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 Timothy Pike, Thor Christianson, Chris Ystad, JJ Carlson, Scott Saline Municipal Administrator: John Leach Municipal Attorney: Brian Hanson Municipal Clerk: Sara Peterson Tuesday, October 24, 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, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES No agenda changes. 23-137 Reminders, Calendars, and General Correspondence VI. CEREMONIAL MATTERS 23-132 1) Service Award - Kevin Knox 2) Proclamations - Native American Heritage Month and Veteran's Day Mayor Eisenbeisz read a service award for Kevin Knox, a proclamation recognizing Native American Heritage Month, and a proclamation honoring Veterans Day. VII. SPECIAL REPORTS: Government to Government, Municipal Boards/Commissions/Committees, Municipal Departments, School District, Students and Guests (five minute time limit) Sitka School Board representative and staff, Tristan Guevin and Deidre Jenson, CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final October 24, 2023 provided an update on Board work and thanked the Assembly for their collaboration and support. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Richard Wein spoke of Veterans Day and some community issues. Lisa Busch and Elizabeth Bagley encouraged attendance at Sitka Whalefest November 3-5. IX. CONSENT AGENDA Richard Wein commented on item B. 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, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline A 23-134 Approve the minutes of the October 10 Assembly meeting This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B 23-135 Approve a new beverage dispensary tourism liquor license application, premises diagram, and restaurant designation permit application for Baranof Lodge, LLC dba 907 Lounge at 404 Sawmill Creek Road This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS C 23-136 Reappoint Elizabeth Bagley and Kent Barkhau to three-year terms on the Sustainability Commission From the public, Richard Wein thanked the applicants. A motion was made by Pike to reappoint Elizabeth Bagley and Kent Barkhau to three-year terms on the Sustainability Commission. A motion was made by Eisenbeisz to divide the question. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7 - Christianson, Carlson, Saline, Pike, Ystad, Mosher, and Eisenbeisz Assembly Members discussed the applicants. The motion to reappoint Elizabeth Bagley to a three-year term on the Sustainability Commission PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7 - Carlson,Ystad, Saline, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Pike, and Christianson The motion to reappoint Kent Barkhau to a three-year term on the Sustainability Commission FAILED by the following vote. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final October 24, 2023 Yes: 1 - Saline No: 6 - Pike, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Carlson, Christianson, and Ystad XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: D ORD 23-21 Authorizing the purchase by the City and Borough of Sitka (CBS) of Lot 4, Block 4, of the Gary Paxton Industrial Park, pursuant to the affirmative covenant of right to purchase contained in the quitclaim deed recorded 8/15/2022, and making supplemental appropriation for fiscal year 2024 for said purchase (purchase of 4690 Sawmill Creek Road property by CBS) 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, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline XII. NEW BUSINESS: New Business First Reading E ORD 23-22 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2024 (Residential Utility Account Credits) Ystad, a sponsor, explained the utility account credit was a way to give back to the community after a busy summer tourist season. From the public, Richard Wein wondered if this was the best use of the money. Members discussed. Christianson suggested the money be put towards the utility subsidization fund. Carlson reminded the ordinance aligned with goal 1 of the Sitka Strategic Plan. Eisenbeisz offered those citizens who declined the utility account credit could make a donation with the utility office to be distributed by the Salvation Army. A motion was made by Mosher that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline No: 1- Christianson Additional New Business Items F RES 23-26 Authorizing the Municipal Administrator to apply for a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant for the rehabilitation of the Crescent Harbor Courts From the public, Richard Wein commented. Lisa Busch, Debbie Miller, and Andrew Friske spoke in support. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final October 24, 2023 Parks and Recreation Coordinator Kevin Knox provided an overview of the project. 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, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline G 23-133 Update and discussion with the State of Alaska on the Sitka Airport Troy LaRue, State of Alaska (SOA) Statewide Aviation Division Operations Manager, reviewed information pertaining to the Sitka Airport: operational expenses and leasing revenue, State contribution to the Airport, upcoming grants, the partnership between the SOA and the City and Borough of Sitka (CBS), the lease, parking lot RPF, and fee provisions associated with the Sitka Airport parking operations. Assembly Members discussed the partnership between SOA and CBS, challenges with establishing roles and responsibilities, lease conditions, snow removal, and parking management. XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Richard Wein commented on federal regulations and previous agenda items. Austin Cranford spoke to previous agenda items and mentioned drug use on school property. Kevin Mosher offered further comments on agenda item C. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz reported on the visit from high school students and representatives from our Sister City, Nemuro Japan. Liaison Representatives - Carlson reported on the Tourism Task Force. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Christianson to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 8:48pm. ATTEST: _______________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4