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, June 11, 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 - Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 2 - Christianson, and Pike V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES Eisenbeisz stated item J had been pulled. He added item I had been changed to a discussion/direction item to see if the Assembly was interested in moving forward and noted the Municipal Attorney hadn't reviewed the item. 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 discussed the use of fossil fuels, changes to the Covid-19 vaccine and related issues for recipients, and a fraud incident involving the City and Borough of Sitka. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final June 11, 2024 Rachel Roy gave an update on the Chamber of Commerce Board's top three initiatives. IX. CONSENT AGENDA 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: 5- Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 2- Christianson, and Pike A 24-081 Approve the minutes of the April 23, May 14, 16, and May 28 Assembly meetings This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B 24-082 Approve the following liquor license documents: 1) a renewal application for Bayview Pub, LLC dba Bayview Restaurant at 407 Lincoln Street Suite 201 2) a renewal application for The Sitka Hotel, LLC dba The Sitka Hotel at 118 Lincoln Street This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS C 24-083 Reappoint Roberta (Roby) Littlefield to a three-year term on the Historic Preservation Commission Richard Wein commented. A motion was made by Ystad that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 2- Christianson, and Pike XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: D ORD 24-14 Amending Title 15 “Public Utilities” of the Sitka General Code by updating Chapter 15.10 “Water System”, Section 410 “Joint Service Connections” 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- Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 2- Christianson, and Pike XII. NEW BUSINESS: CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final June 11, 2024 New Business First Reading E ORD 24-15 Authorizing the lease of Alaska Tideland Survey No. 580 to Evergreen Properties, LLC Planning and Community Development Director Amy Ainslie gave an overview and noted the Planning Commission recommended approval of the lease, provided the site remain designated as a mobile home park. A motion was made by Ystad that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 2- Christianson, and Pike Additional New Business Items F 24-084 Consideration and award of the request for proposals submitted for the available funds in the Fisheries Enhancement Fund Linda Behnken spoke to the ALFA proposal. Arleigh Reynolds summarized the proposal submitted by the Sitka Sound Science Center. Jeff Feldpausch told of the Sitka Tribe of Alaska proposal. Richard Wein, Emily Scott, and Eric Jordan spoke in support. A motion was made by Mosher to award $15,998.66 to the Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association, award $15,998.66 to the Sitka Sound Science Center, and award $15,998.66 to the Sitka Tribe of Alaska. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 2- Christianson, and Pike G 24-086 Authorize the Municipal Administrator to request a subaward in the amount of $149,979 from Sitka Tribe of Alaska for the Department of Energy Grid Resilience State/Tribal Formula Grants Program through the Grid Deployment Office as the electric grid operator to support currently budgeted projects with a 30% match commitment Public and Government Relations Director Melissa Wileman and Sustainability Coordinator Bri Gabel explained the funding opportunity and collaboration with Sitka Tribe of Alaska. Richard Wein commented. A motion was made by Mosher that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 5- Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Carlson, and Saline Absent: 2- Christianson, and Pike CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final June 11, 2024 H 24-085 Discussion / Direction / Decision on supplemental funding for Visit Sitka Assembly members discussed various options, including providing additional funding, issuing a request for proposals, and conducting a financial review of the allocation and use of city funds disbursed under the 2018 contract with the Greater Sitka Chamber of Commerce. I 24-087 Review and analysis of options for responding to the halibut bycatch issue Eisenbeisz reminded this was a discussion/direction item. Assembly members agreed it was the in the city's best interest to have the brief reviewed by legal counsel. XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Linda Behnken expressed appreciation for the amicus brief review. Richard Wein spoke to item H. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz met recently with Representative Himschoot and Sitka Tribe of Alaska Chairman Lawrence Widmark. Administrator - Leach mentioned Open Finance was working again and announced a congressional earmark had been made for the Gary Paxton Industrial Park haul out. Clerk - Peterson reviewed board/commission vacancies and upcoming election information. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION J 24-088 Personnel matter concerning the status of the Municipal Attorney PULLED Item was PULLED. No action taken. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Ystad to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 8:11 p.m. ATTEST: _____________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4