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, August 23, 2022 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers REGULAR MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. RECITAL OF LANDS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IV. ROLL CALL Knox participated by videoconference and left the meeting at 8:00 p.m. Miller arrived at 6:15 p.m. Present: 6 - Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller Remote: 1 - Knox V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES Knox requested Item F be moved up in the order of business before Item D. There were no objections. 22-120 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) CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final August 23, 2022 22-121 Introductions: AFS 2022-23 high school exchange students Exchange students Sadija Masic, Imane Baghouri, Daniel Sah, and Una Gailite introduced themselves. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Lisa Busch spoke about the recent unveiling of the sitkalandslide.org warning system. Patrick Davis and Dawn Thompson commented on vendor permit changes at Harrigan Centennial Hall. Richard Wein spoke to Sitka's dependence on fossil fuels, Harrigan Centennial Hall vendor permit changes, and requested a status update on several City matters. IX. CONSENT AGENDA A 22-117 Approve the August 9 Assembly meeting minutes A motion was made by Mosher that this Item be APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS B 22-118 Reappoint Stacy Mudry to a three-year term on the Planning Commission From the public, Richard Wein thanked Mudry for reapplying. A motion was made by Christianson that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: C ORD 22-16S Amending Title 2 "Administration" of the Sitka General Code by adding Chapter 2.15 "Sustainability Commission" Mosher relayed this was a substitute ordinance and reviewed the changes. He stated the purpose was to sunset the existing Climate Action Task Force and create a permanent Commission. Assembly Members thanked everyone for their work. Speaking from the public, Richard Wein addressed various sections of the ordinance. Carol Voisin read recommended amendments from Kay Kreiss. Elizabeth Bagley and Katie Riley spoke in support of the ordinance. A motion was made by Himschoot that this substitute Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller XII. NEW BUSINESS: CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final August 23, 2022 New Business First Reading F ORD 22-21 Amending Title 22 “Zoning” of the Sitka General Code by updating Chapter 22.08 “Definitions” and Chapter 22.24 “Special Use Permits” (Short-Term Rentals) Those from the public speaking in support were Wendy Alderson, Maureen O'Hanlon, Randy Hughey, Katie Riley, and Tory O'Connell Curran. Richard Wein told of his questions and requested an explanation of the positive outcomes and possible inhibitions. Sponsors Knox and Mosher reviewed some of the proposed changes including the definition of a short-term rental, primary residence requirement, and reasons for a permit to become void. The Assembly discussed enforcement, the number of requests processed since March when the moratorium was considered, and evidence to support short-term rentals negative impact on the housing market in Sitka. A motion was made by Mosher that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller D ORD 22-22 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal years 2022 and 2023 (Re-appropriations and Supplemental Appropriations) Finance Director Melissa Haley provided an overview of the requested re-appropriations and stated staff was actively working on the projects but unable to finalize them before June 30, 2022. From the public, Richard Wein commented on the re-appropriations and the Sitka Community Hospital Dedicated Fund being over budget due to a missed payment on the CERNER health records project at the time of sale. A motion was made by Duncan that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Knox, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller E ORD 22-20 Updating Title 19 “Building and Construction” of the Sitka General Code by adding a new chapter and modifying and amending the majority of all other chapters within this Title Building Official Pat Swedeen stated there were two driving forces behind the update: maintaining the City's Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule classification through the Insurance Services Office and maintaining the City's deferral with the Alaska Fire Marshal's Office. Municipal Attorney Hanson thanked Swedeen and Legal Assistant Coral Crenna for their work. A motion was made by Christianson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 1- Knox CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final August 23, 2022 Additional New Business Items G RES 22-23 Supporting Sitka Maritime Heritage Society’s application under the FY22 Historic Preservation Fund Grant program for Certified Local Governments Planning Director Amy Ainslie provided a summary of the Certified Local Government grant. From the public, Richard Wein wondered about a single audit. Bruce Gazaway, a board member of the Sitka Maritime Heritage Society, told of the project scope. A motion was made by Himschoot that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 1- Knox H RES 22-22 Authorizing the Municipal Administrator to apply for a Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant with the Department of Transportation (DOT) for $550,000 with a $150,000 match commitment to support development of a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan Public & Government Relations Director Melissa Henshaw explained funding from the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant would provide an opportunity for the development of an Action Plan, which would position the City to qualify for future infrastructure funding for roads. Henshaw relayed award announcements were expected to be at the beginning of 2023. A 12-24 month timeline was anticipated for the completion of the Plan. From the public, Richard Wein requested more detail on the Action Plan. Scott Saline told of unsafe behavior he routinely witnessed on Katlian Street. A motion was made by Duncan that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 1- Knox I 22-116 Discussion / Direction / Decision on Secure Rural Schools Election Percentages Finance Director Melissa Haley informed the Assembly for the first time since 2013, that the City was being required to elect an allocation for its FY23 Secure Rural Schools payment, as current allocations had expired. Haley reviewed the options and recommended the Assembly choose to maintain the status quo of 85% Title I funding and 15% Title II funding. A motion was made by Christianson to direct the Municipal Administrator to elect the allocation of 85% Title I funding and 15% Title II funding for all Secure Rural Schools payments until such time that a new allocation election is required. The motion PASSED by the following vote. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final August 23, 2022 Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, and Miller Absent: 1- Knox XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Scott Saline commented on heat pumps. Richard Wein offered additional testimony on item I, the short-term rental ordinance. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz reported on the Summer Alaska Municipal League Conference held in Sitka. Administrator - Leach said the FCC was in the process of updating their current broadband maps; he encouraged the public to take the speed test. In addition, he told of the Assembly work session on September 1 regarding the Strategic Plan. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Christianson to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 9:05pm. ATTEST: ____________________________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5