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, February 14, 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 23-015 Reminders, Calendars, and General Correspondence VI. CEREMONIAL MATTERS 23-016 1) Proclamation - 100th Anniversary of the City and Borough of Sitka's Public Library, 2) Service Awards for Jere Christner and Douglas Osborne Mayor Eisenbeisz read and presented a proclamation celebrating the 100th anniversary of the City and Borough of Sitka's Public Library. Library Director Jessica Ieremia and Library Commission Chair Jeff Budd accepted. In addition, Mayor Eisenbeisz presented service awards to Jere Christner and Doug Osborne for their time on the Investment Committee and Health Needs and Human Services Commission. 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 February 14, 2023 Bri Gabel, CBS Sustainability Coordinator, introduced herself and provided an overview of work to date. 23-017 Special Report: FY2022 ACFR/Audit - BDO, Joy Merriner Joy Merriner provided a summary of the FY22 audit. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Doug Osborne and Courtney McArthur, board members of the Sitka Homeless Coalition, gave a progress report. Richard Wein acknowledged Melissa Haley for her work, commented on February holidays, and childhood vaccination. Harvey Brandt spoke in support of the Alaska Marine Highway System and encouraged the Assembly to pass a resolution of support. IX. CONSENT AGENDA Richard Wein commented on the February 2 budget meeting. A motion was made by Duncan that the Consent Agenda consisting of items A, B, & C be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson A 23-018 Approve the minutes of the January 24 and February 2 Assembly meetings This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B 23-019 Approve a liquor license transfer application (no premises) submitted by Alejandro Vazquez and liquor license renewal applications for: 1) Triple C Ventures Inc. dba Cascade Convenience Center at 1211 A Sawmill Creek Road and Watson Point Liquors at 1867 Halibut Point Road, 2) Pizza Express at 1321 Sawmill Creek Road, Suites E through I, and 3) House of Liquors Inc. dba Salty Sal’s Liquor Cabinet at 321 B Lincoln Street This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. C RES 23-06 Adopting an alternative allocation method for the FY23 Shared Fisheries Business Tax Program and certifying that this allocation method fairly represents the distribution of significant effects of fisheries activity in FMA 18: Central Southeast Area This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS D 23-020 Appoint 1) Katherine Prussian to an unexpired term on the Parks and Recreation Committee, and 2) Dionne Brady-Howard to an unexpired term on the Historic Preservation Commission as the Sitka Tribe of CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final February 14, 2023 Alaska representative Richard Wein commented. Duncan thanked the applicants and previous Sitka Tribe of Alaska representative, Bob Sam. A motion was made by Christianson to APPROVE this Item. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson E 23-022 Reappoint 1) Joel Hanson to a three-year term on the Local Emergency Planning Committee under Category 6 (members of the public), and 2) Lauren Howard to a two-year term on the Gary Paxton Industrial Park Board of Directors in the category of At-Large Richard Wein commented. A motion was made by Mosher that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: F ORD 23-01 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2023 (Alaska Trollers Association Legal Defense $25,000) From the public, Matthew Donohoe, Jackie Foss, Richard Wein, and Tad Fujioka spoke in support. 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, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson G ORD 23-02 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2023 (Parks and Recreation Expenses $92,615) Richard Wein commented. 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 XII. NEW BUSINESS: H RES 23-05 Authorizing the execution of a loan agreement with Federal Financing Bank, guaranteed by the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service, in the principal amount of $4,000,000, to finance certain previously constructed system extensions and additions to the electric distribution system and facilities of the CBS; authorizing the appropriate CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final February 14, 2023 officers of the CBS to execute the appropriate documents for the loan and the guarantee; and, providing for other matters properly relating thereto Municipal Administrator John Leach reviewed the item. Kent Barkhou and Richard Wein commented on the resolution. Rodney Peach with USDA Rural Utility Services explained loan details, reminded the City didn't need to withdraw the full $4M, and loan amendments could be made for different purposes. Peach stated there were different payment structures and a penalty if paid early. He emphasized by accepting the loan, the application process would be easier for future funding opportunities. Leach, Finance Director Melissa Haley, and Utility Director Scott Elder spoke of pros and cons. The Assembly discussed and requested to be kept apprised of costs. A motion was made by Mosher that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. I 23-021 Discussion / Direction / Decision for consideration of property tax and utility expense exemption to the Sitka Historical Society per the terms of their lease in Harrigan Centennial Hall Municipal Administrator Leach explained in 2018 Sitka Historical Society (SHS) and the City and Borough of Sitka had entered into a lease for space at Harrigan Centennial Hall. Leach told of the waiver granted in 2018 to extend a property tax exemption and utility services exemption. The item was to be revisited in 24 months, however, had not happened due to the pandemic and higher priority items. Eisenbeisz, who was on the 2018 Assembly, recalled waivers had been granted to help the SHS get started and reevaluate the exemptions in 2 years to determine if they were still needed. SHS Executive Director, Hal Spackman, stated while the Society's goal was to be financially independent, they weren't there yet. Discontinuation of the exemptions would provide a hardship. Members questioned Spackman and requested further information before making a decision. XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Richard Wein encouraged the City to share the community purpose exemption list and spoke in support of the Sitka Historical Society. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz reported on the Government to Government dinner meeting. Administrator - Leach summarized key points from the Southeast Conference Mid-Session Summit. Attorney - Hanson announced he'd be out of the office February 27-March 6. Liaison Representatives - Pike reported on the Police and Fire Commission meeting, Carlson on the Historic Preservation Commission meeting, Mosher on the School CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final February 14, 2023 Board, and Duncan reported on the Parks and Recreation Committee, Library Commission, Local Emergency Planning Commission, and Health Needs and Human Services Commission. Clerk - Peterson reviewed the upcoming meeting schedule and board/commission vacancy list. Other - Mosher told of his time riding with a police officer recently. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Mosher to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 8:40pm. ATTEST: _________________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5