Santa Claus is running unopposed for North Pole City Council.
Claus previously served two terms on the North Pole City Council. Replacing water pipes, affordable housing, building a new fire station and improving city services are his top priorities. He sees the city council as a balanced group, and seems himself as an option to provide different perspective on the city council.
Claus legally changed his name in 2005 to advocate for children’s health and welfare. He has lived in North Pole for 11 years.
He currently volunteers with Alaska Children’s Trust’s “Lived Experience Program”, as a clergyman, and as an executive committee member of the Alaska Chapter of the Sierra Club. He has held a variety of jobs, including Senior Park Ranger at Chena Lake Recreation Area, a member of the Alaska Public Broadcasting Commission, president of the North Pole Community Chamber of Commerce, special assistant to the Deputy Police Commissioner in New York City, director of the Terrorism Research and Communication Center, a member of FEMA’s National Defense Executive Reserve and Chief of Safety and Security at U.S. Virgin Islands Port Authority.
Where do you see your funding priorities?
While maintaining a balanced budget, my funding priorities for the City of North Pole are: replacing our deteriorating water pipes city-wide ($28+ million), securing affordable housing to attract and accommodate new residents, including workers and military personnel, to increase our population base, planning for and building a new fire station (an expansion alone would cost an estimated $20 million) and re-purposing the existing facility to accommodate other City of North Pole departments that have expanded, improving our city infrastructure (heat, energy, transportation, broadband internet access), applying for and securing state and federal grants to keep our sales tax and property tax mill rates low, working with and supporting the North Pole Community Chamber of Commerce and Explore Fairbanks to continue attracting businesses and visitors to the City of North Pole and increase our tax base, and achieving better communication with our residents (meetings, newsletters, interactive web and social media presence).
Where do you stand with the proposed combined power and heat plant?
In 2023, The City of North Pole hosted a work session on a Combined Heat and Power Plant. The City submitted a DOE EIRRA Application, partnering with Hobbs Industries, Inc.; RESPEC Company, LLC.; Shannon and Wilson, Inc.; Marathon Petroleum Company; Aurora Energy; GVEA; and Brent Sheets (UAF), on a proposed $80 million proposed project. I’ve not seen an update. The City of North Pole should reduce its energy use and expenditures and expand its use of alternative energy sources, such as solar, and explore deriving heat from a commercial greenhouse. The planned new Three Bears operation in North Pole and ongoing Santa Claus House improvements may have an impact on the City’s revenue, infrastructure and scope of services. The City of North Pole’s 2021 Strategic Plan envisioned substantial population, building, and business growth throughout the City. Much of that stalled during the Pandemic and the attendant changes in lending practices.
How do you encourage families to hook up to the water utilities system in light of concerns over PFAS?
The City of North Pole’s 2023 ‘Annual Water Quality Report’ ensures residents and visitors that North Pole Utilities’ goal is to provide them with a safe and dependable supply of drinking water. The Alaska Division of Public Health and the DEC Drinking Water Program actively monitor water treatment options. For the fifth year in a row, the North Pole Utility Water System has been recognized by the State of Alaska for excellence in system operations with no open, unresolved, or incurred drinking water violations. Although the North Pole Area PFAS/PFOA Information Update no longer remains of the City’s website, North Pole Council Resolution 2024-01 (January) proposes $500,000 for PFAS ‘mitigation’ for “the required cleanup of the NP Fire Station and mitigation planning for our overall water system...” Currently, the City advises me that there is no PFAS/PFOA drinking water problem within city limits and that active monitoring continues.
What would you do to encourage the development of affordable housing in North Pole?
A few years ago, the City of North Pole partnered with Eielson and AIDEA to develop affordable housing in North Pole; however, the plan fell through. Now, it appears there may be federal programs for first time buyers, addressing down-payments, qualification, and mortgage rates, specialized programs for renters, regarding deposits, rent caps, corporate landlords, short term rentals, buyer/renter qualifications, and programs that target zoning, subsidized housing, energy efficient housing, and non-profit models of development and housing, There already are existing incentives to develop, insure, build, operate, and sell affordable housing. In any case, issues including supply and shipping of building materials, rising insurance costs related to climate change, and, training and retention of skilled labor must be resolved. North Pole can encourage the state to support unions and formal training and apprenticeship programs, in order for there to be a steady and reliable supply of North Pole affordable housing.
What would you do to encourage economic development in North Pole?
As a former President of the North Pole Community Chamber of Commerce (NPCCC), I applaud the progress the current NPCCC President and Board are making with the proposed Welcome Center, to be located near Safeway and Hotel North Pole, and seasonal special events. I’m encouraged by the ongoing improvements throughout the Santa Claus House property, and I’m pleased with the great work Explore Fairbanks has done to attract visitors to the City of North Pole. Also, Eielson Air Force Base has its stellar 354th Fighter Wing Honorary Commander program, designed to build bridges between the Air Force Base and the greater Fairbanks community, including North Pole. Fortunately, our current Mayor is in that program and enables our City and Eielson AFB to examine issues of mutual concern, including economic development that considers the needs of our military personnel who reside in, or would like to move into, North Pole.
How can you tighten up the chain of custody with regard to purchase agreements/contract approval?
Recently, the City of North Pole experienced issues regarding purchase agreements. As a result, its Mayor and Director of City Services are no longer in office. The current Mayor, Council members, and City Clerk already have taken measures to bring the City back into compliance with mandated purchase agreement practices. Our City Clerk, Mayor, and Council members must comply with its Municipal Code that appears on its website and covers how our City shall conduct its business. City department heads oversee contracts and report to the Mayor. The City Clerk reports to City Council. There are certain financial controls in place that limit contract expenditures and liabilities. Ultimately, the Mayor and City Council are responsible for complying with federal, state, and municipal Code regulations. The City of North Pole’s Clerk must comply with all State regulations. The City of North Pole has a rigorous annual audit and prescribed budget process.