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, March 14, 2023 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers REGULAR MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. RECITAL OF LANDS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IV. ROLL CALL Ystad left the meeting at 7:55pm. Present: 7 - Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES Mayor Eisenbeisz announced Robert Sam could not attend and his service award would be presented at a future meeting. 23-040 Reminders, Calendars, and General Correspondence VI. CEREMONIAL MATTERS 23-037 Service Award - Robert Sam Postponed. VII. SPECIAL REPORTS: Government to Government, Municipal Boards/Commissions/Committees, Municipal Departments, School District, Students and Guests (five minute time limit) School Board President, Blossom Teal-Olsen, told of student activities, the CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final March 14, 2023 superintendent search, and budget work sessions. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Richard Wein talked about economic indexes, fossil fuels, and cruise ships. IX. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Duncan 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 23-036 Approve the minutes of the February 23, 28, and March 2 Assembly meetings This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS None. XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: B ORD 23-03 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2023 (mid-year supplemental appropriations) Richard Wein commented. 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 XII. NEW BUSINESS: C 23-039 Approve the proposed adjustments to the Gary Paxton Industrial Park Port Tariff Fee Schedule (Port Tariff #5) Garry White, Gary Paxton Industrial Park (GPIP) Director, explained the Park tried to mirror CBS Harbor Department rates to avoid competing infrastructures. Richard Wein commented on the Tariff. A motion was made by Duncan that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson D RES 23-10 Implementing a flat rate dockage fee and passenger wharfage fee for the Port Wall Harbormaster Stan Eliason reiterated Garry White's comments from the previous item. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final March 14, 2023 Richard Wein reviewed the memo and provided comments. A motion was made by Mosher that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson E RES 23-08 Authorizing the Municipal Administrator to apply for and execute a grant for the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside from the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program with the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) for the safety improvements for crossing State Right of Way Sawmill Creek Road at Raptor Way Public and Government Relations Director Melissa Henshaw reviewed the project. She mentioned Sitka would take on liability and maintenance, including replacement at end of life. Richard Wein commented. Due to truck traffic, Chris Spivey expressed caution in placing a pedestrian crossing on Sawmill Creek Road. Members expressed support for moving forward with the grant application; however they had concerns with a pedestrian refuge design. A motion was made by Christianson that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson F RES 23-09 Authorizing the Municipal Administrator to apply for and execute a grant for the Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside from the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program with the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) for the State right of way Harbor Drive Improvement Safe Pedestrian Crossing Project Regarding the previous item, Melissa Henshaw, Public, and Government Relations Director, said the State also wasn't keen on a pedestrian refuge. Richard Wein commented. Members looked forward to seeing design plans and thanked staff for their work in finding grant opportunities. A motion was made by Duncan that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson G RES 23-11 Establishing a Tourism Task Force Richard Wein offered comments on the Task Force. Members were hopeful of the work the Task Force would accomplish. A motion was made by Ystad that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final March 14, 2023 FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Loren Wild told of the childcare crisis and suggested a budget line item to fund childcare. Richard Wein also commented on the childcare need in Sitka. Laurie Booyse thanked the Assembly for establishing a Tourism Task Force. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz reported on the Washington, DC, legislative trip. Administrator - Leach also reported on the congressional trip. Attorney - Hanson stated he had yet to hire a legal assistant successfully. Liaison Representatives - Mosher reported on the School Board work session, Duncan on the Health Needs and Human Services Commission and Library Commission, and Ystad on the Port and Harbors Commission. Clerk - Peterson reviewed upcoming meetings and the board/commission vacancy list. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION H 23-038 Legal / Financial Matters - Gleason v. SCH/CBS, Wampler v. McGrath/CBS, Mace v. McGrath/CBS, and Dick v. CBS/SPD A motion was made by Duncan to go into executive session to receive and discuss an update from the Municipal Attorney regarding legal and financial matters affecting the Municipality as a result of the various pending lawsuits filed against the Municipality: Gleason v. SCH/CBS, Wampler v. McGrath/CBS, Mace v. McGrath/CBS; and Dick v. CBS/SPD. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7 - Eisenbeisz, Christianson, Ystad, Mosher, Duncan, Carlson, and Pike The Assembly was in executive session from 7:15pm to 8:01pm. Ystad left at 7:55pm. A motion was made by Christianson to reconvene as the Assembly in regular session. The motion PASSED by a unanimous voice vote. Eisenbeisz stated the Assembly met with the Municipal Attorney to hear an update on longstanding cases and a new case recently filed. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Mosher to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 8:02pm. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final March 14, 2023 ATTEST: _____________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5