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 Municipal Administrator: John Leach Municipal Attorney: Brian Hanson Municipal Clerk: Sara Peterson Thursday, May 28, 2020 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers SPECIAL MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. ROLL CALL Knox participated by videoconference. Present: 7 - Christianson, Eisenbeisz, Knox, Wein, Paxton, Mosher, and Nelson IV. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES No agenda changes. V. PERSONS TO BE HEARD George Paul thanked the media for Assembly meeting coverage. He stated the newspaper had been given to residents at no cost and suggested subsidizing the newspaper office to give to their employees. VI. NEW BUSINESS: A 20-114 Discussion / Direction / Decision on the establishment and membership of the CARES Act Working Group Municipal Administrator John Leach summarized the memo and told of the working group established after the May 19 work session. He noted there were sectors who did not feel they were adequately represented and thus decided to bring the establishment and membership of the CARES Act Working Group before the Assembly for approval. He reminded the intent was to have the working group do preliminary work and bring CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final May 28, 2020 forward for assembly approval. Christianson was in support of the working group that was established by the Administrator. He reminded the group could provided a framework and then turn it over to the assembly. Nelson suggested one additional assembly member to make a total of three. Mosher spoke in support. Wein reminded the assembly had accepted funds and the city was responsible for decisions made. He suggested it was the assembly's responsibility to design and disburse the CARES Act money and to allow for public testimony from community members. Eisenbeisz spoke in support of the Administrator's working group. Paxton concurred and believed there should be assembly oversight. Knox spoke in support of a diverse group e.g. for-profit, non-profit. Christianson reminded there had been suggestions for using the money that were not allowed. He said the working group could vet the requests. Wein stated the working group process eliminated interaction and communication with requestors. Nelson noted the motion was to establish the working group and develop a framework to operate within. Eisenbeisz shared the working group could craft the framework and make suggestions and recommendations to the assembly. George Paul spoke in support of Wein's proposal of the assembly disbursement and allowing for public testimony. A motion was made by Nelson to approve the working group* as proposed by the Municipal Administrator. The motion PASSED by the following vote. *Working group members: John Leach, Garry White, Lisa Gassman, Kevin Mosher, Kevin Knox, Jay Sweeney, Melissa Haley, Brian Hanson, and Melissa Henshaw Yes: 6- Christianson, Eisenbeisz, Knox, Paxton, Mosher, and Nelson No: 1- Wein VII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: None. VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. IX. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Christianson to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 6:30 p.m. ATTEST: ________________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2