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, September 26, 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 No agenda changes. 23-123 Reminders, Calendars, and General Correspondence VI. CEREMONIAL MATTERS 23-120 1) Service Award - Chris Spivey 2) Proclamation - Reaffirming Indigenous Peoples' Day Eisenbeisz presented a Service Award to outgoing Planning Commissioner Chris Spivey and read a proclamation reaffirming Indigenous Peoples' Day. VII. SPECIAL REPORTS: Government to Government, Municipal Boards/Commissions/Committees, Municipal Departments, School District, Students and Guests (five minute time limit) Tribal Chairman Lawrence Widmark provided a summary of September business activity. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final September 26, 2023 23-121 Green Lake Hydroelectric Project Relicensing - Elizabeth Lack, McMillen Senior Regulatory Specialist Consultant Elizabeth Lack told of the 1979 FERC license that would expire in 2029. She explained the relicensing process and timeline. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Krista Perala encouraged the community to observe Every Child Matters - Orange Shirt Day on Friday September 29 and participate in local events. IX. CONSENT AGENDA Eisenbeisz was recused because of a business relationship with Northern Lights Indoor Gardens, LLC. A motion was made by Christianson that the Consent Agenda consisting of Item A be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson Recused: 1- Eisenbeisz A 23-122 Approve the following marijuana license renewal applications submitted by Northern Lights Indoor Gardens, LLC and forward to the Marijuana Control Board without objection: 1) a standard marijuana cultivation facility license for 1321 Sawmill Creek Road Suites M, N, O, P and 2) a retail marijuana store license for 1321 Sawmill Creek Road Suites N, O, and P This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS None. XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None. XII. NEW BUSINESS: B 23-118 Award of the FY24 Annual General Fund Non-Profit Grants A motion was made by Ystad to award the following FY24 General Fund Non-Profit Grants in the category of Human Services. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7 - Ystad, Eisenbeisz, Carlson, Mosher, Pike, Christianson, and Duncan Brave Heart Volunteers $8,381 CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final September 26, 2023 Sitka Counseling and Prevention Services $7,381 Southeast Alaska Independent Living $8,881 A motion was made by Ystad to award the following FY24 General Fund Non-Profit Grants in the category of Cultural & Educational Services. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7 - Christianson, Carlson, Duncan, Pike, Ystad, Mosher, and Eisenbeisz Alaska Arts Southeast (Sitka Fine Arts Camp) $4,262 Outer Coast $4,333 Sitka Music Festival $1,690 A motion was made by Ystad to award the following FY24 General Fund Non-Profit Grants in the category of Community Development. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7 - Carlson, Ystad, Duncan, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Pike, and Christianson The Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce $2,143 Sitka Trail Works $7,286 C 23-119 Discussion / Direction / Decision of the Municipal Administrator's annual recommended transfer to the Public Infrastructure Sinking Fund A motion was made by Carlson to transfer $4,500,000 to the Public Infrastructure Sinking Fund and make the transfer effective June 30, 2023. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Duncan, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson D 23-115 Authorize the Municipal Administrator to pursue a funding opportunity and advocate to the Department of Energy for Advanced District Energy Heating from Renewable Resources and expanded supervisory control of the electrical system Kord Christianson, Generation System Manager, said Department of Energy (DOE) awarded this grant to another Alaskan community, however, they had declined. DOE contacted the City to see if there was interest in pursuing the grant. During the discussion, there was differing views among the members regarding the pursuit of the funding opportunity. Some expressed enthusiasm and willingness to go after it, while others had reservations for various reasons. Municipal Administrator Leach, expressed mixed feelings on the matter. Although acknowledging that it was a great opportunity,he had heard that the Department of Energy (DOE) was hesitant to provide assistance for deferred maintenance, which contributed to his hesitancy. A motion was made by Christianson to authorize the Municipal Administrator to pursue a funding opportunity and advocate to the Department of Energy for Advanced District Energy Heating from Renewable Resources and expanded supervisory control of the electrical system. The motion FAILED by the following vote. Yes: 3- Christianson, Duncan, and Pike CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final September 26, 2023 No: 4- Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, and Carlson XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Charles Dean commented on the proclamation reaffirming Indigenous Peoples' Day and wished citizens a happy Columbus Day. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz provided a summary of topics discussed at Southeast Conference which was held in Sitka. Administrator - Leach also reported on Southeast Conference. In addition, he spoke of the Port Communities of Alaska group - a regional type strategy group on tourism/cruising in Southeast Alaska. Liaison Representatives - Ystad reported on the Port and Harbors Commission and Carlson on the Tourism Task Force. Clerk - Peterson told of voting options for the October 3 Municipal Election. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Mosher to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 7:50 p.m. ATTEST: _________________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4