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, February 23, 2021 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers WORK SESSION 5:00 PM 21-030 APEI 101 for Municipal Leaders Training Carleen Mitchell, Deputy Director of Alaska Public Entity Insurance, provided a virtual training session for the Assembly. REGULAR MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. ROLL CALL Knox arrived at 6:08pm Present: 7 - Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Nelson, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Duncan IV. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES 21-031 Reminders, Calendars, and General Correspondence No agenda changes. V. CEREMONIAL MATTERS 21-025 Proclamation Supporting Public Awareness on the Epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, Relatives, Persons, and other Local Citizens Mayor Eisenbeisz read a proclamation supporting public awareness on the epidemic of CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final February 23, 2021 missing and murdered indigenous women, girls, relatives, persons, and other local citizens. VI. SPECIAL REPORTS: Government to Government, Municipal Boards/Commissions/Committees, Municipal Departments, School District, Students and Guests (five minute time limit) Tribal Chairman Woody Widmark provided an update on the work of the Tribal Council during the month of February. School Board Vice President Eric Van Cise stated the School Board had selected a new School Superintendent and told of the upcoming strategic plan meeting dates. VII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Richard Wein voiced support for a moratorium on herring and spoke to the work of Isaac Newton. VIII. CONSENT AGENDA Mayor Eisenbeisz reported some mistakes had been found in the February 9 minutes and an updated version had been sent to the Assembly. From the public, Richard Wein spoke in support of Resolution 2021-06. A motion was made by Nelson that the Consent Agenda consisting of Items A & B be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Nelson, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Duncan A 21-026 Approve the minutes of the February 4 and February 9 assembly meetings This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B RES 21-06 Authorizing the Municipal Administrator to apply for the National Park Service Planning Assistance Program (1st and final reading) This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. IX. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS None. X. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: C ORD 21-02 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2021 (Bulk Water Line at Gary Paxton Industrial Park) Richard Wein spoke in support of the item. A motion was made by Christianson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final February 23, 2021 SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Nelson, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Duncan D ORD 21-03 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2021 (Electric Department - International Crane) Richard Wein provided an overview of the Ordinance. A motion was made by Himschoot 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: New Business First Reading E ORD 21-04 Amending Title 13 “Port and Harbors” of the Sitka General Code by amending Chapter 13.12 “Enforcement” at Section 13.12.050 “Fines” Richard Wein spoke in support and wondered what had created an impetus for change. Sponsors Knox and Christianson told of the continued non-compliance with Harbor parking regulations. The ordinance would levy a graduated schedule of penalties and impose procedures consistent with parking violations throughout the municipality. Nelson wondered of an appeal process. A motion was made by Knox that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Nelson, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Duncan Additional New Business Items F 20-242 Approve the promotion of Melissa Henshaw from Deputy Clerk/Records Specialist to Public & Government Relations Director Richard Wein spoke in support of the promotion. Eisenbeisz, Mosher, Knox, Christianson, and Duncan spoke in support. Nelson, while supportive of Henshaw, did not support filling the position. She reminded when the Assembly had previously approved lobbyist funding she had stated she'd be opposed to filling this position in the future. Leach told of the position being renamed to Public & Government Relations Director and spoke to the job duties: public voice for the City, lobbying, and grant work. A motion was made by Mosher that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Duncan No: 1- Nelson G RES 21-05 Urging the Federal government to issue a temporary waiver to the Passenger Vessel Services Act and asking the CDC to issue technical guidance to allow CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final February 23, 2021 cruise lines to resume operations in Alaska in 2021 (1st and final reading) Richard Wein spoke in support of the Resolution. Knox relayed a number of communities and the Alaska State Legislature had approved similar legislation urging the Federal Government to allow the Alaska cruise industry to resume operations with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Christianson told of the work by cruise lines to ensure their ships were safe. Duncan wondered when the CDC guidance would be available. A motion was made by Christianson that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Nelson, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Duncan H 21-027 Approve the First Extension of Lease Agreement between the City and Borough of Sitka and Northern Southeast Regional Aquaculture Association Inc for Block 4 Lot 3 of the Gary Paxton Industrial Park Richard Wein urged the Assembly to consider increasing lease rates to market value. Municipal Attorney Brian Hanson relayed the Assessor had assessed the lease rate and the rate of the extension exceeded the current lease rate. 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 I 21-028 Approve the proposed adjustments to the Gary Paxton Industrial Park Port Tariff Fee Schedule (Port Tariff #4) Richard Wein spoke in support, noted the use of the ramp for a haul out, and urged the Assembly to consider a passenger fee/security fee for everybody. 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 J 21-029 Approve a Purchase Agreement for Raw Water in Bulk for Export between the City and Borough of Sitka and Arctic Blue Waters Alaska Inc (this item was postponed at the February 23 meeting) Richard Wein spoke in opposition to approving the Purchase Agreement. Christianson spoke in support and told of the State's desire to have the City's export permits go away. Gary Paxton Industrial Park (GPIP) Director Garry White explained there had to be use within a five year period otherwise the permits went away. Nelson disliked the idea of tying up water rights. Eisenbeisz voiced opposition and noted concerns with the business operations. Knox wondered of protections and whether it would be possible to shorten the lease term. Municipal Attorney Hanson reminded the City retained first right and priority to the water. White told of the difficulty in moving water and that Arctic Blue believed they had it figured out this time. Duncan wondered what options were to be explored given previous failed agreements. After deliberating, a motion to postpone to March 9 was made but then later revised to CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final February 23, 2021 March 23 to allow for more time if needed by the GPIP Board. Richard Wein spoke in support of postponement. Mosher, Nelson, and Himschoot reiterated concern over the lease term. A motion was made by Knox to POSTPONE this Item to the March 23 meeting. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Nelson, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Duncan XII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Richard Wein stated the waiver for cruise ship travel was key, stated the purchase price per gallon in the Arctic Blue Agreement was listed as one-tenth of a cent per gallon, and suggested the City open a water store. Garry White clarified the water price in the Arctic Blue Agreement was a half cent per gallon. XIII. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz reported he met with Tribal Chairman Widmark and learned of their Legislative Priorities. Administrator - Leach announced in Sitka the COVID-19 incident had reached the recovery phase and he would step down as Incident Commander of the Emergency Operations Center. Fire Chief Craig Warren would assume those duties. Leach thanked members of Sitka Unified Command for their work over the past year. Attorney - Hanson thanked Leach for his leadership. Liaison Representatives - Knox reported on the Port and Harbors Commission and Duncan on the Historic Preservation Commission and Health Needs and Human Services Commission. Clerk - Peterson told of the upcoming meeting schedule. Other - Knox reported on the February 17 Sitka Seaplane Base Environmental Assessment and public meeting. XIV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XV. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Christianson to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 8:02pm. ATTEST: _________________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final February 23, 2021 Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 6