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 28, 2021 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers REGULAR MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. RECITAL OF LANDS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IV. ROLL CALL Present: 6 - Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Miller Absent: 1 - Duncan V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES No agenda changes. 21-126 Reminders, Calendars, and General Correspondence VI. CEREMONIAL MATTERS None. 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 CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final December 28, 2021 Richard Wein told of inflation and requested each department head make a presentation to the Assembly regarding the budget and overall operations of their department. Brett Wilcox told of COVID-19 and the negative ramifications on society. Wayne Winther spoke in opposition to children being required to wear masks at school and urged the Assembly to rescind the mask mandate. IX. CONSENT AGENDA Richard Wein requested an explanation of the Mud Bay repeater. A motion was made by Knox that the Consent Agenda consisting of Items A, B, C, and D be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Miller Absent: 1- Duncan A 21-190 Approve the minutes of the December 14 Assembly meeting This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B 21-189 Approve the following liquor and marijuana license renewal applications: 1) liquor license renewal application for Bayview Pub, LLC dba Bayview Restaurant at 407 Lincoln Street, Suite 201, 2) liquor license renewal application for DPJT Inc. dba Nugget Restaurant at 600 Airport Road, Suite A, and 3) standard marijuana cultivation facility license renewal application for VanGreen's LLC at 224 Smith Street D & E This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. C RES 21-22 Authorizing accepting the award of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) - Multi-Jurisdictional Task Force This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. D ORD 21-44 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2022 (Homeland Security Grant - Police Mud Bay Repeater) This item was APPROVED ON FIRST READING ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS E 21-191 Reappoint 1) James Mellema to a three-year term on the Police and Fire Commission, 2) Becky Meiers to a three-year term on the Local Emergency Planning Committee (media/broadcast category), and 3) Liz McKenzie to a three-year term on the Tree and Landscape Committee Richard Wein spoke in support. A motion was made by Christianson that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Miller CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final December 28, 2021 Absent: 1- Duncan XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 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” Those from the public speaking in opposition were Mike Finn, Dennis Peterson, Nick McGraw, Don Kluting, Logan Kluting, and Richard Wein. Assembly Members expressed a desire to work on legislation to allow some form of all-terrain vehicle use on roadways. Members Christianson and Miller volunteered to work on the project beginning with an informal public meeting to gather ideas. A motion was made by Himschoot that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 4- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, and Himschoot No: 2- Eisenbeisz, and Miller Absent: 1- Duncan G ORD 21-42 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2022 (Police Department Software Conversion Project) A motion was made by Knox that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Miller Absent: 1- Duncan XII. NEW BUSINESS: New Business First Reading H ORD 21-45 Authorizing the lease of Upper Granite Creek Lease Area 4, a 5.5 acre portion of Lot 1, U.S. Survey 3670 Richard Wein mentioned environmental impacts and spoke to the amount of the reclamation bond. A motion was made by Himschoot that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Miller Absent: 1- Duncan I ORD 21-46 Authorizing the lease of Granite Creek Lease Area 7, a 3.2 acre portion of Lot 1, Alaska State Land Survey 3670 CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final December 28, 2021 From the public, Richard Wein spoke to the lease rate and environmental impacts of an asphalt plant. Administrator Leach praised the lease compliance team for their work. In regards to environmental aspects, Public Works Director, Michael Harmon, reminded the lease holder was required to apply for environmental permits through the State of Alaska (SOA). He added, SOA conducted extensive monitoring of the site. A motion was made by Mosher that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Miller Absent: 1- Duncan Additional New Business Items J 21-192 Discussion / Direction / Decision on the Climate Action Task Force 2022 priority list Climate Action Task Force (CATF) Chair Elizabeth Bagley and Vice-Chair Katie Riley summarized the 2022 priority list: 1) electric vehicles/infrastructure, 2) sustainable tourism, 3) gas emissions inventory, 4) city infrastructure, and 5) municipal solid waste (long-term). Riley noted some of the projects would take multiple years to complete. Administrator Leach thanked the CATF for their enthusiasm. He commented a sustainability coordinator had been placed into the budget for Assembly consideration. Knox mentioned the idea of forming a Sustainability Committee. From the public, Richard Wein spoke to the importance of a long-term municipal solid waste plan. A motion was made by Christianson to APPROVE the Climate Action Task Force 2022 priority list. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, and Miller Absent: 1- Duncan XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Kent Barkhau reminded of the importance of community engagement relative to climate action. Richard Wein spoke to the supply of lithium and supported a comprehensive solid waste plan. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz announced he would be traveling the first two weeks of January. Administrator - Leach told of upcoming budget meetings and announced participation in a teleconference call with the Cruise Lines International Association. Liaison Representatives - Mosher reported on the Climate Action Task Force. Knox CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final December 28, 2021 spoke of the recent Parks and Recreation Committee and Health and Human Services Commission meetings. Himschoot reminded of the community survey available for the short-term tourism plan. Clerk - Peterson reviewed the January meeting schedule. Other - Miller thanked individuals for assisting with snow removal. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Knox to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 8:18pm. ATTEST: ________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5