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 Clerk: Sara Peterson Tuesday, July 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: 7 - Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES 24-098 Reminders, Calendars, and General Correspondence No agenda changes. 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) 24-096 Update - Sitka Airport Terminal Improvement Project Airport Manager Joseph Bea provided an update on the progress of the Sitka Airport Terminal Improvement construction. He reviewed completed milestones, upcoming objectives, stakeholder collaboration, and presented a preliminary concept for temporary aircraft parking. He mentioned the decommission of the jet bridge for the CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final July 9, 2024 next 10 months, starting this month, and provided specifics regarding the project schedule. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Klaudia Lecesse and Peter Hagan spoke on recent efforts to restrict tourism in Sitka, noting their ongoing work on a fourth application. They requested two assembly members to sponsor an agenda item directing attorneys to collaborate on suitable language for the next initiative. Richard Wein noted Sitka's dependence on fossil fuels and the significant decrease in consumer spending. Austin Cranford addressed the recent rejection of a citizen initiative. Joel Hanson provided an update on the community garden proposal. Rachel Roy, Director of the Chamber of Commerce, reported on their recent events and activities. IX. CONSENT AGENDA None. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS A 24-097 Appoint Michelle Kavouras to a three-year term on the Health Needs and Human Services Commission Richard Wein commented. A motion was made by Christianson that this item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: B 24-094 Action Plan for Tourism Task Force Recommendations (postponed at the 6/25 Assembly meeting) Amy Ainslie, Planning & Community Development Director, provided an overview of the Action Plan for the Tourism Task Force Recommendations. The Assembly discussed continuing recommendations and projects, expressing concerns about changing priorities, staff shortages, and the necessity of managing visitor numbers.They voted on the current task list and appropriately assigning responsibilities. XII. NEW BUSINESS: C RES 24-14 Approving submittal and execution of a Municipal Harbor Facility Grant Tier II application to the State of Alaska, Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) in the amount of $240,408 for the Eliason Harbor Float System and Utilities Repairs Project (1st and final reading) Harbor Master Stan Eliason provided an overview of the grant. He noted this grant CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final July 9, 2024 opportunity was brought forward to the Port and Harbors Commission meeting in May. Ystad expressed this was crucial maintenance work at Eliason Harbor and a wise use of funds. Mosher expressed gratitude to Stan for pursuing this grant. Richard Wein commented. A motion was made by Mosher 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 D RES 24-15 Authorizing a 50/50 matching grant application to the Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance for body-worn cameras (1st and final reading) Lieutenant Jean Achee explained the grant. He mentioned they were currently evaluating the Axon system, which encompasses a digital evidence locker and AI-powered redaction. He noted this specific grant amount was subject to review by boards. Richard Wein commented and Austin Cranford spoke in support. Christianson and Mosher thanked the Police Department on seeking this grant opportunity. A motion was made by Christianson 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 E ORD 24-19 Amending the official Sitka zoning map to rezone 201 Price Street from Industrial (I) to General Commercial Mobile Home (C-2) Planning & Community Development Director Amy Ainslie explained the property owner's request was reviewed by the Planning Commission and staff with no objections. Richard Wein commented. 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 F ORD 24-20 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2025 (Chamber/Visit Sitka Base and Supplemental Funding) JJ Carlson, a cosponsor, reviewed the additional funding proposal which would allocate resources from the Visitor Enhancement Fund to support several specific initiatives outlined in the current Convention and Visitor's Bureau Services contract. She noted these expenditures were intended to be sourced from the Visitor Enhancement Fund. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final July 9, 2024 The Assembly deliberated on the organization's mission to enhance tourism for both cruise ship passengers and non-cruise visitors. It was decided to maintain the current funding level of $275,000, pending a financial review, without further reductions. They discussed the necessity of adjusting the base contract's payment schedule to align with the fiscal year rather than the calendar year. This adjustment was seen as a measure to prevent disruptions during the tourism season. Additionally, there was consideration of requesting an annual report from the Sitka Convention and Visitor's Bureau. A motion was made by Ystad that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline No: 1- Christianson G ORD 24-16 Proposing to amend Section 11.13 “Administration of Budget” of the Home Rule Charter and, submitting the question of such an amendment to the qualified voters at the regular election on October 1, 2024 Municipal Clerk Sara Peterson discussed the proposed amendment. Finance Director Melissa Haley explained this amendment would eliminate references to the former Sitka Community Hospital in the Charter's accounting sections, as the hospital is no longer operational. Richard Wein commented. A motion was made by Ystad 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 H ORD 24-17 Proposing to amend Section 20.01 “Sitka Community Hospital Dedicated Fund” of the Home Rule Charter and, submitting the question of such an amendment to the qualified voters at the regular election on October 1, 2024 (1st reading) A motion was made by Mosher that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion FAILED by the following vote. Yes: 1- Eisenbeisz No: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline I ORD 24-18 Proposing to amend Section 6.02 “Recall” of the Home Rule Charter and, submitting the question of such an amendment to the qualified voters at the regular election on October 1, 2024 Municipal Clerk Sara Peterson explained this would amend the Home Rule Charter to CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final July 9, 2024 align the process for recalling elected officials with Alaska State law. Richard Wein and Austin Cranford commented. 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 XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Larry Edwards commented on agenda item B. Robert Hattle thanked Assembly member Carlson. Peter Hagan commented on tourism impacts in Sitka. Austin Cranford spoke about body cameras, and Sitka Community Hospital. Richard Wein commented on the Tourism Task Force Action Plan. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz reported on his meetings with cruise lines agencies. Administrator - Leach reported on visit from Senator Murkowski DC staff last week. Clerk - Peterson reviewed the candidate filing period for the October 1 Municipal Election and reviewed vacancies on boards/ commissions. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Ystad to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 9:45 p.m. ATTEST: _______________________________ Jessica Earnshaw, CMC Acting Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5