Anchorage Assembly sets public hearing for $827,500 in proposed settlements to fired city executives

At a Friday special meeting, the Anchorage Assembly did not vote whether to direct $827,500 to settle separate legal claims against Mayor Dave Bronson’s administration by two fired former executives. The Assembly instead set the proposed payments for a public hearing and consideration at its May 23 meeting.

The Assembly set the date for the resolution’s consideration after a two-hour, closed-door session with city attorneys during Friday’s meeting.

Heather MacAlpine, former director of the city Office of Equal Opportunity, and Amy Demboski, former municipal manager, have both accused the administration of wrongful or retaliatory termination.

Details of the settlement agreements have not been made public, including the amount each former executive would receive.

During 2023 budget revisions last month, the city set aside the money for settlements.

MacAlpine has filed two lawsuits against the city — one in state court and one in federal court — accusing Bronson of firing her in retaliation for investigating claims against his then-appointed library director. The lawsuits say the firing came as she began looking into multiple complaints from library employees that Bronson’s pick, Judy Eledge, had made racist statements and other derogatory comments.

[In secret recordings, a top Anchorage library official calls Alaska Natives ‘woke’ and ‘racists’]

Bronson fired Demboski as city manager in December. She subsequently issued a demand letter accusing the mayor and his officials of violating city laws, acting unethically, discriminating against women and creating and tolerating a hostile work environment.

Two other former city employees have also claimed they were wrongfully fired by the mayor: Former Chief Equity Officer Clifford Armstrong III sued the city and later accepted a settlement in the amount of $125,000, according to his attorney. Former real estate director Christina Hendrickson has sued the city, claiming she was fired in retaliation after filing a whistleblower’s complaint. That case is currently awaiting trial.