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, July 26, 2022 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, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 1 - Himschoot V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES No agenda changes. 22-111 Reminders, Calendars, and General Correspondence VI. CEREMONIAL MATTERS 22-110 Citation- Honoring U.S. Coast Guard Day Mayor Eisenbeisz read and presented a citation in honor of U.S. Coast Guard Day. VII. SPECIAL REPORTS: Government to Government, Municipal Boards/Commissions/Committees, Municipal Departments, School District, Students and Guests (five minute time limit) 22-105 Special Report: Sitka Tribe of Alaska - Tribal Chairman Lawrence CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final July 26, 2022 Widmark Sitka Tribe of Alaska Tribal Chairman, Woody Widmark, reported on recent Tribal Council business items. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Richard Wein spoke about consumer confidence numbers, the need for a strategic plan, and vaccinations in children. Denise Turley expressed concern over the possibility of wind turbine generation in Sitka. Ryan Herbert told of the housing need in Sitka. Nancy Yaw Davis expressed disappointment in the lack of public notice for the State of Alaska DOT Sitka Sawmill Creek Road Resurfacing and Pedestrian Improvements project. Samantha Matthews, with the RAND Corporation, told of work with the Sitka Sound Science Center to assess community perspectives on the increase in tourism. IX. CONSENT AGENDA A 22-106 Approve the minutes of the July 12 and July 26 Assembly meetings Richard Wein said the July 12 minutes incorrectly stated he was in support of the boat haul out. He said at best he was highly ambiguous as to the support. The Municipal Clerk was asked to review the audio. A motion was made by Knox to POSTPONE this Item to the August 9 Assembly meeting. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 1- Himschoot X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS B 22-107 Reappoint Scott Wagner to a three-year term on the Gary Paxton Industrial Park Board and appoint Nolan Schlereth to an unexpired term on the Tree and Landscape Committee From the public, Richard Wein thanked the applicants. A motion was made by Christianson that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 1- Himschoot XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: C ORD 22-15 Proposing an appropriation from the Sitka Permanent Fund of the net proceeds received from the sale of Municipal real property, known as the Sitka Community Hospital Site, in the amount not to exceed $8,181,040.28, which was deposited into the Sitka Permanent Fund, for the purpose of funding construction of a marine vessel haulout and CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final July 26, 2022 shipyard at the Gary Paxton Industrial Park; and submitting the question of such appropriation to the qualified voters at the regular election on October 4, 2022 From the public, Nancy Yaw Davis spoke in opposition to the ordinance. Jeremy Serka and Chris Ystad spoke in support. Richard Wein told of the need for a business plan. Ryan Herbert said the focus should be on housing and education. Rachel Roy, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, told of the Chamber's priority to support industry growth. Christianson spoke to the unique situation and funding challenges. Mosher agreed and commented supporting the marine and fishing industry was important. Miller stated a haul out was needed. Eisenbeisz reminded not only would the commercial fleet be a user but also pleasure boat owners. Knox, while supportive of placing the question on the ballot,as opposed to using money from the Permanent Fund and stated he would feel more comfortable if there was a direct mechanism in place to provide repayment back to the Permanent Fund. Duncan spoke in support of placing the question to voters, wondered if $8.1M would be sufficient funding, and next steps. Christianson relayed that the $8.1M would be a start; grant money could continue to be pursued. Any unspent monies would stay in the Permanent Fund. Mosher stated once the $8.1M was appropriated, the process moving forward would be determined and open to the public. A motion was made by Christianson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 1- Himschoot XII. NEW BUSINESS: New Business First Reading D ORD 22-16S Amending Title 2 "Administration" of the Sitka General Code by adding Chapter 2.15 "Sustainability Commission" Mosher, one of the ordinance sponsors, explained the formation of a Sustainability Commission had been referenced in the establishing Climate Action Task Force resolution. From the public, Joel Hanson spoke in support. Carol Voisin spoke in support of the establishing ordinance, and suggested renaming the Commission, and giving the Commission more independence. Richard Wein wondered about a budget for the Commission. Mosher clarified the Commission would be advisory in nature and there would be no budget. Christianson said the Commission was a natural outgrowth of the Climate Action Task Force. Duncan spoke about the goals and noted the overlap of the food security with the Health Needs and Human Services Commission (HNHSC). In addition, she reminded the HNHSC was required by Sitka General Code to provide annual goals to the Assembly for approval. She wondered about requiring it for one commission but not another. Knox called attention to verbiage within lines 127-132 requiring Assembly approval and direction. Administrator Leach clarified the verbiage CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final July 26, 2022 was to ensure one voice was speaking on behalf of the City. If the Sustainability Commission planned to make an outward message, the hope was the Commission would come to the Assembly, express their plans/desires to broadcast the message, and get the Assembly's support. The language was not intended to prohibit the Commission from inviting guests to participate in meetings. Eisenbeisz suggested adding a goal of consumption reduction. Mosher requested the chance to rework the ordinance with Himschoot and bring back a substitute ordinance at a future meeting. The motion was withdrawn. No action was taken. E ORD 22-17 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2023 (Critical Repair for Scrapyard Baler) Administrator Leach reviewed the item. Public Works Director Michael Harmon spoke about the condition of the baler, the importance of the unit, and the needed cylinder repair. From the public, Richard Wein suggested proceeding with the order immediately and thanked staff for a well-written memo. A motion was made by Knox 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 F ORD 22-18 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2023 (ADA Second Bus Shelter) Administrator Leach provided an overview. From the public, Richard Wein stated the appropriation was for $29K and reminded the RIDE offered citizens an incredible service. Knox agreed the RIDE provided an essential service. Leach clarified this was a one-time expenditure, stated maintenance was performed by the City, and noted staff was working on memorializing an agreement between the two parties. Eisenbeisz wondered about the possibility of local construction. A motion was made by Duncan 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 Additional New Business Items G 22-108 Approve the 2022-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the City and Borough of Sitka and the Alaska State Employees Association (ASEA) Kimberly Geariety, the labor negotiator, summarized the process and told of clarifications. She explained primary efforts of the negotiation were focused on wages CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final July 26, 2022 and the creation of a matrix. From the public, Richard Wein commented the negotiated settlement was $600K over the course of years, and wondered what the real cost was to Sitka, and its implications. Assembly members thanked the union and staff for their work. A motion was made by Mosher that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 1- Himschoot H RES 22-21 Approving submittal and execution of Municipal Harbor Facility Grant Application to the State of Alaska, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) in the amount of $2,700,000 for the project entitled Fishermen’s Work Float Replacement Chris Ystad spoke in support. Richard Wein stated the infrastructure was critical yet stressed the importance of discussing fiscal aspects. Acting Finance Director Denise Salter stated there was $1.46M in working capital; the difference would be covered in grants which were yet to be determined. A motion was made by Mosher that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 1- Himschoot I 22-109 Discussion/Direction/Decision on exercising the renewal option with the Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce to provide Convention and Visitors Bureau Services to the City and Borough of Sitka Administrator Leach explained the contract was established in 2018 with a base term and renewal periods. Before the Assembly for consideration was the second of five renewal options. The current term ended December 31, 2022 unless a renewal option was exercised. Leach stated the Chamber had submitted a comprehensive report of services and was in compliance with the scope of work. A discussion ensued surrounding the renewal option and potential scope of work changes. Members wondered about the allowed threshold for making modifications and addendums to the current contract. Some expressed a desire to hold a work session during spring budget planning to further discuss scope of work. Leach said if a work session in the spring led to a change of the scope, the City would use the rest of the year to develop another request for proposal to put out to bid. Leach reminded if the Assembly chose the renewal option, the City was contractually obligated through December 2023. Speaking to the motion, Richard Wein spoke in support of a work session to discuss changes and potential new direction. Visit Sitka Director Laurie Booyse said Visit Sitka was focused on bringing independent travelers to town. She noted the market had been shifting in the last two to three years. Visit Sitka was looking forward to moving into destination management. A motion was made by Christianson to direct the Municipal Administrator to CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final July 26, 2022 exercise the renewal option (2 of 5) with the Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce to provide Convention and Visitors Bureau Services to the City and Borough of Sitka from January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 1- Himschoot J RES 22-20 Supporting the passage of US Senate Resolution 2907, The Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the United States Act, and encouraging the Commission to come to Tlingit Aní as part of the Commission’s search for truth and the process of healing Knox commented it was time to have this conversation within our community, within Alaska, and within the nation. From the public, Richard Wein stated the discussion was important and reminded of Sitka's unique history. Rachel Roy spoke in support. A motion was made by Knox that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 1- Himschoot XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Richard Wein mentioned the memo in correspondence regarding the purchase of the Northline Seafood building. He stated the contract was poorly written and the original intent for the sale of the building no longer existed. He urged the Assembly to direct the Administrator to look for any reason to not go through with the sale and maintain the property for Sitka. In addition, he spoke of the cruise industry and public private partnership for a marine haul out. Laurie Booyse announced the Robert Brooks Destination Assessment was scheduled for the week of August 8. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Administrator - Leach spoke about the ETIPP grant and comments made earlier in the meeting regarding the wind study. In closing, he read a statement regarding Lincoln Street closure changes. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT The meeting automatically ADJOURNED at 10:30pm. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 6 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final July 26, 2022 ATTEST: ________________________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 7