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, September 10, 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 Municipal Administrator John Leach discussed the letter from the Department of Energy included in the packet. 24-138 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) VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Richard Wein requested an update on the Mud Bay repeater project and emphasized the need for improved communication in the area. He also suggested hosting an Internet-free day to encourage community interaction.. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final September 10, 2024 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. Present: 7 - Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline A 24-133 Approve the minutes of the August 22 and 27 Assembly meetings This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B 24-134 Approve a liquor license renewal application for Beak, LLC dba Beak Restaurant at 2 Lincoln Street, Suite 1A This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS None. XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None. XII. NEW BUSINESS: New Business First Reading C ORD 24-22 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2025 (EECGB - Recycling and Municipal Fleet Electrification) Sustainability Coordinator Bri Gabel announced the Department of Energy (DOE) had approved the application submitted in April. CBS been awarded $75,300, which was used to collaborate with staff on project identification. The Sustainability Commission reviewed this and provided recommendations. To access this funding, CBS needs to first spend the project funds, requiring a supplemental appropriation of $75,300. Receipts will then be submitted to the EECBG program for reimbursement, which would be recorded as revenue to offset costs. A motion was made by Christianson 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 Additional New Business Items D 24-136 Award of the FY25 Annual General Fund Non-Profit Grants A motion was made by Christianson to award the following FY25 General Fund Non-Profit Grants in the category of Human Services. The motion PASSED by the following vote. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final September 10, 2024 Yes: 7 - Carlson, Ystad, Pike Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Saline, and Christianson Brave Heart Volunteers $9,921 Sitka Counseling and Prevention Services $3,764 Sitka Homeless Coalition $5,407 Southeast Alaska Independent Living $4,493 United Methodist Church of Sitka $1,129 A motion was made by Carlson to award the following FY25 General Fund Non-Profit Grants in the category of Cultural & Educational Services. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7 - Christianson, Carlson,Saline, Pike, Ystad, Mosher, and Eisenbeisz Alaska Arts Southeast (Sitka Fine Arts Camp) $2,622 Outer Coast $1,061 Sitka Conservation Society $1,847 Sitka Maritime Heritage Society $2,837 Sitka Music Festival $1,490 A motion was made by Mosher to award the following FY25 General Fund Non-Profit Grants in the category of Community Development. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7 - Carlson, Ystad, Saline, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Pike, and Christianson Alaska Heat Smart $2,143 Friends of the Sitka Animal Shelter $2,357 Greater Sitka Fine Arts Council $1,429 Sitka Trail Works $4,071 E 24-137 Discussion/ Direction/ Decision on Visitor Industry Data Collection Assembly member Carlson reviewed the memo included in the packet. Ystad highlighted the Tourism Task Force's concerns about the urgent need for data in the visitor industry to guide effective decision-making. Carlson pointed out the last comprehensive state survey was conducted in 2016, and the necessity for updated information. She outlined two key recommendations: First, to conduct an online community survey managed by the Planning and Community Development Department to gather insights from local residents, and second, to collaborate with an independent research firm to conduct studies, including economic impact assessments, aiming to launch these efforts by summer 2025. Ystad emphasized the Tourism Task Force's primary goal was to accurately assess tourism, which depends on obtaining reliable data. The discussion concluded with a consensus on the need for more information before making decisions,to ensure actions are based on sound data. Municipal Administrator John Leach would develop a Request for Information (RFI) for visitor industry data collection services and will report back to the Assembly with findings and a potential budget. F 24-135 Decision on whether to allow sales tax free day(s) following the Thanksgiving holiday and set date(s) Eisenbeisz recused himself. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final September 10, 2024 Richard Wein and Rachel Roy commented. A motion was made by Christianson to authorize November 29 and November 30 as Sales Tax Free Days for 2024 noting the sales tax free days will not be applicable to any sale of fuel, alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, and marijuana, nor affect any sale which is part of a continuing obligation of the buyer to pay the seller over time. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 6- Christianson, Mosher, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline Recused: 1- Eisenbeisz XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Austin Cranford spoke to item E. Richard Wein spoke to items E and F. Robert Hattle expressed his gratitude to Assembly members Carlson and Ystad on their work on item E and urged the Assembly to consider hiring a third party for data collection. Rachel Roy spoke about professional development and thanked Assembly members Carlson and Ystad for their efforts on item E. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz discussed his attendance at the summer Alaska Municipal League meeting in Kodiak and mentioned he would be unavailable for the September 24 Assembly meeting due to the Southeast Conference. Administrator - Leach provided an update on the Southeast Conference, noted staffing levels have improved, and on law enforcement recruitment efforts have increased. Liaison representatives - Saline spoke about the lack of air conditioning at the library and the windows being closed up. Clerk - Peterson reviewed the voting options for eligible voters, discussed vacancies on boards and commissions, and outlined the upcoming meeting schedule. Other - Carlson and Pike will continue working on addressing e-bikes and e-bike rentals, including developing code language and signage. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION None. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Mosher to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 7:45 p.m. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final September 10, 2024 ATTEST: ___________________________ Jessica Earnshaw, CMC Deputy Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5