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 Gary Paxton Deputy Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz, Vice Deputy Mayor Kevin Mosher, Kevin Knox, Dr. Richard Wein, Valorie Nelson, Thor Christianson Interim Municipal Administrator: Hugh Bevan Municipal Attorney: Brian Hanson Municipal Clerk: Sara Peterson Thursday, February 6, 2020 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers SPECIAL MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. ROLL CALL Present: 7 - Christianson, Eisenbeisz, Knox, Wein, Paxton, Mosher, and Nelson IV. PERSONS TO BE HEARD None. V. NEW BUSINESS: A 20-034 Discussion / Direction / Decision of local support of education to the Sitka School District contained in the proposed FY2021 General Fund Budget and other issues pertaining to the financial support of educational related activities A joint meeting was held between the School Board and the Assembly. Interim Municipal Administrator Hugh Bevan at the opening of the meeting, stated school funding was the largest expenditure in the General Fund. The goal was to finalize the number and bring that to the final budget meeting on February 20. Melissa Haley, Controller, reviewed the process and law pertaining to local funding of public education. In addition, she stated the total amount of local support for public education proposed for the FY2021 budget was $7,618,993 to be disbursed as follows: $7,161,993 (monthly disbursements); $250,000 (Secure Rural Schools funding); $150,000 (school building maintenance); and $57,000 (performing arts center utility bill). Wein reminded the City was committing funds without the knowledge of understanding where the City stood financially (e.g. net shed repairs, Green Lake, snow plowing, water line breaks) and wished to see the budget first. Christianson said approval of the CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final February 6, 2020 funding would provide certainty for the School District and reminded there would still be difficult decisions to be made regarding staff. School Board President Elias Erickson thanked the Assembly for the early discussion and spoke to their budgetary process. Amy Morrison, School Board Vice President, stated the School District was the second highest employer in Sitka, spoke to the graduation rate, and student enrollment numbers. Regarding the proposed amounts for local support, Haley reminded the Assembly could make changes to the budget at any time up until the time the budget ordinance was approved, and thereafter amendments could be made. She clarified, however, that once the City committed to a funding level in the official letter sent to the School District, the City was then locked in and no changes could be made with regards to school funding. It was noted that the Secure Rural Schools funding amount was only an estimate and may change based on the actual amount received. A motion was made by Knox to direct the Interim Administrator to include in the FY2021 draft Administrator's budget the amount of $7,618,993 for local support of public education (including, $7,161,993 to be paid in even monthly disbursements, $250,000 to be disbursed upon receipt of Secure Rural Schools funding, $150,000 for reimbursement for maintenance of school buildings, and up to $57,000 to be used to pay for the performing arts center utility account #5417-002). The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Eisenbeisz, Knox, Paxton, Mosher, and Nelson No: 1- Wein VI. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Nelson reminded Blatchely Middle School wrestlers were in need of travel funds and suggested those interested in donating contact the Activities Director at Blatchley. VII. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. VIII. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Knox to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOUNRED at 6:38 p.m. ATTEST:_____________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2