What you need to know:
- Alaska state troopers were called to a Houston City Council meeting after public outbursts and disagreements on the council over a possible conflict of interest in the selection of a new mayor halted proceedings.
- The council voted 4-3 to appoint Jason Kahn as mayor and 5-2 to name Dan Lewis as deputy mayor, despite concerns raised by outgoing Mayor Carter Cole about Kahn and his spouse, Council member Callie Courtney, voting for each other.
- Tensions centered on whether Kahn and Courtney had a conflict of interest and could cast a vote to override the conflict, with the council ultimately voting to dismiss legal guidance on the issue. No arrests were made. The incident marked a rare use of law enforcement at a city meeting.
- Short on time but need the local news scoop? Get free weekly news in your inbox for Mat-Su, from Mat-Su.
HOUSTON — Alaska state troopers responded to a Houston City Council meeting Monday after proceedings came to a chaotic halt due to repeated outbursts from members of the public and a disagreement between council members over meeting rules and a possible conflict of interest in selecting a new mayor.
Trooper Toma Caldarea entered Houston City Hall at about 8:10 p.m., nearly an hour after Houston City Clerk Tani Schoneman placed a call requesting assistance. Crosstalk between attendees and the dais and disagreements among council members ceased when he arrived, and the meeting was able to continue.
Caldarea stood in the back of the room until the council adjourned at 9:40 p.m. No citizens were arrested or expelled…