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, April 13, 2021 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers JOINT WORK SESSION 5:00PM 21-065 Joint Work Session - Tourism Master Plan The Assembly met with the Planning Commission regarding the development of a Tourism Master Plan to address the 2022 tourist season. REGULAR MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. ROLL CALL Nelson participated via videoconference. Present: 7 - Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Nelson, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Duncan IV. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES 21-064 Reminders, Calendars, and General Correspondence Administrator Leach read a letter dated April 9 from Republic Services reminding of the upcoming June 1st Alaska Marine Lines (AML) deadline for adoption of plans to transport municipal solid waste. It was noted if agreeable plans were not adopted, AML was prepared to refuse shipment of municipal solid waste in open top containers beginning June 1. Leach said the change could result in higher rates to the citizens/ratepayers. He also said Republic Services was scheduled to present to the Assembly on May 11. V. CEREMONIAL MATTERS CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final April 13, 2021 21-058 1) Alaska Legislature Certificate Honoring Dave Miller's Service to Sitka, and 2) Service Award Loyd Platson - Health Needs and Human Services Commission Mayor Eisenbeisz read and presented a certificate from the Alaska Legislature to Dave Miller in honor of his years of service to the City and Borough of Sitka as Fire Chief. In addition, the Mayor read and presented a service award to Loyd Platson for his service on the Health Needs and Human Services Commission. VI. SPECIAL REPORTS: Government to Government, Municipal Boards/Commissions/Committees, Municipal Departments, School District, Students and Guests (five minute time limit) None. VII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD SEARHC Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Bruhl, provided an update on COVID-19 testing and availability, vaccination clinics, and encouraged the public to be part of the solution and adhere to prevention measures. He also commented on the specialty clinics and services available through SEARHC. Richard Wein thanked Dave Miller, Loyd Platson, and Dr. Bruhl for their service, spoke to the need for a comprehensive solid waste solution and commented on the City quarterly financial statements. Doug Osborne spoke about possible ways in which to honor former Utility Director Chris Brewton who had recently passed. Lisa Busch provided an update on the landslide warning system. VIII. CONSENT AGENDA A 21-059 Approve the minutes of the March 4, 9, 18, 23, and April 1 Assembly meetings 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 B 21-060 Approve the Health Needs and Human Services Commission 2021 goals Richard Wein wanted to hear an explanation from the Health Needs and Human Services Commission (HNHSC) of goal #1 (People of the Global Majority in Sitka 2021 Health report). Mosher and Nelson spoke to inequalities and requested more information on goal #1. Knox acknowledged the work of the HNHSC and reiterated the intent was to develop a document for presentation to the Assembly in the latter part of 2021. Duncan, liaison to the HNHSC, said the report (goal #1) would focus on health, and ways to improve health, in particular with communities of color. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final April 13, 2021 A motion was made by Knox that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Christianson, Knox, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Duncan No: 2- Mosher, and Nelson IX. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS C 21-061 Appoint Lexi Fish Hackett to a three-year term on the Health Needs and Human Services Commission Richard Wein spoke in support of the appointment. 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 D 21-062 Reappoint 1) Shauna Thornton to a three-year term on the Port and Harbors Commission, and 2) Trish White to a three-year term on the Local Emergency Planning Committee under Category 5 "Owners/Operators of Facilities" Richard Wein spoke in support of the reappointments. Nelson thanked White for her continued service. 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 X. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: E ORD 21-05 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2021 (Pet Adoption - Veterinary Services) Richard Wein spoke in support. 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: New Business First Reading F ORD 21-06 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2021 (Harrigan Centennial Hall A/V Upgrades) Laurie Booyse and Richard Wein spoke in support. Administrator Leach said the goal was to get shelf stock to replace aging parts and CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final April 13, 2021 create an annual service contract. He explained the upgrade would have been allowed under CARES funding, however, the unspent CARES funding was being closed out and this project would delay that process. Also the unspent CARES money was allocated to public safety costs. 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 G ORD 21-07 Amending Ordinance No. 2020-30 passed and approved on June 9, 2020; and establishing an effective date (extension of expiration date for refinancing AEA loan) Richard Wein spoke in support. A motion was made by Himschoot 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 H RES 21-08 Supporting Sitka Maritime Heritage Society’s application under the FY21 Historic Preservation Fund Grant program for Certified Local Governments Rebecca Poulson spoke in support. Planning Director Amy Ainslie spoke to the required covenant. She explained that the City, as property owners, would be required to sign a two year extension to the covenant that would expire in December 2026. 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 I RES 21-09 Supporting Alaska Arts Southeast’s application under the FY21 Historic Preservation Fund Grant program for Certified Local Governments A motion was made by Himschoot that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND SECOND READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Nelson, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Duncan J 21-063 Discussion / Direction / Decision on the RFP for the sale of the former Sitka Community Hospital site and associated properties From the public, Karen Lucas spoke in support of a public vote and Richard Wein supported a lease option. Administrator Leach told of the work to date, town hall attendance/comments, and survey results/comments. He spoke to the draft RFP, and recommended a work session or special meeting be held if the Assembly wished to incorporate additional details in the RFP. Consensus of the Assembly was to schedule a future meeting for CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final April 13, 2021 further review of the RFP. It was mentioned that the need for an assessment, addition of a minimum bid, reconsideration of a public vote, scoring criteria, and a long-term lease option. Eisenbeisz reminded the Assembly had the right to postpone a decision, withdraw the RFP, reject all offers, and negotiate contract terms with the best value responsible bidder. XII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Richard Wein questioned about the rush with regards to the Sitka Community Hospital RFP, reminded the lease with SEARHC didn't expire until July 2024, and stated the best purpose for the building was SEARHC. Emma Thompson spoke to the Health Needs and Human Services Commission (HNHSC) goals and told of the definition of equality and equity. Martina Kurzer spoke to the use of the words equity, equality, and privilege relating to the previously discussed HNHSC goals. XIII. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz told of his invitation to view the Elizabeth Peratrovich bench, attendance at the School District strategic planning sessions, and herring gathering held at Totem Square on April 10. Administrator - Leach provided an update on the work of the Public & Government Relations Director, American Rescue Act, and the CARES Act funding report. Liaisons - Knox stated the Port and Harbors Commission meeting for April 14 was cancelled. Nelson reported on the meetings of the Local Emergency Planning Commission and Library Commission. Duncan reported on the meetings of the Historic Preservation Commission and Health Needs and Human Services Commission. Clerk - Peterson read the list of vacancies on CBS Boards/Commissions and reviewed upcoming meeting dates. XIV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XV. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Knox to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 8:10pm. ATTEST: __________________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5