Sidewalk Ordinance

-Anticipates ordinance to pass-Sidewalks intended to be unobstructed walkways. Ordinance designed to protect the sidewalks and safety-Intent is to be proactive and not wait until it becomes a problem-Believes ordinance, if/when passed, would be rarely used, but is an important tool to make available to law enforcement-Says homeless sidewalk protester John Martin III has become the face of the sidewalk protesters, but ordinance is not directed at him-Similar ordinances have been passed elsewhere in U.S.

Occupy Anchorage -Mayor’s administration and police have had a “good relationship” with -Occupy Anchorage protesters -Have had to fill out permits like any other group to have exclusive access to public property

Education Summit

-Nationwide trend for mayors to get more involved in school district matters, at the request of constituents concerned about return on investment-Perception and reality that the amount of money spend on education is not yielding an appropriate level of results-In 1999/200, Sullivan says ASD budget cross the $400 million mark—decade later, budget has reached $830 million with fewer students than 1999/2000 levels-Wants Anchorage students to be more competitive with high-achieving countries like Finland-Goal to achieve “amazing results”-Says introducing outside party to observe is a “healthy” process; like an audit-Chance to have a new set of eyes look at structure and procedures, as well as recommend improvements

ASD Budget -Construction of several new schools contributed to increase in spending-Summit will comprise of about 100 people from the community (unions, ASD employees, school board members, university personnel, teachers, parents, students and business community members)-Businesses have expressed frustration with high school graduates upon their entry into the workforce-Say recent grads require retraining to perform basic tasks-Need to elevate the profession of teaching-Cites tenure and unions as roadblocks in educations, difficult to fire bad teachers-Invites teachers to be a part of the discussion in revising approach to education