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, August 22, 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, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, and Pike Absent: 1 - Carlson V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES No agenda changes. 23-104 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) Sitka Tribe of Alaska Chairman, Lawrence Widmark, reported on recent Council activity. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final August 22, 2023 VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Richard Wein commented on the new Visit Sitka app. 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: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, and Pike Absent: 1- Carlson A 23-102 Approve the August 8 assembly meeting minutes This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B 23-103 Approve a retail marijuana store renewal application for Weed Dudes, Inc dba Weed Dudes at 1321 Sawmill Creek Road #J & K This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS C 23-101 Reappoint Darrell Windsor to a three-year term on the Planning Commission Richard Wein commented. Christianson thanked Windsor for his service. A motion was made by Christianson that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, and Pike Absent: 1- Carlson XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: D ORD 23-17 Amending Title 4 “Revenue and Finance” of the Sitka General Code by updating Chapter 4.05 “Marine Passenger Fee Fund” A motion was made by Ystad that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, and Pike Absent: 1- Carlson E ORD 23-18 Authorizing the lease of a portion of Tract C, ASLS 79-4 on Harbor Mountain Bypass Road for the purpose of a telecommunications site CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final August 22, 2023 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: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, and Pike Absent: 1- Carlson F ORD 23-19 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal years 2023 and 2024 (reappropriations and supplemental appropriations) A motion was made by Duncan that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, and Pike Absent: 1- Carlson XII. NEW BUSINESS: New Business First Reading G ORD 23-20 Amending Title 2 “Administration,” Chapter 2.04 “City and Borough Assembly” of the Sitka General Code by updating Sections 2.04.190 “Salaries and compensation” and 2.04.195 “Salaries for assembly members and mayor” Municipal Administrator John Leach pointed out that it had been 21 years since any adjustments had been made to the salaries of the mayor and assembly members. He emphasized that the procedure for increasing these salaries was clearly outlined in the Home Rule Charter. Leach explained that if the proposed salary adjustments received approval, they would take effect following the upcoming municipal election. Furthermore, he highlighted the substantial workload placed on assembly members, which extended beyond their attendance at the two regular monthly meetings. From the public, Richard Wein and Austin Cranford commented. Members discussed and reiterated the amount of time and sacrifice made when serving as an elected official. The increase would provide some recognition to future assemblies and encourage a greater pool of candidates. 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, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, and Pike Absent: 1- Carlson Additional New Business Items H RES 23-24 Supporting the State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final August 22, 2023 Facilities Lighting and Airport Beacon Project for the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport Municipal Administrator John Leach reviewed the Resolution outlining needed work at the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport. From the public, Richard Wein commented. A motion was made by Mosher that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, and Pike Absent: 1- Carlson XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Richard Wein offered additional comments on item G and spoke about SEARHC discontinuing Home Health services. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz reported on his trip to Homer for the Alaska Municipal League (AML) Summer Conference and recent meeting with Tribal Council Chair Lawrence Widmark. Administrator - Leach also reported on the AML Summer Conference and told of conversations with GCI regarding poor broadband service in Southeast. Attorney - Hanson planned to be out of the office August 21-23. Clerk - Peterson shared municipal election information and told of vacancies on boards and commissions. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION I 23-100 Legal/Financial Matter - Gary Paxton Industrial Park Property Transaction A motion was made by Duncan to go into executive session to discuss a legal matter, a Gary Paxton Industrial Park (GPIP) property transaction, the immediate knowledge of which would adversely affect the finances of the municipality and which involve legal matters affecting the municipality or legal consequences of past, present or future municipal actions, and invite in Finance Director, Melissa Haley and GPIP Director Garry White. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6 - Ystad, Eisenbeisz, Mosher, Pike, Christianson, and Duncan Absent: 1 - Carlson From the public, Richard Wein spoke in opposition. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final August 22, 2023 The Assembly was in executive session from 7:05-7:31p.m. A motion was made by Christianson to reconvene as the Assembly in regular session. The motion PASSED by a unanimous voice vote. A motion was made by Christianson to direct the Administrator to move forward with the right to repurchase Lot 4 Block 4 Gary Paxton Industrial Park (4690 Sawmill Creek Road) in accordance with the reservations in the quit claim deed, with the understanding that any appropriations will come back to the Assembly for approval. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6 - Ystad, Duncan, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Pike, and Christianson Absent: 1 - Carlson XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Ystad to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 7:35pm. ATTEST: ____________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5