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, February 13, 2024 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers REGULAR MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. RECITAL OF LANDS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IV. ROLL CALL Present: 5 - Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, and Saline Absent: 2 - Pike, and Carlson V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES 24-020 Reminders, Calendar, 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) VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Richard Wein commented on Super Bowl 2024 and suggested the City forecast economic realities. Tyler Green mentioned the lack of pool hours and commented on the Katlian Street sidewalk closure. Leah Mason shared Transition Sitka's goals to CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final February 13, 2024 accomplish by Earth Day 2030. Kevin Mosher, Assembly Liaison for the Sustainability Commission, encouraged citizens to provide their feedback on the Sitka Community Renewable Energy Strategy through a survey available on the City's website. IX. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Mosher that the Consent Agenda consisting of item A be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, and Saline Absent: 2- Pike, and Carlson A 24-018 Approve the minutes of the January 9 and January 23 Assembly meetings This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS B 24-019 Reappoint: 1) Annette Evans to a three-year term on the Health Needs and Human Services Commission and 2) Margie Esquiro to a three-year term on the Library Commission Richard Wein commented. A motion was made by Christianson that this item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, and Saline Absent: 2- Pike, and Carlson XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: C ORD 24-01A Amending Title 11 "Vehicles and Traffic" of the Sitka General Code by updating Chapter 11.75 "All-Purpose Vehicles" 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: 5- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, and Saline Absent: 2- Pike, and Carlson D ORD 24-03 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2024 (Mid-Year Supplemental Appropriations) Richard Wein commented. A motion was made by Christianson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final February 13, 2024 Yes: 5- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, and Saline Absent: 2- Pike, and Carlson E ORD 24-04 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2024 (Thomsen Harbor Lift Station Replacement) A motion was made by Mosher that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, and Saline Absent: 2- Pike, and Carlson XII. NEW BUSINESS: F RES 24-06 Supporting the State of Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Airport Runway Seawall Project for the Sitka Rocky Gutierrez Airport A motion was made by Christianson that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, and Saline Absent: 2- Pike, and Carlson G RES 24-07 Adopting the 2022-2027 Strategic Plan Updates Consultant Sara Singer Wilson provided an overview of the Strategic Plan, a recap of the recent Assembly workshop, and proposed updates. Next steps involve conducting a survey to prioritize actions within each strategic plan goal area. Richard Wein commented. Assembly Members thanked Singer Wilson. A motion was made by Mosher that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, and Saline Absent: 2- Pike, and Carlson H ORD 24-05 Amending Title 11 “Vehicles and Traffic” of the Sitka General Code by adding Chapter 11.85 “Commercial Bus Permits” (1st reading) Thor Christianson, a cosponsor, noted numerous bus complaints received by the Assembly. He and Assembly Member Pike brought the ordinance forward to provide an opportunity for community and Assembly comment. Leah Mason, Barbara Bingham, Larry Edwards, and Martina Kruzer spoke in support. Trudy Prewitt, Robert Emley, Chuck Trierschield, Cynthia Gibson, Ryan Harris, Bethany Lowrance, Sara Hadad-Dembs, Chris McGraw, Michelle Barker, Jamey Cagle, Andy Nye, and Alexa Blickenstaff spoke in opposition. Richard Wein CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final February 13, 2024 commented. Eisenbeisz disclosed he was a downtown business owner. Deputy Mayor Mosher didn't believe there to be a conflict. A discussion of the Assembly ensued with a majority voicing opposition. A motion was made by Christianson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion FAILED by the following vote. Yes: 1- Christianson No: 4- Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, and Saline Absent: 2- Pike, and Carlson XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Barbara Bingham spoke of tourism best management practices and her experience serving on the Tourism Task Force. Leah Mason commented on the engineering of local roads. Richard Wein and Ryan Harris commented on item H. Larry Edwards told of increased cruise bookings and stated the need for management. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz provided a summary of his experience at the Pacific Northwest Cruise Symposium. Administrator - Leach also provided a summary of the Pacific Northwest Cruise Symposium and Southeast Conference. Attorney - Hanson stated he continued to work remotely. Liaison Representatives - Mosher reported on the Parks and Recreation Committee. Saline noted there were issues with the Library copier. Clerk - Peterson reviewed upcoming meeting dates. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Ystad to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 8:35pm. ATTEST: ___________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4