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 Kevin Knox, Vice Deputy Mayor Kevin Mosher, Thor Christianson, Crystal Duncan, Rebecca Himschoot, David Miller Municipal Administrator: John Leach Municipal Attorney: Brian Hanson Municipal Clerk: Sara Peterson Tuesday, November 9, 2021 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers REGULAR MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. RECITAL OF LANDS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IV. ROLL CALL Assembly Member Miller attended by telephonically and left at 8:05 p.m. Present: 6 - Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Duncan Telephonic: 1 - Miller V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES No agenda changes. 21-167 Reminders, Calendars, and General Correspondence VI. CEREMONIAL MATTERS 21-168 Proclamation Honoring Veteran's Day Mayor Steven Eisenbeisz read and presented a proclamation honoring Veteran's day to veteran representative Samuel Benjamin Beach. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final November 9, 2021 VII. SPECIAL REPORTS: Government to Government, Municipal Boards/Commissions/Committees, Municipal Departments, School District, Students and Guests (five minute time limit) None. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Amy Bethune stated there was no FDA approved covid vaccine for adults or children. Nicholas McGraw spoke about possible ideas of the re-opening of Katlian Street, garbage issues, and future incinerator possibilities. Brett Wilcox compared covid vaccines and Holocaust survivors. Richard Wein thanked the Veterans and noted that students of Sitka should know the importance of this day. He told about the PPI and CPI increases and how it would affect Sitka. IX. CONSENT AGENDA None. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS A 21-166 Reappoint 1) Stephanie Hawney to a three-year term on the Health Needs and Human Services Commission, and 2) Loyd Platson to a three-year term on the Police and Fire Commission, and appoint Leslie Young to a three-year term on the Police and Fire Commission and Danielle Pensley to a three-year term on the Historic Preservation Commission A motion was made by Himschoot to DIVIDE THE QUESTION, and remove Leslie Young from the board appointments list. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Miller , Himschoot, Duncan, Mosher, Knox, Christianson, and Eisenbeisz Himschoot expressed concerns that Leslie Young had an immediate family member serving on the Police and Fire Commission and felt uncomfortable on the amount of influence of one family on a board and commission. Acting Municipal Clerk, Jessica Earnshaw stated that Mr. Wayne Young had officially resigned on Monday. Knox stated he had similar concerns however with the new information he had no problem with appointing Leslie Young. Christianson stated he had no problem appointing Leslie Young. A motion was made by Himschoot to APPOINT Leslie Young to the Police and Fire Commission. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Christianson, Himschoot, Duncan, Miller, and Knox A motion was made by Knox to appoint Stephanie Hawney to a three-year term on the Health Needs and Human Services Commission, Loyd Platson to a three-year term on the Police and Fire Commission, and Danielle Pensley to a three-year term on the Historic Preservation Commission. The motion PASSED CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final November 9, 2021 by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: B ORD 21-15S Amending Title 13 “Port and Harbors” of the Sitka General Code by updating Chapter 13.10 “Float Regulations” (boat launch ramp parking at Sealing Cove/Crescent Harbor) Richard Wein stated this issue had developed into an enormous complexity. He hoped the Assembly would revisit the ordinance. Christianson questioned lines 62 and 63 of the ordinance. Police Chief Baty stated this ordinance had been reviewed by two commissions and four departments. He felt this would benefit the community, and while inconvenient for some users, it would help with enforcement. Deputy Harbormaster, Jeremiah Johnson, reiterated Baty's comments and said passage of the ordinance would assist with enforcement. He explained the intent of the ordinance was to manage limited trailer parking spaces at Sealing Cove and Crescent Harbor thereby improving compliance and availability of spaces for everyone. Johnson said it was common for empty trailers to be left for extended periods of time at Sealing Cove and Crescent Harbor. He also told of plans for new signage and education. A discussion of the Assembly ensued. Christianson questioned the difference between an attached vehicle or detached vehicle. A motion was made by Christianson to AMEND the ordinance to strike lines 62 and 63 no boat trailers detached from motor vehicles and no motor vehicles without attached boat trailers are allowed in these parking areas. The AMENDMENT FAILED by the following vote: Yes: 3- Eisenbeisz, Duncan, and Christianson No: 4- Mosher, Himschoot, Knox, and Miller Richard Wein spoke in opposition to the amendment. Knox stated this amendment would change the intent of the ordinance. Mosher agreed. A motion was made by Himschoot that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Himschoot, and Miller No: 2- Eisenbeisz, and Duncan C ORD 21-38 Amending the tidelands lease between the City and Borough of Sitka and Sitka Sound Science Center by adding tidelands adjacent to 834 Lincoln Street to the lease area and adjusting the lease rent 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, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final November 9, 2021 D ORD 21-39 Making supplemental appropriations for Fiscal Year 2022 (Solid Waste Compactor) Richard Wein spoke in opposition. He felt the City needed to develop a solid waste program. Mosher said this was the best option and that a long-term plan was needed for handling Sitka's waste. Christianson said he did not like this and that Alaska Marine Lines had City and Borough of Sitka backed into a corner. He felt that the City had done its best to fight the requirement for the past year. Knox said that he was not in favor of using the economic development fund and that the cost of the new system should be passed to the ratepayers. John Leach, Municipal Administrator explained the economic development fund loan at a zero interest would be approximately $259 per month to the rate payer. He added there were risks if nothing was done. He told of discussions with USDA Rural Development for low cost interest rate loan that may help with costs. Mayor Eisenbeisz noted that he was not in favor of using the economic development fund and that thirty years was not a quick payback time frame. He expressed concerns the contractor Republic Services had not committed to inspecting the waste as permitted in the contract. He felt the city should have been given the same notice as other communities regarding the conversion. A motion was made by Knox that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND and FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Christianson, Mosher, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller No: 2- Knox, and Eisenbeisz E ORD 21-40 Authorizing the lease of Tract A, ATS 1327 and a Portion of Tract B, ATS 1327, municipal tidelands seaward of 1406 Sawmill Creek Road to Sharon Williamson and Lisa Williamson A motion was made by Christianson that this Ordinance be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Duncan Non-voting: 1- Miller XII. NEW BUSINESS: F 21-169 Approve the hire offer for Valarie Ruff as Human Resources Director as recommended by the Municipal Administrator Richard Wein felt that while a Human Resource Director had been difficult to staff, the position was needed. Knox expressed that he was happy that we have someone coming into this position. He felt that the Assembly should not be apart of the hiring process. Duncan said she supported the recommendation of the administrator. A motion was made by Mosher to APPROVE the hire for Valarie Ruff as Human CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final November 9, 2021 Resources Director as recommended by the Municipal Administrator. Yes: 7- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Richard Wein stated he did not approve of the compactor purchase. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor- Eisenbeisz said he and the Municipal Administrator had a meeting with Cruise Lines of Alaska. Administrator- Leach stated that he would be attending the annual Alaska Municipal League conference November 8-11. Attorney- Hanson stated the he would be attending the annual Alaska Municipal Attorney's Association conference November 8-9. Liaison Representatives- Duncan reported on the Health Needs and Human Services Commission and Police and Fire Commission. Christianson reported on the Planning Commission. Knox reported on the Parks and Recreation Committee. Mosher reported on the Climate Action Task Force. Himschoot reported on the Library Commission, School Board, and Climate Action Task Force. Clerk- Earnshaw stated the staff of the Clerk's department would be traveling to the annual Alaska Association of Municipal Clerk's conference November 17-20, reminded liaisons that information on board efficiencies was due on November 23rd, and the Government to Government dinner was December 2nd. Other- Mosher thanked the Municipal Administrator and City Staff for their work the new website. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Mosher to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections the meeting ADJOURNED at 9:25 p.m. ATTEST:___________________________________ Jessica Earnshaw Acting Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5