Talkeetna Council fills vacancy, approves revenue sharing grants

On Monday, the Talkeetna Community Council board of directors held its regular monthly meeting.

The first order of business handled by the council was filling a board vacancy. Last month, board member Iris Vandenham resigned after learning her status as a permanent legal resident, but not a United States citizen, precluded her from serving on the board, according to borough code.

According to the Talkeetna Community Council, Inc. bylaws, the board chooses the person to fill a vacancy based on nominations. Laura Wright was the only nominee submitted before and at the meeting. Wright was elected by a unanimous secret ballot.

Additionally, the council voted to create a committee to explore the possibility of revising the boundaries of the Talkeetna Community Council area. TCCI board chair Whitney Wolff says that she was informed by the borough clerk’s office that revisions are meant to be done every three years, and that a number of communities to the south are having their borders reviewed. One option presented at the meeting was expanding the Talkeetna council area to the east to include areas that are not currently part of a community council, such as Larsen Lake and some neighborhoods to the north of Birch Creek Boulevard.

Also on Monday, the council approved recommendations made by its revenue sharing committee. Revenue sharing is passed from the state to the borough, and the borough allows community councils to choose what local organizations will receive grants. The council elected to keep $1,000 to fund expenses for operating expenses. The remaining $19,200 was distributed amongst thirteen local groups and projects, including KTNA. The largest recipients were Meals on Wheels and the Upper Susitna Food Pantry. Each of those organizations received almost $3,000.

Revenue sharing recipients: