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, January 23, 2024 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. 24-015 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 told of the annual retreat and December business meeting items. 24-010 FY2023 ACFR/Audit - BDO, Joy Merriner Joy Merriner provided a summary of the FY23 audit. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final January 23, 2024 VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Sam Pointer commented on City leadership. Richard Wein commented on Department of Education and tourism in Sitka. IX. CONSENT AGENDA None. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS A 24-009 Appoint one to an unexpired term on the Tourism Task Force: 1) Ian Dempster 2) Ryan Gluth Ian Dempster and Ryan Gluth were nominated for the at-large seat. Richard Wein, Klaudia Leccese, and Barb Bingham commented. A vote of the Assembly was taken. Dempster - 1 vote Gluth - 6 votes Ryan Gluth was appointed to the At-Large seat. XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: B ORD 24-01A Amending Title 11 "Vehicles and Traffic" of the Sitka General Code by updating Chapter 11.75 "All-Purpose Vehicles" Mike Finn and Richard Wein commented. A motion to AMEND was made by Ystad to strike "Section G. Hours of Operation." The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7 - Christianson, Carlson, Saline, Pike, Ystad, Mosher, and Eisenbeisz A motion was made by Christianson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING AS AMENDED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. C ORD 24-02 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2024 (Fishermen's Work Float Fortification) Richard Wein commented. Members commented on benefits of having a work float and suggested exploring a fee structure. 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 No: 1- Eisenbeisz CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final January 23, 2024 XII. NEW BUSINESS: New Business First Reading D ORD 24-03 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2024 (Mid-Year Supplemental Appropriations) Finance Director Melissa Haley told of fiscal implications. Richard Wein and Austin Cranford commented. Staff answered questions regarding line items. A motion was made by Mosher 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 E ORD 24-04 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2024 (Thomsen Harbor Lift Station Replacement) Public Works Director Ron Vinson stated the lift station, in operation since 1984, had reached the end of its lifecycle. Vinson reviewed the cost increase drivers and risk analysis. Finance Director Melissa Haley added this ordinance combined the appropriation and authorization to apply for additional loan funding. Richard Wein and Austin Cranford commented. The Assembly discussed the need to proceed, project contingencies, and possible rate increases. A motion was made by Carlson 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 Additional New Business Items F 24-011 Discussion/ Direction/ Decision on the recruitment process for a Municipal Attorney Eisenbeisz gave a summary of the process. Consensus was to finalize the job description, advertise in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest, with the first review of applications April 1. G RES 24-04 Authorizing the Municipal Administrator to apply for the Alaska Energyshed Project Bri Gable, the Sustainability Coordinator, discussed a funding opportunity that would require a relatively small City match and assist in creating an Electric Department inventory database. Richard Wein commented. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final January 23, 2024 A motion was made by Ystad 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 H RES 24-05 Submitting City and Borough of Sitka FY2025 State Legislative Priorities to State of Alaska and 2024 Legislature Public and Government Relations Director Melissa Henshaw reviewed the FY25 legislative priorities and unfunded mandates. A motion was made by Ystad 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 I 24-012 Discussion/ Direction/ Decision on convention and visitor bureau services Sponsors Carlson and Mosher briefed the Assembly on the timeline, existing contract, and suggested a review to determine alignment with current needs and whether a change in scope was warranted. Assembly consensus was a change of scope was needed and decided to schedule a work session for further discussion. J 24-013 Discussion/ Direction/ Decision on the Katlian Street sidewalk closure Sponsors Saline and Christianson wished to review risk analysis, expressing concerns regarding pedestrian safety on the streets. Municipal Administrator John Leach commented on the different agencies involved and conversations he'd had with Municipal Attorney Brian Hanson regarding risk management and public safety. Alexandra Schauer Sitka Tribe of Alaska (STA) Realty and Tero Officer conveyed that the properties were held in trust requiring approval from the Federal Government for any action taken. Schauer noted STA had been working with the property owners for several years and were actively engaged in ongoing discussions with both the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the owners to determine next steps. XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Peter Hagan commented on tourism impacts in Sitka. Robert Moelder commented on issues at the Police Department. Richard Wein commented on agenda items G and J. Austin Cranford commented on agenda items B, C, and J. Gary Cranford commented on agenda items B and J. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Administrator - Leach reviewed upcoming travel. Liaison Representatives - Carlson reported on the Tourism Task Force and Ystad on the Port and Harbors Commission. Clerk - Peterson reviewed board/commission vacancies and relayed the upcoming meeting schedule. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final January 23, 2024 Other - Mosher talked about recent changes to SEARHC Home Health. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION K 24-014 1) Legal Matter: Sitka Police Department Operations 2) Legal Matter: Labor Relations Issues A motion was made by Saline to go into executive session to receive a verbal report from Police Chief Robert Baty concerning legal matters involving operations of the Sitka Police Department affecting the municipality and invite outside legal counsel Kimberly Geariety to participate telephonically. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7 - Christianson, Carlson, Saline, Pike, Ystad, Mosher, and Eisenbeisz Austin Cranford spoke in opposition. Robert Molder requested to be invited into executive session. The Assembly was in executive session from 9:45pm to 10:25pm. A motion was made by Mosher to reconvene as the Assembly in regular session. The motion PASSED by unanimous consent. A motion was made by Mosher to extend the meeting to 11:00pm. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7 - Carlson, Ystad, Saline, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Pike, and Christianson A motion was made by Carlson to go into executive session to discuss with outside legal counsel Kimberly Geariety, legal matters, specifically labor relations issues, affecting the municipality or legal consequences of past, present or future municipal actions, and invite in Police Chief Robert Baty and Interim Utility Director Mike Schmetzer. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7 - Pike, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Saline, Carlson, Christianson, and Ystad The Assembly was in executive session from 10:30pm to 10:56pm. A motion was made by Christianson to reconvene as the Assembly in regular session. The motion PASSED by unanimous consent. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Pike to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 10:58pm. ATTEST: ________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5