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, June 27, 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 - Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1 - Christianson V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES No agenda changes. 23-081 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) None. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final June 27, 2023 Laurinda Marcello urged the Assembly to lend their support to childcare in Sitka. Joel Hanson shared updates on the ongoing efforts at Pacific High Gardens and announced a community Town Hall meeting scheduled for July 10th. The meeting would focus on discussing the Sitka Local Foods Network and Transition Sitka's proposal for a greenhouse project. Christian Fabian raised concerns about Police Chief Robert Baty's compensation package and benefits. John Little made a request for the painting of the fingers at Crescent Harbor. Richard Wein emphasized the significance of July 4th. Jayson Christner addressed the issue of employment vacancies within the Sitka Police Department. IX. CONSENT AGENDA None. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS None. XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: A ORD 23-09S Amending Title 6 “Business Licenses and Regulations” of the Sitka General Code by updating Chapter 6.16 “Sales on Public Property” A motion was made by Mosher that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Christianson XII. NEW BUSINESS: New Business First Reading B ORD 23-13 Amending Title 6 “Business Licenses and Regulations” of the Sitka General Code by updating Chapter 6.19.030 “Permit Required for Commercial Operations Involving Organized Excursions in Areas Subject to this Chapter” Richard Wein commented. Building Manager of Harrigan Centennial Hall Antonio Rosas explained the proposed modifications to the ordinance, stating that the update would allow vendors to display up to two signs per square, as opposed to the current limit of one sign. This change was expected to significantly enhance advertising opportunities for the vendors. A motion was made by Ystad that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final June 27, 2023 READING. Yes: 6- Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Christianson Additional New Business Items C 23-080 Authorize the Municipal Administrator to apply to the US Department of Energy Office of Clean Energy Demonstration’s Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas Grant Program to Fund the Thimbleberry Bypass Project Scott Elder, Utility Director, presented an overview of the US Department of Energy Office of Clean Energy Demonstration’s Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas Grant Program to Fund the Thimbleberry Bypass Project. He noted this was a critical piece of infrastructure that needed replacement, and mentioned that this project was inline with the Sitka Strategic Plan 2022-2027 goal 4. A motion was made Mosher to authorize the Municipal Administrator to apply to the US Department of Energy Office of Clean Energy Demonstration’s Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas Grant Program to fund the Thimbleberry Bypass Project. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Christianson D 23-082 Approve the Consent to Assignment of Lease between the City and Borough of Sitka, Gordon J. Helem and Myrtle L. Helem d/b/a Sitka Electric Inc., and Helem Properties, LLC regarding the tidelands seaward of 815 Halibut Point Road and authorize the Municipal Administrator to execute this document Amy Ainslie, Planning and Community Development Director, presented the historical context of the tidelands lease. She emphasized that the proposed changes were not significant, rather they aimed at clarifying legal aspects. She also pointed out that the lease could not be assigned or sublet without the consent of the City and Borough of Sitka (CBS). However, both the Trust and CBS staff expressed their desire to proceed with the assignment of the lease to Helem Properties, LLC. The transfer of the lease would ensure a current lessee and accurate invoicing going forward. A motion was made by Ystad, seconded by Carlson that this Item be PASSED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Christianson CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final June 27, 2023 E 23-083 Approve the promotion of Ron Vinson from Asset Manager to Public Works Director Richard Wein commented. Mosher and Eisenbeisz voiced their support for the administrator's recommendation. Mosher made a motion to APPROVE the promotion of Ron Vinson from Asset Manager to Public Works Director as recommended by the Municipal Administrator. Yes: 6- Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Absent: 1- Christianson XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Richard Wein told about best practices and concerns for tourists. Additionally, he mentioned that Carnival Cruise reported a loss of 32 cents per share in the second quarter. Amy Ainslie, Planning and Community Development Director provided contact details for addressing any concerns regarding tourism-related activities. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz reported on the first 10,000 passenger day of the season. Administrator - Leach also covered the occurrence of 10,000 passengers in a single day, as well as the upcoming meeting of the Police and Fire Commission, which would address the proposed draft taxi cab ordinance. Liaison Representative - Ystad spoke about the recent Gary Paxton Industrial Board meeting. Clerk - Earnshaw announced the upcoming election filing dates and read out the list of board/commission vacancies. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Mosher to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 7:08 p.m. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final June 27, 2023 ATTEST: _______________________________ Jessica Earnshaw Acting Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5