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, Chris Ystad, Timothy Pike Municipal Administrator: John Leach Municipal Attorney: Brian Hanson Municipal Clerk: Sara Peterson Tuesday, December 13, 2022 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers REGULAR MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. RECITAL OF LANDS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IV. ROLL CALL JJ Carlson was appointed at item G and served for the remainder of the meeting. Present: 7 - Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES 22-183 Reminders, Calendars, and General Correspondence No agenda changes. 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) Sitka School Board President Blossom Teal-Olson told of recent events. 22-175 Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project: Presentation from the CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final December 13, 2022 participating National Labs Utility Director Scott Elder told of the Department of Energy grant the City had received, provided an overview, and introduced the panelists, Molly Greer and Amy Solana. Greer and Solana described the energy transitions initiative partnership project and goals: long-term planning to address anticipated energy needs, a strategy to minimize rate impacts on customers, solutions to bolster energy resilience and minimize climate impacts, and data to secure financing for energy investments. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Richard Wein commented on the Pearl Harbor Day Proclamation in correspondence, told of Sitka's fossil fuel dependence, and suggested limiting community growth. Valorie Nelson said she'd received feedback from citizens expressing disappointment she wasn't elected. She believed assembly members blocked the constituent's email and recommended a code change to prohibit such action. Scott Saline congratulated Tim Pike on being appointed and said Pike could explain the use of the ocean as an energy source. IX. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Christianson that the Consent Agenda consisting of items A, B, & C be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, and Pike Non-voting: 1- Carlson A 22-178 Approve the minutes of the November 22 Assembly meeting This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B 22-176 Approve the following liquor license documents and forward these approvals to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board without objection: 1) renewal applications for Allen Marine Tours at Finn Island, Pioneer Liquor Inc dba Pioneer Bar and Pioneer Liquor Store at 212 Katlian Street, and 2) a renewal application, transfer of ownership of ownership application, premises diagram, and restaurant designation permit application for the Channel Club at 2906 Halibut Point Road. Transfer of ownership is from The Channel LLC to ZenHen LLC. This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. C 22-182 Approve the Acting Administrator list for 2023: Amy Ainslie, Scott Elder, Melissa Haley, Michael Harmon, and Sara Peterson This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS D 22-177 Reappoint Dave Gordon to a three-year term on the Port and Harbors Commission CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final December 13, 2022 From the public, Richard Wein thanked Gordon. A motion was made by Ystad that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, and Pike Non-voting: 1- Carlson XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: 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” Speaking in opposition were Neil McDermott, Karen Mead, Patrick Davis, Valorie Nelson, Bruce Conine, Jessie Natkong, Jeren Sumauang, Richard Wein, Brody Sumauang, Andy Nye, and Brianna Nye. Administrator Leach explained the goal was to cover city expenses and to provide the best value of a city asset, owned by all citizens, back to the community. Many Assembly Members believed the proposed code to be a good starting point and reminded changes could be made after the first season. Christianson wondered about a multi-year permit and spaces to be designated and assigned to the highest bidder through an outcry auction. A motion was made by Mosher that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, and Pike No: 1- Ystad Non-voting: 1- Carlson XII. NEW BUSINESS: F 22-179 Approve the request for proposals for rental of the Marine Service Center cold storage space and advertise for a 30-day period Administrator Leach stated the City was requesting proposals from firms interested in leasing one half of Sitka's Marine Service Center to provide and manage community cold storage and loading and unloading services to both private party interests and the seafood processing interest in the community. Leach said the current lease was covering expenses. From the public, Richard Wein commented on the item. A motion was made by Duncan that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, and Pike Non-voting: 1- Carlson CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final December 13, 2022 G 22-180 Appoint an assembly member to serve the remainder of Rebecca Himschoot's term until the results of the next regular election are certified on October 10, 2023 (individual will be sworn in if present) A motion was made by Mosher to NOMINATE the six applicants who submitted letters of interest: JJ Carlson, Gregg Dunn, Steve Lee, Drew Thompson, Carol Voisin, and Richard Wein. At the request of Christianson, applicants came forward to introduce themselves. The Assembly expressed appreciation to those who applied. A voice vote was taken. JJ Carlson received 6 votes. Carlson took her oath of office and was seated. H 22-181 Reassignment of Assembly Liaisons, where needed Due to Rebecca Himschoot's resignation from the Assembly, the following liaison reassignments were made: Historic Preservation - Carlson / Christianson Police and Fire Commission - Pike / Mosher Sustainability Commission - Mosher / Christianson Tree and Landscape Committee - Carlson School Board - Mosher / Pike XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Richard Wein said while he had not been appointed to the Assembly, he would continue to participate, thanked the local ATV group for plowing sidewalks, reminded of inflation, and said Sitka was expensive. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz told of his attendance at the Alaska Municipal League Conference. A report would follow. Administrator - Leach reported on the Alaska Municipal League Conference and told of upcoming travel dates. Liaison Representatives - Mosher reported on the Sustainability Commission meeting. Clerk - Peterson told of upcoming meetings. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION I 22-174 Financial Matter: Sales Tax Debt Settlement A motion was made by Duncan to go into executive session to discuss settling a sales tax debt, under the statutory categories of discussing subjects that 1) the immediate knowledge of which would adversely affect the finances of the municipality, and 2) tend to prejudice the reputation and character of any CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final December 13, 2022 person, and invite in Finance Director, Melissa Haley and Brian Jardine of A-Z Sportfishing Charters, LLC, when ready. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7 - Mosher, Pike, Ystad, Christianson, Duncan, Eisenbeisz, and Carlson Richard Wein commented. The Assembly was in executive session from 9:15pm - 9:56pm. Brian Jardine was invited in from 9:43pm - 9:47pm. A motion was made by Mosher to reconvene as the Assembly in regular session. The motion PASSED by a unanimous voice vote. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Duncan to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 9:58pm. ATTEST: ___________________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5