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 24, 2023 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, Mosher, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1 - Eisenbeisz V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES No changes. 23-012 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) Blossom Teal-Olsen, School Board President, reviewed upcoming budget hearings. 23-007 Special Reports: 1) Sitka Tribal Chairman Lawrence Widmark, and 2) Sitka Bear Task Force Report, Member Alix Snelling CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final January 24, 2023 Tribal Council Chairman Woody Widmark provided a summary of January meeting action items. Alix Snelling and Harry Greene, Members of the Sitka Bear Task Force, presented the group's recommendations: bear-resistant trash cans, citations given with replacement bear-damaged trash cans, seasonal bear trash account (Transfer Station), and educational materials. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Richard Wein told of a cruise ship, the Viking Orion, that was prevented from docking in Australia due to invasive species on its hull and was scheduled to dock in Sitka. IX. CONSENT AGENDA Richard Wein provided an overview of item B. A motion was made by Duncan that the Consent Agenda consisting of items A & B be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz A 23-008 Approve the January 10 Assembly meeting minutes This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B RES 23-03 Authorizing an application to the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHS&EM) This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS C 23-009 Appoint Annette Evans to an unexpired term on the Health Needs and Human Services Commission Richard Wein offered support for the applicant. A motion was made by Christianson that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None. XII. NEW BUSINESS: CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final January 24, 2023 D RES 23-04 Submitting City and Borough of Sitka FY 2024 State Legislative Priorities to State of Alaska and 2023 Legislature Richard Wein commented. Administrator Leach reviewed the upcoming State and Federal lobbying trips. Public & Government Relations Director Melissa Henshaw explained the Legislative Priorities development process and next steps. 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, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz E RES 23-01 Increasing Cruise Ship Tender and Security Fees Harbormaster Stan Eliason stated the rate increase of 8.3% was in preparation for the upcoming cruise season. Richard Wein commented. Duncan, Ystad, and Mosher expressed support. 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, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz F RES 23-02 Supporting the Southeast Alaska Troll Fishery Speaking in support were Jeff Farvour, Matt Donohoe, Eric Jordan, and Jackie Foss. Richard Wein commented. Members expressed support for the troll fishery and hoped other communities would join together and follow suit with a resolution of support. A motion was made by Christianson that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz G ORD 23-01 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2023 (Alaska Trollers Association Legal Defense $25,000) Richard Wein provided remarks. Matt Donohoe, Jeff Farvour, Tad Fujioka, Courtney Howard, Jackie Foss, Roger Hames, David Richey, Jim Moore, and Danica Majeski spoke in support. Members expressed support emphasizing the donation was a community investment. Duncan asked questions of Matt Donohoe, Alaska Trollers Association President. Administrator Leach announced City resources beyond the proposed appropriation were being expended. Leach stated Blank Rome, the City's contract lobbyist, had CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final January 24, 2023 met to discuss the issue with Alaska's congressional delegation staff. A motion was made by Christianson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz H ORD 23-02 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2023 (Parks and Recreation Expenses $92,615) Administrator Leach provided a summary and said there wasn't an operating budget. Richard Wein remarked on the ordinance. Barb Morse, temporary Parks & Recreation Coordinator, addressed the Assembly. Morse explained the FY2023 budget contained funding for personnel to develop the program, however, there was no allocation for expenses such as supplies, equipment, contracted services, temporary wages, office setup, etc. Hence the reason for the supplemental appropriation. Morse reminded user fees/revenues, estimated at $40k, would offset expenses. Carlson requested additional detail for supplies and contracted/purchased services. Duncan wondered about opportunities for financial partnership and asked if the School District provided financial support. Morse said there was no financial support, but use of the facility and office space were provided. A motion was made by Duncan that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Richard Wein suggested focusing on priorities, not relying on City lobbyists, urged the Assembly to spell out acronyms used, and told of whale deaths on the shore of Long Island. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Administrator - Leach told of possible grant opportunities and announced budget sessions were to begin in February. Liaison Representatives - Christianson reported on the recent Planning Commission meeting. Mosher spoke about the Sustainability Commission. Clerk - Peterson reviewed board/commission vacancies. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION I 23-011 1) Legal/Financial Matter: 2022 Crescent Harbor Dock Fire 2) Financial Matter: Sales Tax Debt Settlement CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final January 24, 2023 A motion was made by Duncan to go into executive session to be advised by the Municipal Attorney regarding the juvenile delinquency proceedings involving the fire damage to Crescent Harbor dock which may have legal and financial impacts for the City and Borough of Sitka. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6 - Christianson, Ystad, Mosher, Duncan, Carlson, and Pike The Assembly was in executive session from 8:45 p.m. to 9:17 p.m. A motion was made by Christianson to reconvene as the Assembly in regular session. The motion PASSED by a unanimous voice vote. Mosher stated the Assembly had discussed the item and provided direction to the Municipal Attorney. A motion was made by Duncan to go into executive session to discuss settling a sales tax debt, the immediate knowledge of which would adversely affect the finances of the municipality and invite in Finance Director, Melissa Haley. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6 - Christianson, Ystad, Mosher, Duncan, Carlson, and Pike The Assembly was in executive session from 9:20 p.m. to 9:40 p.m. A motion was made by Christianson to reconvene as the Assembly in regular session. The motion PASSED by a unanimous voice vote. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Ystad to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 9:41 p.m. ATTEST: _________________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5