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, April 26, 2022 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers REGULAR MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. RECITAL OF LANDS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IV. ROLL CALL Mosher left the meeting at 6:35pm. Present: 6 - Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 1 - Eisenbeisz V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES None. 22-065 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) 22-064 Special Reports: 1) Sitka Tribe of Alaska - Tribal Chair Lawrence CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final April 26, 2022 Widmark, 2) Library Commission - Chair Nicole Filipek, and 3) Walk, Bike, Win Program - Amy Ainslie, Doug Osborne, and Ben Hughey Sitka Tribe of Alaska Tribal Chairman, Woody Widmark, reported on recent Tribal Council business items. Library Commission Chair, Nicole Filipek, told of the Commission's work and provided an overview of Library services provided. Amy Ainslie, Ben Hughey, and Doug Osborne relayed information about the Walk Bike Win program, a downtown commuter challenge starting May 7 and running through September 29. Sitka Trail Works, SEARHC, Sitka Conservation Society, the Sitka Cycling Club, and the City and Borough of Sitka were noted as sponsors. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Marcia Strand told of limited computer use at the Library. Richard Wein spoke to the visitor industry and noted he would be speaking about various historical issues in the future at Assembly meetings. Tyler Green stressed the importance of a boat haulout in Sitka. IX. CONSENT AGENDA A 22-067 Approve liquor license renewal applications for the following: 1) American Legion Post #13 at 205 Lincoln Street, and 2) JL Sitka, Inc. dba Westmark Sitka Hotel at 330 Seward Street Richard Wein spoke to the nonlocal ownership of the Westmark Sitka Hotel. A motion was made by Duncan that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS None. XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: B ORD 22-08 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2022 (Pet Adoption Fund) Richard Wein wondered if the scope of the appropriation was intended for more than kitten adoptions. A motion was made by Mosher that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final April 26, 2022 XII. NEW BUSINESS: C ORD 22-09 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2022 (Cross Trail Repair) From the public, Richard Wein spoke about the $30,000 appropriation and wondered about the entity responsible for maintenance and repairs. Sitka Trail Works Executive Director Ben Hughey spoke in support of the appropriation and the reasons surrounding the trail failure. A motion was made by Christianson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Christianson, Knox, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 2- Mosher, and Eisenbeisz D 22-068 Discussion / Direction: 1) Request the Health Needs and Human Services Commission and the Police and Fire Commission provide recommendations on how snow removal can be improved in Sitka, and 2) Request the Health Needs and Human Services Commission provide recommendations on how to improve childcare availability and program services in Sitka Sponsors Himschoot and Knox explained their intent behind having the Police and Fire Commission make recommendations on snow removal and the Health Needs and Human Services Commission make recommendations on how to improve childcare availability. When queried about specific guidance to each Commission, the sponsors said they didn't want to stifle conversation and creativity by putting a lot of parameters on the topics. Christianson reminded state roads were outside of the city's jurisdiction. Miller noted there was an exceptional amount of snowfall the past winter and spoke to the need for sidewalk ice and snow removal. From the public, Richard Wein and Tyler Green spoke to the challenges of snow removal in Sitka. A motion was made by Himschoot to request the Police and Fire Commission provide recommendations on how snow removal can be improved in Sitka and then refer to the Health Needs and Human Services Commission, as needed. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5 - Himschoot, Knox, Duncan, Miller, and Christianson Absent: 2 - Mosher and Eisenbeisz From the public, speaking about the lack of childcare availability in Sitka, were Annette Evans, Tori Hay, Amy Ellis, and Richard Wein. Lolly Miller, Director of the Sheldon Jackson Child Care Center, told of long waitlists and staffing shortages at centers and emphasized this was a nationwide problem. Duncan, liaison to the Health Needs and Human Services Commission, spoke to their CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final April 26, 2022 current projects and wondered about the expected timeline for providing recommendations. Himschoot and Knox hoped over the next nine to twelve months , the Commission would have an opportunity to hear from other community resources, brainstorm, and offer possible solutions. A motion was made by Christianson to request the Health Needs and Human Services Commission provide recommendations on how to improve childcare availability and program services in Sitka. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Christianson, Knox, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 2- Mosher, and Eisenbeisz XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Richard Wein spoke about the lack of childcare availability, encouraged individuals to run for office, and thanked Nicole Filipek for her service on the Library Commission. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Liaison Representatives - Christianson reported on the Planning Commission; Himschoot thanked the Tree and Landscape Committee members for their landscaping work at the Library; Duncan reported on the Sitka Bear Task Force and Police and Fire Commission meetings; and Knox on the Port and Harbors Commission. Other - Knox reported on the April 18 Town Hall Meeting regarding short-term rentals. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Himschoot to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 7:53pm. ATTEST: ___________________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4