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 28, 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, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1 - Eisenbeisz V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES No agenda changes. 23-144 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) Tribal Chairman Lawrence Widmark provided a summary of the November meeting business. Sitka School Board President Tristan Guevin provided an update on the Board's recent activity and programs. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final November 28, 2023 23-145 Special Report: Sitka Trail Works - Ben Hughey, Executive Director Ben Hughey, Sitka Trail Works Executive Director, shared an update on the 2023 Sitka Trail Plan. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Lisa Busch, Sitka Sound Science Center Executive Director, offered condolences to those in Wrangell affected by the landslide. She mentioned there was a growing number of community-based landslide warning systems. Joel Hanson provided a progress report on the Jarvis Street community garden project. Kim Elliot thanked the Public Works department for pothole repairs and told of a phone scam. Richard Wein commented on the federal subsistence designation for Sitka and world events. Austin Cranford stated there was a mental health crisis and drug crisis in Sitka schools. Deputy Mayor Mosher extended condolences to the Wrangell community and requested a moment of silence to honor those who lost their lives in the landslide. IX. CONSENT AGENDA 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, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz A 23-146 Approve the minutes of the November 14 Assembly meeting This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS None. XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: B ORD 23-23 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2024 (Neogov HRIS/Recruitment Platform) 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: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz XII. NEW BUSINESS: CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final November 28, 2023 New Business First Reading C ORD 23-24 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2024 (Seawalk Phase II) Ron Vinson, Public Works Director, clarified inflationary costs increased the overall project expense. From the public, Kim Elliot and Richard Wein commented. The Assembly discussed project details, and agreed a presentation on the project would be beneficial during the December 12 meeting. A motion was made by Christianson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz Additional New Business Items D RES 23-27 Support raising the maximum available Alaska Department of Transportation Harbor Facility Grant to $7,500,000 for eligible projects on an annual basis Stan Eliason, Harbormaster, encouraged Assembly support and cited inflationary costs. From the public, Kim Elliot spoke in support. Richard Wein commented. A motion was made by Pike to AMEND lines 34 and 35 from "...raising the maximum Harbor Facility Grant Fund award to $7,500,000 per eligible project." to "...raising the maximum Harbor Facility Grant Fund award to $7,500,000 to be increased annually by Anchorage CPI per eligible project." The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6 - Pike, Mosher, Saline, Carlson, Christianson, and Ystad Absent: 1 - Eisenbeisz Richard Wein commented. A motion was made by Ystad that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING AS AMENDED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz E 23-148 Discussion/ Direction/ Decision on acceptance or rejection of the State of Alaska's lease for the Sitka Airport (decision postponed at 11/28 meeting) CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final November 28, 2023 John Leach, Municipal Administrator, presented the business case and financial analyses, leading to an Assembly discussion with a focus on parking and concessions. Some members proposed delaying the lease decision to the next regular meeting to allow public review of the business case and lease document. A motion was made by Christianson to POSTPONE this decision to the December 12 Assembly meeting to allow for additional time for public review of the business case and lease document. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Richard Wein emphasized the significance of subsistence and advocated for the City to shift from tourism promotion to tourism management. Kent Barkhau expressed disappointment about not being reappointed to the Sustainability Commission, voiced energy concerns, and thanked the Assembly for their service. Thor Christianson commented on the Wrangell landslide. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Administrator - Leach extended condolences to the community of Wrangell, announced Mike Schmetzer was the Interim Utility Director, told of discussions with the Department of Energy, and mentioned the City's potential attendance at the Pacific Northwest Cruise Symposium in January. Liaison Representatives - Carlson and Ystad reported on the Tourism Task Force. Clerk - Peterson outlined December meetings and reviewed vacancies on boards and commissions. Other - Christianson relayed he and Assembly Member Pike were working on an ordinance mandating permits and emission standards testing for large diesel buses used to shuttle visitors. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Ystad to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 8:24pm. ATTEST: ____________________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4