant if the project is not completed.
Gina Merlino submitted a request to MAC to fund the Children’s Program, which had been suspended during the pandemic. The funding would be used to pay for supplies and staff for one to two half days per week. The programs would mostly occur outdoors, but funds were requested to purchase a tent for rain showers. Merlino stated they have received funding from the Blackburn Heritage Foundation in the past but did not know whether they would be funded through them again.
The children’s program began on July 7, and the cost to families will be lowered if the program receives funding. The focus of the program is “outdoor exploration, art, music, and kindness.” $2,010 was requested from MAC.
Chris Chester, representing the Volunteer Fire Department, gave a heartfelt plea to refrain from fireworks or other behavior that could cause a wildfire on July 4. Chester also stated that progress is ongoing on the new fire hall. Although it is a busy season plans are underway for dirt work to begin later in the summer.
Mark Miller delivered the National Park Service update. He spoke to the issue of culvert repair and road realignment at the swimming hole. Originally, that area was lumped into a planning process with DOT that had not yet begun. However, he stated, “We understand that we may need to take a look at the culvert if it’s actually dysfunctional and damaging tires. We’ll see if it needs a more timely resolution.” Miller also said the Kennecott Visitor Center center is open for the first time since 2019 and visitors are spending more time and money there than they were before COVID. Work on solar power for NPS infrastructure in Kennecott is ongoing and should be up and running sometime in August.
The historic Power Plant building suffered significant snow damage. The park is planning for emergency stabilization and keeping the public out. Long term restoration is planned. Finally, Miller put in a plug for the newly reopened Ahtna Cultural Center in Glennallen.
In the McCarthy Road report, the incinerator that the late Jason Esler had been working on purchasing is still available.
General announcements followed. Kermit Miller was thanked for repairing the outhouse at the mail shack for a very low price. The Recreational Alliance is looking for partners to organize local basketball, and is wondering about a homeschool co-op program.
Residents were encouraged to pick up their packages from a very full mail shack. A note was added regarding packaging being left behind at the mail shack: If you ordered something online, “You ordered the cardboard, too.”
The annual MAC meeting will occur August 25, and board elections will be held at that time. President Merlino asked attendees to consider serving their communities by running for a seat on the board.
The next MAC meeting will be Thursday, July 28 at 6:30 PM at the Tony Zak House. Please contact mccarthyareacouncil.secretary@gmail.com for more information.
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