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, November 14, 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. 23-143 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) 23-141 Special Report: Sustainability Commission - Chair Katie Riley and Sustainability Coordinator Bri Gabel Chair Katie Riley and Bri Gabel, the Sustainability Coordinator, delivered a progress report on the Commission's activities and expressed gratitude to the Assembly for their continued support. Mosher expressed gratitude for the CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final November 14, 2023 Commission's efforts and encouraged public engagement. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Klaudia Leccese expressed gratitude to the Tourism Task Force for organizing the Tourism Town Hall meeting,extended thanks to the Sustainability Committee and raised concerns about the decline in recycling in Sitka. Richard Wein acknowledged the sacrifices made by the U.S. Coast Guard and suggested organizing a remembrance ceremony for Armed Services Day. He stressed the importance of effective communication and leadership, advocated for the utilization of town halls, and highlighted the need for improved health care services in the community. IX. CONSENT AGENDA Richard Wein commented on item A. 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 23-139 Approve the minutes of the October 24 Assembly meeting This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B 23-140 Approve a new winery license application and premises diagram application for Harbor Mountain Brewing Company LLC at 1209 A Sawmill Creek Road This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS C 23-138 Appoint Erik de Jong and Lilli Garza to three-year terms on the Sustainability Commission From the public, Richard Wein thanked the applicants. A motion was made by Christianson to appoint Erik de Jong and Lilli Garza to three-year terms on the Sustainability Commission. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: D ORD 23-22 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2024 (Residential Utility Account Credits) Klaudia Leccese and Richard Wein commented. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final November 14, 2023 Christianson expressed concerns about its one-time nature and impact on city reserves. Ystad mentioned prioritizing immediate needs like utilities and long-term benefits such as tourism, emphasizing the surplus should benefit all citizens, not specific sectors or interest groups. Carlson stated the ordinance was in alignment with goal 1 of the Sitka Strategic Plan. Pike stated this could prevent rate increases and considered using the surplus funds from the first half of the fiscal year to offset potential increases. Eisenbeisz suggested citizens who declined the utility account credit could make a donation to their favorite non-profit. A motion was made by Ystad that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, and Carlson No: 2- Christianson, and Saline XII. NEW BUSINESS: E ORD 23-23 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2024 (Neogov HRIS/Recruitment Platform) Richard Wein commented. Municipal Administrator John Leach emphasized the need for an HRIS system and chose the NeoGov HRIS/Recruitment platform for its recruiting program and employee self-service system. He highlighted that committing to three years would result in a percentage off each year's cost. Mosher and Ystad mentioned the new system had potential to save the city money by reducing turnover and risk. A motion was made by Christianson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Richard Wein discussed the current state of inflation and highlighted Moody's concerning outlook on the economic future of the United States, emphasizing the growing debt and declining tax revenues. He also mentioned the potential acquisition of non-unionized employees by Stellantis, financial hurdles encountered by Ford in the electric vehicle market, and the significant development of Petro China replacing ExxonMobil as the main contractor in an Iraqi oil field. Austin Cranford requested an investigation into illicit drugs at the schools, voiced concerns about Police Department staff shortages, and to potential structural integrity issues in dam maintenance. XIV. REPORTS CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final November 14, 2023 a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Administrator - Leach updated the Assembly on the progress of the airport lease, mentioned a draft lease would be presented at the next meeting along with different scenarios for breaking even over the long-term of the lease. Liaison Representatives - Mosher reported on the Parks and Recreation Committee meeting. Saline provided updates on the Library Commission. Ystad shared insights from the Gary Paxton Industrial Park Board meeting. Carlson commented on the well-attended Tourism Town Hall Meeting organized by the Planning Department and Spruce Root. Clerk - Earnshaw reviewed board/commission vacancies. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Christianson to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 7:35 p.m. ATTEST: ___________________________________ Jessica Earnshaw, Acting Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4