City and Borough Assembly

ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA 1332 Seward Ave. Room 229 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 Bob Potrzuski Municipal Administrator: Mark Gorman Acting Municipal Attorney: Brian Hanson Tuesday, May 10, 2016 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers WORKSESSION 5:00 PM - Municipal Lands Maegan Bosak, Planning and Community Development Director, and Michael Scarcelli, Senior Planner, presented an overview of Municipal lands and potential land to be sold. REGULAR MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. ROLL CALL Present: 6 - McConnell, Hunter, Miyasato, Eisenbeisz, Guevin, and Potrzuski Absent: 1 - Swanson IV. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES Mayor McConnell announced item E was pulled from the agenda. 16-097 Reminders, Calendars and General Correspondence V. CEREMONIAL MATTERS 16-095 Arbor Day Proclamation Mayor McConnell read and presented a proclamation for the 144th anniversary celebration of Arbor Day. Members of the Tree and Landscape Committee received the proclamation. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final May 10, 2016 VI. SPECIAL REPORTS: Government to Government, Municipal Boards/Commissions/Committees, Sitka Community Hospital, Municipal Departments, School District, Students and Guests (time limits apply) Robb Farmer, Library Director, reported on activities and programs at the Sitka Public Library. VII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD None. VIII. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - McConnell attended the Health Summit Leadership luncheon, Mt. Edgecumbe High School Aquatic Center soft ground breaking and two Chamber activities. McConnell also reported on the State Vocational Rehabilitation Committee meeting where she spoke on the economy. Administrator - Gorman announced a tentative agreement had been reached with the ASEA union. He added the Employment Relations Board approved a decertification election for non-exempt staff employed at the Fire Department to be held May 26. Gorman anticipated a fourth union would be formed. In addition, Gorman announced: FEMA was funding the risk mapping project for Sitka, the City would be invoicing the State for approximately $700,000 of emergency work done as a result of the August 2015 landslides, and noted the Gary Paxton Industrial Park Board would meet to review and discuss bulk water proposals. Liaisons - Hunter reported the last Port and Harbors Commission meeting was May 11 and goals for their next meeting in September would be discussed. Eisenbeisz attended the recent Hospital Board meeting and reported on the patient centered medical home focus and continued discussions of the possible lease/purchase of the Totten building. Clerk - Peterson listed the current vacancies on Boards, Commissions, and Committees. Other - Hunter shared information on the Blue Lake Road closure. He reminded the road was owned by the U.S. Forest Service and they had direct control over when the road was open or closed to the public. Under a lease agreement, the City was granted access for the Blue Lake dam. Currently, significant safety issues left the road closed. Funding had been secured from the Department of Homeland Security with the hope of having public access restored in the next six months. IX. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Hunter that the Consent Agenda consisting of items A & B be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- McConnell, Hunter, Miyasato, Eisenbeisz, Guevin, and Potrzuski Absent: 1- Swanson CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final May 10, 2016 A 16-094 Approve the minutes of the April 19, 21, 25, 26 Assembly meetings This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B ORD 16-16 Adjusting the FY16 Budget (Airport baggage and TSA project) This Ordinance was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA - FIRST READING. X. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: C ORD 16-13 Adjusting the FY16 Budget A motion was made by Miyasato that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- McConnell, Hunter, Miyasato, Eisenbeisz, Guevin, and Potrzuski Absent: 1- Swanson D ORD 16-14 Amending Sitka General Code Title 22.16.015 "Permitted, Conditional and Prohibited Uses" to allow short-term rentals in the public zone as a conditional use Kevin Knox, Chair of the Port and Harbors Commission, suggested if the ordinance passed, it would be helpful to revisit the floathome ordinance to consider allowing floathome short-term rentals. Administrator Gorman concurred and noted the floathome ordinance could be amended in the future to allow floathome short-term rentals. Guevin stated it was important to ensure there weren't adverse affects on harbor sanitation and hoped the short-term rentals wouldn't affect long-term housing opportunities. A motion was made by Miyasato that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- McConnell, Hunter, Miyasato, Eisenbeisz, Guevin, and Potrzuski Absent: 1- Swanson XI. NEW BUSINESS: E ORD 16-15 Amending Title 15 of the Sitka General Code by adding a new Chapter 15.15 entitled "Community Assisted Utility Subsidization Effort" (first reading) This item was pulled from the agenda. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final May 10, 2016 F 16-090 Sitka School District Budget Funding for FY17 Guevin recognized the School Board and Sitka School District for their work. A motion was made by Hunter that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- McConnell, Hunter, Miyasato, Eisenbeisz, Guevin, and Potrzuski Absent: 1- Swanson G 16-092 Discussion/Direction/Decision on other Citizens' Taskforce recommendations including: a millage rate increase, vehicle registration tax and the elimination of sales tax on groceries Administrator Gorman reviewed the three pending recommendations from the Citizens' Taskforce: a millage rate increase, vehicle registration tax and the elimination of sales tax on groceries. Assessor Wendy Lawrence, provided an overview of the mill rate and property taxbase. She explained the mill rate was not a tax bill but instead a tool used to equitably distribute the taxation burden for general government core services such as police, fire, schools, public works, and administration. Lawrence further explained there were two types of mill rates (rate driven and budget driven) and identified the pros and cons of each. She recommended the Assembly explore a budget driven mill rate. Gorman suggested if the Assembly was interested in a mill rate increase, to hold a special election rather than rush trying to meet the deadlines for the October 4 regular election. He expressed the need for a well thought out process and one that engaged the community. The Assembly concurred with the recommendation of a methodical approach and a special election if needed. Assembly members Guevin and Potrzuski volunteered to meet with staff and develop a prelimary plan to present to the Assembly. Municipal Clerk Sara Peterson, outlined the requirements for a special election and indicated a minimum of a three month prep period was required. Guevin and Hunter expressed a desire for future discussions on a vehicle registration tax and elimination of sales tax on groceries. Tom Conley, School Board member, thanked the Assembly for their continued support of the School District budget. H 16-093 Municipal Attorney recruitment update - Discussion/Direction/Decision on interim legal services Administrator Gorman stated Acting Municipal Attorney Brian Hanson was interested in supporting the municipality during the transition period and was able to offer approximately 10 hours per week. Gorman said Hanson would be present at Assembly meetings on an as needed basis. During the interim, Legal Assistant Reuben Yerkes, would coordinate legal services and outline pending critical issues. Gorman also noted he had spoke with Mark Scheer of Williams Kastner, a Seattle law firm, which could serve as an additional resource if needed. XII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final May 10, 2016 Ken Sprague, new to Sitka, stated his business provided support to small businesses. Sprague planned to present at the Sitka Economic Forum on May 17. XIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XIV. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Miyasato to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 7:28pm. ATTEST: __________________________ Sara Peterson, CMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5