Council hears grief over police conduct in recent emergency
Meredith Ahmasuk addressed the council with tears in her eyes, telling of an encounter with Nome police officers that left her and her family distressed. She recounted events in late August when she found her elderly father Harold Ahmasuk unable to move in his apartment. She called the ER and talked to Mike Owens who assured her that an ambulance would be underway to assist her father. Instead, police came and rendered in her telling less than compassionate assistance. Confused why the police instead of the ambulance showed up initially, she was dismayed over the conduct of the officers, who asked that she bring her ailing father to the cop car and they would take him to the hospital. When the ambulance showed up, they rendered help and took him to the hospital. In the medivac flight to Anchorage, she said, he came to and asked “Why was I in the cop car? I have done nothing wrong.”
In response later, after Ahmasuk left the council chambers, City Manager Glenn Steckman said the incident has been looked into and the police officers’ bodycams were reviewed by two members of the Public Safety Advisory Committee and a representative from the hospital with the determination that it was handled in a correct manner. Steckman recognized the Ahmasuk family’s loss and assured the Council that all complaints are thoroughly reviewed.
The Council heard a presentation from Mary Donaldson in regards to the State’s Community Development Block Grant, a competitive grant that aims to “enhance the quality of life for low and moderate income residents, particularly in rural Alaska.” The grant can cover community development projects, such as health clinics, homeless shelters or water and sewer systems; planning projects such as economic development plans or land use plans; or commercial or industrial improvements. Sofia Pantelis, who proposed a sports complex for Nome in the council’s last meeting asked if this project would qualify. Yes, it would, was the answer. Nome-grown Rosa Wright testified in support of such a sports complex.
In other business, the Council passed a resolution to honor the late Stan Andersen for his 40 years of public service. His granddaughter Taylor Booth was present on behalf of the family to accept the resolution.
The Council also passed two resoltutions to authorase a Port of Nome Tariff Rate study for a fee of $58,200 and a port strategic development plan update at an initial cost of $53,625.
NJUS’ Ken Morton had the good news that the sewage lagoon is again properly aerated.
Council member Mark Johnson inquired about the progress of hiring two crucial city positions: Nome Police Chief and a new clerk. City Manager Steckman said there are curently 18 applications for police chief and after consulting with the Public
Safety Advisory Commission, candidates will be interviewed and in an executive session with the council further narrowed down. As for the city clerk position, he said, he had two applications, but both candidates declined to take the job. He will cast
the net wider to continue the search, Steckman said.
The Council recessed into executive session to discuss legal and personnel issues.
The next meeting is scheduled for October 23.