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, March 18, 2021 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers SPECIAL MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. ROLL CALL Knox arrived at 6:05pm. Present: 5 - Christianson, Knox, Nelson, Eisenbeisz, and Himschoot Absent: 2 - Mosher, and Duncan IV. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES None. V. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Richard Wein reported on the Sitka Community Health Council meeting. VI. NEW BUSINESS: A 21-047 Discussion / Direction / Decision of the FY2022 Draft Administrator's Budget with focus on the Enterprise Funds and Internal Service Funds Finance Director Melissa Haley reviewed the FY22 budget assumptions and trends for the Electric Fund, Water Fund, Wastewater Fund, Solid Waste Fund, Harbor Fund, Airport Terminal Fund, Marine Service Center Fund, and Gary Paxton Industrial Park Fund. Rate increases included 2.5% for Electric, 2% for Water, 2% for Wastewater, 4.5% for Solid Waste, and 5% for Harbor. Nelson wondered of consequences if rate increases weren't made and stressed many citizens were having financial difficulties. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final March 18, 2021 Members discussed the need for updated master plans and exploring rate studies. Some believe it would be beneficial to delay rate increases until rate studies had been completed. Haley reviewed the Internal Service Funds: IT, Central Garage, and Building Maintenance. She stated these funds existed to provide services to other municipal departments. B 21-048 Discussion / Direction, if desired, of the FY2022 Draft Budget as it relates to the General Fund, Enterprise Funds, Internal Service Funds, School Funding, and other Funds (Assembly action may be taken) Knox inquired if there were any updates on new federal funding for municipalities such as CARES. Administrator Leach and Finance Director Haley reported they were following the announcements and would keep the Assembly apprised. Leach said it appeared there would be higher level programs with funding specifically categorized. VII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Richard Wein reminded state and federal funding was not guaranteed and told of people moving in and out of state. VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. IX. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Knox to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 7:58pm. ATTEST: _________________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2