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 Matthew Hunter Deputy Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz, Vice Deputy Mayor Bob Potrzuski, Aaron Bean, Kevin Knox, Dr. Richard Wein, Benjamin Miyasato Municipal Administrator: Keith Brady Municipal Attorney: Brian Hanson Municipal Clerk: Sara Peterson Tuesday, February 27, 2018 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers REGULAR MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. ROLL CALL Present: 5 - Miyasato, Potrzuski, Hunter, Knox, and Wein Telephonic: 2 - Eisenbeisz, and Bean IV. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES No agenda changes. 18-030 Reminders, Calendars, and General Correspondence V. CEREMONIAL MATTERS None. VI. SPECIAL REPORTS: Government to Government, Municipal Boards/Commissions/Committees, Sitka Community Hospital, Municipal Departments, School District, Students and Guests (five minute time limit) Steve Hartford, Director of Operations at Sitka Community Hospital, provided a status report on the Stroudwater recommendations, Project Urgent Care, a financial report, patient statistics, the budget process and the CEO recruitment process. VII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final February 27, 2018 Alene Henning reminded the Assembly of the economic benefit seniors gained from the senior sales tax exemption. Sigurd Rutter spoke to the number of taxi companies and noted there were drivers who may be operating without a license or insurance. Peter Bradley urged the Assembly to establish a policy for international water sales. VIII. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Administrator - Brady reported on his attendance at the Winter Alaska Municipal League meeting and legislative trip with Lobbyist Larry Markley. In addition, he noted O'Connell Bridge was being nominated as a special landmark for it being the first cable stay bridge in the United States. Liaison Representatives - Knox updated on the Planning Commission and Miyasato on the Police and Fire Commission. Clerk - Peterson reminded of the upcoming budget meetings. Other - Wein reminded the public 1st quarter financial statements were available online in the correspondence section of the February 27 meeting packet. IX. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Knox that the Consent Agenda consisting of items A, B, & D be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Miyasato, Eisenbeisz, Potrzuski, Hunter, Knox, Bean, and Wein A 18-024 Approve the minutes of the February 13 Assembly meeting This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B 18-025 Approve liquor license renewal applications for SOE, LLC dba Asian Palace at 327 Seward Square #1 and dba Little Tokyo at 315 Lincoln Street Suite #112 This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. C RES 18-03 Supporting Senate Bill 92: An Act Relating to Abandoned and Derelict Vessels Knox noted the legislation would give significant power to entities trying to manage derelict vessels. Harbormaster, Stan Eliason, spoke to the importance of the legislation and commented the Bill would afford him the ability to track ownership and handle derelict vessel situations. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final February 27, 2018 A motion was made by Miyasato that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Miyasato, Eisenbeisz, Potrzuski, Hunter, Knox, Bean, and Wein D RES 18-05 Authorizing a grant application to the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA)/Disney for Crescent Harbor Playground Renovation This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS E 18-028 Reappoint Bob Sam to a three-year term on the Historic Preservation Commission (STA seat) and Appoint: 1) Gary Paxton to a three-year term on the Employment Relations Board (City representative seat), and, 2) Nancy Douglas to a three-year term on the Historic Preservation Commission (STA seat - alternate) Miyasato and Wein thanked the individuals for their willingess to serve. A motion was made by Miyasato that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Miyasato, Eisenbeisz, Potrzuski, Hunter, Knox, Bean, and Wein XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: F ORD 18-03 Adjusting the FY18 Budget (document management system, investment management fees) A motion was made by Potrzuski that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Miyasato, Eisenbeisz, Potrzuski, Hunter, Knox, Bean, and Wein G ORD 18-05 Adjusting the FY18 Budget (Sitka Community Hospital RFP) Wein suggested the recruitment process for a Chief Executive Officer at Sitka Community Hospital occur first and then the RFP process. He questioned the amount of the appropriation and wondered if it might be better to see what the results of the RFP process yielded and then appropriate the funds. Knox wished to move forward with the RFP process and not delay. Eisenbeisz, Potrzuski, Miyasato and Hunter concurred. Bean wished to move forward with the RFP however was opposed to the appropriation of funds. Municipal Attorney, Brian Hanson, recommended if the Assembly was going to proceed with the RFP process that it be done well and follow best practice by hiring a consultant. A motion was made by Potrzuski that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Miyasato, Eisenbeisz, Potrzuski, Hunter, and Knox No: 2- Bean, and Wein CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final February 27, 2018 XII. NEW BUSINESS: H 18-029 Approve a lease agreement between Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association, Inc. and the City and Borough of Sitka for Block 4, Lot 3 of the Gary Paxton Industrial Park NSRAA General Manager, Steve Reifenstuhl, and NSRAA Board Member, Eric Jordan, spoke to the proposed lease agreement and expansion plans for salmon production on Lot 3. Assembly members queried about water delivery agreements. Reifenstuhl explained the water amendment would come forward at a future meeting. He believed the increased amount of water needed for the hatchery expansion was achievable. A motion was made by Miyasato that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Miyasato, Eisenbeisz, Potrzuski, Hunter, Knox, Bean, and Wein I RES 18-04 RECONSIDERATION: Supporting a National Carbon Fee and Dividend Policy Public testimony on the Resolution Speaking in support of the Resolution were: Jay Stelzenmuller, Lisa Sadlier-Hart, Kent Barkhau, Heather Bauscher, Eric Jordan, Fabian Grutter, Joel Hanson, Michelle Putz, Libby Stortz, Doug Osborne, Barbara Bingham, and Owen Kindig. Testifying in opposition to the Resolution were Larry Edwards and Peter Bradley. Assembly Deliberation on the Resolution Wein stated while he believed in the notion of conservation, fee and dividend was not the answer. Bean, too, spoke in opposition to the fee and dividend structure. Knox stated climate change had been an issue for quite some time, felt action needed to be taken, and was tired of kicking the can down the road. Potrzuski agreed with Knox and noted something needed to be done. Hunter relayed that while this may not be a perfect solution, it was a solution. Public testimony on the following amendment to strike lines 44-63 In opposition were: Michelle Putz, Libby Stortz, Kent Barkhau, and Lisa Sadlier-Hart Larry Edwards suggested the Assembly consider forming a work group to further resolve the resolution. Assembly Deliberation on the amendment to strike lines 44-63 Bean stated if amended he could support the resolution and have unanimous support on policy change at a national level to protect the environment. Knox believed, if amended, the resolution would lack meaning. A motion was made by Bean to AMEND the resolution by striking lines 44-63 and clarifying the title to reflect the changes. Lines 44-63: CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final February 27, 2018 WHEREAS, an annually increasing Carbon Fee levied at the extraction point of fossil fuels or point of entry into the United States will begin to account for the external costs of fossil fuel use and unleash market forces to find the most cost-effective ways to reduce emissions; and WHEREAS, all money collected in fees returned to households as a dividend would protect or minimize the economic effects on households while also encouraging investments in increased energy efficiency and alternate sources of energy by both industry and consumers. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that by the Assembly of the City and Borough of Sitka to strongly urge the U.S. Congress to enact legislation that: A. Levies an annually increasing fee on carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas equivalent emissions produced by fossil fuels at the point of production and importation; B. Returns to Americans on an equitable basis all of the net revenues generated from the fee; and C. Encourages carbon pricing action by other nations trading with the United States, by suitable carbon-content-based fees for imports, and rebates for exports, to nations that do not have equivalent carbon pricing to that of the United States. A motion was made by Potrzuski to LIMIT DEBATE on the amendment to two minutes per member. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7 - Miyasato, Eisenbeisz, Potrzuski, Hunter, Knox, Bean, and Wein A motion was made by Potrzuski to MOVE THE PREVIOUS QUESTION. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7 - Miyasato, Eisenbeisz, Potrzuski, Hunter, Knox, Bean, and Wein The AMENDMENT FAILED by the following vote. Yes: 2- Bean, and Wein No: 5- Miyasato, Eisenbeisz, Potrzuski, Hunter, and Knox A motion was made by Potrzuski that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Assembly Member Bean moved for RECONSIDERATION of the motion at the March 13 Assembly meeting. Yes: 6- Miyasato, Eisenbeisz, Potrzuski, Hunter, Knox, and Bean No: 1- Wein J 18-026 Discussion/Direction/Decision regarding the ban/taxation of plastic bags Representatives of Bags for Change spoke to the Assembly about the harmful effects of single-use plastic bags and reported on results of their recent public opinion polls. The group urged the Assembly to consider sponsoring a ballot proposition for single-use bag reduction either through a ban or imposed fee. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final February 27, 2018 Assembly members Potrzuski, Wein, and Knox volunteered to further research the idea of a ban or fee and bring back an ordinance for Assembly consideration or possibly a public vote. K 18-027 Discussion/Direction on a hiring freeze and travel restrictions for CBS employees Assembly members discussed their thoughts on implementing a hiring freeze and reducing employee travel. Administrator Brady offered that in addition to travel, each vacancy was scrutinized. After discussion, the Assembly directed the Administrator to continue with current hiring practices and use his discretion. XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: None. XIV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XV. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Miyasato to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 10:24pm. ATTEST: _____________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 6