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 Thursday, February 3, 2022 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers SPECIAL MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. RECITAL OF LANDS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IV. ROLL CALL Present: 6 - Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 1 - Eisenbeisz V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES None. VI. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Richard Wein encouraged the use of masks in Sitka schools to be voluntary. VII. NEW BUSINESS: A 22-016 Discussion / Direction / Decision of local support of education to the Sitka School District for FY2023 and other issues pertaining to the financial support of education and related activities Himschoot disclosed she worked for the Sitka School District and didn't stand to gain financially from deliberations. Deputy Mayor Knox ruled no conflict. Finance Director Melissa Haley told of the process and law on local funding of public CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final February 3, 2022 education. She said the level of funding included in the FY2023 budget was $7,986,868 (to be distributed monthly) for local support of education, $150,000 for maintenance of school buildings, $60,000 to pay for the Performing Arts Center utilities, and 50% of Secure Rural Schools funding (up to $300,000), for a total budget of $8,496,868. Administrator Leach stated the City's approach had been to fund to the cap plus the addition of a few items. School Superintendent Frank Houser summarized revenue and expenditure assumptions. In addition, he reviewed enrollment history, historical per pupil expenditures, the FY2023 state foundation formula, and told of the projected FY2023 $2M deficit. Houser said he and the staff were looking at cost-saving measures to close the gap. A motion was made by Christianson to direct the Municipal Administrator to include in the FY2023 draft Administrator's budget a total amount of $7,986,868 to be distributed monthly for local support of public education plus, $150,000 for reimbursement for maintenance of school buildings, up to $60,000 to be used to pay for the Performing Arts Center utility account #5417-002, and $122,000 for pool operations, and if reauthorized, 50% of Secure Rural Schools funding up to $300,000, for a total budget of $8,618,868. Members spoke to the importance of education. Knox disclosed he was employed by a significant pool user and Christianson disclosed his wife worked for the School District, however, her position was not funded by this budget. Vice Deputy Mayor Mosher ruled no conflict. From the public, Richard Wein addressed the slide presentations and commented funding should be tied to performance. Blossom Teal-Olsen stated the District was running on bare necessities. A motion was made by Himschoot to AMEND the motion to increase the percentage to 100% for Secure Rural School funding, up to $500,000. The amendment PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6 - Knox, Himschoot, Mosher, Miller, Christianson, and Duncan Absent: 1 - Eisenbeisz Assembly members expressed support, however, also noted the need to fund road maintenance. From the public, Mike Vieira spoke in support. School Board members thanked the Assembly for their continued support. The main motion as amended to direct the Municipal Administrator to include in the FY2023 draft Administrator's budget a total amount of $7,986,868 to be distributed monthly for local support of public education plus, $150,000 for reimbursement for maintenance of school buildings, up to $60,000 to be used to pay for the performing arts center utility account #5417-002, and $122,000 for pool operations. Should Secure Rural Schools be reauthorized, 100% of Secure Rural Schools funding up to $500,000, for a total budget of $8,818,868, PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final February 3, 2022 Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Richard Wein spoke to the approved motion for school funding. Blossom Teal-Olsen thanked the Assembly for their work. Mike Vieira thanked the Assembly for their support and stressed the importance of student activities. IX. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Christianson to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 7:42pm. ATTEST: ______________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3