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 Thursday, February 25, 2021 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers SPECIAL MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. ROLL CALL Knox arrived at 6:08pm Present: 6 - Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Duncan Absent: 1 - Nelson IV. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES Himschoot disclosed she worked for the Sitka School District. Mayor Eisenbeisz ruled there was no conflict. V. PERSONS TO BE HEARD None. VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: A 21-019 Discussion / Direction / Decision of local support of education to the Sitka School District contained in the proposed FY2022 General Fund Budget and other issues pertaining to the financial support of educational related activities (this item was previously discussed at a special meeting on February 4) Mayor Eisenbeisz relayed a decision had been delayed due to the announcement of the cruise ship season cancellation. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final February 25, 2021 Sitka School District Superintendent John Holst told of steps to close the $1.8M budget deficit and noted the elimination of four unfilled positions and five certified positions. Assembly members discussed the impact of possible funding scenarios. Knox, Christianson, Himschoot, Eisenbeisz, and Duncan spoke in support of funding to the cap. Mosher, while in support of the schools, expressed concern for what the City could afford and the sustainability of funding to the cap. Speaking in support to the motion to fund to the cap were Bridgette Hitchcock, Collauna Marley, Katherine Prussian, Kate Johnson, and Beth Short-Rhoades. Richard Wein, while supportive of schools, reminded of the City's deficit budget and associated impacts. The School Board expressed appreciation for funding to the cap. A motion was made by Christianson to direct the Municipal Administrator to include in the FY2022 draft Administrator’s budget a total amount of $7,764,150 for local support of public education (including, $7,557,150 to be paid in appropriate monthly disbursements, $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). Should Secure Rural Schools be reauthorized, it should be included in FY2022 budget for local support of public education at 50%. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Christianson, Knox, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Duncan No: 1- Mosher Absent: 1- Nelson VII. NEW BUSINESS: B 21-032 Discussion / Direction of the FY2022 Draft Municipal Budget as it relates to the General Fund, Enterprise Funds, Internal Service Funds, and other Funds (Assembly action may be taken) Municipal Administrator John Leach reminded of the March 4 budget meeting focusing on the General Fund. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Richard Wein expressed concern of the achievement gap and wondered of the City's budget deficit. Mike Vieira, President of the Sitka's Education Association, thanked the Assembly and staff for their support of the schools. IX. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. X. ADJOURNMENT CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final February 25, 2021 A motion was made by Christianson to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 7:20 p.m. ATTEST: _____________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3