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 23, 2024 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers REGULAR MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. RECITAL OF LANDS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IV. ROLL CALL Assembly Member Christianson left meeting at 7:00 p.m. Present: 7 - Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES Mayor Eisenbeisz stated Ordinance 2024-08 would not be coming forward for second reading. After the April 9 meeting, the Assessor had further researched the matter and determined a nonprofit child care institution qualified for the mandatory education property tax exemption. Ordinance 2024-08 was determined to be unnecessary and no further action was required. 24-065 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) CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final April 23, 2024 School Board President Tristan Guevin provided an update. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Valorie Nelson spoke of Administration, Electric, and Police Department operations. Richard Wein commented on State news, the Electric Department quarterly report, and tourism levels. IX. CONSENT AGENDA Richard Wein commented. 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 24-063 Approve the minutes of the April 4, 9, and 16 Assembly meetings This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B 24-062 Approve a package store sampling endorsement application for Triple C Ventures, Inc. dba Watson Point Liquors at 1867 Halibut Point Road This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS C 24-061 Reappoint Katherine Prussian to a three-year term on the Parks and Recreation Committee and Appoint Austin Cranford to an unexpired term on the Police and Fire Commission A motion was made by Christianson to appoint Katherine Prussian to a three-year term on the Parks and Recreation Committee. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7 - Ystad, Eisenbeisz, Carlson, Mosher, Pike, Christianson, and Saline Richard Wein commented. A motion was made by Saline to appoint Austin Cranford to an unexpired term on the Police and Fire Commission. The motion FAILED by the following vote. Yes: 2 - Saline and Eisenbeisz No: 5 - Christianson, Carlson, Pike, Ystad, and Mosher Richard Wein and Valorie Nelson commented. Eisenbeisz asked questions of Cranford. XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final April 23, 2024 D ORD 24-07S Amending Title 4 "Revenue and Finance" of the Sitka General Code by updating Chapter 4.85 "Driver Facility Charge" Richard Wein, Valorie Nelson, and Austin Cranford commented. A motion was made by Mosher that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, and Saline No: 1- Carlson E ORD 24-09A Authorizing a property tax exemption for the Youth Advocates of Sitka, Inc. (“YAS”) for the property located at 3411 Halibut Point Road Valorie Nelson spoke in opposition and Richard Wein commented. Heather Meuriet and Keith Brady spoke in support. Municipal Attorney Brian Hanson reminded the exemption was optional and the Assembly needed to decide whether they wished to approve. Pike suggested a temporary exemption. A motion was made by Pike to AMEND the ordinance so that the exemption would sunset after one year. The amendment PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5 - Pike, Ystad, Saline, Eisenbeisz, and Carlson No: 1 - Mosher Absent: 1 - Christianson Richard Wein and Keith Brady commented. A motion was made by Mosher that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING AS AMENDED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 1- Christianson XII. NEW BUSINESS: F 24-064 Authorize the Municipal Administrator to apply to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant to support recycling and municipal fleet electrification Sustainability Coordinator Bri Gabel explained the funding opportunity. Richard Wein spoke in support. A motion was made by Ystad that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final April 23, 2024 Absent: 1- Christianson XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Richard Wein expressed the need for a review of community purpose exemptions and commented on the Electric Department quarterly report. Austin Cranford commented on the Electric Department quarterly report and his board/commission application. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz provided a review of the lobbying trip. Administrator - Leach reported on the lobbying trip and the Northwest Manager's Conference. Clerk - Peterson provide a list of upcoming meetings. Other - Mosher commented on the potential for housing development in the Indian River valley. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Ystad to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 8:07 p.m. ATTEST: _______________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4