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, December 14, 2021 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers REGULAR MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. RECITAL OF LANDS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IV. ROLL CALL Present: 5 - Christianson, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 2 - Knox, and Mosher V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES 21-188 Reminders, Calendars, and General Correspondence VI. CEREMONIAL MATTERS 21-185 Commission Service Awards - Neil Akana and Wayne Young Mayor Eisenbeisz read and presented service awards to outgoing Police and Fire Commission members Neil Akana and Wayne Young. VII. SPECIAL REPORTS: Government to Government, Municipal Boards/Commissions/Committees, Municipal Departments, School District, Students and Guests (five minute time limit) 21-180 Special Reports: 1) Alaska Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Anne Zink (via videoconference), and 2) Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce / Visit CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final December 14, 2021 Sitka - Quarterly Report Alaska's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Anne Zink provided an update to the Assembly on COVID-19 including a review of statistics, the new omicron variant, and Alaska Department of Health and Social Services dashboard changes. Visit Sitka Director, Laurie Booyse provided an update on activities and plans for the 2022 tourist season. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Doug Osborne told of the fundraiser for the Sitka Homeless Coalition. Kari Johnson, Brett Wilcox, Volney Smith, and Linda Marlin spoke in opposition to COVID-19 vaccinations. Richard Wein spoke to the high cost of living in Sitka, rising fuel prices, the producer price index, and consumer price index. IX. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Christianson that the Consent Agenda consisting of items A, B, & C be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. A 21-177 Approve the minutes of the October 26, November 9, and November 23 Assembly meetings This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B 21-181 Approve a liquor license renewal application for House of Liquors, Inc. dba House of Liquor at 705 Halibut Point Road This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. C 21-179 Approve the Acting Administrator list for 2022: Amy Ainslie, Scott Elder, Melissa Haley, Michael Harmon, and Sara Peterson This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS D 21-178 Appoint Ted Laufenberg to a three-year term on the Building Department Appeals Board Richard Wein spoke in support of appointing Laufenberg. A motion was made by Himschoot that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Christianson, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 2- Knox, and Mosher XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: E ORD 21-41 Repealing and replacing the City and Borough of Sitka Personnel CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final December 14, 2021 Policies Handbook Richard Wein suggested more detail be provided regarding the highlighted changes. Interim Human Resources Director, and outside legal counsel, Kimberly Geariety provided an overview of the revision process and recognized staff who had contributed. With regards to union employees, Geariety noted the four different unions could adopt the handbook or choose a different route. Duncan wondered of costs associated with using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) formula for compensating employees not represented by a union. Geariety said it was not an uncommon methodology to use and added it was very common in labor agreements. Additionally, Geariety said the CPI formula would help the City in recruitment and retention. Regarding budgeting, Administrator Leach commented the worst case scenario had been planned for with inflationary effects factored in. Miller questioned why volunteers had been removed from the Handbook. Geariety explained because volunteers weren't employees, the decision was made to manage them on a departmental level with specific policies in place. 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, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 2- Knox, and Mosher XII. NEW BUSINESS: New Business First Reading F ORD 21-43 Amending Title 11 “Vehicles and Traffic” of the Sitka General Code by adding a new Section 11.28.040 “Exception - Prohibition of all-purpose vehicles traveling on public roadways” to Chapter 11.28 “State Traffic Laws Adopted” Speaking in opposition were Richard Wein, Miranda Littlefield, Nicholas McGraw, Brandon Finn, Valorie Nelson, and Jean Kinduwein. In support was Crystal Hammock. Administrator Leach explained the new State ATV regulations would begin January 1. He added little notification had been given to municipalities. Leach said the recommendation of staff and the Police and Fire Commission was to opt out. Police Chief Baty commented many communities were opting out due to safety concerns. A discussion of the Assembly ensued. Miller stated due to the winter weather conditions many individuals were plowing with their ATV's. He wondered if plowing would be allowed after passage of this ordinance. Baty said the Police Department recognized the special uses of an ATV and said officers used discretion. Christianson, Miller, and Eisenbeisz offered they were open to further discussions on making rules specific to Sitka, however, currently, time was the limiting factor. Eisenbeisz wondered why ATV's shouldn't be allowed when others types of transportation were - e.g. scooters, dirt bikes. He added Sitka was most likely not the size of community the State had in mind when passing the recent ATV regulations. A motion was made by Miller that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 4- Christianson, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final December 14, 2021 No: 1- Eisenbeisz Absent: 2- Knox, and Mosher G ORD 21-42 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2022 (Police Department Software Conversion Project) Richard Wein spoke in support. A motion was made by Duncan that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Christianson, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 2- Knox, and Mosher Additional New Business Items H 21-187 Approve a Consent to Assignment of Lease and a Consent to Assignment of Sublease between the City and Borough of Sitka, Northline Seafoods LLC, Sayak Logistics LLC, and Sitka Salmon Alaska Holdings, LLC Dawn Johnson, Director of Business Operations for Northline Seafoods, stated the company was transferring ownership to Sayak Logistics. Employees and operations would remain the same. Jacob Vincent with Sitka Salmon Alaska Holdings spoke in support. Richard Wein stated it was important for the City to retain the property and lease. A motion was made by Himschoot that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Christianson, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 2- Knox, and Mosher I 21-183 Approve a Consent to Assignment of Lease and a Consent to Assignment of Lease for Security Purposes between the City and Borough of Sitka, Sharon Williamson, Lisa Williamson, B&S Enterprise LLC, and ALPS Federal Credit Union regarding tidelands seaward of 1406 Sawmill Creek Road A motion was made by Christianson that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Christianson, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 2- Knox, and Mosher J 21-184 Approve a Consent to Assignment of Lease and a Consent to Assignment of Lease for Security Purposes between the City and Borough of Sitka, Joyce Robertson, Jonathan and Toccoa Wolf, and First National Bank of Alaska regarding tidelands adjacent to 805 Halibut Point Road CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final December 14, 2021 A motion was made by Miller that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Christianson, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 2- Knox, and Mosher K 21-186 Approve a Consent to Assignment of Lease for Security Purposes between the City and Borough of Sitka, Charles and Nancy McGraw, and First National Bank of Alaska regarding tidelands seaward of 4513 Halibut Point Road Richard Wein spoke to lease rates in general and commented tidelands were valuable. A motion was made by Duncan that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Christianson, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 2- Knox, and Mosher L 21-182 Discussion / Direction / Decision on the creation of an Assembly directed Place Names Task Force with a City and Borough of Sitka Planning Department liaison Himschoot, a sponsor, hoped to determine a path forward for looking at historic names in Sitka. She added Sitka Tribe of Alaska (STA) had brought forward the request. The Assembly discussed the topic and decided further discussion with STA was needed. In addition, liaisons to the Historic Preservation Commission and Planning Commission would reach out to the respective commissions to gauge their interest in taking on the task. XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Richard Wein spoke to the removal of volunteers from the Personnel Policies Handbook, requested an update on the Sitka Seaplane Base, mentioned thefts in the Anna Drive area, and modeled a mask ordered from Japan. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Liaison Representatives - Duncan reported on the recent Health Needs and Human Services Commission meeting. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final December 14, 2021 A motion was made by Christianson to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 9:10pm. ATTEST: ______________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 6