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 Steven Eisenbeisz Deputy Mayor Thor Christianson, Vice Deputy Mayor Valorie Nelson, Kevin Knox, Kevin Mosher, Crystal Duncan, Rebecca Himschoot Municipal Administrator: John Leach Municipal Attorney: Brian Hanson Municipal Clerk: Sara Peterson Tuesday, October 27, 2020 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers REGULAR MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. ROLL CALL Nelson participated by videoconference. Present: 7 - Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Nelson, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Duncan IV. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES 20-217 Reminders, Calendars, and General Correspondence Mayor Eisenbeisz called attention to a letter from Sitka Health Summit Coalition stating the Coalition, along with Sitka Counseling, could contribute $6000 towards the relocation costs of the Alexander Baranov statue and creation of signage at the Sitka Historical Society. V. CEREMONIAL MATTERS 20-215 Proclamation recognizing Native American Heritage Month Mayor Eiesenbeisz read and presented a proclamation in recognition of Native American Heritage Month to Sitka Tribal Council Chairwoman KathyHope Erickson. Erickson noted, despite the pandemic, there would be activities held to celebrate. VI. SPECIAL REPORTS: Government to Government, Municipal Boards/Commissions/Committees, Municipal Departments, School District, Students and Guests (five minute time limit) CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final October 27, 2020 Municipal Administrator John Leach introduced HR Director Michelle Murdock. Murdock expressed appreciation and stated she looked forward to working for the City. Vice Chair of the Sitka School Board Eric Van Cise spoke to COVID-19 mitigation for the district, told of an upcoming board meeting on November 4, a work session on November 11 to lay the ground work for a superintendent search and hold an evaluation for the current superintendent, and told of a work session November 18 to discuss a strategic plan. VII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Kent Barkhau spoke to the development of the SEARHC campus, opportunities for use of a salt water pump for heating and cooling, and suggested an advisory body be formed to determine how Blue Lake power is utilized. Thor Christianson encouraged the community to be vigilant in COVID-19 prevention measures to keep schools open. He urged citizens to take advantage of testing at the airport even when traveling within state. VIII. CONSENT AGENDA A 20-210 Approve the minutes of the October 13 assembly meeting A motion was made by Knox that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Nelson, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Duncan IX. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS B 20-211 Appoint Fire Chief Craig Warren to a permanent seat on the Local Emergency Planning Committee A motion was made by Christianson that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Nelson, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Duncan C 20-212 Appoint Fire Engineer Jennifer Klejka to a permanent seat on the Local Emergency Planning Committee as LEPC Coordinator A motion was made by Mosher that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Nelson, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Duncan D 20-216 Appoint Carin Adickes to a three-year term on the Animal Hearing Board under the category of Animal Interest Group Richard Wein commended Adickes for stepping up to serve. A motion was made by Himschoot that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Nelson, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Duncan CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final October 27, 2020 X. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: E ORD 20-51 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2021 (Alaska Legislative Grant for Green Lake Phase I Supplemental Capital Project) Knox spoke to the importance of the project and commented it was nice to see the money being utilized for a high priority project. Eisenbeisz called attention to the savings of $400,000 by reallocating the grant monies from the Takatz Lake project to the Green Lake Phase I project. A motion was made by Mosher that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Nelson, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Duncan XI. NEW BUSINESS: F 20-214 Update / Discussion on the CARES Act Working Group progress (public comment to be taken) Municipal Administrator John Leach stated the money committed to programs was being disbursed, the second round of utility subsidization had been applied to accounts, told of the October 30 deadline for phase 2 of the nonprofit/business grants, commented on the work being done through the transitional employment program, and work performed through a contract with the Sitka Conservation Society. Public comment Richard Wein spoke to the need for food programs in Sitka, told of the food distribution offered through Sitka Mutual Aid, and reminded of the $200,000 the assembly had removed from the CARES funding for the homeless population. Assembly Discussion Nelson spoke to the Sitka Conservation Society contract and concerns with high costs of mobilization. Knox spoke to the positive impacts of the transitional employment program. Leach noted he would work on a public release to show what projects had been completed. G 20-213 Consideration of an appeal filed by Octopus Box from phase one of the CARES Act business and nonprofit grant applications Mayor Eisenbeisz reminded the assembly was acting as a quasi judicial board and if any member had contact with the appellant to please disclose. Octopus Box - Beverly Dexter explained the objectives of her business. A motion was made by Knox to grant the appeal for Octopus Box. The motion FAILED by the following vote. No: 7- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Nelson, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Duncan XII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: None. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final October 27, 2020 XIII. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz spoke to the upcoming cruise ship season and reminded of the Sitka General Code 2.04.040 assembly subcommittees requirement. Administrator - Leach told of the positive COVID-19 cases and urged the public to follow the mitigation protocols, spoke to the recent COVID-19 wastewater analysis report, and urged those traveling within Alaska to take advantage of the airport testing. In addition, he noted issues with the solid waste contractor that he was working to resolve. Attorney - Hanson shared he had been served with summons and complaints for two new lawsuits. Clerk - Peterson told of the poll locations and hours for the general election. XIV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XV. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Christianson to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 6:58 p.m. ATTEST: __________________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4