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, April 9, 2024 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. 24-053 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) None. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final April 9, 2024 Lisa Busch, outgoing Sitka Sound Science Center Director, introduced new Director Dr. Arleigh Reynolds, and thanked the Assembly for their support. Krisanne Rice encouraged an amendment to Sitka General Code All-Purpose Vehicles chapter to allow ATV's to pull utility trailers. Richard Wein thanked Lisa Busch and told of tourism affects on Sitka. IX. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Ystad 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 24-049 Approve the minutes of the March 26 Assembly meeting This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS B 24-050 Reappoint 1) Mike Johnson to a two-year term on the Gary Paxton Industrial Park Board and Appoint 1) Candace Rutledge to an unexpired term on the Historic Preservation Commission and 2) Candace Rutledge to an unexpired term on the Parks and Recreation Committee Richard Wein commented. A motion was made by Christianson that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: C ORD 24-07S Amending Title 4 "Revenue and Finance" of the Sitka General Code by updating Chapter 4.85 "Driver Facility Charge" Municipal Clerk Sara Peterson stated after the March 26 meeting it was discovered that the effective date of the ordinance should be October 1, 2024. The substitute ordinance included in the packet displayed the correct date. Public Works Director Ron Vinson relayed the department already notified the car rental companies about the forthcoming change. Richard Wein commented. Carlson spoke in opposition stating the overall tax percentage, currently 20%, was high. A motion was made by Carlson that this substitute ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final April 9, 2024 Yes: 5- Christianson, Mosher, Ystad, Pike, and Saline No: 1- Carlson Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz XII. NEW BUSINESS: New Business First Reading D ORD 24-08 Authorizing a property tax exemption for the Sheldon Jackson Child Care Center (“SJCCC”) for the property located at 111 John Brady Drive Assessor Larry Reeder stated two community purpose exemption applications had been received of which required assembly approval. Municipal Attorney Brian Hanson reiterated that an optional exemption required authorization by the governing body. Lolly Miller and Allison Hackett of Sheldon Jackson Child Care Center spoke to their application. Speaking in support were Kari Sagel, Richard Wein, Samantha Connor, and Aiden Lafriniere. A discussion of the Assembly ensued. *Municipal Clerk note - after the April 9 meeting, the Assessor determined a nonprofit child care institution qualified for the mandatory education property tax exemption. This ordinance was determined to be unnecessary and therefore no further action was required. A motion was made by Ystad 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 E ORD 24-09 Authorizing a property tax exemption for the Youth Advocates of Sitka, Inc. (“YAS”) for the property located at 3411 Halibut Point Road Heather Meuriet, Youth Advocates of Sitka (YAS) Executive Director, spoke to the application. She relayed other YAS properties received the exemption. Richard Wein commented. Assembly Members discussed the exemption request and questioned Meuriet about YAS funding and occupancy of the Halibut Point Road facility. Municipal Attorney Brian Hanson reminded Sitka General Code and Alaska Statute gave the Assembly discretion to grant the optional exemption. A motion was made by Christianson that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 4- Mosher, Pike, Carlson, and Saline CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final April 9, 2024 No: 2- Christianson, and Ystad Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz Additional New Business Items F 24-051 Authorize the Municipal Administrator to apply to the CY23 US Department of Energy Grid Deployment Office Section 242: Hydroelectric Production Incentive Program Bri Gabel, Sustainability Coordinator, and Mike Schmetzer, Interim Utility Director, explained the program provided incentive payments to qualified hydroelectric facilities. Gabel stated for calendar years 2021 and 2022, the City received a $2 million allocation which was used to offset FY25 rate increases. The application was for calendar year 2023 and if received, pending approval from the Assembly with the intention of using the funds. A motion was made by Ystad that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Eisenbeisz G RES 24-10 Urging Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) to consider re-establishing a Medicare Certified Home Health Care Department Cosponsors Mosher and Pike introduced the resolution. Speaking in support were Marilyn Corruzi, Connie Kreiss, Elizabeth Faulkner, Pete Karras Jr., Stephanie Swink Weddel, Brian Weddel, Austin Cranford, and Bitsy Mosher. Robert Haddell and Richard Wein commented. Assembly Members expressed support for the resolution. A motion was made by Pike that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING. 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 spoke to item G and offered comments on tourism. Austin Cranford commented on the April 4 budget meeting and resource proposal requests for the Fire Department and Police Department. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Liaison Representatives - Saline commented on the copier at the Library, Carlson CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final April 9, 2024 reported on the Tourism Task Force. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION H 24-052 Financial Matter: Finance Department Operations A motion was made by Christianson to go into executive session with Finance Director Melissa Haley and Acting Administrator Amy Ainslie concerning finance department matters, the immediate knowledge of which would adversely affect the finances of the municipality. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6 - Ystad, Carlson, Mosher, Pike, Christianson, and Saline Absent: 1 - Eisenbeisz A motion was made by Christianson to reconvene as the Assembly in regular session. The motion PASSED by a unanimous voice vote. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Christianson to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 8:58 p.m. ATTEST: _____________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5