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, March 23, 2021 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers WORK SESSION 5:00 PM 21-054 Visit Sitka Annual Work Session Visit Sitka reviewed their FY22 annual marketing work plan. REGULAR MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. ROLL CALL Present: 7 - Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Nelson, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Duncan IV. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES 21-055 Reminders, Calendars, and General Correspondence Mayor Eisenbeisz spoke about the correspondence from United Fisherman of Alaska where they are requesting membership support of $300/year. In addition, he announced Item E had been pulled from the agenda. V. CEREMONIAL MATTERS None. 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 March 23, 2021 Tribal Chairman, Woody Widmark, provided an update on activities of the Tribal Council. VII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Doug Osborne commented on ways to bring revenue to the Electric Fund. Richard Wein noted March 23 was an important anniversary and quoted from the speech of Patrick Henry at the Second Virginia Convention, requested a summary of former Sitka Community Hospital financials, and wondered if the City would continue to pay for visitors to be transported from the Old Sitka Dock. Holland Bool spoke to promoting racial justice in the community. VIII. CONSENT AGENDA Richard Wein spoke in support of items A & B. A motion was made by Nelson that the Consent Agenda consisting of item A & B be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Nelson, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Duncan A 21-049 Approve a standard marijuana cultivation facility renewal license application for VanGreen's LLC at 224 Smith Street #D This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B 21-050 Approve two liquor license renewal applications for Triple C Ventures Inc.: 1) Cascade Convenience Center at 1211 A Sawmill Creek Road, and 2) Watson Point Liquor at 1867 Halibut Point Road This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. IX. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS C 21-051 Appoint: 1) Lauren Mitchell to an unexpired term on the Gary Paxton Industrial Park Board of Directors, 2) David E. Miller to a three-year term on the Local Emergency Planning Committee, 3) Lakota Harden to an unexpired term on the Health Needs and Human Services Commission, and 4) Tristan Guevin to an unexpired term on the Health Needs and Human Services Commission Richard Wein expressed support for the applicants. Assembly Members thanked the applicants and noted Harden was a graduate of Sitka High School. The Clerk clarified Miller's appointment to LEPC would be for Category 6: Members of the Public. 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 X. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final March 23, 2021 XI. NEW BUSINESS: New Business First Reading D ORD 21-05 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2021 (Pet Adoption - Veterinary Services) Richard Wein spoke in support of the ordinance. Assembly Members commended Animal Control Officer Buxton for his work and wondered of pet adoption fees and the original budget allocation. A motion was made by Christianson 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 E 21-052 Discussion/Direction/Decision of the Gary Paxton Industrial Park Board's June 22, 2020 decision to not sell Block 4, Lot 1 to John and Maria Welsh PULLED This item was PULLED. No action was taken. F RES 21-07 Supporting the City’s application to the 2021 Alaska Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP) program for $1.2 million for construction of Jarvis-Hillside neighborhood connector of the Cross Trail Multimodal Pathway Richard Wein offered comments on the Resolution. Assembly Members commented in support, spoke to the application process, and inquired of trail maintenance responsibility. Administrator Leach reported on his conversation with Western Federal Lands and shared their process of administering had changed. He reminded of the required 9.03% match from the City, approximately $110,000. Lynne Brandon, Executive Director of Sitka Trail Works (STW), noted STW performed a large portion of trail maintenance, however, the ultimate responsibility was with the City. It was noted STW had offered to cover the match through grants and fundraising. Finance Director Melissa Haley explained the processes to be used to ensure procurement compliance if money received from STW to cover the match. A motion was made by Himschoot 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 G 21-053 Update and Discussion/Direction on the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport Terminal Improvements Project Public Works Director Michael Harmon reviewed the project history, schematic design renderings and floor plans, existing conditions and critical deficiencies, anticipated project funding and estimated costs, and next steps. Consensus of the Assembly was CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final March 23, 2021 to follow staff recommendation: design the full project, continue to seek funding, add contractor to help develop construction phasing, project costs, and funding plan to move forward with a phased construction approach. XII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Richard Wein spoke to his time on the Assembly and recalled different information being presented regarding the airport improvement project. XIII. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz reflected on the past year and thanked the community for coming together during the pandemic. Administrator - Leach reported he would continue to keep an eye out for funding packages and notify as appropriate. Attorney - Hanson mentioned of an increase in requests for legislation. His office would compile a list and email to the Assembly. Liaison Representatives - Christianson reported on the Planning Commission, Himschoot on the Tree and Landscape Committee event and Sitka School Board meeting, Knox on the Health Needs and Human Services Commission, and Duncan on the Historic Preservation Commission. Clerk - Peterson reviewed the upcoming meeting schedule. XIV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XV. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Christianson to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 8:01pm. ATTEST: ________________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4