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 Tuesday, July 7, 2020 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers SPECIAL MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. ROLL CALL Knox and Nelson participated by videoconference. Present: 5 - Knox, Wein, Paxton, Mosher, and Nelson Absent: 2 - Christianson, and Eisenbeisz IV. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES No agenda changes. V. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Gayle Young voiced concern for the homeless population in Sitka and expressed the need for a homeless shelter. Wayne Dye believed there should be an enterprise fund for road maintenance. In addition, he suggested the idea of a fuel tax to pay for road maintenance. Richard Wein recognized Father Dwight of St. Gregory's Catholic Church, thanked him for his service to Sitka, and wished him well at his next assignment. VI. NEW BUSINESS: A 20-136 CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final July 7, 2020 Municipal Administrator John Leach reviewed the work to date of the CARES Act Working Group and the funding design. He noted the categories were utility/moorage assistance ($4.5 million); business and non-profit grants ($5 million); new City funded programs ($2.5 million); City impact/mitigation spending ($1 million); School District ($430,000); and a contingency ($627,653). Knox told of an email he had shared explaining in more detail category 3 - new City funded programs, reminded there were details that still needed to be worked out, and that daycare facilities throughout Alaska were operating at reduced numbers due to COVID-19 restrictions and having to use reserves for operations. Wein offered comments related to each of the categories, expressed disappointment with the work product, and stressed the need for additional budgeted amounts for food security and transitional employment program which were subcategories of category 3. Mosher spoke in support of the proposed budget and reminded, while not perfect and more details were needed, it was important to move forward and distribute the money. Paxton noted the importance of using the money to address immediate needs and thanked the Working Group. Nelson expressed the need for equitability, wished to have more information regarding the numbers provided for registered businesses, and wondered how COVID-19 had created a daycare emergency. Margaret Hart spoke to the need for childcare in Sitka. A motion was made by Mosher to approve the budget as proposed by the CARES Act Working Group. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 4- Knox, Wein, Paxton, and Mosher No: 1- Nelson Absent: 2- Christianson, and Eisenbeisz VII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD None. VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. IV. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Mosher to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections the meeting ADJOURNED at 7:05 p.m. ATTEST: ________________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2