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, July 25, 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, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Remote: 1 - Mosher V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES No agenda changes. 23-094 Reminders, Calendars, and General Correspondence VI. CEREMONIAL MATTERS 23-091 Citation - Honoring U.S. Coast Guard Day Mayor Eisenbeisz read and presented a citation honoring U.S. Coast Guard Day to Commander Vincent Jansen. VII. SPECIAL REPORTS: Government to Government, Municipal Boards/Commissions/Committees, Municipal Departments, School District, Students and Guests (five minute time limit) Sitka Tribe of Alaska Chairman, Lawrence Widmark, reported on July's council activity. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final July 25, 2023 23-092 Special Report - Childcare Now Update Representatives of the Early Childcare Coalition and Childcare Now provided an update on their work over the past year. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Richard Wein reminded goods and services depended on fossil fuel, said he'd researched head tax, and suggested a head tax be implemented to fund childcare. IX. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Mosher that the Consent Agenda consisting of items A & B be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson A 23-089 Approve the minutes of the July 11 Assembly meeting This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B 23-090 Approve the following liquor license applications: 1) transfer of ownership application from Ludvig's Bistro, Inc. to Our Town Catering, LLC at 256 Katlian Street, and 2) a premises diagram application and restaurant designation permit application for Our Town Catering LLC at 256 Katlian Street This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS None. XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: C ORD 23-14 Amending Title 4 “Revenue and Finance” of the Sitka General Code by updating Chapter 4.09 “Sales Tax” Richard Wein commented. A motion was made by Ystad that his 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 D ORD 23-15 Proposing to amend Title 4 “Revenue and Finance”, Chapter 4.09 “Sales Tax”, of the Sitka General Code by adding a seasonal sales tax increase of one additional percentage point in section 4.09.010 “Levy of sales tax” CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final July 25, 2023 and adding section 4.09.120 “Exemption from seasonal sales tax increase”; and, submitting the question of such an amendment to the qualified voters at the regular election on October 3, 2023 Richard Wein commented. Cosponsors Eisenbeisz and Mosher explained the ballot proposition would provide a mechanism for funding school infrastructure if approved by the voters. A motion was made by Mosher 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 E ORD 23-16 Proposing to amend Article II “The Assembly”, Section 2.11 “Prohibitions”, of the Home Rule Charter of the City and Borough of Sitka, by permitting school board members to hold municipal employment, other than with the school district, during their term of office and the year after vacating office; and, submitting the question of such an amendment to the qualified voters at a regular election on October 3, 2023 Richard Wein commented. A motion was made by Ystad 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: F 23-093 Adopt the final Gary Paxton Industrial Park Haul Out Project Charter with Concept 4 scope and budget Garry White, Gary Paxton Industrial Park (GPIP) Director, and Michael Harmon, Municipal Engineer, reviewed the project charter goals, budget considerations, scope of work, design and construction schedule, general scope of improvements, told of public meetings, subject matter expert recommendations, and GPIP Board approval. From the public, Richard Wein commented. Assembly members discussed and thanked all involved. A motion was made by Ystad that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Richard Wein commented on the haul out project, prime interest rate, BRICS meeting, and the european pmi. Kevin Mosher reminded the public of the two ballot propositions appearing on the October 3rd ballot. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final July 25, 2023 XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz reported on a meeting with Cruise Line Agencies of Alaska (CLAA) where the topic of discussion revolved around passenger loads. The focal point was some communities had reached maximum capacity due to the influx of passengers. CLAA expressed a desire to work with communities to determine the correct cruising level. In addition, Eisenbeisz noted he had attended the AmeriCorps class graduation. Administrator - Leach told of the City achieving Ursa Major status in Water System Excellence and announced grant awards. Liaison Representatives - Christianson reported on the Planning Commission, Pike on the Police and Fire Commission meeting and transportation town hall, Carlson on the Tree and Landscape Committee and Tourism Task Force, and Mosher on the Sitka School Board. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Christianson to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 7:52pm. ATTEST: ____________________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4