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 Mosher, Vice Deputy Mayor Crystal Duncan, Thor Christianson, Rebecca Himschoot, Chris Ystad, Timothy Pike Municipal Administrator: John Leach Municipal Attorney: Brian Hanson Municipal Clerk: Sara Peterson Tuesday, November 22, 2022 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers REGULAR MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. RECITAL OF LANDS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IV. ROLL CALL Present: 7 - Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, Ystad, and Pike V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES 22-173 Reminders, Calendars, and General Correspondence VI. CEREMONIAL MATTERS 22-167 Proclamation - Honoring Posthumously Mike Motti Mayor Eisenbeisz read a proclamation honoring posthumously Michael Motti. VII. SPECIAL REPORTS: Government to Government, Municipal Boards/Commissions/Committees, Municipal Departments, School District, Students and Guests (five minute time limit) 22-172 Special Reports: 1) Sitka Tribal Chairman Lawrence Widmark, and 2) Police and Fire Commission Report, Chair Gregg Olson and Commissioner Loyd Platson Tribal Council Chairman Woody Widmark reviewed Council business and announced CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final November 22, 2022 election results. Police and Fire Commission Chair Gregg Olson and Commissioner Loyd Platson reported the Commission's findings and recommendations regarding snow removal. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD John Gorrell commented he was unaware of the application deadline for the utility subsidization program and spoke to wheelchair accessibility issues on sidewalks when there was snow accumulation. Richard Wein suggested the utility subsidization program be reopened, spoke to Sitka's dependency on fossil fuel, suggested a quarterly Permanent Fund report, and recognized individuals who had recently passed - Ethel Lund, Bob Layton, and Theresa Helem. Greater Chamber of Commerce Director Rachel Roy thanked the Assembly for supporting the upcoming sales tax free days. Joy Light expressed appreciation for litter clean up at 410 Lake Street, said she hadn't received news of the utility subsidization program application period, wished to see diesel buses removed from operation, and encouraged changing to a different brand of ice melt for the roads. IX. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Mosher that the Consent Agenda consisting of items A & B be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, Ystad, and Pike A 22-168 Approve the November 8 Assembly meeting minutes This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B 22-169 Approve a liquor license renewal application for Ernie's Bar Inc. dba Ernie's Bar at 130 Lincoln Street This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: C ORD 22-28 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2023 (Seaplane Base Project) Richard Wein reviewed the appropriation details and offered opinions. A motion was made by Christianson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, Ystad, and Pike D ORD 22-29 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2023 (Marine Vessel Haul Out and Shipyard) Richard Wein spoke to the ordinance and asked questions. A motion was made by Himschoot that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final November 22, 2022 Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, Ystad, and Pike XII. NEW BUSINESS: New Business First Reading E ORD 22-30 Updating Title 6 “Business Licenses and Regulations” of the Sitka General Code by revising Chapter 6.19 “Regulation of Commercial Operators Selling Organized Excursions or Renting Equipment for Organized Excursions” Richard Wein and Rachel Roy provided comments. Administrator Leach explained the summer vendor permitting structure at Harrigan Centennial Hall (HCH) was in need of an overhaul. HCH Manager Tony Rosas and consultant Lenise Henderson provided an overview of the new permitting operations and told of meetings with operators. Rosas told of permits available: 10 plaza space permits (minimum bid price of $2,500), 5 outfitter space permits (minimum bid price of $5,000), and the permit required for vehicle loading/unloading at HCH. In addition, Rosas and Henderson spoke to the operator meetings and best practices sheet each operator was required to sign and reminded, under new regulations, an operator could bid on only one space. The Assembly asked questions relating to the process used for determining fees, the possibility of multi-year permits, permit revocation, definition of "prior notice" for operational limitations when special events were held at HCH, appeal process, emission testing requirements, per passenger prices, stronger incentives for electric vehicle use, and measures used to curb vehicle idling. Members offered thoughts on the permitting changes. Some desired a multi-year permit, but for now, were comfortable passing the ordinance. Others wondered of a gradual increase in permitting fees and a defined definition of "prior notice." Eisenbeisz reminded after ordinance adoption, amendments could always be brought forward to address particular concerns. A motion was made by Christianson to AMEND the ordinance by reducing the minimum bids for commercial solicitation/sales spaces from $2,500 to $800 for 2023, $1,600 in 2024, and $2,500 in 2025 and future years. The amendment FAILED by the following vote. Yes: 1 - Christianson No: 6 - Pike, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Himschoot, and Ystad From the public, Richard Wein wondered if a reduction in fees would still allow for the goal of covering costs to be met. A motion was made by Christianson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, Ystad, and Pike Additional New Business Items CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final November 22, 2022 F 22-170 Discussion/ Direction/ Decision on sending the Municipal Administrator and the Mayor to the SeaTrade Cruise Global event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida over the week of March 27-30 Eisenbeisz told of Assembly Member attendance since 2012 and explained the focus had shifted more from marketing to a negotiating stance. Administrator Leach reported on the 2022 conference. It was noted funding for the trip was budgeted in the Visitor Enhancement Fund. He explained last year's trip had included a stop in Washington DC for lobbying. If scheduling worked, Leach said the same would be done in 2023. Consensus was to send the Mayor and Administrator. G 22-171 Formally accept the resignation of Assembly Member Rebecca Himschoot and determine the procedure for filling the vacant seat A motion was made by Himschoot to formally accept the resignation of Assembly Member Rebecca Himschoot and determine the procedure for filling the vacant seat. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7 - Mosher, Pike, Ystad, Christianson, Duncan, Eisenbeisz, and Himschoot Richard Wein congratulated Himschoot, expressed appreciation for serving, and stated interest in applying. A motion was made by Christianson to request the Municipal Clerk, through the Municipal Administrator, to 1) advertise for letters of interest November 23 through noon on December 12, and 2) place an item on the December 13 agenda to appoint an Assembly Member to fill the vacant seat until the next regular election. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Himschoot, Duncan, Ystad, and Pike XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Richard Wein commented on cruise line industry seasonalization, encouraged a report be provided upon return from the SeaTrade Cruise Global event, told of safety concerns with snow and ice, and clarified earlier testimony on the Seaplane Base. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz stated he had attended the recent Tribal Council meeting. Administrator - Leach told of upcoming time off. Attorney - Hanson relayed out of office dates and attendance at the December Alaska Municipal League conference. Liaison Representatives - Mosher reported on the Sustainability Commission; Christianson on the Investment Committee; Himschoot on the Police and Fire Commission; and Ystad on the Port and Harbors Commission and Gary Paxton Industrial Park Board. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final November 22, 2022 XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Mosher to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 8:53pm. ATTEST: ______________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5