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, JJ Carlson Municipal Administrator: John Leach Municipal Attorney: Brian Hanson Municipal Clerk: Sara Peterson Tuesday, January 10, 2023 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, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES No agenda changes. 23-005 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) Sitka School District Superintendent Frank Hauser reported on the first semester. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Kim Elliott spoke to the proposed Sea Walk. Richard Wein commented on national CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final January 10, 2023 debt and market indexes. Sig Rutter spoke to tourism and permitting at Harrigan Centennial Hall. Carol Voisin commented on the need for tourism management. IX. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Mosher that the Consent Agenda consisting of Item A be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson A 23-002 Approve the December 27 Assembly meeting minutes This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS None. XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: B ORD 22-31 Amending Title 6 “Business Licenses and Regulations” of the Sitka General Code by updating Chapter 6.19 “Regulation of Commercial Operators Selling Organized Excursions or Renting Equipment for Organized Excursions and Loading/Unloading Commercial Vehicles” regarding the electric vehicle incentive Richard Wein spoke to on the ordinance. Kim Elliott spoke in support. A motion was made by Duncan that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson C ORD 22-32 Amending Title 6 “Business Licenses and Regulations” of the Sitka General Code by updating Chapter 6.19 “Regulation of Commercial Operators Selling Organized Excursions or Renting Equipment for Organized Excursions and Loading/Unloading Commercial Vehicles” by increasing the permit fee for thirty or more passenger vehicles Richard Wein spoke to the ordinance. Chris McGraw and Bruce Conine spoke in opposition. Kim Elliott voiced support. The Assembly deliberated. Christianson, Pike, and Carlson offered support. Eisenbeisz challenged the Assembly to conduct an analysis to determine actual costs. Duncan believed there to be inequities across different vehicle sizes. Ystad noted buses were necessary for the cruise industry and reminded 2023 prices were set, and vendors would need to bear the expense of price changes. Mosher wished to revisit the matter after the 2023 season. A motion was made by Christianson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion FAILED by the following vote. Yes: 3- Christianson, Pike, and Carlson CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final January 10, 2023 No: 4- Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, and Ystad D ORD 22-33 Amending Title 6 “Business Licenses and Regulations” of the Sitka General Code by updating Chapter 6.19 “Regulation of Commercial Operators Selling Organized Excursions or Renting Equipment for Organized Excursions and Loading/Unloading Commercial Vehicles” regarding term of permit Richard Wein and Harry Lysons commented. Bruce Conine spoke in opposition. Neil McDermott and Andy Nye spoke in support. Sponsors Christianson and Ystad explained the stability of a three-year permit and opportunities for new vendors starting out. Duncan liked the idea of a three-year permit, however, they had concerns with the process. Eisenbeisz preferred a one-year term to allow new businesses an opportunity to start. Mosher, while supportive, expressed concerns from a management perspective. A motion was made by Duncan that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Christianson, Mosher, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson No: 2- Eisenbeisz, and Duncan E ORD 22-34 Amending Title 6 “Business Licenses and Regulations” of the Sitka General Code by updating Chapter 6.19 “Regulation of Commercial Operators Selling Organized Excursions or Renting Equipment for Organized Excursions and Loading/Unloading Commercial Vehicles" by changing from sealed bid to open outcry auction From the public, speaking in support of an open outcry auction were Richard Wein, Bruce Conine, Andy Nye, Neil McDermott, Jeren Sumauang, Don Kluting, and Harry Lysons. A discussion of the Assembly ensued. Based on the passage of the three-year permit, Eisenbeisz believed an outcry auction was the best way to allocate vendor spaces. Duncan wondered about a possible intimidation factor with an outcry auction. Carlson suggested staff hold a pre-bid meeting to ensure bidders understood the rules and process. A motion was made by Duncan that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson No: 1- Duncan XII. NEW BUSINESS: F 23-001 Discussion / Direction / Decision on 2023 Tourism Management Operating Plan Planning and Community Development Director Amy Ainslie reviewed the Planning Commission's recommendations for the 2023 tourism season. She relayed CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final January 10, 2023 supplemental appropriations would come forward once direction had been given by the Assembly. Public comment was taken. Kim Elliott expressed to the need for increased wayfinding signage, safety improvements, and suggested capping the number of tourists. Richard Wein and Tyler Green suggested limiting the number of cruise ship visitors. Larry Edwards told the Sustainability Commission take on the task of advising the Assembly on appropriate number of cruise ship visitors. Hugh Bevan, Tammy Sumauang, and Alec Cunningham spoke about the need for traffic management and safety improvements. Shirley Robards spoke unfavorably of the 2022 tourism operating plan. Rachel Roy spoke in support of signage and beautification of the downtown area. The Assembly discussed Lincoln Street closures, temporary restrooms, safety improvements, programs/initiatives, and future planning needs for the 2023 season. The consensus was to continue with the Lincoln Street closure. For temporary restrooms, consensus was to continue use and hardline if possible. Placement points were to remain flexible. Regarding safety improvements, the consensus was to move forward with traffic improvements at the Lake/Lincoln intersection, improve pedestrian crossing along Harbor Drive, and update/increase wayfinding signage. Concerning programs/initiatives, some members were ambivalent about the walk/bike incentives, while most supported moving forward with the bathroom grant program, food cart permit opportunities, and beautification measures for the downtown area. G 23-003 Discussion / Direction / Decision on donating $25,000 to the Alaska Trollers Association legal defense fund A motion was made by Christianson to EXTEND the meeting to 11:00 p.m. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7 - Mosher, Pike, Ystad, Christianson, Duncan, Eisenbeisz, and Carlson. Ystad disclosed he had a power troll permit. Eisenbeisz ruled there was no conflict stating Ystad belonged to a class of people. Alaska Trollers Association (ATA) board members Matt Donohoe, Jim Moore, Jeff Farvour, and Jackie Foss provided an overview of the lawsuit and stressed the importance of the fishery. Those from the public speaking in support of the legal defense fund donation were Tyler Green, Kim Elliott, Richard Wein, Keegan Marrs, Linda Behnken, Eric Jordan, Woody Cyr, and John Murray. Christianson, Mosher, and Ystad spoke in support. Pike, Mosher, and Eisenbeisz suggested starting with $25k. Carlson encouraged ATA members to rally the community for support. Administrator Leach proposed the idea of using the existing appropriation in the Fisheries Enhancement Fund for the donation. Duncan wondered about the process and if donating would set a precedent. XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Due to time constraints, there were no Persons to Be Heard. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final January 10, 2023 XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Due to time constraints, there were no Reports. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION Due to time constraints, there was no Executive Session. The item was rescheduled to 1/24/23. H 23-004 Legal/Financial Matter: 2022 Crescent Harbor Dock Fire XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Christianson to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 10:59 p.m. ATTEST: __________________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5