City and Borough Assembly

ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA 330 Harbor Drive Sitka, AK (907)747-1811 Minutes - Final City and Borough Assembly Mayor Mim McConnell Deputy Mayor Matt Hunter Vice-Deputy Mayor Phyllis Hackett, Pete Esquiro, Mike Reif, Benjamin Miyasato and Aaron Swanson Municipal Administrator: Mark Gorman Municipal Attorney: Robin L. Koutchak Municipal Clerk: Colleen Ingman, MMC Tuesday, November 26, 2013 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers WORK SESSION - 5:00 PM A worksession was held on the Harrigan Centennial Hall Renewal Project to review the conceptual design. It was noted major construction would not start until late 2015. REGULAR MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER Present: 6 - Esquiro, Reif, Hunter, Hackett, Swanson, and Miyasato Excused: 1 - McConnell II. FLAG SALUTE III. ROLL CALL IV. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES None. V. CEREMONIAL MATTERS None. VI. SPECIAL REPORTS: Government to Government, Municipal Boards/Commissions/Committees, Municipal Departments, School District, Students and Guests (time limits apply) None heard. VII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Shirley Robards, owner of Stereo North, reiterated she was not pleased with the relocation of the Community Ride stop to the front of her store. She CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final November 26, 2013 wondered who the responsible party would be if someone fell getting off the bus. VIII. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Administrator - Gorman attended: Government to Government meeting, Port and Harbors Commission, Tourism Commission, the Alaska Energy Authority meeting, and AML meetings in Anchorage. He met with Paula Scott, the representative for the city’s health insurance. Gorman also reported he had met with the CEO of SEARHC to talk about the ongoing discussions between the hospitals on collaboration efforts . Liaison Representatives - Hackett relayed Sitka Community Hospital was comfortable with their “Critical Access Status” and added the Hospital was doing well. Miyasato attended the Port and Harbors Commission. The big issues were rates and proposed rate increases. IX. CONSENT AGENDA A 13-216 Approve the minutes of the November 12, 2013 Assembly meeting This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B 13-217 Reappoint David Arp to a term on the Sitka Investment Committee This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. C 13-219 Authorize removing the formal protest against the liquor license renewal for J&B North Inc. d/b/a Victoria's Pour House Finance Director, Jay Sweeney, provided an overview. Sweeney explained the establishment had become seriously delinquent in the amount of sales tax owed. Earlier this year, the City had protested renewal of their liquor license, however, realized it was in the best interest to find a way to work through the problem. Initially the Assembly agreed to protest with the understanding if the Pour House were to work out an acceptable agreement with the City a recommendation would be brought back that the protest be removed. Sweeney added the agreement had been reviewed by the Legal Department. A motion was made by Hackett that this Item be PASSED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Reif, Hunter, Hackett, Swanson, and Miyasato No: 1- Esquiro CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final November 26, 2013 X. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: D ORD 13-41 Amending Section 4.09.100 of the SGC to Identify Possible Sales Tax Holidays for Certain Sales in 2013 - proposed dates are November 29 & 30 A motion was made by Hackett that this Ordinance be PASSED ON SECOND READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Esquiro, Reif, Hunter, Hackett, Swanson, and Miyasato E ORD 13-42 Authorizing the lease of approximately 9.58 Acres of Tidelands in Alaska Tidelands Survey 126 to Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association Inc. Steve Reifenstuhl spoke in support of the ordinance. He stressed the value of fish that NSRAA produced for fisherman and the three local processors ; the economic input huge for Sitka. Reifenstuhl stated Sitka was a fishing community and dependent on fisheries. A motion was made by Hackett that this Ordinance be PASSED ON SECOND READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Esquiro, Reif, Hunter, Hackett, Swanson, and Miyasato XI. NEW BUSINESS: New Business First Reading F ORD 13-43 Adjusting the FY14 Budget for known changes Jay Sweeney, Finance Director, explained the ordinance dealt with four specific items that needed adjusting. A motion was made by Miyasato that this Ordinance be PASSED ON FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Esquiro, Reif, Hunter, Hackett, Swanson, and Miyasato G ORD 13-44 Amending Section 4.09.020 Collection of Tax of the SGC so that in October of each year the Assembly routinely and timely considers whether to authorize any Sales Tax Free Day(s) for certain sales that have historically followed the Thanksgiving Holiday Reif and Hunter sponsored this ordinance to help the business community get ready well in advance. Hackett queried Finance Director, Jay Sweeney, as to potentially a later date in the month. Sweeney stated the ordinance would work, however, the more days he had in October the better. Hackett urged local spending to help support businesses. A motion was made by Reif that this Ordinance be PASSED ON FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final November 26, 2013 Yes: 6- Esquiro, Reif, Hunter, Hackett, Swanson, and Miyasato Additional New Business Items H 13-220 Approve a sole source procurement and installation for two Yamaha outboard motors from Gary's Outboard for $49,604 utilizing grant funding specified for the Emergency Response Vessel Equipment and funded by a Homeland Security Grant Police Chief Schmitt explained the motors belonged to Homeland Security and they would decide what would happen to the motors. Esquiro wondered why the City would get rid of them when there was still life in the engines. He asked Schmitt if the City could continue to use the existing motors and purchase the new ones with plans to replace the motors in the future when needed. Swanson clarified the grant wouldn't expire for two years. Hackett also wondered why the motors needed to be replaced now. A motion was made by Reif that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Esquiro, Reif, Hunter, Hackett, Swanson, and Miyasato I 13-218 Discussion/Direction/Decision on a CBS Donation for Philippines Disaster Relief Myrna Cirera, a representative from the Filipino community, explained to the Assembly she was organizing a fundraiser and gathering items to ship to the Philippines. She added an account had been set up at Wells Fargo. Cirera reported Alaska Marine Lines had agreed to ship the items to Seattle free of charge, however, shipping costs from Seattle to the Philippines needed to be covered. Recognizing the importance of the Filipino community in Sitka, the Assembly agreed it was important to show support for the relief effort , however, some members were conflicted on whether City money should be used. Assembly members present personally pledged to contribute $150 - one half of their monthly stipend to the effort. XII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Fire Chief Dave Miller spoke to the Tsunami Inundation Study. He cautioned that one needs to keep in mind it was only a “study” and sometimes as in Japan, “Mother Nature” has a different idea. Miller urged everyone to have a seven day survival kit. Miller reported the blue fire truck finally made it to its destination of St. George Island where they were happy to have it. Deputy Mayor Hunter mentioned that he had students from St. George Island and they have expressed their excitement and gratitude towards Sitka for sending it. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final November 26, 2013 XIII. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Hackett to ADJOURN. Hearing no objection the meeting ADJOURNED at 7:14 PM. ATTEST: ___________________________ Colleen Ingman, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5