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: Rachel Jones Municipal Clerk: Sara Peterson Tuesday, October 8, 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 24-160 Reminders, Calendars, and General Correspondence No agenda changes. VI. CEREMONIAL MATTERS 24-147 Proclamation - Indigenous Peoples' Day Mayor Eisenbeisz read a proclamation reaffirming Indigenous Peoples' Day. VII. SPECIAL REPORTS: Government to Government, Municipal Boards/Commissions/Committees, Municipal Departments, School District, Students and Guests (five minute time limit) Acting Public Works Director Amy Ainslie told of street repair work. 24-148 1) Sitka Police Department - Chief Robert Baty and 2) Update on Energy CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final October 8, 2024 Planning Projects, Sustainability Coordinator Bri Gabel Police Chief Robert Baty and Sustainability Coordinator Bri Gabel reported. VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Julia Nabua spoke of upcoming events to celebrate Filipino American History Month. Leah Mason, former mayoral candidate, thanked citizens for their support, suggested hiring a Public Works Director be prioritized, and thanked those who had searched for David Jackson. Eric Jordan spoke positively of heat pumps and electric vehicles. Arleigh Reynolds, Sitka Sound Science Center Executive Director, extended an invitation to Whale Fest, November 1-3. IX. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Christianson that the Consent Agenda consisting of Item A be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline A 24-149 Approve the minutes of the September 24 Assembly meeting This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS None. XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: B ORD 24-23 Making supplemental appropriations for fiscal year 2025 (Emergency Response Vessel Electronics / Harbor Department Equipment) A motion was made by Mosher that this Ordinance be APPROVED on SECOND AND FINAL READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline C 24-150 Approve the Municipal Clerk's Certificate of Election A motion was made by Christianson to formally accept the Certificate of Election for the October 1, 2024, Regular Municipal Election according to the results set forth in the attached election certification prepared by the Municipal Clerk and request that the official tally be included in the minutes as part of the permanent record. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline XII. NEW BUSINESS: D 24-152 Oath of Office - Newly Elected Officials CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final October 8, 2024 Kevin Mosher and Scott Saline were sworn in as assembly members for three-year terms. Steven Eisenbeisz was sworn in as mayor for a two-year term. E 24-153 Reappoint Gerry Hope to a three-year term on the Sustainability Commission A motion was made by Mosher that this Item be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline F 24-154 Approve a liquor license renewal application for Dpjt, Inc. dba Nugget Restaurant at 600 Airport Drive 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 G RES 24-16 Authorizing the Municipal Administrator to apply for and execute loans offered under Clean Water and Drinking Water loan programs (1st and final reading) Acting Public Works Director Amy Ainslie provided an overview. A motion was made by Ystad that this Resolution be APPROVED on FIRST AND FINAL READING. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline H 24-155 Discussion/ Direction/ Decision on expanding the scope of Project 90990 “Blatchley Heat Pump Replacement” Acting Public Works Director Amy Ainslie summarized the item. Pike disclosed the heat pumps in need of repair were located at his place of employment. No conflict was noted. A motion was made by Christianson to rename Project 90990 "Blatchley Heat Pump Replacement" to Project 90990 "School Heat Pump Replacement." The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 7- Christianson, Mosher, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, Pike, Carlson, and Saline I 24-156 Discussion/ Direction/ Decision on future operations of the animal control facility at 209 Jarvis Street Municipal Administrator John Leach, Police Chief Robert Baty, and representatives of Friends of the Sitka Animal Shelter, Kristina Tirman and Dusty Kidd, shared their perspective on recent issues at the shelter. The consensus was for the parties to meet and collaborate on a revised memorandum of understanding, restore volunteer access to the shelter, and pursue long-term solutions, such as code revisions. J 24-158 Discussion/ Direction/ Decision on rescheduling the two regular December meetings Due to staff and assembly travel the week of December 9, and the Christmas Eve CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final October 8, 2024 holiday, the December meetings were rescheduled to December 17 and 30. K 24-157 Assignments: Deputy Mayor, Vice-Deputy Mayor, and Assembly Liaisons Christianson and Pike were nominated for Deputy Mayor. A vote was taken. Christianson received 1 vote and Pike received 6. Pike was appointed Deputy Mayor. Carlson was nominated for Vice Deputy Mayor. Hearing no other nominations, Carlson was appointed Vice Deputy Mayor. The following liaison appointments were made: Gary Paxton Industrial Park Board - Ystad / Christianson Health Needs and Human Services - Carlson / Mosher Historic Preservation - Saline / Carlson Investment - Eisenbeisz / Carlson Library - Saline / Pike Local Emergency Planning - Mosher / Christianson Parks and Recreation - Mosher / Ystad Planning - Christianson / Ystad Police and Fire - Pike / Mosher Port and Harbors - Ystad / Mosher Sustainability - Christianson / Mosher Tree and Landscape - Saline / Pike SEDA - Eisenbeisz / Christianson Sitka Tribe of Alaska - Eisenbeisz / Pike School Board - Saline / Pike XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Austin Cranford, Jim Rogers, Linda Behnken, Victoria O'Connell Curran, Dr. Wolf, Allison Brazel, Kate Johnson, Sydney Stong, Patricia Durham, Tabitha Sutton, Miriam Taylor, and Leah Mason spoke to the operations of the animal shelter. Linda Behnken commented on the boat haul out. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other Mayor - Eisenbeisz reported on Southeast Conference. Administrator - Leach reported on Southeast Conference. Attorney - Jones thanked staff for helping her transition to her new role. Liaison Representatives - Ystad reported on the recent Parks and Recreation meeting. Clerk - Peterson thanked her team and election workers for their hard work to make a successful election happen. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION L 24-159 Legal Matter - Baranof Taxi & Tours, LLC, and Thaddeus & Melissa A. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 4 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final October 8, 2024 Lara v. Robert M. Baty Outside legal counsel was unable to join the call. The item was pulled. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Christianson to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 10:19 p.m. ATTEST: __________________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 5