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 23, 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 Himschoot left at 8:12pm. Present: 7 - Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES None. 21-176 Reminders, Calendars, and General Correspondence VI. CEREMONIAL MATTERS 21-170 Proclamation - 50th Anniversary of the City and Borough of Sitka's Unification Mayor Eisenbeisz read a proclamation proclaiming the year 2021 as the City and Borough of Sitka's 50th Anniversary. VII. 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 November 23, 2021 Sitka Tribe of Alaska Council Chairman Woody Widmark reported on recent council business and upcoming holiday plans. School Board Clerk Paul Rioux shared final enrollment numbers, told of school activities, and spoke to the upcoming budget process. 21-171 Sitka Community Recreation Initiative - Andrew Friske Andrew Friske, representing the Sitka Community Recreation Initiative, told of the goal to make a sustainable community schools model, providing a variety of sustainable opportunities for children year around. The program would be run by the City. He told of similar programs in other municipalities. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Joel Hanson spoke to the release of oil from petroleum reserves to decrease prices, noted there were no signs in reducing consumption, and encouraged an emissions reduction target. Brett Wilcox, author of "Jabbed: How the Vaccine Industry, Medical Establishment, and Government Stick It to You and Your Family" spoke to the newly released book, "The Real Anthony Fauci" by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. IX. CONSENT AGENDA - None. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS None. XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: A 21-172 Continued Discussion / Direction on developing options to consolidate certain boards, commissions, and committees (previously discussed at September 28, 2021 meeting) Assembly Members provided feedback from discussions held by their respective boards, commissions, and committees. The overall desire from boards, commissions, and committees was to maintain the status quo. Duncan relayed the Police and Fire Commission commented they weren't being fully utilized based on their expertise. Knox spoke to the Port and Harbors Commission and Gary Paxton Industrial Board. He noted a great deal of their work was managing waterways. He wondered of the benefits of ad hoc meetings, work sessions, or possibly combining the two groups. In addition, Knox stated the Climate Action Task Force wished to become a full standing commission. Some thought goal setting would be beneficial. Attorney Hanson told of his work with the Clerk's office to bring forward a code revision package for boards, commissions, committees that would eliminate inconsistencies and bring uniformity. Consensus of the Assembly was keep the boards, commissions, and committees as is. Members expressed appreciation and gratitude to board, commission, and committee members for their work. XII. NEW BUSINESS: CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final November 23, 2021 B 21-174 Discussion / Direction regarding upcoming union contract negotiations (executive session anticipated) Administrator Leach reminded no decisions were being made. Rather, he was looking for Assembly guidance on bargaining strategy and overall expectations. A motion was made by Christianson to go into executive session with Interim Human Resources Director and outside legal counsel Kimberly Geariety and Finance Director Melissa Haley under the statutory category of discussing a subject, collective bargaining agreements, the immediate knowledge of which would adversely affect the finances of the City and Borough of Sitka. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7 - Eisenbeisz, Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Duncan, Himschoot, and Miller The Assembly was in executive session from 7:10pm to 8:10pm. A motion was made by Knox to reconvene as the Assembly in regular session. The motion PASSED by a unanimous voice vote. Himschoot left the meeting at 8:12pm. Mayor Eisenbeisz stated the Assembly had met with Ms. Geariety regarding high level items associated with union negotiations. C ORD 21-41 Repealing and replacing the City and Borough of Sitka Personnel Policies Handbook Administrator Leach noted the Personnel Policies Handbook was due for a major review. Although a full rewrite and reorganization of the manual had been completed, a majority of the content remained the same. Knox thanked staff for their work. Eisenbeisz noted per diem rates were adjusted to federal rates. A motion was made by Christianson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 1- Himschoot D 21-175 Reassign an Assembly Liaison to the Library Commission and make other Liaison adjustments if needed Miller volunteered to serve as Library Commission Liaison. Duncan volunteered to serve as alternate. XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Dave Nelson, local Public Safety Employees Association's representative, commented the Association was looking forward to working together with the City in the upcoming negotiations and would be providing information to the Assembly for educational purposes only. Municipal Attorney Hanson reminded there was a negotiation process CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final November 23, 2021 in place to be followed and advised Assembly Members not to get involved directly. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz reported on sessions attended at the annual Alaska Municipal League (AML) conference. Administrator - Leach spoke of sessions attended at the AML conference, told of additional funding sources for solid waste with USDA Rural Development, announced Human Resources Director Valarie Ruff's first day would be December 6, and shared Municipal Clerk Sara Peterson had received the Clerk of the Year Award. Attorney - Hanson told of his attendance at the Alaska Municipal Attorney Association conference. Liaison Representatives - Christianson provided a report on the Planning Commission. Mosher and Miller told of their attendance at the school tours. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION See item B. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Knox to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 8:43pm. ATTEST: __________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4