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 Timothy Pike, Vice Deputy Mayor JJ Carlson, Kevin Mosher, Scott Saline, Chris Ystad, Thor Christianson Municipal Administrator: John Leach Municipal Attorney: Rachel Jones Municipal Clerk: Sara Peterson Monday, December 30, 2024 6:00 PM Assembly Chambers REGULAR MEETING I. CALL TO ORDER II. FLAG SALUTE III. RECITAL OF LANDS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IV. ROLL CALL Present: 4 - Christianson, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, and Saline Absent: 3 - Mosher, Pike, and Carlson V. CORRESPONDENCE/AGENDA CHANGES 24-194 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) Sitka School Board President Phil Burdick shared an update. CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 1 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final December 30, 2024 VIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD Joel Hanson thanked the Assembly and staff for their work. Austin Cranford commented on the animal shelter. IX. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Christianson that the Consent Agenda consisting of Items A & B be APPROVED. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 4- Christianson, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, and Saline Absent: 3- Mosher, Pike, and Carlson A 24-190 Approve the following liquor license renewal applications: 1) HPR Group Inc. dba Halibut Point Crab and Chowder at 4513 Halibut Point Road, Suite 102 and 2) Our Town Catering LLC at 265 Katlian Street This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. B 24-191 Approve a standard marijuana cultivation facility license renewal application for Eric Van Veen dba Vangreen’s LLC at 224 Smith Street, Units B,C,D,E This item was APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. X. BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS None. XI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None. XII. NEW BUSINESS: C ORD 24-32 Amending Title 2 "Administration" of the Sitka General Code by updating Chapter 2.35 "Library Commission" Library Commission Chair Sandy Fontaine and Library Director Jess Ieremia provided an overview and noted the ordinance reflects the current activity of the Commission. A motion was made by Saline that this Ordinance be APPROVED on FIRST READING. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 4- Christianson, Eisenbeisz, Ystad, and Saline Absent: 3- Mosher, Pike, and Carlson D 24-193 Discussion/Direction/Decision of partnership with the Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association for a NOAA energy transition planning and pilot testing grant to support the Sitka fishing industry CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 2 City and Borough Assembly Minutes - Final December 30, 2024 Cosponsor Christianson informed the group about the grant opportunity, noting that no commitments were required at this time. Linda Behnken requested the Assembly's approval to submit a letter of interest. If selected to participate, the group would return to the Assembly for further direction. Members raised questions regarding the City's role, the expected scope and scale of the project, the grant applicant and manager, and the availability of staff resources. A motion was made by Christianson to request staff submit the letter of interest to CSCI before January 10. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 4 - Christianson, Saline, Ystad, and Eisenbeisz Austin Cranford, Eric Jordan, and Joel Hanson spoke in support. XIII. PERSONS TO BE HEARD: Joel Hanson Jarvis Street Community Garden Project Manager stated the lease terms and conditions were expected to be addressed at an upcoming Assembly meeting. XIV. REPORTS a. Mayor, b. Administrator, c. Attorney, d. Liaison Representatives, e. Clerk, f. Other None. XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION E 24-192 Legal / Financial Matters - Cranford v. CBS, Wampler v. CBS, Mace v. CBS A motion was made by Ystad to go into executive session to receive and discuss attorney client communication from the Municipal Attorney, and outside legal counsel Jermain, Dunnagan & Owens, regarding legal and financial matters affecting the Municipality due to the Cranford v. CBS, Wampler v. CBS, and Mace v. CBS litigation. The motion PASSED by the following vote. Yes: 4 - Ystad, Saline, Eisenbeisz, and Christianson The Assembly was in executive session from 6:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. A motion was made by Ystad to reconvene as the Assembly in regular session. The motion PASSED by a unanimous voice vote. XVI. ADJOURNMENT A motion was made by Christianson to ADJOURN. Hearing no objections, the meeting ADJOURNED at 7:46 p.m. ATTEST: _______________________ Sara Peterson, MMC Municipal Clerk CITY AND BOROUGH OF SITKA Page 3