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 Benjamin Miyasato Aaron Swanson, Steven Eisenbeisz Tristan Guevin, and Michelle Putz Municipal Administrator: Mark Gorman Municipal Attorney: Robin L. Koutchak Municipal Clerk: Colleen Ingman, MMC Tuesday, March 10, 2015 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. ROLL CALL Present: 5 - Hunter, Swanson, Miyasato, Eisenbeisz, and Guevin Telephonic: 2 - McConnell, and Putz IV. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES Deputy Mayor Hunter announced that Item G had been pulled from the agenda. AA 15-020 Reminders and Calendars BB 15-021 Misc. Correspondence CC 15-022 Public Works Update V. CEREMONIAL MATTERS VI. SPECIAL REPORTS: Government to Government, Municipal Boards/Commissions/Committees, Sitka Community Hospital, Municipal Departments, School District, Students and Guests (time limits apply) Port and Harbors Commission - Chairman Kevin Knox reviewed the Commission's 2015 goals and relayed one focus was for safe, well maintained, affordable and livable harbors. Diversity of users was a big strength of Sitka. Knox shared the new camera system at ANB had been well received. The Commission felt some money wasn't coming back into the harbor system and they would like to change that. For instance, they would like to see 100% of fish box tax come back to harbors. They hope to be part of a budget worksession with the Assembly to discuss. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final March 10, 2015 Sitka Community Hospital CEO Rob Allen announced that he had been working with the Board and planned to continue on as CEO for the next couple of years. He reported on the work that Cynthia Brandt, Director of Fiscal Services was doing and the current state of financials - still floating between $800,000 - $1,200,000. Allen reported the Hospital had started a strategic planning process regarding Medicaid Expansion and what it meant for SCH. He reported had it been in place last year the Hospital would have recovered over $400,000. DD 15-028 1) Sitka High School Student Update, and 2) Edgecumbe Drive Update <10 minutes SHS Representative Debbie Yearwood relayed that both boys and girls won first at Regions in basketball. SHS students did well on Drama and Debate. They were working on development of a school paper. The 2nd annual Risk Event was scheduled to happen on March 24th. Alaska Association of Student Government (AASG) will be held in Sitka with Mt.Edgecumbe hosting. SHS has a new band teacher, activities director and vice principal. Edgecumbe Drive Update - Municipal Engineer, Dan Tadic, gave a presentation on the plans for Edgecumbe Drive. There will be a Multi Use Path with plans to take the bike lane width and add it to the sidewalk. They have implemented suggestions under "Safe Routes to School" near intersections and cross walks. Phase I - Charteris to Cascade began March 9. Phase II - Charteris to Peterson is to begin May 27. Paving won't start until August. Tadic noted S&S Construction was holding monthly meetings and going door to door posting information for residents in the area. VII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Gerry Hope, Transportation Director for Sitka Tribe of Alaska, noticed that there was a bus stop sign on the Edgecumbe Drive photo, however, he didn't notice any pull out area for the RIDE. He will communicate with the Public Works Department. VIII. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Regarding her trip to Washington DC she noted for those interested in the details they could read the trip report that Marlene Campbell prepared. Administrator - Gorman expanded on the DC trip adding topics covered were the Blue Lake Completion, Sitka's 2nd water source, Secure Rural Schools and expediting the conveyance of the Administration Building at the Gary Paxton Industrial Park. Gorman added the first cut of the FY2016 budget was complete and showed a $600,000 deficit. He noted there was a growing concern about the deficiency in the Electric Fund about $1 M short, which was being driven by "Mother Nature". There would be a fairly steep rate increase coming in electric rates. He stated there may be another possibility that would infuse capital into the Electric Fund. Today's news of the state planning to de-fund the state park position here was of great concern and be detrimental to Sitka. Senator Stedman's office was looking into it. The seven state parks would go to self maintenance and be supported out of Juneau. Harmon and I met with Chris and Chuck McGraw regarding the upcoming CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final March 10, 2015 cruise ship season and they were anticipating around 110,000 passengers for this year. The past season was just below 90,000. Attorney - Continued to work with Delta Airlines and Public Works in crafting a contract. Delta was adding more flights. Passenger service was of the highest priority. Liaisons - Miyasato provided a report on the recent Library Commission meeting. He spoke to the House Transportation Committee on the use of herbicides along the road system. Miyasato congratulated basketball teams and wished them good luck at state. Eisenbeisz relayed that the Sitka Community Hospital Board was interested in being included in an upcoming budget worksession and announced the Board would hold a retreat on March 21st at 6:00 pm. Guevin reported on the Health Needs and Human Services Commission. Marijuana was the primary discuss at their last meeting. He announced a Town Hall Meeting would be held in March. He attended the School Board meeting where their main issue was the budget projected short fall of $2.2 M. Deputy Mayor attended the Port and Harbors Commission meeting. IX. CONSENT AGENDA Deputy Mayor read the titles of the items on the Consent Agenda consisting of Items A, C, D, E & F. A 15-026 Approve the minutes of the February 24, 2015 Assembly meeting This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. C 15-024 Approve Material Sale and/or Lease Agreement between the CBS and Little Bit Heavy Equipment Rental contingent on receipt of proof of insurance This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. D RES 15-10 Urging the Alaska Legislature to Expand Medicaid Coverage to Improve the Health of Alaskans and Improve the Alaskan Economy This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. E ORD 15-11 Proposing to clarify the SGC by amending the footnote in Title 9 Health and Sanitation, by amending Sections 10.24.050 Fireworks Permissible Sales and Uses and 10.24 reference note, Section 10.44.070 (c) Common Carrier Definition, by repealing without replacement Section 10.48.030 Evidence, by amending Section 10.72.070 Juvenile Curfew Penalties, by repealing Section 10.84.020 Grandfather Clause for Liquor Sales Age, by amending Section 11.04.110 Public Holidays List, Section 11.40.230 Parking Reference, Section 11.56.100 for correct reference for Taxicab Medical Requirements, by repealing Section 11.64.010 Pedestrian Rules, and by amending Section 11.70.010 to remove outdated Helmet Standard Reference This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final March 10, 2015 F ORD 15-12 Proposing to clarify SGC by amending Title 6 Business License and Regulations at Section 6.04.080 Bond This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B 15-025 Approve liquor license renewal applications: 1) Watson Point, 2) Channel Club, 3) BPO Elks Lodge, 4) Ernie's Bar, 5) Pioneer Bar, 6) Pioneer Liquor Store, 7) Salty Sals Liquor Cabinet, 8) Cascade Convenience Center, 9) Baranof Island Brewing Company, 10) Pizza Express, and 11) Totem Square Inn. Mayor McConnell recused herself as two were her clients. Eisenbeisz requested this item be pulled because Salty Sals liquor package store license was no longer in the location listed on the renewal. Municipal Clerk Ingman said that was not sufficient reasoning to protest their renewal. A motion was made by Eisenbeisz that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Hunter, Swanson, Miyasato, Eisenbeisz, Guevin, and Putz Recused: 1- McConnell X. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: H ORD 15-08 Amending SGC Title 22 Zoning under Chapter 22.20 Supplemental District Regulations and Development Standards and updating Chapter 22.16 District Regulations, Table 22.16.015-1 to allow for and regulate accessory dwelling units (ADUS) as a permitted or conditional use A motion was made by Swanson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on second and final reading. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- McConnell, Hunter, Swanson, Miyasato, Eisenbeisz, Guevin, and Putz XI. NEW BUSINESS: New Business First Reading I ORD 15-13 Adjusting the FY15 Budget Putz questioned whether funds for the State/Municipal Building project might be pulled back if this was planned for next fiscal year. Administrator Gorman explained that the State requested that we do it now. Chief Finance and Administrative Officer, Jay Sweeney, added the State of Alaska sped up the timeline and agreed to manage the project so we were moving this forward to this year. If for some reason the State abandoned the project the funds would not be committed. A motion was made by Miyasato that this Ordinance be APPROVED on first reading. The motion PASSED by the following vote. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final March 10, 2015 Yes: 7- McConnell, Hunter, Swanson, Miyasato, Eisenbeisz, Guevin, and Putz Additional New Business Items J 15-023 Discussion and/or direction to include any funding for "the Ride" through its coordinating agency Center for Community in the FY16 Municipal Budget Swanson announced that his wife worked for Center for Community. Deputy Mayor Hunter ruled without objection that he did not have a conflict. Following some discussion and clarification on Miyasato's potential conflict it was determined that he needed to step down and wear his Sitka Tribe of Alaska (STA) Council member, treasurer and Transportation Chair hat. Guevin brought up that Miyasato didn't receive any financial benefit. Municipal Attorney Koutchak advised Miyasato had a conflict because there was a financial allocation. Connie Sipe, Executive Director for Center for Community (CFC) was the state recognized operator of the RIDE, STA was the contractor. She explained CFC was reimbursed from the State. STA received a federal Tribal grant to expand the RIDE. Four buses belonged to CFC and two buses belonged to STA. Sipe reported they were in need of $100,000. Considering salaries, wages, benefits and fuel Sipe reported the RIDE brings $1 M to the community and helps Sitka be affordable. Gerry Hope, Transportation Director, for STA spoke. He noted it was unheard of that the City didn't have an elevated role in public transit and was difficult for them to make a case when the City didn't contribute much. He requested a worksession with the Assembly. Note: A time will be allocated during the budget worksessions. Benjamin Miyasato speaking as STA Tribal member, treasurer, and Transportation Committee Chair recently traveled to Washington DC to discuss the issue of the next federal transportation bill. As treasurer of STA he stated there would be a shortfall and that STA did not have the funds. STA Director, Lawrence SpottedBird, encouraged the Assembly to support the request. Harry Green testified the RIDE was a good thing and there was a lot of people going through difficult times. Guevin believed that it was part of the City's responsibilities. He added there were a lot of people who could not afford a vehicle, the RIDE gave them a benefit. He stated CBS needed to prioritize and equitable transportation was extremely important. Putz was very supportive to have some absolute funding on a yearly basis. At the same time, she was leery because she didn't know what shape the budget was in. McConnell said the City didn't have a social services department. She stressed the need to have non-profits in Sitka and the RIDE was important for the community. She asked staff to think about where money could possibly come from. Gorman stated it would be helpful for staff to get direction from the Assembly as to a dollar amount. Deputy Mayor Hunter recognized the value of the RIDE stating it was great for the community. He took issue with the statement that the City hadn't been supportive. CBS has a huge deferred maintenance need, the Sitka School District deficit was over $2 M and the municipality was still working on a $600,000 deficit. Miyasato said Center for Community and STA operate the RIDE. A motion was made by Putz to place $25,000 in the FY2016 budget and to CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final March 10, 2015 consider additional funding at the April 14, 2015 Assembly meeting. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 4- McConnell, Swanson, Guevin, and Putz No: 2- Hunter, and Eisenbeisz Recused: 1- Miyasato XII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: None. XII. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Swanson to ADJOURN. WIthout objection and no further business, the meeting ADJOURNED at 7:31 PM. ATTEST _______________________ Colleen Ingman, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 6