Waterbody Advisory Board Stacked for Development

The Borough Assembly created a Waterbody Setback Advisory Board in August and appointments for all nine members were approved at the Assembly meeting this week.

The Waterbody Setback Advisory Board is comprised of one representative each from the Planning Commission, Mat-Su Fish and Wildlife Commission, Mat-Su Salmon Habitat Partnership, and a home builder, lender or real estate agent. Two members have stormwater abatement backgrounds and three members are at-large.

Only two committee appointments were met with pushback by both Assembly members and the public. However, there appeared to be a trend with most appointments other than those dedicated to wildlife and habitat. The Advisory Board is now stacked with members aligned with the development community. 

One appointment pulled for discussion was Misty Massie, who seemed to have a conflict of interest with Assemblymember Yundt. Though Yundt stated that he had not worked directly with Massie, she appears as one of two preferred lenders on Yundt’s business website. In addition, Yundt and Massie served together on the Mat-Su Home Builders Association Board of Directors in 2021. Massie will continue to serve as Secretary through 2024. Yundt previously served as President and continues to be an active member of the Association.

Massie was approved to serve on the Waterbody Advisory Board as the real estate, lender, or home builder member.

Bill Kendig, whose application also was pulled for discussion, is a real estate agent who was appointed to one of three at-large seats on the Board. He has served on the Borough Planning Commission. His application includes assembly members Robert Yundt and Mokie Tew as references. Kendig also currently serves as President of the Matanuska Electric Association Board of Directors. 

Though his appointment had three no-votes, Kendig was ultimately appointed to an at-large seat on the Board. 

In addition, Tempy Larew, a retired wholesale lender and Vice President of a bank, was appointed to one at-large seat. Carl Brent, a former Fish and Wildlife Trooper and real estate agent, was appointed to the third at-large seat. 

Six of the nine members currently work in or have extensive backgrounds in the lending, real estate, and construction fields. None of the members are located in the Upper Valley.